Scotland Head Coach Makes Bold Selection Calls Amid Contract Rumours
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made the surprising decision to drop three of his most experienced back-three players for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome. Blair Kinghorn, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham have all been omitted from the starting lineup, with van der Merwe and Kinghorn not even making the matchday 23.
Newcastle Links Dismissed as 'Disruptive' Speculation
The selection announcement came as Townsend strongly denied reports linking him with a move to Newcastle Falcons after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, the 52-year-old coach described the rumours as "pure speculation" designed to unsettle his squad ahead of their Six Nations campaign.
"I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody," Townsend stated emphatically. "It's a story that I think is being put out there to try to disrupt ahead of this game or next week's game against England."
While acknowledging his consultancy role with Red Bull, who own Newcastle Falcons, Townsend insisted his complete focus remains on the Scotland team. "My focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up until the World Cup," he affirmed, adding that he was unconcerned about any negative impact such stories might have on his players.
Back-Three Shake-up Sees New Faces Preferred
In what represents a significant tactical shift, Townsend has opted for Bristol's Tom Jordan at full-back, with Glasgow Warriors duo Jamie Dobie and Kyle Steyn selected on the wings. This means Scotland's record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, who sits second on that list, must settle for bench and non-selection respectively.
"Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they're very proud of playing for Scotland," Townsend acknowledged. "But there's competition in that back-three area like there is in other positions and we feel Jamie, Kyle and Tom deserve their starts given how well they've been playing."
The coach explained that the selected trio had impressed both individually and collectively in training, demonstrating an ability to take games to the opposition. He emphasised that the dropped players remained quality performers who would be hungry to reclaim their places when opportunities arose.
Memories of Previous Rome Defeat Loom Large
Elsewhere in the lineup, Townsend has largely kept faith with familiar faces, with nine of the starting XV having featured in Scotland's last visit to Rome's Stadio Olimpico in March 2024. That match ended in a disappointing 31-29 defeat that Townsend admitted would "sharpen the minds" of his players.
The head coach warned about the threat posed by an improving Italian side, noting their victory over Australia in November and the cohesive nature of their team development. "They're two years further on in their development too and they are a cohesive team," Townsend observed. "It's one of the toughest teams now to play in world rugby."
Welsh Selection Drama as Rees-Zammit Returns at Full-Back
In other Six Nations news, Wales have made their own significant selection call by naming Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back for their opening match against England. The 25-year-old Bristol player, who spent 18 months pursuing an NFL career before returning to rugby union, has only started at full-back in three of his previous 35 Tests.
Rees-Zammit expressed his enthusiasm for the positional switch, telling the BBC: "I love it. It allows me to get more touches on the ball in open field, it suits my game. I much prefer it."
Wales head coach Steve Tandy acknowledged the challenge facing his team, who have lost 21 of their last 23 Tests and finished bottom of the Six Nations for two consecutive years. "We know they're playing some outstanding rugby and they're in great form," Tandy said of England. "But I know how much it means to our players playing for the nation and representing Wales."
The stage is set for an intriguing opening weekend of Six Nations action, with selection dramas and coaching speculation adding extra layers of intrigue to the traditional northern hemisphere rugby championship.
