Monday 30 October 2017 22:25, UK
Scotland centre Huw Jones is champing at the bit to get involved in the autumn internationals after missing the summer through injury.
The 23-year-old, who is set to join Glasgow after finishing his Western Province career with two tries in the Currie Cup final triumph at the weekend, returns to the squad after sitting out June's three-match tour to Singapore, Australia and Fiji.
Jones suffered a torn hamstring in this year's Six Nations win over Italy which ruled him out for five months, and he admits the lengthy spell on the sidelines left him frustrated.
After being called up for the Tests against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia, Jones said: "[I'm] very excited. I not only missed the summer tour, I also missed the whole of Super Rugby as well.
"So I've missed a lot of rugby, and my focus on going into the Currie Cup was to get back to the form I had that time last year.
"I think I'm there or thereabouts and happy to be called up to the Scotland squad again.
"I remember thinking during the Six Nations when we found out what the summer tour was going to be; 'oh yeah I can't wait to go to those countries', not to mention playing the games.
"It was very disappointing to miss out on those, so I'm glad I'm back in the mix now."
However, despite the injury, he still managed to sign off in style from his stay in South Africa with a man-of-the-match display, and he feels he is finally getting back to somewhere near his best.
The Edinburgh-born player said: "I think it took me a little bit longer than I'd hoped to reach form during the Currie Cup, we had a bit of an up and down season.
"I'd say my performances were a little bit up and down, but like the team did, I hit a good bit of form and I'm looking to carry that on into these Tests."
Gregor Townsend's Scotland tenure got off to the perfect start as his tourists picked up wins over Italy and Australia on foreign soil in June.
A defeat to Fiji was a sour end to an encouraging tour, but Jones says there has been a change in mindset in the camp and the upcoming internationals provide a perfect opportunity to prove their worth against three of world rugby's heavyweights.
"The mindset of losing bravely has gone," he said. "We want to go on now and really compete against the world's best, and what an opportunity against the number one and three [New Zealand and Australia] in the world.
"I think we will be looking forward to those games, make a mark there and prove a point."
