Gregor Townsend has stepped up his efforts to persuade Fin Smith to commit to Scotland after Adam Hastings suffered a concussion during their 28-12 win against Fiji at Murrayfield.
Hastings was forced off early in the second half during Saturday’s 28-12 win over Fiji with a head knock and is also having a knee injury assessed.
When asked, Townsend said Finn Russell would be in the mix.
“If Adam is out, Finn would be in the mix, of course,” Townsend insisted.
However, Townsend’s first choice to replace Hastings would be dual-qualified Smith should the number 10 accept a call-up.
“I have spoken to Fin a few times, prior to this summer and also over the last couple of months,” revealed Townsend.
“He got a bad injury in training so has only been available for his new club Northampton for the last couple of months.
“It has been great having conversations with him. He is a young man but he is very mature and understands the game and has very strong links to Gala so that is always a good thing,
“He will maybe have to make a decision sooner than people think because he is a very good player,
“I am sure England will be after him as well. He hadn’t played till last week so his focus will be with his new club and getting back playing again in the middle of the November Tests so I would imagine his conversion with us and England will continue after this November period.”
Scotland next Sunday host a New Zealand side who on Saturday crushed Wales 55-23 in Cardiff.
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RANKED: Which 2022 Autumn Squad Has the Most Foreign-Born Players?
RUCK takes an in-depth look at the foreign-born players in each of the home nations Autumn Nations Series squad, and where they were born. It’s an interesting list for sure.
#4. IRELAND – 8: One more than 2021
- Jeremy Loughman (USA)
- Rob Herring (South Africa)
- Finlay Bealham (Australia)
- Joe McCarthy (USA)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (New Zealand)
- Joey Carbery (New Zealand)
- Ciaran Frawley (Australia)
- Mack Hansen (Australia)
