Vern Cotter has named the Scotland squad for this year’s Six Nations.
There is a recall for centre Matt Scott, whilst there are also call-ups for the uncapped Edinburgh Rugby forwards Simon Berghan (prop) and Cornell Du Preez (back-row).
FORWARDS
PROP (7)
Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – 3 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 11 caps
HOOKER (3)
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 102 caps
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps
LOCK (5)
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps
Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 60 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
BACK-ROW (7)
John Barclay (Scarlets) – 55 caps
Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 13 caps
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
BACKS
SCRUM-HALF (3)
Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 56 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
STAND-OFF (2)
Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
Duncan Weir (Edinburgh Rugby) – 23 caps
CENTRE (5)
Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Huw Jones (Stormers) – 3 caps
Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 36 caps
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 18 caps
BACK-THREE (5)
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 48 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 26 caps
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 31 caps
Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 28 caps
Not currently considered through injury: David Denton (hamstring, Bath Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (foot, Edinburgh Rugby), Pete Horne (ankle, Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hughes (knee, Glasgow Warriors), Rory Sutherland (groin, Edinburgh Rugby).
I would say the only area in which Scotland are still a bit weak is at fly half. Russell is a good fly half when going forward but not the best defensively or under pressure. Weir is nowhere near the level that the other home nations fly halves are.
The rest of the squad looks good, with some very good talent who could be pushing for a spot on the Lions tour if the play well in the Six Nations.
I’d have said the props are bit of an issue if Nel gets crocked – although I like what I’ve seen of Ferguson. And hooker is not a position of strength
Other than that the team looks really strong with some decent depth as well – particularly in the back row and at centre
But it wouldn’t be the first Scottish squad to look decent on paper and somehow be less than the sum of its parts. The question will always be whether they can mould their undoubted individual ability into a successful team.
I think this is the year they may click though and can see them beating Italy, Wales and probably France, They should give Ireland a tough game at Murrayfield and I’m pleased England have them at Twickenham
I’d forgotten about hooker and still can’t believe that Ford has over 100 caps but still can’t do the basic jobs of a hooker, like throw straight or hook the ball.
I think they will do very well if they can keep their best players fit. I think centre is their biggest strength and with a back three of Seymour, Maitland and Hogg with Visser on the bench, (my selection anyway) they could be scoring a lot of tries if they get good ball.
I’d say that Russell’s pretty good defensively – he’s brave and puts the hits in.
I have to disagree, Russell is a fearsome tackler (look at some of the hits he put in against Australia). Also he is a player who thrives under pressure, yes he didn’t take the drop goal against Munster, but in all of Glasgow biggest games he has been a game changer, for example the pro 12 semi final against Ulster when he beautifully set up an 80th minute try and then converted from the sideline to win the game.
However, we definitely are short of back up in Fly half. Weir, Jackson and Horne are able but not game-breakers. Although Adam Hastings from the U20’s and now at Bath looks a real prospect for a year or two’s time.
Horne is a very able back up, but unfortunately well crocked at the moment. By far the most able to eotk with BVC (and Townsend’s) recipe.
Russell not good defensively? I have to disagree there. Like most fly halves his ‘weakness’ is a bit of inconsistency. Best we’ve had for a looong time though and holds his own against any of the other NH 10s.
Shouldn’t this be entitled The Scottish Squad for The 2017 RBS Wooden Spoon?
suck a fat one face
Must say this is a very exciting squad. I would hope that the team to face Ireland will be:
1- Dell, 2- Brown, 3- Fagerson (If Nel is proved unfit), 4- R Gray, 5- J Gray, 6- Wilson, 7- Watson, 8- Strauss
9- Price, 10- Russell, 11- Seymour, 12- Dunbar, 13- Jones, 14- Maitland, 15- Hogg
16- Ford, 17- Reid, 18- Welsh, 19- Swinson, 20- Du Preez/Barlcay, 21- Laidlaw, 22- Bennett, 23- Taylor
For Scotland the level of competition in the Back Row and centre is unreal for the first time in what feels like forever we are going in to the tournament with the genuine (albeit small) chance of winning the whole thing, I’m just counting down the days untill the Ireland Game. However saying all this I wont be surprised if the wheels come off in week one, but oh well I’m forever believing.