AMID the scramble to cover for talisman tighthead Adam Jones, Wales new boy Aaron Jarvis paid tribute to his prop idol.

The 26-year-old front- row forward has been shown the ropes by the Lions star since arriving at the Liberty Stadium from Bath in 2011.

And Exeter-born Jarvis, who qualifies for Wales thanks to his grandmother from Merthyr Tydfil, could be covering for his mentor when Argentina head to Cardiff on November 10.

Jones was ruled out of all four of Wales’ Tests last Friday because of a knee injury.

It is a monumental blow to lose the 83-times- capped cornerstone of the scrum.

But if that leads to uncapped Jarvis getting the nod then Jones will still have had an influence on the outcome, thanks to passing on top tips at Ospreys HQ.

“Working with Adam is phenomenal, you can learn so much from just watching him and he is so easy to talk to and is willing to help,” said Jarvis.

“You just try things that he says and that helps with your development. I definitely think that it’s making me a better player just to be around him.

“I’ve been fortunate to be at clubs with very good props and you learn what you can from everyone and do what best suits you.

“I’m good friends with (former England props) Duncan Bell and David Flatman from my time with Bath and now I’ve got Adam.

“You just watch them and learn so much, what they do and how they react. Little things like what they do with their feet.”

Another potential number 3 is Scarlets youngster Samson Lee, who received a late call-up to travel with Wales to their training camp in Poland when it became clear that Jones was struggling.

And the 19-year-old has been backed to impress in Spala by his regional team-mate George North, a young man who knows what it’s like to have a rapid rise into the international ranks.

“Samson is immense and is a player that I wouldn’t mess with,” said the giant winger. “I am glad he is on my team because he a hard nut.

“It will be great experience for him to come into this environment and maybe even get a few caps under his belt.

“He is physically ready – he’s an absolute monster – and the tough challenges he has faced in Europe have prepared him for the mental side and the standards of this environment.

“He is a quiet chap who keeps himself to himself but when he gets out on the park he works really hard for the team. I am sure his game will come on leaps and bounds.”