UNCAPPED Stormers centre Huw Jones has been called up by Scotland as a replacement for Finn Russell on next month’s tour to Japan. Based in South Africa for the past four years, the 22-year-old was born in Edinburgh and educated in England.
“I’m delighted to get this opportunity to play for Scotland,” Jones said yesterday. “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 next month and play my part in an exciting squad.”
Jones originally went to Cape Town for a gap year, but then chose to study there. After being part of the squad that won the Varsity Cup in 2014, he was selected by Western Province, then last year was called up by the Stormers, for whom he has played 21 times to date.
“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,” Scotland coach Vern Cotter said.
That squad will meet up at Murrayfield a week on Monday for a short training camp before flying out to Tokyo on Saturday 11. The two Tests against Japan will take place on the following weekends.
The loss of Russell, who was injured playing for Glasgow against Connacht in last week’s PRO12 semi-final, leaves Ruaridh Jackson as the only designated stand-off in the squad. However, Warriors centre Peter Horne has played there for Scotland this year and could slot in again easily. Jones can play at full-back or on the wing as well as centre.
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