Gregor’s Scots will be ready to roar for Lions
Greg or Townsend doesn’t think a lack of international gametime will hamper his Scotland stars’ chances of touring with the Lions next summer.
The Scots’ tour of South Africa – the Lions’ destination in 2021 – was postponed on Friday and the autumn Test series must also be in jeopardy.
Several Dark Blues’ contenders are relatively new to the Test scene so, with little prospect of international actioni to press thheir claims, mighht the Lions ’’ selectors overlook them in favour of established rivals?
“There’ s still a lot oof rugby to plaay,” insisted Scottland’s head coach ( inset), the Lions’ fly- half in the two wins that sealed that famous series win on the 1997 South Africa tour
“A lot of our players put their hands up this year in how they played against some very tough opposition, and it’s disappointing as individuals and as a team that we won’t get to play South Africa and New Zealand on our summer tour.
“That was going to be a tough, challenging tour and would have been a good marker.
“Twelve months ahead off the Lions goinng to South Africca, playing well in thoseth games would have put our players in a good position.
“Maybe that tour will go ahead later in the year. But our players just have to play the games in front of them and impress a Lions coaching group that will want to see them in the most difficult situations – away games in the Six Nations, play-off games in the PRO14 and knock- out games in Europe.
“If our players can excel in those games, they’ll have more chance of getting on that Lions tour.”
Jamie Ritchie certainly fits the bill as a potential “bolter” for the Lions.
The aggressive, all-action flanker is just 23, but already has 20 caps to his name, and the Dundonian is widely considered a tour contender after a hugely-impressive Six Nations campaign.
“The encouraging thing is Jamie’s been on that upward curve for more than just these six months,” said Townsend.
“Last year’s Six Nations, he was outstanding, and he came into the World Cup having broken his cheekbone in our final warm- up game. But in the two games he played there, Samoa and Japan, he was one of our best players.
“Jamie can play equally well at 6 and 7. He’s played both in the previous couple of seasons and been very consistent.
“He has an all- round game, he chases kicks and, in defence, wins ball both on and above the ground.
“But we’ve also seen his linking ability. He was Man of the Match against France when he put in two good passes for both of Sean Maitland’s tries.
“Jamie’s an excellent player. He’s young, too, so we’d expect to see what he can do for us for the next few years.
“He certainly should be in the mix for the Lions next summer.”