O’Connell hails model pro Jones for beating injury nightmare

MUNSTER skipper Paul O’Connell believes team-mate Felix Jones is the perfect inspiration for every injury-struck rugby player in the country.

The Seapoint and former Leinster underage player is set to line out against his old province in Saturday evening’s Magners League game of the season at Thomond Park, and O’Connell has been awestruck by the youngster’s durability.

Jones has recovered from serious neck and knee injuries that might have wiped out his career, and O’Connell yesterday praised the full-back for his performance in his comeback game against Cardiff Blues last week.

“He’s done great. He’s had a few injuries in the last few years, and I think he’s a model for any player with a long-term injury. I’ve seen it and I’ve probably done it myself; people begin to feel sorry for themselves a little bit and probably don’t approach their rehab with such gusto.

“But he’s been incredible in how he’s trained and looked after himself and his body since he’s been out injured and got himself back.

“Some guys come back and struggle to find form. That was his first start (against Cardiff) and to play as well as he did was phenomenal. For every young guy looking for how to react when you get injured, he is the model.”

O’Connell is also delighted to see John Hayes back in contention for a place and suggested the big prop forward was capable of hitting peak form in the remaining nine weeks of the season.

“He’s had a bit of time off this year with a few injuries and stuff, and he looks in great shape. He’s been training phenomenally well and seems incredibly hungry. It’s great to see him back in,” said O’Connell.

The skipper is happy too with his own progress and delighted that there will be such an intense challenge in the weeks ahead. “Hard matches are just what we want,” he said. “When we came back from the England game, it was a six-day turnaround to Cardiff for the international guys and that was a good thing because it kept us disciplined and focused.”

Although Munster might be tempted to keep one eye on the upcoming Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final away to Brive, O’Connell has no intention of losing sight of what’s on offer on Saturday; bragging rights and a virtual guaranteed home Magners League semi-final should they win.

After five losses on the bounce to Leinster, including the 15-16 defeat at Thomond last season, there is every reason to suggest this could be a grudge game but O’Connell insists it can only be treated as another “significant” tie in the grand scheme of Munster’s Magners League aspirations.

“We’re not doing anything different (this week); building yourself up for some matches and not for others can lead to inconsistency.

“We’re trying to treat it as we would any other eight-day turnaround. The Munster-Leinster game is always a massive one. I wouldn’t take away from that but we have to stay focused on the fact that we’re playing for points here.

“It’s about finding the right balance. It’s a game you need to get physically up for because they are always up for it. But you need to have your head screwed on too.”