Glasgow's McKay set to qualify for Scotland just in time for November Japan Test

Josh McKay is poised to become eligible for Scotland in the final fortnight of November, with Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith backing the full-back to earn his first Test call-up once the five-year residency rule is satisfied.

The 29-year-old from Kaiapoi, near Christchurch, arrived at Scotstoun in mid-November 2021 and has since made 85 consecutive starts for Glasgow, scoring 25 tries. That record of consistent excellence has made him one of the most talked-about uncapped players in Scottish club rugby, but his eligibility timeline means the opening November Nations Championship fixture against his native New Zealand is out of reach.

Whether McKay qualifies in time for Scotland’s second match against Australia on 15 November also remains unclear. The more realistic target is the third fixture, against Japan on 21 November — a date Smith appeared to have in mind when he spoke ahead of Saturday’s URC trip to Benetton in Treviso.

“I think he qualifies in the last two weeks,” Smith said. “Whether he’s going to be picked or not, I can’t say. It is everybody’s dream to play international rugby. We always speak about there being two types of players here: internationals and players who want to be internationals. I think he’ll be very excited at qualifying and having that opportunity.”

McKay sat out Glasgow’s Champions Cup opener against Sale last weekend, with Kyle Rowe starting at full-back, and will be rested again for Treviso. Smith confirmed McKay is “100 per cent fine” and trained well this week, adding: “We’re excited to have him fresh next week, so you can put him on the team sheet.”

The selection management is deliberate. At least half of Glasgow’s starting side — possibly a dozen of the matchday 23 — are expected to be named in Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad when it is announced on Monday, with most of those players unlikely to feature in the Warriors’ final URC fixture before the international window.

Should Townsend opt to include McKay, he would enter a competitive picture at full-back. Rowe has started nine of his 19 Tests at 15, including the summer Tests against Argentina and South Africa, while Blair Kinghorn — who has made only two appearances for Toulouse this season — is reportedly nearing the end of a reconditioning phase. Bristol’s Tom Jordan, who has started six Tests at full-back including the most recent fixture against Fiji, provides further cover.

McKay’s potential inclusion would nonetheless represent a significant moment — both for the player and for a Scotland squad that regularly draws heavily on Glasgow’s roster.