Gregor Townsend backs Freddy Douglas to make his mark with Scotland

Douglas, 19, was the surprise selection in Townsend’s 45-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series as Scotland welcome Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia to Scottish Gas Murrayfield next month.  

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Townsend said the fact that Douglas, a stand-out performer for the Scotland under-20s side, is yet to make his senior professional debut did not count against him.  

The Scotland coach said: “In an ideal world you’d want all of the young players who you believe are going to have big careers ahead of them getting earlier opportunities. But sometimes that wait makes them better.  

“We wanted to give him this opportunity to play at a higher level and it’s not up to him to work towards that.” 

As well as his on-field qualities, Townsend also praised Douglas’ mindset, which he – and Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman – got a taste of in a training session during the Six Nations.  

“He came in last year during the Six Nations and he was fighting with Pierre Schoeman. That's someone that is going to go into the test environment and say 'I'm going to go at you'.  

Townsend said Douglas was in contention for the summer tour, but the Scotland coach felt it important he remained with the under-20s for the World Rugby U20 Trophy.  

"That was important for the 20s team to have their best players and get back into the World Championship,” he said.  

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“Freddy is still under-20 next year and I'd hope he would be pushing for places in November, Six Nations and summer tour, but if the right thing for him and for Scottish Rugby is that he stays with the 20s for the World Cup, we'll see next year.  

Douglas is one of five uncapped players in Townsend’s squad, alongside Edinburgh colleagues Ben Muncaster and Mosese Tuipulotu, whose brother Sione takes over the captaincy. Glasgow duo Alex Samuel and Tom Jordan, who qualifies on residency grounds in time for the November 2 clash with Fiji, complete the uncapped quintet.  

On the captaincy switch, Townsend explained why he’s handed the responsibility to Tuipulotu.   

Sione Tuipulotu is the new Scotland captain (Image: SNS) He said: "He’s someone the players look to to get the emotion right and what’s needed in that day’s training session or that’s week’s but he’s also a thinker on the tactical side of the game.  

“Him and Finn [Russell] work really well in attack, him and Huw [Jones] work really well in attack and he’s a defensive leader. Most importantly, he thrives when he’s been given the captaincy.” 

However, there is no place in the squad for either Jonny Gray or his brother Richie, whose move to Japan next month will likely spell the end of his international career.  

Jonny, who has made an impressive start to the season with Bordeaux after 18 months out with a serious knee injury, has opted to rest rather than play for Scotland in November.  

Jonny Gray has opted to sit out the Autumn Nations Series (Image: SNS) “Jonny and Bordeaux feel that given he's played two months of consistent rugby that it's an opportunity for him to rest during November,” the Scotland coach said.  

“We'd much rather have him playing with us, but that's just the way it is and we've got to move on with other second rows.” 

With Richie Gray set to join Toyota Verblitz next month, Townsend paid tribute to the 35-year-old.  
 
“He's had two careers almost internationally.  

“The first one was exceptional when he came through. I was fortunate enough to be involved at that time as an assistant coach. I remember a line-break against France in his blonde hair. He was a revelation. He got into the Lions on the back of playing so well for Scotland and Glasgow.  

"Then the way he's came back in the last couple of years, I think he's been better than when he first started playing.  

“He played in some really big wins for us. He's been very professional to make the most of what he can do physically to go with the experience he's had. He's playing at 35 years old, so it's a testament to the work he's put in.” 

Glasgow hooker Johnny Matthews also misses out, and Townsend explained the continued omission of the Warriors try-scoring machine, whose only cap came against Romania at last year’s World Cup.

Johnny Matthews has again been left out (Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group) While stating he is “definitely in our discussions”, Townsend praised the form of the three hookers he has selected - Edinburgh’s Ewan Ashman and Paddy Harrison, plus Dylan Richardson of The Sharks.  

"Those are the players that we believe in and are focused on,” Townsend added.  

“The players who have just missed out, those three guys are really unlucky. 

“We know what Johnny can bring but we just feel that those players who are in the squad grabbed their opportunity in the summer and have continued to play well this year.” 

And a first call-up for Jordan caps an impressive couple of seasons for the New Zealand-born playmaker, who can play fly-half or centre but will be considered primarily for the number 10 jersey with Scotland.  

Townsend added: “Tom really grew in that position last season going on and winning semis and finals with Glasgow.  

Tom Jordan has earned a first call-up for Scotland (Image: Getty Images)

“We spoke to him before the summer tour to give him some feedback and let him know that we were keen on him and we have continued that feedback this season.”