Jones made his Test bow for Ireland in August 2011, in a Rugby World Cup warm-up against Scotland at Murrayfield. The fullback failed to make the trip to New Zealand due to a foot injury sustained against France in his third cap, ruining a promising start at elite level. A former Under-20 international and starring member of the Ireland 'A' side that won the Churchill Cup in 2009, Jones moved south from Leinster, to their rivals Munster, later that year.