Coach feels Stephen Jones is up for the challenge

Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins believes Stephen Jones' excellent regional form shows he is "relishing" his battle with Dan Biggar and James Hook for the national No 10 jersey.

Jones, who has scored 815 points and won 91 caps for his country, has been first choice for much of the eight years since Jenkins played his last Test against Romania in 2002.

Scarlets star Jones, a two-time Lions tourist, has started 17 of Wales' last 23 Tests and is very much the man in possession of the jersey, and has looked in fine fettle in helping the west Wales region make a good start in the Magners League, where they lie fourth after five games.

But former Wales stand-off Jenkins, who was the first player in the history of the game to pass 1,000 points in Tests during a glittering career, believes the pressure from his rivals is bringing the best out of Jones.

"I think Stephen has been playing superbly well," he said. "He is a very fit guy and he is up for the challenge of keeping hold of his spot.

"He relishes the challenge of having guys like Dan and James around and he is a very experienced player who understands the Test-match environment."