Luke Jones will not forgo dreams of the green and gold to chase gold in greener pastures © Getty Images

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As several young stars begin to pack their bags and head for greener pastures, Melbourne Rebels lock Luke Jones remains adamant that he will stay in Australia and chase his dream of becoming a Wallabies international.

Jones has been in fine form for the Rebels this season, staking a claim for a Wallabies spot, and he is mentioned with increasing regularity in discussions about Test selection; but if he misses his chance to earn the green and gold jersey in the next two years, he says the cash overseas won't tempt him.

"No, [I'm] definitely not [heading overseas]," Jones told ESPN exclusively. "[Staying in Australia], that's my focus. So I want nothing more than that for myself and my team-mates to make the Wallabies. That's where my heart lies at this point in life."

With Wallabies second-row Kane Douglas still considering his options with Leinster (he is reported to have agreed but not yet signed terms), and rising stars such as Jones' Rebels team-mate Hugh Pyle and New Zealanders Chris Noakes and Bundee Aki signing big-money deals in Europe, there are growing fears that more young talent will head north for the pounds and the euros. But Jones says while other players may have their own desires, he just wants to focus on the green and gold.

"Definitely, you know it's definitely an aspiration for me [to become a Wallaby]," Jones told ESPN. "Everyone has their own opinions, everyone has their own outlook on rugby and what their desires are; what they want to do, what they want to get out of the game. For me, I'd love to play as many caps for the Wallabies as I could; that's my focus at this stage of life. But you know each to their own. I mean I can't speak on behalf of others, but for myself that's what I want to do."

As the Wallabies Test series against France draws closer, Jones says it's hard not to hear his name being mixed in with bigger names but he believes his team-mates know how to keep him grounded.

"I mean you do [listen to the media], you do hear a lot of the media stuff and I mean you can't not," Jones said. "But in saying that, the guys around me keep me grounded and you know I'd love to see as many Rebels in the Wallabies colours. But I'm more focused on the now. You know playing my best for the Rebels and hoping I can get the higher honours."

At only 23, Jones has risen quickly up the rugby ranks to become a household name around Australia. Starting his career at Western Force, Jones became the first forward in Australian rugby history to sign professional terms as a schoolboy. Earning two Super Rugby caps at the club, he soon made his way east for the Rebels' inaugural season. He has since become a stalwart for the Rebels, earning 39 caps and producing his best rugby.

Jones believes the pressure to perform is the reason behind the improvement.

"I think I have [matured]. It's my fifth season in a Super Rugby team and you know that sort of young experience helped to get me to where I am now at 23. But, yeah, I think the group around me has been a massive influence on my performances as well as the team performances.

"I think it's been more a case of putting pressure on myself as well as the team and the coach putting more pressure on me to perform. I think through that pressure at training and pressure to always improve, it's really helped my game and really been a massive factor in wanting to do better always."