JONES BOOST FOR WALES

The Grand Slam-winning goal-kicker injured an ankle playing for French club Clermont Auvergne last Saturday, and Ruddock was originally told he would be out of action for four weeks, joining the likes of British Lions Gethin Jenkins, Gavin Henson and Shane Williams on the injured list. But Clermont yesterday named Jones in their squad of 24 to take on Stade Francais Paris on Saturday, joining four fellow Welsh Lions on the comeback trail.

Centre Tom Shanklin, who returned home early from the New Zealand tour with an injured knee, is in the Cardiff Blues’ starting lineup against London Wasps tomorrow night (FRI) and promising backrower Ryan Jones is expected to play a part in the Ospreys’ Powergen Cup match against Bath on Saturday. Former Wales skipper Martyn Williams plays his first match of the season against Wasps tomorrow night, and Dragons scrum-half Gareth Cooper is tipped to play in the Dragons’ game at Northampton on Saturday.