Stuart Hogg, Duncan Weir, Rob Harley, Dave Denton and Lee Jones need to play in the six nations!

First topic message reminder :

On the basis of this weekend in the Heineken cup, the young Scottish players need to play for Scotland they are far better than the world cup players. Although Rory Lamont, Chris Cusiter and Nick De Luca are also playing very well at the moment

True, true, RDW, could go either way. Wouldn't we need a recognised kicker tho? Can Leonard kick from the tee?

He was kicker for Edinburgh earlier on in the season and had a good boot on him.

Definitely worth the exposure at A team level,

I dont get what people have against JT. Sure hes not spectacular, but hes safe under the highball, got a bit of pace, can beat a man, and great hands. When I see JT lining up at 15 for embra i feel safer than ive been feeling with paterson of late.

IBD, nothing against him at all - really wanted him to develop into our next FB but fear he may have missed the boat now with Hogg coming thru

NO NO NO to Cuthbert. He has the turning circle of the QE2.

Asbo - what is true is that a back three of Ramont, Jones and Hogg is pretty inexperienced. Throw in Weir at 10 and if we get the heebie-jeebies we may either win by 20 or lose by 20. But that's no reason to keep choosing Lord Mossy. He's been a wonderful servant but he has become part of the problem now.

If his hand is held correctly, Hogg could be the player of the 6 Nations.

George Carlin wrote:NO NO NO to Cuthbert. He has the turning circle of the QE2.

Can't believe he was capped so easily. Jim Thomson musn't be very happy about it - a couple of seasons ago he was one of the outstanding fullbacks in Scotland and was on the bench during the Argentina tour but never got on! Jack Cuthbert plays a few games for Bath and is thrown in to see how he does, and looks like a 2ns row playing in the backs.

The most ridiculous cap in recent years though has to be Kyle Traynor, as regulars on these boards would have heard me say numerous times! Not even Rabbo level never mind International.

I'm assuming we'll be wanting 4 second rows in the 6N squad, so who's going to take Hines' place? With him and Macleod gone (and barring an outrageous comeback from Scott Murray or Jason White) it seems certain that we'll see an uncapped lock coming in, although they probably won't make the matchday 22 unless Gray, Kellock or Hamilton suffer an injury (touch wood).

There's a few options, but unfortunately none have really put their hand up like the young backs and back rowers we've been discussing.

There's Gilchrist, Turnbull, Campbell, Ryder, Mackenzie? Or will we just go with three and Denton or Harley providing cover? I really have no idea to be honest!

For what it's worth, my Scotland 22 would be

1 - Jacobsen
2 - Ford
3 - Murray
4 - Gray
5 - Hamilton
6 - Brown
7 - Barclay
8 - Denton

9 - Laidlaw
10 - Weir
11 - R Lamont
12 - S Lamont
13 - Ansbro
14 - Jones
15 - Hogg

16 - Lawson
17 - Cross
18 - Kellock
19 - Rennie
20 - Cusiter
21 - Jackson
22 - Evans

Would be happy with Laidlaw or Cusiter at 9, Cusiter might edge it based on his familiarity to Weir but I feel Laidlaw has been outstanding and deserves his chance. I'm also undecided between Barclay and Rennie.

I hope R Lamont stays fit for a while and gets into good form. I know De Luca has been in great form recently but he tends not to bring his club form into the national team sadly so I've gone with Ansbro.

Unfortunately I think if Weir is going to be starting then Robinson will go for Morrison at 12 as well as Cusiter at 9 so that the rookie is surrounded by familiar as well as experienced players. Which is understandable but I'm just not a Morrison fan.

Back row is very competitive so I think Rob Harley will have to wait until June, likewise Matt Scott if he can show consistent good form through the season, and also Tim Visser once qualified. I'm hoping Mark Bennett recovers from his injury in time to benefit from Clermont's internationals being away during the 6N so he can stake a claim for a place in the centres.

Good point - think it was brought up ages ago but we don't have overly much strength in depth at 2nd row funnily enough! As you said if one of the 3 gets injured there is a significant drop to the next avaiable.

I think it will be Gilchrist or McKenzie, with Mckenzie probably making it. Gilchrist is a great prospect but isn't fit enough yet to carry his bulk and is still a bit soft. Mckenzie has had a lot of games this season with Sale so will be a tough nut by now.

He isn't the biggest (only 6ft 6) but the other three 2nd rows are pretty big so could survive if we had to!

Get Gilchrist involved in the summer tours or Ai's though.

Good point +1. I hadnt considered the lack of a 4th lock. I'd plump for McKenzie or Ryder as things stand, but Gilchrist is showing great potential. I wonder whether we'll see Harley play more games in the 2nd row? He's got some real competition at 6.

On another note. Does anyone know if the below backline ever got to play together at age group? Is there an argument for getting them all together with the A team during the 6 N's. Then unleach hell on the tour down south?

Laidlaw
Leonard / Weir
Visser
Scott
Bennett
Jones
Hogg

Looking forward to seeing some jiggery, pokery from that bunch of lads for sure.

As above I'm happy if Wee Dunc and Hogg get asked to play with the big boys this term too.