Meg Jones: Red Roses captain on skippering England and representing Wales
In Cardiff, this connection is deep, real and reciprocal.
“Everyone here is Meg’s biggest supporter, even though she’s wearing the red rose, which is not normally celebrated in Wales,” says Harries.
“What we all really admire about Meg is that she has chosen her own path but hasn’t forgotten her roots.
“It would be so easy to get involved in England now and leave that side of it. But he’s always ready to do interviews in Welsh and celebrate his Welshness. “He’s very, very proud of where he’s come from.
“And that’s a huge thing for students here to see that you can chase your dreams but never forget where you came from.
“Never forget your roots and be proud of that, be proud of who you are and celebrate the different aspects of you.
“Whether you’re a rugby fan or not, whether you’re Welsh or English, he’s a real inspiration to everyone.
“He is a true role model in every sense of the word.”
Jones regularly returns to his old school, holding coaching sessions, presenting awards and inspiring the next generation.
While Jones did not have a girls’ school rugby team to represent during her time at Glantaf, there are now several.
One of the actors is another Meg Jones.
Current Glantaf student Megan Jones represented Wales at last month’s under-18 Six Nations festival. He lines up in the centers against England., external
Senior Jones helped train his young namesake by hosting a one-on-one kicking session during his visit to Glantaf. On another occasion he presented young Meg with a pair of boots, causing the student to burst into tears of joy.
Harries has taken photos of the two Meg Joneses together over the years in the hope that one day, after facing off at the senior level, they would complete the montage by posing together.
