Alun Wyn Jones could yet tour with the British and Irish Lions after it was revealed the Wales captain would undergo an “initial” six-week period of rehabilitation on a shoulder injury.
Jones is among the favourites to skipper the Lions in New Zealand in June and July, but was forced off after 51 minutes of Wales’ 20-18 Six Nations defeat to France in Paris on Saturday.
The injury prompted fears the Ospreys lock could be ruled out of the tour, but a statement from the Welsh region on Wednesday indicated he would not require surgery.
“Alun Wyn suffered a shoulder injury in the France v Wales RBS 6 Nations match at the weekend and, following scans and orthopaedic consultation, he will undergo an initial six-week period of rehabilitation,” it read.
Jones’ lay-off does mean he will miss the Ospreys’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais a week on Sunday, as well as the potential semi-final.