Jones to miss rest of Six Nations

WALES lock Alun Wyn Jones will undergo surgery today on his elbow which will see him in recovery for six to 12 weeks, ruling him out of the rest of the RBS Six Nations championship.

Jones picked up the injury to his arm around the 36th minute mark of Wales’ victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and came off at half-time. Further investigation revealed a chipped bone and ligament damage needing surgery.

“It has been concluded the chipped bone needs to be removed and the ligament to be repaired to ensure a stable joint,” said Wales physio Mark Davies. “The recovery will be six to 12 weeks ruling him out of the rest of the Six Nations and allowing him to target an end of season return for the Ospreys.”

Jones will not be replaced in the Wales squad meaning head coach Warren Gatland and his team of coaches will now train with a squad of 34 players as they prepare to face France on Friday February 26.

Meanwhile, Andy Powell has vowed to fight to get back into the Wales team after he was dropped from their squad. The 28-year-old was suspended for breaching their code of conduct after he was arrested and charged for driving a golf buggy “whilst unfit through drink”.

Powell’s agent, Mike Burton, yesterday released a statement which read: “Andy Powell has accepted the disciplinary decision handed down by the WRU and confirmed his public apology for the incident which occurred last Sunday morning. Andy remains a committed professional and will now work towards re-establishing himself in the Welsh squad at a time when the WRU team management think fit.”

Powell was detained with another man early on Sunday morning at a service station near the M4 motorway, close to the hotel in the Vale of Glamorgan where his team were staying.

Elsewhere Scotland’s Thom Evans will undergo a second operation on his neck, it was confirmed yesterday.

Glasgow wing Evans, 24, suffered a serious injury after colliding on Saturday. He went under the knife that evening but surgeons have decided a second procedure will be required later this week before he is released from hospital in Cardiff.

Evans was one of three Scottish players to suffer tournament-ending injuries on Saturday, with full-back Chris Paterson and fellow wing Rory Lamont also requiring hospital treatment.