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Maitland told Gregor Townsend he prefers holding his kids not tackle bags

Sean Maitland /Getty

Saracens wing Sean Maitland has revealed the conversation he had with Gregor Townsend that saw him left out of Scotland’s Six Nations squad, admitting he preferred time with his young family over holding ‘tackle bags’.

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Maitland, who has won 53 caps, and wife Nava have three young children Louis (1), Lilly (3) and Lucy (5) and the Saracens wing, who has played more than 100 games for the club, told Townsend he could not be away from his family if he was only “holding a tackle bag” in training.

However, Maitland insists he is not retiring from test rugby and his hoping his try-scoring form for Saracens will earn him a recall to the squad during the Six Nations.

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The wing told the Saracens website: “I spoke to Gregor Townsend and told him I didn’t want to travel north and be away from Nava and the kids if I was only going to be holding tackle bags. I’m never going to retire from international rugby, but I understand he is looking towards the 2023 World Cup.

“I’m gutted I’m not in the Scottish squad and any chance I get to put my hand-up for selection I will do so. I still think I’m in good enough shape to play at that level.

“If I don’t get to play another Test for Scotland then that’s OK. I’ve been to two World Cups and won more than 50 caps. I’ll be ready if he Gregor thinks he needs me, but being able to spend a bit more time helping out at home will be good – it gets pretty hectic!”

Maitland, 33-years-old, was born in New Zealand and is related to Quade Cooper, has played for Canterbury, Crusaders, Glasgow, London Irish, New Zealand Maori before helping Saracens become the dominant force in English and European rugby before their demotion to the Championship for salary cap breaches.

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2 Comments
A
Alec 1004 days ago

He would never have been stripped of the ball twice in a minute, a la Van De Merwe. Hope he starts against France.

f
flyinginsectshrimp 1004 days ago

Fair play to him, he has his priorities right.

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Hellhound 31 minutes ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

NZ lost a great player there. Played brilliantly for Glasgow and against SA was the best player on the pitch. Caused the Boks some headaches. Slot him into the current AB's team, and they would be very dangerous, especially broken play.


However, the Scots isn't stupid and their recruiting from the SH countries is starting to pay off. They don't have the player pool the SH countries have, nor that of their neighbours even.


I applaud them for being so open-minded as giving those players who have loyally played their rugby in Scotland for years a chance. SA for one have such a vast pool of players that's so talented and could be world class given the smallest chance, but will never get a look in because there is just so many stars in the country.


I don't mind that Saffas play for other countries to further their own careers. Besides, it makes Scotland better and makes for one more team to step up to the big stage and make rugby more exciting than just the top 4 that usually wins.


Scotland may have lost by 17 against a rusty Bok "B" team, but that score is not a true indication of that match. The Scottish biggest mistakes was kicking at goal the entire time, instead of going for the jugular. If they tried to go for tries, they may have been stopped and the score might have been bigger, but the game was on such a knife edge, that if they did go for it, they might have scored a couple of tries or more and we very well might have seen a Scottish upset.


It was by no means a bad effort at all. Tom Jordan is one of their best new talents coming through. He should've stayed with Glasgow. What a loss for the URC Champs. Going to Loftus and getting one over the Bulls is something that not even the so called best team in club rugby could do. Leinster keeps losing at Loftus. For Glasgow to do that in a Final was phenomenal and Tom Jordan was no small part of that feat.


Rugby is truely becoming a global sport now, where the eligibility rules is making rugby a much smaller world, but a much bigger global game. The Scots is most likely the team with the most aliens in their team. They welcome players with open arms. I applaud that. They are a sleeping giant, and if they continue playing like they did against the Boks, despite the results, they will become a real threat for 2027.


I admired how they played. They impressed everyone. I say good on them. Results will come if they continue on their upward trajectory. I wish them and Tom Jordan all the luck they deserve.

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