TOOLIS TARGETS A RECALL FOR SCOTS’ ITALIAN JOB

SECOND-ROW Ben Toolis is determined to step up to the plate and prove Scotland can cope without Jonny Gray when they take on Italy next weekend. Lock forward Gray has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations campaign due to of a hand injury, with Edinburgh’s Toolis a candidate to take his jersey. Capped 57 times, Gray has been among the first names on the teamsheet under Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who has credited him with being one of the best tacklers he has worked with. Toolis accepts that Gray will be a big loss but is confident that, with himself, Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner champing at the bit to be involved, Townsend still has the strength in depth to dominate the line-out against the Italians. ‘The boys who come in for Jonny love playing for Scotland and will want to push forward and get wins,’ said Toolis. ‘We’ve all been playing well, so whoever gets to take Jonny’s place against Italy will do his best to make the most of it. ‘Jonny is a massive loss, especially in defence. He’s a massive body, a great tackler and has a wealth of experience. ‘He is Scottish-born, he loves playing for Scotland, and I feel for him missing out. He is pretty gutted about it, but I guess it is a chance for myself and the others.’ Glasgow Warriors star Scott Cummings is favourite to take one of the second-row spots in Rome after starting the games against Ireland and England. Toolis was out of favour during the World Cup and only played in one game, against Russia. But he has impressed Townsend with his form for Edinburgh this season. His club-mate Gilchrist is also there, along with Exeter Chiefs star Skinner, who missed the first two games through injury. Uncapped Gloucester second-row Alex Craig has returned to his club from the training camp and won’t be in Rome. Toolis (right) puts his own improvement this season down to feedback from Townsend. Reflecting on his lack of action at the World Cup, he said: ‘That is just the way rugby goes sometimes. I didn’t get the opportunity in Japan but I tried to play better when I came back and I’m happy with my form for Edinburgh. ‘I have tried to be consistent and improve things the coaches wanted me to improve on. ‘The feedback from them is that I have improved in areas such as my ball-carrying and the contact area, just some little tweaks. ‘I believe I have improved and the coaches do, too.’ Toolis, along with Hamish Watson, made his Scotland debut off the bench in Italy’s last Six Nations win, against the Scots at Murrayfield back in 2015. He has played against them twice since — in Singapore in the same year when the Scots won 33-14 and last year in the 33-20 home victory. The 27-year-old made it clear that, although Italy have lost their first two Six Nations games, away from home against Wales and France, they will be a very different proposition in Rome. ‘The Italian capital is a tough place to go and they are passionate about playing for their country,’ said the Australian-born second row. ‘We know what is at stake. Against Wales, they weren’t too good but, against France in Paris, they showed flashes of brilliance. At home they will be tough. ‘We have a basic game plan but they will have one up their sleeve, too. ‘They are a very physical team and always start well but run out of gas near the end away from home. However, I expect them to go all the way this time.’