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Why Scotland newbie Matthews merits his call-up - Steve Tandy

By PA
Johnny Matthews of Glasgow Warriors, centre, and teammates celebrates their side's sixth try during the United Rugby Championship (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Steve Tandy admitted Johnny Matthews has earned his chance after the Glasgow centre was called into the Scotland squad for the first time.

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The 25-year-old hooker was drafted in as a late inclusion for the trip to South America following concerns over clubmate George Turner, who has been struggling with illness.

“George Turner has picked up a bit of an illness so we just wanted a bit of coverage there,” Scotland defence coach Tandy explained.

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Will Skelton on Champions Cup celebrations and playing for the Barbarians | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 38

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      Will Skelton on Champions Cup celebrations and playing for the Barbarians | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 38

      The big rig Will Skelton joins us from Monaco this week where he’s on tour with the Barbarians and rooming with George Kruis. He fills us in on the tour so far, hanging out at the palace with the Prince and who’s leading the charge off the pitch. We also hear about his man-of-the-match performance for La Rochelle in the Champions Cup Final, that famous open-top bus celebration and what it’s like playing for coaches like O’Gara and Cheika.

      “Johnny has been firmly in our thoughts and round the discussions for selection.

      “At Glasgow you’ve got Fraser Brown and George Turner, and Johnny has really matched up with them and performed in some big games. It’s an exciting opportunity for him but also for us to work closely with him.”

      Turner remains in contention to feature on the tour which will include an A team game against Chile next weekend and then three Tests against Argentina.

      However, it was announced on Friday that Gloucester fly-half Adam Hastings and Harlequins’ Huw Jones have withdrawn from the squad due to hamstring and back issues respectively. No replacements have been called in for either player.

      “It’s unfortunate for the boys missing out but we feel round the backline we’ve got enough cover there to take on the tour,” said Tandy, explaining why no new backs have been called in ahead of the squad’s departure for South America this Sunday.

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      DarstedlyDan 38 minutes ago
      New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

      Italy have a top 14 issue too, that’s true. I doubt SA are overly pleased by that, although it’s countered somewhat by the fact they would expect to thrash them anyway, so perhaps are not that bothered.


      The BIL teams are (aside from Ireland) A/B teams - still with many A team players. I would rather the England team touring Argentina be playing the ABs than this French one.


      France could have reduced the complaints and the grounds for such if they had still picked the best team from those eligible/available. But they haven’t even done that. This, plus the playing of silly b@ggers with team selection over the three tests is just a big middle finger to the ABs and the NZ rugby public.


      One of the key reasons this is an issue is the revenue sharing one. Home teams keep the ticket revenues. If the July tours are devalued to development larks then the crowds will not show up (why go watch teams featuring names you’ve never heard of?). This costs the SH unions. The NH unions on the other hand get the advantage of bums on seats from full strength SH teams touring in November. If the NH doesn’t want to play ball by touring full strength, then pay up and share gate receipts. That would be fair, and would reduce the grounds for complaint from the south. This has been suggested, but the NH unions want their cake and eat it too. And now, apparently, we are not even allowed to complain about it?


      Finally - no one is expecting France to do things the way NZ or SA do. We oddly don’t really mind that it probably makes them less successful at RWC than they would otherwise have been. But a bit of willingness to find a solution other than “lump it, we’re French” would go a looonnng way.

      75 Go to comments
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