Gregor Townsend wouldn’t take the bait to even idly consider why England’s Eddie Jones has suddenly developed a predilection for picking fringe Scottish players who are dual qualified.
First Gary Graham and now – it appears – Ben Vellacott, both capped by Scotland at Under-20 level, will be named in English squads. Who knows, they may even get a cap during the forthcoming NatWest 6 Nations.
Townsend, in naming his initial squad of 40 for the championship that probably wouldn’t have included either Graham or Vellacott, did say it was “unusual” that a country of the resources of England were picking those who had played age grade international rugby for Scotland.
It has happened before. Tom Palmer, an imposing second row, grew up in Edinburgh and played for Scotland Under-21s, but eventually was capped 42 times for the land of his birth between 2001 and 2012.
Palmer was always a quality prospect, however. Graham has played barely a handful of games for Newcastle, impressing enough to get Townsend’s notice although some way back in the queue for the national team.
Vellacott had discussions with the head coach right up until the deadline, and if you’re the suspicious sort, it was somewhat odd to see Nathan Fowles’ name at the end of the list of backs, the only name out of alphabetical order, in the official SRU graphic.
But it’s hard – nearly impossible – to believe that Scotland’s tenth choice backrower (I’m being generous here) and the fourth or fifth choice scrum-half are far higher in England’s depth chart, given their enormous player resources. What exactly is going on here?
Politics, perhaps. England have already complained this season to World Rugby about rival nations surveying their age group teams and academies for dual qualified players.
The RFU’s EQP scheme – where Premiership clubs are rewarded financially for fielding English eligible players – puts added pressure on those like Graham and Vellacott to make an early choice.
It could even just be the ever-mischievous Jones making a point. Whatever it is, Townsend won’t accelerate certain players’ inclusion into his squad before he or they are ready.
The players concerned have made their choice, and one would hope they’re rewarded for it, even if it means facing Scotland at BT Murrayfield on February 24. But it shouldn’t change Townsend’s thinking for even a second.
