News

Townsend wants fringe players to challenge Scottish stars

GregorTownsendScot17800
Gregor Townsend is confident he can create depth in his Scotland squad as he looks to build on a promising start in charge of the national side.

Gregor Townsend is confident he can create depth in his Scotland squad as he looks to build on a promising start in charge of the national side.

The former Glasgow Warriors coach has included seven uncapped players – Darcy Graham, Jamie Ritchie, Scott Cummings, Anton Bresler, Jamie Bhatti, Phil Burleigh and Matt Fagerson in a 41-man squad for a two-day training camp starting today.

Townsend was able to experiment with players on Scotland’s summer tour, which included an historic 24-19 win over Australia in Sydney, and the head coach believes it’s all about giving players chances.

“We had 34 (players) on tour,” said the 44-year-old. “I think there’s another 13 players who weren’t on tour who’re going to come on Sunday into our squad, so that’s players we’re giving opportunities to create depth.

“Would I like brilliant players in every position? Yeah, of course, and that’s what creates depth, you’ve got to look at different players as well.

“Given the fact that we’re playing the top teams in the world in the next eight games we have to put our best team out there.

“We’re going to be playing six out the top eight teams in the world in our next seven games.

“The only team in the top eight we’re not playing is South Africa so we’ll need our best team in every fixture.”

Scotland pack down against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia in their hotly-anticipated autumn internationals, before the Six Nations kicks off again in February.

And Townsend encouraged players on the periphery of his training squad to challenge established fly-half Finn Russell, who he heaped praise upon.

“He’s [Russell] an outstanding player,” said the head coach.

“Obviously if you saw the Australia game he was world class that day and it’s great to have a player of his ability.

“We have to have depth in that position, we are looking forward to players who aren’t in the squad putting their hands up.”