Gregor Townsend claims Finn Russell replacement is ‘up there with the best 10s’ ahead of international debut
Gregor Townsend claims Finn Russell replacement is 'up there with the best 10s' ahead of international debut
Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke has been regarded as having some of the best game management skills in the world.
This is according to Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who is set to grant the former Crusaders player his international debut on Saturday.
Up there with the best
Townsend is currently without world-class fly-half Finn Russell, who is away on tour in Australia with the British and Irish Lions.
As a result, he elected to give Glasgow number 10 Adam Hastings the role for Scotland last week in their narrow victory over the Māori All Blacks. This week, Hastings drops to the bench as Burke is given the starting berth.
Eligible through his Edinburgh-born grandfather, Burke has been given the vote of confidence by his boss, with Townsend saying: “I think the most important element is how physical he’s been, both with carrying the ball, but in particular his defence. He’s been excellent this year for Saracens, and he’s shown that on tour.
“We’re going to need our backs to defend really well on Saturday. His game management, his game understanding, is up there with the best 10s.
“He knows why you would play a certain shape, why you might play a certain tactic against a different opposition, and he’s got the technical skills to execute that.
“He’s been a joy to work with right throughout the Six Nations, when he didn’t get an opportunity, to now, on tour, having played at the weekend, and then now getting a chance for his first start.”
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The 25-year-old will wish to make a positive impression in international colours, as he looks to build upon the 21 minutes he played during the uncapped Māori All Blacks match last week.
He will be quietly aware that his performances this summer could have a major impact on his future with the Scotland national side – particularly with the return of Finn Russell to the side later in the year.
There’s also debate surrounding the future of the New Zealand-born star at club level, too, with the return of Owen Farrell to the StoneX Stadium signifying a possible end to Burke’s hold on the number 10 shirt.
Burke will be pleased with the talent outside of him on Saturday, with both Cameron Redpath and Tom Jordan making up the star-studded midfield, while Kyle Steyn, Kyle Rowe and Darcy Graham all make up the back line.
