Scotland fans take aim at Townsend as Huw Jones-fuelled rage ignites

Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad announcement was met with as much negativity as optimism as the Scottish fans processed the omission of 25-year-old outside centre Huw Jones.

The Glasgow Warriors midfielder was nowhere to be seen as Townsend announced his 31-man squad for Japan.

Jones has been a strike weapon for the Scots in recent years, most notably in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win in 2018 where his double was highly influential in winning the trophy for the first time in 10 years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B17SN9wAD_O/

Many fans are sure that Scotland will miss the power running game he provides when they face off against Pool A opponents Ireland, Japan, Russia, and Samoa, labeling the decision ‘amazingly stupid’ and ‘ludicrous’.

https://twitter.com/StruanBrock/status/1168842260827516928

Can’t believe Scotland haven’t picked Huw Jones for the World Cup. One of the best players in the 6 nations the last 2 seasons mad

— Greg Cameron (@grcameron98) September 3, 2019

https://twitter.com/DonLeSac/status/1168883102380412929

No Huw Jones? Have you gone mad??

— Frik (@FrikBrits) September 3, 2019

Gregor Townsend has lost the pissing plot!

— nigel (@Adamsul57084797) September 3, 2019

If he's leaving a genuine talent like Hutchison at home and taking Peter Horne, decent player and nice bloke that he is, Gregor Townsend has completely lost the plot.

— Douglas Jackson (@Dougwriter) September 3, 2019

Huw Jones misses out on WC squad: How the hell can a guy go from glory to not making the Scottish WC squad of 31 in a matter of months? Class is permanent, form temporary. It seems ludicrous that he has not made the squad But it also again highlights how… https://t.co/bu80uLmklJ

— RuckersForum (@RuckersForum) September 3, 2019

Where the fuck is Huw Jones? He was Scotland's best player in the last couple years https://t.co/E8pmZyJFMT

— TheScottishCannon (@ScottishCannon4) September 3, 2019

Couldn’t be anymore gutted for Huw Jones ? https://t.co/C28gE3qQJY

— McCallum ??????? (@EuanMcC11) September 3, 2019

Scotland will be hoping Peter Horne, Chris Harris, Duncan Taylor and Sam Johnson can fill the void as Huw Jones has been Scotland’s highest try-scorer since the last World Cup.

10 – No player has scored more tries for Scotland since the 2015 Rugby World Cup than Huw Jones (10, level with Stuart Hogg). Overlooked. pic.twitter.com/OQmwi1RQGX

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 3, 2019

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend explained the decision to omit both Jones and young centre Rory Hutchinson.

“Rory came very close, both him and Huw were debated for a long while on the flight back from Georgia.

“Rory did very well on Saturday night, he was comfortable on the ball but just missed out as he’s not had enough international experience.

“Both Rory and Huw are similar in terms of not having enough games at international level to force their way into the squad.

“Huw hasn’t had enough games playing well, or playing at all over the last few months.

“He’s looked in unbelievable shape in training but we haven’t seen enough in the game-and-a-half he’s had with us to get himself into that final squad.

“We know he’s on his way back to his best form but it just wasn’t enough.”

Gregor Townsend on pre-World Cup Scotland squad: