South Africa-bound Jenkins wants to play on for Cardiff Blues
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Dai Young says Lions prop Gethin Jenkins wants to play in Cardiff Blues' remaining games even though the club have secured a Heineken Cup spot. Blues centre Tom Shanklin [shoulder] was ruled out of the Lions tour to South Africa on Thursday and Jamie Roberts had a minor scare on Sunday. Roberts hurt his shoulder in the win over Munster but Jenkins is unfazed. "Gethin has already mentioned that he might want to play to keep his game-practice going," said Young. "It'll be over to them really [the Blues' five remaining Lions], but from our point of view we needed them really to get points to be in the Heineken Cup. After that, it's pretty much left to them." "From my point of view I'm quite comfortable with not fielding them for the next two games." Those encounters are against Heineken Cup-spot chasing Scarlets at the Arms Park on Wednesday and Edinburgh at the same venue on Sunday. Roberts is confident that he will not join midfield partner Shanklin on the Lions' pre-tour casualty list. "I've done it before," he said. "I just had a little knock on my shoulder and it's just shifted in the joint
just a stinger hopefully.
Tom Shanklin was ruled out of the Lions tour with a shoulder injury
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"I knew as soon as I'd done it I wasn't fit enough to play on. I was in a bit of pain so I iced it up and hopefully the range of motion will come back in the next couple of days. "Fingers crossed, it's just a stinger and there's no massive damage. Hopefully I'll see the shoulder consultant
and get the all-clear. "Of course [the worry] is always there. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't, especially playing in the same position [as Tom Shanklin]. "I went out and gave it my all today, got an early knock on my knee, but that's fine and hopefully the shoulder's fine." Wing Leigh Halfpenny, also a Lion, withdrew from the Blues' team prior to kick-off with what was described as a 'slight knock'. Shanklin misses the Lions tour as he needs reconstructive surgery on his shoulder that will keep him out for 16 weeks. The Wales star fell awkwardly after a tackle by the Dragons' Jason Tovey in Wednesday's 26-12 Magners League win. A scan on Thursday revealed surgery was needed on his right shoulder.
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