THERE is always a clamour for promising but raw rookies to be taken on a Scotland summer tour. Always a certain rationale to the argument too: not only do the matches tend to be a couple of notches down in intensity from the Six Nations, the tour environment also helps uncapped players learn a lot about life in the international arena.

It is a clamour, however, that Gregor Townsend has by and large resisted when naming his squad for the three Tests against Italy, Australia and Fiji, and for good reason. For a start, the new head coach wants to assess his leading players at first hand and as soon as possible.

For another thing, none of the three internationals will be a stroll in the park, and, with the game against the Italians taking place in Singapore, all will be in demanding and very different environments. And, perhaps more importantly, the squad of 34 named yesterday is highly unlikely to be the squad of 34 that flies home towards the end of next month.

Read more: Gregor Townsend selects three uncapped players for Scotland summer tour

Injuries will occur to both the Scotland squad and the Lions group in nearby New Zealand, and in both cases Townsend may have to respond by calling up more uncapped players in addition to the three he has already included. As it is a near certainty that your resources will be depleted by the end of a tour, so the head coach’s reasoning appears to go, best not start off with a group that is too light on experience.

As it is, the absence on Lions duty of Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour casts a big question over the formation of the back three. But at least Greig Laidlaw’s addition to the Lions party still leaves the scrum-half pairing who finished the Six Nations, Glasgow’s Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos, along with Edinburgh No 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who although not capped since 2015 has made nine international appearances so can hardly be called untried.

And, of the three uncapped players, one, Warriors centre Nick Grigg, has played regularly and consistently well this season, leaving his coach in no doubt that he is ready to make the step up to Test rugby. Glasgow prop D’Arcy Rae has had less of a chance to make his mark from the start of games, but with 24 appearances he too has had a fair taste of professional contests.

Which leaves only Edinburgh hooker George Turner in the true novice category, given he started for the first time just a couple of weeks ago in the PRO12 game against the Dragons. At 24, however, he has matured into a dynamic and versatile player, albeit one who arguably should have been given an extended run in the Edinburgh side some time ago.

Read more: Gregor Townsend selects three uncapped players for Scotland summer tour

“He has come through strongly this year,” Townsend said of Turner. “The feedback from a lot of people who worked with George was positive throughout the season. “He’s suited to the kind of game we want to play. The three environments are going to be tough. You need people who can work hard and play at a high tempo - we believe George is best suited for that.”

Grigg, meanwhile, will become the latest in a long line of so-called kilted Kiwis to have travelled from New Zealand to represent Scotland if he does get capped. Townsend explained that it was a former All Blacks captain - the father of two New-Zealand-born Scotland internationals - who first suggested to him that it was worth taking a look at the centre.

“Two years ago I got a message from Andy Leslie, father of John and Martin, talking about this player who was Scottish-qualified who he thought really could make it across in Scotland. He played at his club team in the Wellington area, Petone, and said he was worth a chance.

“We got him an academy contract, part-time with Stirling. The Stirling guys will tell you he was outstanding, and he earned his pro contract this year. He’s in good form and has to go on that tour believing he can play Test-match rugby. ”

Read more: Gregor Townsend selects three uncapped players for Scotland summer tour

Whether Rae wins a cap this summer could depend on the progress of Willem Nel’s recovery from surgery. The Edinburgh tighthead is apparently progressing well in training but has yet to play a match, and if he is ruled out Rae should be on the bench behind Glasgow team-mate Zander Fagerson. Rae himself sat out the 1872 Cup game at the weekend after needing an operation himself, but Townsend is confident he will be available to play on tour.

“D’Arcy has been really consistent this year,” the new coach said of Rae. “He was going to be involved at the weekend [against Edinburgh], but he had minor surgery during the week, which means he’ll be out for a couple of weeks and available for the tour.”