Jones handed Lions call-up

Wales forward Ryan Jones was today summoned to join the Lions in New Zealand amid growing concerns about Simon Taylor’s fitness.

Neath-Swansea Ospreys player Jones, a member of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam squad this season, is to fly out as the third Lions squad addition after England lock Simon Shaw and Ireland flanker Simon Easterby.

Scottish star Taylor is struggling with a hamstring problem and has withdrawn from the Lions starting line-up for tomorrow’s game against New Zealand Maori.

The Lions say that Jones is not replacing Taylor, but the decision to fly Jones out suggests Taylor’s tour could soon be over.

Taylor suffered injury heartache on the 2001 Lions trip to Australia, suffering a serious knee injury in the opening game against Western Australia and then returning home.