Scotland Rugby World Cup 30 Man Squad
Backs: Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Castres), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh).
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Nathan Hines (Clermont Auvergne), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks).
To many this team is what you would expect from Scotland with the "main men" Chris Patterson, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, the Lamont Brothers plus Mike Blair and Chris Cusiter included. These are all the names that use to be the first thought's when you mentioned a Scotland Rugby squad. Although a new generation is coming through that mean business and have shown that they mean business in the Six Nations and recently in their Rugby World Cup prep.
Andy Robinson made a bold move by taking out Ross Ford, Alastair Kellock, Richie Gray, John Barclay and Allan Jacobsen out of the Magners League (at the time). Some would think why didn't he take out Patterson or Blair? To me personally these guys are who Scotland are now, the long blonde flowing locks of Richie Gray to me is a future Scotland and maybe Lions leader. In John Barclay you have a backrow forward who is under estimated and will perform in the Rugby World Cup and personally he is the one of the best back row forwards at the moment.
A surprise ommission was Johnnie Beattie, who in the last Six Nations was a stand out number 8, providing stability in the back row that received many plaudits from pundits and coaches. Although looking at the Scotland squad you would think, John Barclay, Richie Vernon and Kelly Brown will be the players that Robinson will rely on to recapture the back row form that saw the praise given out as not bringing Beattie could be a huge mistake?
One last selection query that alot of people have thought about and tweeted us about is Dan Parks vs Ruaridh Jackson, personally i'd go with Ruaridh over Dan, with Dan coming off the bench to seal the game with his ever reliable boot(usually). It reminds me of a Flood vs Wilkinson debate but of course many will probably disagree with that. The runner vs the kicker? In Ruaridh I see a guy who could be moulded by Gregor Townsend, Ruaridh may have had some sticky games in the last Six Nations and a hot/cold game vs Ireland in their victory over them but he is 23? Dan Parks is a fantastic kicker no doubt about that, can pin a team in their 22 every time and will keep the scoreboard ticking over with penalties/dropgoals and if Scotland are playing well conversions but his defence is something that is in doubt, Ruaridh may be a small guy compared to the centres who will be running at him but I fancy his defence over Dan every time.
That's my thoughts, let me know what you think?
