Six Nations place caps a memorable week for Jamie

Strathkinness raised Scotland international, Jamie Ritchie, rounded off a historic week with a call up for the nation’s Guinness Six Nation’s squad.
By Scott Inglis
Published 21st Jan 2021, 08:09 BST
Updated 21st Jan 2021, 10:22 BST
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 16: Jamie Ritchie of Edinburgh Rugby runs with the ball during the European Rugby Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Agen at Murrayfield Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images)EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 16: Jamie Ritchie of Edinburgh Rugby runs with the ball during the European Rugby Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Agen at Murrayfield Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 16: Jamie Ritchie of Edinburgh Rugby runs with the ball during the European Rugby Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Agen at Murrayfield Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images)

Gregor Townsend announced his 35-man squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship on Wednesday afternoon and it was little surprise to see the local forward selected.

Jamie has become a mainstay in the Scotland side over the past couple of years having made his debut in a 48-10 win over Canada on the 2018 summer tour.

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He scored his first try for Scotland against Fiji in the 2018 autumn tests and started in four of Scotland’s five 2019 Guinness Six Nations matches.

LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend looks on during the warm up during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend looks on during the warm up during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend looks on during the warm up during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

He won plaudits, and two more caps, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Scotland’s Six Nations campaign starts on February 6 with a trip to face England with the first home game coming on February 13 versus Wales.

Head coach Townsend said: “The depth we have across the squad enables us to bring in some new players who have excelled in recent weeks and others who we believe can perform at Test level.

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“Our tournament gets off to a fantastic start with a fixture we look forward to every year against England and the opportunity to win back the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham.

LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland player Jamie Ritchie in action during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland player Jamie Ritchie in action during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
LLANELLI, WALES - OCTOBER 31: Scotland player Jamie Ritchie in action during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on October 31, 2020 in Llanelli, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“We are very aware how different this year’s competition will be due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it also provides a huge amount of positivity and enjoyment for millions of supporters and we are looking forward to contesting every match and giving this championship our very best.”

Jamie’s call-up comes in a week when, at club level, the local international signed what Edinburgh Rugby described as the ‘longest contract’ in the club’s history.

Jamie, who made his senior debut as a 16-year-old with the Howe of Fife, has been one of Edinburgh Rugby’s most consistent performers in recent years having gone from strength to strength since signing his first deal straight from school seven years ago.

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The former Scotland U20 captain made his debut against Leinster in 2014 and has gone on to make 73 appearances for the club and earn 23 caps (21 starts) for his country from a possible 29 Tests since his 2018 debut.

Now 24, the forward – who’s at home on either flank – ranks among the game’s most highly-regarded future on-field leaders.

Jamie said: “I’m really chuffed to be staying at Edinburgh. It means a lot to me and my family to know we’ll be here for the foreseeable future.

“I have been at this club since I was 17 and these guys have been like my family since I left school.

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“We have a strong group here and I think we can continue to improve.

“Edinburgh is a great club in a great city with an amazing bunch of boys who work extremely hard.

“I’m proud of what I have achieved so far in my time at the club and I feel there is so much more to come.

“I want to continue to help improve this club. I think we have made strides in the last few seasons and there’s still lots we can do to get better, on and off the field.”

The club has not specified how long he has signed for.

There was no place in Scotland’s Six Nations squad for Cupar’s Peter and George Horne.

Related topics:ScotlandSix NationsGregor TownsendEdinburgh RugbyEdinburghEnglandCanada

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