After taking a look at Scotland’s forwards yesterday, now it’s the turn of the backs. For each positional group, these are the 35 players who have featured during the current RWC cycle and how the squad in this area has been narrowed down to the 14 who will travel to France.
Half Backs
Started final match of 2019 RWC:
Greig Laidlaw / Finn Russell
Started first match of 2023 RWC cycle:
Ali Price / Adam Hastings
Most selected unit in this cycle:
Ali Price / Finn Russell (x14)
Likely starters v South Africa:
Ben White / Finn Russell
More than any other player, Ali Price absolutely dominated selection for Scotland for the first 3 years of this World Cup cycle, most frequently being paired up with his old flatmate Finn Russell. Ben White has timed his run to the 9 shirt to perfection though, backing up Price throughout 2022 before taking the starting slot for 2023. That has allowed the Toulon scrum half to build up his own relationship with Russell and they have started 6 games together so far in 2023.
RWC 2027
While Finn has talked about having another World Cup in him, he will turn 35 around the time of the next tournament. His long-term understudy, Adam Hastings, will be 31 himself but there are a couple of already capped 10s who will still be in their 20s in 2027 in the shape of Ben Healy and Ross Thompson. White will still only be 29 in 4 years’ time while Jamie Dobie, who was in the training squad this summer, will have reached the ripe old age of 26.
Centres
Started final match of 2019 RWC:
Sam Johnson / Chris Harris
Started first match of 2023 RWC cycle:
Sam Johnson / Huw Jones
Most selected unit in this cycle:
Sam Johnson / Chris Harris (x11)
Likely starters v South Africa:
Sione Tuipulotu / Huw Jones
There have been a couple of distinct phases in centre selections for Scotland in this RWC cycle. Initially, it was Sam Johnson and Chris Harris who were a clear first choice as the dark blues looked to enhance their defensive credentials following the 2019 tournament in Japan. It was only in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series – game 27 of the cycle – that Sione Tuipulotu fully ousted Johnson from the inside centre spot. His relationship at club level for Glasgow with Huw Jones – and, of course, Jones’ own return to stellar form – contributed to Shuggy winning back the number 13 jersey in 2023 that he had previously held for most of 2017 and 2018. Huwipulotu have started together 8 times so far for Scotland since their first Test outing together in the Calcutta Cup match at the beginning of this year.
RWC 2027
The Ipulotu part of the partnership will be 30 so could still be strutting his stuff for Scotland but, at nearly 34, the Huw element could be a longer shot. Capped centres that will still be in their 20s in 2027 are Stafford McDowall and Cameron Redpath.
Back 3
Started final match of 2019 RWC:
Darcy Graham / Tommy Seymour / Stuart Hogg
Started first match of 2023 RWC cycle:
Blair Kinghorn / Sean Maitland / Stuart Hogg
Most selected unit in this cycle:
Duhan van der Merwe / Darcy Graham / Stuart Hogg (x12)
Likely starters v South Africa:
Duhan van der Merwe / Darcy Graham / Blair Kinghorn
There is almost no question that the plan heading into this summer was for a Duhan van der Merwe / Darcy Graham / Stuart Hogg back 3 to take Scotland into the World Cup. Hoggy’s retirement has necessitated a fairly quick change of plans though with Blair Kinghorn stepping back into the 15 shirt after playing almost all of the previous 2 years at stand off. The Edinburgh trio only have 2 previous starts together as a combination for Scotland – although they do also have 15 club appearances as a unit, all of which came prior to Kinghorn’s move to full-time stand off in 2021.
RWC 2027
Duhan is the oldest of this triumvirate and will be 32 when the 2027 RWC commences. Blair and Darcy will both be aged 30 at the time of what could be their 3rd tournament. Ollie Smith and Kyle Rowe are the capped back 3 players who will be in their 20s and might realistically come into consideration in 4 years’ time.