Hastings worries set to re-ignite the Finn question
Adam Hastings looks likely to be ruled out of next Sunday’s game against the All Blacks.
But not even losing his one proven Test-quality stand-off will force Gregor Townsend to recall out-of-favour Finn Russell.
It’s an open secret that Townsend’s working relationship with the maverick Russell, Scotland’s mosttalented 10 in decades, has broken down, probably irretrievably.
And the likely loss of Hastings, who sustained head and knee damage in a bone-jarring hit by Flying Fijian Leone Ratuisolia, could make that clear once and for all.
“Adam will go through a second (concussion protocol) process with his head, and he has a knee issue that is getting looked at as well,” said Townsend after yesterday’s 28-12 win.
Asked if he had spoken to Russell, Townsend said: “Since the squad has been together, no.
“He will be in the mix, of course. How are relations? Fine, yeah. People who are not in the squad I don’t phone up regularly unless there’s something to talk about.
“I’d imagine he will be available. He was disappointed not to be selected in the squad. If we decide to bring in another 10, he’s one of the ones we’ll be looking at.”
Assessing how the two standoffs who played against the Flying Fijians had performed, Townsend added: “I thought Adam did well in a lot of areas.
“We didn’t get as much ball in the first half but when we started changing direction to try to pick off defenders, he looked confident and took his try well.
“Blair Kinghorn, when he came on it was a stop-start game. I thought he put pace on things but we weren’t as accurate in attack.”
That’s not exactly a glowing report on the man Townsend looks certain to pick at 10 in the World Cup, which starts in just 10 months’ time.