Mark Jones has a long injury history, but has still won 47 caps

Wales backs Mark Jones and Morgan Stoddart have been ruled out for the rest of the season, along with their Scarlets team-mate Simon Easterby.

The injuries end any hope the pair had of making Wales' summer tour.

Forty-seven cap wing Jones has been out since picking up a knee injury in Wales training last November.

"It doesn't look too hopeful in terms of those three [Jones, Stoddart and Easterby] for this season," confirmed Scarlets coach Nigel Davies.

"But we have played without them for most of the season and what it has done has allowed other players to come in and take their opportunity."

Full-back Stoddart suffered a groin injury in February just after returning from a serious knee problem, while Easterby has not played since December.

The veteran ex-Ireland international suffered a fractured finger in the Scarlets' Boxing Day 21-14 defeat to the Ospreys, but has since had knee surgery.

The Llanelli-based region hope to have Wales flanker Dafydd Jones back to fitness before the end of March following a shoulder injury.

One player who has benefitted from the injuries to Easterby and Dafydd Jones is Turnbull, who turned 22 this month.

"A lot of us in the back-row have had our opportunities in Heineken Cup matches which has been vital experiences," said Turnbull.

"And hopefully it'll pay off towards the end of the season now coming up with the Amlin game [at Toulon on 10 April] and the two derby matches [against the Ospreys and the Blues].

"The more you play the more experienced you get, my game has benefitted from playing week in, week out.

"Before it's been a bit stop-start, stop-start with Easterby there, but when those type of players are fit they're the best around and there's no-one better to learn from.

"It's been good to have the opportunity and hopefully that will continue."

But while Easterby has been off the pitch Turnbull has had the opportunity to benefit from the former Ireland international's coaching experience.

"He's a good mentor. He's the highest capped back row for Ireland I think," added Turnbull.

"He hasn't got that for nothing, he's worked hard for that and hopefully he can pass that experience onto younger players coming through the system. He's a good coach, he's learning his role.

"We can help him by talking to him about a few things and obviously he can help us by sharing his experiences."

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