Scotland. Scotland, Scotland, Scotland. Where to start? For the last few years the national team has been the subject of strange selections, star players finding themselves in the wilderness, and a host of long-term injuries.
So business as usual this autumn then?
Former captain Kelly Brown and fellow flanker John Barclay are the two big name players that head coach Vern Cotter has, strangely, decided to leave out. Not to mention the fact that Grant Gilchrist broke his arm a couple of days after being named captain. Scotland’s problem in the past is getting everyone’s individual talent to shine through as a team, and finding that spark in attack. Hopefully that’ll change this autumn.
STRENGTHS
Whether you choose to believe it or not, Scotland have some genuinely brilliant players, and they’re all still young. Stuart Hogg is one of the best in the world with ball in hand – although he hasn’t shown that ability recently – and Mark Bennett is one of the most exciting centres to have ever come out of Scotland.
Young Finn Russell is a good goal kicker and if the forwards provide a nice platform for him to work with, he could be the man to finally get Scotland’s backline purring. In terms of forwards, Jonny Gray is probably one of the most underrated locks in Britain and he is a better talent than older brother Richie.
Glasgow Warriors’ superb domestic and European form should hopefully transfer to the national team as 17 Warriors have been called up for action. Glasgow have been near unstoppable so far this season and the players’ confidence will be a major advantage when they face Argentina, Tonga and the Black Force that is New Zealand.
WEAKNESSES
Scotland’s lack of strength in depth is probably their biggest weakness; lose three hookers and we end up picking a bus driver from Gretna. The simple fact is that not that many domestic players (don’t forget Scotland only have two professional teams) can hack it at international level. Russell is the future at 10 but if he’s unavailable then it means that either Duncan Weir or Tom Heathcote will have to play, and let’s be honest, they’ve not exactly excelled at this level thus far.
A lack of Brown and Barclay means that Scotland’s backrow choices are: Johnnie Beattie (fair enough); Adam Ashe (got smashed all over the park on debut against South Africa); Blair Cowan (playing well this season but yet to do it in a Scotland shirt); Chris Fusaro (a good player but a bit lightweight); Rob Harley (does anyone outside of Scotland know him?); Dave Denton (sigh); and Alasdair Strokosch (currently playing in the French Pro D2). It makes Brown’s exclusion in particular very baffling.
Oh and Scotland have only picked three genuine centres, meaning that Sean Lamont will probably feature there at some point. Brilliant.
KEY PLAYERS
Jonny Gray
He’s only 20 years old but already he is 119kg, 6ft 6 inches and a guaranteed future Scotland skipper and Lion. The lock is a tackling machine and providing Vern Cotter starts him, he will almost singlehandedly be the man that will provide the much-needed platform for the backs. Courtney who?
Mark Bennett
One journalist recently said he had the ability to become the ‘new Brian O’Driscoll’ and if you’ve been watching the 21-year-old for the last few seasons, you would find it hard to disagree. It is astounding that he hasn’t been capped yet and his superb footwork and running lines will give all Scottish opposition a tough autumn.
WIN/LOSS PREDICTION
Argentina will be a tough match but on home soil there is more than a chance that Scotland can win, albeit a slight victory. Just starve them of the ball and don’t give them a chance to dominate the scrummage, which means being accurate. Tonga in Kilmarnock has proved a banana skin for Scotland in the past, but give good ball to the backs and hope that Mother Nature is feeling kind and it should be comfortable enough.
New Zealand. Frankly, we’re unlikely to learn anything from it and we’ll just be embarrassed by a second-string Kiwi side. Wins: two (just). Losses: one (and a big one at that).
By Calum Gillon (@C_Gillon)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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The Argentina team that got beat by Scotland an England in June is nothing compared to the beast they will face this weekend .European based Argentinians didn’t play last time. Honest opinion is that Scotland will be pretty much destroyed by the Argentinian front row and they will be extremely lucky to come away with a win.
Whilst I agree with you that Scotland will do well to come away with anything, it’s worth noting that Scotland were missing lots of players in the summer argentina test through injury and availability issues also.
I’m a big fan of Bennett for Glasgow but Dunbar and Scott as the 13/12 combo is the one for me.
Have to say that Kelly Brown’s omission is, in my opinion at least, utter foolishness. I watch that guy week in week out for Saracens and there are few players I respect more. The fact that Strockosch is in the squad is just laughable.
I predict Scotland losing to both Argentina and the All Blacks.