Kentish Express Ashford & District
Jones gets Scotland call
Rugby
East Kent rugby star Huw Jones is in line to become a full international after being included in Scotland’s 27-man squad to tour Japan.
The 22-year-old centre was born in Edinburgh but came through the ranks at Canterbury, as a youngster while a pupil at Junior King’s School, playing from under-8s through to under-13 level.
He retained his link to the city club despite his studies taking him to Millfield School, Somerset, on a scholarship, and even turned out for the Canterbury 2nd XV alongside his brother Jonathan.
After leaving Millfield in 2012, Jones took a gap year in South Africa during which he enrolled at the University of Cape Town where his performances led to selection to represent Western Province.
More success led to a call to join the Stormers pre-season squad ahead of their Super Rugby campaign and he has gone on to make 20 appearances over the past two seasons, scoring once.
When back in the UK, Jones occasionally coaches at Spring Grove School in Wye where his father, Bill, is headteacher.
Jones replaces injured Glasgow Warriors stand-off Finn Russell in the Scotland squad which will gather at Murrayfield on Monday for a short camp before departing for Tokyo on June 11 ahead of Test matches in Toyota City and Tokyo on June 18 and 25.
Jones said: “I’m delighted to get this opportunity to play for Scotland. It’s a dream come true.
“I didn’t go out to South Africa with the intention of becoming a professional rugby player but, as my career progressed, it became more of a realistic goal to play for Scotland.
“The call came as a bit of a surprise but I’m thrilled and can’t wait to get to Edinburgh and play my part in an exciting squad.”
Scotland head coach, Vern Cotter, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Huw into the group and look forward to him deepening the competition in an already well-contested area of our squad.”
Last year, Jones told the Messenger: “Playing for Canterbury helped me hugely to develop as a rugby player even at such a young age, simply because I played so much. Playing the game is the best way to learn.”
He added: “The club also gave me my first taste of men’s rugby which is important for young aspiring players.
“You can learn a lot about the game and various ‘tricks of the trade’ from older guys.”
Bill said: “A special thanks to Canterbury RFC from all of us for the nurturing of his rugby talent.”