Adam Hastings is not a replacement for Finn Russell, but a genuine rival for the Scotland No 10 shirt, and he’ll get ample opportunity to prove it during the Autumn Tests.
Russell isn’t available for this week’s Doddie Weir Cup game in Cardiff as it’s an extra game tacked on to the autumn out of the international window and he’s required by his club Racing 92 to play against Vern Cotter’s Montpellier in the Top 14 in France instead.
To no-one’s surprise Townsend named Hastings, the 22-year-old son of the former Lions captain and full-back, as stand-off for the second trip of the year to the Principality Stadium. What was slightly surprising is that he rates Hastings – who came to Glasgow after Townsend had departed – as an alternative rather than a replacement.
“Adam’s running game has come through this year, probably more than he or us expected, and his game management is always going to be something he will get better and better at the more he plays in that position,” said Townsend, who was something of a free spirit in the position himself.
“His temperament, his confidence, is what you want in a stand-off – looking to try things, looking to make things happen, being very positive
“What he’s also done very well this year is work hard off the ball. He’s got an outstanding engine and that means he gets more involvements in the game, and he’s playing with confidence.”
And as a result, he’s not necessarily just keeping the shirt warm or even just putting pressure on Finn.
“It’s not so much about Adam pushing Finn, it’s Adam looking to get that number 10 jersey for himself. He’s now going to play two internationals in a row (Argentina and this one) and we’ll now be looking for a response from Finn.
“We’ve seen that already from Finn this year playing in France, but it’s a genuine competition for that jersey. “Adam has been one of the form players in the PRO14 this year and really grabbed his opportunity for Glasgow.”
He has no worries about Hastings in the cauldron of the Principality – where more than a few Scots withered during the 34-7 rout that could easily have been a half century in February’s 6 Nations.
“His experience in Argentina and how he played has got to be in his muscle memory and realising that the next time he gets to play an international level he can do similar things and they will work out ok.
“This is a big challenge this week; it is Wales, it is away, they are huge favourites I would imagine but if he plays really well that does make it a much more competitive position.”
The primary surprise in the squad selection was the appearance of Darcy Graham – not even a member of the full squad until Monday – on the bench. The diminutive Edinburgh speedster has been in better form than clubmate Dougie Fife, the only alternative with Sean Maitland unavailable.
“His rugby ability makes him hard to tackle, he’s skilful in the air which is good, but it’s more his approach in the past few games where he’s taken it to the opposition, been aggressive in defence, won a couple of turnovers and looked to get on ball,” said Townsend of Graham.
“That’s the mindset we need when we go to these challenging places like Cardiff this weekend. If he gets the opportunity to play we’ll be looking to him to help us win.”
Townsend’s other choices were Jamie Ritchie, like Hastings making his first start on UK soil after winning two caps in the summer, and Ben Toolis ahead of his club colleague Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
“I think you’ll see Grant getting an opportunity over the next few weeks,” added the coach. “Ben and Grant have both been playing well, Jonny always plays well and Sam [Skinner] has come into the squad and impressed us in training.
“Magnus (Bradbury) was going to be favourite to start at blindside flanker but following his injury it has given Jamie an opportunity. He’s just been in better form to Matt (Fagerson) but we’ve been delighted the way Matt has responded to not having the greatest of tours in the summer, his first as a young lad.
“Defensively he was outstanding against Saracens and his attacking game has been much more effective than last year.
“Not one player is going to start every game. I’m saying that now, that may change with injuries, but that’s the plan. Others will get that opportunity at some point.”
Team: Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh); Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Lee Jones; Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Allan Dell, Stuart McInally (capt), WP Nel; Ben Toolis, Jonny Gray; Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Pete Horne, Darcy Graham.