Lock Jones trained with Wales in Cardiff at the start of the week and proved he was completely over his dislocated shoulder problem when he took part in a double session on Tuesday.
He then flew to South Africa on Thursday to rejoin a Lions tour it looked like he would miss entirely when he suffered his shoulder injury against Japan on June 26.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland hopes to see Jones come on against the Stormers and put himself in the frame to feature in next Saturday’s first Test with South Africa.
“We feel he needs 20 minutes if he’s going to put himself in contention,” Gatland said of Jones.
“We had that conversation with him. He has travelled and arrived, but if he’s in contention for next week, he needs to have a run.
“For a few other players, they have been doubling up a bit so they get an opportunity to rest up.
“If someone comes off, he (Jones) is ready to go. We wouldn’t have brought himself out unless he was 100 per cent fit.
“That was part of why he went back to Wales, rehabbed, and has been taking a full part in Welsh training.
“We’ve been looking very closely at a number of videos of Welsh training sessions he has taken a part in.
“If the medical team hadn’t passed him fully fit, he wouldn’t be here.”
Following a period of isolation in Johannesburg, Stuart Hogg is named captain of a new starting Lions XV from the one that went down 17-13 to South Africa ‘A’ on Wednesday evening.
New recruit Marcus Smith will make his Lions debut at fly-half against the Stormers.
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) returns from a hamstring injury to take his place in midfield alongside Elliot Daly (Saracens, England).
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) also returns to the starting line-up following the birth of his daughter on Wednesday.
The Stormers match is the final game for the Lions before their three-match Test series with the world champion Springboks.
“It’s an important game as it’s the final chance for the coaching group to see the players perform prior to the start of the Test series,” said Gatland.
“For the matchday 23 it’s their last opportunity to stake a claim for a Test place so I expect to see a highly motivated group of players.
“It is particularly pleasing to be able to name Stuart in the squad. He’s not had much luck on Lions tours to date so it’ll be great to see him cross the whitewash again with the captain’s armband.
“I’m also delighted Marcus will get his first start in a Lions jersey. I’ve been really impressed with his attitude since coming into camp this week. He’s been like a sponge for information.
“Obviously it’s a tight turnaround from Wednesday’s game but we’re in pretty good shape.
“The South Africa ‘A’ game was a physical encounter – we always knew it would be – but we’ve come out of it pretty much intact and ready to go again.
“Liam Williams will begin his return-to-play protocol following his HIA.
“We learnt a lot from Wednesday’s game and I hope the defeat will serve us well. There are still some areas of the game we need to tighten up on, particularly reducing our turnover rate.
“Time and again on this tour we’ve had to adapt in the face of the challenges created by COVID-19.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and the players for the role each of them has played to get us to this point on the tour.”
DHL STORMERS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday 17 July 2021
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 5pm (BST)
15. Stuart Hogg – captain (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, England)
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843
1. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) #845
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) #847
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839
Replacements:
Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #848
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) #761
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849
Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) #846
