VIDEO: Inside the Scottish camp with Huw Jones
Huw Jones is as much a household name in South Africa as he is in Scotland, but these days he is most destructive wearing the Claymores.
From his early post-school days at False Bay club in Cape Town, then the University of Cape Town, Western Province and the Stormers, he eventually returned ‘home’ to Scotland where he is now an institution in the Glasgow Warriors team.
On Sunday, when Scotland host South Africa at Murrayfield, Jones will be in the navy blue jersey, embroidered with those large ancient two-handed swords used by the Scottish clans in the late medieval period
Jones, 30, sat down with the Behind The Ruck podcast crew of Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh to share some insights into the Scottish camp.
He said that playing at Murrayfield and having that noise behind them is brilliant.
* (Article continues below the Huw Jones clip ….)
“It starts from before the game,” the veteran centre said, adding: “When you come in on the bus, following the bagpipes and the crowd is lining the road, is goosebump stuff.
“The bagpipe on top of the roof and the way they stop for the second verse makes the hair on your neck stand up.
“It gets you up for the game and gets the adrenaline pumping.
“Once we in the game, we can make Murrayfield a tough place for [opposing] teams.
“That is the idea around home advantage.
“You are comfortable there and have the crown behind you.
“It also helps sometimes if it is really cold.
“We are hoping for the weather to drop.”
Jones also shares insights into his powerful center partnership with Sione Tuipulotu, previews the upcoming clash against the Springboks, and reflects on his time in Cape Town, where his journey into professional rugby began.
Then, Paige and De Jongh dive into the year-end series, covering the huge Tests.
* Source: Behind the Ruck Podcast
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)