Lyn Jones’ absence from Newport Gwent Dragons duty is set to continue this weekend when his team face a derby against the Cardiff Blues.
The Dragons director of rugby has been off sick but was spotted at the Twickenham Stoop last Thursday – sparking rumours he was in line to join Harlequins.
The gossip gathered pace on Wednesday when it was claimed on social media that Jones had been suspended by the Dragons – a claim the region have denied.
But the man left holding the baby, head coach Kingsley Jones, insists Jones is genuinely ill and expects to be in charge again at the Arms Park on Sunday – just as he was for last Saturday’s stunning European Challenge Cup win at Gloucester.
“I said (after Gloucester) on Saturday that Lyn was sick. He sent an email to me and I can show that to you if you want,” said Jones.
“I take him at his word and he is a friend of mine. Like everybody else I am hearing things, I spoke to Lyn on Saturday evening driving back from Gloucester and he texted me throughout the game.
“He is ill and he told me he has lost 4kg in weight – the lightest he has been in years! – and I take him at his word.
“He was off work on Thursday and Friday he told me he was sick. I don’t do social media, tittle-tattle from elsewhere is horrendous. It’s ridiculous and I tend to switch off to it.
“Honestly, Lyn is a friend of mine and I’ve spoken to him three or four times in the last few days and have an email from him apologising for not making work because he is ill.
“If he was in Harlequins on Thursday, you’ve got to take that up with Lyn. If he has got the Harlequins job he has kept that from me and I know nothing about that at all.”
Kingsley Jones had the reins at Kingsholm and is set to be calling the shots for the Dragons’ clash with Cardiff Blues in the capital on Sunday.
“I was hoping he would be back before the Blues game but I don’t know (when he will be back). It looks like I will be in charge now,” he said.
“Once I am in work, I just crack on and I haven’t stopped since I walked through the door at 7.50am.
“We are a man short but I’ve got enough experience and, if I’m honest, it’s more difficult for me to not to be the boss than be the boss with my personality!
“Lyn shares responsibility (with me) when we work together. We are a man down and it’s extra work for me and Shaun (Connor, backs coach) while Richie Rees, who is with the academy, helped us with an extra pair of hands.
“I’ve spoken to Lyn about team selection and what’s the best way to do things go forward with three big games coming up with Montpellier, Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets at Principality Stadium.”
