Jones sidelined for six months
Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:19
Prop forward Adam Jones looks set to spend six months on the sidelines after it was revealed that the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the second British and Irish Lions test match in South Africa will require surgery.
The Welshmen suffered the injury at a ruck when 'cleaned out' by Springbok second row Bakkie Botha. Botha was subsequently then banned for two weeks after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of ‘dangerous play.’
Jones, 28, suffered damage to the ligaments in his shoulder and will need an operation in order to fully repair the damage.
"Adam had a scan at the Vale Clinic in Cardiff, which confirmed that he had torn ligaments in the shoulder in the process of the dislocation," said Ospreys physio Chris Towers.
"In light of these findings he then saw a specialist who has recommended that the best management of the injury is to undergo surgery to repair the ligament damage.
"We would expect excellent results from the surgery, however, we are looking at a timescale of around six months before Adam would be able to play rugby again."
The Ospreys star was making his second test appearance for the Lions and had been a huge part of the improvement in the Lions packs performance in the second half in Durban and the first forty minutes in Pretoria.
Botha's ban however has been the story dominating the headlines following the incident. The citing commissioner for the second test, Steve Hinds, deemed Botha’s actions dangerous and handed the incident over to judicial officer Alan Hudson who decided that his actions warranted a two week suspension.