Scotland all too aware of the impact July tour has on World Cup hopes

Ollie Smith is relishing the chance to win his first cap since the 2023 World Cup on Scotland’s summer tour of the South Pacific.

The versatile back has not featured for the national team since scoring a late consolation try in the pool-stage defeat by Ireland in Paris in October 2023.

Smith suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage playing for Glasgow against Bayonne in December of that year and has spent the past 18 months building himself back up to a level where he can be considered for Test action.

After making seven appearances for his club since returning in January, the 24-year-old is eager to belatedly add to his nine caps on a tour incorporating three matches against Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa next month.

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“It’s obviously been a long time since I actually played for Scotland,” said Smith, who can operate at full-back, wing or centre.

“I was in camp in the autumn and the Six Nations but the prospect of playing never really came around. I’m excited to actually get back in the jersey and play again for Scotland. It’s been nearly two years since that Ireland game at the World Cup so I’m very excited.”

Scotland are missing seven players who are on British and Irish Lions duty but Smith is heartened by the calibre of squad Gregor Townsend has been able to put together.

“I think it shows you the depth we’ve got in the Scotland squad to have so many guys away for the Lions tour but still be able to put out such a strong squad to go away,” he said.

“We’re going to need the whole group to play against Fiji and Samoa. Fiji obviously did so well in the last World Cup, they’ve been playing some good rugby, they’ve got a star-studded backline and pack as well that play all over the world so they’re not going to be easy games and they’re obviously so important for us going forward into the next draw for the World Cup.

“We need to climb back up the rankings and the Fiji and Samoa games are two games we know we need to do well in.”