Strong scrums must be rewarded - Jones

ADAM Jones has called on the lawmakers to ensure sides with a strong scrum are rewarded amid rising fears throughout the rugby world that attempts are being made to depower it in the name of entertainment.

- PAUL REES

Jones, who won 100 caps for Wales and the Lions on the tight-head and is now coaching at Harlequins, said teams that struggled up front should work on ironing out weaknesses rather than be bailed out by rule tweaks.

"Every season breaks me," said Jones. "The goal-line drop-out is nonsense and now if you are awarded a scrum freekick you cannot opt for another scrum.

"We will happily watch box kicks which eat up the seconds.

Crowds must love it, spending their hard earned money to watch the spectacle of one box kick after another.

"The scrum has always been a huge part of the game. I would argue that a big shove can change the momentum and atmosphere of a game.

"Attempts to depower it dishearten me. If your attack is not very good, you train to improve your skills and make it better. It is the same with defence but the thinking seems to be different when it comes to the scrum.