Dreaming of Wales, but Lang called up by Scots
EX-BANGOR University student James Lang is a shock call-up for Scotland’s summer tour of America, Canada and Argentina.
The 23-year-old made the move to north Wales in the summer of 2014 after receiving a call from former international scrum-half Rupert Moon, who was general manager for Principality Premiership side RGC 1404.
He transferred his studies to Bangor and spent two seasons at RGC before moving to Aviva Premiership Harlequins.
At international level he played for Scotland Under-18s through having a mother from the country, but the Middlesex-born No.10 actually grew up dreaming of playing for Wales, through his father, who comes from Penarth.
But the former Wimbledon ballboy now finds himself one of six uncapped players named in the Scotland squad for the summer tour to Canada, US and Argentina.
Among the most significant absentees from the squad of 33 are John Barclay, Jonny Gray, Greig Laidlaw, Huw Jones, Finn Russell and Ryan Wilson.
With both Six Nations captain Barclay and his predecessor Laidlaw being rested, Stuart McInally takes over as skipper.
“There are twin goals for this tour,” head coach Gregor Townsend said. “The first is to build on the work we’ve done so far this season and finish with improved performances. We also have the Rugby World Cup in our thoughts, as this will be our last tour before we leave for Japan next year.
“Touring and staying together for four weeks and experiencing different environments will be very informative – seeing how players get on with each other, how much they improve and how they rise to each challenge we face on tour.”
Lang made his Harlequins debut away to Exeter Chiefs in September 2016.
Scotland squad Forwards:
S Berghan (Edinburgh), J Bhatti (Glasgow), M Bradbury (Edinburgh), F Brown (Glasgow), L Carmichael (Edinburgh), A Dell (Edinburgh), D Denton (Worcester), M Fagerson (Glasgow), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), R Gray (Toulouse), L Hamilton (Leicester), M McCallum (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), T Swinson (Glasgow), G Turner (Glasgow), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh).
N Grigg (Glasgow), C Harris (Newcastle), A Hastings (Glasgow), S Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), A Dunbar (Glasgow), S Hogg (Glasgow), G Horne (Glasgow), P Horne (Glasgow), R Jackson (Glasgow), L Jones (Glasgow), B Kinghorn (Edinburgh), J Lang (Harlequins), B McGuigan (Sale), A Price (Glasgow), D Taylor (Saracens).
Backs: