Scotland’s Wing Woes Open Door for Uncapped Aaron Reed in Six Nations Squad

Scotland faces a setback in the upcoming Six Nations Championship as wing Darcy Graham has been ruled out of the first two matches due to injury, paving the way for uncapped talent Arron Reed to potentially make his debut against Wales.

While Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are typically the go-to choices for the wing positions, Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend expressed concern about the depth behind these two prolific try-scorers. Graham, who was recovering well from a previous hip injury, sustained a quad injury in Edinburgh’s recent European Challenge Cup defeat to Gloucester, sidelining him for at least three weeks. Despite the setback, Graham remains hopeful of returning later in the championship.

With full-back Ollie Smith also nursing an injury, Townsend has enlisted the services of Edinburgh’s Harry Paterson and Sale wing Arron Reed as uncapped additions to the Scotland squad. While Reed may initially have been viewed as gaining experience for the future, Graham’s absence has reshaped the landscape, potentially putting the 24-year-old in contention for a spot against Wales.

Reed, a product of the Sale academy, shares similarities in playing style with the injured Graham. Born in Chester, Reed represented England at the under-18 and under-20 levels, even scoring against Scotland in the 2019 under-20s Six Nations. His Scottish father Allan, a rugby enthusiast, played a pivotal role in convincing him to switch from football to rugby. Reed’s Scottish roots run deeper through his uncle, Steven, a former pacy centre/wing for Boroughmuir and Edinburgh in the 1990s.

Townsend’s successful persuasion of Reed to embrace his Scottish heritage could prove timely for Scotland, as they aim for their first win over Wales in Cardiff in 22 years. While Van Der Merwe and Steyn are expected choices for the wing positions, Reed’s potential inclusion injects a fresh dynamic into Scotland’s quest for success in the Six Nations.