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Rugby football

Scotland Announces Squad for Summer Tour to New Zealand and Fiji

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has revealed a 36-man squad for the upcoming summer tour to New Zealand and Fiji, featuring a mix of experienced players and newcomers. The tour will kick off against the Māori All Blacks in Whangārei on Saturday, July 5, before heading to Suva to play Fiji on Saturday, July 12, and finishing with a match against Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, July 18. The squad includes four uncapped players: Fergus Burke, Alexander Masibaka, Fin Richardson, and Rory Sutherland has been left out, while George Turner has been recalled after a year-long absence.

George Turner, a 45-time capped hooker, has been recalled from his stint in Japan to join Harlequins for next season. He will be joined in the squad by three uncapped players: stand-off Fergus Burke, back-rower Alexander Masibaka, and tighthead prop Fin Richardson. Turner's return marks a significant boost to the national side, particularly with the experienced core of players, including Rory Darge, who will captain the squad, and the inclusion of players returning from injury, such as Andy Onyeama-Christie, Kyle Steyn, Adam Hastings, and Cameron Redpath. However, there is no place for Dave Cherry, Scotland's starting hooker in all five Six Nations games.

The national side will leave for the southern hemisphere later this month to play three matches in July. The tour will be led by coach Gregor Townsend, who has appointed Fergus Pringle as the forwards coach for the tour. Pringle, Scotland Under-20 assistant coach, will serve as the forwards coach for the national team, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the British & Irish Lions this summer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 36-man squad features a mix of experienced players and newcomers, including four uncapped players: Fergus Burke, Alexander Masibaka, Fin Richardson, and George Turner, who has been recalled after a year-long absence.
  • The squad includes players returning from injury, such as Andy Onyeama-Christie, Kyle Steyn, Adam Hastings, and Cameron Redpath.
  • Rory Darge will captain the squad.
  • The national side will leave for the southern hemisphere later this month to play three matches in July.
  • Gregor Townsend has appointed Fergus Pringle as the forwards coach for the tour.

Statistics:

  • The Scotland squad features 36 players.
  • Four uncapped players have been selected: Fergus Burke, Alexander Masibaka, Fin Richardson, and George Turner.
  • George Turner has been recalled after a year-long absence, with 45 caps.
  • The national side will play three matches in July: against the Māori All Blacks, Fiji, and Samoa.
  • The tour will be led by coach Gregor Townsend.
  • Fergus Pringle will serve as the forwards coach for the national team.

Sources:

  • Scotland Rugby (no date)
  • The Scotsman (no date)

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