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GUINNESS SIX NATIONS PREVIEW | AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 The ISSUE #3 SCOTTISH RUGBY’S NEW DIGITAL MAGAZINE A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER TEASER EDITION EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS | HUW JONES | ZANDER FAGERSON | DUNCAN TAYLOR | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 DRAW #AsOne The list of contents in the full Issue #3 of “The Front Row” are listed below. If you like what you see in this sample and want to see the full edition, please SIGN UP FOR SCOTLAND and buy a NEVIS or a MACDUI membership now. Huw Jones 5 Back in the international mix and raring to go for 2021 Royal Bank RugbyForce 8 Helping Scottish youngsters stay on the pitch Scotland in 2020 16 A look back at the year that was for Scotland Men Duncan Taylor 19 The Scotland centre looks back on an unusual calendar year Debutants 29 Editor Who were the new faces in an unprecedented series of Stuart MacLennan Autumn matches? Design Gemma Law Zander Fagerson 35 Graphics Having fun is one of the keys to national success Laura Chessar, Rory MacColl Commercial Mhairi McComish Guinness Six Nations 39 Emma Rogers, Anna MacLeod A quick look at the 2021 championship Photography SNS Group CONTENTS SCOTTISH RUGBY BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ 0131 346 5000 | scottishrugby.org | @scotlandteam THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 3 TAYLOR GLAD TO BE BACK IN THE RECKONING A player with as much undisputed talent as Duncan Taylor would have earned far more than his 28 caps were it not for a succession of injuries since a 2013 debut against Samoa in Durban. That quadrangular tournament, played At club level, Taylor has been part of an all- entirely in South Africa, ushered in the conquering Sarries set-up, winning both the internationals careers of several Scottish Premiership and European Champions Cup players including Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, titles on multiple occasions; his pedigree Tommy Seymour, Fraser Brown and Taylor, speaks for itself. amongst others. As a difficult year – on all fronts – draws While the likes of Seymour, Brown (both to an end, he retains a spirit of hope and with over 50 caps) and Horne (45) went on to enthusiasm that perhaps belies a man who win many more caps, Saracens back Taylor has suffered with hamstring, ankle and has seen his career punctured by a number shoulder problems amongst others. of injury frustrations, yet his availability for Taylor said of his own 2020 experience, selection has always urged incumbent Head which has also included the relegation of Coaches to include him in their squads, Saracens from the English top flight after such are his qualities. breaking wage ceilings: “It’s been a bit of It’s been a bit of a “whirlwind, really, this past year. With the stuff happening around Saracens as well, it’s been a bit of carnage. It’s been a year full of madness but it’s been AVAILABLE NOW AT SHOP.SCOTTISHRUGBY.ORG quite enjoyable. OR AT THE OFFICIAL SCOTTISH RUGBY STORE, BT MURRAYFIELD STADIUM 0131 346 5044 OR AT THE OFFICIAL SCOTTISH RUGBY STORE, 44 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW - G1 3DX THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 5 bit of a transitional phase in Scottish rugby. These young guys coming through are full of energy and full of talent and it’s great to see. I think the balance that we’ve got at the minute is brilliant, between the experienced heads and the younger guys. Obviously we’ve lost some big characters over the year or so [the likes of Grieg Laidlaw, John Barclay and Tommy Seymour] and their boots are very hard to fill but I think the guys that have come up into those senior roles have done a great job and there’s a great atmosphere amongst the squad. I think Scottish rugby is in good hands over In action against France in this season’s Autumn Nations Cup the next few years.” An elder statesmen of sorts, at the age a whirlwind, really, this past year. With the of 31, Taylor has more than enough time stuff happening around Saracens as well, on his side to feature at the 2023 Rugby it’s been a bit of carnage. It’s been a year full World Cup, although his involvement in of madness but it’s been quite enjoyable. I the here and now of the Autumn Nations think myself and any team that I’ve been a Cup is something not lost on the Scot: part of have made the most of the situations “Considering the circumstances that we’re we’ve been in so far. in at the minute, with the way the world is and what’s going on around us, it’s been a “Through thick and thin the rugby privilege for us to get out and train and play community has come together; I think and we’ve been able to do what we love the world has come together and there’s which has been great,” he added. been a lot of good that’s come out of this pretty terrible situation we’ve been in this past year.” Back in the Scotland saddle, he came off the bench against France in the Autumn Nations Cup and started the final match with Ireland in Dublin, occasions that retain the same excitement and pride seven years after that first cap. He added: “I think any time you get an opportunity to play, you want to play well and you want to obviously In centre partnership with Sam keep coming back for more. That’s the aim Johnson against Georgia in 2019 of any player that gets the opportunity to play in the jersey, so that doesn’t change. Whenever you get that chance you need to I think everyone has been very try and take it with both hands and do the jersey proud. grateful for the opportunity “I think all of the new faces that have come to play in the Autumn Nations in have been great additions to the squad Cup, I think it makes for a good and it’s been an exciting time watching a “ tournament. THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 7 SCOTTISH YOUNGSTERS ARE WINNERS AS ROYAL BANK HELPS CLUBS TO GET RUGBY READY ROYAL BANK RUGBYFORCE HELPS SCOTTISH YOUNGSTERS STAY ON THE PITCH This year has reinforced the importance of sport and activity, and Royal Bank RugbyForce has supported community clubs to keep on playing. The muddy kits, dirty knees and smiling faces of kids running around a rugby pitch is VOLUNTEERS WILL HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY a welcome distraction in 2020. “On the back of being allocated hero status, Royal Bank RugbyForce is helping clubs to confidence, promote wellbeing, team The grassroots initiative run by Royal Bank our mini’s section has seen a massive get rugby ready but they need volunteers effort and togetherness at Jedforest.” of Scotland in association with Scottish upsurge in children starting to play rugby to muck in and help. Rugby is designed to help clubs up and Unable to welcome Scotland international in Jedburgh,” says David McKay, Jed Mini’s down the country to attract and retain When restrictions are eased, clubs will be players to visit this year, both clubs were Convenor. members, develop their facilities and be asking their community and grassroots delighted to meet Blair Kinghorn, Stuart more sustainable for the future. “We’ve had a 15 per cent increase in player supporters to come to their assistance for McNally and Emma Wassell on a Zoom registrations within the junior members a special RugbyForce day. call. Challenges posed by the pandemic made section and we now have almost 100 boys the support of RugbyForce even more Royal Bank have supported clubs They’ve also had personal video messages and girls playing rugby every Sunday. welcome. Each year, clubs across Scotland throughout the Autumn to look at their of support from Scottish internationalist can benefit from funding, new kit, guest “This is particularly important given that finances and help manage their income Fraser Brown and Scotland captain Stuart appearances and expertise. very few sports are able to open their doors with the RugbyForce Financial Toolkit. Hogg, which they can use to encourage to children at this time due to the Covid more young players to sign up and take In 2020, two Hero Clubs were chosen – Look out for details at your rugby club and crisis.” part in rugby. Jedforest RFC and Loch Lomond RFC – each sign up to take part to support your local picking up £1000 prize funds and support David says the funds, tools and expertise community. “The social media and public exposure that Royal Bank RugbyForce brings to for a “return to rugby” event. Community that RugbyForce brings to grassroots rugby “In the Scottish Borders, rugby is the main grassroots rugby is immensely important, events at each club remain on hold, but it is a massive boost at such a difficult time. sport – the rugby following is huge and in especially at this time,” added David hasn’t stopped them going from strength to Jedburgh there’s a real community spirit McKay. strength. that we’re keen to preserve. “It further boosts our club’s profile and “Our club is focussed on giving players hopefully encourages more children to a fun and safe introduction to rugby, play rugby.” which we hope will see players transition through all elements of the club game. Iain Norrie, the club captain at Loch Lomond, agrees: “Being able to play “Royal Bank RugbyForce helps support and remain involved in sport has been this commitment and, collectively, we massively beneficial for our kids’ physical are doing our best to increase player self- and mental health this year.” 8 LEADERSHIP .