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Duo impress Townsend

Image: Gray: Impressed

Gregor Townsend believes the performances of Joe Ansbro and Richie Gray against France can give Scotland hope for the future.

Attack coach hails Gray and Ansbro

Attack coach Gregor Townsend believes the performances of Joe Ansbro and Richie Gray against France can give Scotland hope for the future. Despite still being international novices, Gray and Ansbro caught the eye during Scotland's 34-21 defeat to France in Paris. And Townsend has heaped praise on the duo after they tackled Les Bleus head-on in the RBS Six Nations opener. Townsend said: "Richie Gray and Joe Ansbro played very well and it's even more important to say that was their first starts in the Six Nations.

Fantastic

"So for them to go out there in Paris and look like comfortable Test players of five or 10 years was great to see, and that gives us a lot of hope for the future that these players are going to build on that performance. "I believe the way they played was fantastic for getting a lead for the other players of being direct, taking on the opposition and backing themselves. "Players who are new to the team have to realise they've been picked because they have certain strengths and we want them to express themselves and bring these strengths out. "If they do the things they are doing at club level, they'll perform well at international level as well."

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