The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Townsend springsafew surprises in Autumn Tests squad
Hamilton and Harris the wildcards as head coach names 10 uncapped players for Autumn Tests
Leicester’s Luke Hamilton, once sent off playing against Scotland, and Chris Harris of Newcastle were Gregor Townsend’s two wildcards among 10 uncapped players in his squad for the Autumn Tests.
The head coach found himself contemplating an injury list of 12 players plus two suspensions – he declined to comment on John Hardie’s absence – so there were bound to be a few curveballs in his first selection for domestic consumption.
However, there were a few no one saw coming – picking only two looseheads, both uncapped, no David Denton, no Josh Strauss, no Tim Visser, but yes to Dougie Fife, who didn’t even have a pro contract 18 months ago – and not least Hamilton and Harris.
Hamilton, the 25-year-old Leicester back rower saw a red card playing for Wales, the country of his birth, at Under-20 level in his dad’s home town of Stirling back in 2011 – it was later rescinded by an appeals panel.
He had been on Townsend’s radar for some time, dating back nearly three years.
Harris, 26, eligible via a grandmother from Edinburgh, nearly went on tour with Scotland in the summer, added the coach.
Of the 10 uncapped players, three others are new additions – five others were at the training camp in August – and all of them were born outside Scotland.
Nathan Fowles, the Edinburgh scrumhalf, former Glasgow and now Sale back Byron McGuigan and Darryl Marfo, the Edinburgh prop whose mother hails from Ayr, are the others who have come in.
Townsend’s choices were constricted by an injury list which grew at the weekend with Allan Dell, Adam Ashe and Duncan Taylor joining the list of casualties and out for the duration of the Autumn campaign.
Of the list of injured, only Sean Maitland and possibly Rory Sutherland may come into the reckoning for later tests but it seems this is the group at least for Samoa (November 11) and New Zealand (November 18).
Asked about Hardie – currently suspended under investigation for a disciplinary matter believed to concern alleged cocaine use – Townsend declined to comment directly but gave a general view of all his absences.
“There are a number of players who are not in the squad we are disappointed about,” he said.
“A lot of guys are missing with injury and we are disappointed for them.
“We are more than two weeks away from playing. We have to see how the dynamics of the squad work – if people stand out in camp that we maybe didn’t think of before. There are three or four players, who I’ll keep to myself, that we think could do that.”
Hamilton first came to Townsend’s attention when he was Glasgow coach and the player was with Agen in France. His rise to the squad came swiftly, said the coach.
“We have known for a couple of years he is Scotland qualified,” he said.
“We have had a good look at him this year and he is playing really well.
“He is more in our mind a six or eight but he has played the last two games at seven in the Champions Cup and has been one of the best players on the field.
“For him to commit to Scotland is great for us. We look forward to working with him.”
Townsend’s predecessor, Andy Robinson, ran into trouble when he attempted to recruit a Wales U20 cap in
For (Luke) Hamilton to commit to Scotland is great for us. We look forward to working with him. GREGOR TOWNSEND
Steve Shingler – Wales had no A side and therefore any U20 caps against France and South Africa meant the stand-off was committed to them. However, they’ve done their full homework on Hamilton and he is clear to switch to dark blue.
Harris, a physical centre who can also play on the wing, has only played for England Counties, so there is no issue with him.
The other surprises are Townsend preferring Nathan Fowles to clubmate Sam Hidalgo-Clyne for selection – although he’s unlikely to get into the match 23 – Fife instead of Visser and being content to go with two uncapped players Jamie Bhatti and Marfo, at loosehead.
Dell’s late withdrawal left Townsend with little choice here, with all three of Edinburgh’s experienced No 1s out at the moment, but he was bullish about his two choices.
“Darryl has impressed us with his consistency,” continued Townsend.
“He has had a number of starts for Edinburgh now and he has got better each week. Both he and Jamie we’re confident will do a job for us. They’ve won their places at their club teams.
“Jamie’s got ahead of Alex (Allan) and has been playing 70 to 80 minutes, the coaches at Glasgow feel he’s able to play that level and through game time you get better.
“They’ve been playing because they are training well and playing well, rather than because of injuries to others.”
Byron McGuigan, although only a bitpart player in his time at Glasgow, has bulked up and been a revelation this season for Sale.
Fife, ostensibly still contracted to Scotland 7s, is ahead of the prolific Visser because of his general better work-rate and the fact the Harlequins wing hasn’t quite hit the form of last year in the opinion of the coaching team.
But there is some respite from the deluge of injuries. Alex Dunbar should be fit to meet up with the squad, Ryan Wilson is expected to be fine after a week off and there are just two weeks to go to keep everyone else in cotton wool.
stscott@thecourier.co.uk
Forwards: S Berghan (Edinburgh), J Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Scarlets), S Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), C Du Preez (Edinburgh), Z Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), R Ford (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Gray (Glasgow Warriors), R Harley (Glasgow Warriors), L Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), D Marfo (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), W P Nel (Edinburgh), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), T Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), B Toolis (Edinburgh), G Turner (Glasgow Warriors), R Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), H Watson (Edinburgh).
Backs: P Burleigh (Edinburgh), A Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), D Fife (Scotland 7s), N Fowles (Edinburgh), C Harris (Newcastle Falcons), N Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), S Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), P Horne (Glasgow Warriors), R Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), L Jones (Glasgow Warriors), H Jones (Stormers), B McGuigan (Sale Sharks), A Price (Glasgow Warriors), H Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), F Russell (Glasgow Warriors), T Seymour (Glasgow Warriors).