Six Nations 2026: Jack Dempsey’s rise from Wallabies outcast to Scotland powerhouse

Fitness was not an issue for Dempsey wearing the navy blue jersey. He is known to be single-minded in his approach to the game.

“I’m not the first to defend my team,” he told the BBC’s Scotland Rugby podcast in 2023. “I’m there to put the ball in my hands.”

He combines strength with clever footwork to ensure he is not easily beaten, and the contact is usually made on his terms.

Dempsey’s powerful movements have generated valuable forehand football and have been the focal point of a Scottish attack that has torn apart both England and France in this Six Nations. He was an outstanding performer in both matches.

The sliding doors moment of the Scotland campaign was Dempsey’s recovery from what looked like a tournament-ending bicep injury suffered against England.

He missed the win over Wales in Cardiff, but unexpectedly returned to take his place in the starting line-up to face France, playing the full 80, and was tremendous.

“Everyone likes to line up with a strong man,” says Scotland defense coach Lee Radford.

“To be able to jump through the pain barrier like he does, how he plays physically, both with and without the ball, there’s a lot of little things.

“There was a clip of him clipping his bicep. He found his way out to the rim defensively, but he stayed on the court and then took a right shoulder shot that should have been a left because he clipped his bicep.”

“So just staying on the field and making those plays says a lot about the character of a guy.

“If you think back, it was over three weeks ago. For him to put his hand in the selection and then not only put his hand in the selection, but obviously to put in that performance as well, that was inspiring.”