World Cup ‘not beyond’ fit again Felix

FELIX JONES is likely to make his first appearance of the year when Munster A travel to Shaw’s Bridge for today’s interprovincial clash with the Ulster Ravens (kick-off 3.30pm), and coach Anthony Foley believes he can use the match as a springboard for World Cup selection.

Jones, 24, has been dogged by injury since he signed from Leinster in February 2009, with just 12 senior Munster appearances under his belt.

In December 2009 he suffered a serious neck injury which put him out for the rest of that season, and though he made a full recovery, he was dealt another cruel blow last September when he ruptured his cruciate ligament in just his third game back.

Undeterred, the promising young full-back has once against worked his way back to full fitness, and Foley believes he has what it takes to push for World Cup inclusion.

“Why not?” says the former Munster and Ireland number eight. “What the lad is capable of everyone has seen. Hopefully he can get a run of games and make a push for that World Cup squad. God knows we need as many Irish players out there vying for positions as possible.”

Jones first came to attention as the try-scoring full-back on the 2007 Ireland U20 Grand Slam team.

More recently he played a starring role with the Ireland A side that beat the English Saxons in the 2009 Churchill Cup final, scoring a memorable try in the process.

An All-Ireland Junior League medallist with Seapoint, the Dubliner is distinguished by his unique running style, and showed plenty of promise in early season games during which he was a regular fixture at number 15.

Even in his limited involvement to date, he has captured the imagination of most anyone connected with the province.

“Felix is electric,” says Foley. “Even when you’re just out on the training pitch coaching him he brings an extra bounce and an extra buzz to the whole training pitch.

“All the coaches and players around him have seen what he has gone through in the last couple of years, with his neck last season and his knee this season. There is an emotional attachment to Felix and everyone wishes him well. Hopefully he can get out on the pitch and get back playing.”

Munster have not yet named their side for the trip to Belfast but Jones is expected to play some part.

Providing he comes through unscathed, his return will come as a welcome boost for Tony McGahan as the senior squad challenge for both the Magners League and Amlin Cup.

Also back from injury are Niall Ronan and Peter O’Mahony, with both players also likely to tog out against the Ravens.

Meanwhile, Tom Gleeson will undergo a hernia operation tomorrow, while Ian Dowling will see a specialist this week about the hip complaint that has dogged him since the game against Ospreys last year — the same game Jones was injured in.