Play Rugby Well And See The World

DAVID “TOE-POKE” NAREY was at one-time a sort of accidental tourist when it came to Scottish international football. Prior to that goal against Brazil in 1982, the big Dundee United defender racked-up thousands of air miles as a member of Scottish international footbll squads,without seeing too-much action.

David was in more than 70 Scotland squads, but only ever won around 35 caps – a clear case of join Scotland and see the world. But, I don't think he ever got as good a holiday as George Turner, D'Arcy Rae and Sean Kennedy are completing. Glasgow tight-head prop Rae and ths similarly uncapped Edinburgh pair of hooker Turner and scrum-half Kennedy are currently in Fiji with the Scotland rugby squad, having previously on this tour sampled the delights of Singapore and Sydney and, unless there is a sudden epidemic of illness, they will return from Fiji still uncapped, having not featured in the match-day squad in any of the three internationals.

 D'Arcy Rae - all that way and not even a seat on the bench

I will not begrudge them their extended tour, I am sure it will stand them in good stead when they do eventually get to wear the thistle in a full international. Given the attrition rate in the front row, that should not be too-far into the future for Turner and Rae. Kennedy, a player I have long admired, is currently fifth in the Scottish scrum-half rankings, but, if he can get a regular run with Edinburgh, I can seem him getting into the mix for caps at nine.

As expected, Gregor Townsend has rung the changes for this final outing of the tour, and the Scotland match-day squad is:

15. Ruaridh Jackson; 14. Damien Hoyland, 13. Nick Grigg, 12. Duncan Taylor, 11. Tim Visser; 10. Peter Horne, 9. Henry Pyrgos; 1. Alex Allen, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Willem Nel; 4. Tim Swinson, 5. Jonny Gray; 6.  John Barclay (capt), 7. John Hardie, 8. Josh Strauss. Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17. Gordon Reid, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Ben Toolis, 20. Hamish Watson, 21. Ryan Wilson; 22. Ali Price, 23 Greig Tonks.

One new cap then, in Nick Grigg – just reward for an outstanding season with the Warriors, while there are recalls for Ruaridh Jackson, Damien Hoyland, fit-again Tim Visser and John Hardie, with Tim Swinson, Henry Pyrgos and Ross Ford, who will become Scotland's most-capped player in winning his 110^th cap, switching bench duties in Sydney for the starting XV in Suva.

Nick Grigg - deserves his cap

The squad is pretty-much as expected. We might, come no-side, question the sense in allowing Finn Russell to go off and join the Lions, but, Pete Horne has successfully deputised for Finn before. No question, playing the Fijians in the alien heat and humidity of Suva will be a huge challenge, but, it is one the side named ought to be able to handle.

Good to see Grigg getting his cap, he has had some sensational games for Glasgow this season.

MEANWHILE, we should not be surprised at the lack of Scots in the Lions' test 23 for Saturday. That “butchered” try in midweek, although tv evidence demonstrated it was not his fault the final pass went awry, has clearly told against Tommy Seymour, who was probably the only one of our remaining representatives close to the Test squad.

I can only hope, Finn Russell gets on the park in the final midweek match against the Highlanders – he certainly deserves at least 20 minutes. But, will Gatland pick him?

Speaking of the Lions coach; I caught a good tv profile of him on the BBC iPlayer this week, a BBC Wales production, it gave new insight into Mr Gatland. I enjoyed it.

Creamy's "Everest" speech can still inspire

That documentary sent me to Youtube, I searched in vain for a complete copy of Living With Lions (are copies really selling for over £50 a pop? By the way). Certainly there are snippets, such as Jim Telfer's legendary: “This is your Everest lads” speech, but not the same thing. I did, however, come across an interesting documentary on Carwyn James and th 1971 Lions – some of the three-quarters' handling was absolutely magical, nice to be reminded of it.

Now, if the Lions could only produce that sort of magic this year.