The Albany Gazette - Townsend says Dempsey still part of Scotland set-up despite Japan move

Doubts were cast over the No 8's Test future after it emerged earlier this year he was leaving Glasgow to join Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo for next season.

Calendar clashes, particularly around the Six Nations, have previously prevented players such as Richie Gray and George Turner being selected for Scotland while playing in Japan.

But 32-year-old Dempsey -- capped 33 times for his adopted nation since switching allegiance from Australia in 2022 -- was named in Townsend's squad for next month's Nations Championship matches against Argentina, world champions South Africa and Fiji.

"Japan's season starts around December, January, so our next two campaigns (summer and autumn) we see Jack being involved with us," Townsend said.

"He's playing well, he played really well in the Six Nations. He will be able to join his club around September and get some pre-season training before he becomes available for us in November. But, yes, Jack's very much a part of who we are right now."

Townsend, asked if he envisaged Dempsey still being in the Scotland set-up for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, replied: "Yes, 100 percent."

- 'Tougher tour' -

Toulouse back Blair Kinghorn and Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist are both rested from a 36-man squad, while Huw Jones, Jamie Ritchie and Turner are missing due to injuries.

But most of Scotland's other senior players have been included as the Dark Blues look to build on a third-place finish in this year's Six Nations.

"It's a much tougher tour that we're undertaking this year than ever before, certainly in the time I've been a coach," said Townsend.

"We're going to different continents, we're going to different hemispheres, and we're playing some quality sides. Number five in the world, number one in the world, and a Fiji team that beat us last summer."

"We know we're going to have to play close to our best rugby to win those games and build on what we did in the Six Nations and adapt to the travel.

"It's a different tour than you normally face as well, of playing three different international teams in three weeks, rather than being based in one area, one country. But it will prepare us well for the World Cup.

Squad

Backs (14)

Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White

Forwards (22)

Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Freddy Douglas, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Gray, Gregor Hiddleston, Will Hurd, Nathan McBeth, Liam McConnell, Elliot Millar Mills, D'arcy Rae, Alex Samuel, Pierre Schoeman, Seb Stephen, Rory Sutherland, Max Williamson

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

(D.Lewis--TAG)