Scotland and the summer tour!

First topic message reminder :

Games:

Saturday 7 June:
United States of America v Scotland
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas

Saturday 14 June:
Canada v Scotland
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

Saturday 21 June:
Argentina v Scotland
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba

Saturday 28 June:
South Africa v Scotland
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

***
Now the 6 nations are over there will be major changes for Scotland between now and the next international.
Vern Cotter will be the head coach for the next test with scott Johnson moving to director of rugby. Unclear yet if Cotter will bring in his own coaching team or whether he will inherit the current crop.

The 6 nations has been a disaster for Scotland but I still believe Scotland has some very good players and a lot of the problems in the 6 nations stem from poor coaching, tactics, very bad selection and man management. Glasgow regularly beat the top Rambo teams, Edinburgh can as well and a lot of the exile players are playing at the very top teams in England and France and winning week in week out but for some reason when they pull on the blue jersey something just isn't there.
This will all change when Cotter arrives. Speaking to Chris Paterson and al kellock a few weeks ago they can't wait for cotter to arrive as they say his coaching style and manner is that of a modern day Jim Telfer and they believe exactly what this squad need.

From a playing point of view there are a few players that should be dropped and not selected for the summer tour. For me they are Ryan Wilson, Tim Swinson, Greig Laidlaw.
Wilson is good at number 8 for Glasgow but is not a 6 at international level. We have 3 far better 6's available yet none were picked. Would Wilson get in the team at 8? For me, nope. Denton, Beattie are far better options and I would say Ali Hogg is also far better than wilson. Why was he picked? Because Johnson thought he was a good "kid". It's not wilson a fault he was picked out of position but there are far better options.
Tim Swinson was very poor compared to his form on last years summer tour. He didn't seem to have the same grunt or energy and was ver ineffective. Again there are other options at lock like Gilchrist who has improved a lot this season and has a harder edge about him now and also johnnycake gray.
Greig Laidlaw was put in the autumn tests and even worse in the 6 nations. His decision making was poor, his service was extremely slow. He offers no break or snipe at all and his main attribute his goal kicking has been poor. Custer looks far sharper, when he has played and deserves a shot. He also has very good leadership qualities. Grayson Hart is also in top form and deserves a chance on recent form. Quick pass, physical and knows the way to the line.

The Backrow was the biggest concern during the 6 nations, it was unbalanced and very off pace. The back row needs balance and a good back row will have 3 players with different qualities, a scavenger who makes a nuisance of himself and tackles his heart out. A hard worker who will do the unseen stuff at the breakdown and then a big athletic ball carrier who will run all day making the hard yards. Scotland have these options but went for three players who were all very similar. It didn't work and must be changed.

The summer tour we play Canada, USA, Argentina and South Africa. The first two teams we "should" beat comfortably the other two will be tough and physical. They will probably take a squad of between 32 and 35.
I'd go with 6 props
Ryan grant
Ali Dickinson
Jon welsh but has to move back to loose head where he is far more destructive.
Euan murray
Geoff cross
Moray low not great during 6 nations but would like to see what difference cotter can make.

Squad

North America

LH - Allan, Reid, Traynor
H - Bryce, Lawson, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Hamilton, Low
6/8 - Beattie, Brown, Strokosh
7 - Cowan

SH - Hart, Laidlaw
SO - Heathcoat, Russell
IC - Taylor
OC -Bennett
W - Evans, Lamont, Maitland, Visser
FB - Hogg

Argentina / SA

LH - Dickinson, Reid
H - Bryce, Ford, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low, Welsh
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Swinson
6/8 - Denton, Harley,
7 - Fusaro

SH - Hart, Pyrgos
SO - Jackson, Weir
IC - Horne
OC - ?
W - Fife, Maitland, Seymour
FB - Hogg, Murchie

reallybored wrote:Cheers RDW, didn't realise Barclay was injured. In that case, Rennie goes on tour. We need to start winning.

I like Harley, just a tough nasty player and he has a hell of an engine. Brown is so consistent and does more with the ball, plus his experience has to come into it but Harley just sets a tone for the defence.

6 - Harley ?
7 - Rennie
8 - Denton ?

That backrow just isn't big enough for me, they'll get bullied all over the park. I like Harley but without a Strauss/Beattie type player it doesn't offer much in the way of grunt.

Tiggertattie don't forget Strauss will be SQ come the RWC.

Bullied? That's a massive back-row. First choice 8 would be Beattie but think he's injured, so Denton is next choice and Rennie is a far better player than Fusaro.

reallybored wrote:Tiggertattie don't forget Strauss will be SQ come the RWC.

Bullied? That's a massive back-row. First choice 8 would be Beattie but think he's injured, so Denton is next choice and Rennie is a far better player than Fusaro.

In height maybe, Rob Harley is 'officially' 6'6 but only weighs in at very slight 16st. Great tackler but he never knocks anyone back.

Ross Rennie is only 6'1 and only 15st. Again a great tackler but not the most imposing figure.

Dave Denton's the only one with both the height and weight at 6'5 and 17st - however he's found more often at first receiver, rather than throwing his weight into mauls and the like.

I agree about Fusaro, you can only afford one small player in the back row and he wouldn't be my first choice (Rennie on form would be).

Just been annouced that Ryan Wilson is out of the tour as his shoulder needs rehabbing.

George Carlin wrote:Just been annouced that Ryan Wilson is out of the tour as his shoulder needs rehabbing.

So we're basically down to one fit No 8? Super duper.

madmaccas wrote:

reallybored wrote:Tiggertattie don't forget Strauss will be SQ come the RWC.

Bullied? That's a massive back-row. First choice 8 would be Beattie but think he's injured, so Denton is next choice and Rennie is a far better player than Fusaro.

In height maybe, Rob Harley is 'officially' 6'6 but only weighs in at very slight 16st. Great tackler but he never knocks anyone back.

Ross Rennie is only 6'1 and only 15st. Again a great tackler but not the most imposing figure.

Dave Denton's the only one with both the height and weight at 6'5 and 17st - however he's found more often at first receiver, rather than throwing his weight into mauls and the like.

I agree about Fusaro, you can only afford one small player in the back row and he wouldn't be my first choice (Rennie on form would be).

Well if Bristol dont pull off any away win in the play offs Rennie wont be playing premiership rugby in which case will he get picked for scotland ? doubt it...

Captain_Sensible wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Just been annouced that Ryan Wilson is out of the tour as his shoulder needs rehabbing.

So we're basically down to one fit No 8? Super duper.

I expect Cowan and Low from London Irish will both be on the North American leg of the tour so Cowan will probably offer a realistic alternative to Denton at 8. Perhaps James Eddie might also get a call up?
Slightly off topic but did anyone see Scotland's two star Rugby League men, Brough and Russell tearing it up this weekend for Huddersfield and Warrington on Sky?

Here's the million dollar question - given Scotland has 2 players who are perceived to be good enough to be regular starters for top teams playing for trophies this year, Glasgow have good enough players to get to the league final and we finally have a coach of some pedigree : are Scotland actually going to give us something to cheer about??

RDW, I'm very excited about our prospects over the next couple seasons.

Clermont have been a dominant force in club rugby for a few seasons and Cotter is known as a tough task master.

Young squad with plenty potential and the majority coming from a winning environment at Glasgow. For the first time in a decade we've got dangerous backs, not just big units with poor skills.

Could be a good combination, if he can give them a tough edge and make them hard to beat then the new generation of backs could make us a dangerous unit.

Get back to the old Scottish way of playing, mobile pack, aggressive rucking, keeping the ball alive and frantic.

What's the Clermont style of play? I'm assuming we'll adopt something similar, especially in the short term.

Is Denton fit to tour? Seem to recall him coming off early vs Leinster but don't know how serious it was. Regarding Harley/Brown why not just play them both as 2x6s? I'd have Denton at 8 and Fusaro on the bench. Both Harley and brown deserve recognition for their work.

Would be worth remembering Hogg's played well for Newcastle and has been in Bt sports opts team a few times. Cowan too.

I'm not considering Stauss at the moment as I'm in the category that it would be a bit off to paracute someone straight into the national team at the world cup!

If he continues his form at Glasgow then he will however be difficult to ignore!

I also think that Harley/Brown/Rennie would be a rather speedy and mobile back row and with Dickenson/Grant/Reid on one side, Welsh on the other with the Gray Bros bolstering, not only would the pack be fast, fit and mobile, it would not be lacking grunt!

Worth pointing out also that Kieran Low has appeared in a couple of the Jeff 'team of the year' offerings recently. He should definitely travel.

Can't say I've ever seen him play in the Jeff

Can't say I've watched much Jeff rugby at all!

Scotland squad for the Test matches v USA and Canada

Forwards: Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) Age 22 uncapped; Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) Age 28 Caps 30; Kelly Brown (Saracens) Age 31 Caps 63; Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) Age 25 uncapped; Blair Cowan Age 28 uncapped; Geoff Cross (both London Irish)Age 31 Caps 28; Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) Age 23 Caps 4; Richie Gray (Castres) Age 24 Caps 37; Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) Age 31 Caps 55; Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) Age 32 Caps 43; Kieran Low (London Irish)Age 23 Cap 1; Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) Age 29 Caps 26 Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) Age 27 Caps 4; Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) Age 27 uncapped; Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) Age 31 Caps 38 and Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby) Age 28 Caps 4.

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks) Age 31 Caps 68; Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 8; Max Evans (Castres) Age 30 Caps 42; Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby) Age 22 Caps 3; Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) Age 21 Caps 20; Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) Age 28 Caps 29; Sean Lamont Age 33 Caps 86; Sean Maitland Age 25 Caps 9; Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors) Age 21 uncapped; Duncan Taylor (Saracens) Age 24 Caps 10 and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) Age 26 Caps 12.

Scotland squad for Test matches v Argentina and South Africa

Forwards: Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) Age 25, uncapped; Geoff Cross (London Irish) Age 31, Caps 28; David Denton Age 24 Caps 22; Alasdair Dickinson Age 30 Caps 34; Ross Ford Age 30 Caps 75 (all Edinburgh Rugby); Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 2; Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby)Age 23 Caps 4; Jonny Gray Age 20 Caps 3; Rob Harley Age 24 Caps 4 (both Glasgow Warriors); Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) Age 29 Caps 26; Pat MacArthur Age 27 Caps 4, Gordon Reid Age 27 uncapped (both Glasgow Warriors); Tim Swinson Age 27 Caps 7; and Jon Welsh Age 27 Caps 2 (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 8; Dougie Fife Age 23 Cap 1; Grayson Hart Age 25 uncapped (both Edinburgh Rugby); Stuart Hogg Age 21 Caps 20, Peter Horne Age 24 Caps 2 (both Glasgow Warriors); Ruaridh Jackson (London Wasps) Age 26 Caps 23, Sean Maitland Age 25 Caps 9; Peter Murchie Age 28 Caps 2; Henry Pyrgos Age 24 Caps 10; Tommy Seymour Age 25 Caps 8; and Duncan Weir Age 23 Caps 13 (all Glasgow Warriors).

I presume   is looking to be involved in the Commie Games.

Per the SRU press release Rennie is injured too, what's he done now?!

http://scottishrugby.org/news/14/05/20/six-uncapped-scots-make-summer-tour

No real surprises there, other than those not able to play against SA are not being considered for the Argentina game either.

So, quick points:
The second squad is, as we suspected, composed entirely of Scotland-based players (including those who are moving off for next season but, presumably, are still in the control of their former clubs).

No Doug Hall, Ryan Grant or Tom Ryder.

I'm sure I'll add new points as the morning fog clears from my glue-addled synapses.

Is it fair to say that those named for USA and canada that are weegies are therefore not going to have a part in the Rabo Final?

highland_scot wrote:Scotland squad for the Test matches v USA and Canada

Forwards: Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) Age 22 uncapped; Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) Age 28 Caps 30; Kelly Brown (Saracens) Age 31 Caps 63; Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) Age 25 uncapped; Blair Cowan Age 28 uncapped; Geoff Cross (both London Irish)Age 31 Caps 28; Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) Age 23 Caps 4; Richie Gray (Castres) Age 24 Caps 37; Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) Age 31 Caps 55; Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) Age 32 Caps 43; Kieran Low (London Irish)Age 23 Cap 1; Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) Age 29 Caps 26 Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) Age 27 Caps 4; Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) Age 27 uncapped; Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) Age 31 Caps 38 and Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby) Age 28 Caps 4.

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks) Age 31 Caps 68; Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 8; Max Evans (Castres) Age 30 Caps 42; Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby) Age 22 Caps 3; Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) Age 21 Caps 20; Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) Age 28 Caps 29; Sean Lamont Age 33 Caps 86; Sean Maitland Age 25 Caps 9; Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors) Age 21 uncapped; Duncan Taylor (Saracens) Age 24 Caps 10 and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) Age 26 Caps 12.

Scotland squad for Test matches v Argentina and South Africa

Forwards: Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) Age 25, uncapped; Geoff Cross (London Irish) Age 31, Caps 28; David Denton Age 24 Caps 22; Alasdair Dickinson Age 30 Caps 34; Ross Ford Age 30 Caps 75 (all Edinburgh Rugby); Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 2; Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby)Age 23 Caps 4; Jonny Gray Age 20 Caps 3; Rob Harley Age 24 Caps 4 (both Glasgow Warriors); Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) Age 29 Caps 26; Pat MacArthur Age 27 Caps 4, Gordon Reid Age 27 uncapped (both Glasgow Warriors); Tim Swinson Age 27 Caps 7; and Jon Welsh Age 27 Caps 2 (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) Age 24 Caps 8; Dougie Fife Age 23 Cap 1; Grayson Hart Age 25 uncapped (both Edinburgh Rugby); Stuart Hogg Age 21 Caps 20, Peter Horne Age 24 Caps 2 (both Glasgow Warriors); Ruaridh Jackson (London Wasps) Age 26 Caps 23, Sean Maitland Age 25 Caps 9; Peter Murchie Age 28 Caps 2; Henry Pyrgos Age 24 Caps 10; Tommy Seymour Age 25 Caps 8; and Duncan Weir Age 23 Caps 13 (all Glasgow Warriors).

Have they got those squads the wrong way round? Although I haven't done more that glance at them it looks like the more powerful and experienced squad is listed to take on the North Americans, whilst the relatively less experienced get the 'opportunity' to play Argentina and SA?

It's a shame for Bennett to miss out on the summer tour, but the more I think about it, we really have to put out as strong a Sevens squad as possible for the Commonwealth Games. It's our home games and most of the dedicated Sevens players (Colin Gregor and Scott Riddell aside) have simply not been up to snuff this year.

I would expect to see Richie Vernon, James Eddie, Scott Wight, Lee Jones, Nick De Luca and Mark of Nazareth and possibly Rory Hughes and Jamie Farndale as well. Anything less and we'll lose badly.

It is based on player availability, with the Glasgow lot having their final and non Scotland based players being unavailable for the SA game.

tigertattie wrote:Is it fair to say that those named for USA and canada that are weegies are therefore not going to have a part in the Rabo Final?

Don't think that is the case, surely Cusiter, Dunbar and Russell etc will all feature in the Rabo final?

tigertattie wrote:Is it fair to say that those named for USA and canada that are weegies are therefore not going to have a part in the Rabo Final?

I thought that at first, but I simply can't see how we'd contest the final without Reid, MacArthur, Hogg, Maitland, Russell, etc.

Crikey, they'll be out on their feet by July!

tigertattie wrote:Is it fair to say that those named for USA and canada that are weegies are therefore not going to have a part in the Rabo Final?

No chance. Even Toonie isn't going to drop McArthur; Reid; Dunbar; Hogg; Maitland; and Russell.

They will play in the second match, bench at best in the first.

Hoggy appears in both squads. Now that's versatility.

Well he is quick....

They want to play him at 9

Honestly my brain can't cope with two squads and seeing as it's meant they've had to use practically every known professional rugby player known to Scotland (with the obvious exception of Alex "will-never-play-for-Scotland-ever-again" Grove) it's hard to really say anything about it.

Worth noting Brown is also unlikely to start in the first game too - so our finalists are likely to only play the one test game unless some continue on to Arg - also possible.

I'd love to see Johnson manage the NA side and Cotter the other, and then watch Cotter do a better job of the obvious mismatch than Johnson does with the odds in his favour.

Wow. I fear we may get a hiding in Argentina and South Africa.

Where is Ryan Grant? Is he being given a rest?

George Carlin wrote:Worth pointing out also that Kieran Low has appeared in a couple of the Jeff 'team of the year' offerings recently. He should definitely travel.

Has he? I must have missed that - even as an Irish fan I would say he is a little way away from being international quality. He is still quite raw though and he may well get there in the future - I certainly hope so.

Cowan on the other hand is absolutely class - I believe he finished the season with the most turnovers in the whole league. He has a fantastic skill set and is a solid carrier. His best position is 7 though rather than Number 8 where he previously played for Worcester.

SirBurger wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Worth pointing out also that Kieran Low has appeared in a couple of the Jeff 'team of the year' offerings recently. He should definitely travel.

Has he? I must have missed that - even as an Irish fan I would say he is a little way away from being international quality. He is still quite raw though and he may well get there in the future - I certainly hope so.

Cowan on the other hand is absolutely class - I believe he finished the season with the most turnovers in the whole league. He has a fantastic skill set and is a solid carrier. His best position is 7 though rather than Number 8 where he previously played for Worcester.

Thanks sirburger, I don't really know much about these two players. Having another option at seven would be good, given the frequency with which they pick up injuries.

Don't think he will play but why is Kevin Bryce is the squad?
For both sections of the tour as well. I can't remember him playing for the Warriors at all this season and I think he is our 4th choice.

I'm looking forward to seeing Grayson Hart behind what should be a decent pack.

Weegie Wizard wrote:Don't think he will play but why is Kevin Bryce is the squad?
For both sections of the tour as well. I can't remember him playing for the Warriors at all this season and I think he is our 4th choice.

I'm looking forward to seeing Grayson Hart behind what should be a decent pack.

It's strange that Fraser Brown has missed out, unless he's injured. He's played far more for Glasgow than Bryce. I think Bryce has only had forty-odd minutes the whole season.

Surprised at Bryce but no Fraser Brown, I've been quite impressed when I have seen Brown play.

I've always been very impressed with Blair Cowan from what I've seen. He was very good for Scotland A in January, and I think he brings something extra to the squad, that being the ability to explode people's heads with his mind.

If he looks at you like this, you're f***ed.

IanBru wrote:I've always been very impressed with Blair Cowan from what I've seen. He was very good for Scotland A in January, and I think he brings something extra to the squad, that being the ability to explode people's heads with his mind.

If he looks at you like this, you're f***ed.

I agree, Cowan always looks very good any time I've watched him, think he has a big opportunity on this tour to push for the 7 position, he seems far more physical than Fusaro.

Meant to add to my earlier post - Cowan was both players and coaches player of the season for Irish .

SirBurger wrote:Meant to add to my earlier post - Cowan was both players and coaches player of the season for Irish .

Sorry - was coaches and supporters. Players went to someone else, although I actually do wonder if Cowan won that one as well and they gave it to someone else to stop him hogging!

IanBru wrote:I've always been very impressed with Blair Cowan from what I've seen. He was very good for Scotland A in January, and I think he brings something extra to the squad, that being the ability to explode people's heads with his mind.

If he looks at you like this, you're f***ed.

Ian, that's a link to (amongst other things) a photo of a girl holding a beagle puppy.

Cowan was Irish's Player of the Season wasn't he?

So, breaking the squads down into something more readable (I'm off sick from work and there's only so much daenerys Targaryen watching that can keep me occupied   )

North America

LH - Allan, Reid, Traynor
H - Bryce, Lawson, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Hamilton, Low
6/8 - Beattie, Brown, Strokosh
7 - Cowan

SH - Cusiter, Laidlaw
SO - Heathcoat, Russell
IC - Taylor
OC -Dunbar
W - Evans, Lamont, Maitland, Visser
FB - Hogg

Argentina / SA

LH - Dickinson, Reid
H - Bryce, Ford, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low, Welsh
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Swinson
6/8 - Denton, Harley,
7 - Fusaro

SH - Hart, Pyrgos
SO - Jackson, Weir
IC - Horne
OC - Dunbar
W - Fife, Maitland, Symour
FB - Hogg, Murchie

That hopefully makes things a bit easier to see what we've got available. We appear to be worryingly short in the back row and in the centres.

George Carlin wrote:

IanBru wrote:I've always been very impressed with Blair Cowan from what I've seen. He was very good for Scotland A in January, and I think he brings something extra to the squad, that being the ability to explode people's heads with his mind.

If he looks at you like this, you're f***ed.

Ian, that's a link to (amongst other things) a photo of a girl holding a beagle puppy.

Cowan was Irish's Player of the Season wasn't he?

Bloody Google auto-type!

I meant to type 'Blair Cowan', and it seems I actually typed 'Blair Cowan and things that my girlfriend likes more than me.'

When the squad is broken down like that it does look a bit streamline. Obviously places still up for competition. I imagine a few in the North America section could play themselves into contention. Visser also hasnt played much rugby this season so could stay the full tour.

Should we really be leaving Bennett at home for the 7s with so few centre options?

Evans, Lamont and Hogg can cover centre but that's hardly ideal.

Cheers RDW. It is a bit threadbare isn't it.

I wonder whether the SRU are hoping several players will ask their clubs if they can stay on for Argentina and South Africa?

Did the Premiership or the IRB fine Northampton for allowing George North to play outside the international window?

If it was the Premiership, perhaps the TOP14 will be a bit more lax?

RDW_Scotland wrote:So, breaking the squads down into something more readable (I'm off sick from work and there's only so much daenerys Targaryen watching that can keep me occupied   )

North America

LH - Allan, Reid, Traynor
H - Bryce, Lawson, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Hamilton, Low
6/8 - Beattie, Brown, Strokosh
7 - Cowan

SH - Cusiter, Laidlaw
SO - Heathcoat, Russell
IC - Taylor
OC -Dunbar
W - Evans, Lamont, Maitland, Visser
FB - Hogg

Argentina / SA

LH - Dickinson, Reid
H - Bryce, Ford, McArthur
TH - Cross, Low, Welsh
SR - Gilchrist, Gray, Swinson
6/8 - Denton, Harley,
7 - Fusaro

SH - Hart, Pyrgos
SO - Jackson, Weir
IC - Horne
OC - Dunbar
W - Fife, Maitland, Symour
FB - Hogg, Murchie

That hopefully makes things a bit easier to see what we've got available.  We appear to be worryingly short in the back row and in the centres.

So we're looking at first 15's along the following lines...

Tour 1.

Reid
Hall Lawson
Cross
R Gray
Hamilton
Brown
Cowan
Beattie
Laidlaw
Russell
Visser
Taylor
Dunbar
Maitland
Hogg

Tour 2.

Dickinson
Ford
Welsh
J Gray
Swinson
Harley
Fusaro
Denton
Hart
Weir
Seymour
Horne
Dunbar
Maitland
Hogg

Are there any mid week games or are all games internationals?

Hall isn't touring

My mistake - I meant Lawson

I was going to say I'll eat my hat if Laidlaw starts ahead of Cusiter but, as SJ will be selecting that team I don't think I will.  

Such a shame if Rennie misses out on tour again. I've been looking at his stats for Bristol this season and he's been in prolific try scoring form, as well as racking up the playing time again.