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Old 08-02-2010, 05:10 PM #239
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Wales captain Ryan Jones believes his team remain firmly in the title hunt despite suffering their heaviest RBS 6 Nations defeat of coach Warren Gatland's reign.

Jones and company must regroup for Scotland's Millennium Stadium visit next Saturday following a 30-17 loss to England.

Gatland is due to name his team tomorrow, when changes could be made in the front row, second row and back row.

Lock Alun-Wyn Jones will feel a degree of uncertainty about his prospects after his Twickenham sin-binning for a trip on England hooker Dylan Hartley cost Wales dear.

England scored two converted tries and saw Jonny Wilkinson kick a penalty in Jones' absence - an unanswered 17-point burst that left Wales reeling, although they fought back with two touchdowns of their own before the home side finished strongly.

But Jones is adamant Wales can recover, starting with the Scotland clash.

'I don't think we were beaten by a better team, but a team that played better on the day in parts,' said Jones.

'We could have grabbed it at the end - the momentum changed in the second half. You can't afford to write us off in the tournament yet with four games to play.'

Alun-Wyn Jones, despite his monumental indiscretion, is likely to feature in Gatland's line-up for Scotland.

Skipper Jones added: 'It is called Test rugby for a reason, and it's a test for Alun-Wyn as to how he responds. He is the first name on the team-sheet most weeks, and he has a long and illustrious career ahead of him.

'All of us have done something stupid on the field, and it is about not doing it twice.'

Gatland's immediate attention will centre on prop Gethin Jenkins and hooker Matthew Rees, who both missed the England clash through injury.

If fit, they can expect recalls, but Jenkins (calf muscle) and Rees (groin) could find time is against them with such a short turnaround between Six Nations fixtures.

Tries by prop Adam Jones and centre James Hook took Wales tantalisingly close at Twickenham, but they were finished off by James Haskell's second touchdown after Stephen Jones' pass was intercepted by England full-back Delon Armitage.

Gatland said: 'We got back to 20-17 and showed what we were capable of doing with some quick ball, and we've got to keep building on that.

'I think you will see a really positive reaction from the players against Scotland,' he said.

'If we go out and play and be as accurate as we can be, we will produce a good performance against Scotland.'
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