Rugby: Allan Jacobsen backed to win call to Lions
Allan Jacobsen
As Allan Jacobsen savours becoming Scotland’s most capped rugby prop forward, another celebrated denizen of the front row today insisted there were fresh fields for the 33-year-old still to conquer – starting with Sunday’s RBS Six Nations clash against France at Murrayfield.
Jacobsen overtook Tom Smith on his 62nd international appearance last time out and today SRU president Ian McLauchlan, another ex-Lions loose head, tipped Jacobsen to be called up for next year’s Lions tour of Australia. Said McLauchlan, capped 43 times for Scotland: “The Lions missed Allan on their last tour when he was injured. He could have sorted out a lot of their problems (in South Africa).
“I believe there is another three years of top rugby left in Allan, who will go to the next World Cup.
“That means a Lions tour is a possibility for someone who gives everything in every game.
“I have never seen Allan take a rest at any stage of any game; he is working all the time.”
Such an assessment was typical of a particularly upbeat McLauchlan as he approaches his final home match as SRU President having undertaken a second term.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment, especially having the chance to observe close up how much effort is being put in although my dressing-room visits will always be after the game since beforehand is for the players to prepare themselves for matches.
“I’m very pleased with the way things are going; everything is positive. Looking forward there is lots to develop and at the centre of eveything is the game of rugby.”
That was a reference to political turmoil which has at times engulfed the governing body during the professional era. But while eyebrows might be raised with Scotland having just slipped to 11th in world rankings, McLauchlan expresses scepticism at the value of such ratings and insists: “Things can turn around very quickly. One win and the team are on their way again.
“Some time soon this Scotland team are going to open an opponent up because they are making chances and it isn’t as if they are being hammered.
“The message is: ‘keep the head’, especially with the likes of Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson and Duncan Weir coming through although I admit I don’t know whether we will see the best, or worst, of France this weekend.
“On their day, nobody will beat France but the opposite applies too.
“I say this very reservedly but the way things unfolded for them at the last World Cup when the players didn’t get on with the coach – any other team than them would have quickly been out. France being France they reached the final after a defeat by Tonga and very nearly won partly because their players have an ability to organise themselves.”
As he waits to see which French team will turn up at Murrayfield, McLauchlan insists the hosts have been boosted by news of a sell-out in this fixture for the first time since 1994. “The sell-out signifies the public are keeping faith with a team who should have beaten England and could have won in Wales. It’s a good sign.”
In the wake of Scotland’s 3-49 defeat by New Zealand at the beginning of his presidential term, McLauchlan successfully predicted in the Evening News that the team would immediately bounce back and beat world champions South Africa the following week. They duly delivered. Now he is showing similar bullishness in declaring: “I’m confident this Scotland team can win their three remaining matches in this Six Nations – at home to France and away to Ireland and Italy.”
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
JCA REID
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 02:14 PMPersonally I don't think he's worth a Lions place on merit. He's been in pro rugby for several years & his physiology has simply not developed to cope with the demands. NO upper torso musculature, leg development, & that GUT!!. also he can't catchpass a ball.
John Brown
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:51 PMJohn Welch should be Scotland's loosehead. Chunk has been a good servant and great for the game, but not as good as Welch. Indeed Scotland could do worse with Glasgow pack and Edinburgh backs, with Hutton in for Visser, we would have a better team out than Sunday!
Hesh
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:22 PMDaffy b have a look at the footage of the racing game. He's borderline for a place in the Lions squad but can't think of many who would deserve to go more
tomtom678
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 08:45 PM#6 Matt Mullan of Wocester springs to mind from the Aviva.
Robin Purdie
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 06:07 PMAlex Corbisiero before Jacobson??!! Do you lot watch ANY rugby?!
SeniorandSenior
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:40 PMI think he's pretty good and who else is there? Gethin Jenkins of course but... Alex Corbisiero? I'm not convinced Cian Healy? Can't scrummage. Unless there's some guy knocking around in the Aviva premiership we haven't heard of.
abselkirk
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:15 PMThe two props who make the most yardage in either the Pro12 or Aviva are Cross and Jacobson. This is not a personal opinion but some statistics produced recently. Jacobson scrummages well and outs himself about much more than many others I would have no problem with him in Lions colours
daffy_b
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:24 PMChunk is a decent prop - but he has the worst hands and drops the ball more than any other current international prop.
Selkirk Souter
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:18 PMVery true tomtom!! Poor Chunk though, if only he'd been a Blacksmith in a former life.
tomtom678
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 02:03 PMI would say Alex Corbisiero and Gethin Jenkins are ahead of him at the moment, he is a bit old however would not be the worst Scotland prop to be taken with the Lions., the worst one was making another fool of himself on Saturday at the Hawks v Hawick game.
Another Voice
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:44 PMNot the worst Scotland player of the last 15 years and a guy who tries hard, however a Lion - maybe not. Its good McLauchlan is putting a positive spin on things, lets face it that's part of his job but this maybe going a bit too far. No coach has been appointed yet, and its odds on to be the welsh management team who will run next years Lions. The will do the same thing as they did four years ago under McGeechan and Henry did 12 years ago when the Lions last visited Australia - namely pack the team with off form welshment who will put up a brave fight and loose. Sorry Chunk but nothing personal - i doubt you wil make the Lions or the next world cup (at 33) so is it not better to let someone else have a go so we can build for the future?
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