Bolters for the RWC

First topic message reminder :

Pick just one player that probably wouldn't be expected by the vast majority of punters (excluding your knowledgeable selves!) to make the plane for your country to the RWC & justify it.

For Scotland, mine would be Dave Denton (DD's Edinburgh profile)). A surprise inclusion for Andy Robinson's extended training squad (40-strong provisional squad), I think there's an outside chance that Denton will be on that plane - if Johnnie Beattie fails to find the form that he demonstrated before his injury, then the Killer Bs will not be happening out in NZ. With Beattie unavailable this season for AIs and still on the comeback trail during the 6Ns, Robbo has looked either to Richie Vernon at the back of the scrum or to play Kelly Brown at 8, with Nathan Hines filling in on the blindside. Neither of these alternatives was entirely satisfactory for me - Vernon, despite his skill set, remains just too lightweight for me at this level, and equally Brown is not a natural 8 (altho he didn't by any means disgrace himself in that position) nor Hines a natural 6 (just not quite quick enough, and imo I'd much prefer to see him starting alongside Richie Gray in the boiler room). I believe that the best backrow units tend to be greater than the sum of their individual parts, and for that reason, I would seriously consider replacing Beattie with his nearest equivalent, Dave Denton - he is the perfect comlpement to Barclay and Brown

True, but I'm calling Allen/ Tuilagi a bolter because they haven't been involved in the first team squad. For what it's worth, I think that Allen isn't in the Saxons at the moment because they've already decided to include him in the wider squad for the summer warm ups.

Would Love to see Knoyle and Priestland given the reigns and prove their worth above the Stale Jones/Phillips axis.

Surprises from Wales possibly Tupuric, Tovey or Priestland. I know we all know about them but at International level they are un knowns.

Have a feeling Fion Carr may surprise a few people if he goes and gets a chance.

There is not a chance in hell Fionn Carr is going to the world cup maestegmafia. He managed to get a one year contract with Leinster for next season so he has next year, and only next year, to prove himself. In fairness he'll definitely get an opportunity while the boys from the world cup are gone. I'm not that confident he'll manage to convince everyone he's test class but you never know.

For the record the wingers from Ireland that will probably travel are Earls, Trimble, Bowe and maybe Fitzgerald depending on how many Deccie is planning on bringing. Not an easy task to get ahead of those four (three of them are Lions tourists!)

yes i agree, would love knoyle and priestland to get a run out, it would be interesting to see them cope, however i think they will be going to the WC anyway, so maybe against Nambia?

Dragons third choice hooker at the start of the season and essentially a converted number 8 Lloyd Burns surely must be Wales bolter.

Lloyd Burns for me. His chances are somewhat increased now too, as I gather Hibbard requires shoulder surgery. I would take Burns over Bennett any day though. I'd rather Robin McBryde went instead of Bennett.

I know he's knocking on a bit, but Steve Jones is the forgotten man of Welsh rugby.

He must be about 35 now.

Cumbrian wrote:True, but I'm calling Allen/ Tuilagi a bolter because they haven't been involved in the first team squad. For what it's worth, I think that Allen isn't in the Saxons at the moment because they've already decided to include him in the wider squad for the summer warm ups.

Hape will be in the wider squad, Flutey probably will be (unless he's dropped so far off the radar like Borthwick last year) and then it's either Allen and/or Barritt. Neither are in the Saxons, so I'm really hoping that it is Hape, Allen and Barritt, but I have a bad, bad feeling that he'll take Hape, Flutey, Tindall and Banahan to the World Cup, and I'll lose all faith in the world.