Twelve months ago, Scotland had an embarrassment of riches at hooker, but the depth chart in that area has taken a fair hit over the course of the last year. It is one of the areas Gregor Townsend must develop on the summer tour to the Americas.
Last year, such was strength in Scotland’s hooking department, Fraser Brown was left out of the training squad for the Rugby World Cup, while Townsend eventually opted to leave former captain Stuart McInally at home for the tournament in France.
McInally did eventually make it to France, but an injury ruled him out of the tournament and the 33-year-old retired from rugby. He’s currently pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
Dave Cherry was the man who joined Turner and Edinburgh’s Ewan Ashman in the World Cup squad, but he hasn’t featured in a squad since being sent home after falling on stairs at the team hotel.
Brown, meanwhile, hasn’t played since suffering a serious knee injury playing for a World XV last May. At 34 and having missed out on the World Cup training squad, Townsend may have already decided his international days are done.
READ MORE: Why George Turner moving to Japan would be a blow to Scottish Rugby
Whether or not he opts for a big-money move to Japan, Turner is currently out injured, while his Glasgow team-mate Johnny Matthews limped out of Friday’s win over Sharks.
That leaves Scotland woefully short of options ahead of a four-match tour. Townsend has said previously he is open to taking those who haven’t played much, or indeed any, professional rugby and blooding them on the trip.
Assuming Ashman goes as the first choice, here are some other contenders to tour in the summer.
Gregor Hiddleston
Age: 22
Club: Glasgow Warriors
Season 2023/24 minutes: 169
A stand-out for Stirling Wolves in the Super Series, Hiddleston signed a partnership contract with Glasgow last season and only agreed a full-time deal in February this year.
This has been his breakthrough season for the former Dumfries Saints man, with a Champions Cup debut against Exeter followed by a first Warriors try in the thumping of Scarlets last month.
Despite having only six professional appearances to his name, a first cap may be forthcoming this summer.
Angus Fraser
Age: 24
Club: Glasgow Warriors
Season 2023/24 minutes: 151
Fraser has been with Glasgow since the 2020/21 season, but has found himself behind Hiddleston in the pecking order this year.
The hooker is a former recipient of the prestigious Macphail Scholarship, spending a year at Stellenbosch University in South Africa to further his rugby development.
He has made 11 appearances for Glasgow so far, but that number may nearly double if Matthews and Turner don’t return before the end of the season.
Adam McBurney
Age: 27
Club: Edinburgh
Season 2023/24 minutes: 147
The elder statesman of this list, McBurney unsurprisingly has the most experience of all those we've considered.
He made 35 appearances for Ulster before moving to Edinburgh in the summer of 2021, while he's made 23 appearances during his time in the capital - including six this season.
He's been largely third choice behind Ashman and Cherry under Sean Everitt - and is understood to be out of contract this summer - but would provide an experienced option for Gregor Townsend.
Paddy Harrison
Age: 21
Club: Edinburgh
Season 2023/24 minutes: 38
Harrison made his Edinburgh debut in March 2020 as an 18-year-old, making him the club’s fourth youngest debutant of all time.
He had to wait until June 2021 for his first start, while Harrison’s first try for Edinburgh came against Cardiff in October 2022.
This season has been difficult for the 21-year-old who has found himself behind Ashman and Dave Cherry, and only has three substitute appearances for Edinburgh to his name.
Robbie Smith
Age: 25
Club: Northampton Saints
Season 2023/24 minutes: 248
While Smith has played more minutes than anyone else on this list, he’s found starts hard to come by for Premiership leaders Northampton. He’s made four appearances in the English top flight, all off the bench, as well as two in the Champions Cup – including a cameo in the win over Glasgow at Scotstoun.
Smith did his chances no harm with an impressive showing in the Saints' East Midlands derby win over Leicester Tigers on Saturday, scoring a try from a maul as the table-toppers recorded a 40-17 win.
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