Ready - or not? Rookies pushing for Six Nations squad

Published on Friday 14 January 2011 20:12

LAST year has barely had time to settle back into its armchair and put its feet up for a well-deserved rest when the shadow of the looming Six Nations Championship falls over Scottish rugby.

• Fraser McKenzie in Magners League action for Edinburgh. He, like his fellow rookies, is hoping to impress Andy Robinson

Andy Robinson will announce a squad of 30-odd players this Wednesday in addition to another smaller squad who will compete for places in the Scotland A team which plays Ireland on Friday 28th January at Netherdale. The A team will be bolstered by those players cut from the senior squad when Robinson trims his numbers.

The year 2011 is finally upon us and no one can quite escape the elephant in the locker room. It is a World Cup year and, rightly or wrongly, that matters. Everything that happens in the rugby world is skewed by this knowledge, every selection, every comment, every action will be scrutinised through the microscope of New Zealand 2011.

The run up to the World Cup is not normally the time to introduce new caps into the equation. Rookies don't often compete in World Cups let alone help to win them. The record books show that teams with heaps of experience win the big games, which is why Graham Henry started capping youngsters immediately after the last World Cup.

Sadly the Scotland coach does not have the same luxury of bedding in his young hopefuls in quite such an orderly manner. If talent pops up it is chivvied right along regardless. Before announcing his squad Robinson will be scratching that Desperate Dan chin of his and mulling over at least five names who have yet to don Scotland's colours for a full test match, although Jim Thompson came as close as any when he was an unused substitute last summer in Tucuman, Argentina.

Some of these rookies are in the mix by right but others will get an airing at selection meetings simply because, in some positions, Scotland has as much choice as Old Mother Hubbard.

Inside centre is a case in point. Just when Robinson found some options at thirteen, Graeme Morrison's untimely injury meant that the problem has re-emerged. Robinson has supported the big centre since he arrived in Scotland and Morrison has, slowly and with the minimum of fuss, made himself a key figure in the national team.

Now that the Glasgow stalwart is likely to miss the opening two weekends of the Six Nations, the coach is scratching around for an inside centre who can keep his wits about him in Scotland's tricky-looking opening match at the Stade de France. Here are some contenders for key positions in the Scotland team and their pros and cons.

FRASER McKENZIE (SECOND ROW)

The Defence McKenzie is talented ball player who has made a big impact with Edinburgh this season.

His off-loads out of contact are central to his game and he is not afraid to do the donkey work first. He also has the ability to play as a breakaway which adds to his allure on the bench.

The Prosecution The big fella has probably tailed off a little since the early season, at least that's the opinion of his coach Rob Moffat. McKenzie has also picked a position where there is already a heap of competition, especially with Al Kellock back in the mix, which might delay any further progress.

The Verdict Less likely than some others to make the senior squad next week given the numbers still ahead of him in the pecking order but there are signs that McKenzie has the skills and aggression to pitch for Nathan Hines' shirt post World Cup.

JIM THOMPSON (FULL BACK)

The Defence One of the few to emerge from the twin inter-city derbies with his reputation enhanced, Thompson was unlucky not to win his first cap in Argentina. Robinson has an embarrassment of full backs to pick from but Thompson can also do a decent shift on the wing.

The Prosecution The silky runner probably misses a uniqe selling point. Paterson has his goal kicking, Southwell his big left peg and, while Thompson is a safe option, he probably lacks the attacking panache to displace either of the older, more experienced men.

The Verdict A decent bet for the senior squad but the fact that Edinburgh preferred Paterson in the fifteen shirt on Friday evening can't be good news for Thompson's hopes of winning that elusive first cap against France.

BRYAN RENNIE (CENTRE)

The Defence Rennie is a hard running, hard tackling centre who came up through the Natal ranks with the likes of Springbok Ryan Kankowski. He has played nine league matches for Exeter Chiefs and the newly-promoted club have been the surprise of the season. Rennie scored two tries in the last Nations Cup.

The Prosecution The centre never showed enough while at the Borders to interest either Glasgow or Edinburgh and his attacking panache falls a little below the heroics in defence, in which case Robinson might be as well sticking with Alex Grove.

The Verdict It probably depends upon the form of Nick De Luca, who is the obvious replacement for Morrison. If the Edinburgh man comes good in the next week or so the shirt should be his, if he doesn't then Rennie comes into the equation.

JACK CUTHBERT (FULL BACK)

The Defence At 6' 5" tall the Bath full back comes with a physical presence and he has been keeping Nick Abendenon stuck on the wing (until yesterday) which suggests that the Scot is doing something right. Cuthbert has started Bath's last three league games, he plays wing or fullback and he kicks goals to boot.

The Prosecution The Bristol-born player is arguably too similar in style to Thompson to merit the inclusion of both men.He takes a while to get into his running when Scotland needs sizzle rather than size from their backs.

The Verdict Robinson may give him a taste of the senior squad but Cuthbert is more likely to feature in the A team. Much depends on how he goes in the next week or so but at 23 he has time on his side.

ROB HARLEY (BACK ROW)

The Defence If God loves a trier then so does Andy Robinson and Harley has the work ethic of a shire horse. He wants success more than most and he is willing to bust a gut every time he takes the field to get it. As Thomas Edison put it, genius is 99 per cent perspiration.

The Prosecution Harley is still learning the back row ropes and he can be a little wooden especially at the base of a set scrum where he has been embarrassed more than once this season by quick-thinking, fast-moving scrummies.

The Verdict The breakaway has every chance of making the extended senior squad and his ability to cover 4 and 6 would allow the coach a little flexibility on the bench.