ON ANY rugby union field, the forward pack is an unforgiving place to be as battlehardened lumps of bone and muscle hammer away at each other, searching for a weakness to exploit.

In such a hazardous environment, it is kill or be killed with the rival packs struggling for superiority from first whistle to last.

Given that the law of the jungle has as much sway as the referee's whistle, it is surprising to hear England's new pack star Chris Jones confess just where his shirt is from his full debut against Scotland.

"This might not be the right thing to say, but I gave it to my mum to wash," he admitted. "That's where it is at the moment, although I am sure I will do something nice with it and my cap."

Thankfully for England - but not for their opponents - the 23-year-old from Manchester is more than capable of surviving and thriving amid the type of blood and thunder exchanges that are guaranteed during the Six Nations championship.

After scoring a try on his debut as a substitute against Italy in Rome, the 6ft 6in, 15st 4lb Sale Shark played a key role for the full 80 minutes against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Although back on the bench for Saturday's game with Ireland at Twickenham, he is excited about building on his impressive start which he says is beyond his wildest dreams.

"You do always dream of playing for England, but to actually be doing it is beyond anything I hoped for from this season," he said."I thought that if I played well for Sale, then maybe I would get called up because I played for the A team last year. That was a dream come true, but this season has been amazing.

"I got a taste of things against Italy, but the Scotland game will always stay with me. There was a big build-up with all the bagpipes, so I just tried to take it all in and remember everything. Before the game they said they expected me to be nervous, but that I should just enjoy myself so that is what I tried to do."

He added: "To be honest I was nervous about lasting the pace, because it is so quick. I was blowing a bit, but I knew had a few days off afterwards so I gave it everything and the coaches seemed quite happy.

"I want to keep that going on Saturday if I get on, and I've sorted out all my friends and family with tickets just in case."

Jones has made a habit of pleasing his coaches since he signed for Sale in May 2001, scoring 11 tries in 47 appear-ances as a pacey back row or second row forward.

Much of the debate before his full debut centred on which position he would adopt, but Jones said: "It is a fantastic experience for me, wherever I play, so I am just happy to be here to be honest.

I'm just determined to do my best for my club and if I get picked for England then great, but if not I am learning all the time just by being around the calibre of players in the England squad.

"Everyone has been brilliant and have been passing on their experiences they have gained through their careers. You can't help but learn from them and that is what I am trying to do every time I am down here."

Jones is also keen that his time on the bench is not wasted and on Saturday he will be studying not just England's back three of Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Richard Hill, but also the Irish breakaway trio of Simon Easterby, Keith Gleeson and Anthony Foley.

"The people I will be playing with and against on Saturday are all fantastic players and it will be a difficult game against the Irish who have some world class forwards and backs."

He added: "Hopefully I will get the chance to go out there and play the best I can, as well as enjoying myself again - this is where every English rugby player strives to be so if I can't enjoy myself here, where can I enjoy myself?"