The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Townsend expecting more calls by Lions
Gregor Townsend expects Warren Gatland to pinch more of his players as he gears up for his first tour in charge of Scotland.
The former Glasgow boss officially took up his new duties on Monday, with his first act naming the 34-man squad he will take with him on this summer’s trip.
But he will have to do without skipper Greig Laidlaw for the Test clashes with Italy – which takes place in Singapore – Australia and Fiji after he was called up to the British and Irish Lions travelling party heading to New Zealand.
That takes the Scottish contingent in Gatland’s selection to three after Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour were included in the original touring group.
But Townsend admits he has picked a bigger squad than he normally would in the expectation that the Lions will come calling again at some point next month.
He said: “That’s one reason why we have picked a squad of 34. For a three-match tour, 34 players is a lot and it might be that not everyone gets to play Test match rugby.
“But given that there is injuries in the game and a Lions tour close by to Australia and Fiji, it could be some players miss those Tests.
“Maybe [more will join up]. There is obviously a few who played very well during the Six Nations so they could have a good opportunity to go. But you never know, it’s up to the coaches.
“It’s good to see that the first person to be called up since it was announced was a Scot.
“I wish there was more going. We always knew this tour was going to be on at the same time as the Lions tour. Summer tours are about winning but also about learning and seeing new players come in.
“On this occasion we’ve selected everyone. We’ve not rested anyone but we are missing three through Lions selection so it is about seeing whether those young players grab their opportunity.”
Scrum-half Laidlaw gets his chance to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Roy, who toured with the Lions in 1983, after Ben Youngs withdrew from the squad on Saturday on compassionate grounds after his sister-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Townsend now expects him to push Conor Murray and Rhys Webb strongly as they battle for the number-nine jersey.
“We’re delighted for Greig,” said Townsend, a tourist to South Africa in 1997.
“I think he would have been in a good position to be selected for that tour if he had not been injured and managed to play the whole Six Nations.
“I’m pleased he’s back available and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays Test match rugby for the Lions.”