Ollie Smith to return with ‘Emerging Scotland’ following year-long absence

Scotland and Glasgow full-back Ollie Smith, who holds nine international caps, is scheduled to make his first appearance in a year when ‘Emerging Scotland’ plays Italy this weekend. The 24-year-old sustained a rupture to his knee ligaments during a Champions Cup pool-stage fixture against Bayonne on 15 December last year and has not played for his club since his recovery. Head coach Franco Smith has granted Smith permission to rejoin the Scotland Under-23 squad for their match against their Italian counterparts, which is set to take place at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium on Saturday. This upcoming game represents the inaugural ‘Emerging Scotland’ fixture and is integrated into the national academy pilot programme, which commenced in September. Smith was part of Scotland’s squad for the 2023 World Cup, serving as head coach Gregor Townsend’s second-choice full-back. His current objective is to regain a spot in the first team ahead of the Six Nations tournament. Emerging Scotland Squad:Forwards: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Rob Carmichael, Tom Currie, Mikey Jones, Liam McConnell, Euan McVie, Harri Morris (all Edinburgh); Macenzzie Duncan, Dan Halkon, Callum Norrie, Joe Roberts, Callum Smyth (all Glasgow Warriors); Rudi Brown (Vannes); Cairn Ramsay (Currie Chieftains); Rhys Tait (Doncaster Knights).Backs: Jack Brown, Nairn Moncrieff, Conor McAlpine, Cammy Scott, Nathan Sweeney, Findlay Thomson, Lewis Wells (all Edinburgh); Amena Caqusau, Brent Jackson, Kerr Johnston, Ben Salmon, Matthew Urwin, Kerr Yule, Ollie Smith (all Glasgow Warriors); Sinjin Broad (Heriot’s); Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders).