Rugby World Cup 2011
Jones poised for Wales return
ESPNscrum Staff
September 22, 2011
Wales back-row Ryan Jones looks on, England v Wales, Rugby World Cup Warm-Up, Twickenham, London, England, August 6, 2011
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones has been out of action for just over a month © Getty Images
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Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has revealed that Ryan Jones is available for Monday's Rugby World Cup clash with Namibia in New Plymouth.

Jones has been out of action since suffering a calf muscle injury in his country's warm-up defeat by England at Twickenham last month but played a full part in training on Thursday and is now likely to feature in some capacity in the game against the Namibians.

"It looks as if Ryan has come through the session well," Howley said. "At this moment in time, he is fully fit and available for selection. Ryan was smiling and happy, which is always a good indicator. It looks as if he is up and running."

Jones is likely to be joined in the squad by namesake Stephen, Gethin Jenkins and fullback Lee Byrne, prompting Howley to comment: "When you look at the side that will start against Namibia, it will be a far more experienced side than that which took the field against South Africa and Samoa."

Wales forwards specialist Robin McBryde, meanwhile, insists that Wales cannot afford to under-estimate the threat posed by the Namibians and must impose themselves on their opponents right from the first whistle.

"We've got to go out as hard as we can," he said. "Samoa and Fiji showed the way (against Namibia). They just went out hard from the word go and got the result first, then concentrated on the performance afterwards.

"I think that is the way we've got to go as well. The outcome of the group is undecided. I think it's going to go all the way, and who knows what is going to happen in the other fixtures? Samoa and Fiji have got a lot to play for, and I don't think South Africa will take Samoa lightly."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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