Jones returns to bench after shoulder blow

Alun Wyn Jones has been propelled straight back into the British and Irish Lions squad to face the Stormers with the aim of preparing him to take the helm against South Africa in the first Test.

Three weeks after dislocating his shoulder against Japan in what was announced as a tour-ending injury, Jones will take his place on the bench on Saturday for the final fixture before the opening collision with the Springboks.

It was during two fullcontact training sessions with Wales on Tuesday that the game’s most-capped player proved his fitness in a remarkable comeback, taking a full part in lineouts, scrums and mauling as well as tackling in team versus team scenarios.

Gatland had stated that Jones, who is to be reinstated as tour captain, would face two or three days of self-isolation on arrival at the squad’s base outside Cape Town and would begin training on Monday, but that plan has been revised with July 24 in mind.

“We felt that if he was going to be in contention next week then he needed to have a hit-out and prove 100% that he is fit and ready to go. He needs 20 minutes,” Gatland said.

“If someone comes off early, he’s ready to go. We’ve been looking very closely at a number of videos of the Welsh training sessions he has taken a part in. If the medical team hadn’t passed him fully fit, he wouldn’t be here.”

In another topical selection, Marcus Smith will make his Lions debut as he covers for injury trouble at fly-half.

Finn Russell is rehabilitating a torn Achilles that could end his tour and Dan Biggar was forced to withdraw from the starting XV that fell 17-13 to the South Africa ‘A’ team on Wednesday night because of a rolled ankle that is expected to heal quickly.

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw makes his first appearance since the opener against Japan after overcoming a hamstring complaint, with Scotland’s Stuart Hogg returning from self-isolation to lead the team.

COMEBACK: Alun Wyn Jones was initially ruled out.