Jones is moving on and up

"I'm a big believer in not looking back, what's gone is gone," said Jones at yesterday's Six Nations launch in London. "There is a new look and a new feel about the place and the way the regions have performed in Europe is very encouraging.

"I've got every confidence that the guys can go out there and win at Twickenham next week. The Six Nations is basically five cup finals in a matter of weeks, it's important we hit the ground running and take it from there."

Jones expects new coaches Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley to be catalysts for a big improvement in the championship.

Jones says the new men at the top have made a big difference already.

"Warren and Shane have come in and straightaway they have been pretty straight talking and have pulled no punches," he said.

"They have brought in a winning mentality and with Rob Howley as well they've been there and done it.

"We are trying to take things from them, the squad is smaller and training has been more intense.

"And being new coaches they have got no baggage, they don't know the players so everything is up for grabs.

"Shaun coming in is very much a doer, he's very pro-active and the boys have responded to him already.

"He's not a great one for watching videos or for chalking on the board and he's working the boys very hard."

Gatland confessed at the Six Nations launch that he doesn't know what kind of game England will play against Wales and he believes continuing uncertainty over the future of coach Brian Ashton will not help their cause.

"I'm not quite sure what game England are going to play, whether it's pre-World Cup or take a bit more risk and be more expansive.

It's difficult because Brian has been given only one year, so does that indicate the type of game they're going to play? I'm not sure.

"It must be hard for Brian after they offered him only 12 months. They get to the World Cup final and all they offer him is a one year contract.

"So can he pick the players he wants or is it a balance because he's worried about the result?

"England's failure in the Six Nations the past few years is partly down to the politics.

"It's been a period of transition and change, but with their playing base and finishing power they have got it wrong for the past four years.

"But it's made a huge difference for us to get two teams in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. The Ospreys against Gloucester a couple of weeks ago was as good a performance as I've seen from a Welsh region.

"A lot of Wales players stood up, so they should have plenty of confidence and self belief, and I'm looking forward to doing well in the Six Nations.

"We've got to make sure the basics are right, we compete in the scrums and line-outs and get the contact area right.

"There are some talented players in the team, but we've got to get the balance right, you can't play rugby from side to side."

Gatland even had a tip for England about how to beat Wales, and he issued a warning to them about Lesley Vainikolo should they play the monster Gloucester wing.

"If I was England I'd try and bully us and take us on up front," he said. "Vainikolo is a big man with the potential to score tries, but we'll see how good he is when the ball goes up and behind him."

Gatland gave a pretty clear indication that scrum half Dwayne Peel won't be fit for the England game.

"We'll see later in the week, but I'm conscious that the number nine will face an incredible physical test next week and can expect a few bumps," he said.

Asked whether that meant Peel would be out, he replied "You can draw your own conclusions."

And he admitted it wasn't ideal that likely replacement Mike Phillips wasn't first choice for the Ospreys while Gareth Cooper has been called in by Gloucester this weekend.

"It's one of then things we're working on and why I've spoken to Martyn Williams about coming back when two young guys, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Ben Lewis aren't starting for their regions," said Gatland. "Obviously I'd like Mike to be starting more regularly."