HUW Jones, a South Africa-based centre who was born in Edinburgh, has been called up by Scotland for next month’s tour to Japan. The 22-year-old is a replacement for Glasgow Warriors stand-off Finn Russell, who is now back home after spending several days in hospital in Ireland after being injured in last week’s PRO12 semi-final against Connacht.
An outside centre who can also play in the back three, Jones was educated in England, then moved to South Africa for a gap year. He then chose to stay and study in Cape Town, and after being part of the squad that won the Varsity Cup in 2014, he was selected by Western Province. Last year was called up by the Stormers, for whom he has played 21 times to date.
“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.”
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. “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.
The loss of Russell leaves Ruaridh Jackson as the only designated stand-off in the squad. However, Peter Horne has played there for Scotland this year and could slot in again easily.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh have signed Alex Northam, a 23-year-old winger from Australia. Northam joins the capital club from North Harbour Rays in Sydney, although he has been playing on loan at Atlantique Stade Rochelais, the French Top 14 club. An Australian Under-20s international, Northam will replace full Scotland international Dougie Fife, who has been released by Edinburgh and now looks set for a future in Sevens.
“Alex is a welcome addition to the club,” Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons said. “He is a young wing with exceptional pace, who has played for Australia at under-20 level and has this past season gained valuable experience in the Top 14. I believe he will add a vital edge to our attack and look forward to having him with us next season.” Having moved to La Rochelle as injury cover at the start of the season just ended, Northam believes he has already become accustomed to the differences in Northern Hemisphere rugby. “The game wasn’t as fast as in Australia, but it’s a lot more physical,” he said of his time in France. “The boys are definitely a lot bigger, and the coaching was quite different. The language barrier was a challenge, so it’s good that in Scotland we speak the same language.”
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