Solving Scotland’s “100 years of unfinished business” against New Zealand on Sunday could well depend on a novice as stand-off cover.
Gregor Townsend said the discarded Finn Russell would be “in the mix” for a recall if the news was bad on Adam Hastings’ head and knee issues when the squad regather on Monday night.
However he seemed decidedly lukewarm to the idea and incredibly didn’t rule out trying to call up a player who hasn’t even committed to Scotland.
Still hasn’t made his decision
"We knew it wasn't going to be a pretty game of Rugby"
"Fans must have been bored watching the first-half"
Player of the Match Fin Smith reacts after a "scrappy" game at The Gardens…💬 #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/71vgqBbSiK
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 4, 2022
Fin Smith, the promising 20-year-old Northampton stand-off, has had discussions with Townsend about a Scotland call-up, but England also have designs on him and he hasn’t made any decision.
The grandson of former Scotland international and British Lion Tom Elliott only recently signed up at Franklin’s Gardens after Worcester went into receivership.
“You never know”, said Townsend when asked about Smith getting the call for the All Blacks after Scotland’s underwhelming 28-12 win over Fiji.
“Obviously, he has not played for Scotland before. If he is in the mix he would have to make a decision to committing to one of the two teams he is qualified for.
“He did really well for Northampton on Friday night, he was man of the match. If he decides to commit to Scotland it would be great for depth to have other options. But the last time I spoke to him his focus was on his club during this period.”
Both Hastings, who came off after a heavy hit from Fijian lock Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, and hooker George Turner are being assessed.
“We have a lot to think about with Adam picking up an injury, potentially two injuries,” added Townsend. “That was a big knock he got – but not on the head, it was whiplash.
“We will have to see what that means for him with stand-down time, whether it is six days or 12 days, and we also have to assess his knee.”
Hastings was later seen leaving Murrayfield with team doctor James Robson in a separate vehicle to the team bus.
‘He would be in the mix’
As for Russell, on Saturday evening the omitted 10 – left out of the Autumn squad for form reasons – had another storming game for his club Racing in France.
He scored a try, a penalty and three conversions after coming on when the Parisians were trailing at half-time at home, piloting them to a 44-20 win.
Speaking before that game, Townsend confirmed he had not spoken to Russell since giving him the reasons for his non-selection.
“No, of course not,” he said when asked if there would be any issues for him in calling up Russell.
“He is in the mix, he missed out on selection, like a number of guys. He would be in the mix for any changes we have to make there, if we have to make a change.”
Despite what Townsend said about Smith, it’s surely unthinkable to call him up. It’s also unfair to force him into a decision on his international future at such short notice.
The other option to back up Blair Kinghorn – who was probably the starter against the All Blacks anyway given how much Townsend has invested in him as a 10 – is Ross Thompson.
The Glasgow youngster was an unused replacement against Australia. He has played barely 20 minutes this season coming back from injury.
He’s had two weeks of training with the squad. But surely not even Townsend’s pretending Thompson’s a preferable option when Russell is available and playing so well.
‘100 years of unfinished business’
Doddie Weir delivers today’s match ball for Scotland v New Zealand.
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— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 18, 2017
And against New Zealand as well. They indicated their demise has been seriously exaggerated as they routed Wales in Cardiff. Scotland have never beaten New Zealand at 15s at any level.
“There is 100 years of unfinished business (with the All Blacks),” he said, referencing the last time the teams played in 2017. Doddie Weir, just diagnosed with MND, presented the match ball in a highly emotional ceremony before the game.
“That was a special occasion, not just for the game but what that night meant to Scottish rugby with Doddie,” said Townsend.
“It is five years on and Doddie is going to be there at the weekend. I am sure everyone will want to recognise what he has done since he launched his foundation.
“We have to create a special occasion again on the field. In the 2017 game we didn’t have the level of confidence in the first half to win that game.
“We were playing brilliant rugby in the first half. It was three all, we should have scored more points.
“We were chasing after it in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the game and we almost won. It’s a reminder that we have to take opportunities when we are playing really well against one of the best teams.”
‘We should have been more direct’
Scotland didn’t do that against the Fijians, he conceded.
“I think 28 points against a dangerous international team, on paper you say that is good,” he said. “But we believe we could have put more on them.
“In hindsight, maybe we should have been more direct. Some of our passes weren’t as accurate and that actually played into Fiji’s hands.”
Scotland sorted issues with offside in the second half and a more structured game turned the contest in their favour. They also got a lift from their bench – notably Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Ben White. They could all come into contention for starts next week.
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