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BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Five to watch on Scotland's tour of the Pacific
The gaze of the rugby world is on Australia this summer as the British and Irish Lions take on the Wallabies, but Scotland also have their own Tests on the other side of the world this Townsend's side – minus the eight players selected for Andy Farrell's squad – are in New Zealand to take on the Maori All Blacks in Whangerei, Samoa in Christchurch, with a trip to Suva in between to face and his players have spoken of the importance of the matches, in particular those against Fiji and Samoa, which carry crucial ranking points ahead the 2027 World Cup squad is a mixture of household names and new faces and here we have identified five players to keep an eye on. Will Graham show Lions what they're missing? Second on Scotland's all-time try-scoring list – one behind Duhan van der Merwe – Darcy Graham has long been one of the first names on the Van der Merwe on Lions duty, the Edinburgh wing has a big opportunity to move ahead – and perhaps even open up a bit of a gap – at the top of that will be fascinating to see how the 28-year-old responds to his Lions snub. Many thought his pace, rugby IQ, competitive spirit, lethal finishing and game-breaking ability were tailormade for a Lions environment, but he missed the may not be the end of the story, though. As was shown this week with Ben White's call-up, Lions opportunities may still arise. Graham, and indeed the likes of Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie and Tom Jordan, will want to show they are in top form and ready should that chance present itself. Paterson aims to make up for lost time Harry Paterson has always looked at home on the international stage. Keeping him fit enough to perform there regularly has been the memorable Scotland debut against France in the 2024 Six Nations - he played superbly having been thrown into the starting line-up on the morning of the game when Kyle Steyn's wife went into labour – demonstrated a temperament made for Test impressive showings on last summer's tour of the Americas confirmed Paterson's potential to be a big player for Scotland, but a succession of injury problems have hampered his valuable game time in a Scotland jersey this summer will hopefully tee-up the Edinburgh full-back for a big season ahead. Burke ready to enter battle for No.10 The role of chief understudy to Finn Russell as Scotland fly-half has been passed around quite a bit and for quite some time. Now Fergus Burke gets his chance to stake a New Zealand-born Saracens man, who qualifies for Scotland through his Glaswegian grandparents, was named in the squad for the Six Nations but did not see any should get his Test debut at some point on the summer tour but, with Adam Hastings and Tom Jordan also in the squad, it will be interesting to see how much game time he is is a former All Blacks under-20 international and will be desperate to play a part in the matches against the Maori All Blacks and Samoa back in his homeland. It will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the Test arena. Returning Turner helps solve problem position Townsend must have been doing cartwheels when George Turner announced he would be returning to the UK to join Harlequins and, as such, would once again be available for the year he has spent in Japan with Kobe Steelers – a move that made him unavailable for Test rugby – nobody has made a compelling case to replace him as first-choice Ashman's form has fluctuated significantly, Johnny Matthews' face just does not seem to fit with the Scotland selectors and Paddy Harrison still looks a little green for Test Cherry came in from the cold to claim the starting jersey during the Six Nations, but he is not in the squad and Turner should slot straight back into the number two power in the tackle and with ball-in-hand will be a huge asset. Masibaka the unknown quantity A classic Townsend left-field selection during the Six Nations that had fans and journos alike googling, "Who is Alex Masibaka?" Now we will get the chance to see what the big man is really all signed to Montpellier, Masibaka has been playing in the French second division these past two seasons for Soyaux-Angouleme but hopes to establish himself with his parent club in the Top 14 this powerful ball-carrying is said to be the key feature of his game that first attracted the Scotland has already stated the Fiji v Scotland match is an occasion of great personal significance - his mother is Scottish, his father Fijian – that he would love to be a part of and you sense there would be no challenge to get him up for that showdown in Suva.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
'Top professional' Hoilett agrees new deal at Hibs
Junior Hoilett will continue to bring "composure, calmness and real quality" to Hibernian after signing a new 12-month deal at Hibernian, says head coach David 35-year-old Canada international joined the Edinburgh club as a free agent last summer and went on to score four goals and provide five assists in 30 former Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City winger has now joined the squad at their training camp in the Netherlands."He played an important role for us last season both on and off the pitch," Gray told club media."As a player, he provides us with real quality, composure and calmness. As a person, he's brilliant with the lads in the dressing room. He's a role model for the younger players and is always willing to share his experiences and expertise with his team-mates."Hoilett, who had a brief spell with Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen in the second half of the 2023-24 season, was described as "a top professional" by Easter Road sporting director Malky Mackay."We wanted to give Junior as much time as possible to make a decision on his future due to his own personal circumstances," Mackay added. "Junior is a real family man, and we wanted to make sure that not only him, but his family were settled and comfortable as well."As well as being a top professional, he's a really good person and his role within our squad last year can't be understated. He made a positive difference to our team on the pitch and our squad off it."
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Arfield convinced Falkirk 'will shock people' in Premiership
Scott Arfield says there is "absolutely no doubt" Falkirk will "surprise a few people" on their top-flight 36-year-old midfielder returned to Falkirk in February, 15 years after leaving, and played a key role in the club's promotion."It is exciting times for everybody connected to the football club to see this team back in the top division," the former Rangers player told BBC Scotland."To see the enthusiasm and positivity through their eyes, you relive it again. Some of [the fans] have probably never seen the club in this division, they're that young, it's going to be amazing for them to see it."You're excited for them to give them that back, and obviously as a professional player coming into the twilight years, you try and relive it again and enjoy it as much as you can."There's absolutely no doubt we'll surprise a few people, but we need to have one eye on the calibre of player and the teams we're playing against this year."
