Dan Parks, an enigma and a divisive character – the Marmite (or should that be Vegimite?) of Scottish Rugby, a true love or hate character.  In my time following rugby I can think of a Scottish player who has given me such schizophrenic opinions.

Dan Parks is one of the primary reasons this Blog exists.  Hours afterScotland had fallen to Argentina at World Cup 2007 Rory and I a rather long discussion about the merits of Parks as captain.  Jason White has led by example but the vocal leader on that pitch throughout the 2007 tournament was Parks.  His performance against Italy on a wet night in St Etienne was outstanding and throughout the tournament he was geeing up his teammates and ass patting like it was going out of fashion.  I loved him for it.  Sure, he wasn’t perfect but at that point in time he was playing effective and infectious rugby.  Alas, his short comings became more evident of the next couple of years and by the time Andy Robinson came into post Parks was bête noir for many Scotland fans and it looked like his time had came.  However, he answered the Scotland call in 2010 and came back with 3 man of the match performances including showing balls of steel versus Ireland at Croke Park to kick a last minute penalty to win the game.  Love him or hate him he certainly has guts.   His last game was not his finest but it is a shame to see a genuine, hard working servant of Scottish rugby leave in such circumstances.  Now he’s retired I can forget the times where I’ve wanted to throttle him for poor decisions and missed tackles and go back to the rose tinted version I had circa 2007.  Good luck for the future Dan!

Looking forward Scotland will now go south to Wales with a new fly half pulling the strings.  I’m presuming it’ll be Laidlaw with young Duncan Weir on the bench.  It is certainly two attacking options and an exciting prospect. S cotlandwill have to change the way they approach the game – caution has to be thrown to the wind.  I’d much rather see us attack the Welsh and get thumped than see us play rugby which makes my eye’s bleed and lost by the odd point in 5.  Since the English game I’ve spoken to so many people who are gutted that the Scottish side were so limited in their play and didn’t try and play with real adventure.  I’m at the point with the national team where I’m so used to losing I now just focus on performance.  Individually the players have plenty of talent but in the national jersey the brain seems to freeze and there has to be the question over whether the style of play contributes to this.  Of course there has to be discipline and strength about the performance but not at the expense of having the freedom to try things.  Too many players looked uncomfortable in a Scotland shirt, I want them to be happy and enjoying the experience.  My only wish for this weekend is that the players go out on Sunday, be adventurous and enjoy their rugby…you never know what will happen!

How do you view the rest of the Six Nations tournament now? Do you keep scrapping for results with a team you think you can win, or do you go for a potential gubbing at the hands of the Welsh, blood some performers from the As and a team you hope can win, if they’re up to it? Show the young guns that a good performance for the A Team is not just banging your head on a Borders’ brick wall? Show the fans that we do have talent and it’s not all the “attack” coach’s fault, honest?

This is what I would do. I think.

In terms of the pack, swap out Murray for Cross (as it is a Sunday) and that’s about it. The guys that made silly errors or dropped balls won’t be doing it again this week, you would hope. The lineout functioned well, and I’m not sure the folk calling for Richie Gray’s head were watching the same game. The pack provided more than enough of a platform, and most should be rewarded with their places. You need to keep the bulk of Hamilton and Gray to aid the scrum; and have a couple of players too heavy for Bradley Davies to drop on their heads.

Greig Laidlaw should be brought in at 10 immediately. Dan Parks has been a faithful servant, but he’s not in form and has nothing at all to do with the club revolution that brought such optimism to Scottish Rugby – other than making Cardiff a bit more rubbish. If you are trying to recapture that Edinburgh spirit that set the Heineken Cup afire – and scored heaps of tries-  Mike Blair might be your man too, if only to make things easier on Laidlaw’s game management. Cusiter can do a job, but he has to play the way he does at Glasgow when the ball is quicker, and being a threat on the break himself.

Inside centre is a real problem, and Sean Lamont will not be the answer. Wales will be sporting some hefty backs that should require Sean back in his traditional home on the wing. Is Matt Scott really ready to step up? He’s the closest we have currently to a big unit – what Robbo likes – who also has some great ball skills – what we like. Robinson said his motivation for calling up Shingler was to get a ball-player in at 12 to play a different way. We can’t have Shingler, so is Scott the man? Now that the dust has settled and it’s going to be another one of those tournaments, I say stick Scott in. I’ve been impressed with him all season and he had another good game for the A team.

Nick De Luca didn’t do anything massively wrong on Saturday but his outside centre shirt may be withdrawn nonetheless, by shifting Max Evans into the centre. I like Evans on the wing for his pace but he created a bit on Saturday, so let’s let him create and someone else (hopefully) finish.

Back three I’d have Jones and the Lamonts with Hogg for cover on the bench, we’re going to need the bulk and I’m pretty sure Rory has some unfinished business with Wales (as well as Barack Obama). Jones is there for pace, but you could keep NDL and put Evans on the wing. That would be harsh on Jones who showed he can definitely operate at this level. My worry is that Robbo scours the victorious A team for, say, Simon Danielli and recalls him instead.

Why not throw Hogg in now when I have thrown Scott in? Fullback is one of those positions where your debut can define you. Look at Fofana against Italy: he had a few wobbles then settled into his game. Fullback is much less forgiving – and Hogg, while being excellent in attack for Glasgow has made mistakes under pressure. Wales are just the sort of team that would try to bully him, so in that instance I would prefer to see him eased in at this level.

Potential Scotland XV to face Wales: Rory Lamont, Jones, Evans, Scott, S Lamont, Laidlaw, Cusiter; Denton, Rennie, Strokosch, Gray, Hamilton, Cross, Ford, Jacobsen
Bench:  Lawson, Kalman/Traynor, Kellock,Vernon, Blair, Weir, Hogg

The only problem is that this team might only be able to play one way – attacking rugby.

Am I mental?

What they got  was two teams prodding and pawing at each other.

In the first twenty minutes there were fisticuffs, torn shirts and curious through kicks but England always kicked it to bounce in front of Scottish cover and Foden was always waiting for Parks’ bombs.

England perhaps had an edge in the scrum first half, but it was more that Scotland had lapses in concentration. They showed later in the game that they could be solid on their own ball. There were so many knock-ons because there were only a few flowing passing moves.

So kicks characterised this game. Nothing happened for 12 minutes.  Farrell lined up a 47m monster after Denton killed it, but as boos rang around the packed stadium the youngster pushed it wide. He made up for it on the 22nd minute, however, knocking over a short penalty to calm himself.

Before this England showed a few signs that their backline wasn’t quite at clicking point yet. As a big blind hit came in from De Luca a rushed pass headed for Hodgson. He slung it wide in a rush and it skidded to deck. A hitch-kick and a pass followed but it was too high for Ashton.

On the other side Ross Rennie, Jim Hamilton and David Denton were working hard and running round corners. The scrum was creaking but the Scottish tight five carried well into their opposition. There was even a nice period where Botha carried and then his opposite number carried back at him phases later.

It could not stay 0-3, though. Parks eventually got Scotland’s first points, his kick successful at the first asking. It was built on the back of solid, if unspectacular carries. His second penalty on the 21st minute was also knocked over, but it was built on more impressive Scottish work.

As England put into a scrum just over 22m from their own line the ball was quickly fed to lone wing Ashton, with Cusiter bearing down on him. He turned 20-odd degrees and tried to skip out of any tackle but the 9 leapt towards his ankle and clung on. Pressure poured over him. A penalty followed and Parks chipped it over for 6-3.

It half finished like this, despite adventurous offloading rugby from the home side into the last minute.

Then the second half started in disastrous fashion for Scotland.

Parks –entrusted to continue in the second half –tried to clear his lines and was charged down by his opposite man, Hodgson. Farrell converted and the mood in Murrayfield turned sombre.

6-10, little noise and an England pack on the march. Kicking to touch went awry for Scotland and Parks looked forlorn. It had to be slowed down or rethought.

So the ball was handed off to Denton again.

The eventual Man of the Match carried hard and dragged Scotland into the fight. He was having a dream debut. Others felt they could play around him. When England broke there was scramble and all hoped Scotland could get the ball again, if only so the Zimbabwean-born back-row could get the hand-off once more.

Without carrying responsibilities Gray had less pressure. He was dominating lineouts and on the 56th minute made a half-break that got the people standing on their feet.

The mood changed. Robinson saw his chance and brought on the cavalry. A minute before an hour struck Barclay, Kellock, Blair and Greig Laidlaw came on.

Pace picked up. Passes went wider into lovely green space. Scotland sensed gaps. They worked up field. 61mins. Truck, truck. 62 mins. Laidlaw looks, chips over, runs. Youngs bears down on it and Laidlaw pushes a hand through, grazing the ball. Youngs chest collapses onto it.

The TMO didn’t give it, but Scotland were on the move. Rennie made a break two minutes later that almost created a two on one. It was Scotland’s biggest chance. It came to nothing, though.

England rebounded, aided by the addition of a solid Jordan Turner-Hall, Stevens and then Morgan. They waited for their moment to come back. Farrell missed another monster kick, but they fought hard. When Farrell slotted a penalty in the 73rd minute it was England’s to lose.

They didn’t.

Do Scotland change everything in their half-back positions for Wales next week? Their pragmatic moves have failed and Scotland have a tough week of preparation ahead.

SCOTLAND: R. Lamont; Jones, De Luca, S. Lamont; Parks, Cusiter; Jacobsen, Ford (c), Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Strokosch, Rennie, Denton.

RES: S. Lawson, Cross, Kellock, Barclay, Blair, Laidlaw, Morrison.

ENGLAND: Foden; Ashton, Barritt, Farrell, Strettle; Hodgson, Youngs; Corbisiero, Hartley, Cole, Botha, Palmer, Croft, Robshaw (c), Dowson.

RES: Webber, Stevens, Parling, Morgan, Dickson, Turner-Hall, M. Brown.

OFFICIALS:

 Ref: George Clancy (IRFU)

Assistants: Roman Poite (FFR), Leighton Hodges (WRU)

TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

The 6 Nations starts on Saturday and already we are in danger of running out of superlatives. The most vivid and malleable word to be used in reference to this year’s tournament is one that stands out in the biting cold and tells us that we should all prepare for the unknown.

‘Fresh’.

England, Italy and France are all under new management. The approach of the teams will be different, we are told. Frenchman Jacques Brunel has drastically changed the look of Italy’s backline and has made some telling recalls in his pack. The message coming from the Azzurri is one of consistency of performance, rather than claiming one big scalp and four uniform losses.

In France a back play idealist, le Goret, ‘the pig’, Philippe Saint-André, has tried to tie down a French squad and relieve them of their uncertainties. No longer will there be the bizarre flitting and changing within France’s ranks. Marc Lièvremont’s tombola has been impounded and the style set in stone. He has even made – gulp – sensible selections, picking combinations of players familiar with each other.

France could be more harmonious and they had the quality to outplay New Zealand in large parts of the World Cup final when they were said to be out of synch with the coaches. One can only guess at how they will perform now that everyone is bouncing with joie de vivre. On paper this team is head and shoulders above the rest, but then when do France ever stick to the script, uh?

As for the Auld Enemy, under the guidance of a man who has thus far done everything right in the eyes of the press, it is an overhaul. England have been torn down. Gone is the spectre of Wilkinson. Gone are the troublemakers Care and Armitage. Supposedly gone are the airs and graces, the feeling of entitlement. This team is young, in many cases inexperienced, but it is also said to be hungry.

They may not have a chip on their shoulder, but they have a point to prove. A lot of points, actually. They must show themselves deserving of success. They must show humility and dedication to the Rose. They must defend a title. They must play with purpose.

Stuart Lancaster, portrayed as the modest fella enamoured with the spirit of rugby, is trying to bring on youth whilst also handing fringe players later on in their career a chance that they may well have earned long before their selection. Some of the players who let everyone down once temptation fell in their way abroad are reinstated, but they are surrounded by less of an accommodating staff and more of a ‘Team England’ rather than ‘Team Superstar’ atmosphere.

Speaking to an English journalist on Tuesday he said he shared the plane home from New Zealand with the team. When he saw them fooling around and strutting up and down the plane he wanted to say to them “stop this. You’re not as good as you think you are”. Now, though, this ‘arrogance’ is said to have been drummed out and if this squad can tap into their talent and hone it then – by St. George! – they may still get there.

It is a steep learning curve, though, and right now these newbies have the privilege of playing this tournament with little pressure on them, despite how pressured the 6N environment is. Could they click in time?

With Wales and Ireland it is more of the same. These two did battle in the World Cup and Wales triumphed. Little has changed since then, bar some injuries. No O’Driscoll, maybe no Roberts. No Gethin Jenkins, maybe no Lydiate or Priestland. However, these familiar foes seem to be retaining their style, outlook and most of their personnel.

Wales have even kept the preparation method of travelling once again to the ice chambers. Ireland have let their senior player group look after the squad as always. Wales slot like-for-like players into their team as Gatland is always keen to reward youth. On the other hand Ireland maybe haven’t taken any risks in selection, but why would they? Their pack picks itself and their form back three are on the pitch. Earls will be scrutinised at 13, but anyone replacing the Brian O’Driscoll would be.

One difference during this tournament could be that Gatland talks a little bit less and Kidney is told to talk up a little bit more. Both of these teams will be comfortable in their own kit, though, and know what needs to be done to win games. If defences stick when they face off then tries may have to be extravagant. Both are capable of that…

Then, good friends, there is Scotland. Optimism arrived on schedule last week. Will it be returned to sender by Monday? Every year is proclaimed our year and the truth is that you can never tell. Topple England and we have a run at creating something. Narrowly succumb to our nemesis and we face scrapping and snarling as underdogs for the whole tournament.

There is a chance there to play with style and turn over some established teams, as well as the new look England. The support at home will be fierce. More fierce than it has been for a long time, it must be said. The good will is infectious. Saturday should be a cracker, but even in the dull games every 6N fixture is engrossing.

This year the event should be stupefying. We are in for a busy few weeks!

Team guide:

ENGLAND
Stadium: Twickenham. Twickers. Rugby HQ. The home of rugby. Expect Nike and roses everywhere if you visit.

Coach: Stuart Lancaster. He has brought much needed change to England, and he may even be afforded the luxury of time in the role. Can he make England believe again?

Captain: Chris Robshaw. An all action flanker. Not an out and out openside, but he will be thankful for the opportunity on the World stage. He will be the cool head in an inexperienced pack.

Star: Despite reportedly being a menace on tour and said to be caught up in his own hype it is time for Chris Ashton to put his head down and work for the team. If he is unselfish and works hard he could well prove the difference in some games.

One to watch: Jordan Turner-Hall will come off the bench and is a natural and talented centre. Unlucky not to start he could shine on such a stage. He is also given a chance because there is no Tuilagi-esque whirlwind of attention around him. He is a professional and he can let others play great rugby.

FRANCE

Stadium: Stade de France. Sometimes a graveyard. Sometimes your eardrums will burst and you won’t care because it’s France, it’s partisan and you have been assimilated by the mob.

Coach: Philippe Saint-André. Tasked with instilling discipline in more than one sense. May renege on his roots and play rugby by numbers, but his squad are so good they could still do that with style. Will France lose what I call their ‘Frenchicitie’?

Captain: Thierry Dusautoir. The Dark Destroyer. He is so painfully talented and wonderfully abrasive that he confuses me into hiding behind the couch. He single handedly beat New Zealand in ’07 and dragged France to the ’11 final kicking and screaming. He makes you proud to be French, even when you aren’t, and may have a cape on under his bleu.

Star: Look up. That guy.

One to watch: Wesley Fofana is debuting against Italy and he may just be the one to look different and exciting, despite playing in PSA’s new disciplined shape. Shouldering through and turning and popping all as he runs fast. He could be the devastating inside to Rougerie’s usual forceful bash.

IRELAND

Stadium: The Aviva Stadium has been accused of lacking atmosphere in warm-up games, but this is the 6 Nations. When ‘The Fields of Athenry’ is belted out it doesn’t matter where it is because Ireland are playing well.

Coach: Declan Kidney sometimes looks like he should be wearing a lab coat, but the soft spoken man knows what works and he is in tune with his players. They march to his beat and are pretty darn happy about it.

Captain: Paul O’Connell stands in for the talismanic Brian O’Driscoll but he has a few fans himself. He reminds me of the Undertaker from WWE. He’ll boss the lineout and run the ugly lines for the good of the team. He can club his way onto the front foot and is fearfully respected by his peers.

Star: Without BO’D it may well fall to Jamie Heaslip. He’s addicted to that tryline. Loves a score. Fast, strong and smart, he will snaffle a few points from the number 8 position.

One to watch: He’s an experienced international but I cannot shake the feeling that it is Andrew Trimble’s time to shine. I’m putting a fair bit of dosh on this kid to score some tries.

ITALY

Stadium: After council disputes and pleas for work to be done to it the Stadio Flaminio is getting a facelift. In the meantime Italy will be calling teams to the Stadio Olimpico, also in Rome. It may not have as much charm or character, but Rome is Rome. Everyone will be falling about having a good old time, regardless.

Coach: Former Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel comes in making subtle changes and looking like he is desperate to be holding a pipe. More calculating than Nick Mallett, perhaps.

Captain: Sergio Parisse. No more needs said.

Star: em… Super Sergio.

One to watch: Make it a hattrick…? Apart from him…. toss a coin. Masi is a tidy footballer and Barbieri is a talented front foot flanker.

SCOTLAND

Stadium: Murrayfield. EH12. Roseburn. The car park is reopened, too. Expect the two home games to have that nostalgic feel everyone loves. Beers out the boot of the car, blue everywhere and a sense of excitement hanging in the air.

Coach: Andy Robinson. A man Strokosch described as “the most competitive” he’d met. Can he finally deliver on his promise?

Captain: Kelly Brown went down playing for Saracens, so the responsibility was bestowed upon Ross Ford. He has a pretty nifty support group, too. Could be a chance for him to grow into the brilliant player he has fleetingly hinted at.

Star: Richie Gray gets all the attention. He is a camera man’s dream, all highlighted and gigantic…

One to watch: The noise from the fans is that Lee Jones on the wing is a stroke of genius. He is causing a few flutters and the odd tizzy. In space he or Max Evans can scuttle with the best of them and with his dislike of kicking he will be on the hoof a fair bit. Wind him up and let him go.

WALES

Stadium: The Millennium Stadium rocks and rolls with the very best of them. Do you like singing?

Coach: Warren Gatland is outspoken, assured and driven. This Wales side is in his image and he’ll be damned if he will let anyone challenge it. Also fond of mind games. DO NOT TAKE HIM ON IN A STARING CONTEST.

Captain: Warburton is just wonderful, isn’t he? He hits with his face. He carries like a flying sledge hammer. He seems completely oblivious to the fact that a human body can break. If Gatland needed someone to volunteer for scientific experiments “For the good of Wales” this kid would have his hand up first. Think of a bomb disposal expert running around a park.

Star: Toby Faletau showed in the big games in the World Cup that he was capable of moving Heaven, Earth, Narnia and Mordor to get to that white line. More than impressive on the run.

One to watch: Bruiser George North may make a bit of an impression in this tournament as he runs lines off of Jonathan Davies and chases lofted kicks. I will not be alone in hoping he runs right at Rougerie at some point… Take that for a Large Hadron Collider.

Whilst France have the privilege of hosting the first game of 6 Nations 2012 with a game in Paris against an ever improving Italy most eyes and thoughts in this part of the world will be turned towards Murrayfield and the small matter of the Calcutta Cup match. Scotland and England, forever linked and squabbling like ill-tempered siblings.

From accusations of gamesmanship (Sir Clive and his anger at the pipers piping and pillars in the away dressing room) to t-shirt hiccups and Robinson’s claims of Auckland arrogance, this is not a game for the faint-hearted. Yet both sides approach this year with a variety of fresh faces and it promises to be an intriguing encounter.

In my opinion England have, so far, played a blinder. They’ve positioned themselves as firm underdogs – an inexperienced squad with an interim coach and an organisation still suffering from the fall out of a poor World Cup. Couple this with the fact that they are visiting Murrayfield which has been labelled by some southern pundits as ‘hostile’. It’s been a bloody wonder of PR. Behind closed doors they’ll have posted up Andy Robinsons quotes about arrogance and the stories of t-shirt gaffes. Make no mistake, this England side will be fired up and fully confident that they’ll come up the road and make a mockery of the underdog status. They’ll have three debutants in the starting XV and that will bring an enthusiasm and unpredictability that has not always been evident in recent England sides. In short I actually think England have a lot more to offer that people give them credit for.

Scotland also head into the game with a couple of fresh faces. Lee Jones will hope to bring his searing hot Edinburgh form into the international arena and Dave Denton will get his first start in the blue jersey. However, across the rest of the XV it’s a fairly experienced bunch. Of course the most controversial amongst these is undoubtedly Dan Parks whose inclusion has sparked furious debate on his merits as an international player. My own initial response was an expletive ridden text to Rory and a condemnation of Robinson’s apparent conservative approach. I still think my first choice would have been to pair Blair and Laidlaw as they’ve been a cracking duo for Edinburgh but the more I think about it the more I see some logic in the selection of Parks.

Robinson will know full well that England will come up firing, new players and a home press that have given them nothing but grief for the last few months will mean that they will want to prove a point. I suspect Robinson will look to take some of the heat out the game, play for territory and try and build pressure on the English. They’ll possibly let England have the ball in their own territory and try and isolate any broken field runners, looking for a quick turnover and spread the ball out wide to utilise the pace of Jones and Evans.

Crucial to this will be the ability for Lamont and De Luca to link up in the centre.  De Luca, who was roundly criticised at the World Cup, has been in fine attacking form for Edinburgh and if he’s ever going to make the mark internationally now is the time.  His eye for a decisive line and well timed pass must be fully utilised if Scotland have any hopes of being an attacking threat. I fully expect Blair and Laidlaw to come on in the second half when England may have tired and use them to create space and opportunities against heavy legs. It’s not a plan without risk, primarily is depends on a strong defensive effort and discipline, particularly in the first 15-20 minutes when England will look to make a mark. I hope for Robinson’s sake that the selection of Parks doesn’t backfire. He is a fine coach but after a World Cup where he made some questionable team selections (dropping Ansbro for the Argentina game) the last thing he needs is to give more ammunition to those who question his ability to select the best XV.

It is a tradition of mine to give a prediction based on my half-baked thoughts on the game and this year is no different. So:

Head – Scotland eke out a close game, winning by a maximum of 5 points. Parks plays his part by ensuring Scotland play in English territory and eventually the older more experienced Scotland squad draw enough penalties to tough the game out. I expect England to score a try through Ashton… just because it will annoy me.

Heart – Scotland finally, after an eternity of waiting, clicks and converts pressure. A couple of early tries have England scrambling. The inexperience in the England ranks tells and Scotland are on hand to capitalise. A clear Scottish victory by 10+ points.

Arse – England slow walk out onto the Murrayfield pitch. Fired up they drive the Scots back and create chances out wide. Scotland cause not helped by a misfiring Dan Parks whose kicking goes to pot and early injuries to the front row mean the English forwards gain dominance. A horrible day capped off by Chris Ashton completing a swallow diving hat-trick in the final moments. In this eventuality it is likely my head will burst like a little grape of rage. England wins by 15+ points.

The selection that will as usual garner the most criticism is the selection of Dan Parks at 10 – but Greig Laidlaw is waiting in the wings as the cover for that position.

Scotland team to face England: Rory Lamont, Lee Jones, Nick De Luca, Sean Lamont, Max Evans, Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter, Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Alisdair Strokosch, Ross Rennie, David Denton
Replacements: Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross, Al Kellock, John Barclay, Mike Blair, Greig Laidlaw, Graeme Morrison

Alan Dymock was there to note what was said at the announcement:

Faced with rows of writers Andy Robinson sat, cheeks reddened from camera exposure, and welcomed questions on his Scotland selection. The general messages that he countered with? Scotland need front foot ball, England will play in a specific manner, there were close calls with every decision and that Laidlaw would come on at 10 at some point during the game.

“I’m very happy with the balance that we have in the squad,” he asserted. “We’re going into this fully aware that it’s going to be a frantic, tough, physical test match. We’re starting at nil-nil and we’ve got to build ourselves into the game. We’ve a lot of respect for the coaches there with England.

“You’ve just got to watch Saracens and the way they play, and tactically that is something we need to be fully aware of.

“Lee Jones has been playing well for Edinburgh, he’s been scoring tries. I watched him down in Cardiff in the first Heineken Cup game. I liked his work off the ball. The tries and his work rate against London Irish away from home, I think, were very good and that’s what you’re looking for in players: their work rate and their ability to get on the ball. He’s played well in the last few months.”

On his other youngster he talked of his powerful rise to a starting berth. “David Denton was really unlucky not to be involved in the World Cup. He’d shone through a lot of the work we had done in the training camp and was just unfortunate to miss out, but he’s come back to Edinburgh and I think he has been really outstanding in the way he’s played. He has forced his way into the team.

“He’s a big man, he has big hands and he will be under pressure at the base of scrums. We know that. If your scrum is going forward it is a lot easier. He has got pace off the base of the scrum and he has got good hands.”

When asked on his stand-off options he was at pains to state that Greig Laidlaw has been in impressive form and that he would give him a chance to learn at 10, even in the heated environment of a Calcutta Cup game, but that the much maligned Dan Parks was in good enough form to merit selection.

He reminded everyone that Warren Gatland once wrote off Parks’ attacking ability a few years ago, and he proved everyone wrong. He felt that Scotland’s balance would not be affected by changing his 10s. Of course by having Blair and Laidlaw on the bench it is likely that the pair will come on together around the hour mark.

He also stated that it was close with Rennie and Barclay, but that the Edinburgh 7 deserved his shot.

“He’s played well for Edinburgh – obviously not starting every game – but in the games that he has played in he has really performed as an international rugby player. Because of that, and the selection of Denton, this is Ross Rennie’s time.

“He is slightly different to John [Barclay], in terms of the speed of the game we want to play, and that is the reason for selecting him ahead of John. John has started to find some real form, but he has been finding that form as an 8 or a 6. I’ve been pleased with the way that he has come back into the game and the way that he played in Bath so John is starting to find that confidence back in his game. We’ve got a good selection there.”

No doubt this will be a massive test for those players and Robinson has clearly backed his personnel in the year’s most keenly anticipated game. For the young men thrown into a Calcutta Cup fraught with pressure and close on paper it is a case of just letting the game play, though. They can’t overthink it.

“From my first start for Edinburgh, coming to know it all does seem surreal,” Denton admitted. “We’ve got to put our hands up and get us on the front foot. I feel my ball carrying has been going really well and hopefully I can bring that onto the pitch on Saturday.

“A year ago this would have seemed very far away.”

As for Jones, an excited debutant, he is just focussing on his spot on the wing. When the team sheet was put up “the squad was just kind of there. I couldn’t really concentrate on anything else, to be honest. I don’t know who else is playing!” he joked.

Let’s hope he is as focussed when he faces down the English. The coach and the players are certainly talking confidently.

Every nation has these ingrained quirks and preferences. New Zealand long favoured the second five-eighth over the English crash ball centre, and so on.

But now, finally, Scotland might pick a stand-off in Greig Laidlaw who has evolved as a scrum-half too, so maybe it is a developmental ploy that we should be taking more seriously.

Alan Massie, one of the more lucid rugby thinkers in the employ of Johnston Press, wrote an article many years ago about the possibility of converting Mike Blair to a fly-half and pairing him with Chris Cusiter – that way, we’d have our two best players on the pitch. Typically, such original thinking was shouted down, the shouters’ eyes blinded by their traditional thoughts on what a stand-off ought to be.

But in rugby terms, it makes sense to cloud the distinction between the positions. So often the 9 runs past the 10, thereby making the ball slower. Age-grade ‘patterns’ have impressively cottoned on to this fact and so the 9 and 10 do switch yet very little time is spent improving the 10′s scrum-half pass or box-kick. If this is something we are going to commit to then the skills coaching has to reflect this half-back duality.

The benefits of the French system are numerous. Sharing responsibility takes pressure off the 10 – he doesn’t have to make so many decisions. The ‘cult of the 10′ that characterises British rugby at the moment leads to the 10 being overly praised and overly criticised. This is partly a reaction to Mr Wilkinson and his (fully justified) deification – though it means that every 10 who follows has to ‘steer’ the team, kick all the goals, throw all the right passes. It’s illogical. The French realise that the 10 has enough on his plate trying to spark the backline that they even take the pressure of goal-kicking off him.

So if we are going to adopt the French model then we have to loosen our grip on the cult of the 10 and the weight of expectation that falls on their shoulders. In France, 10s are not coached to control the game. Instead all focus is on the skills of passing and catching, running onto the ball and delivering effective passes. This is the bread and butter, not the pin-point kicks to the corner that ‘put their team in the right places’.

Last year, I wrote about my conversation with a coach in which we discussed the differing attitudes to the development of 10s, fly-halves, stand-offs and second 5/8ths. It’s worth quoting:

“On the topic of fly-halves and the ‘controlling of the game’, for the French, they only worry about that side of the game when the player is a bit older, certainly older than me, and definitely only once they have mastered getting a backline moving and attacking the line – the basics.”

While on the topic, it should be stated that positional specialisation  is just one damaging way in which British players ‘grow up too fast’. We start contact too early and we pigeon-hole players at too young an age, to the detriment of their general basic skills.

It is worth looking back to recent French examples of the model. Michalak/Elissalde worked for many years, with the Toulousains having the same time in a club environment that Blair/Laidlaw have to build up the understanding that is necessary to make this blurring of the roles work. That is why Elissalde was always preferred to Yachvili, who was also slightly less adept at first-receiver. The World Cup saw Yachvili/Parra tried out. While lambasted in the press, I don’t actually agree that it was a failure, and Parra proved himself quite capable of playing first-receiver. Francois Trinh-Duc is more a ‘traditional’ stand-off in that he is incapable of playing 9. However, he is far from British in the way he plays. He doesn’t kick goals (regularly) and it could not be argued that ‘controlling a game’ is his outright strength. Like Michalak, he is a runner and a passer.

It’s time Britain and Scotland in particular left behind the ‘cult of the 10′ and moved on to more logical rugby. Let’s hope the emergence of Greig Laidlaw leads to a sea-change of attitudes at youth level where players are not told they are a stand-off and handed a large, metaphorical weight of expectation, but instead told they are half-backs and play-makers. Edinburgh have reaped the benefits this season – let’s hope Scottish rugby learns from this so that multi-talented, skilful players like Laidlaw become the norm and not the exception.

The problem with this is that the England team heading to Murrayfield on 4th February will not be the midget-bothering side of the World Cup. There has been much public soul searching south of the border since Manu Tuilagi was caught jumping from a harbour ferry and the Twiki-leaks furoré has not helped. Tuilagi has been recalled to the side, as has the Altitude Bar’s Chris Ashton but the team that plays against Scotland will look and play a very different game to the one that beat us at Eden Park four months ago.

Interim England coach Stuart Lancaster has talked of instilling “working class values” in the squad and of reminding them of the “pride” and “honour” that comes from pulling on the shirt of your national team. If Lancaster’s claims are true, then Scotland may face an inexperienced England side, but one that is hungry simply to win the match rather than being concerned with the financial rewards that might bring.

Even Brian Moore, a man with less humility than the entire cast of Made in Chelsea, is talking down England’s chances against Scotland whilst in the same breath accusing Andy Robinson of being an “Alex Salmond wannabe” (plus ça change eh).

Added to his new found humility, England also appear to have found a suitable replacement for Johnny Wilkinson in kicking terms. Owen Farrell has already scored 213 points for Saracens this season and can play at either fly-half or centre. Given his inexperience at international level the talk is of him starting at centre, but Scotland cannot afford to give penalties away in kickable positions with such a precocious talent on the field, especially in the absence of Mossy’s reliable boot.

Of course whether there is any substance to the rhetoric coming from the England camp remains to be seen. After all this is the Union that refers to its 1st team as the “Elite” whilst Scotland’s is simply the “squad”, Wales the “senior squad” and Ireland are “Ireland”.

Even in amongst England’s back to basics approach there are signs that the problems of old still exists. Scrum half Danny Care went on Twitter at the end of 2011 to say that “2012 is hopefully going to be a massive year… Earn respect. Earn the shirt. Set the example. #makeitcount” before being arrested for drink driving on New Year’s Eve. Care was dropped from the squad.

The only member of the England camp to respond to Robinson’s “arrogance” comments was Delon Armitage. Dropped to the Saxon’s squad, but still in contention for the “Elite” squad, Armitage rejected Robinson’s reasons for citing him for a dangerous tackle on Chris Paterson in the World Cup and spoke of his desire to regain his England shirt. After appearing for the Saxon’s this weekend Armitage was arrested on suspicion of assault following an altercation in a Torquay nightclub. There is no news as to whether any midgets were harmed in the incident.

Lancaster’s problems do not stop there. As recently as December, Chris Ashton received a four week ban after being cited for pulling Alesana Tuilagi’s (Manu’s brother) hair and out of favour at Saints will come into the 6 Nations having barely played a match. In Leicester’s recent drubbing by Ulster, Dan Cole was yellow carded for dissent for talking back to Romain Poite, a habit which seems to have crept in to the England squad in recent years which Lancaster will be keen to stamp out.

If Robinson is relying on an arrogant England team pitching up to Murrayfield expecting to win, then he is sadly mistaken. Whether or not England have the experience and discipline to win is another matter altogether.

He was a fictional character, sure, but he represented everything you want to be as a leader. Firm. Fair. Loyal. Battle hardened. Decisive. The captain of all captains.

Now I’m not saying Ford will be underhanded –far from it –but he could be just like this. He will have a number of captains at his disposal come game day. He can get by with a little help from his friends.

Ford is the strong silent type. A journalist once told me that he encouraged an opposition hooker to strike Ford early in a match because it would fire him up, but he is a smart player. He picks his battles. When he takes it to the mattresses it is with a direct drive and volume of attacks. His mind sharpens and he returns the favour, but in a different way.

Perhaps the captaincy will make Ford this kind of leader for 80 minutes. Andy Robinson certainly feels it can. Most importantly, though, Ford’s supporting captains can do as he would want them to.

He will run the scrum, of course. In the lineout, though, he needs someone on the ground; a consigliere. He needs someone to pick a spot for him. He needs a player willing to back his throws and give him favourable targets. He also needs a defensive marshal and a stand-off willing to move to the beat that he and Robinson dictate.

Ford is fortunate. He has a number of deputies, familiar faces, willing to back him up. He has Kellock, Gray, Barclay, Cusiter, Blair, Lawson, Sean Lamont, Morrison and Jacobsen. He has a host of personalities attuned with the cause. He should have no problem with the squad understanding his messages, or the plan put forth by the management.

This, it would seem, is the crux. The team need to be tight and in synch. Ford has to hold them all together. He has to make all of his deputies feel confident and vital. They are vital. Ford can only represent so much, and it is getting closer to the time when talking to TV folk and sitting down with press mobs is not important.

The game is important. The team is important. The deputies are important.

Big games bring big noise. Clapping collisions and songs ring around stadiums. Everyone shouts that little bit more when they realign. Opposition attackers are called out that little bit more aggressively by would-be tacklers. You urge people more. There is more hard breathing and swearing as contact is met again.

In this heady environment Ford will have to keep his cool and he cannot rally the team at every breakdown or set-piece. He needs supporting captains for that. He needs his 9, whichever one is selected, to collar him and his forwards, screaming at all of them to career round the corner for the team. He needs his 10 to put him in the right place to make his calls. He needs to be pushed himself.

Al Kellock said the other day that being captain is a great honour. It is also true that a captain will be honoured in his role, being supported and worked for. With so many other captains Scotland are now in the privileged position where they can use experience and support to carry them through one of rugby’s most testing fixtures.

Ford will lead everyone, and everyone will strive to repay his support in kind.

This could take Scotland’s stand-off debate back to the rivalry we thought we had all seen the last of: Phil Godman vs Dan Parks, but hopefully Andy Robinson will see sense and give the nod to Greig Laidlaw, who has stepped into the breach for Edinburgh this season after a few appearances last year, and performed beyond all expectation.

Glasgow’s Duncan Weir is also in the equation, offering more in attack than Parks but with a similarly effective boot. However, his boot can also be similarly inconsistent.

Yes, Phil Godman dropped that goal, but it has largely been Laidlaw (with a little help from Harry Leonard) whose attack minded Edinburgh came top of their Heineken Cup pool, having scored 17 tries.

In one competition; in 6 games. Compare this to pool rivals Cardiff, with Dan Parks at the helm lest we forget: 7 tries. Or Scotland since January 2010: 18 tries; over 2 Six Nations, a summer tour to Argentina, a World Cup and a 5 autumn tests (21 tests). Okay, international tests (and defences) are not quite the same as those in the Heineken Cup, but the level is not that far off these days.

Injuries are starting to force Robinson’s hand, and now the half-backs have been affected. While we wish Ruaridh all the best with his recovery, it could well turn out to be a positive, leading him to pick the young form players he may otherwise not fancy. It certainly could have this effect in the back row, where both Rob Harley and David Denton would have been very unlikely to have found themselves both in the team during the Killer B era, but now may yet both start or at least make the matchday squad. Needless to say picking Greig at 10 also allows you to pick either Blair or Cusiter at 9, both of whom have been playing very well of late.

Robinson apparently wants to build Scotland’s play around Jackson’s attacking mindset. With Jackson out until mid-tournament, Laidlaw is the next best thing in this squad.