YOU would have been hard pressed to miss the tales of Scotland getting one over on the English this week as Manchester United youngster Scott McTominay pledged his allegiance to the land of his father rather than his birth.
While Scotland may have gained the Lancaster-born midfielder for the round ball code, the Scots might be hard pressed to keep another young talent from the world of rugby as one of their own
With a former Scotland captain as dad, you would be forgiven for thinking Cameron Redpath would want to wear the thistle, just as father Bryan did 60 times. But the 18-year-old Redpath is currently happy to wear the red rose. And while he may change his mind, it is a decision the Sale Sharks centre will arrive at himself, says Redpath Snr.
“I’ve said to him, my heart, his mum’s heart, and our families, are massively with Scotland. But Cam has never lived in Scotland. He was born in France [while Bryan was at Narbonne], all the boys he’s played with are with English schools and clubs, so you can see why his loyalties sit, currently, with England,” Bryan said. “I’d love him to play for Scotland. And Gregor Townsend has had discussions with him about it. There is a friendship there between me and Gregor, and there has been for a long time, and he’s had that discussion with Cam about going down the Scotland route. I’d love it to be Scotland, to have a continuation of what I achieved representing my country. But it is what he wants.
“Who knows, he might choose France given he was born there – and change his name to Camerone!” joked Bryan. “But you can see there are so many things to be weighed up and considered."
The younger Redpath isn’t alone in finding himself a wanted man by those in charge of rugby either side of Hadrian’s Wall.
“Cam and Fraser Dingwall both played 16’s for Scotland at 10 and 12, and then played 12 and 13 for England at under-18 level.
“Then you have George Graham, the former Scotland prop, and his laddie Gary at Newcastle. Their situation is different, because it has a knock-on effect in terms of Gary’s contract with the Falcons and being an English-qualified player, and their squad, and his salary. Again, a lot to be considered when it is about your career and your future.
“Sale haven’t said that to Cameron or put any pressure on him. They’ve said the main thing for them is that he wants to play for Sale. That’s good, because that is some pressure that is being alleviated.”
Bryan, given the level of his involvement at club and international level, can see why the English option might appear a more attractive proposition currently. However, he has cautioned his son – a sizeable unit at 6ft 2 and 90kgs - that sooner or later some hard decisions will have to be made.
“You look at Cam, and all the opportunities they have at that age, in England; he’s kicked with [Jonny] Wilkinson three or four times; he has trained with the national squad four or five times now, in their build up to November internationals and leading up to the Six Nations.
“That opportunity may happen in Scotland, but it hasn’t happened for an exile, to come up and train, whether they think he’s talented or not. That just doesn’t happen. If you think of the development process he’s been offered down south, quicker, that difference has made the English option more appealing.
“I’ve told Cam, he can’t keep chopping and changing and there will be a decision to be made, sooner or later. He can stay with England to the 20’s level, and then make a call. It is a big decision for him – but it is and will be his decision. I know what I want, but it’s what he wants in the long term.
“And I think he needs to understand a bigger picture, as do others. He may indeed play for England, and the difference in doing that could be £200k a year. But they have an abundance of players. They speak very highly of him at the highest level, but, he might only get five caps, he might never get a World Cup.
“That’s not saying that if you play for Scotland you’ll get three World Cups and 60 caps, and Cameron would back himself to play more than once, or twice, or five times for whatever country he chooses.
“However, I’ve stressed, understand how Gregor wants to play the game, how he sees you as a No 12, and the extended opportunities you might get with Scotland. I don’t want to burden him with all the ifs and buts – he’s just turned 18 and sometimes you have to remind yourself of that.
“People shouldn’t judge him; he is part of a system and that’s how it works. Just now, he is enjoying his rugby, he’s made four starts for Sale, and has school and exams coming up. He has everything in his favour just now – including time.”
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