TOWNSEND STAYS COOL AMID HEAT OVER RESIDENCY SELECTIONS
GREGOR TOWNSEND has defended his decision to jettison Duncan Weir and throw Jaco van der Walt in at the deep end against Ireland. Rather than go with the tried-and-trusted Weir, who drops out of the squad completely, he will start the South Africa-born fly-half who only qualified through the threeyear residency rule two weeks ago.
But it will be a baptism of fire for the 26-yearold Edinburgh player, who will go head-tohead with Johnny Sexton. Asked if it was a risk to hand Van der Walt his debut against one of the most experienced stars in world rugby, head coach Townsend said: ‘We see it as an opportunity. This year and last year Jaco has taken his game to another level. ‘We see what he brings week in, week out for Edinburgh and he’s been up against players and teams at a high level in Europe and the Pro14. ‘We see him as a very good defender, someone that carries the ball well and has really good basics that can bring the best out of the players around him. We’re really looking forward to seeing him play. ‘Stamping his authority on the game would be the ultimate aim but just getting used to playing international rugby will be a great experience for him, and getting used to playing with new team-mates inside and outside of him and really just fitting in well and doing what he’s been doing with Edinburgh. ‘It will be just that little bit quicker at international level but we have a real belief and faith in his ability and in those around him to bring the best out of our backline.’ Van der Walt will be the fifth fly-half Townsend has picked in five matches since international rugby returned at the end of October. Finn Russell
and Adam Hastings were both injured in the Six Nations win over Wales, which saw Stuart Hogg moved from fullback in that match. Weir then played against Italy and France. ‘Duncan has put a huge effort into his game and we would have loved to have built on those two games, but bringing Jaco in does create competition and depth and we think Jaco’s close to playing international level already,’ said Townsend. Van der Walt is the sixth ‘residency’ player to take the field for Scotland in the Autumn Nations Cup, as well as compatriots Duhan van der Merwe, WP Nel, Cornell du Preez, Oli Kebble and Australian Sam
Johnson. Asked if it saddened him that he had to select so many players who have come through other countries’ agegrade systems and have no Scottish links, Townsend said: ‘No, it doesn’t. Jaco’s been playing for Edinburgh the last three years and his performances have earned him the right to be considered.’