The Breakdown – The Back Three: Speedsters

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Scotland's Kyle Steyn scores a second half try during a Quilter Nations Series match between Scotland and New Zealand at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, on November 08, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

We have examined the power of the pack, the strategy of the half-backs, and the midfield engine of the centres. Now, we arrive at the Back Three, the finishers who provide the lightning speed and the last line of defence.

These players are the ones who typically turn a tiny gap in the defence into try and a roar from the crowd.

What is the Back Three?

The Back Three is composed of two Wingers (the left as No. 11 and the right as No. 14) and a Fullback (No. 15). These players spend much of their time in the wide-open spaces of the pitch, waiting for the perfect moment to strike or sprinting back to cover an opponent’s kick.

The Wingers are designated try-scorers. They are often some of the fastest players on the team, tasked with beating the final defender in a footrace to the corner. On the other side of the ball, they must be brave jumping under high kicks with defenders challenging and solid in their tackling to keep the opposition from sneaking around the edges.

The Fullback sits behind everyone else as the sweeper. They are the last line of defence; if an opponent breaks through every other tackle, the fullback is the only person left to stop them. Offensively, they act as an extra playmaker who enters the line at high speed, using their vision from deep to spot gaps that others might miss. They also need a massive kicking game to clear the ball away when the team is under pressure far in their own half.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn (L) is closed down by England’s Marcus Smith during a Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on February 22, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The Scottish Contingent

Scotland’s contingent of back-three players are versatile. Because so many of these athletes can play across the deepest three positions on the pitch, the squad has a unique opportunity to move players about without losing a step.

Two such players are Jamie Dobie and Tom Jordan. As we covered in our instalment on half-backs, this pair feels just as comfortable in the back three as they do dictating the play in the 9 and 10 jerseys respectively.

Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham are two of the most prolific finishers in Scottish history. Van der Merwe is a physical powerhouse known for his ability to steamroll defenders with his massive frame, while Graham is a constant threat whose agility and footwork allow him to weave through the tightest of gaps. The two are currently locked in a historic race for Scotland’s all-time male try-scoring record, with van der Merwe at 35 and Graham at 34.

Elsewhere, players like Blair Kinghorn help dictate the flow of the game. A fullback with a massive boot and a powerful running style, Kinghorn brings an elite winning mentality from his time with Toulouse, where he has secured back-to-back Top 14 titles and an Investec Champions Cup.

Kyle Steyn, the Glasgow Warriors captain, offers a blend of physical leadership and reliability, alongside a clinical ability to finish chances when the pressure is highest. Rounding out the squad are Kyle Rowe and Ollie Smith, both of whom are high-speed athletes capable of covering multiple positions across the backline. Together, this group ensures that Scotland has both the power to score tries and the brains to stop them.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Scotland’s Duhan Van Der Merwe (L) celebrates scoring the second try with Scotland’s Darcy Graham during a Quilter Nations Series match between Scotland and the USA at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 01, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

The Scotland Back Three (Caps in brackets):

• Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (18)
• Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (51)
• Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (13)
• Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (62)
• Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (16)
• Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (12)
• Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (29)
• Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (52)

The Breakdown

This episode concludes our journey through the 15 jerseys on the pitch. From the power of the front row to the high-speed chase of the back three, every player has a vital role in the complex puzzle of international rugby. We hope this guide helps you to enjoy the rest of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations with a little more clarity as Scotland take to the field.