As has been the wont of most coaches in the past couple of weeks, Vern Cotter’s Scotland XV to take on Ireland in Dublin this weekend very much has an experimental feel to it.
Henry Pyrgos captains the side from scrum-half, partnered by Greig Tonks in the half-backs, while more recognised fly-half Ruaridh Jackson makes his return from long-term injury in the number 15 shirt. Richie Vernon, formerly a flanker, starts at outside centre with the versatile Peter Horne at 12. Sean Lamont and Tim Visser are familiar faces on the wing.
In the pack, Hugh Blake makes his debut on the openside flank alongside the more experienced duo of Blair Cowan and Dave Denton. Jim Hamilton and Craig Gilchrist provide plenty of nous and grit in the engine room, while in the front row Fraser Brown packs down in between Jon Welsh and British and Irish Lion Ryan Grant.
Head coach Vern Cotter said: “It’s been important to get a good look at everyone over the last two months. The strength and conditioning team have worked hard to get more power and endurance from our players, while we’ve also focused a lot on basic skill sets.
“The successful application of these elements will enable us to perform the various forms of rugby that we would like to play; dominating collisions and using these skill sets to become better at making and executing decisions.
“These 23 players now have the first chance to stake a claim for the final 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, against what we know is quality opposition.”
SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND
15. Ruaridh Jackson, 14. Sean Lamont, 13. Richie Vernon, 12. Peter Horne, 11. Tim Visser, 10. Greig Tonks, 9. Henry Pyrgos; 1. Ryan Grant, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Jon Welsh, 4. Jim Hamilton, 5. Craig Gilchrist, 6. Blair Cowan, 7. Hugh Blake, 8. Dave Denton
Replacements: 16. Ross Ford, 17. Gordon Reid, 18. Mike Cusack, 19. Rob Harley, 20. John Barclay, 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22. Duncan Weir, 23. Matt Scott
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Highly rate Matt Scott, hope he’ll make a fist of his appearance from the bench. The second fly-half spot is between Jackson and Weir imo, although it’s a bewildering decision to start the former on fullback. Hope he’ll be able to shed the rustiness of his injury sooner rather than later.
Jackson played a lot at full back for Glasgow, and it’s a chance to give him game time as well as wee bit more experience at 15. While the squad will have three players who can play 15 (Hogg, Maitland and Seymour), having effective back up on the pitch during a World Cup is critical.
Agreed, but chances are that Hogg and Mailadres will be a constant, and the fly-half cupboard is pretty bare after Russel. However, it’s a warm-up game so it’s logical that Cotter makes this decision after all.
I wasn’t aware that John Barclay was back in the mix. Good player, i’d like to see him do well.
Vernon at 13 is an interesting choice. Has he been playing there, does he have any club experience there?
Vernon’s been playing centre for a year or more now. He finished the PRO12 as Glasgow’s starting 13 (due to injury to Mark Bennett).
Vernon shifted to the midfield for Glasgow all of last season. He’s played there a fair bit now (both 12 and 13), including in the Pro 12 semi and final.
Re; Vernon, thanks.
So more experience there than Sam Burgess then!