WHEN you have had more comebacks than a Marvel Graphic Novel villain, people can be forgiven for thinking that you might just have, super powers. When rugby fans see Felix Jones on the pitch, they could come to the conclusion that he has a skeleton like steel. Jones’ running style of a gazelle, coupled with a complete lack of care for his own body, means that the entire stadium takes a breath as the Munster full back goes into contact.
Nine times out of 10, the former Seapoint star gets back up. The tenth time, has proven to be most cruel. Having injured his knee in the World Cup warm up game against England last August, Jones has only played one game since. That was last Friday night for Shannon versus Young Munster. The former Leinster academy player’s will to return from injury is spoken about by his team mates in an almost mythical fashion. Jones’ on the other hand, cannot quiet pin point where his mental strength comes from. “It’s been another long stint out this time. A lot of people help me out on the way back. We have some really inspirational guys around the camp here. This time around Jerry Flannery was really helpful to me. David Wallace too. When you see other guys putting in the effort to rehab it is easier to do. Mental strength is easier when you are winning, but you have to have it when you are out of the game”. Sporting a scar on his neck from a horrific injury, the season before last, Jones would have been forgiven by all, if he had decided to pack it all in. “When I injured the neck I did have some thoughts about my future. Rugby is just a game after all. When you think about. I was just staring at the ceiling and thinking that I would love to be able to play ball with my kids, should I be lucky enough to have them.” Jones reflected. Having come through all of this before. Jones feels that the hardest part of rehab is near the end. When the team is back in sight. “There are processes you go through for long term injuries. First off you are angry. Then you have to set goals for your return. I find when you are getting back to fitness, you are so close, that is the hardest part. You want to be involved, but your body is not ready yet. You need an extra few weeks of sharpness. It doesn’t get easier, it just gets tedious” Jones, who is a member of the band Hermitage Green, along with former Munster star Barry Murphy, was encouraged by him team mates to pursue his music while he was in treatment. “To have something on the side to distract yourself from the injury is a major thing. Fla, (Jerry Flannery) was always saying that to me. I have some study to do as well, so I was kept busy. It really does help to switch off”. The happy ending to this story of course is that Jones is back. He will play this weekend with either Shannon against Lansdowne or for Munster against Treviso. Now, where can he get a cape?
