Huw Jones said playing for the British and Irish Lions next summer would be "a dream” - and hopes to make the next Rugby World Cup with Scotland.
Jones will win his 50th Scotland cap against Uruguay in Montevideo on Saturday after an up-and-down international journey.
Outstanding form for club and country has allowed Jones to cement his Scotland place in the past two years.
He knows that will be key if he is to catch the eye of Lions head coach Andy Farrell and earn a place on next year’s tour to Australia.
“It’s not a goal I’ve set, it’s a dream,” Jones said when asked about the prospect of representing the Lions.
“I think there are a lot of factors which play into selection for those tours so all anyone can really do is play as well as they can for their club and country over the next season – and stay fit is probably the biggest one, you’ve just got to be available.”
Jones knows there is plenty of rugby to be played between now and the time Farrell selects his squad, likely in the spring.
He added: “It is the dream of any ambitious player to go with the Lions so of course it is something I want to do, but there is a lot of time and a lot of rugby to get through between now and then – and all anyone can do is get fit and play well.”
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Eight years after making his debut and at the end of a 14-month season, Jones insists he is still feeling in good shape ahead of his 50th cap this weekend.
He said: “I am still feeling sharp. It does take me slightly longer to warm up than when I was 20 but I think you could say that for a lot of guys in their careers.
“We're all professionals, we all get through the work we need to and once we're out on the field there's not really any difference.
“I don't believe I've lost any pace, I think I've gained in physicality, and I think I'm probably in quite a good spot.”
Jones hopes he can make the next Rugby World Cup with Scotland.
Jones will be 34 by the time of the tournament in Australia but said he wants to keep playing international rugby for as long as possible.
He said: “I'm not really looking that far ahead. I'd like to play for as long as I can. I'd like to play for Scotland for as long as I can.
“If I'm still playing well and in good physical health by that point then it could happen."
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