Steve Borthwick alerted as Gregor Townsend has been ‘sniffing around’ Scotland-qualified Sale Sharks trio

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has reportedly been “sniffing around” England backline hopefuls Tom Roebuck, Arron Reed and Gus Warr at their club training base.

The in-form Sale Sharks trio have clearly impressed the Scotland head coach in their outings this term and it seems a Test tug-of-war could take place for their services.

Scrum-half Warr and wing duo Roebuck and Reed are favourites at the north-west club and eligible for both England and Scotland with Steve Borthwick yet to cap any of them.

Scotland lurking

That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Scotland boss Townsend and the Daily Mail have reported that he recently visited the Premiership outfit to meet the in-form players.

All three played age-group rugby for England but Warr represented Scotland at U18s, 19s and 20s level, with the trio now possibly having significant decisions to make.

According to the newspaper, Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson did alert England head coach Borthwick about Townsend’s visit, putting “the ball in Steve’s court”.

“He is eligible for Scotland, as is Reedy (Arron Reed) and Gus (Warr),” Sanderson told the Daily Mail as he discussed wing Roebuck and the aforementioned Reed and Warr.

“Gregor Townsend is sniffing around. Steve keeps his cards very close to his chest, so he wouldn’t let me in (on his thinking) but I did ring him up just to let him know that Gregor Townsend has been in town. He has been down to meet them, so the ball is in Steve’s court now.”

Roebuck in form

Roebuck crossed the whitewash for Sale in the Premiership win over Saracens last weekend and is certainly a hot prospect, with Sanderson praising his recent form.

“Roebuck was exceptional, especially with the try that he scored,” the boss said after the narrow 22-20 victory that leaves the Sharks just one point off league leaders Bath.

“He took about six people with him. He’s been in good form all season so I’m sure he will be on England’s radar. Well, he is on their radar, so we’ll see what Steve does.”

Warr, Reed and Roebuck all start for Sale Sharks in Saturday’s tough game away to Northampton Saints, with George Ford and Luke Cowan-Dickie also in action.

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