Welsh Rugby
Versatile Jones happy to be back playing
ESPNscrum Staff
October 18, 2010
Wales' Ryan Jones takes the attack to France, Wales v France, Six Nations Championship, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, February 26, 2010
Ryan Jones is happy to play anywhere for the Ospreys or Wales © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Ryan Jones
Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup
Teams: Ospreys | Wales

Ryan Jones is happy to play anywhere after excelling in the second-row during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup victory over London Irish at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night.

Wales coach Warren Gatland named Jones, primarily a No.8, in his squad for November internationals against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Fiji on Monday and confirmed that a decision on whether he would continue as captain would be based on form and selection for their opening Test against the Wallabies.

Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson believes that Jones could feature prominently at lock in Wales' Rugby World Cup bid next year - an assertion that was backed-up by his Man of the Match display against the Exiles.

"I just want to be on the pitch when the whistle goes," Jones told BBC Sport. "Whatever they deem is best for the team I'll give it a go. If I play there hopefully I won't let anybody down. I'd like to think I've got a few more games left in me at No.8 yet. I just want to play, that's all I've ever wanted to do."

Ospreys forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys confirmed that the region's coaching panel views Jones as a 'back-five player' and also that he believes the added versatility offered by his shift into the second-row would prove to be a bonus for Wales.

"We feel Ryan is a back-five player and the way rugby is going, it will be big athletic men who play in the back-five," he said. "Ryan will play for us at No.8 and at lock while Jonathan Thomas will also do that. I don't think that will be of detriment to them getting selected for Wales. In fact, it will be a huge string to their bow."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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