Wales woe as injured Jones heads home

The former Wales captain has handed interim head coach Rob Howley an injury scare just ten days before the autumn opener against Argentina. Howley had already lost forwards Adam Jones and Dan Lydiate from a series that also features games against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Jones, 31, was viewed as an obvious blindside flanker replacement for Lydiate but the Ospreys back-rower, who has won 67 caps, left snowy Spala to undergo scans on what the Welsh Rugby Union said was “an irritable shoulder”. The player had been dealing with a shoulder problem prior to heading to the camp.

“Bitterly bitterly disappointed to be heading home, desperate to be a part of this autumn  series!” Jones said on Twitter.

A WRU statement read: “The decision to send Jones home at this time is based on a preference for the facilities available  in Wales.

“Further details of his problem and any repercussions for selection, if at all, will become apparent once the proper investigations have been undertaken.”

Adam Jones has been ruled out of the autumn games due to a knee problem that could require more than two months’ rehabilitation and Lydiate suffered a serious ankle injury playing for Newport Gwent Dragons earlier this season. It is unlikely Lydiate will play any part in Wales’ Six Nations title defence, although he is expected to be fit for next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Matthew Rees has backed one of Wales’ young props to make an impression in Adam Jones’ absence.

It is probable that Aaron Jarvis, Scott Andrews or Samson Lee will start against the Pumas.

“We have props who can play both sides of the scrum, with Paul James and Gethin Jenkins both able to move over,”  hooker and former Wales captain Rees said. “But I can certainly see one of these youngsters  coming through and getting to the next level.”