'All-round package' Jones makes difference for Scotland

On the hour mark of Scotland's Six Nations opener against Italy at Murrayfield, there was a hushed tension in the stands.

Scotland had dominated possession and territory, had scored three excellent tries, but found themselves level at 19-19 having coughed up penalties that allowed Tommaso Allan to take points off the tee.

Their healthy lead had been surrendered. They desperately needed someone to stand up and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Huw Jones did just that.

The former Stormers and Harlequins back had already scored one try, having kept up with winger Duhan van der Merwe down the left flank and finished off a fine team move in the opening 10 minutes.

However, it was his second-half contribution that decided the contest.

Jones' second try of the contest was made by a magnificent jinking run by winger Darcy Graham, but the centre did what all good attackers do. He went with Graham in support and cruised to the line.

If his second was a walk-in, his third was anything but.

Faced with three Italian defenders, Jones left Paolo Garbisi and Monty Ioane for dead with a right-foot step and then held off Michele Lamaro's tackle to stretch out and score.

"He has improved so much in both attack and defence," former Scotland prop Peter Wright said.

"He's always there, he's always on a shoulder and he always takes defenders away from other people."

You only have to look at Jones' numbers to appreciate what he brings to the table.

He now has 22 tries in 54 internationals, a record most wingers would be delighted with.

Saturday's three scores put him above Tommy Seymour and level with Chris Paterson on Scotland's all-time try-scoring list. Van der Merwe leads the way with 30.

Jones is a silky runner with deft hands and a remarkable try-scoring instinct. He also possesses great humility.

"I'm pretty happy," he said afterwards. "It's not every day you manage to get on the end of three so thanks to the boys for setting me up."

Jones carried for 131 metres from 13 carries against Italy, and he appreciated the importance of his second try in the context of the match.

"It was a big turning point," he added. "There wasn't really anything on for him but Darcy will find a gap when there isn't one. I just had to try and keep up with him."

'All-round' package Jones delivers in Tuipulotu absence

The build-up to the game was dominated by Jones' usual centre partner, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, being ruled out of the championship with injury.

Tuipulotu is a world-class operator, a leader who combines both power and precision. He was a key part of Glasgow's URC triumph last season and is a shoo-in for this summer's Lions tour if he finds fitness in time.

However, alongside another Glasgow man in Stafford McDowall, Jones delivered a reminder of his capacity to trouble any defence in world rugby.

"Huw was outstanding today," co-captain Finn Russell said. "I thought Stafford was really good at 12 as well.

"The backs worked really well together, created a lot of chances and if we're going to do anything in this tournament we have to try and finish those off."

When Jones first burst onto the international scene he had all his attacking verve, but lacked the defensive steel to go with it.

Teams targeted his channel to good effect and Jones lost his Scotland spot as a result, missing the 2019 World Cup.

He went away and worked it out, though, returning to the national team set-up a more complete package.

"Huw is such an all-round player now," head coach Gregor Townsend said.

"He runs brilliant lines, finishes well and is a very good defender. Today he supported very well and it's great he got those tries."