Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre Huw Jones is delighted to be back at the club and can see the group achieving “something special”.
Jones had a short stint with Harlequins in the Premiership before returning to Glasgow. The centre made his first appearance back at Scotstoun Stadium against his former side, the Stormers, over the weekend and played exceptionally well.
Sparkling return to Scotstoun
The Scot finished the game with two try assists and a try, powering an impressive performance by Glasgow as they defeated the defending champions 24-17 with a last-gasp try.
⚔️ Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu impressed as a centre combination. pic.twitter.com/uFOZpFuLVS
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) January 9, 2023
Jones is enjoying the new energy in the team with Franco Smith at the helm and welcomed the return from the Premiership.
“It was refreshing to be with a new coaching staff, different players and different ideas,” he told the Scotsman.
“I played with some quality players down there – a lot of the England boys. So it was good to learn from them, and I played a load of games. The most games I’ve ever played in a season.
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“In my stint up here, I didn’t really play in the first three seasons. I only just made my 50th appearance in five seasons! At Quins, it was nice to just play loads, and I got better off the back of that.”
Jones insists he is a better player than he has ever been simply by having played more rugby and looks forward to taking his development even further.
“The level of coaching and level of training – it’s intense out there, but it’s good, and it’s making us all better players,” he said.
“When I came here, I was a youngster. I’d done well but I was pretty fresh. I’d only played almost 50 games between Stormers and Western Province combined – not a lot of rugby. I got here and didn’t play that much either, so my development has taken a while to really get going.
“I’m a better player now than I ever have been. It’s pleasing for me. I’m happy with where I’m at, but I want to keep improving and I’m sure I will, but where I am now, I’m better than I was when I was playing for Scotland back then and doing well. I now have more to offer.”
Building well
The centre can sense “something special” within the Glasgow ranks and can only see his team improving.
“I don’t know whether it’s because I’m now more experienced and a little bit older and a better player, but looking at this squad and the way we play, I’m really confident about this group and where we can go,” Jones said.
“When I was last here we got to a final, got to a semi-final. I think we can do something special, maybe this season, maybe next season. I don’t know when but the way we’re getting better, building and improving – it’s a young squad as well. I’m really excited.
“The brand of rugby we’re trying to play – attacking, fast-paced – suits this whole group. We’re getting better at it, each day each week in training we’re improving and that’s showing in the results as well.”
Despite the Six Nations being less than a month away, Jones insists he is only focused on performing for Glasgow, and the rest will work itself out.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about at the moment,” he said.
“I’ve only had three games this season so it might be too early. Obviously, it would be great to be involved with Scotland again, but at the moment I’ll just try to string together a couple of games with Glasgow.”
