Rugby: Plenty to ponder ahead of Robinson's squad call

As Scotland coach Andy Robinson prepares to name a squad of around 33 players tomorrow for next month's three-match Autumn rugby Test series, a glance at previous compositions show an inclination to throw a cat among the pigeons.

Last year, Robinson opted to go with one stand-off in what was perhaps the most inspired move of his reign so far given the way Dan Parks was to respond to demotion with a trio of man-of-the-match awards in the subsequent Six Nations Championship.

This time round, it is inconceivable that Parks would be omitted if fit for the clashes with New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa. But the 52-times capped playmaker is one of a number of players carrying an injury which suggests, if Robinson is to raise eyebrows, it might be through the elevation of a player who has used recent Heineken European Cup ties to showcase burgeoning talent.

Here few have staked bolder claim over the past fortnight than Edinburgh second row Fraser McKenzie, pictured below, albeit the 22-year-old is facing some stern competition - even if the man who captained Scotland to victory in Argentina during the summer, Al Kellock, has to be ruled out with a knee injury which has prevented him playing since May.

Young Glasgow compatriot Richie Gray cut his teeth on the international scene last term and seems to have grown in stature during Kellock's absence and likewise Scott Macleod has hit a decent vein of form for Edinburgh, not just in the line-out, but in terms of ball-carrying. But McKenzie's display last weekend against Northampton saw him involved in all three home tries without ever neglecting primary duties earning a notable tribute from experienced prop, Allan Jacobsen, who said: "Fraser has been good enough for a few years.

"This season he has really stepped up. He is in at tight head lock (right side of the scrum] which is one of the hardest positions and has been good for the past few weeks Against Northampton, though, he was outstanding." It is not impossible that HALF the next Scottish pack could come from the Gloucester club with prop Ally Dickinson, hooker Scott Lawson, flanker Al Strokosch and second row Jim Hamilton all figuring in a 90-7 Amlin Trophy victory against Rovigo last week.

Hamilton was the only player to score a try during Scotland's historic summer Test series wins in Argentina and since then he feels better for being more settled back in the English Premiership having left Edinburgh. In a recent interview with the Gloucestershire Echo the man whose start to the season was delayed by a virus picked up in South America said: "Gloucester's one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I missed the pressure of a big club. I missed the high-pressure environment. Edinburgh was great, because it gave me a chance for a run of games, built up my confidence and experience but if I'm totally honest I craved that cut and thrust, and that's why I moved to Gloucester."

Compared to the side which played last season, definitely ruled out are Thom Evans, Nick De Luca, Phil Godman and Johnnie Beattie with significant question marks against Chris Cusiter, Rory Lawson, Al Kellock and, as revealed elsewhere on this page, Simon Danielli.

However, some are due back after missing the Argentina tour, among them Nathan Hines (Leinster) and Rory Lamont albeit the wing/full back was absent when Toulon played Munster at the weekend.

By contrast other exiles were more prominent on the European stage and those starting included Ally Hogg, who captained Newcastle, Jason White (Clermont), Sean Lamont (Llanelli) and the uncapped Bryan Rennie (Exeter), a member of the A squad which contested the summer Nations Cup in Romania. Ally Hogg led Scotland A and could be a dark horse to lead from No. 8 against the All Blacks while extra experience gained by David Blair in playing the final two Nations Cup matches could give him an edge over Ruaridh Jackson as cover for Parks.

Similarly Greig Laidlaw will be a strong contender and for versatility and consistency there could be a place for Edinburgh three quarter John Houston on returning from Commonwealth Games sevens duty, although it is more likely Jim Thompson will be involved.

Above all, though, tomorrow's announcement will surely pave the way for Chris Paterson to take the first step past the 100 cap mark having proved that the kidney injury sustained the last time he pulled on a dark blue jersey and which at one time appeared to threaten his career is well in the past.

With Parks and Paterson around Scotland probably have the two best goal-kickers in world rugby.

Now for the other 13 to line-up against those All Blacks.