Welsh Rugby
Adam Jones wary of fatigue ahead of tour
ESPN Staff
May 9, 2012
Wales' Adam Jones controls a ball during training, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, October 13, 2011
Prop Adam Jones admits that he is feeling 'tired' ahead of Wales' three-Test tour to Australia © PA Photos
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Wales prop Adam Jones has admitted that fatigue could be an issue for his side ahead of their three-Test tour with the Wallabies in June.

The RaboDirect PRO12 semi-finals are this weekend with Jones' Ospreys hosting Munster and if they progress to the final of the competition, then there will be just a 14-day turnaround between that and the first Test against Australia on June 9.

Jones played in all five of Wales' matches in their 2012 Grand Slam triumph and the prop has admitted that the length of the tour and the close proximity to the end of the domestic season is far from ideal.

"It's a long season," Jones told Wales Online. "As nice as it is to go on a three-match tour of Australia, after a World Cup year, it's not great. I'm sure the boys would rather play one or two Tests and then come back home. But three Tests... well.

"I guess for the Welsh boys it's a chance to stake a claim for the Lions next year. If you have a good tour you'll show you can do it out there and hopefully knock on from there. It'll be tough out there, but it's a long season. We'll be able to celebrate after.

"It's not long to go now. Hopefully, we'll get to the final, have a couple of weeks off and then go from there. They're pretty good. They're not going to flog us so much. I am tired but I guess I'm not the only one."

Ahead of the tour Wales received a boost with the news that their inspirational skipper Sam Warburton is set to return to full fitness to face the Wallabies and Jones has moved to highlight the strength in depth they have in the back-row department.

"Sam has been a big part of the squad," said Jones. "He gets injured quite a lot but he showed how special he was with his display against England.

"But we have not missed him as much as we thought we would with the likes of Justin Tipuric and Aaron Shingler coming through."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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