Gregor Townsend’s son Christian named in Scotland under-20 squad

Gregor Townsend’s son Christian is on the road to following the same career path as his famous rugby father after being named in the Scotland under-20 training squad.

Christian Townsend scores a try for Borders & East Lothian's under-18s last year. Picture: Paul Devlin/SNS

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland head coach, won 82 full caps between 1993 and 2003 and also represented the British & Irish Lions during their Test series win over South Africa in 1997.

Like his father, teenager Christian is a stand-off.

During the 2019-20 season the youngster impressed with his game management as he helped Stewart’s Melville College win the Scottish Schools Cup final at under-18 level, played for Melrose’s senior first XV and trained with the Scotland under-18s.

He left school in Edinburgh in the summer and has now joined up with FOSROC Super6 outfit the Ayrshire Bulls to continue his development.

Christian and the 35 others in the under-20 squad have met up at Oriam on the outskirts of Edinburgh for a three-day camp as preparations begin for the 2021 age-grade Six Nations led by head coach Sean Lineen.

No players from outside Scotland have been included due to Covid-19 restrictions but the under-20s have been granted elite sport dispensation from the Scottish Government to prepare for the tournament.

Scotland U20 training squad

Forwards: Robbie Simpson (Edinburgh Accies / Northumbria University), Duncan Hood (Heriot’s Blues), Scott Clelland (Ayrshire Bulls), Jamie Drummond (Ayrshire Bulls), Gregor Scougall (Currie Chieftains), Michael Jones (Boroughmuir Bears), Luca Allesandri (Cartha Queens Park), Dean Hunter (GHA), Chris Elliot (Cartha Queens Park), John Paterson (St Andrews University), Jamie Campbell (Boroughmuir Bears), Struan Whittaker (Edinburgh Accies), Cameron Cobbet (Hartpury College), Hamish Ferguson (Currie Chieftains), Harri Morris (Southern Knights), Rhys Tait (Hawick / Exeter University), Trystan Andrews (Glasgow Hawks), Cameron Young (Ayr).

Backs: Cameron Scott (Currie Chieftains), Cameron Lessels (Currie Chieftains), Sandy Greig (Glasgow Hawks), Finn McIlwraith (Heriot’s Blues), Callum Anderson (Selkirk), Mikey Heron (Stirling Wolves), Joseph Strain (Glasgow Hawks), Christian Townsend (Ayrshire Bulls), Thomas Glendinning (Glasgow Hawks), Tom Lanni (Ayrshire Bulls),

Sean Carden (Glasgow University), Roly Brett (Melrose), Adam Scott (GHA), Angus Hoffie (Currie Chieftains), Ryan Daley (Currie Chieftains), Ross McKnight (Stirling Wolves),

Jordan Craig (GHA), Kieran Clark (Southern Knights).

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