But it could easily have been a different story after England scored 17 unanswered points following what Jones accepted was “a stupid, idiotic” trip on hooker Dylan Hartley.

While the Lions lock watched from a seat in the West Stand, England cut loose by launching the points blitz which underpinned their 30-17 success.

Gatland has made just two changes for Scotland – replacing wing Tom James with his Cardiff Blues colleague Leigh Halfpenny and calling up Jonathan Thomas instead of lock Luke Charteris – meaning Jones lives to fight another day.

Jones though, is the first to admit it could have been a completely different story, especially after Gatland criticised the 24-year-old during a post-match television interview.

Recalling the first-half incident, Jones said: “It was more of a reaction, probably one of the worst reactions I’ve had on the rugby pitch.

“At the time I thought it would jeopardise my international career.

“You’ve got to have that sort of view when you make those mistakes because obviously the opportunities to play are few and far between.

“Shaun Edwards (Wales assistant coach) spoke to me at half-time so I knew the severity of the viewpoint from the management, and rightly so.

“I wasn’t aware of it (Gatland’s interview) but I had a few texts and I realised Gats was just taking his honest line as usual, and I fully respect him for that.

“When he first came in (as Wales coach) he said he was going to be honest to players, on and off the field. When he first said that to us I thought it was very refreshing for the players.

“I think it’s a cut-throat mentality that we haven’t had before, if you like, in the rugby fraternity in Wales and I think Gats is just bringing that off-field southern hemisphere cutting edge.

“I’ve been given this second opportunity now, but I see every game as an opportunity. I have got it this week to obviously put some wrongs right – or a wrong right – from last week.”

On Sunday and Monday Jones was greeted by newspaper headlines such as ’Alun-Sin Jones’ and ’Stupid Boy.’

And he added: “Immediately afterwards I had a bit of abuse on a few social networking sides, which is fine.

“People are able to vent and immediately afterwards it’s an end of the world situation, apocalypse now, whatever you want to call it.

“Slowly, people change and there is a bit of support out there. It’s funny, it takes something like that to realise how much people do think of you.

“I would like to thank everybody who has given me their support, and at the same time thank everyone who has given me abuse because a lot of the time it is the abuse that spurs you more than the people who support you.

“I didn’t read any papers until I went to my parents’ on Sunday. I had a quick look, then went back to bed.

“People are entitled to their opinion, and my act was completely stupid, but the over-reaction and vilification? It’s a bit sad when some people have to do that.

“I wouldn’t say it was the lowest point (of my career), but it was one of the most stupid, idiotic acts I have done.

“This opportunity is now there to put it right.

“You don’t want to try too hard because you could go over the edge, and you don’t want to play too conservatively because you would jeopardise your selection for the next game.

“A text came through earlier from a friend saying ’Just do what you do usually, and don’t think about anything else.’ I think that is apt for the weekend.

“I have never said I am an enforcer. I have always said I like to play my rugby, I’m not one for the dark arts.”

For his part, Gatland just wants Jones to do the job he normally does when Wales aim for a victory that would put their Six Nations title bid back on track.

“He is a player who gives 100% and has delivered well for Wales,” said the coach. “He is not a serial offender.

“If it was someone who had picked up lots of yellow cards and given away lots of penalties, then the sanction might have been to drop him because you needed to make that decision.

“There was no discussion from us in terms of dropping him. We all felt he’d made a stupid error and he is an intelligent enough person that he is remorseful and he will learn from it.”

And there are also signs of normality returning to Jones’ rugby life at Wales’ rural training retreat in the Vale of Glamorgan as his prankster team-mates have a field day.

“A few of them are creeping back in with a few jibes and stuff,” said Jones.

“Ryan Jones showed me the (yellow) lid of a Marmite jar this morning. He thought it was hilarious.”