Alun Wyn Jones could make stunning Lions comeback
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - Injured lock Alun Wyn Jones is attempting to make a stunning comeback to rejoin the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
Jones dislocated his left shoulder just over two weeks ago, only minutes into the Lions´ tour warmup against Japan in Edinburgh. Jones, the tour captain and rugby's most capped international, had to be dropped the day before the team flew out of Britain.
Dislocations usually take a minimum of six weeks to recover from, which coincided with the length of the tour, so Jones wasn't expected to be seen again while he rehabbed the shoulder back home in Wales.
But he's been training with the Wales squad, Lions coach Warren Gatland said on Monday in Cape Town. Gatland added he probably has to make a decision on Jones´ return on Tuesday to ensure he'd be available and ready for the test series.
"The assessment was initially that (the dislocation) wasn´t as bad as they first thought," he said. "That's a real positive and it would be a boost to the squad having someone of his experience and caliber to come back in.
"A few weeks ago we didn't think it was an option.
"He has been back fully training with Wales. He is training this week with them, he is doing a double session tomorrow, and we'll just see what the outcome of that is. He has made a remarkable recovery in terms of that injury."
Jones has played every Lions test on their last three tours, against South Africa in 2009, Australia in 2013, and New Zealand in 2017.
The first test against the Springboks is in 12 days.
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