"I was thrilled to bits to be asked," Jon says in today's Sunday Times. "Not many people get to play for their country, let alone captain it. I have enjoyed captaining Glasgow this year but it is the sort of job where you never know how well you are doing until you get this sort of recognition. Better still, it has come from the Scottish coaches who are in the best position to see how I have been performing. They know what I am like and what I can bring to the role, so it is a vote of confidence I suppose."
Jon goes on to talk about his appointment as skipper of Glasgow. It appears that responsibility may have been the missing ingredient in his game. "I am pretty vocal on the pitch, I always have been, but I am also of the school that tells me I cannot ask other people to perform at a level I am not producing myself. That does bring an extra edge to my game. If I can play well myself then I have the ability to bring other players with me. That will be a big part of my job in the next month."
Glasgow fans were relieved at the news that Jon would be staying in Scotland despite other clubs showing an interest - he signed a two-year deal with the Warriors last month. "It was horrible at the time, but I'm happier now I've decided," JP admits. "There was never any question that whatever my personal circumstances I would put less than 200% into Glasgow and I am fully prepared to do that. I am very happy here."
You can read Lewis Stuart's article here