Tindall and Jones on Lions trail

Long-term England casualty Mike Tindall and Wales' injured prop Duncan Jones are both on the Lions short-list, and both had their credentials re-iterated on Saturday.

Tindall, who missed the last Lions tour because of injury as well, gave his clearest statement of intent yet on BBC's Rugby Special, in which he talked about his comeback trail.

"I'm aiming to be fit by 18 April and hope I can play from then," he told the BBCs Rugby Special programme.
 
"I've spoken to Sir Clive Woodward and he understands the situation, so I just hope that I can get on the tour." 

 "I'm quite laid back about it to be honest - it's quite hard for me to expect to be pushing for a Test spot," he said. "But after what's happened this season at least Clive knows I'll be 100% fresh!"

Meanwhile Ospreys' coach Lyn Jones and his assistant Sean Holley have been singing the praises of Duncan Jones - the blonder of the two 'hair bears' in the Wales squad - who has missed the opening of the RBS Six Nations with a broken thumb.

''Duncan was probably the best prop in European rugby in the lead up to his injury,'' said Holley to the South Wales Evening Post.

''You can't just judge him on his comeback against Borders.

''You have to look at how he's been performing over a longer period of time.

''He had a great game against Munster in Ireland, and against the Scarlets on Boxing Day. He is a top player who must come into contention for the Lions.''

''As long as Duncan has a half-decent game for us at the weekend, I think he will be back in with a shout with Wales immediately," agreed Lyn Jones.

''Why? Because he's a high-quality player with a track record of high-quality performances.

''So Clive Woodward will either judge on a two-month window this term or on what he has seen for the past two seasons.

''I think Duncan has proved himself.

''What we have in Wales is an embarrassment of riches at loosehead prop.

''There should be a healthy contingent of Welsh front-row forwards going with the Lions.''