Townsend Confident Scots Will Have England-based Stars For France Match
Faizan Hashmi Published March 21, 2021 | 12:50 AM
Edinburgh, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Mar, 2021 ) :Scotland coach Gregor Townsend expects to have his full-strength squad available for next week's Six Nations match against France given talks with English clubs over player release are reaching a "positive outcome".
The third-round match should have been played last month but was postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak in the French camp.
As Friday's new re-arranged date falls outside the tournament's scheduled window, clubs are no longer obliged to release players as would have been the case under World Rugby regulations had the match gone ahead as planned.
That left Scotland contemplating travelling to Paris without skipper Stuart Hogg, lock Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner, all of whom play for English and European champions Exeter.
But Townsend, speaking after Scotland's 52-10 Six Nations thrashing of Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday, said: "I've just been told the negotiations are coming to an end and it's going to be a positive outcome which is great to hear.
"Thanks to the parties involved, Scottish Rugby, Six Nations and PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) that we can get to this situation and have the strongest squad we can have going to Paris for a really important game for us and the tournament." Former Scotland fly-half Townsend said the fact an agreement was in sight proved rugby's often warring factions were capable of co-operation.
"It shows we can work together and find a solution," he said.
"I'm sure there were compromises and some financial contributions as well. It's great we can have our players ready for this massive game next week." A Premiership spokesman said Friday they were considering an exception to their longstanding policy of not releasing players for non-England matches outside agreed windows provided they received "reasonable reimbursement".
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell should be available as well, with his Paris-based club Racing 92 set to release him after the Top 14 and the French Rugby Federation agreed that the hosts would have access to all their first-choice players.
Russell missed the win over Italy with concussion but is expected to be fit for Friday's match in Paris.
He is set to rejoin a Scotland squad who will travel to France having run in eight tries in what was their biggest Championship win.
Scotland hooker Dave Cherry scored two tries on his first Test star, with wing Duhan van der Merwe also crossing twice.
"We had a lot of fun," said Hogg, deputising at fly-half in place of Russell. "We got ourselves into good positions. Maybe at times just lacked that clinical edge, but we had a lot of fun.
"I think I am satisfied - I was just saying we can get better."France are in action later Saturday, when they will try to deny Wales a Grand Slam at the Stade de France.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Teenage girl arrested after stabbing at Welsh school
Ministers visit Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital following roof collapse incident
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
IHC serves notices in petition against 'roti' price fixation
Bank employees deprived of Rs 1m at gunpoint
Media playing the role of fourth pillar of democracy: Atta Tarar
AIOU to host 37th annual conference of AAOU in Oct
Pakistan Day Reception in Pakistan Embassy Abu Dhabi
ADC directs to expedite anti-dengue activities
PFA discards Gutka harmful for human health
SSC, HSSC annual exams in Sindh to be conducted in May
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
1 day ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
2 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
3 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
3 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
9 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
10 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
13 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago