Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones has sensationally told Warren Gatland that he WILL make a miracle return to feature in their Test series against South Africa.
Thr 36-year-old was completely ruled-out of playing with a dislocated shoulder after the win against Japan six days ago.
However, Gatland told The Sun: “Given his age, they think that they could potentially take a few shortcuts, more than you would do with a young player, if he picked up this type of injury at the start of his career.
“So he’s kind of optimistic that a miracle may happen, and then he can get himself right.
“We’re just going to assess it and see how the next couple of weeks goes in terms of that.
“I think the specialist said, when he had to look at it, that it wasn’t quite as bad as he thought it would be.
“But not good enough, obviously, to come on tour to start with.
“And we needed a replacement, otherwise we would have put too much pressure on him and the other second rows.
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“We’re going to monitor that and as we come towards the end of the tour.
“Or if we pick up an injury and he’s making amazing progress, something can happen – you never know.
“So it’s kind of one of those just wait and see situations.”
How the bookies think the Lions will line-up after Alun Wyn Jones ruled out
Take a look at the full side below. Odds are correct as of 1st July, 10am.
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Wyn Jones (Wales) – 5/6
- 2. Jamie George (England) – 2/5
- 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 1/5