Brave Townsend still gambling despite Scotland injury list

The list of injured in the press release for Gregor Townsend’s first Autumn Tests squad makes depressing reading, not least because of three new additions in the last four days.

Allan Dell and Duncan Taylor were surely certain starters against Samoa, and Adam Ashe wouldn’t have been far away. All three, and another nine, seem to be gone for the duration of the November series.

It’s tough to say which of the oddities in Toonie’s first squad for tests at home would have made the cut if everyone had been fit. Probably not Dougie Fife or Nathan Fowles or Darryl Marfo, for example.

However, Fowles’ inclusion is interesting as it flags up the reason why perhaps others like Dave Denton or Josh Strauss have been omitted. Townsend said the Edinburgh scrum-half’s superior speed of service suited what kind of game he wanted Scotland to play – high tempo, to such a degree that ball carriers it seems are surplus to requirements.

Strength in depth covers most issues – Alex Dunbar’s return means that Duncan Taylor’s absence is covered – except at loosehead prop, where the number of injuries would test most nations’ personnel.

Alasdair Dickinson, Gordon Reid, Rory Sutherland and Allan Dell are all out – Dell on the morning of the squad announcement – leaving the uncapped Marfo and Jamie Bhatti as a choice of two.

Scotland just about got by last year with the international novice Dell as primary choice. Bhatti is five months into his first pro contract and Marfo is pretty much a journeyman. While they have both done well this season for their clubs, it’s a shot in the dark.

I thought Townsend would trust in experience a lot more than he has done considering that injury list. But he’s by nature a gambler, and he’s leaned heavily towards Scottish-based players who he feels to be in form.

I have a suspicion, however, that the absence of the likes of Visser, Strauss and Denton may be as keenly felt as any of those currently hors de combat.