The official 6N squad for Scotland.

by **RDW** Thu 05 Jan 2012, 9:27 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland squad (sponsor RBS) for the matches against England (4 February) and Wales (12 February) in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship:

Backs: Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Max Evans (Castres), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson (both Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw (both Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Steven Shingler (London Irish) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton (both Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Fraser McKenzie (Sale Sharks), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) and Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks).

SIX UNCAPPED PLAYERS IN SCOTLAND SQUAD
Thursday, 05 January 2012

Head coach Andy Robinson has selected six uncapped players in Scotland’s 36-man squad for the opening two matches of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship. They are Lee Jones, the 23-year-old Edinburgh Rugby wing; Stuart Hogg, the 19-year-old Glasgow Warriors full-back; his team-mates, stand-off Duncan Weir, 20 and flanker/lock Robert Harley, 21; Sale Sharks’ former Edinburgh and Dunfermline flanker/lock, 23-year-old Fraser McKenzie; and 20-year-old London Irish centre Steven Shingler.
All 28 available players from last year’s Rugby World Cup squad are included – Chris Paterson and Nathan Hines have now retired – while potential Six Nations debuts could lie ahead for the Edinburgh duo, Greig Laidlaw and David Denton, both of whom have been capped in the EMC Test windows.

Jones, a product of Selkirk has graduated from both Scotland 7s and Scotland A team and has scored six tries in 28 appearances for Edinburgh since making his debut in a pre-season friendly against London Irish in 2010.

Hogg – whose father John was a championship winning full-back and top-notch referee from Hawick, and brother Graham played both age-grade and 7s for Scotland – has won promotion from the Scotland under-20 squad. He made his Glasgow debut last February against the Dragons and has now played 17 times for the Warriors, scoring two tries. Last week Hogg signed a contract that will keep with Glasgow Warriors until at least May 2015.
Weir is currently the top-scorer in the RaboDirect PRO 12 league (145 points) and has represented Scotland at A, 7s and age-grade levels, while both Harley and McKenzie have been part of Scotland squads in the recent past and made a considerable impact in the Scotland A team.
Shingler, born in Swansea and who joined London Irish from Scarlets at the start of this season, qualifies for Scotland through his Dumfries born mum, Jeanette.

He told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org: “I would be massively proud to play for Scotland. My upbringing from my mother means I’ve always known about Scotland.

“I’ve got my gran, auntie, two uncles and two cousins in Langholm and other than the past year I’ve been up 15 years on the bounce to see them around the time of the Common Riding and I’ve competed in the Games as well.”

Robinson said: “I am pleased to reflect on the winning displays we have seen from both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors over the last two months and the contribution a number of our uncapped players have made to them.

“I think what’s also encouraging is that a number of players who have forced their way into contention in that period and who have not made the squad this time, are really knocking on the door and that competition for places can only raise our standards, so this Scotland squad can be very much a work in progress over the coming months.

“We said after the Rugby World Cup that the challenge the Scotland squad must confront is to get on with the business of winning international rugby matches. Potential counts for nothing if you don’t deliver results.”

The squad will gather at St Andrews on the week beginning Monday 23 January before it is trimmed for match specific preparations for Scotland’s opening game of the championship against England at Murrayfield on Saturday 4 February.

Tickets for that match are sold-out, however you can still buy tickets for the Scotland v France game at Murrayfield on Sunday 26 February, kick-off 3pm via the website www.scottishrugby.org.

http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/2731/2/

Note, the Steve Shingler eligibility question is being debated here https://www.606v2.com/t21307-another-concerning-issue-for-the-wru-over-steven-shingler#822705 - KRD

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 09 Jan 2012, 3:56 pm

Mainly cos their respective wing experiences have been at 11 & 14 for the most part

PS How's it going up in god's country? Have you settled back in yet?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 09 Jan 2012, 4:35 pm

Perhaps the switch of wing will assist them in finding some form......

Don't move until the 3rd February - am currently serving a very tedious notice period.....

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 09 Jan 2012, 4:51 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Perhaps the switch of wing will assist them in finding some form......

Don't move until the 3rd February - am currently serving a very tedious notice period.....

Not to mention finding the try line!

That's crepe about your notice. Fancy a farewell match? London Scottish vs Nottingham on Sun 29th Jan at 2pm?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 09 Jan 2012, 5:01 pm

Sounds good - will stick it in the diary. Did my LPC in Nottingham so will have mixed loyalties......only kidding!

Hoping Mark Robertson is fit to play.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 10 Jan 2012, 12:50 pm

Matt Scott: "a few weeks ago I received an e-mail telling me I was under consideration for the Six Nations Championship squad" - okay, now it's official, I'm peed at Robbo - 'cmon man, grow a pair furious

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Jan 2012, 1:49 pm

I heard murmerings that Scott was in the pipe line for a 6N place but his Law exams are taking place in February/March hence the decision was taken not to include him.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 10 Jan 2012, 2:38 pm

The other factor is probably that he hasn't been playing. He's had one appearance at 13 (and got yellow carded - albeit harshly) since he likely received that email - I suspect that's the reason. Personally I'd have him in the squad, particularly not that there's space because of the injuries.

In any case - fingers crossed he gets some time for Edinburgh soon to show his stuff. The knock to King may open a slot.

by Scot Abroad Tue 10 Jan 2012, 4:24 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I heard murmerings that Scott was in the pipe line for a 6N place but his Law exams are taking place in February/March hence the decision was taken not to include him.

February/March time for his law exams. That seems a bit late. It's half way through the semester. Exams should be this month.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 10 Jan 2012, 5:12 pm

My exams were always in May/June but things may be different for Scots lawyers.

Anyway - someone needs to tell him that rugby is more important than law. My personal motto.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Jan 2012, 5:50 pm

Pass. Dunno just relaying murmerings from twitter.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 10 Jan 2012, 5:53 pm

If his omission was for non-rugby reasons then I guess we can cut Robbo some slack - but no call up for James King??

by justified sinner Tue 10 Jan 2012, 8:33 pm

Think he's at Edinburgh in which case his exams will be May, assuming doing his LLB and not DipLP, but a heavy course load at this time of year, so joining a 6N training camp probably not feasible.

Either way shame not to see him about the squad, but if it's good for his long term future then supportive of the SRU.

by Imperialbigdave Tue 10 Jan 2012, 10:33 pm

Final years dont always follow the usual format. I know mine doesnt. I say good on him for wanting to finish his studies. Hes only a rugby player for 12-14 years, maybe much less, got a whole life ahead of him. Hell have plenty of time for rugby in a few months time.

by Scot Abroad Thu 12 Jan 2012, 6:40 pm

Now it's confirmed that we're not getting Shingler, who is going to take his place in the squad?

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 12 Jan 2012, 6:46 pm

Well I would say Matt Scott but he's having exams right now unless Edinburgh Uni lets him take a hiatus. That said, it's likely that Robinson won't pick a replacement, meaning the squad will already be culled one man to 35, it also depends a lot on the games this weekend I feel.

by Scot Abroad Thu 12 Jan 2012, 6:49 pm

He wasn't going to be in the matchday squad anyway but I still think they should bring someone into the training squad to replace him.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Thu 12 Jan 2012, 8:38 pm

Hows about Troy Nathan ? - only joking ! Whistle

by RuggerRadge2611 Fri 13 Jan 2012, 10:28 am

So with Shingler apparently Welsh, will AR call on Jim King or Matt Scott if his exams are not affected?

King would get my vote since he has doen pretty much nothing wrong all season and has been unlucky not to already be involved.

He is certainly more worthy of inclusion than Morrison.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 13 Jan 2012, 2:57 pm

I think James King is injured though isn't he? Perhaps we should even consider bringing Mark Bennett up from the U20s, apparently he's a sparky lad and has played well in Clermont (it says something if a French squad want to take you up that young!), maybe Harry Leonard because he's supposedly stepped up quite well at Edinburgh. Again, all eyes on this weekend's games!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 9:35 am

Happy days for 'dozer: Dave Denton

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 10:16 am

Dents was fantastic agains RM.

What bothers me is the 10 position for Scotland. I understand people's desire for Laidlaw to be a 9 and nothing more to fill Cus, Blair and Lawson's boots. However Weir looked all at sea against Leinster and to be honest Laidlaw would be the only person at 10 I would fully trust.

Jackson will be struggling to be fit for the England game.

Parks has had his chance and is not getting better with age.

Weir (Parks Mk2) is not a running fly half and looked to struggle trying to unlock the Leinster defence.

In conclusion, Laidlaw seems like the best option, Leonard could have been an option, or Matt Scott but they have been ommited from the Squad.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 12:06 pm

I think 10 is a straight choice between Weir and Laidlaw - good cases can be made for both. Laidlaw probably the better playmaker, Weir the better kicker (although that cross-field straight to Nacewa was the stuff of nightmares).

Based on recent performances you'd probably have to give Laidlaw the nod and put Weir on the bench, but a big performance at the Rec could swing me.

9 is tricky as well. Cusiter was very poor yesterday.

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 1:29 pm

Laidlaw can play 10 for one 6N ... and if not, we'll find another scrummie. There's nothing wrong with him being both positions either.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 1:37 pm

Well he can't play both positions at the same time......

If Laidlaw plays 10 I'd be tempted by Blair at 9, just because they play together. Similarly if Weir were to play 10 I'd be tempted to use Cusiter. Neither Cusiter or Blair are setting the heather on fire right now. Shame, because Gregor showed yesterday the impact a sparky creative 9 can have.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:03 pm

Ed Kalman called up to replace Moray Low (largely on the back of his performance yesterday, I presume)

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:07 pm

I'd say entirely on the back of his performance yesterday!

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:08 pm

Can't really say it wasn't warranted. The Glasgow tight 5 were all pretty good yesterday.

What do we do about the backs for the 6N though? The latest round in teh heineken cup has produced more questions than answers.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:17 pm

Agreed Radge - I've only seen short highlights of the Edinburgh game but it struck me that the key players were once again Laidlaw and De Luca. I watched the whole of the Glasgow game yesterday and the only good news from a backs perspective was Rory Lamont not getting injured again.

A big worry is the wings, where we haven't got a single finisher playing well (unless someone wants to tell me Lee Jones played well).

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:26 pm

Radge, to quote our compatriot, George Carlin:

"My real worry with there being no obvious backline is that rather than using this as an excuse to be experimental, Robinson will do the reverse and claim that nobody has made a case for disturbing his usual status quo. I am really terrified about that, actually. When I think of the World Cup squad, I can't help but flick to a definition of madness being the repetition of the same actions over and over again and expecting a different result. "

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:28 pm

I wish I could tell you Jones played well, Visser made the majority of the breaks but Jones did make some yardage at times, more so when he came off his wing looking for work, which he is getting better at. Difficult to say he played well, but he certainly did not disgrace himself.

NDL is fast becoming Edinburgh's best back. Probably the best Tackler in the Edinburgh backline (what a change from a season ago) and seems to pass very well to open up gaps.

Truth be told it's the 9-10-12 axis that worries me. The wingers will most likely be made up from the Lamont's, Hogg, Maxi, Jones and possibly Danielli, in essence those positions pick themselves. Likewise if AR has any intelligence in his selction policy he'll leave NDL at 13 and possibly consider S. lamont at 12, that probably opens up a wing slor for Jones or Hogg.

Hogg did himself no favours by wussing out when Kearney scored Leinsters opener at the weekend. A worrying trait for a potential fullback to not take a ball like that on the full or failing to nail his man on the bounce.

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:30 pm

I think we've always had trouble with wings. Not with having enough available but getting wings that can score those tries that others on the pitch wouldn't be able to finish.

De Luca did play well - again. I wouldn't mind seeing this:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 S Lamont
12 De Luca
13 Ansbro
14 Evans
15 R Lamont

S Lamont should stick to 11 - he does the attacking job of an inside centre without having the number on his back quite often anyway. Not sure how Ansbro's doing but he hasn't had a *bad* game for Scotland, ever, really, and he and De Luca work well together it seems.

Evans is a finisher, plain and simple. Not sure about R Lamont's defence?

Laidlaw at 10 and cementing Morrison out of the squad is enough change in the back line for one game. Kalman, Rennie & Denton with Brown back to 6 make enough changes in total if you ask me - Brown captain.

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:31 pm

Wait ... is De Luca playing at 12 or 13 for Edinburgh? Admittedly I do two things at once too much!

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:36 pm

KickAndChase wrote:I think we've always had trouble with wings. Not with having enough available but getting wings that can score those tries that others on the pitch wouldn't be able to finish.

De Luca did play well - again. I wouldn't mind seeing this:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 S Lamont
12 De Luca
13 Ansbro
14 Evans
15 R Lamont

S Lamont should stick to 11 - he does the attacking job of an inside centre without having the number on his back quite often anyway. Not sure how Ansbro's doing but he hasn't had a *bad* game for Scotland, ever, really, and he and De Luca work well together it seems.

Evans is a finisher, plain and simple. Not sure about R Lamont's defence?

Laidlaw at 10 and cementing Morrison out of the squad is enough change in the back line for one game. Kalman, Rennie & Denton with Brown back to 6 make enough changes in total if you ask me - Brown captain.

NDL is a 13, he has been tried at 12 (albeit with Parks at 10) and it didn't really work. Perhaps with a more creative 10 it would be worth another go. At this stage my backline would be :

9. Cusiter
10. Laidlaw
11. Evans
12. S.Lamont
13. NDl
14. Jones
15. R.Lamont

Hogg as I said did himself no favours as Kearny sailed past him unopposed. Although in his defence Kearney is pretty good at the kick chasing and in particular recovering those 50-50 balls. Still Hogg should have either taken the ball or smashed Kearney when he recovered it. He seemed to dither about what to do, hesitated and ended up doing neither.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:42 pm

Don't think Evans can play on both wings Radge - I do wish his brother could do a "Steve Thompson" though and come back.

NDL didn't work at 12. Shame, because I like the idea of both NDL and Ansbro in the centres together. He's playing so well at 13 at the moment he must be picked there for Scotland.

Another forgotten man playing some decent stuff at the moment is Alex Grove at Worcester. If Ansbro has to pull out for a long stretch, and with Cairns out until next season, he may be worth a call into the squad, along with Matt Scott.

I'd probably still gamble on Hogg, but I'd watch him very closely at the Rec. It's a big weekend coming up for some of the Scottish backs. Big games needed from Cusiter, Weir, Hogg, Jones and Rory Lamont. There are Scotland places up for grabs.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:48 pm

Grove played at IC at the weekend

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:49 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Grove played at IC at the weekend

How did he look?

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:49 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
KickAndChase wrote:I think we've always had trouble with wings. Not with having enough available but getting wings that can score those tries that others on the pitch wouldn't be able to finish.

De Luca did play well - again. I wouldn't mind seeing this:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 S Lamont
12 De Luca
13 Ansbro
14 Evans
15 R Lamont

S Lamont should stick to 11 - he does the attacking job of an inside centre without having the number on his back quite often anyway. Not sure how Ansbro's doing but he hasn't had a *bad* game for Scotland, ever, really, and he and De Luca work well together it seems.

Evans is a finisher, plain and simple. Not sure about R Lamont's defence?

Laidlaw at 10 and cementing Morrison out of the squad is enough change in the back line for one game. Kalman, Rennie & Denton with Brown back to 6 make enough changes in total if you ask me - Brown captain.

NDL is a 13, he has been tried at 12 (albeit with Parks at 10) and it didn't really work. Perhaps with a more creative 10 it would be worth another go. At this stage my backline would be :

9. Cusiter
10. Laidlaw
11. Evans
12. S.Lamont
13. NDl
14. Jones
15. R.Lamont

Hogg as I said did himself no favours as Kearny sailed past him unopposed. Although in his defence Kearney is pretty good at the kick chasing and in particular recovering those 50-50 balls. Still Hogg should have either taken the ball or smashed Kearney when he recovered it. He seemed to dither about what to do, hesitated and ended up doing neither.

In which case I'd put S Lamont at 12, move Evans to 11 and put Ansbro on the 14 wing. I didn't catch the Leinster match, but let's remember whoever does play full back for Scotland will likely face Kearney himself so... just not seen R Lamont play there for a while.

Who do we actually have available that plays 15? Luckily R Lamont can cover the wing effectively if needs be. Let's never move S Lamont to full back again!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:52 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Grove played at IC at the weekend

How did he look?

The Rugby Paper gave him a 7 (out of 10) which was as high as any of the Wuss backs

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 3:53 pm

If I were picking the team Parks and Morrison would have been replaced by JT and either Matt Scott or Jim King. Parks is 34 years old and was hardly a world beater at 33, his inclusion is part of a plan B if Plan A fails.

Plan B is just Scotlands Plan A from a couple of seasons ago which failed then, for reasons best known to himself AR possibly belives this plan will work now. Doh

Whith this Shingler fiasco rumbling on I wonder if Grove, King, Scott or any one of the potential full back or inside centre options will be drafted in.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 4:06 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:With this Shingler fiasco rumbling on I wonder if Grove, King, Scott or any one of the potential full back or inside centre options will be drafted in.

Please, god, I hope so

But with Kalman's call-up announced and nothing else mentioned, I fear we may be disappointed Crying or Very sad

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 4:08 pm

I wonder how Robinson thinks Danielli is getting on. He may well end up being involved as a default candidate at this rate.

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 4:14 pm

Let's put Vernon at 12 Run

by UlstermaninGlasgow Mon 16 Jan 2012, 5:03 pm

I think AR has put a call into Sean Lineen to get Ramont time at 15, why else would he have moved his in form flying full back to OC, albeit his preferred position, but not the one where he has impressed so magnificantly in the past few months.

The other thing I have noticed is how bad Duncan Weir's service was on Sunday... The best pass he recieved all day was from Richie Gray of all people! Cus has dropped off big time over the last few weeks and it isn't doing Weir any favours! Doesn't help when neither of your centres are particularly keen on passing! Anyone up for Laidlaw/Weir partnership with King/DeLuca outside?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 16 Jan 2012, 5:17 pm

The problems with King are that he's injured and not in the squad.

Laidlaw looks good at bringing runners onto the ball, so in that vein I'd suggest Laidlaw play 10 with Sean and Rory Lamont both in the XV along with Denton. If Laidlaw can find a way to work those guys into half gaps then we should be in business, and failing that use De Luca on the mis-pass and let him try and set something up out wide, with more nimble runners like Evans/Jones/Hogg.

Weir should be on the bench though at the very least. He's had a very good season overall and should be involved.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 16 Jan 2012, 5:20 pm

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:I think AR has put a call into Sean Lineen to get Ramont time at 15, why else would he have moved his in form flying full back to OC, albeit his preferred position, but not the one where he has impressed so magnificantly in the past few months.

Totally agree - I'd be spitting if I was Hoggy

by UlstermaninGlasgow Mon 16 Jan 2012, 5:39 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:I think AR has put a call into Sean Lineen to get Ramont time at 15, why else would he have moved his in form flying full back to OC, albeit his preferred position, but not the one where he has impressed so magnificantly in the past few months.
Totally agree - I'd be spitting if I was Hoggy

Ireland have done it for years! Look at Paddy Wallace having to play a certain number of games at 10, or Tom Court having to play at 3?

I also reckon this is the reason Barcs was at 8, apart from the apparent distrust between Sean and JB...

by Scot Abroad Mon 16 Jan 2012, 5:40 pm

Regardless of his performance yesterday, I’d still start with Cusiter at 9. When fit, he’s by far the best scrum half we have. Weir didn’t inspire yesterday and I’ve heard Laidlaw played well at 10. With Jackson out it’s between those two for me. It will depend on the gameplan. Either way I fear that he’ll play Parks due to the lack of experience of the others. Schlong at 12 is the best of the bad. He’s not a natural 12 but he’s better than the only “natural” 12 we have in the squad. He’s strong with the ball and can break tackles unlike Morrison. If they work on his offloading then he could be valuable in that position. I did read somewhere that Shingler hasn’t officially been removed from the squad yet due to the matter being dealt with by the regulations committee. Even if the ruling is overturned I can only see him getting an A cap. Has it been confirmed that Ansbro is out of the first game? Here’s my starting backline assuming he’s back fit for England

9 Cusiter
10 Laidlaw
11 Ansbro
12 SLamont
13 NDL
14 Evans
15 RLamont

20 Blair
21 Weir
22 Hogg

by KickAndChase Mon 16 Jan 2012, 6:03 pm

We think alike ...

by TJ1 Mon 16 Jan 2012, 6:30 pm

KickAndChase wrote:Let's put Vernon at 12

I suggested this before :-) too late now but why not? After all England played Bnananananamanhan there :-)

by justified sinner Mon 16 Jan 2012, 7:16 pm

Watch Laidlaw about 6.56 in this just after his pen to level scores;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHHQcp2RJOY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Turns to Godman and seems to indicate you and me. He's a heads up player who imho runs the game better from 9 than 10, so would rather see him there. So Laidlaw Weir for me with Blair on the bench to possibly change it. Like Cus, but not been impressed last couple of times I've seen him and Laidlaw Blair know each other.

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