Hutchinson glad to be back in the fold

MUCH has been made of the five backs from free-scoring North- ampton who have made the Six Nations squad, but just as deserving was the recall for Scotland centre Rory Hutchinson whose last cap came 18 months ago. 

- PAUL REES

The 27-year old, who is in his 10th year with the Saints, has been in prime form for the Premiership leaders in defence and attack and was at it again in the romp against Bayonne in last weekend’s Champions Cup round.

“It was great to get the call,” said Hutchinson, who at the start of the season was getting over the disappointment of missing out on a World Cup for the second time.

“I have not been with them since Argentina (in the summer of 2022). It is a really strong squad and there is a lot of competition. There are high expectations and I am looking forward to the campaign starting.”

Hutchinson was involved in Northampton’s first six Premiership matches, starting five of them, before injury struck at the wrong time at the end of November. He sat out the first two Champions Cup rounds, including a trip to Glasgow, but returned before Christmas and scored the try that settled the epic match at Exeter at the start of the month.