George Turner returns to Scotland squad for three-match South Pacific tour
George Turner has returned to the Scotland squad for the three-match summer tour of the South Pacific.
The hooker comes back into the fold for the games against Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa after missing the last year of international rugby following his move to Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, albeit he has since signed for Harlequins for next season.
Rory Darge, who co-captained Scotland along with Finn Russell in the last two Guinness Six Nations championships, is named captain.
There are three uncapped players named by head coach Gregor Townsend – stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka and tighthead prop Fin Richardson – although all three have been involved before with the squad.
In the back row, Matt Fagerson has been included, despite missing end of season with Glasgow through injury.
But there is no place for Jack Dempsey, who has been sidelined by injury since the Six Nations win over Wales in March.
Forwards Andy Onyeama-Christie and Max Williamson are back in after injury.
Scotland Under-20's assistant coach Fergus Pringle has been appointed as forwards coach for the tour, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the British & Irish Lions.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Leigh Halfpenny's future plan as Wales star one of 10 picked to be next coaches
Leigh Halfpenny's future plan as Wales star one of 10 picked to be next coaches The former Wales full-back started his new temporary role this week Leigh Halfpenny talks with Wales fly-half Dan Edwards (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) In the days before Leigh Halfpenny's long-awaited 100th cap for Wales, such was his obsessive nature, Neil Jenkins had to rein in the full-back when it came to his training load. "What are you doing, Pence?" were effectively the words of choice from the former Wales fly-half to the man that he had mentored for well over a decade. Even as he neared the century in a red jersey - having had to endure injuries and late withdrawals as he made it into the nervous nineties - the steadfast dedication to pushing himself to the limit remained. That has always been one of the strengths of Halfpenny, the reason behind the remarkable career he has enjoyed. He is meticulous, with nothing left to chance. In many ways, the metronomic goal-kicking was symbolic of that attitude; reliably getting the most out of everything in his career. And yet, now, some close to Halfpenny suggest that - in a relatively unexpected sojourn from playing this summer - he is uncharacteristically relaxed about what happens next. A move to France seems likely once his summer in Japan - with a brief stint in Australia for the Classic Lions too - is done. Article continues below But, while a deal with Beziers could come at some point after his departure from Harlequins, he's welcoming this unanticipated piece of work experience. This week has marked Halfpenny's first with the senior national team not as a player, but as a coach. Word from the camp is he's settled in well, commanding respect from the players. Some he will know better than others. There are some new faces since Halfpenny called time on his Test career. For the second summer in a row, Cameron Winnett will spend time learning from one of the men he was suddenly tasked with replacing in last year's Six Nations. Having got to learn from Liam Williams down under last year, he'll now be seeking words of wisdom from the other half of Wales' full-back duopoly for the past decade or so. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Of course, the likes of Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau will have provided some familiarity, as would the coaching ticket he's joined - having spent the season working with Danny Wilson and Adam Jones at Quins. Even Dan Edwards, who is currently in his second Wales camp after making his debut in the Six Nations, has worked with Halfpenny while the full-back was working with the U20s. Back in 2022, he worked with Wales' age-grade side while out injured - working as a kicking coach. It was little surprise he did the role, given a move into coaching has always felt the obvious step for Halfpenny. 10 players hand-picked by WRU Back in 2019, he was one of 10 players - alongside Justin Tipuric, James Hook, Bradley Davies, Paul James, Rob McCusker, Aaron Jarvis, Brok Harries, Angus O'Brien and Dan Fish - hand-picked to undertake a new coach development programme with the Welsh Rugby Union. The year-long programme saw them work with WRU performance coach manager Dan Clements towards a UKCC Level 3 award in Coaching Rugby Union as they took the first steps towards coaching - with mentors brought in for the players. Six years on, it's starting to pay off. Tipuric will begin next season coaching the Ospreys' defence, while Hook is also involved with both the senior side and the academy at the region. Former prop James has also been coaching the academy, as did Davies - although he will move onto the Scarlets next season. Elsewhere, Jarvis is head of rugby at Ivybridge Community College, while Fish is coaching Cardiff RFC. At the time, there were plans for Halfpenny to hold kicking clinics with a group of under-18s players. There's certainly a sense that, for all he's achieved, there's too much rugby intellectual property to not be passed on. Just as Jenkins went from a diligent player who lived on his nerves - you need only hear the retching on those old Lions documentaries - Halfpenny has seemed destined for a similar path to his mentor. The only downside to Halfpenny's opportunity this summer is where it leaves the man who watched all of his kicks closer than most over the years. Jenkins is still contracted by the WRU, but communication is understood to have been scarce with all of the existing coaches when it came to the tour of Japan. It's understandable interim head coach Matt Sherratt wants his own people if he's going to do the job. Missing Japan is no major blow to the coaches whose contracts expire this summer. Mike Forshaw, for example, is seemingly set for a move to Leicester Tigers before the WRU get their new head coach in place. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free But where not touring leaves Jenkins when a new coach does take over is anyone's guess. One thing is for certain is that Jenkins has nothing but pride in seeing Halfpenny's rise to coaching. After the tour of Japan, Halfpenny will head down under with the Classic Lions before writing the next chapter in his storied playing career. There's still more to squeeze out of his playing days. Jenkins, who has been working with the U20s recently, should still have a role to play with the WRU moving forward - although that probably rests on whoever the new head coach is. By the autumn, Jenkins could be back with the national team, while Halfpenny could be plying his trade in France. Article continues below However, this summer will have paved the way for the natural progression. The student becoming the teacher. One day, Halfpenny might just be the one reining in someone in the days before a big match.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
'One of the best flankers in Europe' - Darge signs Warriors extension
"Invaluable" Scotland captain Rory Darge has signed a three-year contract extension with Glasgow flanker, who Gregor Townsend named as skipper for this summer's Pacific Tour, has made 67 Warriors appearances since joining in coach Franco Smith the 25-year-old is "one of the best in his position in Europe".The 25-year-old, who played in 14 games during Warriors' URC title-winning campaign last year, said it was "a straightforward decision" to extend his stay at Scotstoun."I love my time in Glasgow and the club is the best place for me to be just now," he told the club's website. "I'm loving my rugby and this is the best possible place for me to keep developing."Smith said the openside flanker is "an invaluable asset" to his team."We still believe that he is only scratching the surface of his potential."His work in both attack and defence makes him an invaluable asset for both club and country; his statistics speak for themselves and only serve to underline his quality."He is someone who embodies what it means to be a Warrior."
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
'One of the best in Europe' - Scotland captain signs new deal
Glasgow Warriors forward commits to club for three more seasons Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rory Darge has signed a new contract with Glasgow Warriors which ties him to the club for the next three seasons and has been backed to scale new heights after only 'scratching the surface of his potential'. The forward, who was this week named Scotland captain for their summer to New Zealand and Fiji, is the latest senior player to commit his future to the Warriors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fellow Scotland internationals Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn, Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall and Zander and Matt Fagerson all agreed new deals in recent months although the club also said farewell to Tom Jordan and Jack Mann as well as overseas players Henco Venter, Sebastian Cancelliere and JP du Preez. Rory Darge's new contract ties him to Glasgow Warriors for three more seasons. | SNS Group Darge, 25, joined Glasgow from Edinburgh in 2021 and made an immediate impact at Scotstoun after struggling for game-time in the east. He has been a regular in the No 7 jersey and established himself as Scotland's first-choice openside flanker. 'Rory has developed into one of the best in his position in Europe, and we still believe that he is only scratching the surface of his potential,' said Franco Smith, the Glasgow head coach. 'His work in both attack and defence makes him an invaluable asset for both club and country; his statistics speak for themselves and only serve to underline his quality. 'He has developed into a leader within our environment over the last few seasons, and being named as Scotland captain is a well-deserved reflection of this development. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He is someone who embodies what it means to be a Warrior, and we look forward to continuing to work with him over the coming seasons.' Darge's new deal commits him to Glasgow until summer 2028 and he is confident the club can build on their recent success. He was a key player as the Warriors won the United Rugby Championship in 2024 and although their defence of the title was ended by Leinster at the semi-final stage last weekend, Darge is optimistic about the squad's potential and said that signing the new contract was an easy decision. Rory Darge, right, was Scotland co-captain with Finn Russell during the Six Nations but will be solo skipper for the summer tour. | SNS Group / SRU 'It was fairly straightforward really,' Darge told 'I love my time in Glasgow and the club is the best place for me to be just now – I'm loving my rugby and this is the best possible place for me to keep developing. 'The competition at Scotstoun is something that's definitely played a role in continuing to develop me, particularly this season with how well the young guys played when they came. Everyone that came in took their opportunity really well, which is a testament to this environment and the coaching that we get, and that only bodes well for the future of this club.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 30-times capped flanker was Scotland co-captain with Finn Russell during the 2024 and 2025 Six Nations and will skipper the national side solo on the forthcoming summer tour while Russell is in Australia with the British & Irish Lions. The North Berwick man has also been taking more responsibility at the Warriors, assisting club captain Kyle Steyn.
