Stormers' Huw looks set for England

30 April 2015 - 09:46 By CRAIG RAY

By English standards Millfield School is not very old at 80, but it has already produced four England rugby internationals and an Ireland Test player. The Stormers' Huw Jones is heading towards becoming a fifth England Test player from the school.England captain Chris Robshaw was educated at Millfield, alongside current England centre Jonathan Joseph and prop Mako Vunipola. England prop Henry Thomas also attended Millfield.Jones, who has been impressive for the Stormers this year, toned down talk of playing Test rugby just yet, although he did rule out playing for South Africa. His allegiances lie firmly with England.He has a Welsh name, was born in Scotland, raised in England and plays in South Africa. But for Jones there is no confusion about his identity - he's English.Jones, 21, came to SA on a gap year in 2012 where he attended Bishops. The following season he played for False Bay before moving into the Varsity Cup with the UCT Ikey Tigers.He played an influential role in Ikeys' triumph last year and this year he was drafted into the Stormers squad.After six appearances off the bench, Jones was thrust into the cauldron against the Hurricanes in Wellington in round eight. Juan de Jongh failed a late fitness test and Jones was tasked with starting against the formidable All Blacks centre pair of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu.Jones never looked out of place and asked tough questions of the famous pair with a strong display. News of his rise must be filtering back to England, where a 1.86m, 96kg centre with Super rugby experience would be highly valued."I was pretty excited, coming up against two of the best centres in the world; it was a great challenge," Jones said.In years to come he might be putting the skills he's developing in Cape Town to use against the Springboks in the Test arena...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.