Coach Townsend tells Dark Blues squad auditions start here for Japan 2019

Gregor Townsend has told his Scotland squad auditions for the 2019 World Cup start next month.

The Dark Blues coach has named a bumper 40-man group for the Autumn Test November showdowns with Wales, Fiji, South Africa and Argentina as he looks to finalise his plans ahead of the 2019 tournament in Japan. Among that number are the uncapped trio of Sam Skinner, Sam Johnson and Blade Thomson.

But Townsend wants every member of his squad to know that they must start impressing now if they want to be considered for a place on the plane to the Far East.

“I believe everyone in this squad can play in the World Cup,” he said. “There are a few outside the squad as well.

“But the World Cup had to be in our minds. We’re entering a period where there is less than 12 months to our first game. We have some big challenges during that year and this selection does have Japan in mind.

“Obviously if you play well in this period and then the Six Nations then there is a very good chance you’ll be going to Japan.”

Townsend will be denied the talents of Stuart Hogg, John Barclay, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Duncan Taylor and Tim Swinson through injury.

But the 45-year-old is excited by the potential of his three newcomers.

Exeter second-rower Skinner – an ex-England youth international – and Scarlets’ former New Zealand Under-20s number eight Thomson qualify for the national team through family connections.

Australian-born Johnson is also eligible for Scotland on residency grounds, having been signed by Townsend for Glasgow in 2015.

“Blade is probably the most established of the three but they are all excellent players and that is first and foremost why we brought them in,” he said.

“We believe the rugby they’re playing now and that we believe they can bring to international level will help us be a better team.”

Irvine Photograph by Jim PATRIOT GAME: Murray Mitchell is hoping to help Scotland to a World Cup place.