Jones, 35, was due to captain the Lions in the land of the Springboks this summer, but he dislocated his shoulder in the warm-up victory over Japan in Edinburgh on June 26.
He was initially ruled out of the tour, but has since made a remarkable recovery and following a training session with the Wales squad at their Vale of Glamorgan training headquarters on Tuesday and subsequent medical assessment on Wednesday morning, the second row has been passed fit to return to the tour in South Africa.
Jones will fly into Cape Town on Thursday, July 15.
𝗛𝗘'𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 🦁
Alun Wyn Jones has made an incredible recovery and been given the all-clear to return to the #LionsRugby Tour 🙌🙌🙌
Read more ⬇️#CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 14, 2021
“We are delighted to welcome Alun Wyn back,” said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
“It’ll come as no surprise to anyone who knows Alun Wyn that since injuring his shoulder against Japan, he’s done everything he can to get himself back.
“It’s remarkable really when you consider it’s just 18 days since he left us in Edinburgh.
“He’s been training with the Wales squad at the Vale since last week and yesterday he had a proper hit out. Following assessment from the medical staff this morning we’re satisfied he’s fit to return.
“He’s obviously raring to go and from what I’ve seen on video and the feedback we’ve received, he’s certainly not been holding himself back in training. He was really getting stuck in yesterday.
“It’s a massive boost for the Lions to welcome a player of Alun Wyn’s stature back.”
Jones had a double session with Wales on Tuesday and impressed his international team-mates who are preparing for Saturday’s second Test with Argentina in Cardiff.
Alun Wyn Jones tackles Nick Tompkins in training with Wales on Tuesday
He (Jones) is doing everything as normal – it’s mental. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s dislocated his shoulder – it’s Lazarus! I don’t know what’s going on
Wales centre Nick Tompkins said on Tuesday: “He (Jones) is doing everything as normal – it’s mental.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s dislocated his shoulder – it’s Lazarus! I don’t know what’s going on.
“I don’t know what he’s on, but I need some of it, honestly! He is such an energy giver and it was nice to train with him. Guys like him are mental. They’re just built differently.
“Their striving for greatness is almost immeasurable. There is no day off, no let up.
“Sometimes it can grate on you because you’re a bit tired, but I tell you what, they drag you with them and make one hell of a difference.
“It’s been lovely to see him (Jones) and nice to catch up, but I said to him ‘No offence, but I hope you’re not here by tomorrow!’”
He is such an energy giver and it was nice to train with him. Guys like him are mental. They’re just built differently
