New talent can prop up Scots, says Humphreys
GLASGOW forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys insists Scotland’s conveyor belt of talented props mean they can withstand the current front-row injury crisis.
With Six Nations doubts over looseheads Darryl Marfo, Allan Dell and Alasdair Dickinson and tightheads WP Nel and Zander Fagerson, Humphreys is confident that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will reap the benefits of the groundwork he laid down in his four years as assistant to Vern Cotter.
Creating a rich seam of frontrow talent was part of Humphreys’ master plan when he became part of the national team’s coaching staff and realised there was no strength in depth either side of the hooker.
‘There’s been a lot of hard work put in by the SRU on the prop situation,’ said the former Wales international.
‘When I first arrived, we found ourselves with no props — or very few — so there has been a lot of work put into that, a lot of talent ID. It takes a while to bear fruit and, hopefully, this is what’s coming through now.’
Humphreys is tipping the relatively unknown D’Arcy Rae, who is set to start for Glasgow in their European Champions Cup match away to Leinster in Dublin on Sunday, as one player who can make an impact ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Townsend has been hit with an avalanche of front-row setbacks ahead of the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, February 3.
There are injury concerns over looseheads Marfo (back) and British and Irish Lion Dell (groin). Dickinson (shoulder) hasn’t played for nearly a year and is taking longer to get back to full fitness than expected.
In the tightheads, Nel has a broken arm and Fagerson is set to miss the first few matches of the tournament after a bench fell on his foot during training.
Simon Berghan will miss the opening game in Cardiff through suspension, while Moray Low is out of the picture at Exeter.
On the positive side, Jamie Bhatti has been playing well for Glasgow on the loosehead side, with Rory Sutherland back in the No1 jersey for Edinburgh after injury. At least there are two capable props in that position for the Six Nations.
Things aren’t so rosy on the tighthead side to the extent that Jon Welsh of Newcastle Falcons, who hasn’t played for Scotland since the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Australia, is primed to start in Cardiff. As things stand there is no other experienced tighthead available.
‘I know we are in the middle of an injury crisis for Scotland going into the Six Nations with the props but, long term for the 2019 World Cup and beyond, it is a good thing having to blood young props,’ said Humphreys.
‘Players like Rae come into that category. He can become good enough for international rugby as he has lots of qualities. He hasn’t had a huge amount of game time but, hopefully, in the next couple of weeks he’s going to get that in Europe.
‘Props-wise also, let’s not forget about Bhatti who we also have at Glasgow on the loosehead side. He is still very young and should be available for the Six Nations.
‘Also Fagerson is a top-class prop already and he is only 21 years old. There are other props coming through elsewhere too so things are looking good.’
Humphreys also revealed Glasgow will give Stuart Hogg a fitness test later this week to find out whether he could resume playing after two months out with a hip injury.
‘We don’t want to take a risk, so if he’s right he’ll play and if not, he won’t,’ he said. ‘He should be okay, if not this weekend then hopefully next week.’
“Long term, it could become a good thing”