Huw Jones has joined the growing contingent of Scotland internationals moving to France after it was announced that the centre will leave Glasgow to sign for Top 14 side Toulon in the summer.
The 32-year-old, who has emerged as one of the best centres in the world since returning for a second stint at Scotstoun in 2022, was close to going to France in 2021, when a transfer to Bayonne fell through before he joined Harlequins instead.
His departure will bring to an end of his acclaimed ‘Huwipulotu’ partnership with Sione Tuipulotu at club level, albeit the pair will continue with Gregor Townsend’s national side.
Jones will follow several of his international colleagues in heading to the Top 14, with Ben White currently at Toulon, Blair Kinghorn at Toulouse, Jonny Gray at Bordeaux, Jamie Ritchie at Perpignan, and Ali Price and Stuart Hogg at Montpellier, while Finn Russell previously spent five years with Racing 92.
His current Glasgow team-mate Adam Hastings is also moving to the south of France in the summer after it was announced earlier this week that he will be joining Montpellier.
Huw Jones (left) starred on the Lions tour last summer alongside Scotland team-mates Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu
Jones has become one of the world’s leading centres and will be missed by Warriors
A statement from Glasgow on Tuesday read: ‘Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Huw Jones will join Top 14 side RC Toulon this summer, after agreeing to make the move to France at the end of the season. The club wish Jones the best for the future, and look forward to continuing to work with the centre for the remainder of the season.’
Jones, who has made 82 appearances across his two spells with Warriors, helped Franco Smith’s side win the United Rugby Championship title in 2023-24 and he was rewarded for his impressive form by featuring in all three of the British and Irish Lions’ Tests against Australia last summer.
The player, who has 58 Scotland caps to his name, returned to action for his first appearance of the season in Saturday’s Champions Cup win at Clermont after undergoing Achilles surgery in September.
BLOB Edinburgh have signed Scottish-qualified centre Kienan Higgins on a two-month contract from New Zealand-based Hawke’s Bay.
With midfield trio Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu and Charlie McCaig currently nursing injury complaints, the 25-year-old will provide cover and competition until March, when he is due to move to Major League Rugby in the United States.
Higgins said: ‘Having Scottish heritage, this is a proud moment for me and my family and I’m grateful for the opportunity to test myself in a new environment.
‘The northern hemisphere game offers a different set of challenges and I’ve always wanted to try my hand at the style of rugby played in the URC and Europe.
‘My goal is to hit the ground running, learn as much as I can from the quality players here and add real value to the squad during my time in the city. I can’t wait to get started.’