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The Scotland message Matt Scott recently received from Townsend
Matt Scott hasn’t given up all hope of receiving a Scotland call-up, revealing that Gregor Townsend was in touch last month to keep him in the loop even though he isn’t part of the squad for the current Guinness Six Nations. The midfielder created headlines in November 2021 when he earned a Murrayfield start versus the Springboks, his first cap in four-and-a-half years.
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Before that recall, the 32-year-old midfielder had appeared 39 times for his country but his last start was in Townsend’s first match in charge against Italy in Singapore in June 2017. Scott then won his last Scotland cap at that time a week later as a replacement in the victory over Australia in Sydney.
A combination of injury, indifferent form, increased competition and covid call-offs all stopped Scott from adding to his tally in the intervening period until his eventual comeback 15 months ago, but he hasn’t featured since then for Scotland. Townsend’s current midfield preference is pairing Sione Tuipulotu with Huw Jones, but Scott hasn’t given up on his Test career.
“He [Townsend] sent me a message before the Six Nations and said that I had missed out but he still thinks I can play Test rugby,” revealed Scott. “It was at a point where I had missed three or four games with Leicester with Guy (Porter) and Dan Kelly being fit and I wasn’t selected so the timing wasn’t great.
“I’m happy to be getting a run in the (Leicester) team now and you never know what can happen. It’s just trying to get better and I’d be delighted to get back into the fold. I’m delighted that they are doing well. It is a tough spot, centre. At the moment there are a lot of good players. We’ll see.”
That seeing in recent weeks has been a delight for Scottish people the world over. Back-to-back wins over England and Wales was the first time Scotland have won their opening two matches in the championship since 1996 and the achievement left Scott impressed. “The squad has been threatening to do well for a while, just never been able to string two wins together at the start of a tournament.
“The old cliche everyone bangs on about, having a good start and how much momentum it gives you, it is completely true. We have never been able to do that whenever we have had a good first win, we have never been able to follow it up. Delighted for the guys. I thought we were excellent, an ambitious team, really dangerous, fun to watch. I was a really proud Scotsman.”
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Switching to Leicester business and this Sunday’s visit to league leaders Saracens to Welford Road, Scott is keen on making amends for the heavy trouncing Tigers suffered in London earlier in the season. “Quality team. Looking at the teamsheet, it’s full of quality,” he said about the round 17 visitors.
“Definitely not Saracens of old, they are really progressing their game. You have got to be alive to their threat from deep and it makes them a very difficult team to analyse and to play against because they have got multiple threats. It’s going to be an extremely tough game but it’s exciting. They put a big score on us earlier in the season and we have got to our best to rectify that because it was a bit of an embarrassing moment for us.”
Scott takes his place in a Leicester team heavy with experience in the back three with ex-England full-back Mike Brown set for a Tigers debut at the age of 37 and Chris Ashton, the soon-to-be 36-year-old, included on the wing. “These guys, you can tell from the moment you meet them why they have been such top players for so long.
“They are so hungry to get better, so hungry to succeed, very competitive guys for sure and they have been quality additions. The club has been really shrewd in picking up these guys when they were free agents and they have just added so much to our team. Mike has fitted in really well over the last couple of weeks and I’m really excited to see him out there on Sunday.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments