Back in Cardiff, that link is deep, real and reciprocated.
“Even though she’s wearing the red rose, which obviously is not something that is normally celebrated much in Wales, everybody here is Meg’s biggest supporter,” says Harries.
“What we all really admire about Meg is the fact that she’s chosen her own path, but she hasn’t forgotten her roots.
“It’d be very easy to be all in now with England and leave that side of it. But she’s always willing to do any interviews in Welsh and celebrate her Welshness. She’s very, very proud of where she came from.
“And that’s massive for the pupils here, for them to see that you can chase your dreams, but never forget where you’ve come from.
“Never forget your roots, and be proud of that, and be proud of who you are, and celebrate that you’ve got those different sides to you.
“She’s a real inspiration to everybody, whether you’re a rugby fan or not, whether you’re Welsh or whether you’re English, it doesn’t matter.
“She’s just a real true role model in every essence of the word.”
Jones regularly returns to her old school, doing coaching sessions, presenting awards and inspiring the next generation.
While there was no girls school rugby team for Jones to represent during her time at Glantaf, now there are several.
One of those who plays is another Meg Jones.
Megan Jones, the current Glantaf pupil, represented Wales in last month’s under-18 Six Nations festival, lining up against England in the centres., external
Jones senior has helped nurture her younger namesake, putting on a one-on-one kicking session on a visit to Glantaf. On another occasion she presented young Meg with a pair of her boots, prompting the pupil to dissolve into tears of joy.
Harries has taken photos of the two Meg Joneses together through the years in the hope that one day the two will complete the montage by posing together after facing each other at senior level.
Source:
www.bbc.com
