Tom English column: ‘Tom Jordan’s arrival shakes things up in Scotland back three’

On Wednesday’s BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast, former captain Rory Lawson spoke about Tom Jordan’s performance against South Africa and how, at times in live commentary, he mistook the full-back for Huw Jones.

He wouldn’t have been alone. Jordan moves a bit like Jones, which is a hell of a compliment because not many do. His running game and the way he takes on defences is not dissimilar to the centre. He’s an elusive, powerful and clever player.

It’s desperately early in Jordan’s international career, but trying to keep calm about the impact he’s made isn’t easy. He’s been outstanding at full-back which is his third-best position behind fly-half – where he played when Glasgow won the URC – and centre – where he’s played a lot of his rugby.

In the last year of his contract with Glasgow, the vultures will be hovering soon. There’s already talk about Bristol Bears being interested. Scottish Rugby did a fine job in getting Sione Tuipulotu to sign a new deal. You’d hope Operation Jordan is now in full swing.

With his versatility, he’s threatening to be a game-changer for Gregor Townsend. Jordan’s appearance on the scene is shaking things up.

Blair Kinghorn, terrific for Toulouse and deemed a certainty at 15 for his country, has a rival, who’s brave, good under the high ball and dangerous in attack.

Finn Russell and Adam Hastings now have company at 10. Russell will stay where he is for the big games, but Jordan is a major threat to Hastings’ place in every 23-man squad from now on.

There are other potential consequences. When fit, there are six main contenders for the back three positions – Kinghorn and Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe.

Pick a back three and cover out of that lot. Kinghorn-Van der Merwe-Graham with Jordan covering? Jordan-Steyn-Van der Merwe with Kinghorn covering? It looks more than decent no matter which way you cut it.

With Jordan and Kinghorn able to operate in multiple positions, will Townsend be more tempted to muscle up with a 6-2 split on the bench more often?

Townsend’s options among his forwards have increased, too. Max Williamson is not the coming man at lock any more. He’s arrived. If Jonny Gray is intending to make himself available for the Six Nations, great. If not, Williamson and Alex Samuel, two young and hungry Glasgow giants, are banging on the door.

Gregor Brown is a big option at six now. Injured denied Euan Ferrie a shot at the autumn series but he’ll be applying pressure for a bench spot soon enough.

Scotland failed to take their chances against the Boks and got obliterated by their power in the endgame, but this autumn has already thrown up interesting talking points. Does Williamson start in the Six Nations? And what to do with the back three now?

Kinghorn covers full-back, wing and 10. Jordan covers full-back, 12 and 10. Steyn is Glasgow’s captain and one of the reasons why they’re URC champions. He probably doesn’t get the love he deserves at times but, in this space, he’d be the first wing on the teamsheet.

Van der Merwe, for all his power and unpredictability, would make the starting line-up, too. That means, if it’s a 6-2, potentially no Graham and no Rowe in the squad. Two terrific players not making it.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear: Jordan is giving Townsend some nice problems in the composition of his back three and his options off the bench.