Munster full-back Felix Jones believes Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations win will have a domino effect that improves the standard of the country’s rugby.
Ireland laid claim to their first Championship in five years when they beat France and Jones thinks every Irish player will step up their game in a bid to break into the squad.
After the successful tournament that saw the Ireland win four of their five games, Jones knows that coach Joe Schmidt has an extensive pool of talent to choose from.
And, while Jones was bitterly disappointed not to be selected for Ireland’s final match-day squad with France, he is determined to show Schmidt what he can do.
“Everyone wants to play for Ireland and everyone wants to get into the group now. It’s obviously a successful group now, so it’s not going to be an easy task,” said Jones.
“There’s been great consistency in the team over the campaign and they were rewarded for their performances, so you’ve got to be 20-30 per cent better than the guys that are there to get in.
“Everyone wants to be involved and it’s a massive disappointment not being there [in the match-day squads], but getting to work with Joe was great.
“Working with top quality coaches, you’re going to improve as a player, by getting another point of view. You take the positives you can from it and try and keep the hunger if you’re not getting in there.
“The last contact I had with him was the week of the game. He just said to keep fit and he’d be keeping an eye out and he’d be watching us.”
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