Rory Hutchinson has silenced his doubters in style, with two of rugby’s most respected pundits heaping praise on the Northampton Saints centre after his impressive showing for Scotland against Fiji.
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton admitted he had questions about Hutchinson’s inclusion in the squad before the match, but the centre quickly put those doubts to bed with a performance that turned heads.
Hamilton, who earned over 50 caps for Scotland during his playing days, was among those who weren’t entirely convinced when Hutchinson’s name appeared on the team sheet. But after watching him perform on the pitch, the big man changed his tune pretty quickly.
Ex-Wales fly-half Dan Biggar was equally impressed, with both pundits describing the centre’s display as simply “awesome”. High praise from a former opponent who knows a thing or two about what it takes to perform at international level.
Hutchinson has had something of a stop-start international career, and questions around his place in the squad are nothing new. But performances like this are exactly the kind of thing that makes a coach look smart for picking someone and makes the doubters go quiet.
The Northampton man has been a consistent performer at club level, and it looks like he is finally starting to translate that form onto the international stage in a way that is impossible to ignore. For a centre, reading the game well and making the right decisions under pressure is everything, and by all accounts that is exactly what Hutchinson delivered.
Scotland have been working hard to build depth across the backline, and a centre who can come in and perform to that level gives head coach Gregor Townsend some very welcome selection headaches going forward.
For Hutchinson himself, winning over sceptics with a big performance is probably the most satisfying way to answer any critics. No words needed, just get out there and do the business, which is exactly what he did.
With Scotland always looking to push on and compete with the top nations, having players who can step up and grab their opportunity when it comes is crucial. Hutchinson looks like he could be one of those players who is finally making that spot his own.
Biggar and Hamilton are not the type of pundits who throw out compliments easily, so when both are calling a performance awesome, it is worth paying attention. Scotland fans will be hoping this is the start of a real run of form for the centre as the season builds momentum.