Wales forward Ryan Jones is confident of being fit for the start of his side's Six Nations defence against Ireland on February 2.
The back-row or lock dislocated his thumb during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup draw with Leicester last weekend and was told he faced a four-week lay-off. But Jones is hoping to defy the medics and hand Wales caretaker boss Rob Howley a timely boost as he bids to combat a growing injury list.
"Medics have said anything up to four weeks, but, with a bit of luck, I should heal pretty quickly," Jones told the Western Mail. "I won’t know what it’s going to be like until the strapping is removed next week. I want to play and I’m loggerheads with the doctors at the moment. It’s only a thumb – I have got another one."
