Jones Holds No Grudges

Battered Swansea scrum-half Rhodri Jones holds no grudges against the man whose punch has put him out of rugby for six weeks.
The 31-year-old is at home recovering after an operation on his shattered cheek after he was punched by Ebbw Vale backrower Will Thomas during an all-in brawl at St Helens.
The younger brother of Wales and British Lions scrum-half Robert had to have metal plates inserted in his jaw, and is starting to feel like the Bionic Man.
“They had to put three plates in the my face, and they’re there for good,” said Jones, who scored a superb solo try against Ebbw Vale before the injury.
“I’ve also got two plates in my arm and metal pins in my shoulder – I haven’t been very lucky as far as injuries go. They are titanium, though, so I won’t set off the buzzers at the airport.”
Jones broke his left arm in several places in June 1999 when the taxi he was a passenger in and a police panda car collided. A police officer was killed in the accident.
Jones was visited in hospital this week by Ebbw Vale coach Mike Ruddock, but has not heard from Thomas. Despite this, he doesn’t want to take the matter further.
“I just want to get on with it,” said the gritty No 9, one of the unluckiest players not to don the red of Wales.
“Injuries are part and parcel of playing rugby, although this is one I haven’t encountered before.
“It was a bit rough, because I wasn’t involved in the initial fight at all, but whether or not Swansea cite the player is up to them – I don’t really want to be involved.”
Jones said he wouldn’t go down the same road as Cross Keys fullback Ioan Bebb, who took Wales and Bridgend lock Chris Stephens to court after suffering a punch that ended his career.
“I’m just a rugby player, and I certainly don’t want to take the issue that far,” he said. “I’m just paid to play rugby and any further action is up to the club.”
Ebbw Vale have not waited for Swansea to decide whether to cite anyone, and have fined five players for their involvement in the brawl.
And Jones – who has had a running battle with former Wallaby scrum-half Sam Cordingley all season – is determined not to be on the sidelines for too long.
“I’m desperate to get back. I can start training next week and I think I’ll be out for six weeks – seven at the most. It’ll be good to get back on the field with the boys.”
Despite a poor start to the season, Jones says the Whites are starting to hit their straps.
“We generally have a really strong finish to the season and although we’re not quite where we want to be, things are coming together.