Scotland’s summer tour gets underway on Saturday as Gregor Townsend’s side look to build on a successful 2018 NatWest 6 Nations campaign.
The Scots finished third in the NatWest 6 Nations table with three wins that included famous BT Murrayfield victories over both France and England.
The summer tour represents an excellent chance to develop an exciting squad further, with Canada, the United States and Argentina their June opponents.
Canada are up first this weekend, Houston is the venue the following Saturday for the match against the United States and Scotland then face Argentina in Resistencia on 23 June.
The likes of Huw Jones, Hamish Watson and WP Nel are injured whilst others have been rested by Townsend, but here is our pick of three players to watch this Summer.
George Horne
There are several uncapped players in Townsend’s summer squad including lock Lewis Carmichael and fly-halves Adam Hastings and James Lang.
Another potential debutant is George Horne, the 23-year-old brother of established Scotland playmaker Peter Horne, who isn’t in the squad for Saturday but will surely get his chance later in June.
Horne has represented his country throughout the age groups and has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Glasgow Warriors where he’s earned increasing time in the No.9 shirt as the season has progressed.
Horne has been selected ahead of Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos for the Warriors at times this season, scored 10 tries and was named both player and young player of the season for his club.
Magnus Bradbury
This could be a big summer for Edinburgh Rugby’s Magnus Bradbury, with fellow Scotland back rowers John Barclay and Hamish Watson out with injury, whilst Ryan Wilson and Josh Strauss are rested.
The 22-year-old flanker has earned two caps for his country previously, the first coming against Argentina in 2016, after representing Scotland through the age groups and in sevens.
Bradbury has been a key cog in Edinburgh’s strong season under Richard Cockerill that saw the club reach the Guinness Pro14 quarter-finals.
A mobile flanker, Bradbury has already captained his club at young age and continues his development against Canada on Saturday alongside clubmate James Ritchie and David Denton in the back row.
Stuart Hogg
With an injury-affected season Hogg hasn’t played as much rugby as some in 2017-18 and as such goes on tour as one of the squad’s leading players.
Of course, Hogg would be a leading player in any squad having matured into one of the best full-backs in the world, winning Player of the Championship in both 2016 and 2017.
Hogg did start all five matches of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations, scoring a try against Italy, form which he’ll be keen to resume in national colours throughout June.
Hogg is one of the most fearsome competitors around and has the pace and playmaking ability to lead Scotland’s attack this summer.
