Jones distraught after falling short

STEPHEN JONES has revealed the agony of missing the chance to deny Ireland a historic Grand Slam. The Wales outhalf saw his last-gasp penalty fall inches short to allow Ireland to snatch the Six Nations title and turn Cardiff into a green party.

Lions rivals Jones and opposite number Ronan O’Gara enjoyed a fierce battle but it was the Ireland number 10 who carved his name in Irish rugby folklore with the winning drop-goal three minutes from time.

But Jones, who scored all the Welsh points, admitted the action-packed and tense final moments at the Millennium Stadium were the “maddest” of his career. The 31-year-old said: “I can safely say I’ve never been involved in such an emotional and dramatic last five minutes before.

“It was amazing and I experienced the whole range of emotions in a short period from when my drop-goal went over right up to the final kick to win the game – it was mad.

“It was a bitterly disappointing experience for me to say the least. I did not strike through the ball and got under it a little bit and, of course, it dropped short which was frustrating.

“When you are out there engrossed in the whole affair, you just think of the process you need. I knew it was a long kick but I was happy with the way I was striking the ball.

“In hindsight after missing the kick, maybe I should have given it to Gavin (Henson). But you have to back yourselves in those situations.

“It was going straight and I was happy with that but I did not strike it as well as the one in the first half and sadly did not have enough energy behind it.”

Meanwhile, the Ospreys are sweating on the fitness of Lee Byrne for their Heineken Cup quarter-final with Munster next month.

Wales fullback Byrne will have a scan today to reveal the full extent of the foot injury sustained in the defeat to Ireland. The Lions contender remained on crutches yesterday and is a major injury doubt for the Welsh region’s tie with the reigning champions.

Byrne is expected to be out for three weeks and that will have him facing a race against time to be fit for the clash at Thomond Park on April 12th.

Byrne said: “I hope it’s not too bad. I just felt the injury when I was running. The tendon on the bottom of my foot tightened up.”