Surgery KO’s Mark Jones tour chances

Apr 25 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

GRAND Slam star Mark Jones looks certain to miss Wales’ summer tour of South Africa.

The 39-times capped Scarlets wing is to undergo surgery on his groin today and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.

That effectively rules him out of the two-Test series against the world champions, with the Welsh squad to fly out on May 29.

Jones has been troubled by a groin problem for some time, with the injury niggling him during and after the Six Nations.

Now following a scan, it has been decided that he needs an operation to rectify the complaint.

A Scarlets spokesman said: “It’s a condition known as sportsman’s groin.

“He’s going to have an operation on it which is likely to keep him out for a minimum of four weeks.

“That means his participation on the Wales tour has to be seen as doubtful.”

Jones’ played in four of the five matches in the Grand Slam campaign, reclaiming his place after being left out for the second game against Scotland.

Now the 28-year-old, who has suffered more than his fair share of injury woe during his career, will have to sit out the summer tour.

His absence from the trip to South Africa could well open the door for young Blues wing Tom James, who has been in explosive form of late.

The pacy, powerful 21-year-old was man of the match against the Scarlets and also showed up impressively in last weekend’s victory over Ulster,

So far, both of his caps have come from the bench, but he could be in line for a first start in the opening Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on June 7.

Another option on the wing is James’ Blues team-mate Jamie Roberts, who made his Wales debut in place of Jones against Scotland.

Roberts, also 21, is a full-back by preference but has made the vast majority of his appearances for the Blues this season on the wing.

Scarlets speedster Jones joins Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips in missing the South Africa tour.

There’s also a continuing fitness issue over Ospreys centre Gavin Henson, whose return from ankle ligament damage has been put back another week.