'He’s playing in a very, very strong team': Scotland open door for France-based star

John Dalziel insisted the door remains ajar for Ali Price to force himself back into the frame for a third World Cup sojourn after the Montpellier scrum-half’s surprise recall to the Scotland squad this week.

The 33-year-old’s Test career seemed to be over after two years without an appearance for the national team since he won his 68th cap against Fiji in November 2024.

But Price, who went to the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, was restored to Gregor Townsend’s squad on Monday ahead of Sunday’s Nations Championship showdown with Australia at Murrayfield after Gus Warr returned to Sale.

Forwards coach Dalziel indicated that the 2021 British and Irish Lion still has a chance of playing his way into consideration for involvement at next year’s showpiece in Australia.

“I think he’s already doing that with his club form,” he said. “He’s playing in a very, very strong team out in the Top 14 that are winning a lot.

“He’s playing and starting a lot, so of course he does. With the competition in a lot of places that we have in the squad, he was probably unfortunate to miss out. He was strongly considered (when the initial squad was named).

“It’s great that we can have our three (first choices) in and still have that ability to bring guys in as well.”

Ben White, George Horne and Jamie Dobie have jumped ahead of Price in the pecking order in recent years, but Dalziel is heartened that Scotland still have the option of drafting in a player starting regularly in the French top flight as they work towards shaping a 33-man squad for the World Cup.

“That’s the growth of the three guys that we picked originally in the squad,” said Dalziel, explaining Price’s exile.

“You’ve got the versatility of Jamie Dobie, Ben White and George Horne, with that great blend of starting and the momentum that comes with bringing George on later in games.

“We think it’s really important this year to go a bit deeper than that in all positions around that.

“Obviously, Gus Warr joined us, he’s been in great form. The squad is restricted to a number where we’ve got to try and get our head around or it becomes crazy.

“In the World Cup, you’ve got 33, so it’s even less (than this month). We need to try and plan and anticipate for that and see what it looks like, but also have the ability in these campaigns as well to reward good form of Ali for the way he’s been playing, he’s not out the window completely, and bring him back in.

“I must say he’s come back in seamlessly and trained really well and adds really well to a meeting. It’s about that ability to not go crazy with the squad number, but be able to bring guys in and out and get that exposure. Keep that connection and keep them in the groove of it as well.”