Welsh Rugby
Jones poised for Ospreys return
ESPNscrum Staff
March 4, 2011
Ospreys prop Adam Jones, Ospreys v London Irish, Heineken Cup, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, October 15, 2010
Adam Jones could make his Ospreys comeback on Saturday © Getty Images
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Wales prop Adam Jones is set to make his long-awaited return to action in the Ospreys' Magners League clash with Glasgow on Saturday.

The 29-year-old tight-head, who has yet to play in this year's Six Nations due to a elbow injury picked up in January, has been named on the bench for the Liberty Stadium fixture and a successful return could see him feature for Wales against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 12.

In his absence, Jones' Ospreys team-mate Craig Mitchell has taken over the No.3 jersey for the Championship loss to England and the victories over Scotland and Italy. And Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde has warned Jones that he is not guaranteed a starting spot against the Irish.

Speaking earlier this week, the British & Irish Lions international was refusing to look too far ahead. "It was pretty frustrating at the start, but the rehab has gone well and I'm looking to take my first full contact this week," he told The South Wales Echo. "I'm a pretty quick healer and if everything goes well this week then I'll be back for the game against Glasgow a week ahead of schedule.

"That's all I'm focusing on at the moment, and it might not happen if I get a bad reaction in training. I'm obviously keen to get back, but there's a lot of rugby to be played this year for both club and country. Let's just see how things go this week, hopefully I'll come through it and then be able to look forward to the next few steps."

Another Wales hopeful, Cardiff Blues winger Leigh Halfpenny, will also make a return from injury this weekend. The 22-year-old missed the first three Six Nations games with the ankle injury suffered in Wales training, with Morgan Stoddart ably deputising with two tries in three matches, but he will start on the wing for the Blues against Edinburgh on Friday night.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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