At 5’11” and 14 stone 9lbs Lee Jones would have been considered a formidable specimen as a winger in any other era but it is hard to escape the conclusion that the 29-year-old was a victim of size-ism during his international wilderness years.

More than five years separated his first four appearances, as Scotland were ‘whitewashed’ under Andy Robinson during the 2012 Six Nations and his fifth in the win over Australia this year and Jones acknowledges that for whatever reason previous coach Vern Cotter was not a fan.

“It was a long time, five and a half years since I played at match at Murrayfield,” he said. “To be back there at the weekend was special. Selection can be a subjective thing that can come down to coaches making decisions. For me it was just a case of putting my rugby on the park and if that was good enough to be selected, great. Selection for the summer tour was a big achievement for me and to be back playing at Murrayfield was special as well.”

In between times he beefed up a fair bit, but Jones reckons that the knowhow gained in the interim was as much of a factor in his recall immediately fellow Borderer Gregor Townsend – who had previously taken him from Edinburgh to Glasgow Warriors - took charge of the national side.

“I naturally put a bit of weight on, although I wouldn’t say that was the reason,” he observed.

“Experience in general was probably most important. Even when I wasn’t selected for Scotland I was a better player than I was in 2012, which is purely on experience.

“After moving from Edinburgh to Glasgow the major improvement was on my defence, which I feel is a real strength now. Five years is a long time in professional rugby to gain a lot more experience. Mentally as well there have been ups and downs, whereas when I was first selected in 2012 there hadn’t been a lot of low points in my career, it had all happened very quickly, but sport’s not like that and I got to see that in those five years between caps.”

The change of club was clearly also hugely important, not least given the way the Glasgow Warriors management has now stepped up to the national team.

“Gregor was very confident in the way he brought me to Glasgow from Edinburgh and has shown confidence throughout but especially in the last couple of years in terms of game time for Glasgow.,” said Jones. “That’s allowed me to get some consistency of performance so I owe him a lot for showing that confidence in me when others didn’t. It’s paying off now because he knows me as a player. “

He acknowledged that the effect on his position of the way the late All Black great Jonah Lomu transformed perceptions in the mid-nineties has been a consideration, however.

“I suppose size has its advantages,” he said. “The players that teams are producing now are like genetic freaks. They are turning up on the wing and are double the height but can run fast as well, so they have a bit of everything. However it doesn’t always come down to size, it’s about rugby ability as well and smaller guys are going to have advantages in certain areas, so at the end of the day I’d like to think the wee guy can always beat the big guy when he’s at his best.”

He consequently expects to be subjected to plenty of the cross-field kicks that have become an All Black speciality.

“It’s about dealing with that first-up then seeing where it gives us opportunities on counterattack. They obviously have that as a set tactic, but it opens them up in other areas,” noted Jones..

On which note he needs no reminding that if he is selected, as expected, on Scotland’s left wing again he will be up against another high class operator in 6’2”, 15 stone plus Waisake Naholo who scored two of his side’s tries during their 38-18 win over France.

“Whoever New Zealand puts on the park, especially in the back three, are athletes first and foremost,” he noted. “They’re good rugby players but phenomenal athletes and that presents a challenge in itself. Personally, after selection I’ll look at individuals once their side has been selected, and see where his strengths are and where his opportunities are to see what I can potentially exploit.

“When you play a team like NZ you know it’s going to be a challenge regardless of who they put out.”