Wales legend backs Rory Hutchinson for Calcutta Cup role

The Northampton Saints centre has largely been a bit-part player for Scotland since making his debut more than five years ago. 

He has amassed just eight caps in that time, including four starts - the most recent of which came in the November win over Portugal. 

However, his former Saints team-mate Biggar believes Hutchinson could be the man for Scotland against England this weekend. 

Speaking on The Rugby Pod, Biggar posed the question about Hutchinson to ex-Scotland lock Jim Hamilton and former England fly-half Andy Goode. 

Dan Biggar played alongside Hutchinson at Northampton (Image: David Davies/PA Wire) He said: "For me, as a playmaker and with the way Scotland want to play, clearly he hasn't got the physical presence of a Tuipulotu, but in terms of the way he can be that second receiver, and as a second receiver playmaker for me there's nobody better in the Prem."

But Goode knocked back the idea, stating: "[Tom] Jordan offers a hell of a lot more, I think."

One factor weighing heavily in Hutchinson's favour is the number of his club colleagues in Steve Borthwick's England side. 

The defending Premiership champions provide both half-backs in Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and both wingers in Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman. They would likely have had fullback George Furbank in the mix too, but he is injured. 

However, a call-up for Hutchinson - who has not been in Scotland's matchday 23 for the opening two rounds of the Six Nations - does seem a long shot, admitted Hamilton, though he said it is the type of bold selection Townsend has become renowned for. 

Addressing Biggar's backing of his former team-mate, Hamilton said: "If Finn [Russell] is fit, they'll go back to Finn at 10 and we'll see Tom Jordan at 12.

Jim Hamilton believes Tom Jordan will get the nod at 12, providing Finn Russell is fit to start at fly-half (Image: SNS) "I know you're a big fan of Rory Hutchinson, but for Scotland we've not seen it. It's a big shout but he's up against an English team, he plays in the Prem and is a stand-out performer."

Biggar, who won 112 caps for Wales in a career that included two Grand Slams and two tours with the British and Irish Lions, suggested picking Hutchinson could help Scotland unlock the English defence. 

"The way that Scotland will want to attack England with a second playmaker - and I'm not saying Tom Jordan isn't a good player - but he [Hutchinson], I played with him for four-and-a-half years and he's as good a second receiver as you'll find out there."