Gregor Townsend has focused on continuity as he takes over as Scotland head coach and didn’t depart from the tried and tested as he named his first squad to tour the southern hemisphere this summer.
With Greig Laidlaw – his first choice as captain – co-opted to the Lions, Townsend re-appointed John Barclay as his skipper of the 34-strong squad, equally split between 17 players from the Glasgow Warriors club he departed on Sunday, and 17 from other sources – 10 Edinburgh players and seven exiles. They’ll play a three test tour taking on Italy in Singapore (June 10), Australia in Sydney (June 17) and Fiji in Suva (June 24).
No-one has been asked to walk away to retirement – as the new head coach was himself after the 2003 World Cup by Matt Williams – although there were four notable omissions of players in Grant Gilchrist, Cornell du Preez, David Denton and Duncan Weir.
There are three uncapped players in Glasgow tight-head D’Arcy Rae, centre Nick Grigg and perhaps most surprisingly Edinburgh’s George Turner, who has made only one start for his club. Other notable inclusions are WP Nel, Magnus Bradbury and Josh Strauss, all making their way back from injury, as well as recalls for Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.
The rest – save for the Lions trio and five not considered due to injury, including Alasdair Dickinson – are simply the group that have improved Scotland’s fortunes over the last 18 months under Vern Cotter, who has left a solid foundation for Townsend to take on.
“Let’s hope so,” said the new man when asked if his task was made easier by taking control of a balanced and confident unit.
“There is a good feeling around the squad, the players have clearly gained a lot of confidence from how they’ve played.
“There is a good feeling in Scottish rugby. You see that with the amount of people going to the games and the atmosphere they are creating. We want to build on that optimism and make sure we work really hard as a coaching and playing group to get our rewards.”
Townsend wants to build on what he finds and took soundings from senior players, including the captain.
“It will be building on a lot of the good work that is there, the style of rugby the team has played and which is very similar to what I believe in and how we’ve played at Glasgow,” he said.
“You could tell from the outside that John was doing well (as captain). The way he spoke to referees, his confidence, the way he spoke to the media and the enjoyment he had from being captain.
“The feedback I got from the coaches it was all positive. I know John well, he contributes really well in meetings and has a rugby intelligence that will really help us as coaches.
“He’s playing really well and is one of our most experienced players so I am delighted to name him as captain.”
Other decisions were harder, even if he’d been thinking about his first squad one and off “for about nine months”.
“There were a lot of tough decisions, you see that with the quality of player in some positions who have been left out,” he continued.
“We have all the second rows and the back rowers available to us. Josh (Strauss) and Magnus (Bradbury) weren’t available to play Italy, Josh played well until he got injured and is a reasonably experienced international, Magnus is a player we are excited about, so Dave Denton and Cornell miss out.
“I spoke to Grant (Gilchrist) and I’m delighted he’s come back to form these last few weeks. He had a great game on Saturday. But the Gray brothers have been outstanding, Tim Swinson is in the form of his life and Ben Toolis has been so consistent for Edinburgh.”
Weir’s performance in Edinburgh’s 1872 Cup game “was much more like the old Dunky” added Townsend, but Peter Horne is preferred as back up 10 to Finn Russell with Jackson, although named as a full-back, obviously able to slot in if required.
Nel, Strauss, Bradbury and Matt Scott will gain contact fitness in a three-week preparatory camp prior to travelling on what Townsend thinks could be the experience of a lifetime.
“It’s great to be together playing in different environments, playing in an indoor stadium in Singapore with the challenge that brings, Sydney in the afternoon is something you’ll remember for a lifetime, likewise going to Fiji.
“Touring hasn’t been as prominent the last few years, maybe a little more sporadic with World Cup infringing on it. This is a proper tour I feel, three quality test matches against top 12 teams and we’re going to have play really well to win those games.”
There is an element of experimentation to be done, enforced because some players – Sean Maitland and Duncan Taylor of Saracens particularly – could be involved for another three weeks with their club. It’s therefore unlikely they would play the opening test in Singapore.
Props: A Allan (Glasgow), A Dell (Edinburgh), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), WP Nel (Edinburgh), D Rae, G Reid (both Glasgow)
Hookers: F Brown (Glasgow), R Ford, G Turner (both Edinburgh)
Locks: R Gray (Toulouse), J Gray, T Swinson (both Glasgow), B Toolis (Edinburgh)
Back row: J Barclay (Scarlets, capt), M Bradbury, J Hardie (both Edinburgh), R Harley (Glasgow), J Strauss (Sale), H Watson (Edinburgh), R Wilson (Glasgow).
Scrum-halves: S Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), A Price, H Pyrgos (both Glasgow)
Stand offs: P Horne, F Russell (both Glasgow)
Centres: A Dunbar, N Grigg (both Glasgow), M Scott (Gloucester), D Taylor (Saracens)
Back Three: D Hoyland (Edinburgh), R Jackson (Harlequins), L Jones (Glasgow), S Maitland (Saracens), T Visser (Harlequins)