Huw Jones hopes his return to the scoresheet in Round 4 will prove a sign of things to come as he looks to continue making the most of his opportunities for Scotland.
The 27-year-old has been reduced to cameos off the bench in this year’s Championship to date but impressed against Ireland, powering over to begin a comeback which ultimately ended in disappointment as the visitors ran out 27-24 winners.
It was Jones’ first Test score since he crossed for a brace in Scotland’s famous 25-13 Calcutta Cup victory over England at BT Murrayfield in 2018 and he admitted it felt overdue.
“It was quite a relief to get back on the scoresheet again as it has been a while,” he said. “So I was pleased with that.
Vote for your Guinness Six Nations Player of Round 4
“It is quite clear that my biggest strength is my attacking play and if I am firing and scoring tries that can only be good. For me to be playing my best I need to be attacking really well and creating.
“I am pleased obviously to get over the line and score a try but Sunday was a frustrating day on the whole.”
Jones was introduced in the 55th minute of Sunday’s encounter, making it his longest runout in this year’s Guinness Six Nations.
He has proved his versatility for Glasgow Warriors this season, being selected more often at full-back than the outside centre role in which he made his name.
But while such adaptability makes him a valuable option for Gregor Townsend to call upon from the bench, Jones will hope for an opportunity to show what he can do from the outset when Italy visit Edinburgh on Saturday.
He will find out on Thursday if his impressive display against Ireland proves enough to earn a Super Saturday start, with Chris Harris so far proving difficult to dislodge after a string of consistent displays.
When are the Super Saturday team announcements?
“I have been working hard this season,” Jones said. “I have played a lot at 15. I only got my first game at 13 for Glasgow a couple of weeks ago.
“I am just doing the best I can with the opportunities I get.
“If my role in the Scotland squad is to come off the bench and try and make an impact then I have to try and take it.
“Chris has been ahead of me at 13 for the last year or so and he has been playing really good rugby so I have to keep up my performances when I get the chance with Glasgow to play at 13.
“If I come on for Scotland I have to just try and make the best impact I can.”
