Boks U20 back row called for Scotland training

SCOTLAND have selected South Africa-born Sharks back row Dylan Richardson for a two-day training camp before their first Autumn International.

The 22-year-old has spent his entire career at the Durban-based team, but qualifies for Scotland through his father.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has called up 14 uncapped players in total for the camp which convenes today, with their Test campaign which begins against Tonga at Murrayfield on Saturday, October 30.

That Test falls outside World Rugby’s international window, so captain Stuart Hogg, front-line flyhalves Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, lock Jonny Gray, prop Rory Sutherland and wing Duhan van der Merwe will be among those unavailable.

The Scots then host Australia, world champions South Africa and Japan on consecutive weekends with all players at Townsend’s disposal.

Townsend said: “We are pleased with the depth we are able to call upon to make up this training squad and it provides a genuine opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection to the full Autumn Nations Series squad.”

South Africa-born Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman has completed his residency period to qualify for Scotland, and along with Richardson, could face the country of his birth in November.

The latter, whose father was born in Edinburgh, has been capped by South Africa at U20 level and played against the touring Lions in July. He can be deployed at hooker as well as in the back-row.

Recent Glasgow signing Sione Tuipulotu could make his Scotland debut against Tonga, where his father is from.