DAVID SOLE
Scotland drew their summer international campaign to a close on Friday night at Murrayfield with a performance of two halves, but importantly, a third-consecutive victory over a tenacious and muchimproved Georgia.
Overall, Gregor Townsend will be happy with the outcome, if slightly concerned about some aspects of the match and more concerned that five of his players left the field injured.
The coach announced his squad at a damp and slightly forlorn Linlithgow Palace on Tuesday afternoon. It was not without some controversy.
The two areas that created the greatest debate were where Scotland currently have the greatest strength-indepth, and where the selection debate probably came down to a choice of experience versus emerging talent.
Pete Horne, the Glasgow Warriors centre was selected when many, including myself, felt Rory Hutchinson had done enough in the Premiership and, most importantly, the summer internationals, to force his way into the squad.
He was certainly the form player, in contrast to Huw Jones who has struggled to reach the heights of two years ago.
Townsend knows and likes Horne, and this had to count in his favour.
Hutchinson’s time will come – that’s sure. But the Northampton Saints
‘ The other area which caused headaches was the back row
player has Horne’s versatility (although this wasn’t put to the test in the internationals) as well as the X factor.
The centre’s talent could be likened to that of Finn Russell or Stuart Hogg – he has a wonderful step and great acceleration.
I think it is a shame that these talents will not be on show in Japan as they could have made a difference in unlocking stubborn defences.
The other area which will have caused headaches for the selectors was the back row.
Matt Fagerson made a real impact in the recent games and, while Magnus Bradbury is shaking off an injury, his impact as ball carrier can’t be underestimated.
Townsend opted for the experience of John Barclay and work-rate of Hamish Watson, both of whom merit their places, but the big conversation would have been around Ryan Wilson and Blade Thomson – the Kiwi number eight.
Like Horne, Townsend likes Ryan Wilson and gave him the honour of captaincy on Friday.
Yet set against Fagerson and Bradbury, Wilson is a lightweight ball-carrier and concedes too many penalties – often through indiscipline.
Sadly, the threat of injury to Jamie Ritchie who made such an impression in the Six Nations, may enable one of these two to step into his shoes, but it is not a like-for-like replacement.
The country will be behind Townsend and his team and now all focus turns to Sep 22 and the opening match against Ireland – bring it on!