The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scottish rugby: reasons to be cheerful
Clear and justified optimism surrounds Gregor Townsend’s men ahead of 2018 Six Nations
Scottish rugby starts 2018 in a better place than almost anytime since professionalism caught us pretty much on the hop 23 years ago.
The national team are ranked higher than ever before, coming off a record thrashing of Australia with clear and justified optimism to challenge for the Six Nations title – if not this season, then certainly in 2019.
Glasgow are out in front of the Guinness PRO14 and despite disappointments in Europe, seem to be moving ahead, especially in terms of developing a new set of young stars.
Edinburgh’s transformation from the moribund, often hapless, team of last season has been most startling, and while they remain very much a work in progress, under Richard Cockerill there seems to be a true club culture developing there.
Optimism in Scottish rugby is contagious, and more often than not it’s a bug with severely unpleasant side-effects. But here’s where I think we are as we enter 2018.
scotland
As usual, the euphoria of the autumn successes has quickly passed. Fresh injuries, the worrying fact that we haven’t seen Stuart Hogg since the warm-up for the Australia game – save for his bourgeoning career as a Sky Sports analyst – and Glasgow’s losses in Europe have blunted the optimism a little.
There is still a crisis at prop, with Jamie Bhatti the only loosehead candidate who has not had any injury issues. Thankfully, Bhatti continues to improve in all areas in what is – remember – his first pro season, thanks to Dave Rennie’s preference to play him as often as possible.
Gordon Reid is coming back after concussion problems, but Rory Sutherland’s shoulder has been reinjured, Darryl Marfo hasn’t played since his surprisingly effective Autumn Test campaign and there is still no sign of Alasdair Dickinson or Allan Dell.
Tighthead is less of a problem even with WP Nel out and Simon Berghan suspended but a knock to Zander Fagerson or Jon Welsh in the next month will create a problem on the other side as well.
Stuart McInally is slightly ahead of Fraser Brown at hooker, but either one would be a quality choice at a key position.
With Richie Gray making a full 80 minute comeback for Toulouse last weekend, Scotland have their strongest collection of locks maybe ever. Richie’s speed and ability to pinch lineout ball would have him renewing his partnership with brother Jonny in Cardiff for me, ahead of Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist and Tim Swinson.
No real issues in the back row either, with Ryan Wilson injured at the moment but a wealth of possibilities to slot in beside sure starters John Barclay and Hamish Watson.
Ali Price’s form has shaded a little at scrum-half, but he’s still the lead man. Greig Laidlaw hasn’t returned from his broken leg, and maybe Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has forced his way into the bench spot, although George Horne, the best scrum-half in Scotland this season so far, would be a bold move. Finn Russell is the 10 if he’s still on two legs.
Mark Bennett is about to make his comeback from nearly a year out with injury but it’s hard to see where the elusive and quick centre gets in past Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones and the fit-again Duncan Taylor, with Pete Horne the valuable utility option off the bench to play 10 or 12.
Tommy Seymour’s lack of form is down to a nagging toe injury but he’s being rested now. There are no shortage of candidates for the other wing slot – Sean Maitland is in pole position, but Byron McGuigan proved his worth against the Wallabies.
Scotland showed they could score plenty points without Hogg against Australia, but of course they’d much prefer to him to be there. It seems extra care is being taken with his recovery from a hip problem, which is indicative of his importance to the cause.
Scotland have their strongest collection of locks maybe ever