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Tuesday, 4 September 2007, 18:09 GMT 19:09 UK

Jones ready for World Cup start

Stephen Jones Wales fly-half Stephen Jones has come through a full training session after recovering from a groin injury and said he is ready for the World Cup kick-off.

Jones missed all three of Wales' warm-up games, having suffered a groin injury in France at a training camp.

But having returned to Brittany and Wales' St Nazaire Rugby Club training base, Jones said he was available for Sunday's match against Canada.

"It was touch and go with the injury, but now I'm ready to go," said Jones.

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Scrum V's Gareth Lewis

"I am itching to get back out there. It's great. I have enjoyed getting back on the pitch instead of just working in the gym, it's great to be back with the boys."

Ian Evans (collarbone) is now the major injury worry in the Wales camp.

"We hope Ian will be available for the Australia game but probably for the Japan game," said Wales assistant coach Nigel Davies.

After flying from Cardiff on Tuesday morning, coach Gareth Jenkins' team held an open training session in front of 2,000 fans.

Representatives from the Institute Culture de Bretagne were handing out flyers to the crowd to remind them of the Celtic history Brittany shares with Wales.

"It is nice to come back here, we had a superb welcome," said Jones, who spent two seasons playing for French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne.

"Gareth Thomas' role at 12 has come under close scrutiny, but I've enjoyed playing alongside him"
Wales centre Tom Shanklin

"They are great supporters and we are looking forward now to playing some good rugby."

Jones' return to fitness will stir the debate around Wales' midfield positions, as he competes with James Hook for the number 10 jersey.

Both could feature in the team, with one moving into a playmaking role at inside centre, captain Gareth Thomas switching to wing or full-back.

"The massive debate is about who plays at 12," said Wales outside centre Tom Shanklin in his column for the BBC Sport website.

"With Sonny Parker and Stephen Jones getting back to fitness we'll have plenty of possible combinations - all I can say is, thank God I'm not the coach!

"Stephen, Sonny and James Hook are all options there, while I'll have plenty of competition for the number 13 shirt.

"Gareth Thomas' role at 12 has come under close scrutiny, but I've enjoyed playing alongside him.

"Alfie has the skills for the position, he's a great defender who you can have confidence will make the tackles inside you, and he's also a big ball carrier.

"That takes a lot of pressure off me, when there's only one guy taking it up the middle it can get too predictable."



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Related to this story:

Rugby World Cup 2007 fixtures (16 Aug 07 |  Rugby Union )
Wales coy on Jones' role at Cup (11 Aug 07 |  Welsh )
Fly-half Jones reveals Cup scare (03 Aug 07 |  Welsh )

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