Huw Jones in 'advanced talks' with Premiership heavyweight

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones looks set to be the next Scottish star to move south in search of a lucrative Premiership deal.

Were he to make the move, Jones would become the latest high profile Scot to jump ship from Glasgow, who struggle to compete with the pay packets on offer in the Premiership and Top 14.

Both Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw are both enjoying stints at Racing 92 and Clermont respectively.

Just last week teammate Stuart Hogg’s move to Exeter Chiefs was confirmed. The 26-year-old agreed a two-year deal with the Devon club, bringing to a close a nine-season stay at the Warriors.

RugbyPass understands that Jones, who is coming to end of his contract with the Warriors, is now in ‘advanced talks’ with Leicester Tigers.

Tigers are looking for a top class centre as they prepare to lose Wallaby international Matt Tooumua. In August Toomua put pen to paper on a two and a half year deal with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels, in a bid to make their World Cup squad.

There are also questions marks over Manu Tuilagi’s future the club. The injury-prone England centre could still demand a huge salary, be it at a rival club in the Premiership, the Top 14 or Japan.

The Edinburgh born Jones joined Glasgow midway through the 2017/18 season with his Western Province farewell concluding in the 2017 Currie Cup final, where Jones scored a brace and was named Man of the Match in a 33-21 victory.

The centre made his debut for the Warriors in December 2017, starting in midfield in a European Champions Cup defeat to Montpellier at Scotstoun. His first try for his new club came in an 18-17 defeat to Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield, finishing off a flowing team move.

Jones made his Scotland debut in 2016 coming off the bench against Japan, and then received his first start a few months later against Australia, scoring two tries in the game. A further brace followed in the famous 25-13 victory over England in the 2018 Six Nations, his efforts helping Scotland to a first Calcutta Cup win in a decade.

Jones studied at the University of Cape Town, where he caught the eye of Western Province. He made his debut for the Stormers in 2015, making 23 appearances for the South African side.