It’s a great opportunity for the youngster to win his first cap

Ironically, Thomson will not be released by his club for the first match against Wales, because it falls outside of the international window for the autumn tests.

Ironic as he plays for a Welsh club who will be releasing their homebased international players to face the Scots in Cardiff.

This also means that half-backs Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw will also be at their clubs in France for the first weekend. So Townsend has named four scrum-halves in his large squad, including the very promising George Horne, who has the potential to make a real impact on the international stage in the next few years.

Also on the injury list is Stuart Hogg, which will undoubtedly allow Blair Kinghorn to take Hogg’s place at his preferred position of full-back. With Adam Hastings probably starting against Wales instead of Russell, the team will have a very youthful feel to it in Cardiff.

Townsend was at pains to stress that this squad is one that will be building towards the business end of the season – the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Testing Scotland’s depth in some key positions can always feel a little stressful, but if this group do as well as the reserve-choice props did last year, then it will be a very worthwhile exercise indeed and will create real competition come the turn of the year.

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