Gregor Townsend has challenged each Blair Kinghorn and Adam Hastings to show they are often Scotland’s first-choice quantity 10 for 2023.
The pair are vying for the fly-half berth after the contentious choice to depart earlier incumbent Finn Russell out of the squad for the Autumn Series.
Edinburgh man Kinghorn performed at 10 in the summertime tour of South America and in final weekend’s slender defeat by Australia, when he scored a powerful solo try to missed a last-gasp penalty that might have gained the match.
Gloucester playmaker Hastings has been given the nod for this Saturday’s Test at residence to Fiji, with Kinghorn on the bench in one in all six adjustments to the XV that began in opposition to the Wallabies.
Townsend admits these matches are an opportunity for each gamers to “stake a claim” for the position forward of subsequent yr’s Six Nations and World Cup.
“Blair’s played for us in that position in the last five games but this is a chance for Adam to show how well he can fit in at Test level again,” mentioned the pinnacle coach.
“We are obviously massive believers in Blair. Adam played for us a couple of seasons ago and he’s got back to that form this season, and even beyond that form – his game management has been excellent this year.”
Townsend – who seems of no thoughts to present Russell a recall – admits Hastings and Kinghorn deliver completely different qualities to the crew.
“Adam is a game manager and also has the ability to run,” he mentioned. “I’d say Blair is a runner-passer and is learning more on the game-management side. Adam is playing regularly and playing very well for a team that’s going really great in the English Premiership.
“The way his team have played this year aligns a lot in attack with what we want to do with our team. Blair’s doing that with Edinburgh too. That could be tactical things, how they use the forwards, how they use the width of the field.
“For both of them it is very easy for them to get into our game plan and Adam has shown he’s earned this opportunity. Blair off the bench is also a positive thing – his running game, his pace, his passing, whether that’s at 10 or in a different position, can really cause damage in the last 20 minutes.”
Stuart Hogg will begin his first Scotland match since shedding the captaincy to Jamie Ritchie, whereas Cam Redpath, Chris Harris, George Turner and Richie Gray are the opposite gamers on this weekend’s XV that didn’t characteristic from the beginning in opposition to Australia final weekend.
Asked if he had chosen the strongest crew obtainable to him for the Fiji match, Townsend mentioned: “We believe so. You never know because there are players very close in different positions but we believe this is as strong a team as we could put out.”
The match represents a primary Scotland begin for 33-year-old Glasgow lock Gray in additional than 5 years.“He has been excellent this year,” mentioned Townsend. “And it just shows you that you can get better with age, both physically and as a rugby player.
“He set the quickest time he’s ever run this week in training. He’s played very well for Glasgow, two of the games were up there with his best ever performances, I believe.
“And he brings his presence at lineout in attack and defence and he will worry opposition when they go to the lineout. And he’s really improved as a defender too so it’s brilliant to have him back in the squad.”
Dave Cherry – who began in opposition to Australia – has dropped out of the squad by means of damage. His place within the Autumn Series group has been taken by Fraser Brown, though the Glasgow man has not been named within the 23 for the Fiji match.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk