Glasgow centre Huw Jones ruled out of URC play-off clash… but head coach Franco Smith insists Achilles injury will NOT harm his Lions chances

By CALUM CROWE

Huw Jones has been ruled out of Glasgow Warriors’ URC quarter-final clash against the Stormers tomorrow evening due to the recurrence of an Achilles injury.

But Warriors head coach Franco Smith insists that the setback is only short-term and won’t have any impact on Jones’ involvement with the British and Irish Lions in the summer.

It has been a niggling problem for Jones over recent months and something which has had to be managed by club and country.

The Scotland centre, 31, had initially been named in Glasgow’s starting XV for the visit of the Stormers to Scotstoun, only for the problem to flare up again.

When the team was announced earlier today, there had been concerns among Glasgow fans that Jones’ absence could well become hinder his availability for the Lions and their tour of Australia.

Jones was one of four Warriors stars — along with Zander Fagerson, Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings — who were selected for the tour Down Under.

Huw Jones will miss out when Glasgow take on the Stormers at Scotstoun tomorrow evening

Jones has played the last two matches for the Warriors, away to Benetton and Leinster

Head coach Franco Smith was disappointed by the news after initially naming Jones in his side

But Smith was quick to quell those fears. Asked if there was any danger of Jones being in danger of missing the Lions, he replied: ‘No, not at all. It’s just about managing it and nullifying any risk.

‘Unfortunately, since the Six Nations, Huw has been struggling with that. It’s not a muscle injury, it’s a tendon issue.

‘It flares up and it takes time to get the inflammation gone. He’s not been available. All our Lions haven’t been available much since the Six Nations.

‘When this thing reoccurred at the back end of last week, it looked treatable and we’ve managed it well. But it just flared up again on Tuesday. He was announced originally in the team.

‘Unfortunately for him, we have to go and have a deeper look to see if we can get him fixed and get the inflammation down.

‘Without becoming a doctor in five minutes, I can honestly state that it’s something that will be managed for the rest of his career.

Jones is one of four Glasgow Warriors players selected for the British and Irish Lions tour

‘By the last five years of my own career, I had similar problems, so I can relate to what’s happening to him.

‘But it is treatable, it is manageable and I’m sure he’ll be back fighting as early as next week.

‘Huw is an important player for us and it’s important that he gets well. I think he’s going to play a lot of rugby still in the summer.’

Stafford McDowall has been given the nod to start in Jones’ absence and he will partner Sione Tuipulotu in midfield.

Glasgow beat the Stormers as the same stage of the play-offs last year before going all the way to win the title.

Stafford McDowall will fill the void left by Jones’ absence, and Smith has doubts he will shine

Smith accepts his team are in for a tough challenge when they face the South Africans, but is confident they can pull through.

‘Stafford’s been playing well, so I’m going to lean that way,’ said the Warriors boss. ‘He has shown the whole season, he’s put up his hand for responsibility. There’s no better replacement for us.

‘This is going to be a really tough game for us, the Stormers have a lot of experience and quality. But we have prepared well and are ready for it.’

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Glasgow centre Huw Jones ruled out of URC play-off clash… but head coach Franco Smith insists Achilles injury will NOT harm his Lions chances

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