Scotland has called up Sharks’ Dylan Richardson from South Africa for the autumn internationals
Image credit: The Scotsman
Scotland has selected Sharks back-row Dylan Richardson, who was born in South Africa, for a two-day training camp ahead of their first fall international.
The 22-year-old has spent his whole career with the Durban-based franchise, but his father qualifies him for Scotland. Gregor Townsend, the head coach, has called up a total of 14 uncapped players.
On Saturday, October 30th, Scotland kicks up their autumn schedule against Tonga at Murrayfield. Because the Test takes place outside of World Rugby’s international window, Scotland players based in England or France will not be able to participate because their teams are not required to release them.
Front-line fly-halves Captain Stuart Hogg: Adam Hastings and Finn Russell are locked in a battle. Props to Jonny Gray. The likes of Rory Sutherland and Duhan van der Merwe will be unavailable.
On successive weekends, the Scots will face Australia, South Africa, and Japan, with Townsend’s whole squad available.
Scrum-half Ali Price, flanker Hamish Watson, and prop Zander Fagerson are among the three British and Irish Lions in the first camp, which starts on Sunday.
The squad’s three-match summer programme was cancelled because of a COVID-19 epidemic that affected 19 members of the squad. Pierre Schoeman, a South African-born Edinburgh prop, has fulfilled his residency period to qualify for Scotland and, like Richardson, might face his birth country in November.
The latter, whose father was born in Edinburgh, has represented South Africa at Under-20 level and played against the Lions on tour in July. He has the ability to play both hooker and back-row.
Sione Tuipulotu, a recent Glasgow addition, might make his Scotland debut against Tonga, his father’s homeland.
Rory Darge, a Warriors teammate, has had a strong start to the season and, like fellow Glasgow players Cole Forbes, Rufus McLean, Jamie Dobie, and Ross Thompson, is in pace for a Test debut.
Luke Crosbie, Jamie Hodgson, Matt Currie, Charlie Savala, Marshall Sykes, and Jack Blain, all from Edinburgh, are also competing for their maiden international appearances.