Adam Jones has made his New Year’s resolution – to secure a place on a second Lions tour.
The Wales prop dislocated his shoulder, which required major surgery and a six-month lay-off, on the last occasion he pulled on the jersey of the famous tourists.
But Jones’ abiding memories of the trip to South Africa are positive ones.
The Triple Grand Slammer proved his stature as one of the world’s finest tight-heads during the tour and the way he out-scrummaged Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mwawarira in the second Test in Pretoria has gone down in Lions folklore.
Now he is desperate to earn his place in Warren Gatland’s party to tour Australia in 2013
"If I can get on the Lions tour this summer it would be brilliant," Jones told the South Wales Evening Post.
"I really enjoyed the last one, despite the injury.
"I wasn't expecting it to be like it was. The boys who went in 2005 didn't have fond memories, but the way it was organised in South Africa was great.
“It was good off the pitch and the rugby was really professional as well with the likes of Geech (Ian McGeechan), Gats (Warren Gatland), Howlers (Rob Howley) and Shaun (Edwards) running things.
"It was special to be involved and if I can make this one it would mean a lot."
Jones has had his fair share of close encounters with the Wallabies, including two Test wins, and he expects a nail-biting series Down Under.
“It should be a great series,” said the Ospreys stalwart.
"Australia always make it difficult for the teams they play. People were saying England and Wales would beat them in the autumn, but the Wallabies are a hell of a tough team and they won both those Tests.
"If the Lions are to win down there, they'll have to play really well."
Jones however, is well aware that the foundations to any potential involvement with the Lions will be laid first with the Ospreys and then Wales.
The Ospreys are alive and fighting in both their PRO12 defence and the European Cup, while Wales kick-off their bid to retain the Six Nations crown in February.
"If Wales can go well in the Six Nations again, that would be nice, not just for me and the other boys but for the whole country," added Jones.
"We've had a lot of stick over the past few weeks and months, but there's a lot of talent in the national squad and if we have luck with injuries there's no reason why we can't give a good account of ourselves again.
"The other big goal, up there with the Lions and Wales, is to have more success with the Ospreys.
"The region are my bread and butter, the side I play with every week, and if we can beat Leicester and Treviso it might just get us somewhere in Europe.
"There's also the Pro12. We enjoyed that last season, so why not have another crack at winning it?"
