Of those first nine caps, Hutchinson was a starter five times, against: Georgia at outside-centre once during the 2019 World Cup build-up, Argentina at full-back twice in the summer of 2022, Portugal at outside-centre once last November and Samoa at outside-centre once last summer. His only two Six Nations appearances were off the bench against Ireland and Italy in 2020 for a combined total of 27 minutes, with his only other cap being the second World Cup warm-up game against France in 2019 (when he played the last 12 minutes as a replacement for Pete Horne).
The now 29-year-old could have been forgiven for becoming demoralised and even disillusioned, especially given the demands of being an ‘exile’ player who doesn’t have the luxury of being wrapped in cottonwool by his club on either side of international windows.
“I don’t think people realise, it’s actually really tough,” he reflects. “Travelling up here on a Sunday – even though it’s short flights, when you do it six times in a campaign there and back it takes a toll on your body.
“You’re missing out on all the club prep work going on back at your club. So you’re literally rocking up on a Thursday, which would be my day off [with Scotland] but my club’s training day, do your team run, then you’re asked to play as well as you can at the weekend. It’s not an easy route.”
But Hutchinson’s determination to push his case for Scotland never wavered, and his commitment was demonstrated when he cut his holiday short in late June to accept a late call-up as a replacement for Matt Currie on Scotland’s Pacific tour, delivering stand-out performances in both the Test match against Samoa and the non-cap game against Māori All Blacks.
Then, after a strong start to this season with Saints (where he has been playing regularly at outside rather than inside-centre for the first time since 2020-21), he was finally handed his first Scotland start in the No 13 jersey against a tier one nation, facing the mighty All Blacks last weekend – and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands by producing a polished display both sides of the ball.
It was a performance which almost certainly secured re-selection for this coming Sunday’s visit of Argentina, and which suggests that Huw Jones may have a selection fight in his hands when he returns from his Achilles surgery (hopefully) ahead of the Six Nations.
“We’ve got some serious talent in that centre role in the squad, but I think it makes us all better players [because] healthy competition brings the best out of everyone,” says Hutchinson of his six year wait.
“Sometimes maybe I haven’t been as consistent and as good as I thought,” he adds with admirable humility. “So it’s just been important that I’ve kept my head down and stuck at it, really, and worked hard with my coaches both here and at club. And I feel like that’s putting me in the best light, best step going forward.
“Your game can grow in certain areas, and I think I’ve realised that. Defence has been one thing that I’ve put a lot of time and work into, and it’s definitely helped me moving forward.”
To that end, Hutchinson praises the influence of former England rugby league star Lee Radford, who has been his defence coach at Northampton Saints since the summer of 2023, and who joined the Scotland coaching set-up in place of Steve Tandy (now the Wales head coach) ahead of this Autumn Series.
“When he came in, it was the first time I’d had someone who really taught me the fundamentals and the basics, and really took time and effort to help me as a person. You can see him when he comes in here helping the lads out now. He’s been great with me and he’s got a great relationship with the boys in the dressing room, so it makes it a lot easier to step out on that field and play for him.”
“Radders used to come in and shadow Steve [in the Scotland camp] when he first joined Northampton, and he learned a lot through Steve. They’ve got very similar ideologies and whatnot.
Lee Radford has been a big influence in Rory Hutchinson’s career. Image: © Craig Watson – www.craigwatson.co.uk
“When he joined Northampton, the thing that was so good for us – because that was the year we went and won the Premiership – was how simple he made it. He simplified it so much: staying square, two-man shots, filling the field and getting off [the line].
“He’s a tough guy. I feel that a lot of the motivation he gives the group is done when he speaks. He’s got a lot of respect. And [given] what he’s done at club level, I’m excited to see how he goes at international level. I feel he’s really bought in well with the boys.
“Obviously it’s early doors. We’re still learning as we go. Unfortunately with these camps, you’re just so compact and have so little time that you’ve got to learn so much quicker. But I think we’ll take a lot of positives from last week and put it into this week.
“When we reflected on the [New Zealand] game, I felt there were at least two tries there that were stoppable – the pick through the middle and the one just before half-time were the ones that stood out. If we get those fine margins right, we’ll be a tough team to break down.”
And the key, as far as Hutchinson is concerned, is to avoid over-complicating things.
“Maybe I’m biased because at Northampton the way we play the game is very simple. Have good skills, be physical and be fast. And that replicates on to the defensive side.
“We’re encouraged to make decisions. It might not be the right decision, but if we’re all in, then it will get solved.
“I’m a massive believer that rugby is actually a very simple game. Yes, there might be lots of rules and there’s so much to it in terms of rucks, passing moves, line0outs and whatnot – but once you’ve got the basic fundamentals and everyone buys into it … that’s the key thing [because] if people buy into it you’re going to have a good reaction.”