The selection of eight Scots for the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa represented a major U-turn from head coach Warren Gatland during his three tours as head coach.
The New Zealander cited Scotland’s inability to win big Six Nations games, particularly away from home, as a factor in opting to select only three Scots – Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Greig Laidlaw – for the 2017 tour to New Zealand.
He said the 61-21 hammering by England in that year’s Six Nations counted against some of the Scots in contention.
As a result, Finn Russell was only sent for, along with Allan Dell, as part of the ‘Geography Six’ to provide cover for the Test team between the second and third Tests. They arrived having helped Scotland to a famous win over Australia in Sydney.
And when Gatland selected his 2013 squad, only Hogg, Sean Maitland and Richie Gray made the initial cut. Ryan Grant was added later but was left to stew on the bench during the second Test as Mako Vunipola struggled through an 80-minute shift.
Historic wins over France – a first in Paris in the Six Nations era – alongside a first win over England at Twickenham in 38 years meant Scotland were better represented in the 2021 tour.
Hogg and Russell were joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Chris Harris, Ali Price, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson and Hamish Watson in the squad.
Now with less than a year before new Lions boss Andy Farrell selects his squad for the tour Down Under, there should be at least the same number of Scots in contention.
Not only has the national team’s dominance of the Calcutta Cup extended to four wins on the spin, but Glasgow produced stunning performances to win the United Rugby Championship.
The manner of their victories against Munster and the Bulls, in particular, should show Farrell Scotland are no longer the soft touches his predecessor felt they were.
We have looked at the Scots in contention for Lions selection next summer.
Blair Kinghorn
It has been a whirlwind season for the fullback, whose move to Toulouse could not have gone much better. He’s played an integral role, whether at fullback or on the wing, as the club stands on the verge of a domestic and European double.
Having admitted to being “stagnant” at Edinburgh, the move has revitalisted the 53-times capped Scotland international.
He’ll have competition from Ireland’s Hugo Keenan and England’s Freddie Steward, but Kinghorn’s versatility may stand him in good stead.
Duhan van der Merwe
Edinburgh’s frustrating season mirrored that of the big wing, who scored just three tries for the capital club all campaign. But he is likely to break Scotland’s all-time try record on tour this summer and became the first Scot to score a hat-trick in a Calcutta Cup match during the Six Nations.
His relationship with Russell, who is sure to be included barring injury, could help, but he’ll need to rediscover his best form to reclaim his Lions Test place.
Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu
It is impossible to talk about one without mentioning the other, so we’re going to discuss ‘Huwipulotu’ together. With Tuipulotu’s direct running and Jones’ ability to pick a gap, they are an outstanding combination.
Tuipulotu also has an excellent short kicking game and can link the play well, while Jones has answered any questions about his defence since he returned from a year at Harlequins.
Finn Russell
Never mind making the tour, the Scotland captain might even be a contender – albeit an outside bet – to lead the tourists Down Under. He’s shaken the ‘maveric’ tag that stuck with him during the early years of his career and is now recognised as one of the world’s premier fly-halves.
Marcus Smith, Fin Smith and Jack Crowley are excellent talents, but none yet have proved themselves to be at Russell’s level.
Pierre Schoeman
The Edinburgh loosehead prop has become Scotland’s rock since qualifying on residency grounds two years ago. He’s so important to the national team that, despite many front-line stars getting a rest this summer, Schoeman is off on the tour to the Americas.
Not only is he an outstanding scrummager, he’s a dominant carrier and would be the perfect foil for Ireland’s Andrew Porter in the Lions Test team.
Zander Fagerson
Like Russell, Fagerson has continued to improve since touring three years ago, and deserves another opportunity next summer.
The Glasgow prop played every minute of their play-off run to the URC title. A lack of first-class alternatives at tighthead prop should also work in his favour.
Matt Fagerson
The younger Fagerson brother was man of the match in Glasgow’s URC final, and has added a physical edge to his game over the past 12 months. He’s also comfortable in any of the back-row positions, which could come into consideration when Farrell selects his squad.
Jack Dempsey
The former Wallabies number eight made his Scotland debut against the country of his birth two years ago, and do not count against him adding to his Test caps against Australia next summer.
An abrasive carrier who regularly gets his team on the front-foot, the only major concern is the other number eight options available – Caelan Doris and Jack Conan are well-known to Farrell, while Taulupe Faletau is a Lions veteran if he can stay fit, and Ben Earl has been England’s outstanding player of the past 12 months. That said, the Glasgow man won’t be far away.
There could well be more, too. Scrum-half pair Ben White and George Horne may come into consideration.
George Turner could come into consideration if he has a good season in Japan, but playing Test rugby while he's there will be difficult for the hooker, and with Jamie George, Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher also vying for places, it may be a difficult ask for the Scotland hooker.
Kyle Steyn has enjoyed a terrific season for Glasgow. His kick-chase work in the URC final was particularly outstanding, while he showed a great turn of pace to score the opening try of the semi-final in Limerick. He has been an inspired choice as Warriors captain.
The X-Factor of Darcy Graham could propel the Edinburgh man back into the picture if he can stay fit and find the same form he displayed before last year’s World Cup.
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