The Ospreys back-row forward was among only a handful of players who emerged with genuine credit from a shambolic 2005 expedition in New Zealand.

Clive Woodward’s tourists suffered a 3-0 Test series whitewash, demolished by an All Blacks outfit whose supremacy never waned.

Jones, despite being part of Wales’ memorable Six Nations Grand Slam triumph earlier that year, initially missed out on Lions selection.

He ultimately featured in all three Tests following a stunning debut against Otago in Dunedin after being summoned as a replacement for injured Scotland star Simon Taylor.

Jones, 27, now has another Grand Slam success in his career portfolio, this time as Wales skipper, a job that he only landed less than eight months ago.

And former Wales captain Davies, who won 38 caps and played in every Test of the unforgettable 1971 (New Zealand) and 1974 (South Africa) Lions tours, believes Jones has given himself an outstanding chance to land one of world rugby’s highest-profile roles.

Davies said: “The position where the captain plays is quite important. Rugby still tends to be a forward-orientated game – it’s up-front where the grunt is and where you win and lose games.

“Ryan, if he keeps his fitness and form, has every opportunity to captain the Lions in South Africa.

“He thinks about the game, he carries the ball well, he reads the game well as a captain and he has all the physical attributes of a modern back-row forward.

“But captaincy of the Lions is also about a public role off the field, and Ryan is someone who is comfortable with all of that.

“I remember when I first captained Wales, I was more worried about my speech after the game than actually playing.”

If Wales continue their resurgence under coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards – both are candidates to assist Lions boss Ian McGeechan in South Africa - then ex-number eight Davies also predicts a strong representation of playing personnel.

He added: “This season is the proof of the pudding for Wales. People might say it was a lucky Grand Slam last season in some ways, but you need luck to win any Grand Slam.

“Even in the 1970s it was never a foregone conclusion that we would win a Grand Slam, and Wales will look to consolidate on last season’s success.

“If they manage to do that, then a lot of players going on the Lions tour next summer will be Wales players.

“I can see a larger percentage of Welshmen being selected than from any other nation, if things remain as they are.

“The Lions has got to be the pinnacle for any player – it is a magical thing. Suddenly, you are not just the best in Wales, you are the best in Britain and Ireland. You have got to accept these challenges and aim high.”

Davies though, a guest at today’s HSBC-hosted Millennium Stadium audience with the 1955 Lions, believes lessons will have been learnt from the Woodward-run debacle three years ago.

He said: “2005 seemed to be a bit like a travelling circus. Decisions appeared to have been made about who was playing, and when, before they left these shores. It is difficult to change any pre-conceived plans on short tours like the Lions trips have now become.

“I think Woodward tried to change too much, although hindsight is a wonderful thing. It seemed that things were worked out by computer, rather than by any other method.”

Davies’ former Wales and Lions team-mate Gerald Davies will manage the 2009 squad, and with revered Lions king McGeechan at the coaching helm, Davies believes both appointments have set a promising tone for events in nine months’ time.

“I am delighted for Gerald (Davies) – it is a great appointment as manager. It is nice to see someone with the experience of Gerald there, and I am certain he will have a huge input.”