Scotland XV for Autumn Internationals

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Right let's get down to business shall we?!

9/11/13
Scotland vs Japan
KO - 2.30pm

17/11/13
Scotland vs South Africa
KO - 3pm

23/11/13
Scotland vs Australia
KO - 6pm

First of all, the schedule for these three matches is super. Unlike last few years, Scotland will play a less formidable team first before two tough matches against SA and Aus. SA are on a roll at the moment and will be a good, stern test for Scotland before Australia. Injuries may be an issue however as we saw in the summer.

If Scotland beat Australia that will make it 3 wins in a row vs the Wallabies which would be a fantastic achievement. But obviously wins over any of these three teams will be great.

Players

Backs M Bennett (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Glasgow), De Luca (Edinburgh), A Dunbar (Glasgow), M Evans (Castres), T Heathcote (Bath), R Jackson (Glasgow), S Lamont (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), S Maitland (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), T Seymour (Glasgow), D Taylor (Saracens), G Tonks (Edinburgh), T Visser (Edinburgh), D Weir (Glasgow).
Forwards J Barclay (Scarlets), J Beattie (Montpellier), K Brown (Saracens), B Cowan (London Irish), G Cross (Edinburgh), D Denton (Edinburgh), A Dickinson (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), C Fusaro (Glasgow), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh) R Grant (Glasgow), J Gray (Glasgow), R Gray (Castres), J Hamilton (Montpellier), R Harley (Glasgow), A Kellock (Glasgow), S Lawson (Newcastle), K Low (London Irish), M Low (Glasgow), P MacArthur (Glasgow), E Murray (Worcester), A Strokosch (Perpignan), T Swinson (Glasgow), J Welsh (Glasgow)

*Sorry for not updating this sooner. My girlfriend and I broke up a few weeks ago after four and a half years, three living together. I've been in a pretty bad place. However, I'm getting better and looking forward to these games so I'll continue to contribute when I can

funnyExiledScot wrote:Didn't realise Holmes was Scots qualified. Hasn't he only played two games this season....

Feels too early for a Scotland call-up, although these days with the likes of Shingler, Cowan and Low getting call-ups you never know.

I'm starting to feel a little neglected not having been called-up. Having lived in England for almost half my life they'd better snap me up before I join the dark side.....

In your prime as a lock....  

SirBurger wrote:Irish fan here....

Cowan is more than ready for international rugby. As a kiwi his skills are obviously good, but it his workrate and ability at the breakdown that has impressed. He isn't the most physical carrier, but due to his excellent footwork and speed off the mark can make as many metres as bigger player. I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

Low is surely in on potential. I would like him to focus on being a lock, but he is quick and fit enough to play at 6. Brian Smith is a big fan of his. Don't read too much into his lack of appearances - he has been non-stop injured since he joined the Irish set up four years ago. When fit it looks to me like he would be in Brian's first choice side. He is a little raw in terms of handling ability and ball retention at the breakdown, but I think he has international potential. I'd be surprised, however if he made the Scotland 23 immediately.

Good stuff, thanks for the info!

Would either of them like to come to Edinburgh?  

SirBurger wrote:Irish fan here....

Cowan is more than ready for international rugby. As a kiwi his skills are obviously good, but it his workrate and ability at the breakdown that has impressed. He isn't the most physical carrier, but due to his excellent footwork and speed off the mark can make as many metres as bigger player. I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

Low is surely in on potential. I would like him to focus on being a lock, but he is quick and fit enough to play at 6. Brian Smith is a big fan of his. Don't read too much into his lack of appearances - he has been non-stop injured since he joined the Irish set up four years ago. When fit it looks to me like he would be in Brian's first choice side. He is a little raw in terms of handling ability and ball retention at the breakdown, but I think he has international potential. I'd be surprised, however if he made the Scotland 23 immediately.

Ditto, he has the likes of Richie and Johnny Gray, Hamilton, Kellock, Gilchrist and the electrifying Swinson to displace first.

I agree, Taylor is a cracking bench option. Having said that I think we'll see him at 13, outside Scott. You know how we love to play people out of position. Unless of course Johnson shunts Scott out one...

To be fair I think we've already seen an improvement with Visser's defence and it will only get better, especially after he has spent a few more months with his pal Omar at Edinburgh.

Yep Holmes is SQ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23144587

I wouldn't worry too much about the BBC talking about Holmes. Yes, he's Scots-qualified, but I think even he'd agree that it's too soon. More likely it's just brainless BBC journalism - all the sudden they've heard of Holmes (which obviously means he must be good), and he's Scottish, and he won a man of the match award, so it's suddenly a surprise that wasn't called up.

I wonder sometimes if BBC rugby reports are written by a random cliche generator!

Visser's defence has definitely been better this year, but that kick-chase attempt that started off the Perpignan renaissance was embarrassing.

nickj wrote:I agree, Taylor is a cracking bench option. Having said that I think we'll see him at 13, outside Scott. You know how we love to play people out of position. Unless of course Johnson shunts Scott out one...

To be fair I think we've already seen an improvement with Visser's defence and it will only get better, especially after he has spent a few more months with his pal Omar at Edinburgh.

Yep Holmes is SQ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23144587

I dinnae think Scott has the pace to play at 13, his skills at 12 mean he can take a guy on and create space or crash the ball up too. I reckon 13 will be filled by the or someone else.

On another note, am I the only one who feels Fife should have been included? If even for the experience?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

nickj wrote:I agree, Taylor is a cracking bench option. Having said that I think we'll see him at 13, outside Scott. You know how we love to play people out of position. Unless of course Johnson shunts Scott out one...

To be fair I think we've already seen an improvement with Visser's defence and it will only get better, especially after he has spent a few more months with his pal Omar at Edinburgh.

Yep Holmes is SQ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23144587

I dinnae think Scott has the pace to play at 13, his skills at 12 mean he can take a guy on and create space or crash the ball up too. I reckon 13 will be filled by the :angel:or someone else.

On another note, am I the only one who feels Fife should have been included? If even for the experience?

Fife has done OK while not being spectacular, and his still young, so would maybe only have included him over the squashed goblin. SG has been playing for Castres though.

Ya know, I forgot all about Cotter!!!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

nickj wrote:I agree, Taylor is a cracking bench option. Having said that I think we'll see him at 13, outside Scott. You know how we love to play people out of position. Unless of course Johnson shunts Scott out one...

To be fair I think we've already seen an improvement with Visser's defence and it will only get better, especially after he has spent a few more months with his pal Omar at Edinburgh.

Yep Holmes is SQ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23144587

I dinnae think Scott has the pace to play at 13, his skills at 12 mean he can take a guy on and create space or crash the ball up too. I reckon 13 will be filled by the :angel:or someone else.

On another note, am I the only one who feels Fife should have been included? If even for the experience?

Fife has done OK while not being spectacular, and his still young, so would maybe only have included him over the squashed goblin. SG has been playing for Castres though.

The SG cropped up in various HC highlights reels over the last few weeks and looked to be playing well.

I wouldn't include Fife just yet. He needs to nail down that 14 jersey for Edinburgh this season and start scoring some tries. Not sure he deserves a Scotland call-up yet, although I do see it as a matter of time.

Scott is a 12. He is only a 12. 12 is his position. If I keep writing 12 next to Scott's name, I'm hoping that any notion of him playing other than at 12 will be swiftly ignored. Scott is a 12. Scott - 12......

Sarries have used Taylor at 12, 13 and wing, and he played wing to good effect for Scotland A last season. Of the four main centre options (Scott, Dunbar, Bennett and Taylor), I think Scott is a 12 only, and Bennett a 13 only. I think Dunbar and Taylor are probably more versatile at to whether they play inside or outside centre.

On that note, nice to see Grove back at 13 for Worcester and scoring.

Looks like a reasonable squad to me, no particular omissions that stand out - Holmes has had one good game for Glasgow, but that's it, so too early for him. Also I don't feel that Fife is ready for the step up, I'm afraid, Radge - sorry matey. I hope that we're in active negotiations with Scott Wilson at Newcastle and that we'll see him taking up the thistle soon

funnyExiledScot wrote:I wouldn't include Fife just yet. He needs to nail down that 14 jersey for Edinburgh this season and start scoring some tries. Not sure he deserves a Scotland call-up yet, although I do see it as a matter of time.

Scott is a 12. He is only a 12. 12 is his position. If I keep writing 12 next to Scott's name, I'm hoping that any notion of him playing other than at 12 will be swiftly ignored. Scott is a 12. Scott - 12......

Sarries have used Taylor at 12, 13 and wing, and he played wing to good effect for Scotland A last season. Of the four main centre options (Scott, Dunbar, Bennett and Taylor), I think Scott is a 12 only, and Bennett a 13 only. I think Dunbar and Taylor are probably more versatile at to whether they play inside or outside centre.

On that note, nice to see Grove back at 13 for Worcester and scoring.

fES, welcome back from the shooting estate, did we manage to bag a McNab this year?

12. Matt Scott

There ye go - dont say I never do anything for you

Pretty pleased to see Blair Cowan in the squad, been impressed by him for a few seasons now since he was first at Cornish Pirates. Can cover all three back row positions and has a very good try scoring record. Think he was top try scorer his last season at the Pirates and has scored a few for Irish this season as well.

Kieran Low I don't really know too much about.

Surprised he is in there ahead of Newlands who I think deserved a call up after his season so far in France and Ally Hogg is unlucky but obviously there must be something deeper to the Hogg situation!

Looks a pretty good squad to me and should put out a very good xv and bench. The one player I would like to have seen in the squad is Alex Grove, very underated in the premiership but always has impressed and I think at the moment could be the perfect partner for Scott in the centre.

So let me get this straight.....








Scott is a 12?

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:So let me get this straight.....








Scott is a 12?

I think he is a 12 yeah, when he plays he normally has a 12 on his shirt, so must be a 12..

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What position does Matt Scott play?

Holmes needs to prove he's more Brown-like than Kelly, more Harley-like than Harley and more Mad Baldy than Big Al before he can even think about a Scotland jersey. Nice to see him get a chance and playing well, though. I do feel sorry for Vernon but he knew when he moved north that he was in a scrap for any back row jersey.

Who is Matt Scott?

I remember a Matt Scott who played 10 for Currie, but I've lost track of him since then.

Any ideas, people?

IanBru wrote:Who is Matt Scott?

He's a number 12, that plays 12 for Edinburgh and should play 12 for Scotland.

12 - Matt Scott

Wait, he's a 12?

Well bu**er me with a fish fork!

As good a 12 as the number 12 Matt Scott is, he’s no Ben Atiga. Now he is a proper 12.

Matt Scott isnt a 12! He is an 11 at most, maybe even a 10 for nike, coz they seem to be made smaller!!!

Now Shlong on the other hand...................................

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Gray 5.Swinson 6.Brown(c) 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Seymour 15.Maitland

16.Murray 17.MacArthur 18.Dickinson 19.Hamilton 20.Strokosch 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Taylor

If Cusiter and Weir aren't fully fit in time, I'd go with Pyrgos and Heathcote. If Denton hasn't recovered then shift Brown to 8, have Strokosch at 6 and use Harley on the bench. Beattie needs to be playing rugby to get picked, and every time I look at the Montpellier XV he isn't in it. Dunbar very unlucky. If Bennett wets himself in the tunnel then Dunbar can go straight in at 13.

I'd go with that squad for all three AIs, perhaps rotating within that 23 to allow Hamilton and Strokosch a crack at South Africa.

FES, I see you have picked Matt Scott at 12 – is that correct

funnyExiledScot wrote:1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Gray 5.Swinson 6.Brown(c) 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Seymour 15.Maitland

16.Murray 17.MacArthur 18.Dickinson 19.Hamilton 20.Strokosch 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Taylor

If Cusiter and Weir aren't fully fit in time, I'd go with Pyrgos and Heathcote. If Denton hasn't recovered then shift Brown to 8, have Strokosch at 6 and use Harley on the bench. Beattie needs to be playing rugby to get picked, and every time I look at the Montpellier XV he isn't in it. Dunbar very unlucky. If Bennett wets himself in the tunnel then Dunbar can go straight in at 13.

I'd go with that squad for all three AIs, perhaps rotating within that 23 to allow Hamilton and Strokosch a crack at South Africa.

Oof, that must've hurt!!!

Joking aside, has Messiah been performing well this year? From what I’ve seen he’s not hit the heights of last season, but I’ve not seen every game.

RDW_Scotland wrote:FES, I see you have picked Matt Scott at 12 – is that correct

I thought long and hard about whether to move him to lock at Andy Robinson's suggestion but ultimately I just stuck him at 12. He's got to play somewhere after all, and 12 seemed to be as good an idea as any.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Gray 5.Swinson 6.Brown(c) 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Seymour 15.Maitland

16.Murray 17.MacArthur 18.Dickinson 19.Hamilton 20.Strokosch 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Taylor

If Cusiter and Weir aren't fully fit in time, I'd go with Pyrgos and Heathcote. If Denton hasn't recovered then shift Brown to 8, have Strokosch at 6 and use Harley on the bench. Beattie needs to be playing rugby to get picked, and every time I look at the Montpellier XV he isn't in it. Dunbar very unlucky. If Bennett wets himself in the tunnel then Dunbar can go straight in at 13.

I'd go with that squad for all three AIs, perhaps rotating within that 23 to allow Hamilton and Strokosch a crack at South Africa.

Oof, that must've hurt!!!

Nah, FES is a bona fide convert to the Church of Bennett now.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Welsh 4.Gray 5.Swinson 6.Brown(c) 7.Fusaro 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Jackson 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Seymour 15.Maitland

16.Murray 17.MacArthur 18.Dickinson 19.Hamilton 20.Strokosch 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Taylor

If Cusiter and Weir aren't fully fit in time, I'd go with Pyrgos and Heathcote. If Denton hasn't recovered then shift Brown to 8, have Strokosch at 6 and use Harley on the bench. Beattie needs to be playing rugby to get picked, and every time I look at the Montpellier XV he isn't in it. Dunbar very unlucky. If Bennett wets himself in the tunnel then Dunbar can go straight in at 13.

I'd go with that squad for all three AIs, perhaps rotating within that 23 to allow Hamilton and Strokosch a crack at South Africa.

Oof, that must've hurt!!!

We've done this before I think, but I've seen enough this season from him to give him a shot. For me it was always a matter of him playing pro rugby first and nailing a spot in the Glasgow XV, and he's done that now. It's a close call at 13 between him and Dunbar (a bloke called Matt Scott should play at 12), but Bennett is the sharper attacking player, and I want us to develop our attacking game. Scott and Bennett will be the best distributors playing in tandem in the centres for Scotland I can remember, and with Jackson at 10 there's a good chance that a few passes may actually go to the intended recipient.....

They're certainly the guys in form, alongside Dunbar, so I'd expect them to be picked. My only worry if that Bennett's confidence might have taken a battering in the first half against Toulon. Hopefully that's not the case because he wasn't the only guy chasing shadows and Toulon were pretty awesome.

RDW_Scotland wrote:FES, I see you have picked Matt Scott at 12 – is that correct

 

On another note, it's nice to see we're moving away from Dr Cross and the Rev in the front row.

I'm actually looking forward to November.....a total demolition of those pesky Japs (not meant as racist), hard fought win over Australia and a close battle with SA (result either way) will do nicely moving into the 6N.

On the question of tighthead I must say I'm not entirely convinced by Welsh yet, but I do think we need to take a close look at him in a Scotland jersey and I've not heard good reports of Euan Murray form (and Cross has barely started a game for Edinburgh due to Nel).

I'd start with Welsh, but have Murray on the bench as back-up. His experience if nothing else could be handy. The SA game is on a Sunday though so I suspect Cross will be on the bench for that one. If Welsh can't prosper against Japan and Australia we have a bit of a problem.

Yes, tighthead is a little bit of a worry - Welsh has done well generally but he got his backside handed to him on a silk cushion by Felsina in the Toulon game. Johnson is a big Murray fan so I expect him to well and truly be the incumbent, regardless of this season's form. We'll know within 40 minutes whether he's up to it.

To be fair when was the last time Murray was in form for his club? He usually always delivers for Scotland regardless

George Carlin wrote:Ozzy - I see that Blair Cowan and Keiran Low have been called into the Scotland training squad for the AIs for the first time. We would welcome your thoughts on what they are like: https://www.606v2.com/t48483-scotland-xv-for-autumn-internationals.

Cheers feller.

George (and anyone else who is interested)

Cowan is a recent signing and has only played a handful of games for us, but I think most Irish fans would agree with me that he looks a very good player. He came to us as an 8 who covers the whole backrow, but interestingly the one area of his game that I have been least impressed with has been his control at the back of the scrum. He's a decent carrier, and an excellent tackler with a big workrate. You could well have a really decent international player there.

Kieran Low is an academy product who has always looked to have a lot of potential, but hadn't quite got to fulfilling it. He started this season well, but got injured again which was unfortunate. For me, he should concentrate on being a mobile, lineout lock, but Smiffy seems to like him at 6. Has the potential, but I am not sure he will ever fulfil it to international level, albeit he will definitely be a top club player if he can stay fit.

RDW_Scotland wrote:To be fair when was the last time Murray was in form for his club? He usually always delivers for Scotland regardless

True, which is why I'd have him on the bench against Japan and Australia, with Cross covering for the South Africa game on the Sabbath.

I do think we need to give Welsh a run so that we can take a closer look. I think he deserves a chance.

Shame Murray Low hasn't become the natural successor we thought he was going to be a few seasons back. He seems to have drifted somewhat. For a while it looked like he was going to be the perfect balance between scrummaging ability and graft in the loose.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Ozzy - I see that Blair Cowan and Keiran Low have been called into the Scotland training squad for the AIs for the first time. We would welcome your thoughts on what they are like: https://www.606v2.com/t48483-scotland-xv-for-autumn-internationals.

Cheers feller.

George (and anyone else who is interested)

Cowan is a recent signing and has only played a handful of games for us, but I think most Irish fans would agree with me that he looks a very good player.  He came to us as an 8 who covers the whole backrow, but interestingly the one area of his game that I have been least impressed with has been his control at the back of the scrum.  He's a decent carrier, and an excellent tackler with a big workrate.  You could well have a really decent international player there.

Kieran Low is an academy product who has always looked to have a lot of potential, but hadn't quite got to fulfilling it.  He started this season well, but got injured again which was unfortunate.  For me, he should concentrate on being a mobile, lineout lock, but Smiffy seems to like him at 6.  Has the potential, but I am not sure he will ever fulfil it to international level, albeit he will definitely be a top club player if he can stay fit.

Thanks Ozzy

Turns out Johnnie beattie had been struggling with a pectoral injury, which probably explains his lack of game time

Also good to see that Ross Rennie has also been invited to train in the squad

Finally, Vern cotter is going to be in camp up to the first game!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Turns out Johnnie beattie had been struggling with a pectoral injury, which probably explains his lack of game time

Also good to see that Ross Rennie has also been invited to train in the squad

Finally, Vern cotter is going to be in camp up to the first game!

That's excellent news around, but particularly the Uncle Vern part

I hear also that Matt Scott will be at the training camp.

I know, isn't it fantastic?

IanBru wrote:I hear also that Matt Scott will be at the training camp.

I know, isn't it fantastic?

Is he the guy that plays 12?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

IanBru wrote:I hear also that Matt Scott will be at the training camp.

I know, isn't it fantastic?

Is he the guy that plays 12?

Guys that horse ain't gonna get any deader.....

On another note, is the consensus that Maitland will take the 15 shirt. Or does anyone think Tonks should get the nod if he gets enough game time in the next few weeks?

Only if Maitland is needed on the wing - he has been playing full back for Glasgow and playing well. Tonks well worth a squad place tho

Robbo has been on the phone to Cotter!

Suggests playing Scott at 9, Dan parks at 13 with Matalawu on the wing (new IRB laws to come into effect as he has'nt played on the wing for Fiji so he can for us)

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

IanBru wrote:I hear also that Matt Scott will be at the training camp.

I know, isn't it fantastic?

Is he the guy that plays 12?

Guys that horse ain't gonna get any deader.....

I'm stealing that one!

On Tonks, he hasn't played much this season due to injury so I'd have Maitland at 15

On a similar note, I stole this emoticon from GC - need to find a use for it now!

RDW_Scotland wrote:On a similar note, I stole this emoticon from GC - need to find a use for it now!

looks like the wee smiley folks are doing the Haka!