Sam now a chief of Scottish clan
EXETER lock Sam Skinner has been included in Scotland’s squad for the first time as coach Gregor Townsend attempts to tap into the Chiefs’ knowledge bank.
Skinner, 23, has a Scottish father but played for England Under-20s. He replaces the injured Richie Gray as the Scots prepare to take on Wales in Cardiff on November 3 before hosting Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.
“He’s a player we’ve known about for a while through Scottish ancestry and it’s great that he has committed to Scotland,” said Townsend.
“He has been excellent for Exeter Chiefs in the last couple of seasons and there’s a lot more to come from Sam.
“He has a very good rugby brain, is a very good attacker and, as someone who is part of that Exeter pack, is also very good in the set-piece.
“We see him as an individual player who can compete for a place in the Scotland team and really add to our game, but he is also bringing experience from a very successful organisation, rugby team and forward pack, so we will be learning from what he is doing with Exeter.”
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter acknowledged he would have preferred Skinner to have worn a red rose rather than a thistle but believes he will be a big hit for Scotland.
“We’re delighted for him,” he said. “As ever, I’m disappointed that an English-qualified guy, who’s playing Premiership rugby, ends up being capped by another country as we’re an English club and we’d like our guys playing for England. But ultimately you want your players to be playing at the highest level they can play.
“He is very keen and determined to play for Scotland, they’ve been very positive with their approach to him, so it’s going to be an interesting autumn for him.”
He is one of three uncapped players in a 40-man group along with Scarlets back-row Blade Thomson and Glasgow centre Sam Johnson.
Kiwi Thomson qualifies through a grandfather and Australian Johnson has served his residency period.