The official 6N squad for Scotland.

by **RDW** Thu 5 Jan - 9:27

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 Thu 19 Jan - 16:15

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Perhaps he's remembering his roots for the first game?

Another bottom two finish this year and Robinson has to go, and Townsend needs shooting.

Scott Johnson can get tae Falkirk too.

When does the squad get trimmed?

Tattie, think they're in camp up at St Andrews from Monday, expect the trimming to be done after the first week or so

by funnyExiledScot Thu 19 Jan - 16:26

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Another bottom two finish this year and Robinson has to go

To be honest I don't see it like that. We should always beat Italy and avoid the Spoon, but if I felt that Robinson was moving the squad forward and taking some chances with selection (when I say chances, I really mean just picking the best players regardless of whether they have caps or not), then I could forgive him for failing to win in Cardiff and Dublin, and falling short against England and France (all of whom have better players to pick from).

What would be unforgivable would be to pick players like Parks, Godman and Morrison because they are "experienced", not move the squad or the style of play forward and end up still losing.

I don't advocate style and performance above winning games, but the best chance Scotland have of winning games is to pick the players who are currently delivering at club level, and that means Gray, Denton, Laidlaw, Weir, NDL, Hogg et al, and learning to take chances and execute overlaps.

Sometimes you do have to make a tactical choice to restrict the opposition at the expense of flinging the ball around, and win games with penalties. Sometimes the conditions dictate that. England lost out on a grand slam in 2000 because they didn't play to the conditions and went for tries rather than 3 pointers. They also lost out on a World Cup in 1991 because they failed to play to their strengths against an Australian side itching for an open game.

What we now need to do is to learn how to play both ways and to vary our game. Good sides can do that. England are not the All Blacks, and whilst they have better backs than we do, failing to attack a young and inexperienced backline and go through the hands would be a massive error. Attack the pack as well, but don't resort to the stodgy kick and chase stuff, with those silly 'go nowhere' pick and drives that we seem to love so much. If England have a genuine top class player it's Ben Foden, and we don't want him being given acres of space to run back at us.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 19 Jan - 16:42

fES, how about this - realistically, a coach like Robinson has a limited number of chances to showcase his capabilities - it starts with selecting a wider squad, then narrowing that down to a match XXII (including picking the starting XV), then determining the right tactics for the game in question. (At this point I'm ignoring his meddlesome behaviour in dictating that our best fullback thus far this season play at 13 for his club to give a more experienced, lacking in gametime, injury-prone player time on the pitch so that he can pick him instead). On the basis of 3 strikes and you are out, Robbo is already down one - Danielli, Morrison and Parks, plus now WCP, all dictate that. Not looking great, my friend censored

by TJ1 Thu 19 Jan - 16:43

I have a nasty feeling Robbo will play parks

by funnyExiledScot Thu 19 Jan - 16:53

Do we know the Hogg to 13 decision was dictated by Robinson? I'm never convinced that Lineen and Bradley woudl just do what they are told, especially when it comes down to such key games.

But yes, selecting the wider squad is an important part of developing the game.

Look at Gatland's selections of Liam Williams and Harry Robinson. Clearly neither will make the final match day squad, but Gatland has quite openly said he wants to take a look at these guys at the training camp. The benefits for Gatland as well as those players will be huge. Players like Tom James and Aled Brew miss out, because (a) they won't be used, and (b) Gatland already knows about them. I'll bet if North, Halfpenny and Cuthbert all get run over by a golf buggy then Gatland would turn to the more senior players ultimately, but in taking these two both he and they can learn something.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 19 Jan - 16:56

funnyExiledScot wrote:Do we know the Hogg to 13 decision was dictated by Robinson? I'm never convinced that Lineen and Bradley woudl just do what they are told, especially when it comes down to such key games.

But yes, selecting the wider squad is an important part of developing the game.

Look at Gatland's selections of Liam Williams and Harry Robinson. Clearly neither will make the final match day squad, but Gatland has quite openly said he wants to take a look at these guys at the training camp. The benefits for Gatland as well as those players will be huge. Players like Tom James and Aled Brew miss out, because (a) they won't be used, and (b) Gatland already knows about them. I'll bet if North, Halfpenny and Cuthbert all get run over by a golf buggy then Gatland would turn to the more senior players ultimately, but in taking these two both he and they can learn something.

I don't for sure, fES, but it's got the hallmarks of Robbo deciding to play Ramont at 15 for Scotland all over it (and remember he's as good as said he already 'knows his starting XV') Yikes

by funnyExiledScot Thu 19 Jan - 16:59

In which case my doubts remain. Didn't Lineen use Murchie at 15 and Hogg at 13 in the second game against Edinburgh? Doubt Robinson has any interest in seeing Murchie at 15 (or at least I seriously hope not).

I reckon this is simply Lineen trying to get his better players all on the pitch at the same time, at the expense of the form Hogg has shown at 15 (and the slightly dodgy form he's shown at 13).

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 19 Jan - 17:18

Hmm, possibly, lacks of alternatives at 13 maybe, but I'd still prefer to see Murchie or Horne at 13, with Ramont on a wing and Hogg at fullback - the last is the most dangerous back that Glasgow have imo

by funnyExiledScot Thu 19 Jan - 17:21

I agree - Glasgow have lost something moving Hogg from 15.

Shows something I've been trying to say on here for a while - Rory Lamont isn't as good a fullback as most fans seem to think he is.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 19 Jan - 17:26

Ramont is a funny one, I've never really been sure about what his best position is - he's not injury free long enough for me to make up my mind!

by Manky-Flanker Thu 19 Jan - 17:38

Agree that Hogg should return to 15, he has consistently shown what he can do there. Disagree that he is playing 13 at Robinson's insistence. If AR had that sort of influence surely he would use it to ensure Barclay plays at 7 in line with his Scotland position.

by poddy89 Thu 19 Jan - 17:52

i see were getting godman in the squad now so my hopes just sunk a little as unfortunately he has been allowed to play for scotland before and that alone may get him picked to start

my worry is now parks/godman in the 22.!!!!!

just as i thought scotland were looking a bit more sensible and encouraging this year, this pair should be let go for good, might as well stick a prop at 10 - same use

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 19 Jan - 17:54

Cheers AsLong

fES - No way I'd settle for just taking selection chances and beating Italy.

I'm sick of the utter dross served up each year and being a guaranteed 2 pointer for the other teams.

Selection is an issue and who is that down to?

AR may have brought the team forward but it's at a pace slower than the which other nations are progressing.

Seriously, who here is sick and tired of the odd 'phew' when we just miss out on the spoon?

Godman called up?

Jesus Christ Rolling Eyes

by TJ1 Fri 20 Jan - 1:22

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
Seriously, who here is sick and tired of the odd 'phew' when we just miss out on the spoon?

Me

I never wanted Robbo as coach, I wanted him sacked after the disappointment of the WC where Scotland played below their potential. I want him sacked now. this is the best group of Scotland players I have seen for a decade or more but they are not playing to the best of their ability and he is to conservative in selection.

i want a young ambitious antipodean coach and I want chalmres / lineen groomed to take over in the future

todd blackadder maybe?

by Gatts Fri 20 Jan - 3:45

Robinson is on the verge...beat England and he is set for a great 6 Nations, everyone will be on offer bar France....lose and you'll split the spoon with Italy and if you play them in Roma pack your spoons!
i predict that will be then end of AR and he will be lions coach! I'd prefer Jonners or even Kidney!

by funnyExiledScot Fri 20 Jan - 9:58

Tattie - I'm not settling for anything, just being realistic. If you seriously expect the Scotland coach to be regularly beating Ireland and Wales away or France anywhere with the state our current pro sides are in then you'll be sacking the coach every year. I expect the Scotland coach to maximise his resources and get the side playing greater than the sum of its parts (I think the real debate is whether Robinson has done that or not). You can't ask more than that. Setting out unrealistic targets doesn't help anyone.

TJ - Lineen has done a marvellous job at Glasgow over the last few years but I seriously doubt his style of rugby will keep Scotland fans happy. The mere mention of Dan Parks causes most fans to spit out the dummy and even the young and promising Duncan Weir is already being described by some as "Parks-lite". Lineen's Glasgow have rarely been a free flowing side, and rightly so. He's had to work wonders on a shoe string and put up with losing his best players at the end of each year. He's only been able to do so by constructing a shrewd style of play to suit his players, and built on defence first and foremost.

If Robinson were to be sacked (and I would give him more time and allow him to work with Scott Johnson next season) my initial approach would be to Nick Mallett and Steve Meehan. They combined well at Stade, Mallett knows the 6 Nations well and Meehan is a very good backs coach. Mallett would be head coach and Meehan in charge of the backs, as well as skills development in Scotland - his wider mandate would involve some coaching time with the pro sides as well as setting out the coaching program for the Scotland youth teams.

by nickj Fri 20 Jan - 10:05

Guys. Come on. Aren't some of you getting a bit carried away here?

I am a big supporter of Robinson. Look where we were when he took over. Aren't you giving him any credit for the lift in standards, moral, gates etc over the last year? I'm not saying its solely down to him but you have to give him some credit. Surely?

No, I don't want him to pick Parks and /or Morrison, but if he did and we beat the English, I'd be chuffed, so I hope would you. I bet you nobody would be calling for his head either.

Yes, we need to blood our youngsters, but I don't think we can blood a new 8, a new 10 and a new 15 at the same time. Especially against the English.

Don't worry Good God Man doesnt have a cat's chance in hell of playing, Jackson may still be fit for the England game but Godman was brought in to make sure AR has two full teams to play against each other for the next fortnight.

I agree that its a regressive step but I think Parks may feature against England. Particularly if Jackson doesnt recover from his injury. But, anyway, look who England are set to play at 10. Hodgson. Yes he's got a pass, but I rate all of our 10's ahead of him.

I'd like Weir or Laidlaw to start, but I'm not sure they will. I think Laidlaw may start on the bench (5/2 split with Morrison) and I think Weir will get the A shirt.

Denton looks set to play at 8. Even if I'm not sure he should, as its not his club position. I know Brown is a natural 6 but he is the more experienced player, so I'd say shift him to 8 and start Dumper at 6 for his debut. I dont rate Vernon but he's a line out option so I think he'll make the bench.

Here's my predicted (not preferred) 22:

R Lamont
J Ansbro
N De Luca
S Lamont
M Evans
R Jackson / D Parks
C Cusiter
D Denton
K Brown
J Barclay / R Rennie
J Hamilton
R Gray
E Murray
R Ford
A Jacobsen

G Morrison
G Laidlaw
R Vernon
A Kellock
A Dickinson
G Cross
S Lawson

I would love to see Hogg, Jones and Scott play, but I see the England game as the barometer for the 6N's and the Scottish season. Win it and we (you) and the press will get off Robbo's back and he continues the feelgood factor around the Scottish game. Lose it and well, its a major negative.

As for the A team, that's our future and I can't wait to see all our young guns go for it. Bring on the big tour in the summer, that wil be the birth of our new team and the swansong for some of the older guys.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Fri 20 Jan - 10:08

This as good a chance as he'll get to turn England over. The squad was more like the Saxons before the injuries, now its a car crash in a creche.
Rookie coach, rookie capatin, rookie players some of whome have barely met each other let alone played together.
Add to that its a home fixture and Scotland have shown time and again they can put England off their game they really should be abel to muster a strong challenge.

If he cant get the win there itll be a hard task to get the two win season. After Italy its the best chance they have of picking up a win.

If they fail to do that, and dont either get a result against or at least push close Italy France and/or Ireland I dont think it woiuld be unreasonable for the SRU to start questioning Robinsons record as an International head coach.
Yes he cant be expected to get two wins every season, but once in a blue moon would be good. He shoud at least be able to put together sides who look capable of it.

Who his 4th choice fly half is isnt really the issue, its the results and level of play from his first 15 he needs to be judged on. Breifly it was pretty good, recently it hasnt been.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 20 Jan - 10:25

Nickj - I think Weir has a pretty realistic chance of playing, but with Hogg shifted to 13 for Glasgow I think it's unlikely he'll play unless Rory Lamont breaks down on Saturday (and there's every chance if past form is anything to go by).

Your predicted side isn't a bad one at all. The bench is horrid, but then again that's not a bad prediction, as Robinson always picks a dreadful bench.

by Scot Abroad Fri 20 Jan - 16:17

Tom Ryder called up to replace Fraser McKenzie

by funnyExiledScot Fri 20 Jan - 17:08

I saw that. Would have rather seen Gilchrist called-up but I can understand the decision.

by Manky-Flanker Fri 20 Jan - 19:57

Good to see Ryder's hard work this season pay off. He was a rock for Glasgow during the RWC when many players were away. Think he rightly deserves his shot

by UlstermaninGlasgow Fri 20 Jan - 20:54

Manky-Flanker wrote:Agree that Hogg should return to 15, he has consistently shown what he can do there. Disagree that he is playing 13 at Robinson's insistence. If AR had that sort of influence surely he would use it to ensure Barclay plays at 7 in line with his Scotland position.

The problem is AR wants Barcs at 8 so he can play Rennie at 7 and Brown at 6... Hogg at 13 is as much to do with Pete Murchie being injured as Robbo wanting Ramont at 15. Although I can see it was to try and get Ramont gametime at 15... Ireland have done it for years! Just look at Paddy Wallace having to play 10 for Ulster!

by Imperialbigdave Fri 20 Jan - 21:12

TJ wrote:
Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
Seriously, who here is sick and tired of the odd 'phew' when we just miss out on the spoon?

i want a young ambitious antipodean coach and I want chalmres / lineen groomed to take over in the future

I was considering your opinion until that word.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sat 21 Jan - 9:21

Good shout for a change by Robinson. Tom Ryder has been excellent all season for the Warriors. The Godman decision though is bloody awful though and he is and never was an international class stand off. Back to Robinson's cautious 'good coach, rubbish selector' approach. tomato

by **George Carlin** Sun 22 Jan - 14:26

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:
Manky-Flanker wrote:Agree that Hogg should return to 15, he has consistently shown what he can do there. Disagree that he is playing 13 at Robinson's insistence. If AR had that sort of influence surely he would use it to ensure Barclay plays at 7 in line with his Scotland position.

The problem is AR wants Barcs at 8 so he can play Rennie at 7 and Brown at 6... Hogg at 13 is as much to do with Pete Murchie being injured as Robbo wanting Ramont at 15. Although I can see it was to try and get Ramont gametime at 15... Ireland have done it for years! Just look at Paddy Wallace having to play 10 for Ulster!

Ulsterman - I hope we are not going down the path of messing about players the same way that Wallace has been subjected to.

Most Scotland fans will think that it is a huge mistake to move Brown and Barclay into what are (given their normal roles with their clubs) unfamiliar positions when you have young guys like Denton that have proven that they can do a job at 8 and are hungry for the shirt.

The Three Bs gelling well as a backrow was not an accident - Brown is a defensive daisy cutter and a master penalty procurer, Barclay is a breakdown expert and wonderful forager and Beattie gleefully made the big carries. Why not just give Denton that role? He understands clearly what it is and likes the position. Whilst being an armchair critic is the easiest thing in the world, I will start to regard Robinson as a terminally poor selector if he messes with the pack. It's Scotland main chance of getting two wins or more in this tournament.

Incidentally, I have no problem with Ryder being selected and assume that Good is there to hold the tackle bags and slice the half time oranges.

by **NeilyBroon** Sun 22 Jan - 17:30

Well Edinburgh are through to the quarters for the first time in 8 years! I think Robinson would be wasting an opportunity if he doesn't use Laidlaw at 10!

by UlstermaninGlasgow Sun 22 Jan - 18:31

George Carlin wrote:
UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:
Manky-Flanker wrote:Agree that Hogg should return to 15, he has consistently shown what he can do there. Disagree that he is playing 13 at Robinson's insistence. If AR had that sort of influence surely he would use it to ensure Barclay plays at 7 in line with his Scotland position.

The problem is AR wants Barcs at 8 so he can play Rennie at 7 and Brown at 6... Hogg at 13 is as much to do with Pete Murchie being injured as Robbo wanting Ramont at 15. Although I can see it was to try and get Ramont gametime at 15... Ireland have done it for years! Just look at Paddy Wallace having to play 10 for Ulster!
Ulsterman - I hope we are not going down the path of messing about players the same way that Wallace has been subjected to.

Most Scotland fans will think that it is a huge mistake to move Brown and Barclay into what are (given their normal roles with their clubs) unfamiliar positions when you have young guys like Denton that have proven that they can do a job at 8 and are hungry for the shirt.

The Three Bs gelling well as a backrow was not an accident - Brown is a defensive daisy cutter and a master penalty procurer, Barclay is a breakdown expert and wonderful forager and Beattie gleefully made the big carries. Why not just give Denton that role? He understands clearly what it is and likes the position. Whilst being an armchair critic is the easiest thing in the world, I will start to regard Robinson as a terminally poor selector if he messes with the pack. It's Scotland main chance of getting two wins or more in this tournament.

Incidentally, I have no problem with Ryder being selected and assume that Good is there to hold the tackle bags and slice the half time oranges.

I agree completely... I am a regular at Glasgow and have seen first hand how "well" the Barclay experiment at 8 has gone. John isn't the most expressive guy in the world but when he came off against Leinster you could see he was frustrated at having to do something he isn't used to. I can see Kelly Brown staying at 6, and if Robbo is serious then it should be Barcs and Denton or even Rennie and Denton at 7 and 8.

Tom Ryder's call up is well deserved as he has been performing all season for Glasgow although we are looking at a battle between Al and Ritchie for the 4 jersey beside Big Jim, and Al isn't gonna give it up without a fight!

(Good) Godman is there as training cover and no more....

by TJ1 Sun 22 Jan - 19:00

Laidlaw must play ten. He was immense today. Great passing. mixed it up well - hit all his kicks including difficult conversions. Immense. Best Scottish fly half display I can remember.

he must play

by RuggerRadge2611 Sun 22 Jan - 19:24

TJ wrote:Laidlaw must play ten. He was immense today. Great passing. mixed it up well - hit all his kicks including difficult conversions. Immense. Best Scottish fly half display I can remember.

he must play

+1 mike Blair probably just played himself into contention too. Made some crisp passes and darting breaks.

by funnyExiledScot Sun 22 Jan - 20:39

Agreed on both. Blair and Laidlaw to start together after today, thought they linked up really well, and I like the fact that Edinburgh always have a runner on the inside to ensure that they have an option closer to the support of the pack. Both Blair and Laidlaw made good use of that, good understanding as a combination.

Cusiter and Weir on the bench.

What was wrong with NDL? He better be fit for the England game, as Ansbro won't be match fit and I've no idea what Max Evans is up to at Castres, think he came off the bench against the Scarlet, hardly a ringing endorsement.

by RuggerRadge2611 Sun 22 Jan - 20:53

NDL has been tight lipped on twitter so don't know what's wrong with him. Dozer Denton has been complaining of a "gammy hip". Read into that one what you will.

by funnyExiledScot Sun 22 Jan - 20:59

"Gammy hip"?? Makes him sound octogenarian!!

Both are crucial to Scotland, so fingers crossed.

by RuggerRadge2611 Sun 22 Jan - 23:48

Head injury for NDL according to mike Blair who tweeted about NDL's "noggin".

by Scottish Optimist Mon 23 Jan - 0:09

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Head injury for NDL according to mike Blair who tweeted about NDL's "noggin".

Yeah, can't remember where I read it but someone was reporting on Friday that he failed the cognitive tests following a head knock.

Kelly Brown's being assessed further tomorrow which hopefully means it's not a broken leg but also doesn't sound great with less than 2 weeks to six nations.

by Scottish Optimist Mon 23 Jan - 0:17

by funnyExiledScot Yesterday at 8:59 pm

."Gammy hip"?? Makes him sound octogenarian!!

Think it was a 'gammy hammy' he said rather than a gammy hip thumbsup

Said it was just a tweak, so thankfully should be back in action soon.

by **George Carlin** Mon 23 Jan - 7:22

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Head injury for NDL according to mike Blair who tweeted about NDL's "noggin".

Everybody's making quite light weather of NDL which suggests that it shouldn't be serious.

Hadn't heard about Kelly Brown though! We really need him to be fit because Harley simply cannot do the job that he does (yet).

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 23 Jan - 9:11

If we lose Kelly B, I can only assume Stroks will come in at 6 with Dozer at 8. However I would be tempted to bring Rambo (McInally) in. He had an absolute belter against LI.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 23 Jan - 9:57

I wouldn't play both McInally and Denton.

Strokosch has been playing really well recently for Glaws and has just come off the pitch having beaten Toulouse, against their back row of Nyanga, Dusatoir and Picamoles. If Brown is out then Strokosch should start.

by caz Mon 23 Jan - 10:47

Looks like Kelly Brown is out. The Herald saying he has a "suspected broken fibula"

We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 23 Jan - 16:43

Think he dislocated his fibula badly, is the latest that I have heard - no idea how long to recover from something like that. Stroks for me would be the best replacement

by nickj Mon 23 Jan - 16:53

Bugger. A dislocation is better than a break but still likely to be a long layoff.

I'm gutted for Kelly though, I'd have picked him as captain and no.6 / 8. Could we see Vernon at 8 and Denton playing his club position of 6? Or at least have Vernon on the bench so we have that option?

On a brighter note I've just been forwarded the job description and brief for the RFU's new head coach role.

Sadly I'm over qualified, but if its genuine, the words 'rusty bucket' come to mind. Can't believe this is being circulated after Brown saying how the future was 'leak free'.

I bet John Steele wrote it too

by Scot Abroad Mon 23 Jan - 17:06

A dislocated fibula? that's a very uncommon injury and may require surgery depending on how bad the dislocation is. It will affect the amount of pressure the knee can take and he'll probably have to wear a supportive strapping from now on. Recovery time is not quite as straight forward as a break due to the probability of reoccurrence. Could see him out for the whole 6N. Poopie!

by nickj Mon 23 Jan - 17:25

Apologies Scot Abroad you sound like you know your fibulas. Either way crappy news

by 123456789 Mon 23 Jan - 17:43

Scotland are anxiously awaiting an update on injured flanker Kelly Brown amid fears he could miss some of the Six Nations tournament.

The 29-year-old was stretchered off during Saracens' Heineken Cup victory over Treviso in Italy on Sunday after suffering what appeared to be a painful injury to his right leg. While remained of Andy Robinson's 36-man squad met up for a pre-tournament training camp in St Andrews, Brown underwent scans in London.

Scotland face England at Murrayfield in the opening match of their campaign on February 4, leaving the 49-cap flanker less than two weeks to fully recover.

"We are liaising closely with the Saracens medics and we await the outcome of two scans that Kelly has undergone," said Scotland team doctor James Robson. "At this juncture Kelly remains part of our Six Nations squad."

Scotland were also monitoring the fitness of forwards Alasdair Dickinson (shoulder), Ed Kalman (calf), Alastair Kellock (respiratory tract infection) and David Denton (hamstring). Meanwhile fly-half Ruaridh Jackson continues to recover from a hamstring injury, Joe Ansbro is receiving treatment fo back problems and Rory Lamont adn Nick De Luca are recovering from dead legs.

Despite the injury concerns, Andy Robinson struck an upbeat note and said the recent success of Edinburgh - in qualifying for the last eight of the Heineken Cup - and Glasgow - in reaching the upper echelons of the RaboDirect Pro12 table - had boosted the mood around Scottish rugby.

Robinson said: "It's great to be back in camp and there's a real buzz among the players as we look forward to the England game. On behalf of the management, I'd like to congratulate Edinburgh Rugby on their qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

"It was a fine performance at Murrayfield. That achievement, and the league form of Glasgow Warriors in the RaboDirect PRO12, has certainly given a spring in the step of Scottish rugby and it's up to us now to keep that going."
From ESPN

Where did you hear about dislocation? It's probably not that bad if they're still including him in their plans.

by Scot Abroad Mon 23 Jan - 18:35

Dislocation was mentioned by another poster earlier in the thread.

According to the scottish rugby blog, 35 players turned up for camp this morning with only KB and Shingler not present.

by 123456789 Mon 23 Jan - 18:46

On his twitter page he says

"Hey folks,had a CT & MRI scan so just waiting for the results.Couldn't have applied any more ice and hoping for good news. #fingerscrossed"

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 23 Jan - 18:49

Numbahs, can't remember where I read dislocation and could easily have been mixing up Fraser McKenzie's injury, so apologies for confusion - delighted that he's posting so positively on twitter

by justified sinner Mon 23 Jan - 22:24

I think that after yesterday there is a good case for starting Blair and Laidlaw. The way they switched between 9 and 10 when Edinburgh were attacking was very effective and asked lots of questions of the LI defence, but that only worked with Edinburgh's game plan of spreading the game and playing at pace. Not sure that's AR's plan, so expect Cus, if fit and Weir.

by TJ1 Tue 24 Jan - 0:20

On the fly half stats from teh weekends games

Parks - kick / pass / run 17/24/3 3 tackles missed 2

laidlaw K/P/R 11/48/2 7 tackles none missed

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