Townsend on Newcastle links, surprise selections & dangerous Italy
Townsend on Newcastle links and Six Nations hopes
- Published
Head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his Scotland side to face Italy in their Six Nations opener on Saturday.
Here are the main points:
On reports he will become Newcastle Red Bulls head coach when his Scotland contract expires in 2027: "It's pure speculation. I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody."
He adds: "It's a story that I think is being put out there to try and disrupt ahead of this game or next week's game against England. My focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up to the World Cup."
On his decision to leave out Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham: "Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they're very proud playing for Scotland but there is competition in that back three area as there is in other positions."
The Scotland boss insists Jamie Dobie, Kyle Steyn and Tom Jordan "deserve their starts given how well they've been playing".
He adds: "I feel all three of them individually have taken games to the opposition. But the three players that weren't selected, they're quality players. If or when they get back into the squad or they get an opportunity off the bench, like Darcy will on Saturday, we know we're going to have hungry players desperate to get back in the starting team."
Townsend says "we've been really delighted with the form of the players in that 23 throughout December," and it is a team that "can show the best of what we want to be out in Rome".
He says Scotland's previous visit to Rome - a 31-29 defeat in March 2024 - will "sharpen the minds" of his squad. "They beat Australia in November so it's one of the toughest teams now to play in world rugby," the head coach adds. "They'll be targeting this game, so to play them first game up, with the passion and atmosphere that's going to be in Rome - it's a sell-out as well - we know we're going to have to play very well to win."
He is stressing the importance of a winning start: "It's our most important game [Italy]. And when you look at the context of the Six Nations it's a lot about momentum."
The Scotland boss has been "really pleased with how the players have come in" to the camp, adding the squad are "very connected in meetings, on the training field and they've backed it up".