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'I think this looks like a deliberate snub': Scottish pundits miffed over Adam Hastings omission

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Scotland’s 39-man Six Nations squad named last week had fans and pundits alike baffled when head coach Gregor Townsend omitted Gloucester flyhalf Adam Hastings.

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The 25-year-old pivot had become a key contributor to Scotland over the last two Six Nations campaigns, firstly stepping up to guide the side as the starter when regular starter Finn Russell had a falling out with Townsend in 2020.

When Russell returned in 2021, Hastings assumed the role of bench cover for 10 and provided a crucial cameo in Paris when he set-up a last second try to Duhan van der Merwe to give Scotland a well earned away win over France.

Heading into the 2022 campaign, Townsend could not find room for Hastings in his 39-man squad which leaves Scotland with just one genuine 10 for the tournament.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland‘s rugby podcast this week, BCC Scotland’s chiefs sports writer Tom English was taken back by the omission and at a loss to find a reason for the non-selection.

“I’d have to say, some names I had to do some research on,” English told the BBC Radio Scotland panel.

“One name that wasn’t in the squad which really took me back, and that’s Adam Hastings. I can’t figure that out, why he’s not in there. It’s a really curious one.

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“Scotland now have one recognised flyhalf in the squad, I mean Kinghorn is in there as well, he’s played 10 for Edinburgh this season but he’s not a natural 10, in my book anyway. So you’ve got one.

“This is a 39-man squad and you’ve got one natural, out-and-out 10. I don’t understand that.”

Equally baffled was ex-Scotland international Peter Wright who couldn’t understand the rationale behind leaving out Hastings and heading into a Six Nations tournament with just one flyhalf.

“Why not make it a 40-man squad, has it got to be 39? So why not just make it 40 and include Hastings. I totally agree,” Wright said.

“You’ve got one out-and-out standoff. Against England I assume Kinghorn is going to cover 10 and probably wing and fullback, which is fine but if you lose Russell in the second or third minute and you putting a guy in that’s never been tested, if that’s how it goes.

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“Never been tested at international level. I don’t know the rationale, has he given rationale for it? Has he not picked him on form or not picked him because he just wants to look at other players?”

Podcast host Andy Burke confirmed that Townsend had indicated that the decision had been on form.

“Well he said during the week, Gregor Townsend, he said that players in that position are playing better, i.e. Blair Kinghorn, has played better at 10 for Edinburgh than Adam Hastings has for Gloucester,” Burke explained.

“Listen, Blair Kinghorn is a fine footballer, really, really good footballer,” English interjected passionately.

“But to put him in a Six Nations game at 10, if Finn Russell god forbid goes down injured in the first five minutes against England, Blair Kinghorn is your 10. I don’t think he’s ready to play that kind of game at 10.

“As for ‘he’s playing better than Hastings’, well, Kinghorn has played, I wouldn’t say disrespectfully the ‘fodder of the URC’, but he’s played some of lesser sides of the URC.

“He’s playing behind a pack that’s fairly dominant in games against the lower orders. The best performance they’ve put up this season was against Saracens and he didn’t play in that game.

“It’s curious. It’s very, very curious. Why take the risk? This is a guy who came off the bench regularly and had a fantastic Six Nations championship for Scotland and played very well.

“This is a guy who pitched in when Gregor Townsend and Finn Russell had their disagreement, played really really well throughout that Championship (in 2020). Adam Hastings has done exceptionally well for Scotland.”

Given the stature of Hastings’ performances over the last two years, English then questioned whether this was a deliberate move.

“I think this looks like a deliberate snub to him. It’s a 39-man squad and you can’t find a place for a guy who played all last season?”

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P
PL 56 minutes ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

1 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

237 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

237 Go to comments
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