The PRO14 final will be held at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 20 and Jones insists it is the perfect venue for such a prestigious event to be held. “Cardiff is the best rugby city in Europe without a shadow of a doubt,” said the former Wales captain.
“It’s going to be massive. The fans love coming here, the players love playing here. No matter who you speak to anywhere in the world this is the home of rugby.
“Whether that’s club or international fans will come here in their droves because they’ll have a damn good time. Players will also love it.
“All roads lead to Cardiff. Players are catered for very well when they arrive and the changing rooms are incredible. It is a great sports arena. I really enjoyed playing there.”
Jones knows all about playing in cup finals having won two grand finals in this competition for the Ospreys. And Jones expects the four Welsh regions to be chomping at the bit at the prospect of playing a home final.
“Twice I won the league with the Ospreys at the RDS in Dublin which was magic,” said Jones. “I’ll never forget the one where we spoilt the parade.
“Leinster had won the Heineken Cup the week before and they were due a big celebration party but we rocked up on a sunny day in May and spoilt it. That was magic.
“We’ve got four domestic entities some of which will have a lot of players away. Is the fact the final is in Cardiff an extra incentive for the Welsh regions?
“From a playing point of view you want to be in a final irrespective of where it is. But undoubtedly having a home final would be special for those regions.
“It would be really interesting to see how it builds. By time it gets to February and the Six Nations kicks in on the back end of that everyone will know where they are in the pecking order.
“Things will start becoming quite interesting because all eyes will naturally flick to the PRO14.”
