Wales handed Jones World Cup boost

Wales fly-half and captain Stephen Jones is set to be fit for the start of the World Cup after scans showed he does not need surgery on a groin injury.

It was thought Jones would need to go under the knife after sustaining a partial tear to his groin during a warm-up game at the end of a week-long training camp in Brittany last week. However the 26-year-old is expected to be back in full training by the end of August.

Jones will miss all three of Wales' warm-up matches, including this week's contest against England at Twickenham, but has set his targets on a comeback for Wales' World Cup opener on 9th September.

Having lost Gavin Henson to injury, the news comes a huge relief to Wales coach Gareth Jenkins.

"This is magnificent news for us," he said.

"It's just the tonic we need as we prepare for our warm-up games against England this week and Argentina and France at the Millennium Stadium later this month.

"Stephen is very much the lifeblood of this squad".