IT WAS worth the wait, when, at lunchtime today, Gregor Townsend named his squad for the Sklyscanner Summer Tour of the Americas. We all knew that one or two of the big hitters, notably Finn Russell and Zander Fagerson, would be given time off and would miss this tour, so he has certainly produced a few new names. The squad is:
Let's begin with the left-field picks among the ten uncapped players named. I am particularly delighted to see Northampton hooker Robbie Smith selected. Ayrshire Bulls coach Pat McArthur, himself of course a former Scotland hooker, has long maintained that Robbie had what it would take to go all the way – he deserves his chance.
Another wild card is Sale scrum-half Gus Warr. Elder brother Harry came north to university and played for Ayr, the Bulls and won Scotland age group honours, while Gus. Who also played for the age group sides, stayed at home in Cheshire and worked up through the Sale Academy. He has been their starting nine for most of this season and definitely has deserved his call-up.
Liecester's Will Hurd was picked for the Guinness Six Nations, but missed-out through injury, now he is back and deservedly so. However, perhaps the furthest left-field pick is Ewan Johnson, the 24-year-old Oyonnax lock. He and Glasgow Warriors' Max Williams certainly are a couple of big lads who could blossom on the tour.
Just a wee thought – the Borders has long been the chief supply area for Scottish caps. With four locals: Alex Craig, Matt Currie, Stafford McDowall and Robbie Smith – Dumfries and Galloway is starting to make an impact.
The squad is a nice mix of newcomers and experience, The tour dates are:
Saturday
6 July: Canada v Scotland, TD Place, Ottawa, kick-off:
10pm UK time, 5pm local time
Friday
12 July: USA v Scotland, Audi Field, Washington DC,
kick-off: 11.30pm UK time, 6.30pm local time
Saturday
20 July: Chile v Scotland, Estadio Nacional, Santiago,
kick-off: 8pm UK time. 3pm local time
Saturday 27 July: Uruguay v Scotland, Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo, kick-off: 8pm UK time, 4pm local time
POLITICS is big in the UK at the moment – with the 2024 General Election campaign underway. I know it's boring, but, seeing as I do, life through the prism of sport, I can see events in Germany having a bearing on how big Sir Keir Starmer's House of Commons majority is, come 5 July.
The nation goes to the polls between the round of 16 and the quarter-finals, so, should Scotland still be involved, it could give the SNP an undeserved boost. On the other hand, should England be out by then, the backlash darn sorf might prove even worse news for Rishi Sunak. Rishi already knows his bum is out of the window, but, if 'Arry and the Lads do theirt usual and don't win it – well there might not be a Tory left in Ingurland.
Starmer is, of course, heavily invested in England doing well in Germany, since, as Harold Wilson famously pointed-out: “England only ever wins the World Cup under Labour.”
There is, however, a burgeoning political situation brewing elsewhere, in Scottish Rugby. I gather one or two of the Club Rugby Board are feeling rather good at the moment, now that Super Rugby has been put to bed and firmly parcelled away in the historical archives. We are back to the way it's Aye Been with the club game as the only show in town below the two pro teams, and all is well with - world.
But, have they thought this through properly? They now have a Gang of Four former franchise holders sitting there in the Premiership Forum – with the possibility (I would say probability) of this becoming a Gang of Six, by 2026, by which time they will form the majority of the Premiership constituency – payback time beckons guys.
Speaking of the CRB, I note they are still taking an eternity to post their boartd meeting minutes – the last one up on the SRU website being their meeting on 17 January. We know the elves have been beavering away since then, why the reluctance to tell us what they've been up to?
To stick with the political slant of this post – such reluctance to update the body of the kirk on what is going on is almost on a par with how the SNP operates.
Very interesting selection for the tour AA. Great opportunity for the fringe guys. I hope someone grabs it.
ReplyDeleteJust where do you think the Super lot are going to throw their weight about? And for what purpose? We are financially fecked. There is no money. The Premiership isn’t getting any residuals from what was spent on S6. Somewhat like 12 bald men fighting over a comb.
You seem to be also forgetting that this seasons 12 drops to 10 for 25/26. Sure if County or Boroughmuir are top of Nat 1 then they can enjoy top flight rugby. But it assumes that the other four don’t drop into the bottom three. I would pick Melrose as my one to go down.
There is a concept called paradigm shift. It’s where everything that went before is obsolete the day the new thing launches. Think quartz watch and mechanical watches. The next Premiership is such a thing.
As we always do, we take our attitudes and yes prejudices to spin the future we think will happen. Is it likely Ayr will win? Probably. But they will also have shelled out a lot of money to get that team on the park. Good for them. But the rest? We have absolutely no idea.
Maybe Ayr hope to be the third Pro side that Scotland needs
ReplyDelete