Scotland - World Cup General Thread

[Majestic83]

First topic message reminder :

This should serve as our general moaning thread between World Cup matches.

     
SCOTLAND V JAPAN
23 September 2015
Kingsholm - Gloucester

    
SCOTLAND v USA
27 September 2015
Elland Road - Leeds

          
SCOTLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
03 October 2015
St James Park - Newcastle

      
SCOTLAND v SAMOA
10 October 2015
St James Park - Newcastle                                       

SCOTLAND SQUAD FOR THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP:

Props: Al Dickinson, Ryan Grant, Gordon Reid, Willem Nel, Jon Welsh

Hooker: Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally

Lock: Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray and Tim Swinson

Loose Forward: David Denton, John Hardie, Josh Strauss, Alasdair Strokosch and Ryan Wilson

Scrum Halves: Greig Laidlaw (captain), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Henry Pyrgos

Fly Half: Finn Russell, Duncan Weir

Centre: Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Matt Scott and Richie Vernon

Wing: Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser

Full Back: Stuart Hogg

[Weegie Wizard]

JB did everything he could but hasn't made the cut. Why on earth pick him in the extended squad in the first place?

Why name Harley out of position in the inital squad then give him 20 mins of game time? How is he meant to earn his way into the 31?

Why play Jackson out of position all the time meaning he can't really compete for 10 if you are only going to take 1 full back?

Stroker?? WTF?

Horrible

[tigertattie]

So we have a choice in backrow of

Strauss (0) - Denton (27) - Hardie (1)

Matt Scott has as many caps himself as these three combined!

or we could go with

Strauss - Denton - Wilson

Scott Johnson's wet dream of an all No 8 back row!

[George Carlin]

So Hardie has no back up at 7 ???? I mean the breakdown is one of our main weaknesses !! This is bizarre . who is the bench option ?

I think Vern sees Wilson as a 7 as he is bloody quick. Even though he isn't as good, as, um, John Barclay at playing 7.

[demosthenes]

I hope Barclay goes back to Scarlets and shows Vern what he's missing, as if he hadn't already.

Just not this weekend, please!

[jimbopip]

I just don't know where to begin.

Have we fallen into an episode of "Father Vern"? You know the one were the squad list was only "resting" in Rab C's pocket.

Mind you, supporting Craggy Island Thirds would make more sense.

[NeilyBroon]

I hope Barclay goes back to Scarlets and shows Vern what he's missing, as if he hadn't already.

Just not this weekend, please!

God that's a good point. If he's playing this weekend against the Weeg that could be a tasty prospect. I think all hell may break loose with an angry lumberjack running riot around Scotstoun.

[alive555]

BREAKING NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Cotter and Johnson team selection ritual

[BigGee]

I can live with Swindon, a clever under rated player who leaves it all on the pitch. Tools I think just does not have the miles on the clock yet and Harley clearly did not convince.

Having said that, I along with just about every other supporter would have picked him over Stroker as the BS choice. That one I did not see coming.

The other lucky one to me is Weir. I would definitely have picked Jackson. We may still see Horne start a game at FH against Japan or USA. Other than closing out a game, I am not sure what Weir brings.

The players that missed out just need to get over their dissapointment and keep hoping. Several of them will still get a chance. I bet we lose at least one player this weekend for starters. We will use a lot more than 31 by the time it is all done!

[funnyExiledScot]

Well I'm really pleased we gave Cotter that contract extension!

Seriously though, I don't see a whole lot wrong with his front five selections. I'd agree that Swinson is extremely lucky, but Harley is never a lock in a month of Sundays, and if anyone is aggrieved it should be Hamilton and Toolis (who would have been my 4th lock). Harley's card was marked as soon as he was put down at lock. Sure, having been injured Swinson is particularly lucky (and he's never shown much aptitude for international rugby when given the chance previously), but given the role of being cover at lock, I can at least understand why he's in ahead of Harley.

It's the backrow where I think the worst decision has been made: Strokosch. I've been a huge fan of his work over the years but he is no longer the force he once was, and we have better options. He's done nothing on a rugby field for several years to merit this decision. Better blindsides include Harley, Cowan and Brown. That's not one but three better players who are not in the squad. You can add several more when you consider that we could have used an additional 7, rather than having just the one specialist: Barclay and Watson to mention two. In fact I'd have taken Ashe ahead of Strokosch. Yes, that's SIX players I'd have taken ahead of him. Cowan went really well in the warm-ups at 6, and of course covers 7 as well. Really odd decision to drop Cowan.

As for Hardie, I don't believe he should ever have been in the squad in the first place, but at least he has a decent pedigree and showed up well when given the opportunity. Not as strong a performance as Barclay obviously, but Cotter and Johnson have a problem with John Barclay, that much as been clear for a while.

Backs - as expected. Weir is rubbish (and offers no cover at 15 like Tonks and Jackson), but he's a goal kicker and I suspect he'll be asked to nurdle his way through 80 minutes against USA and that's about it.

All in all pretty depressing. When there have been marginal calls to make, Cotter seems to have got them wrong.

[demosthenes]

I hope Barclay goes back to Scarlets and shows Vern what he's missing, as if he hadn't already.

Just not this weekend, please!

God that's a good point. If he's playing this weekend against the Weeg that could be a tasty prospect. I think all hell may break loose with an angry lumberjack running riot around Scotstoun.

Up against a very p****d off Ginger Tackle Monster as well! Although with Swinson in the WC Squad, Harley will probably have to play lock!

[NeilyBroon]

Maybe it's so we can just play Strokosch on Saturday to protect the other backrow players?

#blueskythinking

[GLove39]

Tweet from the Stern Vern twitter account

[funnyExiledScot]

Maybe it's so we can just play Strokosch on Saturday to protect the other backrow players?

#blueskythinking

Well we're playing France, and Strokosch "knows" French players. He, like Ryan Wilson, plays above the ground, like the French.

This all stinks of Scott Johnson, but either way is a pretty shocking indication of poor judgement from Cotter.

Perhaps he's just a great coach but a poor selector. We've never had one of those.

[BigGee]

I can live with Swindon, a clever under rated player who leaves it all on the pitch. Tools I think just does not have the miles on the clock yet and Harley clearly did not convince.

Having said that, I along with just about every other supporter would have picked him over Stroker as the BS choice. That one I did not see coming.

The other lucky one to me is Weir. I would definitely have picked Jackson. We may still see Horne start a game at FH against Japan or USA. Other than closing out a game, I am not sure what Weir brings.

The players that missed out just need to get over their dissapointment and keep hoping. Several of them will still get a chance. I bet we lose at least one player this weekend for starters. We will use a lot more than 31 by the time it is all done!

[George Carlin]

Stroker as slow moving cannon fodder against the Springboks is about all he is useful for.

Have we ever selected a player during the professional era who does not play in the first tier of his domestic club competition?

[tigertattie]

Stroker as slow moving cannon fodder against the Springboks is about all he is useful for.

Have we ever selected a player during the professional era who does not play in the first tier of his domestic club competition?

Hardie doesn't play in the first tier either!

[funnyExiledScot]

Have we ever selected a player during the professional era who does not play in the first tier of his domestic club competition?

Hmmm. Ronnie Erikkson, Stuart Reid, Andy Craig, Ben Hinshelwood.....

Those are some guesses from the top of my head!

[funnyExiledScot]

Stroker as slow moving cannon fodder against the Springboks is about all he is useful for.

Have we ever selected a player during the professional era who does not play in the first tier of his domestic club competition?

Hardie doesn't play in the first tier either!

From a Weegie perspective I think "unemployed" is pretty respectable actually.

[cakeordeath]

I can't even raise the energy to be upset. Honestly why bother

[jimbopip]

Well I'm really pleased we gave Cotter that contract extension!

Seriously though, I don't see a whole lot wrong with his front five selections. I'd agree that Swinson is extremely lucky, but Harley is never a lock in a month of Sundays, and if anyone is aggrieved it should be Hamilton and Toolis (who would have been my 4th lock). Harley's card was marked as soon as he was put down at lock. Sure, having been injured Swinson is particularly lucky (and he's never shown much aptitude for international rugby when given the chance previously), but given the role of being cover at lock, I can at least understand why he's in ahead of Harley.

It's the backrow where I think the worst decision has been made: Strokosch. I've been a huge fan of his work over the years but he is no longer the force he once was, and we have better options. He's done nothing on a rugby field for several years to merit this decision. Better blindsides include Harley, Cowan and Brown. That's not one but three better players who are not in the squad. You can add several more when you consider that we could have used an additional 7, rather than having just the one specialist: Barclay and Watson to mention two. In fact I'd have taken Ashe ahead of Strokosch. Yes, that's SIX players I'd have taken ahead of him. Cowan went really well in the warm-ups at 6, and of course covers 7 as well. Really odd decision to drop Cowan.

As for Hardie, I don't believe he should ever have been in the squad in the first place, but at least he has a decent pedigree and showed up well when given the opportunity. Not as strong a performance as Barclay obviously, but Cotter and Johnson have a problem with John Barclay, that much as been clear for a while.

Backs - as expected. Weir is rubbish (and offers no cover at 15 like Tonks and Jackson), but he's a goal kicker and I suspect he'll be asked to nurdle his way through 80 minutes against USA and that's about it.

All in all pretty depressing. When there have been marginal calls to make, Cotter seems to have got them wrong.

I decided to quote that in full because I agree with almost every word of it; except outlawing trade unions and flogging domestic staff in lieu of wages. (Ok you didn't write that but you know you wanted to)

Can you imagine how Kellybrows must be feeling today?

Is it possible that VC set up the whole "invite Barclay to train, show that I'm a bigger man than SJ and then tell him to fecc off thus showing the players who's boss and winning SJ's undying gratitude" months ago?

As Larkin put it, "Man hands on misery to man it deepens like a coastal shelf"

If Hogg and Dancer get injured our performance level "deepens like a coastal shelf", we replace them with someone who hasn't been fit or in form since Schiz last bought a round and a fly half who has been competent at best for the last year.

[RDW]

Well looking on the plus side, Hugh Blake didn’t make it!

[EWT Spoons]

I think as has been said, the squad is largely decent, no issues with the front row, 2nd row is fine, Swinson is maybe (very) lucky, but given it was between him, Hamilton and Harley (after the others had been cut), then he's probably, just, the best option.

Backrow, largely fine, with the exception of Strokosh & Wilson.  Hardie was always going to be included, it would have been an odd move to drag him over into the WC training squad if he wasn't going to get the nod.  Not necessarily a popular move, but always on the cards.  The only issues here are Strokosh and Wilson, now I think Wilson has done a job for us and was very good in the Pro12 final, so I can understand the thinking in including him.  But Strokosh ahead of Barclay is batsh*t crazy.  I can even understand Harley being left out if he wasn't (for whatever reason) being considered in the backrow.

Scrum Halves
All nailed on to go from the outset.

Fly halves
Finn, first name on the team sheet.  Weir....no idea, I know some Glasgow fans swear by him, but I've not seen him do anything of note at International level (other than the Scotland A game against England, before anyone else mentions it).  Jackson looked good in the warmup games and would at least provide some consistency in style of play to Finn (just not as good obviously).

Centres
No complaints, best we could have asked for (other than Dunbar healing in record time)

Back 3
Again largely fine.  Maitland is probably pretty lucky given he's not been fit to play due to injuries and because we have no one else, but he's a good player so no problem with him being there.

So all in all, it's a decent enough squad, with 1-3 exceptions

[NeilyBroon]

Well looking on the plus side, Hugh Blake didn’t make it!

No, that's for when Strokosch or Hardie get injured

[Guest]

I will throw up in my mouth if we select Weir, Hardie, Blake and Strockosh.

Btw this happened anyway despite the exclusion of Blake

[sensisball]

Deep breadth: So with only 5 of the 6 named back rowers available for the France match does  Dot Cotton pick a back row of
Stroker (6), Denton(8) and Wilson  7) to protect his only squad 7, Hardie?
Or does he try to protect his only capped 8, Denton by picking Stroker (6), Wilson ( 8) and Hardie (7).
French back row options are  Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Bernard Le Roux (Racing Metro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).

Either way France will likely pick them up and spit them up. The common weak link is, sad to say, Al Strokosch, a force of nature no more and a frankly embarrassing selection by Dot cotton

[sensisball]

Sorry i meant to say with only 4 of 5 back rowers available!
I also meant to say spit them out -not spit them up!!!!

[funnyExiledScot]

So, here's the XV we left behind:

1.Sutherland 2.Bryce 3.Cusack 4.Hamilton 5.Toolis 6.Harley 7.Barclay 8.Ashe 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Hughes 12.Dunbar 13.Taylor 14.Fife 15.Tonks

Here's a question: have we ever been able to compile such a strong XV from the players who haven't made the World Cup Squad?

[EWT Spoons]

I still think he'll pick a team made up of players not selected. 6. Harley/Cowan, 7. Barcs and 8. Ashe?

Why risk the 31 to get us to WC glory...ahem...by playing them in a meaningless game where they could pick up injuries.

[Weegie Wizard]

Spoons has it right that this is a pretty decent squad. The only problem is that about 24 or 25 of the squad were nailed on weeks ago.

The only positions up for grabs (now we know Dunbar is not fit) were

1 prop (Grant)
1 second row (Swinson)
3 back rows (Wilson, Hardie & Stroker)
1 fly-half (Weir)
1 wing (Lamont)

I think we can agree Cotter has got Grant & Lamont correct. I would add Hardie to that list although can understand those who disagree for various reasons. Wilson and maybe Swinson are 50/50 calls. Weir and especially Stroker are bad bad calls - I count 10 back row players I would have ahead of him. Not a great strike rate on close calls.

[EWT Spoons]

So, here's the XV we left behind:

1.Sutherland 2.Bryce 3.Cusack 4.Hamilton 5.Toolis 6.Harley 7.Barclay 8.Ashe 9.Cusiter 10.Jackson 11.Hughes 12.Dunbar 13.Taylor 14.Fife 15.Tonks

Here's a question: have we ever been able to compile such a strong XV from the players who haven't made the World Cup Squad?

If restricted to just WC squads then probably not, but if we extend it out to 6 nations squads for example then when SJ was coach there must have been similar options, I mean unless you were a No.8 you were staying home

[funnyExiledScot]

I still think he'll pick a team made up of players not selected.  6. Harley/Cowan, 7. Barcs and 8. Ashe?

Why risk the 31 to get us to WC glory...ahem...by playing them in a meaningless game where they could pick up injuries.

Agree. He clearly hasn't even watched the previous three warm-up games, as evidenced by his squad selections, so why not just send out some hatchet men to take out some French players?

I suppose the issue he has is that he's picked a bunch of injured players, and a couple who have only justed landed on Scottish soil, so he probably needs to test some combinations.....apart from the preferred back row obviously, as Strauss isn't Scottish yet.

My XV for France:

1.Grant 2.Brown 3.Welsh 4.Swinson 5.R Gray 6.Strokosch 7.Hardie 8.Wilson 9.Hidalgo-Clyne 10.Weir 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Vernon 14.Seymour 15.Maitland

Aim of the game: game time for those desperately in need!

[Guest]

Obviously a lot goes on at the training paddock that we don't see, and we also forget that forging a good relationship with the team and your coaches; showing the right attitude throughout training (not just in matches) etc. all counts towards selection. It feels like it's as simple as "he played well, pick him" but given all the factors involved and over a long term campaign, it might not be.

Having said that, what do we think are the reasons that these baffling (to us) decisions might have been made? I'm sure Vern wasn't watching the last two games in particular with his eyes closed, so ...

Does Cotter just know Stroke-Tosh and his style of play better? Does he just prefer it, and it fits in better? Does Stroke-Tosh show a better attitude than the other players? Same

I know others don't seem worried, but I'm frankly very disappointed in the Weir choice, too. Someone mentioned it's hardly fair to stick Jackson at fullback for around 80 minutes across two games and then not pick him at 10. Does Cotter think having Jackson at 10 for 80 minutes against the US is too risky and we'd prefer to just grind them with forward play? Where's the evidence for that? You know he's going to play an axis of SHC and Weir for either Japan or USA - because that proved to work SO WELL against Italy - when I just don't see why you wouldn't give SHC someone like Jackson outside. Unless he's planning to use Horne in which case, I sort of see what he's doing in taking at least one "controlling" fly half - but then why didn't he pick me? I'm about the same quality as Weir - absolutely great at immediately hoofing the ball in random directions and out on the full when told to play 10 in the 3rds at my local club.

Plus if Finn gets injured - we were donald ducked anyway - but I would have preferred our continue-the-campaign 10 to be Jackson, where we can still play a similar game.

[George Carlin]

Maybe it's so we can just play Strokosch on Saturday to protect the other backrow players?

#blueskythinking

Well we're playing France, and Strokosch "knows" French players. He, like Ryan Wilson, plays above the ground, like the French.

This all stinks of Scott Johnson, but either way is a pretty shocking indication of poor judgement from Cotter.

Perhaps he's just a great coach but a poor selector. We've never had one of those.

[funnyExiledScot]

Not just Jackson but Tonks as well, who I thought was better against Ireland than Weir against Italy (and you don't need Weir's mediocre goal kicking with SH-C or Laidlaw at 9).

I'd have Russell, Jackson, Tonks and Horne ahead of Weir. I expect to add Kinghorn to that list by the end of next season.

[des]

I think Strokosch is pretty well suited for the games against SA and Samoa.  We will need some genuinely hard men and he is that before pretty much anything else.

I also think Rambo will get a run in the back row.  Although it does seem a bit odd taking an extra hooker to cover the back row when you consider the other teams (Oz and Wales) approach. Especially as an injury call up for Scotland is only a 4 hour train journey away.  Still, almost understandable.

The one thing I just cannot fathom is that puddin' being the backup standoff.  Even our west coast brothers know he offers close to nothing.

[funnyExiledScot]

I think Strokosch is pretty well suited for the games against SA and Samoa.  We will need some genuinely hard men and he is that before pretty much anything else.

I also think Rambo will get a run in the back row.  Although it does seem a bit odd taking an extra hooker to cover the back row when you consider the other teams (Oz and Wales) approach. Especially as an injury call up for Scotland is only a 4 hour train journey away.  Still, almost understandable.

The one thing I just cannot fathom is that puddin' being the backup standoff.  Even our west coast brothers know he offers close to nothing.

I just don't buy this whole "hard man" thing, just because he's bald. This is professional rugby, and I've seen nothing to suggest that Strokosch is a tougher player than Harley, Cowan or Barclay. He's just slower these days, and not used to anything like the sort of intensity we can expect from the Boks or Samoa.

I also disagree on McInally. I don't see him getting an awful lot of action. I suspect he'll end up a sub against the USA, but that's about it, barring injury. With the selections made, I really doubt we'll see him in the back row.

Agreed on Weir. Apart from that drop goal against Italy (in a game in which he generally played poorly) I'm struggling to think of him pulling together a half decent 80 minutes in the last two years.

[fa0019]

Crazy given Cowan has been one of Scotland's standout players all season. The new kiwi a better alternative? Says a lot of for respecting the jersey. I know Cowan himself is kiwi born but he's earnt his stripes the hard way.

[George Carlin]

I agree that the one thing VC cannot now change is the style in which he wants to play. So why hobble the entire backline by choosing Weir over Jackson, a flat gainline player by nature?

The only possible reason is goalkicking and the rationale that Jackson is not a good enough 15 for a 10 and Tonks an inadequate 10 for a full back. The problem with that approach is that Weir has no flexibility at all. Unless you're talking about the sheer diversity of ways in which he can throw an intercepted pass.

[Weegie Wizard]

I will lose my sh*t if Strokosch plays in the Samoa or SA game

We have Strauss and Denton at 6/8 already so we don't need an abrasive back rower. We need someone who can win us turnovers so we can attack them or slow the ball down to allow us to re-align our defence. Picking Stroker looks like an attempt to counter SA and Samoa (one which won't work as he's not good enough) rather than play to our own strengths.

Cotter likes to talk up the organised chaos gameplan but he might well be full of it.

[funnyExiledScot]

I agree that the one thing VC cannot now change is the style in which he wants to play. So why hobble the entire backline by choosing Weir over Jackson, a flat gainline player by nature?

The only possible reason is goalkicking and the rationale that Jackson is not a good enough 15 for a 10 and Tonks an inadequate 10 for a full back. The problem with that approach is that Weir has no flexibility at all. Unless you're talking about the sheer diversity of ways in which he can throw an intercepted pass.

You've entirely overlooked his kicking game there, which deserves a special mention. I've yet to see a fly half punt more rubbish than Weir. His ability to hoof it over the whitewash with very little pressure on him is unparalleled in international rugby. When he gets one right the usual muppets (Andy Nicol, you know who you are) will explain that he's a "kicking fly half who likes to control the game and kick for territory", but he isn't. He's actually a dreadful kicking from hand, with very little direction, control or spacial awareness.

When Weir broke through I made a huge error of judgement in predicting he would be the long term option at 10 for Scotland. He broke through as a decent kicker and a generally solid citizen - he also put his body on the line when required which, against the back drop of Dan Parks, was a huge bonus. He's a solid option for Glasgow to fall back on, but nothing more.

[NeilyBroon]

In other news have you seen some of the new designs for the SRU logo? The marketing team hard at work!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/15/new-zealands-new-flag-15-quirky-contenders

[NeilyBroon]

I think the sad kiwi makes the cut in light of Cowan and Blake's exclusion from the squad

[funnyExiledScot]

I think it's important at this stage to set out expectations for Cotter. He's nailed his colours to the mast and picked very much his own squad. This is how I will judge him:

1. Lose all WC games: catastrophic failure and immediate resignation, along with Scott Johnson. New coach: Joe Schmidt, who is signed to take over from 2021. Interim coach to be announced.

2. Lose three WC games, beating only one of Japan/Samoa: abject failure, followed by a Panel formed to decide Cotter's future. The Panel will consist of John Barclay, Blair Cowan and, as an impartial judge, Peter Wright.

3. Lose two WC games, failing to exit the group: failure. In practice what typically happens is this scenario is that the SRU would commission a review, which would conclude that the IRB rankings suggested that SA and Samoa were better than us, and that they were. Furthermore Scott Johnson and Vern Cotter should have contract extensions, and Dodson included in the next Honours list. Scapegoat options: Blair Cowan's hair, Jim Hamilton's tatoos and John Barclay's Twitter account.

4. Win 3 from 4 and escape the group: complete vindication. Cotter in the frame to coach the Lions.

5. Win 4 from 4: SRU to sack Cotter for failing to meet expectations. Hardie takes over as player coach.

[EWT Spoons]

In other news have you seen some of the new designs for the SRU logo? The marketing team hard at work!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/15/new-zealands-new-flag-15-quirky-contenders

I have no idea what this is about, but I very much enjoyed reading about the 6 week ordeal of NZ swimming pool by a serial pooper (contained within the initial links in this story)

6 week serial pooper

[lostinwales]

So I guess there is some kind of point scoring system at work here. Apart from all that inconsequential stuff like tackling and passing and scrums and such like what is really important is where you are from.

So born in NZ +50
born in Southern Africa +20

oh, and there is also
black belt in Karate +1000

[funnyExiledScot]

So I guess there is some kind of point scoring system at work here. Apart from all that inconsequential stuff like tackling and passing and scrums and such like what is really important is where you are from.

So born in NZ +50
born in Southern Africa +20

oh, and there is also
black belt in Karate +1000

In the wise words of the great Mr Miyagi, "karate is for defence only". It works better if you replace the word "karate" with "Al Strokosch"!

[NeilyBroon]

So I guess there is some kind of point scoring system at work here. Apart from all that inconsequential stuff like tackling and passing and scrums and such like what is really important is where you are from.

So born in NZ +50
born in Southern Africa +20

oh, and there is also
black belt in Karate +1000

There is also some previously unreleased footage of Stroks from the Scotland training camp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiJk95plRrc

[RDW]

Joking aside, has Swinson actually had any involvement with the Scotland squad since he’s been injured (just as the squad first met up)? From memory he got injured, Toolis was called up then he spent his pre-season with Glasgow.

So why the hell has he been picked over Harley, Hamilton and Toolis??

[funnyExiledScot]

Joking aside, has Swinson actually had any involvement with the Scotland squad since he’s been injured (just as the squad first met up)? From memory he got injured, Toolis was called up then he spent his pre-season with Glasgow.

So why the hell has he been picked over Harley, Hamilton and Toolis??

Well I can only assume Cotter wants some degree of versatility (i.e. a player to cover lock primarily but also 6), which would rule out Hamilton and Toolis as both are specialist locks. Then you are looking at Harley, who is primarily a 6, and a lock second. If the main reason for the individual is to cover lock first, and blindside second, with that versatility being required, then I do understand the selection of Swinson.

As for his being injured, that's clearly not an issue to Cotter as he's picked a number of players straight from hospital.

[George Carlin]

Joking aside, has Swinson actually had any involvement with the Scotland squad since he’s been injured (just as the squad first met up)? From memory he got injured, Toolis was called up then he spent his pre-season with Glasgow.

So why the hell has he been picked over Harley, Hamilton and Toolis??

I am assuming that we needed someone that small to avoid going over the squad's aggregate free luggage allowance at the airport.

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