Maybe it is just a coincidence but the following among Scotland’s weekend heroes all share something in common. What is it that links Finn Russell, John Barclay, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Huw Jones and Gregor Townsend, not to mention Ireland’s latest man-of-the-match centre Chris Farrell? Here is a clue: all the leading modern Test coaches have also done something similar, as did England’s World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson.
The answer is thought-provoking: each has been fundamentally shaped by a spell outside his domestic comfort zone. The smart, forward-thinking Townsend could have remained a big fish in the Borders for his entire career; instead he sought to experience club rugby in Australia, France, England and South Africa. Before returning to Scotland Jones shot to prominence with Western Province having headed to South Africa after school with no English clubs showing any interest. Farrell played 74 games for Grenoble in France; small wonder he looked entirely at ease on an unfamiliar stage against Wales last Saturday.
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