Scarlets duo facing uncertainty over injuries

THE Scarlets fear Wyn Jones and Johnny McNicholl could prove summer concerns for Wales after the injuries the pair picked up against Cardiff last weekend.

Wayne Pivac’s squad play three Tests on tour in South Africa in July, leaving Lions prop Jones and backthree man McNicholl with around 11 weeks to recover from the knee problems sustained at the Arms Park. The injuries looked worrying, with Jones, in particular, seeming in much pain as he made his way off the pitch.

The Scarlets are still waiting for further updates on the two of them, but when asked whether the injuries were worrying enough to be concerns for Wales this summer, head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Yes, potentially.

“It’s time with these things. It’s very new at the minute with the injuries, so I can’t really comment properly how long they are going to be out until I know more. We will just have to see how that pans out and the next week will be key for them.

“They have had scans and we will see what is needed to be done on the back of that. That is going through the medical process at the minute.”

If the Scarlets could do with the pair of them recovering quickly as they play out the remaining games of the league season, then so could Wales as they ready themselves for a Test series in a notoriously unforgiving rugby environment.

Jones gave a big account of himself against the Springboks with the Lions last term, earning respect from his opponents, while McNicholl has been in excellent form since the Six Nations, shining under the high ball and proving a running threat.

In further blows for the Scarlets, fellow Wales international Ryan Elias sustained a head knock in the same game against Cardiff, which leaves him a major doubt for the United Rugby Championship match with the Dragons in Llanelli tomorrow, while ex-Wales U20s lock Jac Price, with whom Elias collided at the Arms Park, is nursing a gruesome head injury that required 30 stitches.

Elias is working through return-toplay protocols after his horrendous clash with Price. The pair were trying to tackle the same player, only to collide with painful consequences. Elias failed a HIA, while Price was left with a horrible wound.

“We also lost Carwyn Tuipulotu with an injury he picked up in the game, so I can’t see him being involved for a couple of weeks. That again is in the hands of the medical team,” added Peel.