Scotland 6N lookahead

by **RDW** Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:36 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland 6N lookahead - Page 11 Vern_c10

Fixtures

07/02 France V Scotland - 17:00
15/02 Scotland V Wales - 15:00

28/02 Scotland V Italy - 14:30

14/03 England V Scotland - 17:00
21/03 Scotland V Ireland - 14:30

6N standings last 10 years

2014 - 5th, 1 win
2013 - 3rd, 2 wins
2012 - 6th, 0 wins
2011 - 5th, 1 win
2010 - 5th, 1 win
2009 - 5th, 1 win
2008 - 5th, 1 win
2007 - 6th, 1 win
2006 - 3rd, 3 wins
2005 - 5th, 1 win

Squad

FORWARDS: Hugh Blake Erm

(Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Rob Harley, Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch Shocked

(Perpignan), Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson (both Edinburgh Rugby), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors).

BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar, (Glasgow Warriors) Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (both Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby).

Unavailable through injury: Adam Ashe (neck), Chris Fusaro (ankle), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Tyrone Holmes (face), Ruaridh Jackson (knee), Duncan Taylor (hamstring), Duncan Weir (arm).

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:28 am

I think it has to mean that he's back in the squad. I mean, surely?
Scotland 6N lookahead - Page 11 Neilse10

by jimbopip Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:32 am

The more I think about it the more convinced I am that Jamesie Cotter will use the 6N's to look at players who just might make it into the WC squad. Barclay and Brown are both very much on form so would probably make it if form was the only criteria, however refusing to buy a round for Rab C and not knowing all the words to "I belong to Moonie Ponds" or "Up wi' the bunnets o' bonny St George Illiwharra" may well rule them out. Similarly, Nasty Jim should be in, but it's probably too late for A. Hogg.
Without sounding too Welsh, Outside Half will probably be the biggest cause for concern. With no Meatball or Rhubarb we seem to have Dancer or...er Dancer. So does he shimmy his way through every game to get the required experience or do we see Tonks, Twocoats and Furra Linee all given a shot at it? My feeling is that Tonks will be back up full-back so will get in as "auxiliary back" . As Twocoats doesn't seem to be starting for the MFL then I'd be surprised to see him starting for Scotland, but imagine if Rhubarb and Meatball aren't playing by the end of the season (not impossible given the four month recovery for Meatball) and Dancer gets injured scoring the winning try in the Pro 12 final!!! Someone needs to get some experience sharpish.
Oh and a last thought, will Blair Cowan's mate continue to mystify us all by his presence in the squad?

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:41 am

It certainly is a huge opportunity for Tonks. He will surely be the backup 10, given he's the only other Scottish player playing 10 just now! Given he is also a very good fullback he would be an ideal bench choice - if he shows he has the temperament to carry on his form at International level.

The only thing going against him is his lack of goal kicking, but that is what Laidlaw is for.

Saying that, if Laidlaw and Russell go off, who will take the kicks?? Shocked

Hogg's long range goal kicking has the same success rate as one of Roberto Carlos' free kicks, and although he can walk on water the Messiah's goal kicking is fairly untested.

Who would have thought the meatball would prove to be such a key player from a squad perspective eh?

by highland_scot Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:21 am

The Messiah's goal kicking is fantastic, as long as it is over 50m...

Probably not really fair to give him that responsibility though, unless as a last resort, when he hasn't actually played a full international game yet.

Reckon Beattie could make a decent fist of it, and pretty sure we've all seen the video of Weir teaching Richie Gray to kick a penas from halfway.

Maybe Jack Cuthbert should be called up for his goal kicking... He did alright against Glaws last season... Run

(Only kidding with those last 3, of course)

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:24 am

He's unlikely to usurp Cusiter, but Sam Hidalgo-Clyne's kicking has been a pleasant surprise this year - he's generally been excellent.

Pyrgos' kicking has been pretty decent too, although he's not a regular kicker, so will be interesting which one gets the 3rd spot.

I suspect it will be Pyrgos leading up to the world cup, given his relative experience, but looking long term Sam's kicking will be a real asset.

by Tattie Scones RRN Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:25 am

Tweet from Barclay last night:

"Didn't see that coming"

The news we're all hoping for possibly?

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:04 am

OP updated. Feel free to tinker away GC!

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:12 am

On the John Barclay issue, I notice in his Twitter bio he says 'former international' - I'm not sure if that's a recent thing, but certainly suggests he doesn't think he'll play for Scotland again...

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:18 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:OP updated. Feel free to tinker away GC!

Many thanks. It could take some time to decide who is the most attractive team rep for each game.

by IanBru Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:19 am

highland_scot wrote:The Messiah's goal kicking is fantastic, as long as it is over 50m...

Probably not really fair to give him that responsibility though, unless as a last resort, when he hasn't actually played a full international game yet.

Reckon Beattie could make a decent fist of it, and pretty sure we've all seen the video of Weir teaching Richie Gray to kick a penas from halfway.

Maybe Jack Cuthbert should be called up for his goal kicking... He did alright against Glaws last season...

(Only kidding with those last 3, of course)

All good points, and actually not so crazy (well, apart from Cuthbert playing for Scotland again. That gave me a chuckle).

If I remember right, Kelly Brown used to do the kicking for Melrose back in the day - truly he is a man of many talents...

All I have is Shocked

.

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:23 am

Jesus. So it's clear that players are allowed a drink or nine after a match.

by IanBru Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:44 am

George Carlin wrote:Jesus. So it's clear that players are allowed a drink or nine after a match.

Yeah, it looks like young Kelly might have flicked the small switch marked 'Turbo'.

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:51 am

There's certainly a bit of ex-factor about him if he isn't named in the squad today...

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:08 pm

When do they name the squad?

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:09 pm

Lunchtime, so soon hopefully!

by nickj Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:25 pm

Barclay's tweet has got my hopes up. If he's been brought back in from the cold, there's ever chance Kelly will be too.

Assuming Harley is going to be fit by round 2 or 3, I'd love to see Kelly picked for the France game. Surely he's more deserving of a slot than Stroks or Low too???

If Cotter picks a squad for the first couple of rounds we may see a third 6 or even a fifth lock come in? But I've gone for Peter Horne as another utility back.

Anyway I have amended the 33 man squad I expect to be named at lunchtime ... bring it on...

LH - Dickinson; Sub - Grant, Squad - Reid
Hooker - Ford; Sub - F Brown; Squad - S Lawson
TH - Murray; Sub - Cross; Squad - Welsh
Locks - Gray x 2; Sub - Hamilton; Squad - Swinson - although I'd like to see Hines brought in
Openside - Cowan; Sub - Barclay
Blindside - Brown; Sub - Harley
No 8 - Beattie; Sub Denton
SH - Laidlaw (c); Sub - Cusiter; Squad - Pygros
FH - Russell; Sub - Tonks
Centres - Scott, Dunbar; Sub - Bennett; Squad - Horne
Back three - Maitland, Seymour, Visser; Sub - Lamont; Squad - Hogg

by GLove39 Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:27 pm

Ahhh, don't underestimate how long it takes to get through a load of prawn sandwiches.

by highland_scot Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:30 pm

Squad is out...

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:30 pm

Bloody hell, Blake is in along with Watson and Toolis

by highland_scot Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:30 pm

No Barclay Sad

by highland_scot Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:32 pm

FORWARDS: Hugh Blake (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Rob Harley, Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson (both Edinburgh Rugby), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors).

BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar, (Glasgow Warriors) Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (both Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby).

Unavailable through injury: Adam Ashe (neck), Chris Fusaro (ankle), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Tyrone Holmes (face), Ruaridh Jackson (knee), Duncan Taylor (hamstring), Duncan Weir (arm).

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:33 pm

No Cusiter

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:34 pm

No Brown, no Barclay.

Blake and Strokosh included instead.

by reallybored Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:34 pm

I genuinely believe we have a right to know why Barclay and Brown are being overlooked.

Blake???? Ahead of Barclay, who is playing very well for Scarlets and has plenty experience.

Brown is another who's in great form and has been shunned.

I really like the look of the rest of the squad but those two not being involved is a joke. This can't be anything to do with rugby but something within the SRU and frankly we deserve better than some petty squabble robbing us of our best players.

by GLove39 Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:37 pm

So I guess Barclay was referring to Hugh Blake when he said he "didn't see that coming"?

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:39 pm

I assume that Cotter regards the level of rugby that Blake has been playing in New Zealand prior to coming over to be as high as the Pro 12 so making him ready for ,potentially, playing in the 6Ns?

by reallybored Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:41 pm

Usually I'm not too bothered by the occasional omission if the majority of the squad is right but this is a joke.

I honestly can't believe Strokosch is ahead of Brown, why would be playing in D2 rather than for the team that just beat Munster in Euro Cup.

We deserve an explanation.

I am incandescent with rage right now.

So angry that I missed Grant being overlooked, why?

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:44 pm

By position:

Props

Dickinson, Reid, Welsh, Murray, Cross

Key absentee - Grant

Hooker

Brown, Ford

Key absentee - a 3rd hooker

Second row

Gray, Gray, Hamilton, Toolis

Key absentee - Swinson

Back row

Blake, Strokosh, Harley, Denton, Watson, Cowan

Key absentees - Brown, Barclay, Grant

Scrum half

Laidlaw, Pyrgos, S-H-C

Key absentee - Cusiter

Stand off

Russell, Tonks

Centre

Scott, Dunbar, Bennett, Horne

Back 3

Fife, Hogg, Lamont, Maitland, Seymour, Visser

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:49 pm

Hmm. In Vern we trust?

- No Cusack, Cusiter, Brown or Barclay. Big, big calls to omit them. Any of those names may return as injury cover.

- Russell, Tonks and Horne to cover 10. That is really quite scary.

- Very pleased that Watson and Toolis are included. Less happy that SHC is there instead of Cusiter. Is CC injured?

- No Wilson or Grant. The link to the ongoing criminal proceedings is too strong to ignore.

by teh_Dingmeister Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:49 pm

What would it take the get Scott Johnson removed and sent back to Australia? The only mitigation for Strokosch being included over Brown or Barclay is that he will have been semi-known to Cotter when Perpignan were in the top 14. Doesn't look like either of them will be featuring in the World Cup based on this.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:49 pm

GLove39 wrote:So I guess Barclay was referring to Hugh Blake when he said he "didn't see that coming"?

Or the news that the Sun has dropped Page 3!

by Majestic83 Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:51 pm

what a joke some of those selections are. A player who hasn't played any top level rugby being selected over Barclay who is in cracking form. Strokosh selected who is past it and playing very poorly at Perpignan who aren't even at the top of the league in D2.
Very disappointed Cusiter isn't selected either as he has been in good form at Sale and looked good when he got game time in the Autumn tests. Also a natural leader as well. The rest of the squad looks not too bad, a bit surprised at Hamilton being included but No other locks are jumping out crying to be selected.
Just bemused by Blakes inclusion in the main squad!

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:51 pm

Interesting that Watson is in but Grant isn't. Watson could grow into a real asset if he keeps developing as he has been, the area of his game I really like is his support play, very much in the Rennie mould and crucial if we want to build towards being a more expansive side

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:54 pm

https://www.606v2.com/t57323-brown-and-barclay-time-to-find-out-the-truth#2896640

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:56 pm

George Carlin wrote:Hmm. In Vern we trust?

- No Cusack, Cusiter, Brown or Barclay. Big, big calls to omit them. Any of those names may return as injury cover.

- Russell, Tonks and Horne to cover 10. That is really quite scary.

- Very pleased that Watson and Toolis are included. Less happy that SHC is there instead of Cusiter. Is CC injured?

- No Wilson or Grant. The link to the ongoing criminal proceedings is too strong to ignore.

I'm surprised that Horne is in as a 10 option, at least Heathcote is a reliable place kicker, something you couldn't say about Horne.

by AB1990 Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:58 pm

Only one No.8? Or is Blake able to cover the whole back row?

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:59 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Hmm. In Vern we trust?

- No Cusack, Cusiter, Brown or Barclay. Big, big calls to omit them. Any of those names may return as injury cover.

- Russell, Tonks and Horne to cover 10. That is really quite scary.

- Very pleased that Watson and Toolis are included. Less happy that SHC is there instead of Cusiter. Is CC injured?

- No Wilson or Grant. The link to the ongoing criminal proceedings is too strong to ignore.

I'm surprised that Horne is in as a 10 option, at least Heathcote is a reliable place kicker, something you couldn't say about Horne.

I am just assuming that Horne is the third man cover for 10. Not saying its a good idea.

I would have chosen Heathcote to at least join the squad. Why not have three 10s?

I suppose the thinking is that if Laidlaw is on the field, you don't need three but I don't think GL has had any gametime at 10 for the Cherries this season. Amazing how much we miss the Rhubarb and the Meatball.

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:00 pm

AB1990 wrote:Only one No.8? Or is Blake able to cover the whole back row?

Denton and Beattie are 8s

by AB1990 Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:01 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
AB1990 wrote:Only one No.8? Or is Blake able to cover the whole back row?

Denton and Beattie are 8s

Unless I'm missing something Beattie is not in the squad.

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:03 pm

GLove39 wrote:So I guess Barclay was referring to Hugh Blake when he said he "didn't see that coming"?

Sadly, that's almost certainly what he meant. It also reiterates that the Scotsman's "guesses" about team selection are fed by intra-SRU briefings.

by **RDW** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:03 pm

AB1990 wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
AB1990 wrote:Only one No.8? Or is Blake able to cover the whole back row?

Denton and Beattie are 8s

Unless I'm missing something Beattie is not in the squad.

Woops - good spot.

That is a surprise!

I think Cowan covers 8, but not to an International standard.

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:05 pm

Here's the full release from the SRU clown car.

Beattie is indeed not in the squad

Head Coach Vern Cotter has again targeted form and youthful ambition with selection of the Scotland squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations.

Among the 32 men are four young Edinburgh Rugby players who have been offered their first shot at senior international honours: 21-year-old scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22-year-old forwards Ben Toolis (lock) and Hugh Blake (back-row), and 24-year-old back-row Hamish Watson.

Hidalgo-Clyne has been in the form of his fledgling career this season, featuring in every Edinburgh Rugby game so far (starting 12 of 18), with his match-winning goal kicking a recent addition to an already impressive armoury.

Back-row Watson is another to have played through the Scottish age-grade sides and come the club’s development programme, after his move north from the Leicester Tigers Academy four years ago.

This season the specialist openside has come into his own, with his pace and work-rate earning him an invite to train in the autumn, only for a broken jaw sustained in European competition to end his chances of, until now, taking the step into the senior Scotland squad.

Like Hidalgo-Clyne, 6ft 7in lock Toolis is another player who has impressed through opportunity, by stepping into the breach for injured lock Grant Gilchrist for club, and now country, since he joined the side’s academy from Australia in the summer of 2013.

Finally, new Edinburgh Rugby recruit Blake comes into the squad for the first time having arrived in Scotland from Super Rugby side, Highlanders, in December.

Scotland Head Coach, Vern Cotter, said:

All these players have worked hard and have shown great ambition to seize this opportunity. That’s the type of player we want in this environment.

“They have impressed me with their desire to go forward, and reflect the Scottish spirit of attacking and leading, to develop into impressive performers.”

The quartet will join a further seven of their capital club mates, including Greig Tonks, selected for Scotland for the first time since his positional switch to stand-off, having made his first and only international appearance at full-back against Samoa on the 2013 summer tour.

The squad is also boosted by the return of 21-times capped centre Matt Scott, who missed last year’s summer tour and viagogo Autumn Test campaigns, with shoulder and hand injuries respectively.

Despite the strong capital contingent, Glasgow Warriors – currently second in the Guinness PRO12 – continue to contribute the majority of the squad, with 15 players all in.

Among them is centre Mark Bennett who, like Scott, has recovered from injury (hamstring) to return to the fold.

Tight-head prop Jon Welsh (absent through a shoulder injury) also earns a recall, while Peter Horne could feature for the first time since the summer tour.

The group is completed by a further six players from clubs outside Scotland: captain Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Blair Cowan and Geoff Cross (both London Irish), who return to the squad following their part in the 2014 viagogo Autumn Tests.

Scotland Head Coach, Vern Cotter, added: “We are approaching this RBS 6 Nations looking to perform and develop.

“It will be a great process for us and I know the players are looking forward to it.

“Obviously we’ll be facing some very good sides, four of which are above us in the world rankings, however we have nothing to hide going into this year.

“We start with a very difficult game against France in Paris and we will prepare as best as possible for that game and adapt as the competition evolves.”

Cotter continued:

The players will want to characterise the traditional traits of the Scottish game; attacking with ferocity, destabilising the opposition and trying to play smart.

“Every time they pull on the jersey they will want to express themselves fully, so it’s with excitement that we look to the Six Nations, because we want to see how far we can compete, how well we can adapt, and how well we can equip ourselves in this very tough competition.

“I’m very confident that the players selected will underline the improvements we showed in the autumn as well as some others as the group continues to come together.

“We were all affected so positively by the support during the viagogo Autumn Tests, which really lifted the players and made them so proud to pull on the shirt and play here at BT Murrayfield.

“It’s a great challenge.”

SCOTLAND 2015 RBS 6 NATIONS SQUAD:

FORWARDS: Hugh Blake (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Rob Harley, Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson (both Edinburgh Rugby), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors).

BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar, (Glasgow Warriors) Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (both Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby).

Unavailable through injury: Adam Ashe (neck), Chris Fusaro (ankle), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Tyrone Holmes (face), Ruaridh Jackson (knee), Duncan Taylor (hamstring), Duncan Weir (arm).

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:06 pm

AB1990 wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
AB1990 wrote:Only one No.8? Or is Blake able to cover the whole back row?

Denton and Beattie are 8s

Unless I'm missing something Beattie is not in the squad.

Yes I think you're right, no Beattie as far as I can see

by Majestic83 Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:08 pm

Yeah Cowan played most of his earlier rugby at No 8 before switching to openside at London Irish, good at No 8 but Beattie or Hogg are obviously better options. Hugh Blake has mostly played at openside through his career.
The starting back row could be all southern hemisphere born, pretty poor to be honest when back row is an area of strength in Scottish rugby.

by Tattie Scones RRN Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:10 pm

"They have impressed me with their desire to go forward," said Cotter.

"They reflect the Scottish spirit of attacking and leading, to develop into impressive performers."

How the hell has Blake shown any Scottish spirit in anything, never mind attacking???

by MacKnocked-on Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:13 pm

I see Andy Nicol is getting awfully upset on Twitter at Blake's inclusion.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:17 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Hmm. In Vern we trust?

- No Cusack, Cusiter, Brown or Barclay. Big, big calls to omit them. Any of those names may return as injury cover.

- Russell, Tonks and Horne to cover 10. That is really quite scary.

- Very pleased that Watson and Toolis are included. Less happy that SHC is there instead of Cusiter. Is CC injured?

- No Wilson or Grant. The link to the ongoing criminal proceedings is too strong to ignore.

I'm surprised that Horne is in as a 10 option, at least Heathcote is a reliable place kicker, something you couldn't say about Horne.

Would think Horne is there as emergency level cover for FH. Would think if one of the other two got injured, Heathcote would be drafted in.

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:18 pm

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:"They have impressed me with their desire to go forward," said Cotter.

"They reflect the Scottish spirit of attacking and leading, to develop into impressive performers."

How the hell has Blake shown any Scottish spirit in anything, never mind attacking???

He's certainly shown the Scottish spirit for opportunism.

I hope that Nichol et al direct their rants at the selection team rather than at Blake himself, who has done nothing other than put himself in the shop window. He's just a kid who wants to play rugby, so I hope he isn't the victim of personal poo slinging. Let's forget that he's done nothing wrong. I also think he is highly unlikely to make a matchday 23.

by **George Carlin** Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:21 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:I see Andy Nicol is getting awfully upset on Twitter at Blake's inclusion.

Namely:

Andy Nicol@AndyNic9 · 19m 19 minutes ago
WTF, not played for Edinburgh but picked for Scotland??? I thought we had left these days long ago!

by EWT Spoons Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:21 pm

Well Cotter didn’t take long to make random selections did he.

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