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The Scottish World Cup bolter who's shocked by his own rapid rise

By Online Editors
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Grant Stewart is as shocked as anyone to find himself in the running for Scotland’s World Cup squad.

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But now that opportunity has been handed to him, the Glasgow Warriors hooker is determined to make the most of it and snatch a seat on the flight to Japan.

As recently as 2015, the 24-year-old was playing second string club rugby with Glasgow Hawks.

An injury crisis at Scotstoun provided the former youth international the chance to sign professionally with Warriors at the end of last year.

His displays for Dave Rennie’s side – including a try-scoring substitute display in the Guinness PRO14 final – have propelled him into Gregor Townsend’s thinking for this year’s tournament in the Far East.

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Given he has made just 24 appearances in the pro ranks – and only eight starts – he understands he will likely be the odd one out when the Scotland coach is forced to cut the number of hookers currently among his 44-man training squad from four to three.

The trio in front of him includes vice-captain Stuart McInally plus Scotstoun colleagues Fraser Brown and George Turner.

Yet the latter pair’s recent run of injuries mean Stewart’s impossible dream has now entered the realm of the conceivable.

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Grant Stewart
Scotland captain Stuart McInally

“If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be in the World Cup mix then I’d have said ‘no chance’, as there’s a lot of talented boys playing for Scotland,” he said.

“When I was playing for Hawks there was a wee bit of an injury crisis at Glasgow and I got called in to be 24th man.

“I got noticed then and got the academy deal, then I got a chance at Glasgow and just tried to push on.

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“I just want to push on as far as I can. I want to play and if I train well I don’t see why not. If I do my role well and work hard to improve then who knows what could happen.”

Stewart will have to dislodge a squad regular if he is to force his way into Townsend’s 31-man traveling party.

But the competition for places has not yet disrupted the harmony among the contenders for the number two jersey at their St Andrews training camp as they prepare for the opening warm-up clash with France in Nice on August 17.

Stewart said: “Stuart McInally has been really good to me, he’s kept me calm on the throwing, while Fraz and George have been good as well.

“I just need to make sure I know my role as much as I can.

“This has been a huge jump in standards, it’s just so much faster. If you don’t do something right then there’s always a consequence, and that’s the biggest difference about the level I’d played at previously.

“It’s about being fit enough, about communicating in defence and attack, and about asking questions to make sure everything’s all good.

“Training’s starting to get a wee bit more intense. As selection gets closer the boys are starting to go a bit harder.

“This will help a lot because I’ll get a bit more experience here, and if I don’t make the World Cup squad I’ll take that back to Glasgow and try and put it out there.”

– PA

Jim explores the stunning cities of Cape Town and Porth Elizabeth in South Africa for the latest episode of Rugby Explorer.

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Trevor 53 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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