Townsend relief after clubs agree player deal
RELIEVED Gregor Townsend has thanked English Premiership clubs for agreeing to release his Scotland stars for this Friday’s delayed Guinness Six Nations curtain-closer against France.
The Dark Blues coach was left sweating after tournament organisers announced that the clash in Paris would go ahead on Friday despite there being no agreement in place that would allow him to select key men who play their club rugby south of the border.
But a deal has now been thrashed out, meaning the likes of skipper Stuart Hogg and his Exeter team-mate Jonny Gray have been given the green light to face Les Bleus.
Scotland were due to travel to the Stade de France last month but the game was postponed following a coronavirus outbreak in Fabien Galthie’s squad.
As this week’s rearranged date lies outside the international window, the English clubs were under no obligation to make their players available.
But Townsend, speaking after his side ran up a record-breaking win over Italy, revealed: “I’ve just been told the negotiations are coming to an end.
“There’s going to be a positive outcome, which is great to hear.
“Thanks to parties involved, Scottish Rugby, the Six Nations and the PRL that we can get to this situation where we’ll have a strong squad – as strong as we can have – going to Paris, which is a really important game for us and the tournament.
“Does this protect the integrity of the competition? Yeah, I believe it does, but I also believe it shows we can work together and find a solution.
“I’m sure there were compromises and understanding from both parties. I’m sure there’s been some financial contributions as well.”
The news is a further boost to the Scotland side after they recovered from back-to-back defeats against Wales and Ireland to smash Italy and record their biggest ever Championship win.
Hooker Dave Cherry scored twice on his first start, while scrum-half Scott Steele also marked his full debut with a try.
There was a brace for Duhan van der Merwe while Darcy Graham, Huw Jones and Sam Johnson contributed to a crushing triumph against an Italian line-up that has shipped 34 tries in just five games.