WHEN Newport's Ryan Jones crossed the try line at Murrayfield on Sunday, no one could have been more proud of his success than his parents Julia and Stephen.

The pair from High Cross have followed the Wales team to Paris and Scotland to support their son and the rest of Mike Ruddock's squad in the Six Nations Tournament.

Mum Julia, 48, a registered child minder, said: "I'm just so proud of him. It's a credit to himself because he's worked hard for it.

"I wouldn't say I expected him to play for Wales and do this well but I always hoped for it, like everyone does for their children.

"I never encouraged him to play rugby but he's always been sport-orientated. The family are so pleased with what he's achieved." Dad Stephen, also 48, a policeman, said: "I'm also extremely proud of him, as I am his younger sister Lisa.

"He's got where he has by believing in himself."

Mr Jones, who also wanted to be a rugby player when he as younger, thinks some of flanker Ryan's sporting ability came from playing games as a child.

He said: "I think he got such good hand-eye co-ordination from playing tennis when he was younger. I always made sure he was kicking or throwing a ball."

And he also thinks Ryan had the right qualities to make it to the top. "He's always wanted to play in teams and he's always wanted to win," Mr Jones said.

"He's just so proud to be able to show Mike Ruddock and the Ospreys what he can do and prove the faith they had in him wasn't wasted. "He's feels so fortunate to be in the position - and to think all that has happened in just 10 months."

But more importantly, Mr Jones said, is the fact his son is a decent person, living in Cardiff with his university friends and keeping his feet on the ground.

And, as for Grand Slam hopes against Ireland this Saturday, Mr Jones said: "It's just amazing what has happened already. We've always said to our children 'It's better to have a memory than a dream', and told them to go for it, and Ryan is doing just that."