Planet Rugby

Wales receive triple fitness boost

16th January 2013 15:22

Richard Hibbard

Recovery: Richard Hibbard

Wales forwards trio Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans and Ryan Jones are all set to be fit for the Six Nations opener against Ireland.

With just over two weeks until the start of the tournament, Wales have been struggling with injuries, however the news from the Ospreys camp will provide Rob Howley and his staff with a boost.

"[Hibbard] is sore at the minute. If we pushed him, we could push him through this week and he would play. But for his own safety we've decided to take that decision out of his hands," said Ospreys coach Jonathan Humphreys to WalesOnline.

"He will definitely be fit for Wales-Ireland. The kid is absolutely phenomenal. I hope he starts for Wales. If it was up to me, I would pick him for the Lions tour. I think he is the best hooker in Europe."

"Don't discount Ryan. He shouldn't be too far off. Obviously his bone was sticking through his hand, but in terms of nerve and ligaments and that it's the best case scenario," added Humphreys.

"If it's a question of pain management, which it probably will be, then he's a real tough kid. I am sure he will be fine.

"[Evans] should be ready for the first Six Nations game against Ireland. He has been up running. He's just had a little setback in terms of there's just a little bit of discomfort.

"We will be signing him over to Wales and it's up to them how they manage him and hopefully he will be up to speed to start. It would be huge ask but needs must. If they feel that he can do a job for them off that, then so be it.

Comments

ArmchairGeneral says...

Welsh club coaches really do put country before their club. Great to see. If France want to understand their under achievements in the past here's one good reason.

Posted 09:42 17th January 2013

melkdave says...

Thats very goos news for Wales ,shame Bearman isnt in the squad ,as i feel the Ospreys backrow starting would be a very good call atm,they work very well togetheras a unit.With Warburton still struggling for form ,and still no D.Lyidgate,the welsh backrow has looked unbalanced and disjointed imo recently.

Posted 17:23 16th January 2013

Page 1 of 1

Character Count : 0/1900

Forthcoming Fixtures
FixtureDetails
All times are local
International Match
Saturday , June 22
New Zealand vs France08:35
Scotland vs Italy14:15
South Africa vs Samoa17:15
Sunday , June 23
Fiji vs Tonga12:10
Japan vs USA14:10
More International Match fixtures
British & Irish Lions
Saturday , June 22
Australia vs British & Irish Lions11:05
Tuesday , June 25
Melbourne Rebels vs British & Irish Lions10:40
More British & Irish Lions fixtures
Recent Results
FixtureDetails
All times are local
International Match
Wednesday, June 19
Fiji 35 - 10 USAFiji vs USA Report
Japan 16 - 13 CanadaJapan vs Canada Report
More International Match results
British & Irish Lions
Tuesday , June 18
Brumbies 14 - 12 British & Irish LionsBrumbies vs British & Irish Lions Report
More British & Irish Lions results
International Match
Sunday , June 16
Canada 14 - 40 IrelandCanada vs Ireland Report
Saturday , June 15
Japan 23 - 8 WalesJapan vs Wales Report
Samoa 39 - 10 ItalySamoa vs Italy Report
New Zealand 30 - 0 FranceNew Zealand vs France Report
Argentina 26 - 51 EnglandArgentina vs England Report
South Africa 30 - 17 ScotlandSouth Africa vs Scotland Report
More International Match results
British & Irish Lions
Waratahs 17 - 47 British & Irish LionsWaratahs vs British & Irish Lions Report
More British & Irish Lions results
International Match
Friday , June 14
USA 9 - 18 TongaUSA vs Tonga Report
More International Match results
British & Irish Lions
Tuesday , June 11
NSW-Queensland Country 0 - 64 British & Irish LionsNSW-Queensland Country vs British & Irish Lions Report
More British & Irish Lions results
International Match
Sunday , June 9
USA 12 - 15 IrelandUSA vs Ireland Report
More International Match results
Super Rugby
Western Force 13 - 28 WaratahsWestern Force vs Waratahs Report
More Super Rugby results
International Match
Saturday , June 8
USA 12 - 15 Ireland
Japan 18 - 22 WalesJapan vs Wales Report
New Zealand 23 - 13 FranceNew Zealand vs France Report
Samoa 27 - 17 Scotland
Canada 36 - 27 Tonga
Argentina 3 - 32 EnglandArgentina vs England Report
South Africa 44 - 10 ItalySouth Africa vs Italy Report
Scotland 17 - 27 SamoaScotland vs Samoa Report
More International Match results
British & Irish Lions
Reds 12 - 22 British & Irish LionsReds vs British & Irish Lions Report
More British & Irish Lions results
Super Rugby
Friday , June 7
Brumbies 39 - 17 Melbourne RebelsBrumbies vs Melbourne Rebels Report
More Super Rugby results
International Match
Wednesday, June 5
Fiji 18 - 20 Canada
More International Match results