THE Scarlets are hopeful Dafydd Jones will return for an Easter derby with the Ospreys after the influential flanker's comeback was again put on hold.

Head coach Nigel Davies had been hoping to have the Wales international available for tomorrow's crucial Magners League match against defending champions Munster in Cork.

But the 30-year-old has still not recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up playing for his country against New Zealand in November.

Meanwhile, another on the Scarlets sick list, Morgan Stoddart, may not return until the end of the season as he recovers from a groin problem.

But there is better news regarding wing Lee Williams and prop Rhys Thomas, who are both back to full fitness after respective eye and foot problems.

The Scarlets have also been boosted by the release of hooker Ken Owens and centre Jonathan Davies by Wales ahead of their trip to face the Irish giants.

Davies takes his side to Ireland looking to win their game in hand and leapfrog Cardiff Blues into a qualifying position for next year's Heineken Cup. But the Scarlets coach insists Europe cannot become the be all and end all, because the Magners League is an important competition in its own right — especially with the addition of two Italian sides next season.

"The innovations that have been put in this season have made a big difference to the league," said Davies.

"I know people have been moaning about the introduction of the Italians, but I think what you're going to end up with is two very strong sides.

"They're going to have big player budgets and put together very strong squads.

"They're going to add value to the Magners League without a shadow of a doubt, and the league is what we do week in, week out.

"Europe is a part of our season and also very important to us, but we're now in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Cup and have a fixture against Toulon to look forward to.

"At the end of the day, whichever competitions we end up being in, what our supporters want to see is a team that's progressing, a team that's playing exciting rugby and, ultimately, winning."

Stephen Ware