Scots time to stake a claim
“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are ‘It might have been’.”
Lastthursday marked the exact day three years ago when Scotland were genuinely robbed of a Rugbyworld Cup semi-final place as they went down to a heartbreaking 35-34 defeat to Australia.
The sight of referee Craig Joubert sprinting off the pitch ashamed to speak to any Scottish players - after awarding thewallabies a matchwinning penalty for deliberate offside that replays showed to have come off an Australian hand - remains one of the most depressing sights I’ve seen in all my years watching rugby.
The fact that group of players would have had a semi-final spot against Argentina - on form but hardly the strength of a New Zealand or South Africa - made the robbery even more galling.
Who knows what could have happened if the Scots had made the last four, or even the final two.
Now it’s up to Gregor Townsend’s men to try and make history in Japan next year.
Last Friday he announced a 40-man squad for the upcoming Autumn Internationals.
Despite still being early in the season,townsend has already been robbed of several key players through injury; Stuart Hogg, Duncantaylor, John Barclay, Richie Gray and Zander Fagerson to name the most likely to line up in that opening World Cup test.
But he already knows what these players are capable of.what will be more interesting to see in these Autumn Internationals - against Wales, Fiji, South Africa and Argentina - is how the prospective new breed of superstars take to the pressure of pulling on the Dark Blue jersey.
Now is the time for Glasgow’s new youngsters to try and make their mark on the international stage.
While Finn Russell remainstownsend’s stick on ten after absolutely excelling since his switch to Racing 92, his replacement at Glasgow Adam Hastings is more than just filling the superstar’s boots, he’s adding a bit of magic dust of his own.
In a crunch European Cup tie against Cardiff on Sunday, Hastings ran riot and his man of the match display propelled the Warriors to a vital win.
Townsend will be delighted that, should the worst happen and Russell
Finn Russell remains Townsend’s stick-on ten
pick up an injury in the lead up to theworld Cup, Hastings is a tailor made replacement ready in the wings.
Likewise for young scrum-half George Horne, who has shone enough to show he can step in to Greig Laidlaw’s shoes if necessary.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt for them to inspire Scotland to a few victories at Murrayfield next month, though, to further strenghten their claim andtownsend’s options.
At the lastworld Cup Scotland went into the competition with the Six Nations wooden spoon.
This time around there’s a genuine chance they could go there as Six Nations champions.
From there the sky really would be the limit.