Matt Scott leaps to the defence of Scotland coach Cotter
The Dark Blues are still three weeks away from their World Cup opener with Japan but Cotter is already taking the heat over his controversial squad selection.
In-form back-row duo Blair Cowan and John Barclay were both cut from the 31-man travelling party that heads to England in 12 days’ time after former All Blacks youngster John Hardie was drafted in just five weeks after touching down on Scottish soil for the first time.
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Hide AdThe inclusion of yet another foreign recruit sparked fury among the likes of former Scotland prop Peter Wright, who dubbed the decision to snub native Scots such as Barclay a “disgrace”.
As well as specialist number seven Hardie – who qualifies through his Fife-born grandparents – there was also a surprise call up for Glasgow lock Tim Swinson, even though he missed almost all of the national team’s two-month training camp after ankle surgery.
But Scott has leapt to the defence of his coach after insisting the former Clermont Auvergne boss was the best placed person to make the tough calls.
He said: “Vern is a guy who is a great coach, he’s been in rugby for many years and he works with us every day.
“He goes through training with a fine tooth comb. He’s got a plan for us going to the World Cup. There is going to be disappointed guys and it’s a shame to see a lot of guys leave camp.
“But we are right behind the way Vern wants us to play. We are right behind his vision for us and if he thinks this 31 players is the right balance then I am completely behind him in that sense.
“Nobody pays any attention to (Cotter’s critics) – we’re just honoured to be in the position we’re in now. We’ve now got to go and make the country proud.”
Asked if those sniping from the sidelines should refrain from passing judgement until after the World Cup, Scott said: “Yeah. The main thing is that picking a squad is really subjective.