Maybe the Lions snub could work in Scots’ favour?

THERE were a few small crumbs of comfort for Scottish rugby fans as Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell were identified as likely replacements if injuries hit the Lions tourists.

But such news is hardly reassuring and is probably merely pandering to the outcry that only two Scots were in the touring party compared to 12 Welshmen from a team that finished below Scotland in the Six Nations.

Yet there is some benefit for Gregor Townsend, who takes control in June when Vern Cotter heads to the South of France.

It means that Townsend has close to a full-strength squad to take to the southern hemisphere, where the Scots will play Italy, Australia and Fiji in three test matches.

It’s hard to understand why Italy feature on the fixture list, especially as the match is being played in Singapore – but I’m sure the Scottish and Italian governing bodies know best!

England, who tour Argentina, are shorn of many of their first choice players and will be forced to take a large number of fringe players.

This will give Eddie Jones a good idea of just how much strength in depth there is in English rugby – key as the run-in to the next Rugby World Cup begins.

That is not a luxury that Gregor Townsend can afford – at least not with the sides that he has to face with his team.

When Cotter took charge of the first Scottish tour to North America, South America and South Africa, he blooded countless players – some of whom have hardly been heard of since.

He saw first-hand just what resources he had in Scotland, and was then able to make a plan to develop his team and style of play.

Townsend will know the strengths and weaknesses of his squad a lot better, having lived and worked in rugby in Scotland for the past few years.

He should also have a clear idea of how he wants his team to approach the game, and what style of rugby he wants his players to play.

I’d be surprised if it is fundamentally different to how Glasgow Warriors have played over the last few seasons – a style that has brought some considerable success on the field and with the fan base.

That style is reminiscent of the Scottish approach to the game over the last 18 months at international level, which is beginning to generate success.

Having a few weeks to spend in surroundings which should be conducive to open running rugby will hopefully continue the approach that Vern Cotter so successfully introduced.

That is, of course, providing there isn’t a steady flow of Scots heading on planes to New Zealand to replace injured Lions!