Jack Dempsey clarifies Scotland availability and explains 'massive bucket list opportunity'
Powerful back rower confirms state of play with national team
Jack Dempsey has announced that his new club in Japan will release him to play for Scotland in the Nations Championship in November but he will not be available for the 2027 Six Nations campaign.
He has also stated his ambition to play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, his country of birth and whom he represented 14 times before switching international allegiance.
Dempsey, 32, left Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season to sign for Toshiba Brave Lupus and was unveiled to the media by his new club on Monday at their base in Fuchu.
The experienced No 8 thanked them for their cooperation in allowing him to return to Scotland for the autumn games against New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield. He will also be available for the Nations Championship play-off match at Twickenham on the final weekend of November.
“I think first and foremost it’s about having priorities and my number one priority is to Toshiba,” Dempsey told RugbyJP.com. “I’m grateful and blessed that they've allowed me to go back in November to play.”
However, the Japanese Top League season clashes with the Six Nations and it means Dempsey will not be available for Scotland for their championship matches in February and March next year.
“With the Six Nations being in the season my priority will be in the Top League. It’s very clear for me and Scotland understands my position. The Rugby World Cup is the goal for every player in the world and I’m the same. For me, at my age, I’ll be 33 next year, it could be my third World Cup and it’s in my home nation.
“I've played one for Australia and one for Scotland, to play one in my home country would be a massive bucket list opportunity.”
Dempsey, who has been capped 35 times by Scotland, made his debut for Gregor Townsend’s side against Australia in autumn 2022. He was able to switch because of a change to the eligibility laws which allows a player to change allegiance after a three-year stand down period from international rugby, provided they have a credible link to the new country. Dempsey’s grandfather was Scottish.
While Dempsey has been a hugely important player for Scotland over the last four years, he knows that playing in Japan will complicate matters in terms of his international availability.
“I can’t control what happens after this autumn,” he added. “We've had lengthy talks all the time with the goal of a World Cup potentially, if it all works out.”
Dempsey has already made a big impression at Toshiba Brave Lupus and their new head coach, Joshua Syms, revealed that he had had two complaints about the back-rower being too physical in training.
“Jack is totally committed to this club,” said Syms. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone as physically and mentally committed as he is.
“I've actually had two complaints that Jack is too physical at training.”
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