Jones and Williams given Welsh deadline
Monday, 29 January 2007Wingers Mark Jones and Shane Williams have until Wednesday to prove their fitness for Wales' opening RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.
Jones and Williams had virtually been written out of Wales' plans last week after suffering ankle and hip injuries respectively.
But they have both made encouraging progress over the last few days and could yet feature in some capacity at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.
Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has delayed his team announcement until Thursday afternoon, which gives the two wingers an extra 48 hours' recovery time.
And Wales physio Mark Davies told the BBC: 'We'll make a full assessment, probably on Wednesday. Both are up and running but are unable to take a full part in team activities, at some point they will have to face full contact.'
The return of at least one winger would ease the pressure on Jenkins, who currently faces the prospect of naming a completely rejigged back three.
Gareth Thomas, an option either at full-back, wing or outside centre, faces a potential ban if found guilty of engaging in 'aggressive exchanges' with Ulster supporters at a European Rugby Cup disciplinary hearing on Thursday morning.
Without the trio, Jenkins would probably look to press Gavin Henson into action at full-back with Kevin Morgan and Chris Czekaj on the wings.
But if any of them are available to start against Ireland, the pre-tournament favourites, then Henson could find himself relegated to the bench.
Henson did injure his knee at the weekend playing at full-back in the Ospreys' 29-22 win over Ulster but he took a full part in Wales training today after being cleared of any serious damage.
But Wales will definitely be without centre Tom Shanklin, who pulled out of Cardiff's game at the weekend after a suffering a recurrence of a thigh injury.
Shanklin's replacement is likely to come from either his Blues team-mate Jamie Robinson or Harlequins' Hal Luscombe.
And Bath loose-forward Gareth Delve has withdrawn from the squad after twisting his ankle in the 31-23 Guinness Premiership win over Harlequins.
