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Huw Jones ready to own his position and take on 22-year record
Scotland centre Huw Jones will embrace the high expectations he set for himself as he looks to build on his impressive Guinness Six Nations comeback.
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The Glasgow back enjoyed some big moments in the tournament earlier in his career, including scoring twice against England in both 2017 and 2018.
But he fell out of favour for spells at Glasgow under Dave Rennie and did not start a game in the Six Nations in 2021 or 2022 before reviving his career at Harlequins and then on his return to Warriors.
Jones scored four tries and was named in last year’s official team of the championship after making an emphatic return to the tournament.
With 16 tries in 43 internationals in all, Jones is looking to make a major contribution in this year’s Six Nations as Scotland prepare to open their campaign against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
“Having got back into the squad and the team for the last Six Nations, and getting an extended run of games, I find myself being a little more commanding in the position, and taking that ownership to the next level,” the 30-year-old said.
“When you get a run of games, anyone feels more confident. Going into this, it’s something I want to build on and be a player who guys will look to to break the game up or make a big play.
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“I still feel I am learning, developing as a player across the board – strength, conditioning, skills – I am still learning my game. I definitely feel I have more to give.”
Jones was singled out by Gregor Townsend for two missed tackles as Scotland lost in Cardiff in the autumn of 2018 but he is not dwelling on those memories ahead of his return to the Principality Stadium.
“It was certainly a tough day,” he said. “The good thing is that’s quite a long time ago so I’ve had time to reflect and the biggest thing is I’ve had time to learn and improve.
“It’s not something I think about really anymore, it’s actually not really crossed my mind this week. If you look back at that, it was a bit of a shocker.
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“Everyone has bad games in their career, you don’t want to have them in a big game, but it’s a few years ago now.
“I’ve definitely improved, I’ve learned a lot as a player and a person. I wouldn’t say it haunts me or anything. I’ve moved on from it.”
Jones is also not getting caught up in the stats around Scotland’s record in Wales.
Although Townsend’s side won in Llanelli in 2020 during the pandemic, they have not triumphed in Cardiff for 22 years.
“It’s not really been a huge talking point for us,” Jones said. “We are obviously aware of it but it’s not a primary motivation, to go and break a record.
“We did it with England, beat France away, there’s a few things we have done to change those records. So it’s not a huge talking point but having done it a couple of times makes it less daunting.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
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