The 36 man Scotland training squad named on Wednesday for the upcoming 6 Nations tournament didn't throw up many, if any surprises. In the wake of the announcement, some familiar comments were banding around the social networks, some that have been aired many times before but nevertheless still haven't been answered - like why Chris Fusaro is still not capped by his country?
Congratulations to Dougie Fife too, who was named in the squad as the only new boy.
For all the familiarity of the selection, the deficiencies at half back are still as glaringly obvious as ever. Only two scrum halves - Greig Laidlaw and Chris Cusiter - have been selected and Scott Johnson appears to be once again plumping for Ruaridh Jackson at 10, with Duncan Weir his back up option.
The latter stuns me. While there has no doubt been a marked improvement in Jackson's all round play under the tutelage of past master Gregor Townsend since his takeover of the Glasgow head coach job, Ruaridh is not an international stand off. It's not for lack of trying and it's certainly not because he hasn't been afforded the opportunity, he has simply failed to take it and run with it.
Of course this is open to argument, but I would encourage anyone to try and think of any Ruaridh Jackson related highlights for Scotland in the past 5 years or so. I certainly struggle.
Ruaridh Jackson is under pressure to perform
What's more, I believe there is better talent behind him ready to be exposed at a consistent level. First in line is Duncan Weir. Small in stature and a little weak in defence, he has far me far more awareness of the game around him and is infinitely better at making those split second decisions. A classic example would be when he came on for Jackson in that dismal performance against South Africa last November. Almost instantly, he was shipping the ball to the man on his outside shoulder and wasn't trying audacious miss passes at every opportunity.
His kicking from hand is accurate, and possibly his best weapon. Even better, he knows when it's on and when it isn't. His threaded through kick against South Africa was inch perfect and should have led to Tommy Seymour crossing the line was it not for some last ditch covering. It was Scotland's only real chance of the game and came from a clear awareness of what was in front of him and a well executed kick under pressure from a strong South African defensive line.
The issues over his size and strength are real ones, but it wasn't that long ago that Leigh Halfpenny was considered quite weak defensively. We all know how that turned out.
Second in line is probably Tom Heathcote, who I admit up front I don't know a huge amount about. What I have seen of him from the quadrangular tournament in South Africa last summer and a few games here and there, he has the clear potential to establish himself as a very different option to Weir. Being based in England, he has had little opportunity to familiarise himself with the Scottish crowds, and vice versa, and so some exposure now would have been beneficial, I would have thought.
Time is running out. With a little over 18 months until the World Cup, Scotland need to have an established figure at 10 that can direct the game, and even be a game changer. Not since Townsend have we had any real creativity at that position, it's all been a bit one dimensional. That's not to say a non-creative player can't succeed - I wouldn't put Craig Chalmers in the bracket of 'flair player' - but at least Chalmers was solid, consistent and knew how to read the game and adapt accordingly.
With the likely crucial showdown with Samoa set to dictate whether Scotland progress from the group to the quarter finals, experience at key positions is going to be required.
In short, this 6 Nations tournament is the last chance for Ruaridh Jackson. I'd give him two games to prove that he can step up and perform for Scotland at the highest level, including at Murrayfield against the English, who we have only lost to once since 2004 on Scottish turf.
So what about scrum half?
Firstly, I'm surprised Henry Pyrgos hasn't been included in the squad. With only 2 specialist scrum halves, we are not giving ourselves many options. As much as I like him and he has been my preferred number 9 of the last decade or so, Chris Cusiter is on his way out at international level. In many respects, he has been unlucky in the past with injuries and a particularly strong competition for places whilst Mike Blair and Rory Lawson were both vying for top spot.
That said, unless there is a clear intention for Cusiter to be at the next World Cup as one of the top two scrum half options, he shouldn't be picked over the younger emerging talents of the likes of Pyrgos.
I'm no betting man, but provided he stays fit, Greig Laidlaw will be the first name on the World Cup team sheet - of that I have no doubt - and I would be happy with that. He has been reasonably consistent and he knows how to rally his forwards. A strong voice for a wee man and a key leader for a team that lacks a lot of leadership, especially in the backs.
If the Scottish fans are honest with themselves (and I am a hopeless optimist at this time every year), Scotland don't have a realistic shot at the 6 nations title. It may be a slightly controversial opinion, but I would happily see the Scottish coaching staff approach this year's tournament with an air of experimentation, fully aware that the price may be a wooden spoon. I believe the potential long term benefits may well be worth it. I'm not suggesting we don't compete, because any Scottish player would give their all, no matter who was on the pitch. I just think it might be the right time to take some risks.
Scott Johnson's selection is notably risk averse, and this saddens me somewhat.
Scotland's 36 man training camp squad for the 6 Nations 2014:
Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).
Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
Not considered due to injury: Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).
Notable names left out: John Barclay (Scarlets), Jack Cuthbert, Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Dougie Hall, Henry Pyrgos, Jon Welsh (Glasgow)
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