HOGG’S JERSEY IS OLLIE YOURS
Smith, 21, gets skipper’s No.15 shirt for Test debut
OLLIE SMITH has an opportunity to become the main challenger for Stuart Hogg’s No.15 jersey – after being handed his Scotland debut tomorrow night against Argentina.
The 21-year-old has only had half a season as a regular in the Glasgow Warriors squad but has already built a reputation as a player with a big future.
With Hogg rested this summer, Rory Hutchinson impressed in the No.15 jersey during the first two summer series Tests against Argentina.
But Hutchinson is missing this series decider with an ankle injury – so Townsend has challenged Smith to seize his moment.
The Scotland boss said: “Ollie’s shown his proactive nature this year on the playing field.
“He takes the game to the opposition with ball in hand and he’s an aggressive defender.
“He’s also got a good left boot and it gives the opposition defence something to think about when you’ve got a rightfoot kicker at 10 and a left-foot kicker at 15.
“And he’s a young player too, so there’s a big future ahead of him. We’ve got high expectations because of the way he’s been training and playing this year for Glasgow.
“That suggests he’ll transfer that form into the Test match arena.”
Smith’s call-up is one of
eight changes Townsend has made to the starting 15 that beat the Pumas in Salta last Saturday to square the series.
Darcy Graham has a concussion so is replaced on the wing by another promising Glasgow Warriors youngster in Rufus McLean.
Sione Tuipulotu is preferred to Sam Johnson at inside-centre, while Ben White is unlucky to miss out to Ali Price at scrumhalf after an excellent performance last week in his first international start.
Townsend said: “It’s a tougher decision on Ben, I understand that. Under normal circumstances, when you play well you expect to be involved the
following week, either starting or on the bench.
“But we know what a key player Ali has been for us over the last few seasons and George Horne deserves an opportunity on the bench after playing well in the warm-up match against Chile. “We see the threat George can bring in the last quarter or earlier if required, which will challenge Argentina’s defence.
“But we’re also delighted with Ben who came into our environment for the first time during the Six Nations, played two or three times off the bench and then kicked-on with London Irish.
“He showed at the weekend what an effective player he is – and there’s more to come from him.”
Up front, skipper Grant Gilchrist is one of four to drop out alongside fellow second-row Sam Skinner, loose-head prop Pierre Schoeman and hooker Dave Cherry.
Hamish Watson will take over the armband for this game, while tight-head prop Zander Fagerson will pick up his 50th cap.
Townsend added: “They will be full of passion and will look to be more physical in the tackle and the contact area. We have to be ready to face that head-on.”