The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Welcome new face for Scots
Rugby union: Grigg set for debut as Ford prepares to enter record business
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is confident Glasgow centre Nick Grigg is ready to make his international debut against Fiji tomorrow.
The 24-year-old signed for Glasgow Warriors at the start of the season having impressed for Stirling County as a Scottish Rugby Academy player.
The centre has made 21 appearances for the club since signing a professional contract in March 2016 and enjoyed a fine season with the Scotstoun club.
Townsend said: “We believe this is the right time to give him an opportunity. He was close to being involved against Italy. He uses his power well. He can run hard lines and breaks tackles.
“He was one of the best players in the Pro12 league this season in terms of line breaks and tackle breaks. He is also a really good defender. He times his tackles well and puts dominant hits in on the opposition.
“He is respected by the whole group. He won players’ player of the year at Glasgow last year which shows what a great season he had and what the players think of him.”
While Grigg gears up for his first appearance for the national team, Scotland hooker Ross Ford will break his country’s caps record after being named in the team.
Ford is poised to earn his 110th cap and will go clear of Chris Paterson as Scotland’s most capped Test player.
Townsend said: “Ross loves everything about being a rugby player. He puts in the work in the gym and the training
“One of the best players in the Pro12 league this season in terms of line breaks and tackle breaks”
field, which is the reason why he is still playing well after 109 caps. We’ve seen it on this tour. He has driven a lot of the standards. It’s good from our perspective that we have two hookers (Ford and Fraser Brown) competing for the spot.
“It’s a great storyline that we have Nick making his international debut at the same time as Ross will make history and become the most-capped Scot.
“Ross has been an outstanding tourist, both on and off the field. This week he has been driving our standards and working as hard as usual to make sure we get our preparations right for what will be a very tough game.”
Townsend is determined his side will not slip at the final hurdle after recording an impressive win against Australia last weekend.
“It’s been a very good tour so far,” he said. “The games have gone well, with two positive results and the players have enjoyed their time together.”
Fiji sprang their own surprises when they named a side showing seven changes from the one which squeaked past Italy with an 80th-minute drop goal.
Niko Matawalu, a former crowd favourite at Glasgow, has been left out, though Leone Nakarawa, who also played in Scotland, is included.