ANDY NICOL’S VERDICT ON THE SCOTLAND SQUAD

SIMON BERGHAN AGE: 28 CAPS:22 POSITION: TIGHTHEAD

Quite an underrated prop who has done very well in the World Cup training camp in regard to his fitness. A big, solid guy who can play on both sides of the scrum, offers good options as a ball carrier and makes good decisions in defence. Probably third choice tighthead behind WP Nel and Zander Fagerson but his versatility could be a real strength to Scotland.

ALLAN DELL AGE: 27 CAPS: 25 POSITION: LOOSEHEAD

A really mobile, modern- day loosehead prop. He is not the biggest but fights above his weight and offers real work-rate, especially in defence. In my team to play against Ireland on Sunday.

ZANDER FAGERSON AGE: 23 CAPS: 22 POSITION: TIGHTHEAD

When Zander burst on the scene, I thought we had a potential worldclass tight-head, who could lock out the right-hand side for the next ten years. That might still happen but he needs to crack on. Sometimes he gives away too many penalties but he will share the tight-head responsibilities with Nel.

WP NEL AGE: 33 CAPS: 31 POSITION: TIGHTHEAD

On his day, close to world-class and a very important member of the team. He is a major ball carrier and puts in a hell of a shift in defence as well. He can throw everything at the first 50 minutes, knowing that Fagerson or Berghan will replace him for the rest of the game.

GORDON REID AGE: 32 CAPS: 37 POSITION: LOOSEHEAD

Starts as back-up to Dell and might miss out on the bench to Berghan but will still have a big role to play. A very good scrummager who might only start against Russia but seems a popular member of the squad, which is important on a long tour such as this.

FRASER BROWN AGE: 30 CAPS: 42 POSITION: HOOKER

Slowly returning to fitness and a key player for Scotland even although he is not first- choice hooker. His ability to play openside at a push means he could be very effective from the bench as he is back up to the squad captain. Leads from the front when he plays.

STUART McINALLY AGE: 29 CAPS: 29 POSITION: HOOKER

The squad captain and one of three world- class players in the Scotland squad. He has matured and improved greatly in the past few years and is one of the best hookers in the World Cup. He brings good game- sense, having played for years in the back row and is brilliant in the loose, giving the team a real lift. He must ensure that the lineout operates efficiently to give us the platform required to allow Scotland to play.

GEORGE TURNER AGE: 26 CAPS: 8 POSITION: HOOKER

As third choice he might not have a lot of game time but Fraser Brown’s injury might mean he gets more than expected. A good player if pushed into action and will not let anyone down.

SCOTT CUMMINGS AGE: 22 CAPS: 4 POSITION: LOCK

A controversial pick ahead of Richie Gray but how he has taken his opportunity. He was one of the stand-out players in the warm-up games and has pushed himself into contention for a bench spot in the first couple of games and will play against Russia. Could be first choice in the next Rugby World Cup.

GRANT GILCHRIST AGE: 29 CAPS: 36 POSITION: LOCK

Probably emerged as first-choice second row. Has a huge work-rate in attack and defence and puts his body on the line every time. When you look at the top teams, they get a huge amount from their second rows, so we need even more from Grant and I think he is up to it.

JONNY GRAY AGE: 25 CAPS: 52 POSITION: LOCK

Has been a rock for Scotland for a number of years but needs to kick on now. Outstanding work-rate but he must make more impact in the loose in the same way some of his contemporaries are doing for other teams. Should aspire to emulate Alun Wyn Jones and the impact he has had on Wales. Still a key player.

BEN TOOLIS AGE: 27 CAPS: 21 POSITION: LOCK

Very reliable but might have slipped to fourth choice with the emergence of Cummings. As with all the second rows, his impact on the game has to improve but he might be wearing his suit rather than his tracksuit for most of this World Cup.

JOHN BARCLAY AGE: 32 CAPS: 74 POSITION: BLINDSIDE FLANKER

When he missed selection in 2015, I thought his international career was over and so did he. He proved me and himself wrong and is a key player going into Japan. He is a very intelligent player who makes good decisions as a forward; when to engage, when to go after the ball in the tackle, when to carry the ball. He might not be captain

but he is an important leader and is in my team to face Ireland.

JAMIE RITCHIE AGE: 23 CAPS: 12 POSITION: BLINDSIDE FLANKER

In a very competitive position, Jamie’s ability to play anywhere in the back row makes him very important. Not the biggest but has a good instinct. He takes contact on his terms and doesn’t often get knocked back. Has worked out how not to give away penalties, which was important.

BLADE THOMSON AGE: 28 CAPS: 2 POSITION: No8

Could be the missing link in our back row. We need a big aggressive No8, who carries the ball well in attack and smashes people back in defence. We have tried players that could do one or the other but not both — Blade looks the real deal. I have been waiting a long time for him to make his debut and I like what I see. Could be one of Scotland’s key players.

HAMISH WATSON AGE: 27 CAPS: 27 POSITION: OPENSIDE FLANKER

Scotland’s most consistent performer f or t he past f ew years, with a unique style for an openside. As a major ball carrier, he allows Scotland to play the likes of Barclay or Ritchie at blind-side. He is destructive in both attack and defence, which is rare. I think Hamish could emerge as one of the stars of the World Cup.

RYAN WILSON AGE: 30 CAPS: 45 POSITION: No8

Another key member of the leadership group, who sets the tone in the squad. Not in my first choice back row but hugely important nonetheless as, if not in the match-day squad, he will be a very talkative water-boy.

GEORGE HORNE AGE: 24 CAPS: 7 POSITION: SCRUM-HALF

A very exciting player who has an incredible knack of scoring tries but he travels to Japan as third-choice scrum-half. He should get some game-time against Russia if the other two stay fit. His time will come and that could well be the World Cup in France in 2023.

GREIG LAIDLAW AGE: 33 CAPS: 73 POSITION: SCRUM-HALF

A hugely respected player in the squad and, like Barclay, although he is not the captain, he is a very strong leader, who players look up to. He starts for me — as his game management and goal kicking will be crucial in games like Ireland and Japan. He looked sharp in the warmup games and is a good influence on Finn Russell outside him.

ALI PRICE AGE: 26 CAPS: 27 POSITION: SCRUM-HALF

A lot of fans want Ali to play because of the pace he can bring to the game but I think his speed is best used off the bench — if and when a game plan might need to be changed in the last quarter of a match. Technically his skills are all there and his game management is getting better.

FINN RUSSELL AGE: 26 CAPS: 46 POSITION: FLY-HALF

Absolutely crucial for Scotland. It is key that he remains fit to play in all the big games. He just gets better and seems more mature from having a season in France which is great news for Scotland. A worldclass talent when he has his mojo, brilliant with ball-in-hand and a very underrated kicker, which will be important in this World Cup.

ADAM HASTINGS AGE: 22 CAPS: 14 POSITION: FLY-HALF

Picked as back-up to Russell and to play against Russia. He might get a spot on the bench in the other games but it all depends on how Gregor views Peter Horne. Hastings is improving and has that swagger that all good stand-offs need.

CHRIS HARRIS AGE: 28 CAPS: 10 POSITION: CENTRE

Has quietly become an important player in the squad due to his versatility playing centre and wing. He is stronger defensively than in attack, makes good decisions and will get quite a bit of game time over the coming weeks.

PETER HORNE AGE: 29 CAPS: 43 POSITION: CENTRE

A controversial pick over Rory Hutchinson but he is well respected by the coaches and players. He can play stand-off but his best position is at 12 and it will be interesting to see if he wins the duel with Hastings to get the bench spot.

SAM JOHNSON AGE: 26 CAPS: 6 POSITION: CENTRE

He has quickly become Townsend’s go-to centre and rightly so. A good influence on Russell inside him and will form a potent partnership with Duncan Taylor. Deceptively strong, making big hits in defence. Can attack as he showed at Twickenham with that incredible 40-yard try.

DUNCAN TAYLOR AGE: 30 CAPS: 23 POSITION: CENTRE

A very good player who has had a tough time with injuries. Highly rated by Townsend and I expect him to have a big tournament. Quick and an excellent defender at outside centre. He is a first choice for me and is a key player.

DARCY GRAHAM AGE: 22 CAPS: 7 POSITION: WING

Emerged in the last year and is an exciting prospect who I think might have a very good World Cup. He would be in my team for Sunday although Townsend might go with experience. But I expect Graham to get a lot of minutes on the pitch. Plays with a smile and this could be infectious to the other players.

SEAN MAITLAND AGE: 31 CAPS: 42 POSITION: WING

Quietly goes about his business scoring tries and making good decisions i n defence. A good influence on the younger players. When he talks, they listen.

TOMMY SEYMOUR AGE: 31 CAPS: 52 POSITION: WING

Has served Scotland very well and his experience will be vital in the big games. But he is under real pressure from Graham for a spot in the starting team.

STUART HOGG AGE: 27 CAPS: 69 POSITION: FULL-BACK

World cl ass and has been consistently for years. So dangerous with ball in hand, whether coming into the attacking line or from counter attacking from kicks. He is a player that other teams fear and Scotland are blessed to have him and Russell. Crucial for Scotland to go deep in this World Cup.

BLAIR KINGHORN AGE: 22 CAPS: 15 POSITION: FULL-BACK

Back up to Hogg at full-back but could find himself on the wing as well, which is no problem for the big lad. Very quick feet for one so tall. His ability to cover the back three means he should be on the bench for the big game on Sunday.