Great stuff from Jones - the Darce of the 2009 tour.
Surely Darce is the Darce of the 09 tour
Still hasnât been given a start
from rte.ie
Wales captain Ryan Jones has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lionsâ tour of South Africa - just one day after arriving.
Jones has not satisfied the team medical staff that he is fully fit to play a part on the remainder of the 10-match trip.
He arrived in Cape Town yesterday after being summoned as a replacement for knee injury victory Stephen Ferris.
It is understood the Lions will not send for a further player to take over from Jones, who will now fly home without playing any part on the trip.
Lions manager Gerald Davies confirmed that Jones had been ruled out of the trip on medical grounds.
A series of examinations highlighted that he was not currently fit to play.
Jones underwent the same routine medical testing as all replacement players joining the tour, and it led to the squadâs medical staff requesting a further examination by an independent neurosurgeon.
This was due to a concern over Jonesâ recent medical history that included two significant knocks to the head while playing for Wales during their recent North American tour.
Jones said: 'I am very disappointed that on medical grounds I have been told that I am not currently fit enough to play an active role on the tour.
'I was looking forward to getting involved with the rest of the lads, but I guess it wasnât meant to be.
'It has been an up and down year for me in many ways.
âI feel okay at present, but obviously I have to listen to the neurosurgeonâs advice in terms of my health and to ensure I make a full recovery.â
Jones, who went off suffering from a head injury during Walesâ victory over the USA in Chicago last weekend, will now take a complete rest before starting pre-season training with the Ospreys.
A Welsh Rugby Union spokesman said: 'We fully understand the reasons this step has been taken.
'We understand how desperately said it is for Ryan, who was looking forward to the honour of representing the Lions.
'All players know it is important for medical advice to be followed and now he will be able to rest before taking a full part in pre-season training.
âWe look forward to seeing him fit and ready for the start of next season.â
Does anyone know is there anywhere online that I can watch the Living with the Lions documentary from 1997, there are only bits and pieces of it on youtube?
good stuffâŚ
shane williams providing scrum half cover on the bench?
FFS. give the lad the no. 11 jersey and be done with it.
complete joke.
[quote=âtreaty_exileâ]shane williams providing scrum half cover on the bench?
FFS. give the lad the no. 11 jersey and be done with it.
complete joke.[/QUOTE]
whatâs this? is Blair out injured?
just caught a snippet of it on the radio, providing cover for blar.
assume blair is jumped up to the starting spot and williams gets to sit on the bench.
no doubt heâll be brought on in a desperate attempt to let him find form.
ridiculous if true, williams hasnât played scrum half neath were in the celtic league.
Did he not play a test for Wales at scrum half over the autumn?
Just said on sky sports that Blair is out injuredâŚellis is starting scrum half with williams on the bench
[quote=âtreaty_exileâ]just caught a snippet of it on the radio, providing cover for blar.
assume blair is jumped up to the starting spot and williams gets to sit on the bench.
no doubt heâll be brought on in a desperate attempt to let him find form.
ridiculous if true, williams hasnât played scrum half neath were in the celtic league.[/QUOTE]
Ellis was picked to start with Blair on the bench. Williams is coming into the bench for Blair, who picked up an injury. I can understand them wrapping Mike Phillips up in cotton wool. Luke Fitzgerald should get the left wing spot on all current form.
Yeah Blair injured all right. Phillips got a couple of bangs on Wednesday so didnât pick him according to McGeechan.
[quote=âThe Pukeâ]Did he not play a test for Wales at scrum half over the autumn?
Just said on sky sports that Blair is out injuredâŚellis is starting scrum half with williams on the bench[/QUOTE]
not sure puke, there was talk of playing martin williams at 9, gatland has him there in training a lot, but i donât recall either of them starting a test there.
flutey and earls starved of ball here.
breakdown extremely ugly, kicking far too often.
kearney playing alright so far.
not a bad try at all. firt time the ball went through hands.
kearney did well, bowe badly exposed that aryan lad at full back.
must be the test 14 now surely.
thatâs it, wrap bowe in cotton wool and tell him lounge by the pool for the next week.
having a superb tour.
not sure about ellis at all.
Missed the second half, heard they were lucky to hold onâŚBowe did very well for the two first half tries and looks the form player of the tour
How did martyn williams go? has he ever played 6, i only ever recall him playing 7 but urely it wouldnt be much of a transition?
6 Williams 7 Wallace 8 Heaslip prob the best combo now (if williams can play 6).
Anyone know if hes played there before?
Dont think Croft is tough enough for the Boks.
[quote=âSheriff Loboâ]How did martyn williams go? has he ever played 6, i only ever recall him playing 7 but urely it wouldnt be much of a transition?
6 Williams 7 Wallace 8 Heaslip prob the best combo now (if williams can play 6).
Anyone know if hes played there before?
Dont think Croft is tough enough for the Boks.[/QUOTE]
Williams was one of the better players, did enough to be in the reckoning anyway. Williams and Wallace could play together but Wallace would be the 6.
Wallace has been tried 6 before, never looked comfortable. Some commentators believe that Wallace will play on the highveld with Williams playing at sea level, thereâs some merit to it, gingers struggle at altitude.