Jones welcoming new faces to Scotstoun

“It’s important that we as players drive the club’s culture.”

After 82
appearances in a Glasgow Warriors jersey and 10 Scotland caps to his name, Lee
Jones has his fair share of experience to pass on to the summer arrivals at
Scotstoun. With a Rugby World Cup on the horizon and 19 of Dave Rennie’s squad
battling to join Niko Matawalu and Mesu Dolokoto at this autumn’s tournament,
however, it’s fair to say there are a few more new faces than your average
pre-season.

“It’s a bit
of a different squad we’ve got training at the moment,” said Jones.

“We’ve got a
lot of academy boys and 7s guys training with us, so it’s been good to get to
know everyone.

“The first
block of pre-season was really good for us – it might be a slightly different
squad in terms of the boys that are here, but everyone’s fitted in really well and
worked hard. Coming back after a bit of a break now means that everyone’s had a
bit of a rest and they’re ready to go again.”

The Selkirk-born
winger has also had to get used to a slight shift in the squad’s balance over
the summer; at 31, Jones is one of the elder statesmen of the group currently
preparing for the pre-season double-header with Ulster. The man himself sees
age as just a number though, instead focusing on helping to impress the club’s
values on his new team-mates.

“You look
around and see a lot of young guys, which does make you feel a bit older
sometimes,” laughed Jones.

“Jamie Dobie
makes everyone feel old!

“They’ve all
done really well though. Our role, as the experienced heads, is to show them
how the club operates and what’s expected of them when they represent Glasgow.

“That’s not
just on the pitch – we haven’t played a game yet this season, but it’s about
setting our standards whether that’s in training, in the gym or around the club
and the city.

“It’s about
getting it right as an environment first and foremost.”

Rennie’s men
will get their first hit-out of the season in just a fortnight’s time as they
travel to Belfast to take on Ulster, before welcoming their Guinness PRO14 rivals
to Scotstoun for The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Challenge seven days later. It’s
a double-header that can’t come quickly enough for Jones and his fellow
Warriors.

“Everyone’s
excited to get going,” said the winger.

“There’s
been a real focus on basic skills and stripping everything right back, but now
we’re starting to work on more of our game shape and structures.

“It’s
getting more game-focused and everyone’s ready to get started.”

Click here to secure your tickets for the visit of Ulster on Saturday 14 September