Alun Wyn Jones will pack down in Wales's second row against Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday after being reprieved by the coach, Warren Gatland, for the trip ­at Twickenham that cost him a yellow card and saw ­England score a decisive 17 points in his absence.

Gatland said immediately after the 30‑17 defeat that he would consider dropping the British and Irish Lion, ­arguing that his being sent to the sin-bin was the ­defining moment of the game, but the Kiwi coach has decided to give him a second chance after taking Jones's previously excellent disciplinary record into account.

Wales had kept Jones away from the media after Saturday's match and although he was made available today, it was only to two reporters in a room well away from where the team announcement, which saw two changes from the side that lost to England, was made.

"The trip was a reaction, one of the worst I have had on a rugby field," said Jones. "At the time I thought the idiotic act would jeopardise my international career. The players were supportive and would not let me shoulder the blame: they will not let one person take the flak for anything. Gats was being brutally ­honest when he said my action had cost us the game and when he arrived he said he was going to be straight with players, on and off the field.

"When I first heard that I thought it was refreshing, and I still respect him for it. It's a cut-throat mentality, a southern hemisphere cutting edge that we have not had before. I hope it will provide dividends for me personally and Welsh rugby as a whole. Sunday and Monday were not great days for me, but it was good to get back into the squad environment straight away.

"I play every game as if it is my last, and I know I am fortunate to get this opportunity. I have a chance to put some wrongs right and that means playing my usual game. I have never said I am an enforcer. I have always said I like to play my rugby: I'm not one for the dark arts."

Jones received a supportive text after the match from Paul O'Connell, the Ireland second-row who was his Lions captain in South Africa, and Gatland said he was angry that interviewers this week had tried to drive a wedge between coach and squad by asking players if they felt it was right to make the lock the scapegoat.

"They were trying to get a negative response," said Gatland. "There was no discussion about dropping Alun – he had made an error and was remorseful. He is not a serial offender and all we are looking for from him on Saturday is to be accurate and put his body on the line. We are not asking for him to be Superman. He is an intelligent player we know will respond."