The Aviva Stadium clash is the first of the new competition and represents a fresh start for Wayne Pivac’s side after a line was drawn under the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.
“We’re focused and very clear on what we need to do and we’ll stick to that,” said captain Jones, who will make his 150th appearance in the Irish capital.
“The onus is always on the players. It’s always on us and I don’t think that changes.
“We’re aware of the external perceptions people have of us at the minute, but we won’t deviate from getting the performance and improving to get the result.
“We’re still very conscious the performance needs to go up again and that’s been the focus.
“As a player you are given the tools to go out there and do a job and we will do that to the best of our ability.
“As a playing group we won’t shy away from the pressure. I’ve done this a few times, been in this position a couple of times before, and the margins are small.”
Jones is clear in his view Wales are targeting a significant improvement on the performance which led to a 14-10 defeat by Scotland last time out.
World rugby’s most capped player added: “We’re very clear about the things we need to shore up from the Scotland game to get a result. The margins in the games at this level are small.
“There were times in the Scottish game where we probably tried too hard and gave away penalties. Sometimes it’s easier to take a little two per cent off the effort than add it in.
“It’s probably about being a bit smarter. We’ve got a little bit to get right, but we know what we need to do.
“This is a new competition.
“In a way it’s a new start, but we’re definitely aware of what we need to shore up and I’d like to think there would be a reaction.”
