Ryan Jones confident of place in final 30-man Wales’ squad for Rugby World Cup debut
Welsh rugby union player, Ryan Jones, has expressed his confidence in his ability to make his long-awaited Rugby World Cup (RWC) debut during the upcoming 2011 RWC. Newport born Jones has been named in Warren Gatland’s shortened 35-man training squad for
their 2011 RWC preparations. Jones is expecting to secure a place in Gatland’s final 30-man squad for the Wales 2011 RWC campaign.
The 30-year-old utility back row forward Jones missed out on selection from Wales 2007 RWC after he sustained a serious shoulder injury.
When asked about him playing at Rugby’s global showpiece tournament, Jones replied, “A World Cup would be a new thing for me and it's something every international rugby player wants to experience. It's one of the boxes that I've yet to tick and I'm going
to do everything in my power, personally, to try to make sure I'm there. But we have three tough matches first before we go out there.”
Jones started his professional rugby union career with the Celtic Warriors in 2003, at the age of 22. He played 16 games for the Warriors during his single season stay at the club.
In 2004, Jones joined the Welsh professional rugby union club Ospreys. He has made 111 appearances for Ospreys in both domestic and European competition. He has also scored 75 tries for Ospreys during his stay at the club so far.
Jones termed missing out on the 2007 RWC as one of the most regrettable moments of his life. He has expressed his strong desire to play in RWC and particularly to play in New Zealand.
Jones further added, “I've toured there with the Lions and going there with Wales last year was a great experience and going there for the World Cup would have to be the ultimate for any rugby player.”
Wales number eight and flanker Jones has been the regular member of the national Welsh team for the past few months. He has played five of six games for Wales in the 2011 RBS Six Nations tournament. His inclusion in the Wales squad will definitely add experience
to the side and help them compete in crunch games.
Jones has played 55 international matches for Wales since his debut in 2004. Wales will take on Samoa in their 2011 RWC opener, which eventually can prove to be the RWC debut for Jones, after playing in the international level
for seven years.
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