Wales set to miss Mark Jones

No go: Surgery means Jones will miss Wales' tour to South Africa

Wales look certain to be without wing Mark Jones when they tour South Africa in June.

The Scarlets wing, a key member of Wales' Grand Slam-winning side this season, is to undergo surgery on his groin on Friday and will subsequently be out of action for at least four weeks.

The 39-times capped flyer is almost certain to miss the two-Test tour to South Africa, as the squad departs on May 29. Jones has been troubled by groin problems for some time and a scan has revealed an operation is required to rectify the problem.

"It's a condition known as sportsman's groin," A Scarlets spokesman said.

"He's going to have an operation on it which is likely to keep him out for a minimum of four weeks.

"That means his participation on the Wales tour has to be seen as doubtful."

Jones played in four of the five matches in the Grand Slam campaign, reclaiming his place after being left out for the second game against Scotland.

Now the 28-year-old, who has suffered more than his fair share of injury woe during his career, will have to sit out the summer tour.

His absence from the trip to South Africa could well open the door for young Blues wing Tom James, who has been in explosive form of late.

The pacey, powerful 21-year-old was man-of-the-match against the Scarlets and also showed up impressively in last weekend's victory over Ulster,

So far, both of his caps have come from the bench, but he could be in line for a first start in the opening Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on June 7.

Another option on the wing is James' Blues team-mate Jamie Roberts, who made his Wales debut in place of Jones against Scotland.

Roberts, also 21, is a full-back by preference but has made the vast majority of his appearances for the Blues this season on the wing.