Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad

by 123456789 Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:19 am

First topic message reminder :

A. WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCHES:

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Irelan10

15 August 2015:Ireland v Scotland, Dublin.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Italy_10

22 August 2015: Italy v Scotland, Turin.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Scot_f10

29 August 2015: Scotland v Italy, Edinburgh

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 France10

05 September 2015: France v Scotland, Paris

B. WORLD CUP POOL MATCHES

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Scot_f10

23 September 2015: Scotland V Japan, Kingsholm - Gloucester.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Scot_f10

27 September 2015: Scotland v USA, Elland Road - Leeds.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Scot_f10

03 October 2015: Scotland v South Africa, St James Park - Newcastle.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 6 Scot_f10

10 October 2015: Scotland v Samoa, St James Park - Newcastle.

C. EXTENDED SCOTLAND SQUAD

- FORWARDS (25) -

Prop (7):
Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 44 caps; 4 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 4 caps

Hooker (3):
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 85 caps; 8 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped

Second-row (6):
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Richie Gray (Castres) – 44 caps
Jim Hamilton (Saracens) – 61 caps; 6 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps
Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

Back-row (9):
Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps
John Barclay (Scarlets) – 43 caps; 4 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Hugh Blake (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 11 caps
David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps
Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 44 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap

- BACKS (21) -

Scrum-half (4):
Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks) – 70 caps; 6 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 39 caps
Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

Stand-off (3):
Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps) – 25 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)
Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps

Centre (6):
Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 12 caps
Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)

Back-three (8):
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 93 caps; 8 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Sean Maitland (London Irish) – 15 caps
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps
Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 18 caps

by **RDW** Tue May 12, 2015 12:40 am

nickj wrote:Is Cusack Scottish qualified in principle? Also do we know what was / is wrong with him?

Qualified last year on residency I think.

It has never been made public what he's had, and given the lengths gone to protect his privacy it would probably be inappropriate to discuss his illness on here if someone did know what it was.

by nickj Tue May 12, 2015 12:43 am

Gotcha. Well I'm glad he's back and is being reintegrated into the team. Especially in light of Murray retiring.

by tigertattie Tue May 12, 2015 12:48 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:You just love those emoticons don't you?!

I still wash my hands after I go to the toilet, meaning I'll never be a proper Glasgow fan.

True! Warrior fans just go where they stand! No such things as toilets for them!

by funnyExiledScot Tue May 12, 2015 1:15 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
nickj wrote:Is Cusack Scottish qualified in principle? Also do we know what was / is wrong with him?

Qualified last year on residency I think.

It has never been made public what he's had, and given the lengths gone to protect his privacy it would probably be inappropriate to discuss his illness on here if someone did know what it was.

We never discuss inappropriate things on here. Never.

by Majestic83 Tue May 12, 2015 2:26 am

Looking at other areas of the possible world cup squad what are people thinking of players being selected for the back 3.
Currently only Hogg and Seymour are the ones showing any good form.
Maitland is injured and isn't guaranteed to be fit for the world cup. Visser's form is non existent, Fife's form is like a roller coaster and Lamont has been missing for a while with injury.
There is no one sticking their hand up as a back up to Hogg either.
As crazy as this may have sounded a year ago could Byron McGuigan be pushing for a place in the Scotland squad. Playing well in a winning team at Exeter. Looks a changed player from his Glasgow days. Playing full back now but can obviously play wing and centre as well so could be quite a handy squad player.

by funnyExiledScot Tue May 12, 2015 2:59 am

Hogg and Seymour are definites. Tonks could make it as back up to Hogg at 15 and 3rd choice 10 (behind Russell and Jackson hopefully), but to be quite honest Tonks hasn't been very impressive this season. Solomons is now messing him about a bit, which is the last thing he needs.

Jack Cuthbert will feel that he's in contention, as will Peter Murchie. I don't think Lamont will make it - he's just too slow these days.

My hunch is that Maitland and Visser will make it in the end, with Fife as back up if one or both aren't fit, but your suggestion of McGuigan certainly shows more imagination! McColl at Glaws is another who could throw his hand up between now and then, but purely on form McGuigan isn't a bad shout.

by Manky-Flanker Tue May 12, 2015 11:06 pm

Given the injuries/loss of form across the centres and wingers, I wonder what the odds are on Maxwell "le goblin" Evans being included in Scotland's RWC squad?

by Majestic83 Tue May 12, 2015 11:16 pm

I wouldn't rule Evans out of making it. He has actually been is fairly good form for Castres despite them being near the bottom most of the season. Think he is out injured at the moment but with all the injuries he could certainly force his way into the team. He does have the versatility a world cup squad needs as well having played at 12, 13 and on the wing this season for Castres.

by **George Carlin** Tue May 12, 2015 11:31 pm

The idea of Monsieur Squashy and Dougie 'Joe Average' Fife in our world cup squad really makes me want to yog.

by nickj Wed May 13, 2015 12:04 am

I wouldn't have any issue with Evans being picked. In my opinion he's a heck of a lot more talented than our remaining options on the wing - Fife and Lamont, and if Tonks makes the cut (and Maitland is fit) we wouldn't need another 15 like Cuthbert or Murchie.

I just hope Maitland, Scott, Dunbar and Bennett get back fit and firing asap. Its really worrying that a nation as low on numbers as we are, could be missing a backline of: Jackson, Bennett, Dunbar, Scott and Maitland. The likes of Peter Horne, Duncan Taylor and Max Evans just don't compare unfortunately...

by Manky-Flanker Wed May 13, 2015 12:28 am

Horne is the recognised utility sub, however if he has to start at centre then Maximus Utilicus Evanicus would probably be the next best option for the bench.

by funnyExiledScot Wed May 13, 2015 12:53 am

We just need Hogg, Seymour and Maitland to be fit and firing come the World Cup. Dr Robson should be relieved of any other duties and simply focus on those three players....and Gilchrist...and Jackson....and Bennett....and Dunbar....and Scott....

by funnyExiledScot Wed May 13, 2015 11:56 pm

Just seeing our World Cup warm-up game is against Italy. Shame we don't have another game against Tonga or Fiji, as it would be good practice for facing Samoa (effectively our knock out game).

by nickj Wed May 13, 2015 11:58 pm

Don't talk sense FES, this is the SRU and Scott Johnson we're talking about...

by **RDW** Thu May 14, 2015 12:00 am

We also play Italy away from home!

by funnyExiledScot Thu May 14, 2015 12:03 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:We also play Italy away from home!

.....and we play them all the time. I realise part of the exercise will be for us to work on "systems" etc., but NH teams present a very different challenge to Samoa, Japan and USA.

by **RDW** Thu May 14, 2015 12:09 am

Good thing we're also playing Ireland and France then... Rolling Eyes

by funnyExiledScot Thu May 14, 2015 12:11 am

Exactly my point. Good quality opponents (depending on how they use the fixtures), but not much variety there.

by **BigGee** Thu May 14, 2015 6:08 am

I see Hugh Blake is un the sevens squad for the London leg. If he is capped then that will tie him to Scotland I believe. Jamie Farndale is in as well, it will be interesting to see what he can do, he needs to get his career back on track quickly or it will run away from him.

by Majestic83 Thu May 14, 2015 6:31 am

Yep that will tie Hugh Blake to scotland colours.
Agree about farndale as well, from looking like one of Scotland's best prospects for a long time he just hasn't kicked on, Hoyland has over taken him and a few of the other young wingers are showing promise too.

by **BigGee** Thu May 14, 2015 7:47 am

Hugh Blake is a player with serious potential, so I have no issues with tying him in. I expect we will see a lot more of him next season when the Scotland players are away on the WC. They just need to make up their minds which club he will be playing for!

Farndale must have something, they don't seem to want to give up on him, despite all his injury issues. I look forward to seeing him play and can make up my mind about him.

by Weegie Wizard Thu May 14, 2015 7:24 pm

Do Edinburgh need him? You have Watson and Grant both playing well and I reckon Solomons would be happy to play Du Preez at openside as well.

Glasgow have Holmes & Fusaro who I don't think are quite up to it, Bordill who is very raw, and Favaro coming in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holmes moved on this summer which would make Glasgow a decent option for Blake.

by **RDW** Thu May 14, 2015 7:34 pm

Neither team really need him, but Glasgow would probably suit him the best.

by funnyExiledScot Thu May 14, 2015 8:46 pm

I'm fine with Blake and Farndale being looked at closely again through the lens of the Sevens squad. From the glimpses I've seen of Blake he does seem to have something, and whilst his promotion to the Scotland squad felt premature, we do want as much depth as possible.

by highland_scot Tue May 19, 2015 7:45 pm

Aaaaand we're getting a new backs coach:

Jason O'Halloran

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/68679894/manawatu-turbos-coach-jason-ohalloran-signs-deal-with-scottish-rugby-union

Who??

by nickj Tue May 19, 2015 7:48 pm

Nice one. I hope it wasn't as much of a case of 'jobs for the boys' as that article suggests though...

by **RDW** Tue May 19, 2015 7:53 pm

The Scottish coaching team is massive now.

Could do with giving some to Edinburgh! Maybe his remit will cover the two pro sides as well.

by highland_scot Tue May 19, 2015 7:57 pm

Think it's a transitioning thing though - there's no way everyone can be sticking about is there? Or maybe the plan is to use BT's millions to provide employment for the entire population of NZ!

You'd imagine he would at least have some time to spend with the Pro teams on skills (/catching) sessions. Pretty sure Toonie is doing pretty well at coaching attack/skills for the Weege though. But external perspectives always welcome!

by **RDW** Tue May 19, 2015 8:00 pm

Maybe Hodge is moving to Edinburgh?

by highland_scot Tue May 19, 2015 8:03 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Maybe Hodge is moving to Edinburgh?

Hmm, maybe. Not sure how earth shattering that would be.

Mind you, if his backs work extends beyond "pass it to Strauss who'll run into someone" and "kick it away with a half-arsed chase" then it'll be an upgrade on the current backs coaching!

by nickj Tue May 19, 2015 8:09 pm

Morrison predicts that too... http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/alan-solomons-must-raise-the-tempo-at-edinburgh-1-3775116

by highland_scot Tue May 19, 2015 8:27 pm

He must be good.

He's the man who brought us the next Dan Carter, the one and only Jade Te Rure!

by **RDW** Wed May 20, 2015 10:24 pm

Any idea when the Scotland extended training squad is going to be announced given England and France have?

If it is a 50 man squad that is not far off every established pro player available - if Barclay and Brown are omitted from that we know something is very wrong!

by funnyExiledScot Wed May 20, 2015 11:51 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Any idea when the Scotland extended training squad is going to be announced given England and France have?

If it is a 50 man squad that is not far off every established pro player available - if Barclay and Brown are omitted from that we know something is very wrong!

Very true. We would genuinely struggle to put together a credible 50 man squad, or at least Vern Cotter and Scott Johnson could. I'm sure Maj could list over 100 players!

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 12:02 am

Looshead - Dickinson, Reid, Grant, Sutherland
Hooker - Ford, Brown, McInally, McArthur
Tighthead - Nel, Cross, Welsh, Cusak, Low
Lock - Gray, Gray, Toolis, Hamilton, Swinson, Gilchrist, McKenzie
6/8 - Harley, Denton, Ashe, Strauss, Wilson, Brown
7 - Watson, Cowan, Barclay, Fusaro

9 - Hidalgo-Clyne, Laidlaw, Pyrgos, Cusiter
10 - Russell, Weir, Jackson
12/13 - Scott, Horne, Bennett, Taylor, Vernon
11/14 - Seymour, Visser, Maitland, Fife, Lamont
15 - Hogg, Tonks, Murchie

Wasn't actually that difficult - centre is still a worrying position though. I've assumed Dunbar will be crocked.

There are far too many locks and backrows in there, but was running out of players!

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 12:08 am

14 Edinburgh
20 Glasgow
14 Others

by MacKnocked-on Thu May 21, 2015 1:27 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Looshead - Dickinson, Reid, Grant, Sutherland
Hooker - Ford, Brown, McInally, McArthur
Tighthead - Nel, Cross, Welsh, Cusak, Low
Lock - Gray, Gray, Toolis, Hamilton, Swinson, Gilchrist, McKenzie
6/8 - Harley, Denton, Ashe, Strauss, Wilson, Brown
7 - Watson, Cowan, Barclay, Fusaro

9 - Hidalgo-Clyne, Laidlaw, Pyrgos, Cusiter
10 - Russell, Weir, Jackson
12/13 - Scott, Horne, Bennett, Taylor, Vernon
11/14 - Seymour, Visser, Maitland, Fife, Lamont
15 - Hogg, Tonks, Murchie

Wasn't actually that difficult - centre is still a worrying position though. I've assumed Dunbar will be crocked.

There are far too many locks and backrows in there, but was running out of players!

Worrying stories persisting that Matt Scott may not recover form his current injury, hopefully not true. If we are heading towards the WC with doubts over Scott, Dunbar and Bennett I wonder what scope there is for some left field selections such as Huw Jones? As Cotter will probably be naming a large training squad initially then I think there could be some possible surprises.

by nickj Thu May 21, 2015 1:36 am

Really? That is worrying. Horne and Bennett look a bit light weight for me.

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 1:38 am

nickj wrote:Really? That is worrying. Horne and Bennett look a bit light weight for me.

Especially against Samoa and South Africa. Horne didn't go tell well against them in the summer tour competition a few years ago.

Taylor (or Lamont Rolling Eyes

) would no doubt have to be brought in.

by nickj Thu May 21, 2015 1:41 am

I wonder if Vernon's recent form has bumped Taylor and Lamont down Vern's list? I'm not sure it would do morale too much good, but if we did see some left field selections, such as Huw Jones. Could we see Johnny McNicholl make the plane too?

by MacKnocked-on Thu May 21, 2015 1:52 am

nickj wrote:I wonder if Vernon's recent form has bumped Taylor and Lamont down Vern's list? I'm not sure it would do morale too much good, but if we did see some left field selections, such as Huw Jones. Could we see Johnny McNicholl make the plane too?

I'm speculating that if we are faced with being without a number of injured centres then there is no harm in having an extended training squad, doesn't mean that everyone will go to the World Cup. Vernon probably does deserve a place in the training squad, he has the added versatility of being able to play in the back row if need be. Other possible contenders? Lyle (too inexperienced?), Grove (not played top level rugby for a season or two?), McGuigan (good chance possibly), hard to think of anyone else.

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 1:55 am

Shame Ben Atiga is already tied to NZ, he would become SQ this summer...

by funnyExiledScot Thu May 21, 2015 2:11 am

If Dunbar, Scott and Bennett are out then we are fecked. That's a technical term.

We would have to have Horne at 12 with either Taylor or Vernon at 13.

A left field pick, and not one I would go for, would be to put Hogg at 13, and have a back three of Visser, Seymour and Maitland.

by funnyExiledScot Thu May 21, 2015 2:13 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Shame Ben Atiga is already tied to NZ, he would become SQ this summer...

That is a real shame. Perhaps we ought to alert Steve Hanson, just in case the 70-odd NZ qualified centres better than Atiga get injured!

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 7:29 pm

This Jason OHalloran chap joining the Scotland coaching set up has caused a bit of a stir in NZ apparently - as good an endorsement of his abilities as you could get I suppose! He is obviously well thought of over there. Interesting that he thinks Vern Cotter is in line for the ABs job - he'll need to improve our 6N performance before that happens!

SAY New Zealand and you think rugby superpower. They may only have finally managed to win the World Cup for a second time last time around, and for the first time since the inaugural hosting in 1987, but they have always been the game’s undisputed hotbed.

However, it was interesting to note in the local reports of Jason O’Halloran’s departure to join compatriot Vern Cotter in the Scotland set-up, a rather exasperated tone. While not quite of existential proportions, another promising young coach heading overseas seems to have the Kiwis a tad hot under the collar.

As well as Cotter, there is Warren Gatland at Wales, Joe Schmidt at Ireland and a peppering of other top New Zealand coaches, like Robbie Deans, in club rugby in countries such as Japan, France and England.

The clear disappointment that O’Halloran is heading north rather than moving up to Super Rugby, suggests that Scotland have bagged themselves a good ’un in the shape of the 43-year-old former Wellington Hurricanes centre, who will replace Edinburgh-bound Duncan Hodge as national backs coach after the World Cup. It continues Cotter’s shake-up of the backroom staff, with Nathan Hines confirmed in a forwards/mentoring role early in the month and Massimo Cuttitta departing.

O’Halloran’s stock rose last year when he led Manawatu to their first provincial title since 1980, when they won the ITM Championship.

Yesterday he was keen to play down talk of a slight on his homeland and, indeed, hinted that he viewed the move as a potential stepping stone to the All Blacks.

O’Halloran told the New Zealand Herald: “I just felt in terms of being the best coach I can be, working with Vern is a way of getting there. It’s not a snub on New Zealand rugby.

“If you talk to people around who they think a potential successor is for Steve Hansen, the two names I always hear are Dave Rennie and Vern Cotter.”

Undeterred by being an insulin-dependent diabetic, O’Halloran forged a fine career at provincial and Super Rugby level, scoring 35 tries in 95 games for Wellington, and 17 in 54 for the Hurricanes.

In 2000 he represented New Zealand A against England and then captained the side against Tonga and Samoa, before earning his first and only All Black cap as a replacement against Italy in Genoa later that year.

He finished his playing career with Japanese club Kubota Spears, where he began his coaching career in 2005.

He was then appointed high performance academy manager of Manawatu in 2007, before being the first coach to lead the province to a title in 34 years.

It was there that he oversaw the development of some the nation’s top young exponents, including half-backs Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith, before taking on the role of head coach of the Turbos, which he has occupied since 2011.

In his new role, O’Halloran will be tasked with getting the best out of what is the most exciting crop of young Scottish backs, including the likes of Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott and Stuart Hogg, for many a year. Yesterday Cotter said: “Jason was a very good rugby player and is an excellent coach. I’ve kept tabs on him for a number of years, with him coming well-recommended over that time.

“He’s very strong on individual development, has a very good eye on attack and how to open up opportunities. I think our players will thrive and develop under him. His arrival is another plus for Scottish rugby; he’ll bring another perspective and develop our players here in Scotland.”

O’Halloran added: “I’m looking forward to working with an exciting group of players under a widely respected Head Coach in Vern Cotter. I believe in the style Vern is pursuing and that there is significant growth potential in a young and enthusiastic squad. Working with that type of talent excites me.

by MacKnocked-on Thu May 21, 2015 8:21 pm

Watched the Bristol Worcester game last night on Sky, I was impressed by Mitch Eadie who was man of the match. He looks a very athletic and very fast no8, he scored a great try and set another one up with a barnstorming run. The commentators kept saying that he was 'Bristol born and bred' etc etc, I would suggest that Cotter needs to get him tied down to Scotland sooner rather than later as he looks like a real prospect.
Alex Grove also played pretty soundly for Worcester and you would think he wouldn't be a bad shout for the WC if we are short of centres due to injury.

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 8:35 pm

He's been on the radar on here for a while, and he's only 23 I think so is still young.

One of the concerns with him was that he was too small to really make it at the top level, but according to his stats on the Bristol website he is 6ft 3 and 105kg, which isn't that small. I'm sure in the past he was only classed as being 6ft 1 - he's maybe had a growth spurt!

Problem is that Edinburgh and Glasgow are well stocked in the back row just now, and if Bristol don't get promoted again (and they are currently losing over the head to head) he'll still be playing championship rugby.

He's a long, long way from the the England team so I don't think there is a massive rush to cap him.

by MacKnocked-on Thu May 21, 2015 9:09 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:He's been on the radar on here for a while, and he's only 23 I think so is still young.

One of the concerns with him was that he was too small to really make it at the top level, but according to his stats on the Bristol website he is 6ft 3 and 105kg, which isn't that small. I'm sure in the past he was only classed as being 6ft 1 - he's maybe had a growth spurt!

Problem is that Edinburgh and Glasgow are well stocked in the back row just now, and if Bristol don't get promoted again (and they are currently losing over the head to head) he'll still be playing championship rugby.

He's a long, long way from the the England team so I don't think there is a massive rush to cap him.

I think a place in the wider training squad soon wouldn't be a bad idea, like Hamish Watson he looks to have real pace which isn't all that common a quality in our current back row players.

by **RDW** Thu May 21, 2015 9:14 pm

I say that Edinburgh and Glasgow are well stocked at 6/8. but things are certainly wide open for Scotland IMO:

Harley - hasn't been nearly as effective for Scotland this season, lost his place

Denton - Had a lot of injuries this season, needs to be less 1 dimensional

Ashe - the new kid on the block, inexperienced

Strauss - a beast for Glasgow, unproven at international level

Strokosh - past it

Batman - on the naughty step, plus I don't think he's international quality

Brown - out of favour

So the backrow is all to play for just now. Eadie really needs to be playing top level rugby before he can be considered though IMO.

by **BigGee** Fri May 22, 2015 3:48 am

The championship playoff is really in the balance and you would have to say slightly favours Worcester now.

There are Scottish benefits whatever the result, with either Eadie/Traynor or Grove/Heathcote getting some AP game time to show us what they can offer. I follow Bristol a bit as my daughter is at university there and I have a passing interest. Eadie has been playing well all season and has pushed himself into the starting lineup, no mean feat considering some of the imports they have had. Still it is a little bit hard to see him as a genuine international class 8 though but also hard to see him very high on Englands radar either. I am sure he would get a look at an A cap if that opportunity comes along next year.

Rob Harley's fall from grace seems to have gone largely uncommented on though. He is not even getting into the Glasgow game squad at the moment, after being an ever present for the past few years and this cannot be doing his WC chances any good at all and I would have said that he was nailed on 6 months ago.

Dare I say it, but could he be someone as well who could do with a bit of reinvention and a chance of scenery at the end of this contract. He is going to have an interesting choice to make next year!

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