Cam Redpath backed to bounce back from Scotland disappointment

With Huw Jones out of contention due to Achilles surgery, Cam Redpath would have had high hopes of making Gregor Townsend’s squad for the upcoming Quilter Nations Series.

The versatile centre has been in good form for Bath, on both sides of the ball, and has swallow-dived his way over for two tries in three league appearances this season.

However, Redpath has been overlooked for the four-Test series against USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga, with his good friend Josh Bayliss and Finn Russell the only two representatives from Bath heading north.

“I think he has made a really good start. He’s done well in his show-and-go once again, he is obviously on the back-end of a lot of good finishes, his support play is pretty good, he has had a few good poaches. And if you think back to the Sale game, his kick-chase,” said Bath boss Johann van Graan.

“He’s one of the players that always performs well for us. Obviously, I respect Gregor and his decision, like with all the head coaches of national teams, and they have got to make their calls.

“From our side, we’ll get what he needs to work on from a Bath perspective and, as I said, the more players we can have playing international rugby, the better for us.

“I am sure Cam will be back, that’s just the player and the person that he is. Whatever game time he gets with Bath, I am sure he’ll keep knocking on the Scotland door.”

Redpath’s 15-cap career began with a sensational debut in the 2021 Calcutta Cup win but appearances have been sporadic ever since.

The same applies to rapid flanker Bayliss, who has won 11 caps over a four-year period. His four previous starts were in wins against Japan, Chile, Canada and Portugal, and the 29-year-old will hope to wear the 6, 7, or even 8, jersey at some point once he becomes available after the USA game on 1 November.

Bayliss, who has four tries in his last five Tests, is taking nothing for granted.

“It was a massive honour for me to be named in the squad,” said Bayliss.

“The Autumn Internationals, for me, are pretty special, that’s when I made my debut for Scotland against Australia.

“But nothing is a given and I am just focusing on getting into camp and doing all I can to put my name forward,” he said.

Reckoned by his team-mates to be almost as quick as the jet-heeled Henry Arundell, Bayliss has even filled in on the wing before, for club and country.

But the former Millfield pupil laughed off the comparisons this week. “I’m not sure who has been saying but they might have been watching someone else, maybe Horse (Will Muir)!

“Henry is absolutely rapid and I think the speed of his sideways movement is just as impressive as how quickly he goes forward. His elusiveness is pretty one-off, he is a pretrty special player and he’s been in great form.”