RaboDirect Pro12
Jones desperate to start season
ESPN Staff
July 28, 2012
Alun-Wyn Jones celebrates Toby Faletau's try, South Africa v Wales, Rugby World Cup 2011, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, September 11, 2011
Jones had a long season last term, including the World Cup in New Zealand © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Alun Wyn Jones
Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12
Teams: Ospreys | Wales

Wales and Ospreys second-row Alun Wyn Jones is desperate to get back into the action after admitting he had to be told to take time off rugby this summer.

The Ospreys skipper returned to pre-season training this week along with the rest of the Welsh region's international contingent. After an extra-long season that started last summer with preparations for the Rugby World Cup and ended with Wales' tour of Australia, Jones and his fellow international were given more time off.

But the Ospreys lock admits he is desperate to start the season and begin their defence of the RaboDirect Pro12 title.

"It's been a long couple of years straight through with the World Cup but I've rested and it's good to be back in work again," he told the South Wales Evening Post. "After the way we ended the season, a good run of wins playing decent rugby and ending up with a bit of silverware, I'd say most of us if not all have been itching to get back in.

"We were on a roll and you'd probably say it was the worst time for us to stop playing and have some time off. We really could have kept going but it's important that we take that time out to be fresh for the new challenges and the journey that is ahead of us."

Jones added: "I did make sure that I had a complete two weeks of doing nothing to recharge the batteries. It's been difficult not to show my face around here too much over the summer.

"I want to be in and around the camp and I want to be preparing for another big season with the Ospreys. But like the other internationals I was under orders to take time out. I think I got the balance right though."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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