The Scotland camp reaction to losing 3 players to Lions duty

Scotland assistant coach Pete Horne believes their latest Lions call-ups have given the touring squad a timely reminder on how fortunes can quickly turn around in sport.

Winger Darcy Graham has already joined eight other Scots in the British and Irish Lions squad days after being sent off in a 29-14 defeat for Gregor Townsend’s team in Fiji.

Prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman will join him after Scotland’s final tour match against Samoa on Friday with a view to playing in next Tuesday’s match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV.

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Horne said: “It was nice, it gave a bit of energy to our meeting this morning. Obviously, all the boys were delighted.

“Gregor made a really good point in the meeting. Look at what Ben (White) did at the weekend there. He had a cracking game. He put himself right in the mix for potentially getting involved in some Test rugby.

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“And there’s no reason that our guys can’t go over there and make a quick impression and, before you know it, you can play a critical part in the Lions series. So, it’s exciting for them.

“It’s another little reminder to some of our boys as well. A lot can change in a week. A lot can change in a couple of days. So, there’s still a big carrot there for some of our fellows as well that are playing on Friday night.”

Graham’s change of fortunes is particularly marked. The Edinburgh player, who has scored 31 Scotland tries, was deemed unfortunate to miss out on the initial Lions squad by many and his summer took a further downward trajectory when he received two yellow cards in Suva on Saturday.

But he is clear of suspension after a disciplinary hearing and now part of Andy Farrell’s squad.

“We were all gutted for Darcy,” Horne said of his initial rejection. “Everyone loves him. We all know what he can do and how he’s a world-class player. And we were devastated he didn’t make it.

“But he was really cool. I’m sure he’ll be straight into training as soon as he lands and showing everyone just what he’s all about. And he can end up having a big part to play.”

Scotland’s ill-disciplined defeat against Fiji was a major blow to their hopes of rising one place in the World Rugby rankings and ensuring a top-six spot ahead of the World Cup draw in December.

But Horne said: “Off the back of a defeat, I feel like it’s always pretty easy for guys to get a bit of energy and get going again because you are desperate for another opportunity.

“There’s also nothing worse than finishing a tour and finishing the season off the back of a defeat, so everyone will be desperate to right some wrongs and go well this weekend.

“A lot of the things that went wrong at the weekend were around the breakdown area, so there’s been a big focus on that, especially that last 15 minutes. They really hammered us there.

“We showed a bit of footage on little ways that we can find solutions to be better and stop them getting over the ball. And that will just sharpen the focus.

“We defended so well for large parts of that game and just gave them a few cheap easy ins through offsides. Something like an offside, that’s an easy fix.

“The players are all over it. The leaders have already spoken about that. I’m sure we’ll see a reaction.”