Injury boost for Jones

Jones: expected to be out for a maximum of four weeks

Stephen Jones is expected to miss only a month with the knee injury he sustained during the Scarlets' 35-27 victory over Benetton Treviso on December 11.

"The region's medical team have re-assessed Jones today and stated that early signs indicate he has a minor knee ligament strain. The injury will probably keep him out of action for up to four weeks."
Scarlets statement Quotes of the week

A precautionary scan has been scheduled for Wednesday but the Scarlets are confident the damage is only minor and Jones, Wales' first-choice fly-half, should be fit for his country's RBS Six Nations opener against England on February 4.

"The region's medical team have re-assessed Jones today and stated that early signs indicate he has a minor knee ligament strain," read a statement released by the Scarlets.

"The injury will probably keep him out of action for up to four weeks."

The news will be welcomed by Wales coach Warren Gatland, who is already missing Shane Williams and George North for the start of the Six Nations.

The wingers are struggling with shoulder injuries and Gatland could ill-afford to lose another member of his first-choice backline.

Scarlets and Wales skipper Matthew Rees will undergo a fitness test on his groin strain later this week to see if he will be available to face Treviso on Saturday.