TOURIST SEASON
Thompson determined to make the most of his unexpected chance with Scots on trip to Chile and Argentina
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Ross Thompson only has one cap so far for Scotland, with the Glasgow Warriors man featuring in the 60-14 victory over Tonga in the Autumn Nations Series last October
THE absence of Finn Russell and Adam Hastings may have left Scotland with a weaker squad for their summer tour to South America, but it’s also opened the door for players like Ross Thompson to make a big impression.
When the 40-strong group of players was first announced for Saturday’s ‘A’ fixture against Chile and the three-Test series with Argentina, up-and-coming Glasgow Warriors fly-half Thompson was fourth in the pecking order behind Racing 92’s Russell, Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn, and Gloucester’s Hastings.
Now, however, with playmaker Russell rested and Hastings missing through injury, the 23-year-old has been promoted as back-up to first-choice Kinghorn, which will guarantee him some unexpected game time.
Thompson, whose only cap to date came in the emphatic 60-14 win over Tonga last October, is set to start against Chile in Santiago, with Kinghorn on the bench.
The roles will be reversed in the first of the three matches against the Pumas the following weekend, before Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend evaluates who is the in-form ten for the final two Tests.
‘With Adam and Finn not being here, it is more of an opportunity for me but I will treat these games just like I did the one in the Autumn Tests against Tonga,’ said Thompson.
‘I have been lucky enough to be in the Scotland Autumn Test squad, and also been involved at the tail end of the Six Nations, and that makes me want to play more.’
Although the starting fly-half jersey for the three Tests is obviously the more experienced Kinghorn’s to lose, the fact that Thompson is a regular goal-kicker — unlike his capital counterpart — could give the Glasgow player an advantage on a tour where every point will be precious.
Kinghorn doesn’t take kicks at goal for Edinburgh, with winger Emiliano Boffelli having that responsibility. With Russell, Hastings and captain Stuart Hogg not available for this series, there is no recognised goal-kicker in this Scotland squad.
Having the ability to kick for goal under pressure is something Thompson hopes could help push him ahead of Kinghorn for selection in the final two Tests.
‘Blair is a good kicker and George Horne is a good kicker, he kicks a bit at Glasgow, so there are definitely some kickers,’ said Thompson. ‘But, if I get the chance to kick, I will definitely go for it.
‘Blair is a great player and has a really good natural ability to spot the gap and play into space. His ability to beat defenders, too, is really good. I have had the chance to train beside a lot of the Glasgow boys for a while but, coming into this environment, it is nice to bounce off different players... players you haven’t played as much with, and the exiles as well.
‘I have to train as well as I can, that is what they (the coaches) will pick the team off.
‘If I get the opportunity in games, for me as a ten, it is more about facilitating the other players and bringing them into the game. That is the thing I will be trying to do.
‘The coaches here want us to come in to camp and be ourselves. That is how you get the best out of the team. If you get into that environment and play the rugby they want to, and help the team win, that is the sort of thing that creates the best culture.’
Although Thompson played well for Glasgow last season, the club had such a poor campaign that it led to the sacking of head coach Danny Wilson. The final straw was an embarrassing 76-14 United Rugby Championship quarter-final defeat to Leinster in Dublin.
For the fly-half, South America has provided a perfect temporary escape rather than being stuck back at Scotstoun dwelling on what had happened during a dismal season.
‘Being here with Scotland is what I want to do,’ he said. ‘Bouncing back and playing some rugby is the thing for me. That is how I would cope with what happened, but I don’t know about other players individually. For me, it is nice to have the opportunity to play some more rugby and end the season on a bit more of a high.
‘Danny Wilson gave me my first game, so I will always be really thankful to him for that. I just have to look to do my best for the national team and hopefully stick my hand up for some games here. It is nice having some familiar faces in with me — and a lot of young boys that I have played a lot of rugby with as well — to help me along.
‘I know this is a massive opportunity as there are a lot of uncapped players.
‘There are lots of players with just a few caps like me mixed in with those who have a lot of experience.
‘We are lucky there are guys like Ali Price and Sam Johnson, Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist — really experienced players.
‘While there is youth and inexperience, there is also a great balance between the two heading into our games on tour.’