Cape Town - Stormers centre Huw Jones is set to make his Test debut in the June international window after being called up by Scotland on Friday.
The 22-year-old Jones, who hasn’t had much opportunity in Super Rugby this season, will replaced the injured flyhalf Finn Russell on Scotland’s two-Test tour of Japan next month.
Jones was born in Edinburgh and educated at Millfield School in Somerset, England, and having been in South Africa since 2012 initially for a gap year, and later playing Varsity Cup rugby for UCT, he could’ve even qualified to play for the Springboks.
But the talented strike-runner – who is best suited to the outside centre berth but can also play at No 12 and even fullback – has decided to throw in his lot with Scotland under coach Vern Cotter.
“I’m delighted to get this opportunity to play for Scotland. It’s a dream come true,” Jones said in a statement on Friday. “I didn’t come to South Africa with the intention of becoming a professional rugby player but, as my career progressed, it become 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 next month and play my part in an exciting squad.”
Jones will have to compete with the likes of Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne and Duncan Taylor for a midfield spot, while Stuart Hogg is the only fullback in the group. “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,” said New Zealander Cotter.
Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal expressed his delight with Jones’ selection. “We are very proud of what Huw has achieved in his time here with us and would like to congratulate him on this achievement,” he said. “His pathway to international rugby underlines how our environment encourages player development.”
Jones, though, is nursing a toe ligament injury and will miss out on the Stormers’ Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday (3pm kickoff). But he will join the Scottish team at Murrayfield next week for a camp before the Tests against Japan on June 18 and 25.
Smal will hope that a number of his other players are included in the Springbok squad that will be announced on Saturday night at Newlands.
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