NEW Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has included three uncapped players in a squad for the summer tour that relies heavily on tried and trusted names. Edinburgh hooker George Turner is in line to make his debut along with Glasgow prop D’Arcy Rae and centre Nick Grigg, while John Barclay continues as captain in the absence of Greig Laidlaw, who has been called up by the Lions.
The 34-man group for the Tests against Italy, Australia and Fiji includes 17 Glasgow players, 10 from Edinburgh, six from England and Wales and Richie Gray of Toulouse. Edinburgh scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne returns thanks to Laidlaw’s absence, while there are also recalls for wingers Damien Hoyland and Lee Jones, flanker Magnus Bradbury and Ruaridh Jackson. While the latter can play at stand-off, he is listed as a back-three player and will compete with Sean Maitland for a start at full-back given Stuart Hogg is also with the Lions.
Significant omissions include Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist, whose place goes to team-mate Ben Toolis. Duncan Weir, Cornell du Preez and David Denton are among the others to miss out, while those unavailable due to injury include Stuart McInally, Mark Bennett and Huw Jones.
“There were a lot of tough decisions,” Townsend explained. “You see that with the quality of player in some positions who have been left out. When you look at the second rows, we have them all available to us, and it’s the same case with the back row - nobody selected for the Lions and nobody injured. The likes of [back-row players] Dave Denton, Cornell du Preez, Adam Ashe miss out, likewise with Grant Gilchrist in the second row. That was tough, but I think it’s a very strong squad I’ve selected.”
Although Laidlaw would have resumed the captaincy had he been in the squad, Townsend said he had no hesitation in continuing with John Barclay, who took over the role during the Six Nations Championship after the scrum-half was injured.
“You could tell from the outside that John was doing well: the way he spoke to referees, his confidence, and the enjoyment he had from being captain. I know John well, he contributed really well in meetings and has a rugby intelligence that will really help us as coaches. He’s playing really well and is one of our most experienced players, so delighted to name him as captain.”
Laidlaw, meanwhile, spoke for the first time about his Lions inclusion yesterday. He was called up on Saturday night after Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs withdrew as his sister-in-law has has terminal cancer.
l Laidlaw’s opportunity, page 36
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