Scotland's Six Nations campaign
Scottish rugby seems to have been turned on its head recently...
The national side went from the wooden spoon in the 2015 Six Nations to missing out on their first World Cup semi-final since 1991 thanks to a controversial last-minute penalty from Bernard Foley. Glasgow have gone from PRO12 champions to a current standing of eighth and Edinburgh from eighth last year to third this year.
However, amongst all of this, there's a general feeling of positivity about Scottish rugby. Many people believe that the Lions tour 2017 will have more than a token Scotsman involved again. This optimism translates into numbers too. The 1872 Cup first leg saw a Scottish club rugby record attendance as over 23,000 supporters packed into Murrayfield and this year’s Six Nations has sold out in record time for Scotland home games too.
So, with things looking up for the men in dark blue, who might we see running out in the opening game against England on 6th February? Here’s who I’d select in my squad, and I’d be interested to see how close this is to the one that Vern Cotter decides on shortly.
FRONT ROW It's hard to see past the Edinburgh trio of Dickinson, Ford and Nel. Dickinson and Ford bring a wealth of experience necessary to compete in the Six Nations against some of the best scrummagers in the world. In recent games for Glasgow, Zander Fagerson has caught my eye and I believe deserves to make the bench. Moray Low takes the bench alongside Fagerson, to combine experience and youth, although I expect to see Sutherland thrown into the fold at some point.
Fraser Brown has also been going well at hooker for Glasgow, but hasn't made the squad due to injury. This has seen Stuart McInally rewarded with a place, despite a long lay off due to injury which saw him miss the World Cup. However, having switched the back-row for the front, he was rewarded with game-time for Scotland in World Cup warm-up games and was looking impressive in all aspects of his game. If he rediscovers this form, he could well be pushing Ford for a place in the front-row.
SECOND ROW It has to be the Grays. In the World Cup, Jonny Gray made a staggering 67 tackles and brother Richie wasn't far behind on 55. Jonny is a strong runner, whilst Richie being the second tallest player in international rugby right now, makes him excellent in the line out. Grant Gilchrist could make this team, however, as has happened time and time again, he has been held back by injury.
He was set to captain Scotland in the 2014 Autumn tests, before he broke his arm playing for Edinburgh against Lyon, an injury which saw him out for the whole season. After making a comeback to the Scotland squad for the 2015 World Cup, he suffered a groin injury, from which he is yet to recover. However, he is a very physical ball carrier and could be a big asset to the team if he gets a good run free from injury.
BACK ROW It's hard to see past John Hardie at seven. Say what you will about bringing in project players, but this man is a rock at seven. Having him there will make any fly-half hesitant. At the Rugby World Cup he had an 88 per cent tackle success rate and scored two well taken tries. With his defensive capabilities and strong running game, he takes the shirt from last year’s first choice seven, Blair Cowan. If Hardie is not available, Chris Fusaro has also been going well for Glasgow with some key turnovers in the Champions Cup and an improved running game. With a wealth of experience and impressive performances in World Cup warm up games, particularly against Italy, John Barclay could also prove a key man off the bench should he be selected.
At eight, following a tremendous World Cup, David Denton is the man for the Scots. His power on the ball is great for getting over the gainline. His offloads perhaps aren't at the level of Josh Strauss, but Strauss was struggling for form and is now out of action with concussion. For this reason, Denton gets the nod.
Finally, the six shirt goes to Ryan Wilson,an astute tackler who does the nitty-gritty bits required of a six on a consistent basis. On the bench I would have Cowan, who hasn't quite reached the heights of previous seasons yet but is still playing well. Cornell Du Preez has also impressed at Edinburgh and could be in squads of the future but many people will contest that Scotland cannot afford to select another overseas player through residency.
SCRUM-HALF This position selects itself. In Greig Laidlaw you have experience, clean delivery and a good kicker. His move from Edinburgh down to Gloucester has seen him add to his running game and his performances over the last year saw him nominated as World Player of the Year. Pyrgos when not injured acts as a steady replacement. However, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has also been improving over the last two seasons, earning the PRO12 Young Player of the Year award last year and provides a good bench option.
Over in Glasgow, Ali Price, the BT Sport Scottish academy product, has had two outstanding games against Racing 92 and Northampton and should certainly be given the option to train with the squad.He has been playing very maturely in his first season as a full professional.
STAND-OFF Finn Russell has been first choice for the last year or so, and it looks set to continue that way. With the number of injured centres, Russell would provide good cover as he can from ten to twelve to provide cover. Duncan Weir's running game has improved over the last year, although I believe Russell and Jackson are the two best stand-offs at this time. However,Jackson named as a fullback, Weir could come on off of the bench as he provides a lot from the boot.
INSIDE CENTRE Over the last year, Alex Dunbar has suffered multiple injuries, so the shirt has switched between Peter Horne and Matt Scott. At present Horne is injured, but looking to make a return - hopefully before the Six Nations. Based on form I'd still give the shirt to Matt Scott who has played well for Edinburgh recently, using both his power and deceptive step to beat defenders. Dunbar is also returning from injury and may be seen in the latter stages of the tournament, as he impressed in Glasgow's 19-15 loss to Northampton at Franklin Gardens last Sunday.
OUTSIDE CENTRE This shirt would've been Mark Bennett's, but we're waiting to hear more on his injury. Based on this, Duncan Taylor has been in excellent form for Saracens, pushing English international Brad Barritt out of the starting line up for a place at 12. He impressed during Saracens 33-17 dismantling of Ulster, scoring a try in the process. He's quick, has a good offload and ball skills and takes the 13 berth for me.
WINGERS Tim Visser has been on fire in the Premiership, showing an all-round skill set and looking back to his best. Unfortunately he's set for a spell on the sidelines, so the wingers are Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour. Seymour has struggled for form recently, but has scored some excellent tries in dark blue. Unfortunately Lamont won't last forever, so this is the perfect opportunity for Seymour to step up to the mark and re-discover his form. I was surprised at the ommision of Damian Hoyland. He has impressed on a number of occasions for the capital side this season, most recently scoring two tries against Treviso at BT Murrayfield and is a real prospect for the future. On the bench, I would choose Sean Lamont, who can cover wing or centre.
FULL-BACK This is another position that selects itself. Whether he's in form or not, Scotland doesn't have another full-back who consistently competes at the same level as Hogg. Since the Lions tour of 2013, many say he has gone quiet. However, at 23 years of age, he still has a lot to give. He has played well recently, linking particularly effectively with Taquele Naiyarovoro in Glasgow's 43-6 rout of the Scarlets in Europe. If needed, Jackson can come on to cover full-back Or fly-half.
1. Alasdair Dickinson 2. Ross Ford 3. WP Nel 4. Jonny Gray 5. Richie Gray 6. Ryan Wislon 7. John Hardie 8. David Denton 9. Greig Laidlaw 10. Finn Russell 11. Sean Maitland 12. Matt Scott 13. Duncan TaylorTommy Seymour 14. Stuart Hogg 15. Stuart McInally 16. Moray Low 17. Zander Fagerson 18. Tim Swinson 19. Chris Fusaro 20. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 21. Ruaridh Jackson 22. Sean Lamont
