Lions will need Scots call-ups, says Townsend
GREGORTOWNSENd believes the high injury count expected on this summer’s punishing Lions tour to New Zealand will open the door for more Scots to be called up.
The Glasgow Warriors head coach admitted to being hugely disappointed when only Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour were i ncluded i n Warren Gatland’s original 41-man squad.
But Townsend, who expected many more Scots to be involved after predicting that up to ten could be in the mix for selection, insists that all is not lost.
Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry has already warned that the Lions have undertaken a ‘suicidal’ schedule, including three Tests against the world champions and seven other fixtures against the likes of New Zealand Barbarians and the Maori All Blacks in a packed six-week programme.
Townsend reckons that will result in a bigger casualty list than ever before, and can foresee a number of talented Scots being drafted in.
‘I read that eight or nine players, on average, got called up on individual tours in the past,’ said Townsend, who officially replaces Vern Cotter as Scotland head coach in two weeks’ time.
‘This is likely to be even more on this Lions tour given that rugby’s more physical than it’s ever been.’
As Sportsmail revealed this week, scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and flyhalf Finn Russell are already top of the reserve list for their positions, with openside Hamish Watson also on Gatland’s radar.
‘I think some of our players were very close to original selection, so they’ll know if there are chances through injury, they will be in the mix to get called up,’ said Townsend.
‘Obviously, those who missed out on selection from Glasgow and Scotland are disappointed, but there’s still a lot of rugby to be played. There are a lot of chances to be created to get on that tour by playing well in the final few club games of the season and then taking any advantage of a callup further down the line.’
Townsend’s f i rst duty as Scotland boss will be to lead his players on a three-match summer tour against Italy in Singapore, Australia in Sydney and Fiji in Suva. It coincides with the Lions tour, but Townsend would be happy to lose some of his stars to Gatland.
‘I’d be delighted and it would be great for our summer tour and the boys on it if we lose a few, as playing for the Lions is the ultimate,’ said the former Scotland captain. ‘ People say playing for your country is the ultimate, but playing for the Lions is something that extra bit special. We want to create an environment, so if there are injuries and then call-ups it’s a Scotland player that goes. The more players we get selected the better.
‘I learned a lot from playing for the Lions and so will anyone selected to go to New Zealand.
‘Going to South Africa in 1997 improved my rugby, improved me as a person and gave me lifelong friendships. You get experience from things you maybe don’t reflect on straight away but, a few years later, you realise being away with the Lions has made you a better player and person.’
Townsend expects Hogg and Seymour, who plays his 100th game f or Glasgow against Leinster tonight, to make a big impact with the Lions.
‘Tommy has earned that callup with the consistency he’s shown this year,’ said Townsend. ‘First of all, his finishing ability has been very good this year and that quality is important if you’re a Lion.
‘He works really hard off the ball and gets involved in attacks off nine, off ten.
‘He was in a very competitive position, but his quality came through and he deserves his place on the Lions tour and will do well.
‘Stuart has played really well throughout this season and last season. He’s been voted Six Nations Player of the Year two years running, so that shows his form, his confidence, and also his improvement over the last couple of seasons.
‘He was with the Lions in 2013 and, like Tommy, will do well in New Zealand.’