'We believe in our game, we believe in our players'; Townsend names 33-man squad for Rugby World Cup in France
Last updated 16th Aug 2023
Hawick's Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham (pictured) have been named in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.
Former Melrose player Jamie Bhatti, and Cameron Redpath, son of former Melrose player Bryan Redpath, are also included, along with former Borders College student Rory Darge.
Gregor Townsend's side face South Africa in their first match on September the 10th.
The Head Coach - who kicked off his career at Gala - has previously spoken to Greatest Hits Radio about the importance of the opening tie.
Townsend told us: "We know we have to be at our best for the first game, and that's guiding our preparations.
"We have to get an even better performance than we showed against England at the start of the Six Nations (which Scotland won 29-23), because we've got the reigning world champions, and we've got some tough games in the Pool after that.
"But, if we don't get the first one right, it's going to be very difficult to qualify.
"We believe in our game, we believe in our players; we just have to be more accurate with our game at times and be able to go deep into the game and still produce some really good attacking and defensive moments."
And, he added: "It's a good thing in a way that we've got such a big game first of all; that focusses the minds and we know we'll be a threat for the teams we're playing against."
Hollywood superstar Gerard Butler narrated the 33-man squad in a special video shared by the Scotland team.
Captain Jamie Ritchie leads a selection comprising 19 forwards and 14 backs for a Pool B campaign that will see Scotland face South Africa, Tonga, Romania and Ireland.
One player who won't be playing is Hawick's Stuart Hogg, who announced his immediate retirement from the game last month.
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