"It'll be fantastic if I can get on against Newcastle, they're a fantastic team - I'll be happy, nervous and excited all at the same time."
Now the Powergen Cup has certainly started to raise the excitement in its new Anglo-Welsh format, but surely this is over-hyping a Scarlets v Newcastle group game? Well, not if your name's Mark Jones and you're set to return to action after two years and two career-threatening knee injuries.
The likeable 25-year-old Builth Wells man snapped his left cruciate ligament in autumn 2003, shortly after returning from the World Cup where he had won his 16th Welsh cap in the quarter-final defeat to England.
A long year of rehabilitation followed for the wing, but he battled to be fit for a Welsh Premiership comeback with Carmarthen Quins in October 2004.
 |  Only once did I seriously think about hanging my boots up |
In that first game he felt the familiar agony of a cruciate ligament snap - but this time in his right leg. "Only once did I seriously think about hanging my boots up, and that was after I suffered the second knee injury," Jones told BBC Sport Wales.
"I was trying to stay positive but had to question whether I could get through it.
"After a few weeks I decided that I'd worked too hard since I was a youngster to become a professional rugby player and that it would be too easy to give up on it now.
"There were still tough times to get through, though, and it wasn't until I got back into training that I had something to focus on and get my teeth into. After that it became easier."
Certainly no-one at Stradey Park has ever doubted his resolve.
"It's been such a difficult couple of years for Mark, but he's been a fantastic professional through all the disappointments," said Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins. "He's in great shape now and has had the thumbs up from the surgeons.
"It's my feeling that we should bring him back sooner rather than later, and if he comes through I think he can be a serious international contender again."
Jones is on the bench for the visit of the Falcons, and even he seems a little surprised at the rapidity of his return to the limelight.
"It happened very quickly this week," said Jones. "I knew I was just about ready to play, but I hadn't pencilled anything in.
"I never spoke to anyone about how I'd work the comeback, or whether I'd start by playing for Llanelli in the semi-pros.
| I have a burning desire to play for my country again |
"I just trained hard, assessed where I was at with the surgeon, then waited to see what the coaches thought. "I'll be nervous, but it will be the reward for everyone who has stuck by me and I'll know the hard work has paid off.
"The support has been huge - from physios, managers, coaches, players, friends and family. I'll always be grateful for that."
For now it can only be the old clich� of one step at a time for Jones, but Wales coach Mike Ruddock will be aware that the three-quarter still sees an international future for himself.
"It's very early days and my focus is obviously to try and break back into the Scarlets squad, but I have a burning desire to play for my country again," said Jones.
"The national squad keeps records on everyone's fitness so I've been tested regularly and both my speed and power are better than ever, which is reassuring after a long lay-off.
"If a player's good enough to play for a regional squad then I feel that has to be the next ambition."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
