Chris Paterson back to lift Scots as Andy Robinson shapes squad
This time 12 months ago Andy Robinson was naming his first training squad since being appointed to take over from Frank Hadden, bringing together his first management team and laying down the more abstract principles and beliefs on how he wanted to shape the international squad.
He will return to the training base of St Andrews next week with players heading there from various parts of Scotland and flying in from other parts of the UK, Ireland and France with a new cushion of comfort from the first year of his charge beneath them. Autumn victories over Fiji and Australia and a historic run of three consecutive wins away from home, in Ireland and Argentina, book-ended a period of ten matches in which Robinson's team began to spark promise in a new era.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDefeats to the Pumas last November and then France, Wales and Italy ensured reflections remain rooted in the realism of Scotland's challenge to make ground on the world stage. That is where Robinson and his assistant coaches wish to keep the squad as it now begins to build on those foundations through a more testing autumn series, featuring New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa, an RBS Six Nations Championship, and then into a hugely exciting World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
British and Irish Lions No 8 Simon Taylor is still in the international wilderness, despite his recent move from Stade Francais to Bath, but having Paterson back on board, as well as Nathan Hines, who missed the South America tour due to a family bereavement, will be a distinct boost to Robinson.
The 32-year-old full-back is one of the most experienced performers on the world stage and, now back in full training with Edinburgh as he continues recovery from the serious kidney injury suffered in Cardiff in February, he and Hines will bring a reassuring presence.
Last August Robinson selected 44 players, most notably leaving out Dan Parks. That move provided the motivation the stand-off needed to raise his game and, now at Cardiff, he is the only 'newcomer' to a familiar-looking squad now down to 37 players. Glasgow winger Thom Evans, expected to officially confirm his retirement from rugby shortly, is no longer involved and No 8 Johnnie Beattie will be in St Andrews to keep him involved, but is out probably sidelined until the end of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Former skipper Jason White is on his way back from a serious leg break but is not at St Andrews, while Allister Hogg, Craig Hamilton, Scott Gray, John Houston and Simon Webster are others involved this time last year no longer in the fold.
Rory Lamont is in a similar position to 12 months ago, called up for St Andrews but unfit, a broken bone in his hand this time ruling him out of the first month of Top 14 action for his club Toulon.
On the exclusion of White, Robinson said: "I have not invited Jason as I think the priority for him at the moment is to concentrate on his pre-season duties at Clermont Auvergne after the leg injury he suffered last season. I know how determined he is to be part of our plans and there will be opportunities for those outwith this squad to be considered for the Autumn Tests."
He did say the same last year and undoubtedly meant it, but no players came into the autumn Test selection from outside the summer camp. The challenge to do so this time may be greater, this squad now having grown closer together through Robinson's first year, but the rewards are greater too with a World Cup on the horizon.