Scotland want Richie Mo’unga’s fly-half successor to switch allegiances – report
Fergus Burke of the Crusaders during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 5 match between the Crusaders and the Brumbies and Scotland head coach Gregor Towsend.
Scotland are making reportedly launching a shock bid to convince Crusaders’ fly-half Fergus Burke to switch allegiances.
Gregor Townsend and his coaching team are looking to the future and have rising star Burke on their radar after failing to convince Northampton Saint’s ten Fin Smith.
Scotland’s next 10?
According to a Mail Sport report, Scottish Rugby has tabled a big-money offer for Burke to come to Scotland and join Glasgow Warriors and a guarantee of having the chance of playing himself into the national team.
The highly-rated playmaker was set to take over as the Crusaders‘ first-choice fly-half in 2024 following Richie Mo’unga’s move to Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus.
However, he sustained an achilles injury, which is threatening his involvement in the 2024 Super Rugby season. He has been named in the Canterbury-based side’s squad for the upcoming season as one of only two fly-halves, also Rivez Reihana, with David Havili and Welshman Leigh Halfpenny likely providing cover.
Despite his injury, it is believed that he would likely be in line for an All Blacks’ call-up under new head coach Scott Robertson, who coached the 24-year-old at the Crusaders when he returns to full fitness.
Burke’s ability to play fly-half and fullback is understood to be one of the reasons why Townsend and his coaching staff are interested in the playmaker. But it is also reported that Northampton’s Smith has turned down interest from Scotland to press for England selection instead.
Finn Russell is set to resume as Scotland’s first choice number ten this year and going forward but at 31, it is understandable as to why Townsend is weighing up his long-term options.
24-year-old Ben Healy is among the other options going forward, while Gloucester’s Adam Hastings has never really nailed down a role under Towsend and missed the 33-man squad for last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Blair Kinghorn is another player who has featured at fly-half in recent years for Scotland but, following Stuart Hogg’s retirement, looks set to play predominantly at fullback.
Meanwhile, the report adds that Scotland are also eager to add Sale Sharks stars Aaron Reed, Tom Roebuck and Gus Warr to their ranks.
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