Gregor Townsend sends for the cavalry as Scotland seek to end wretched run in Wales
Fresh from helping Exeter Chiefs become champions of England and Europe, Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray go straight into the side for Saturday’s Six Nations match in Llanelli.
They are joined in the XV by Finn Russell who replaces Adam Hastings at stand-off after impressing as a second-half substitute in the 48-7 win over Georgia last Friday.
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Hide AdIt will be Russell’s first start for Scotland since the defeat by Japan in the Rugby World Cup over a year ago.
The fourth personnel change is the addition of Blade Thomson at No 8. The Scarlets back-row forward replaces the injured Matt Fagerson, leapfrogging Nick Haining and Cornell du Preez in the process. The latter pair came on as subs against Georgia but Haining now drops out.
The addition of Hogg, Gray and Russell will excite Scotland fans and raise hopes that the wretched record in Wales can be consigned to the history books.
Hogg takes over the captaincy after it was well looked after by Fraser Brown and will seek to spread some of Exeter’s magic dust over the Scotland set-up.
“Hoggy is just excited to be back,” reported Townsend. “He brings that energy and enthusiasm. We all know he has now played in two finals, same with Jonny and Sam Skinner, so they have brought confidence. But really it is just about loving being back with friends again.”
Exeter edged out Russell’s Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup final a fortnight ago then defeated Wasps in the English Premiership play-off last weekend.
After two such high-octane occasions there might be concerns about fatigue but the Scotland coach is confident that the finals will have sharpened up the Chiefs contingent.
“Because of the way the season has unfolded I don’t think the physical toll is that much of a factor,” said Townsend.
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Hide Ad“You could argue they’ve played in games close to Test match rugby so they might be a better position than some of our other players who have only played three or four games so far.
“In terms of the emotion, you win those finals, you need to play a massive game the week after that, we’re obviously hoping they’re riding this wave and it’s big game after big game. The fact they’ve won them both means they’re coming in on positive emotions.
“They will get a break next week, they don’t have a game, so they know that too. I’m sure they’ll put everything into emptying the tank, physically and emotionally, against Wales.
“This is the ultimate for us, what we play year to year, it’s Six Nations rugby. They’re in shape in what they’ve done in training this week and they look sharp. All positive signs going into the game.”
The return of Hogg sees Blair Kinghorn move from full-back to left wing, with Duhan van der Merwe - a tryscorer on his debut against Georgia - dropping to the bench. Gray’s inclusion comes at the expense of Ben Toolis who is also among the replacements.
“I think it is reward for how Blair has played for us in the Six Nations,” said Townsend. “He really took to playing on the wing and the way he defends as a winger, I thought he was one of our best players in the Six Nations and he did some good things from full-back against Georgia and if there are more high balls and kicking then having played at full-back he can help in that regard. But we see Duhan coming on and making an impact whether it is on the ball or fielding kicks and chasing kicks, he can get involved.”
Russell’s return to the starting XV is another significant step in his reintegration. His much-publicised bust-up with management over “a breach of team protocol” in January deprived Scotland of their creative pivot for the Six Nations, although Hastings stepped in and did a fine job, notably in the wins over Italy and France.
Townsend is as confident as he can be that this now puts to bed any issues between himself and Russell
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Hide Ad“Look, I can’t predict the future with any player, all I can report is that Finn has grown into the squad the longer he has been here. It might have been a difficult time for him coming back in after a year, but the way he contributed last week and got involved was great. I think Stuart coming back too, and bringing energy and bouncing ideas off each other on the field, is good.
“They have worked alongside us as coaches, Mike Blair in attack and me as head coach, it has been encouraging and positive. Who knows what will happen with any player in the future, but there is certainly a positive feeling around the group and the players connecting and leading going into this game.”
Townsend said he had spoken with Hastings and admitted to having a degree of sympathy with the Glasgow Warriors stand-off
“It is difficult to leave out someone who has played a part in the team's progress during the Six Nations and who has come back into form in the past two or three weeks,” said the coach. “But on the flip side you have someone who can really add something when he comes on whether a 10 or 12. It is good to know we have players of high quality on the bench.
“I think he has been unlucky because of the performances he has had for us in the Six Nations. But over the past few weeks Finn’s form has been really good for his club on a consistent basis in some high-level games and we were certainly satisfied by his performance when he came on against Georgia and by what he is doing in training.”
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