Franko Smith believes Glasgow fullback Josh McKay is ready to step into the Test arena with him Scotland the following month when he qualifies for his adopted country under the five-year residency rule.
The flamboyant Kiwi from Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch, has been a pillar of consistent excellence for the Warriors since arriving at Scotstoun in mid-November 2021, amassing 85 games – all starts – and 25 tries to date.
The 29-year-old will not be available for Scotland’s first Test in November Nations Championship block against its native New Zealand and it is unclear whether he would be eligible to Test against Australia November 15.
But Scotland’s third match against Japan on November 21 looks more realistic if Gregor Townsend decides to bring McKay into the squad along with possibly around 18 of his Warriors team-mates when he unveils his squad on Monday.
“I think he will qualify in the last two weeks (of November),” Glasgow head coach Smith said. “Whether he will be selected or not, I cannot say. It is everyone’s dream to play international rugby. We always talk about the fact that there are two types of players here: internationals and players who want to be internationals. At the moment we can say that the players are internationals.”
“I think he’ll be very excited to qualify and have that opportunity. He’s been here for five years and I think you can’t help but think there’s a slight possibility and it’s going to be fantastic for him.”
McKay started Glasgow’s first three URC matches this term before coming off last week’s Champions Cup opener against Sale, with Kyle Rowe starting at full-back, as he will again in Saturday’s trip to URC. Benetton in Travis, with McKay rested again.
Smith confirmed McKay was “100 per cent fine” and had “trained really well this week”, adding: “We’re excited to have him fresh next week so you can put him on the squad list.”
This week’s selection could also be with one eye on Scotland’s Murrayfield clash with New Zealand in two weeks’ time.
At least half of the Warriors’ starting line-up – perhaps a dozen of the 23 – aiming to maintain an unbeaten start to the season at the Stadio Monigo will suit Scotland in that All black people game, unlikely to feature in Glasgow’s final URC game before the international window against Lions next friday.
Rowe, nominally a winger, has started at full-back in nine of his 19 Tests for Scotland, including against Argentina and South Africa in July when Blair Kinghorn took a break after an intense two seasons France with the British and Irish Lions tour in between.
Kinghorn had only two outings Toulouse this season and he hasn’t played since he started against Valves on Sept. 19, though he’s reportedly nearing the end of his “rehab” phase after missing his last four games.
United Rugby Championship
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L
D
PF
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PD
BP T
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BP
In total
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3
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14
2
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2
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1
13
3
3
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11
4
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11
5
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6
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9
7
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12
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Townsend can also call on all-rounders Bristol fullback Tom Jordan, who started in the 15 six times for Scotland, including their last Test against Fiji, will be deployed there again on Saturday for the third time in four PREM games for Bristol this season.
Another option from Glasgow is Ollie Smith, but Rowe appears to be the front-runner against the All Blacks if doubts remain over Kinghorn’s fitness.
“I don’t know where he is in the pecking order with the other backs or what Gregor’s plans are in terms of team selection, but Kyle is playing well,” Smith noted. “His name was mentioned more often when he played in that role for Scotland.
“We played him there for a variety of other reasons – obviously to freshen up Josh (McKay) and make sure this year’s back three work is shared better. But Kyle is in good form and he’s an exciting player.”
While a significant portion of the Glasgow side are on the chopping block for Townsend’s side, former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie will be one of several players aiming to re-stake their Test claims when he makes his Warriors debut in Treviso.
30 year old ex Edinburgh The flanker’s last game was more than five months ago, for Perpignan in early May, and Smith is looking forward to belatedly announcing his new signing.
“He looks excited, to be honest,” the head coach said. “He trained well and prepared well. I wanted to make sure he would go into his first game without a load. That’s why we waited a little longer. I don’t want him to think too much about what he’s going to do, just how he’s going to check in. It was definitely worth the wait.”
Smith has been impressed by Ritchie’s quiet authority in leading a group that already includes Kyle Steyn, Rory Darge, Sione Tuipulota, Stafford McDowall, George Horne and Scott Cummings.
“Like all other players, he gives and he gets. That’s our mission here. The more you give, the more you get. From day one, he contributed to the conversations and the environment. That’s our mission. The more you give, the more you get. He contributed to the conversations and the environment from day one.
“Obviously he wanted to understand a lot of things and in that process we could address some details that are important to everyone. He brings a lot of experience and a calmness about leadership.
“He’s a natural leader. He doesn’t have to say much in our current leadership group, but he brings experience of playing and captaining in important games.”
Smith believes there is still room for improvement in Ritchie’s game as he begins life in new surroundings after 11 years in Edinburgh and a year in France.
“I hope he finds his ceiling is still a long way off,” Smith added. “His carrying ability, defensive approach, energy and ability to turn the ball over are important.
“I feel like he’s developed well physically now. With a foot injury, you usually get a chance to strengthen your upper body and the rest of your strength game. But in the first game, if we can just see him carry the ball well and do what Jamie does best, that’ll be enough for us for now.”
Smith also handed a first start in Glasgow to former Scotland Under-20 player Matty Urwin, whose senior club experience so far consists of four minutes off the bench against Munster last January.
“He’s a young man who’s been knocking on the door for a long time,” Smith said of the 21-year-old. “It was also a project for us to bring in a young player.
“He has a good shooting game, which maybe differs from other players in that regard. I feel he has a good general understanding of what we want, so I brought him in with the other national team players to make sure he is calm.”
“He can just concentrate on his distribution and the way he runs the game. I don’t want him to go out there with any pressure or expectations. We just want him to contribute as much as he can.”
