WALES captain Alun Wyn Jones will sport a black eye against Ireland today after he was punched by teammate Jake Ball during his side's build-up to their Six Nations opener.
Jones – world rugby's most capped player – is fit to start the game at Principality Stadium despite being on the wrong end of a heated exchange with his fellow lock Ball.
The incident took place during Wales training this week.
Ball – in his last campaign with Wales before moving back to Australia – is not involved in Wayne Pivac's squad to face Ireland.
Wales sources have downplayed the nature of Jones' clash with Ball, but it came in the same week wing Josh Adams was suspended for two matches for breaching both his team's Covid-19 rules and national lockdown rules.
Adams had attended a “gender reveal” party with his family and pregnant partner last Sunday.
Wales head coach Pivac is nonetheless happy with his team's preparation for the Ireland clash and will field the most experienced side in Welsh history with 874 caps in Cardiff.
“The camp so far, comparing it to the autumn, is a massive step in the right direction,” Pivac said. “There is less discussion and more work being done.”
