GLASGOW WARRIORS head coach Dave Rennie has promised his returning Scotland players will be given every possible chance to make sure they are next in line if there are any injuries with the national team out at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
In particular, that means putting the possible project to convert Huw Jones, pictured, to full-back on hold while he makes sure he is up to the mark in his usual position at centre, starting for the club side in their home warm-up game against Ulster this afternoon.
“It was hugely disappointing for them, of course, but they have been excellent,” he said. “They were desperate to go to the World Cup, [but] unfortunately somebody has to miss out.
“They have come in and trained here. I offered to give them a week off but they have come straight in to get their heads round things.
“We want to help them still get to the World Cup. There will be bumps and bruises along the way and we want to make sure they are next in line and playing well so that if Gregor Townsend is looking for a replacement, he is looking at these boys. I intend to give them all game time this weekend.
“They have all come back in great shape. I have always been impressed with our international boys, whenever they come back they are keen to play for Glasgow and front up accordingly.
“As for Huw Jones, we want to give him a decent crack at 13, a pivotal position though we do have really good depth there with a couple of guys to come back from the World Cup who play midfield. It is a case of trying to get our best player on the field though at full-back. I have been really impressed with Glenn Bryce and Jack [Ruaridh Jackson] has done a good job over the last two years.”
Jones joins Kyle Steyn, who was one of the first to be culled from the Scotland squad, in the starting line up with another three returnees – Grant Stewart, Matt Fagerson and Nick Grigg – all on the bench to make sure there is no repeat of the second-half collapse Glasgow suffered last week, when they brought on a much more experimental side.
It is a similar tale across at Edinburgh where Jamie Bhatti, the only player in their squad definitely cut from the national group (they should hear today whether Jamie Ritchie will recover from his facial injury and whether Magnus Bradbury will be staying in Japan) is on the bench as they complete their pre-season with a match against the Ospreys at Murrayfield.
The big development for them is the return of Lewis Carmichael, who wrecked his knee just as he seemed to be making the breakthrough into Test consideration and has been out of action for more than a year.
“It’s great to see guys now returning from injury and this weekend will be a good opportunity for them to build up that match fitness ahead of the new season,” said Richard Cockerill, the head coach.
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