Jones ready to take flight with Warriors
SCOTLAND centre Huw Jones’ debut for Glasgow Warriors has been a long time coming. Ten months to be exact.
But during that period the 23-year-old’s already burgeoning reputation has soared even further.
And supporters desperate to see him in action for their club will be hoping it has been well worth the wait when he finally makes his bow in Friday’s must-win Champions Cup clash with Montpellier at Scotstoun.
Certainly, if Jones can conjure up some of the magic he showed during the autumn Tests — when he was the only Scotland player to score a try in all three games against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia — it could go a long way towards securing the bonus-point victory Dave Rennie’s men need to remain in Europe.
The 23-year-old, who only started training with his new Warriors team-mates this week, can’t wait to make his first appearance against the side coached by Vern Cotter, who gave him his first start for Scotland two years ago.
‘People have been considering me a Glasgow player for a while but, until I get my first game, I won’t really believe it myself,’ he said. ‘It’ll be great to finally be involved after signing so long ago.’
Jones put pen to paper in February but it was agreed he would stay with Western Province in South Africa until their Currie Cup campaign was over — the Edinburgh-born star earning a man-of-the-match display with two tries in their final triumph over Natal Sharks just six weeks ago.
He had already caught the eye in last year’s Six Nations, only to miss the summer tour through injury when his attacking ability was sorely missed.
But he picked up where he left off when returning to the Scotland line-up under new head coach Gregor Townsend and stood out in an impressive November series.
No one who saw it will forget his touchdown against Australia in particular. A Finn Russell tap penalty found Jones in space and, with the ball in one hand, he took off, weaving in and out between two defenders to score.
Now, at the end of the best year of his career, he finds himself part of a Glasgow side who could use that kind of ability to keep their European hopes alive.
Jones, for his part, can’t believe the team find themselves in such a precarious position.
‘The one game I was surprised by was the loss at home to Leinster because we beat them at home a couple of weeks later,’ he said.
‘I was a little surprised by that defeat. The form going into the European games had been really good and still is in the league.
‘From what I’ve heard, the Exeter game was close the next week but it’s always tough going away to Premiership sides.
‘Despite that, we are still undefeated in the league and can stay positive because of that.
‘Qualification will be tough but by no means impossible and there’s no reason why we can’t stay unbeaten for the rest of our European group games.’
Jones’ time with Western Province means he already has a keen insight into many of the South Africans, Australians and Kiwis who make up Cotter’s Montpellier squad.
And that will be a major boost considering he could go head-to-head with Francois Steyn, who won the World Cup with South Africa in 2007. ‘I’ve played against the South Africans Jan Serfontein and Francois Steyn a couple of times,’ said Jones. ‘There is the Australian, Joe Tomane, who was at the Brumbies, Jesse Mogg and Aaron Cruden, all of whom are top-quality players.’ As for the wily old chap in charge, Jones said: ‘He gave me my first international cap. I’ve a bit to thank him for and I think he’s a great coach. I don’t know him as well as some of the other boys but I’m looking forward to facing his team.’ Jones’ Warriors debut will come against one of the biggest and most physical teams on the planet but he insists that could work to Glasgow’s advantage.
And he points to the high-tempo game Scotland used in running Australia ragged and New Zealand so close as the ideal way to beat Cotter’s team.
‘Montpellier have a few big boys and a big forward pack,’ he said. ‘They’ll be looking to dominate us physically, but if you look at the way both Scotland and Glasgow have been playing with slightly smaller sides than the opposition, we are used to that.
‘Because of the pace of the game we play, we’ve been able to overcome those bigger sides.
‘That will be part of our plan, to play at a high tempo and try to get around their bigger guys.’
The SRU were so keen to bring Jones home to Scotland they offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse. He was given the option of signing for home-town club Edinburgh or Glasgow, for whom most of his Scotland team-mates play.
Not surprisingly, considering the relative recent fortunes of both clubs, he chose Scotstoun.
‘To be honest, I know Edinburgh more than Glasgow because I spent a little bit more time there,’ said the 11-times capped centre.
‘I’m trying to get to know Glasgow as much as possible. I can’t wait to play there.’
HUW JONES was speaking as Glasgow Warriors announced a new two-year sponsorship extension with The Famous Grouse whisky brand.