TOWNSEND HAPPY TO CAST HIS NET WIDE IN HUNT FOR RECRUITS
GREGOR TOWNSEND’S reputation for analysing rugby in micro detail was evident at BT Murrayfield this week when he took the wraps off a Scotland squad for his first autumn Test series featuring unknown names and intriguing twists.
The 44-year-old from the Borders is renowned as a meticulous student of the game and, having tracked Scotlandeligible players across the world, he sprung two more surprises this week in the shape of Leicester back row Luke Hamilton and Newcastle centre Chris Harris. Two quick and skilful players, they crucially have the powerful styles to create impact in top-level rugby.
‘We knew about these players for a while,’ explained Townsend.
‘Chris Harris was very close to making the (summer) tour.
‘There are Scottishqualified players playing throughout the world, whether through parentage, like Luke Hamilton, or grandparents, like Chris Harris.
‘So we have to make sure that we are aware of who they are and then the Scottishqualified [SQ] programme which has been enhanced addresses that by getting people out there, meeting players and agents, but also making them aware of opportunities that exist within Scotland.
‘The Scottish qualified programme was more involved in age-group rugby, making sure young players with Scottish heritage were aware that there was another route, with Scotland, but there are a few players throughout the world, in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, that we are currently aware of and there will be lots more that we don’t know.’
In naming a 36-man squad with just four exiles, Townsend underlined that the balance will remain tilted heavily in favour of players in Scotland — albeit including talents like WP Nel, Ben Toolis, Huw Jones and Phil Burleigh brought here from overseas.
‘The player has to be committed to play for the country and he has to be good enough to play for the country,’ added Townsend.
‘Some players will have a stronger link and some will experience that when they come into the squad and feel the pride of what it means to play for Scotland.’