Byron McGuigan’s expert finish skills will be key to Scotland’s success at the Rugby World Cup, according to international teammate Huw Jones.
The Sale Sharks winger has been prolific whenever he has pulled on the Blue jersey of his country, with 10 tries in 21 appearances since his debut in 2017.
Despite competing with the likes of Denny Solomona and Chris Ashton for the club jersey, McGuigan has still been lethal around the tryline touching six times this season.
An inspiring day at Farleigh house for the Land Rover Rugby Tour. Congratulations to @MarrRugby, @RWBassetRFC, & @LNRFC winners who were picked to be @rugbyworldcup mascots later this year #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/Tl20ql8her
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And Glasgow Warriors centre Jones expects those skills to be on show when World Cup rolls around later this year.
“Byron is deceptively strong and he talks really well. It helps us out in the centres on attack and defence,” Jones said, speaking at a Land Rover event where three youngsters were chosen to fly to Japan and be Land Rover mascots during Rugby World Cup 2019.
“He finishes off chances which is exactly what you want in a winger.
“In a World Cup you’ve only got one chance in the games and it’s important to have gamebreakers who are going to get over the line and score those vital points.”
Despite McGuigan’s success in a Scotland shirt he is not guaranteed a starting berth as part of Gregor Townsend’s first XV. They face Ireland in their World Cup opener on September 22, with the likes of Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland and Darcy Graham also competing to start.
It is a strong area of the Scotland team, according to Glasgow centre Jones, along with back row where the likes of Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Skinner and Newcastle Falcon’s Gary Graham are bidding for starts alongside John Barclay and Hamish Watson.
But Jones is backing McGuigan to be in peak form when the tournament in Japan rolls around later this year.
“Like back row wing is quite a competitive position for us,” he added.
“Byron has some really good games in a Scotland shirt and he has been playing really well domestically as well. If he is fit and raring to go in pre-season he could win a spot on the plane.”
- Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019. To be in with the chance to be a mascot for the Rugby World Cup 2019 visit: https://www.premiershiprugby.com/landrovercompetition
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