A product of Earlston High School he started his rugby career aged 5 years old at Melrose Rugby before moving on to Stewart's Melville College for his final year of schooling.
He is currently a student of Mathematics at the University of Strathclyde.
Townsend has represented Scotland at U16, U17 and U20 level, outside of rugby he has played tennis competitively representing the Borders, South of Scotland.
Christian is the son of current Scotland national team Head Coach, Gregor Townsend