The Warriors star, now back to full fitness and set to start at fly half on Saturday, has fond memories of the trip - even if Popham played the prankster!
"When I got my cap I was lucky enough to room with Alix," said Jones. "He wasn't the easiest person to room with. I had a lot of hard times with him, as well as a lot of stick.
"He played havoc with me on some occasions, I'd be nodding off and then suddenly there were practical jokes everywhere!
"But beside all that, he's a really good lad. He helped me fit into the squad and basically took me under his wing.
"It was an experience I'd never had before and I was a young lad coming through. He really looked after me and I had a great time with him."
When asked if he had any stories that might embarrass the Brive back row, Jones revealed part of his plan for Saturday's encounter.
"There's a few embarrassing stories I could tell, but I'm saving them so I can hopefully get into his head with a few on Saturday to try and turn him and put him off his game a little bit," joked Jones.
Despite the fond memories, Jones was quick to add that Saturday's match will be no fun and games.
"Brive are a very good outfit and it's going to be a very tough game for us on Saturday.
"But I know, like we all do here at the club, if we perform like we did on Saturday against Saracens then we should come away with a win.
"That's what everyone wants here and that's what we're going to be striving for."
Brive have several players in there ranks that will be very familiar to English supporters, including Ben Cohen, Steve Thompson and fly half Andy Goode.
And Jones is relishing the battle with his opposite number adding: "Andy is obviously a very good player, who's been away on international duty for the past six weeks or so with England, and he's done very well, as he did with Leicester.
"He was the main man for Leicester while he was there - he ran the ship for them. He's got a good all round game, you know what you're going to get from him and how he's going to play. It's up to us to stop him getting anywhere near his best, so we can limit what he does."
As well as Goode, the fly half also pointed out a few players he would have his eyes on.
He said: "There are a lot of players who aren't French in the Brive team. There are a couple of fellow Welsh boys I'll be looking out for. Barry Davies at full back, who was also at the Scarlets, and Liam Davies, who plays scrum half. There is also Ben Cohen on the wing, who is obviously a big strong lad."
Despite several big clubs, namely London Irish and Northampton Saints being left in the competition, Jones was quick to explain that there is no clear favourite for the cup.
"It's one good performance and then you're in the next round, so anyone's capable of beating anyone - as people have seen in the Guinness Premiership this season," said Jones.
"I wouldn't say anyone is favourite now. It's just down to the day, come Saturday 80 minutes of good rugby and you're in the semi finals. It's the same in any sport. One big effort or one big upset and you're into the next round."
If you want to be at Sixways Stadium on Saturday to cheer on Matthew Jones and the other Warriors, tickets for the European Challenge Cup match against Brive are still on sale.
You can get your tickets by calling the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or by visiting www.warriors.co.uk today.
