Ireland boosted by Easterby inclusion: Jones

Wales winger Mark Jones admits the selection of his Llanelli Scarlets captain Simon Easterby will make Ireland a fearsome prospect in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations opener.

Easterby edged a tight call from Ulster’s Rory Best, who had starred during Ireland’s autumn campaign and was named man of the match in the comprehensive victory over Australia.

Ireland’s head coach Eddie O’Sullivan explained the final decision was made predominantly on form, though Easterby’s inside knowledge of the Welsh scene was a considerable factor.

The 31-year-old has spent the last seven seasons at Stradey Park and Jones has witnessed his remarkable influence first hand, particularly this year as the Scarlets booked a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Jones said: “Simon was left out of the starting XV in the autumn despite playing some really good rugby.

“He has turned it on in the Heineken Cup over the last couple of weeks and he probably got the upper hand earlier this month when the Scarlets won in Ulster.

“He gives Ireland something else. Dennis Leamy, David Wallace and Best are massive ball carriers whereas Simon is also a very destructive player and he brings a new dimension to their team. He also brings a mental edge to his game. Physically he is very tough and he also leads from the front.

“He is inspiring as a leader both on and off the field and at the Scarlets this year he has really brought an edge to us in big games.”

But dangerous as he might be, Jones is at least confident Ireland’s spy in the camp will not have the inside track on the Welsh line-out calls.

“I don’t think Easters’ Welsh is too crack hot. He’ll probably be getting some tips from (his wife) Sara in the stands,” Jones laughed.

Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas could have expected to start against Easterby at the weekend had he not spent most of the last two weeks out with damaged shoulder ligaments.

Thomas is one match and two training days into his comeback and, as a result, he does not expect to be in the starting team named later today.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has the option of Alix Popham, another Scarlet, or veteran loose forward Colin Charvis.

Jenkins also has difficult decisions to make in the back three and will have spent last night pondering his options.

Jones and Shane Williams faced fitness tests yesterday afternoon in their bid to recover from ankle and hip injuries respectively.

Jones rated his chances of being fit, pain-free and available as 50-50 but Williams was more pessimistic about his own situation.

To add insult to injury, Wales could lose Gareth Thomas to suspension if he is found guilty at a European Rugby Cup disciplinary hearing today.

Thomas is charged with engaging in “aggressive” and “obscene” behaviour towards Ulster supporters in Toulouse’s controversial Heineken Cup win on January 21.

If Jenkins ends up without Jones, Williams and Thomas he will have to name a patched-up back three, with Gavin Henson the likely full-back and Kevin Morgan on the wing.

Thomas is up before the ERC hearing at 10.30am. The Wales team to play Ireland is announced at 1.35pm.