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Forgotten Scotland back returns to training two years since his last cap

Duncan Taylor

Scotland and Saracens centre Duncan Taylor is back in training with Scotland ahead of the World Cup in September.

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A video was shared on Twitter by Mark Palmer of the 29-year-old running, although his knee is heavily strapped.

The powerful centre was a surprise call-up to Gregor Townsend’s World Cup training squad in May, after he missed all of last season after rupturing his ACL and PCL in September 2018. That came after another torrid year with injuries, where he barely played for Saracens either.

Taylor now has not represented Scotland in over two years, earning his last cap against Fiji in September 2017. However, he was looked upon favourably by Vern Cotter and now Townsend, which is why he made the squad despite so little game time. Also, his versatility could prove useful, as he can also play on the wing.

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The strapping on his knee may just be precautionary as he works his way back to full fitness, or it may be an indication that he may still have a weakness there, but Scottish fans will be glad to see him back in training nonetheless.

The 21-cap international will want to impress the selectors during this training camp in the hope of making the final squad in a few months. However, having played so little rugby, he has a lot of work ahead of him.

Speaking in May, Townsend said: “Our goal is to deliver our best rugby on September 22nd [when Scotland face Ireland in the opening Pool round] and throughout the following few weeks, so there will be a big conditioning element driving us towards that.

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“We’ve got to be ready to play with energy, huge effort and be fitter than every team we come up against. That will enable us to attack and defend at a high level and put pressure on the opposition.”

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Easy_Duzz-it 24 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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