Cotter is so candid over his selections

WHEN Vern Cotter was named Scotland coach, his Scottish players at Clermont Auvergne Jason White and Nathan Hines agreed on one thing — he will tell you exactly what he thinks.

That is what happened last week when Cotter pulled a rabbit out of the hat with his RBS Six Nations squad, naming New Zealand-born flanker Hugh Blake among his 32 — even though the 22-year-old only arrived in Edinburgh last month and had been limited to outings for the capital club and Glasgow reserve sides, along with Melrose in the BT Premiership.

While there was concern whether this was a return to the Brendan Laney controversy of a decade ago — with ‘foreign’ players suddenly pulled into the international squad above many of the Scottish contingent — Cotter remained calm.

‘Look, Hugh hasn’t played yet,’ said the coach. ‘We’ll make sure he demonstrates everything he needs to (before he is considered).

‘He is there because we’ve seen some positive things.’

Pressed on why Blake was in ahead of Kelly Brown, John Barclay and Roddy Grant, the coach was frank.

He believes all of that trio have terrific industry and defensive skills, but none can force several turnovers per game at Test level and make regular breaks in attack.

That is what he believes is the missing link for a Scotland team that has developed a physical front five who can compete with the best.

He likes the look of Blair Cowan, who was a top performer in the autumn Tests, and he is looking for more competition from genuine, quick, skilful openside flankers.

Cotter has studied France and Wales, who are first up at BT Murrayfield. He said: ‘We need to implement game-plans to play against teams like that, with a good kicking and defensive game, and also looking for turnovers.

‘That’s where a player like Blake may be able to offer us something.’