THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER
Townsend gives Skinner a chance to show he can fill dual role in Japan next year
Scotland head coach Gregor townsend has handed Sam Skinner a golden opportunity to show against South africa he is versatile enough to be a vital part of his World cup squad.
With ten months to go until the tournament in Japan, one of townsend’s top priorities is to find a second row who is also comfortable playing in the back row.
the Scotland head coach believes Skinner is his man.
that is why he has given the 23-year-old an early World cup audition by picking him in the back row against South africa this weekend, just seven days after he made his debut in the second row against Fiji.
‘I want at least one of the four locks I take to the World cup in Japan to be equally comfortable playing in the back row,’ said townsend, who has made six changes to his team that beat the South Sea Islanders. ‘It’s important we have someone versatile enough to do that during the tournament.’
townsend will be willing him to do well as there is not a massive list of other strong contenders who can play in both positions.
Grant Gilchrist, Ben toolis plus Jonny and Richie Gray are all specialist second rows who cannot do it. another contender, 31-year-old tim Swinson, has not played this season following surgery on his leg after injuring it while playing for Scotland against argentina in June.
the uncapped Blade thomson of Scarlets can play the dual role but is unproven at test level after having to pull out of the Scotland squad for the current round of matches with a head injury.
Edinburgh’s lewis carmichael is a good young player but at the age of just 23 and only two caps he still has a lot to prove.
Rob Harley has more experience but has been used sparingly since he made his Scotland debut in 2012.
Skinner has played in both positions on a regular basis for Exeter chiefs in the English Premiership. He has shown enough in training to make townsend believe he can do the same at international level in consecutive matches.
‘Sam took the game to the opposition and looked comfortable at test level against Fiji,’ said townsend.
‘Playing for Scotland seemed to inspire him to play well. We have seen a lot of him in training and felt that he could go well at back row too.
‘He started at Exeter chiefs in the back row and often moves from second row to back row in their games.
‘there are a few things he has to improve this week but he can go well. He knows the challenge is bigger and that he will have to keep his level of performance up for 80 minutes, but we are looking forward to see him starting in the back row.
‘He has a real presence in the set-piece and he is a very good decision-maker in attack.
‘You saw that at the weekend. I never thought I would see a kick from him like he did against Fiji but it shows what goes through his mind and how he is always looking for opportunities. In that case he saw space behind and decided to kick it.
‘He played ten till the age of 16 so, whether you have four, six or 13 on your back, we demand from our players that they have an ability to recognise the situation and carry, pass or even kick now and again, like Sam did.’
as well as being a big opportunity for Skinner to make his mark with Scotland, centre Huw Jones has been given a shot at redemption after being culpable for two tries in the loss to Wales in cardiff a fortnight ago.
Jones, who was born in Edinburgh but played rugby for the Sharks in South africa, takes the starting place of alex dunbar, who drops out of the squad completely.
He is joined in the centre by Peter Horne, who retains his place after the Fiji game.
‘this is a great game for Huw to be involved in,’ said townsend. ‘He played a few seasons in South africa and he’ll know a few of their players.
‘He is fresh after not playing against Fiji. He trained last week and was decisive in training.
‘When he played well last year a lot of that was to do with how he trained and he carried that form on to the pitch.
‘He has been sharp and can’t wait to get on the ball and out there against South africa.’
the Scotland camp have been trading ideas in the run-up to the South africa game with the Scotland football team and their management, as both have been training at the oriam on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
there was a football game between the sides on tuesday with Gregor townsend, Kelly Brown and Sean lamont on one side and the likes of James McFadden on the other for the footballers.
townsend, who was coy about the final result, said: ‘We were talking about how a day looks for us and how a day looks for them in the build-up to our international matches. ‘Similarly to us, they have a lot of one-on-one meetings with their players and we all have similar challenges dealing with a group of late teenagers to early thirties. ‘It was good to hear their take on players, what they do in meetings. ‘It is a different sport and has different focuses, but it was great to come together to chat about rugby, football and the management of players.’ continuing his football theme, the Scotland head coach talked at length for the first time about his private meeting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester city, who he had presented with a signed Scotland top. ‘I hope he has had his Scottish jersey on,’ said townsend. ‘Pep loves rugby. He spent some time with the all Blacks a few years ago. ‘What he loves about rugby is that we pass the ball backwards and look forwards. ‘He said that is what he wants his team to do, look forwards all the time. ‘When we met, we talked a lot about working late off the ball. ‘It was a common theme for what we do and what he does. ‘He talked about a last-minute winning goal and used it as an example. ‘He was raving about the work of one of his forwards who had backtracked and managed to win the ball back. ‘two minutes later, they scored a goal. ‘For him, the goal was all about the work of that player. ‘We are trying to look at the same thing as we analyse the way we play in big matches, like the one against South africa.’