The two-time Grand Slammer, four-time Six Nations champion and double British & Irish Lion centre will be hoping try to emulate his two-try contribution on his first appearance in the Irish capital exactly 10 years ago this Saturday.
The then 23-year-old helped Wales kick-off their Grand Slam campaign with a 23-21 win at the Aviva Stadium, but there have been slim pickings since then. The best Wales has done in their last four visits was a 16-16 draw in 2016.
With only two games under his belt since the Autumn Internationals it has ben difficult for him and so many other players to peak for the Six Nations. Jones, his former Scarlets team mate and now Wales backs coach, has no concerns, however, about letting him loose on the Irish.
“Jonathan Davies is a brilliant, brilliant player and a brilliant person. He is a key member of our group, he drives standards and is a class act – it’s as simple as that,” said Jones.
“With the brain, knowledge and wealth of experience Jonathan has, as well as his physical attributes, he is a massive asset to us.”
Davies played in the Welsh side when Jones reached his century of caps for Wales against the Barbarians in 2011. Now Jones is set to offer his old pal a start in another Six Nations campaign.
“If you look at last year’s Six Nations, Jonathan came into it with an injury. He then figured halfway through the tournament and his games got better and better,” said Jones.
“I thought he was very, very good against France in the last game of the campaign. From a personal perspective I have a good relationship with him having known him for years.
“I know where he can get to and we back ourselves in this environment with him.”
Davies, now 33, already has two Grand Slams and two more titles under his belt from an international career that began in Toronto against Canada in 2009. He has since won 93 caps for Wales and added six more Tests with the Lions in Australia and New Zealand.
If he plays he will become the ninth Welshman to play in 100 tests. His skipper, Dan Biggar, is due to join him in the second round match against Scotland.
