Welsh star Jones in race to make autumn tests

Ryan Jones is “bitterly, bitterly disappointed” to have made an early exit from Wales’ pre-autumn Tests training camp in Poland.

The former captain has handed interim head coach Rob Howley an injury scare just 10 days before the autumn opener against Argentina.

Howley had already lost star forwards Adam Jones and Dan Lydiate from a demanding series that also features appointments with Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Vastly-experienced Jones, 31, is viewed as an obvious blindside flanker replacement for Lydiate.

But the Ospreys back-row player, who has won 67 caps, left snowy Spala today to undergo scans on what the Welsh Rugby Union said was “an irritable shoulder”.

“Bitterly, bitterly disappointed to be heading home, desperate to be a part of this Autumn series!” Jones said on Twitter.

Howley is due to announce his team for the Pumas clash tomorrow week. Jones, 31, headed to Spala with the Wales squad three days ago, and the WRU said yesterday he had been managing a shoulder problem prior to that.

Meanwhile, Ugo Monye claims he turned down lucrative moves to France because he was not prepared to give up on his England career after 13 caps and with his last memory being carted off the field at Murrayfield.

Monye has been recalled to England’s senior squad for the QBE autumn internationals after a blistering start to the season and he is poised to feature against Fiji on November 10.

The Harlequins wing has been stuck on unlucky 13 since he suffered a neck injury at Murrayfield during England’s desperate 15-15 draw with Scotland in 2010.

In the intervening time, Monye has struggled with injuries which affected his form and confidence. But he never gave up on his England ambitions.

Meanwhile, Chris Ashton will miss England’s opening test against Fiji after being suspended by an RFU disciplinary panel. Ashton was last night banned for one week after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Northampton’s Vasily Artemyev.