Gregory Townsend backs Dave Cherry for Scotland's Six Nations opener
- Gregor Townsend has selected Dave Cherry for the Six Nations match against Italy due to his experience and set-piece accuracy.
- Cherry had not played in a Test since the World Cup due to injuries and previous omissions from the squad.
- The decision highlights Townsend's strategy of balancing experience and youth, aiming for a strong performance in the upcoming match.
In Scotland, the national rugby team's coach Gregor Townsend named Dave Cherry as the starting hooker for the team’s Six Nations match against Italy. This decision marks Cherry's return to international rugby amidst a challenging period in his career. Although Cherry's Test career appeared to be over after not being selected for any squad the previous year and leaving the 2023 World Cup squad due to a concussion, his recent performance and set-piece proficiency caught Townsend's attention. This match against Italy represents a crucial opportunity for Cherry to reaffirm his position and demonstrate his skills on the field. Townsend noted that Cherry had demonstrated impressive form at the beginning of this season but was sidelined by injury, which limited his availability for recent selection. The coach clarified that Cherry's earlier omissions were not due to disciplinary issues stemming from the concussion incident but rather because of his injuries. Despite this, Cherry's abilities in both scrummaging and lineout play made him a strong candidate in the current squad, especially considering the injuries to other key players, including the captain Sione Tuipulotu. The decision to select Cherry over other young hookers, particularly Ewan Ashman, raised eyebrows due to Ashman's recent performances in previous tests. However, Townsend emphasized the need for balance among the hookers in his squad, believing Cherry's experience and specific skill set would provide an advantage in the physical contest against Italy. This strategic choice reflects Townsend's confidence in Cherry's ability to perform under pressure while also helping to bring out the strengths of the younger players coming off the bench. As the match approaches, the inclusion of players like Cherry and lock Jonny Gray, who also makes a return after recovering from injury, shows Scotland’s resolve to field a competitive team. Scotland will be looking to leverage this combination of experience and emerging talent against Italy, reinforcing the importance of both recent performances and historical experience in paving the way for victory.