THERE is a "feel-good factor" in the Wales squad ahead of the big showdown with England on Saturday, says outside-half Stephen Jones.

The Llanelli Scarlets star has told how Cardiff Blues and Ospreys players have brought confidence to the Wales set-up after their Heineken Cup heroics.

For the first time since their inception in 2003, Wales have two regions through to the quarter-finals.

Former Wales skipper Jones, 30, who has just signed a three-year deal to stay with the Scarlets after he was linked with French and English clubs, said that success had put their players in an upbeat frame of mind.

Jones said: "There is a feel-good factor. The majority of the players in the squad are from the Ospreys and the Blues who've made the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. There is a bit of excitement."

But he said Wales were in no doubt about the enormity of their task in Twickenham.

"It's going to be a tough challenge. England are a good side, a very physical side. They play a simplistic game and a very effective one."

On Wales' chances, he said: "We are working very hard to raise the bar in training. It's early days (in the Warren Gatland regime) but we are very confident in what the coaches are trying to do...they have got to be given time."

Jones revealed that being put through their paces by Gatland and defence coach Shaun Edwards had been no picnic: "They are very good, very organised and have made a technical impact."

He went on: "It has been a tough but productive week and I think we are going in the right direction.

"Training has been short but very intense - they've got high standards."

On Wales' new Newport-born skipper Ryan Jones, he said: "He's fitting in very well. Ryan is well-spoken and leads from the front and he's got the backing of all the guys."

Jones says the players are raring to go at the weekend: "I think this could be one of the most competitive Six Nations of all and we're excited about it - it's a good squad with players coming back from injury and there's a good team spirit."