The official 6N squad for Scotland.

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.

Scot Abroad wrote:Thought for a minute there you were going to recommend Godman start at 10. Almost choked on my lunch.

Scot Abroad wrote: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

funnyExiledScot wrote:If that is the back division selected then I think we are in business.

We ought not to get our hopes up too high though. Rory Lawson, Parks, Morrison and Danielli remain in the squad.

I think this weekends fixtures will be very important for selections. The Kalman decision has clearly demonstrated how closely Robinson is watching these crucial HC games. Some big performances at the Rec from Weir and Hogg could still change things yet. I also hope the Barclay at 8 experiment is ditched. I want Harley, Barclay and Beattie to start, with Wilson on the bench.

Scot Abroad wrote:I don’t know about Lawson, Robbo seems to have a thing for him. Although that may have ended with the defeats to Argentina and England. What does he usually do, drop 4 backs and 2 forwards from the 36 man squad to give the final 30? If so then we’ve already lost one (maybe) with Shingler and if Jackson doesn’t recover that’s two. That leaves Danielli and another to be given the boot. If Jackson isn’t there then I expect him to see Laidlaw, Weir and Parks as cover for 10 and Blair, Cusiter and Lawson as cover for 9. That leaves one of the other backs to get the boot. I have a funny feeling it’ll be one of the new boys. It’s already been said but a big performance this weekend could make or break a 6N place.

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Can't see Beattie starting but Wilson might. And JB didn't exactly cover himself with graces when he came on. Really hope Robbo realised that Barcs is a 7 not an 8, he looked out of sorts on Sunday.

123skelm wrote:funnyExiledScot That,s one of your best statements ever, Beattie is a class act I think he is lacking full backing from certain Quarters and therefore maybe he has a confidence problem?

I also agree about Harley who can tackle all day long but not so good in carrying the ball forward, to easily to ground.

We need quick ball to give our backs a chance which will also help develop them into a new class of play, the potential is there.

justified sinner wrote:ASBO. His pen count is high though, as is his tackle count, to an extent the two go hand in hand. Just don't think he's ready for internationals - yet.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:For me the backrow currently picks itself.

6) Kelly B (C)
7. Rennie
8. Dozer

Kelly Brown has been used at 6 by sarries with lethal effect. Just ask and Sarries fan and they'll let you know how important Kelly Brown is to the team. Furthermore, get the captaincy on him. A really nice guy, passionate Scot and as long as I have watched him play he has never let Scotland down.

Rennie's try and general all round good performand against Metro on Friday all but secured his position at 7 for the 6N IMO. It's easy to say weak tackling let him through, but you could also say he bumped the tackler away and burst through the gain line. Barlcay although not playing poor, has not been at his best.

Denton at no 8 I think will provide something of a surprise for the English. I don't think many premiership sides have played against him before and despite doing video homework he'll be something of an unknown quantity. I would rather his balence of skills as opposed to Vernon's purely speed driven game.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Rennie's try and general all round good performand against Metro on Friday all but secured his position at 7 for the 6N IMO. It's easy to say weak tackling let him through, but you could also say he bumped the tackler away and burst through the gain line. Barlcay although not playing poor, has not been at his best.

Another long and hard winter?

Andy Robinson and the rest of the Scottish management team will sit down some time in the next week or so, order a big takeaway and work out their starting XV for England come February 4.

They will take several hours deliberating out their best forward pack, Ross Ford verus Scott Lawson, Al Kellock versus Jim Hamilton versus Fraser Mackenzie and Ross Rennie versus John Barclay? Do they start David Denton in the back-row or bring him off the bench? They have options, they have issues.

After they have argued over the big men the selectors will take approximately 7 seconds to select the backline on the basis of last man standing. Not for the first time in modern history the Scots will have a very useful forward pack and a very average back line in the upcoming Six Nations.

Robinson wants to play a quick, fluid, attacking, ball-in-hand style more akin to the Aussies than the Springboks but he's got to ask himself if he's got the personnel to do it? For years the Scots did alright by kicking the ball in the air and chasing it and some would argue that this big Scottish pack, Jim Hamilton, Richie Gray, David Denton, Ross Ford and Euan Murray are as big and powerful as anyone in the championship, can take England on up front in an arm wrestle and come away with the spoils.

It doesn't happen often that the Scots outgun their ancient enemy up front but a glance at the likely line-ups come the opening weekend in February will persuade many that the Scots are bigger and more battle hardened than their English counterparts whoever gets the nod from Stuart Lancaster.

So why not pick the tactical kicking genius Dan Parks, 34 in May, ahead of the running option of Ruaridh Jackson? Well, partly because the Cardiff-based Parks would hear the groans of disbelief all the way down in Wales; the Scottish public have never really warmed to the individual Aussie and never mind that there is a Test to be won. The Scots will feel that Parks is a step backwards and so he is but the alternative is Jackson (or a complete rookie in Duncan Weir) who's kicking game can be good but very often isn't.

To highlight Robinson's woes the two centre spots may be filled by club wingers. The Scarlets' Sean Lamont, is a contender for the number twelve shirt and Joe Ansbro from London Irish is a live prospect for the outside centre slot because Graeme Morrison and Nick De Luca's form has been as patchy as a home-made quilt.

Elsewhere the Glasgow teenager Stuart Hogg proved himself a very good footballer with a rare turn of pace against Leinster in the Heineken Cup but he also made two crucial mistakes that might have cost his side the match. Does Robinson really want a lightweight, teenage debutant at 13 patrolling the most difficult channel on the field to defend especially when he's spent most of this season playing fullback?

And the elephant in the room is, of course, the Lions' post that Robinson's dismisses like a pesky fly every time the topic is raised but there is no doubt in most people's minds that he would sell his first born for a shot at leading the tour to Australia.

It would be a high risk strategy and when the Scots hope to match (at worst) England's big men why take an unnecessary risk when a lack of options in the backs means you are taking several enforced ones?

Well, partly because Robinson sees it as part of his task to move Scotland on, to adopt a more rounded rugby strategy, to win with total rugby. He has always had a good idea of how he wants his teams to play the game and it may be too much to ask him to turn his rugby philosophy on its head especially if only for a matter of weeks.

In the back of Robinson's mind will the RaboDirect try machine that is Tim Visser. He becomes available for Scotland this June when the coach will surely want to move the ball wide to give his star winger a chance to show what he can do. And the elephant in the room is, of course, the Lions' post that Robinson's dismisses like a pesky fly every time the topic is raised but there is no doubt in most people's minds that he would sell his first born for a shot at leading the tour to Australia.

To have any chance of coaching the composite team Robinson needs two wins (and preferably three) in the Six Nations which won't be easy. Scotland have won exactly one match in each of the last two Championship seasons.

England are first up and at least there is a nice symmetry to the coaches Stuart Lancaster represented Scotland (at age group level) and Andy Robinson turned out for England in another era. It's not often you can say this but England might take time to adapt to a new coach after years playing to orders. They may just be a little vulnerable.

Scotland hope so because they, and their ambitious coach, need to kick off with a victory or endure another, long and hard winter.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Going to try and rationalize a wee bit because it's not like I dislike Phil Godman, in fact I think he can be a pretty good player. Let's remind ourselves of a few things.

Edinbrugh of 2009 was based on a linchpin of Mike Blair and Phil Godman, they can be a good combination.

He does seem to get stuck in. Look at his face/head after the 1872 game, it looks like he was mauled by a polar bear. Have you ever seen Desperate Dan look like that after a game?

All these points considered I can't even begin to understand why someone like Godman has warranted inclusion ahead of Matt Scott...... begars belief robbo.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Can't disagree with your comment. He would be 4th choice fly half for me at Edinburgh.

Pecking order :

1. Leonard
2. Laidlaw
3. Scott
4. Good Godman

funnyExiledScot wrote:If that is the back division selected then I think we are in business.

We ought not to get our hopes up too high though. Rory Lawson, Parks, Morrison and Danielli remain in the squad.

I think this weekends fixtures will be very important for selections. The Kalman decision has clearly demonstrated how closely Robinson is watching these crucial HC games. Some big performances at the Rec from Weir and Hogg could still change things yet. I also hope the Barclay at 8 experiment is ditched. I want Harley, Barclay and Beattie to start, with Wilson on the bench.

Manky-Flanker wrote:Cannot fathom Godman's inclusion. Is the reasoning for this been put in print any where?

Glas a du wrote:Or all three

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Glas a du wrote:Or all three

Seriously how much more time can be given to washed up Has beens? I fully expect all of the mentioned players to be cut.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I agree - the use of these "reserve" slots is being completely wasted. If Matt Scott can't do it (because of these legal exams people keep talking about) then what about Harry Leonard??

You'd still need all of Weir, Jackson and Laidlaw to come down with a freak injury before he'd even be needed for the bench, so surely it's a place that should go to a youngster rather than an off-form Godman.

Preaching to the converted I suspect.