Fighting it out for place on the plane

THE fact Scotland’s last two Grand Slams came the year after a Lions tour is generally accepted to be no coincidence. In 1983, and again six years later, some key Scots players went on tour, saw at close quarters that they were by no means inferior to their English, Welsh and Irish counterparts, and proved as much in the following spring’s Five Nations Championship.

The situation has changed in these days of European competition and cross-border leagues, and Scots no longer have to travel to Australia, South Africa or New Zealand to measure themselves against their closest international rivals. But a Lions tour can still improve a player both mentally and physically; the concentration of talent on both sides in the Tests makes sure of that.

Obviously, then, it is desirable for Scotland to have a good representation in Warren Gatland’s party to tour New Zealand this summer when it is announced on Wednesday. Alas, it is equally obvious that the chances of having a big Scots contingent have diminished severely since the turn of the year. Injuries have played a part, as ever, but so too has the failure to rise to the occasion in crucial games.

This time last year, both Willem Nel and John Hardie, starters for Edinburgh and Scotland at tighthead and openside respectively, would have been strong contenders. Today they are still awaiting a comeback from injury. Huw Jones, outstanding in the centre for Scotland, is another who had surely played his way into Gatland’s thoughts only to find himself sidelined by injury.

Similarly, after the win over Ireland in the first round of the Six Nations, Greig Laidlaw looked like having a chance, if only because Gatland had said he was looking for an experienced leader of the midweek team. Now, Laidlaw, too, is on the way back from injury, and Ireland’s Rory Best has become the likely man for that midweek role.

Scotland’s improvement in the Six Nations might normally have propelled a few less experienced names into contention, but the Lions head coach has rightly emphasised the importance of playing at top form in away games as well as at home. And, while the loss in Paris was a narrow one, the crushing defeat at Twickenham had to weigh heavily on Gatland’s calculations.

Glasgow Warriors’ Champions Cup quarter-final loss at Saracens was probably the last chance for Finn Russell to play himself into a Lions jersey; if so, it was one he did not take. Meanwhile, the injury that forced Jonny Gray off in the first quarter of that game may well have ensured that the lock will not go on to play against the All Blacks.

So who will be on board the plane to New Zealand? Stuart Hogg remains the most probable pick, while Sean Maitland – like the full-back, a tourist four years ago – may have to fight it out with Tommy Seymour. (Maitland and Duncan Taylor, incidentally, both start for Saracens today in what could be one last to stake a claim.)

Richie Gray also toured in 2013 and at his best would have a chance of a Test place, but if there is to be a third Scot on tour alongside Hogg and Maitland or Seymour, the most deserving choice would be Hamish Watson. The Edinburgh openside has just kept on getting better at a time when his team have been falling apart.