Two of Scotland’s long lost wounded full backs, Rory Lamont and Chris Paterson, are returning to Scotland duty for Andy Robinson’s summer training camp in St Andrews. They come back into a Scotland side finally finding its winning hat and find their favourite shirt (well, Rory’s at any rate) filled by a vastly improved incumbent (Hugo Southwell) and a young tyro pushing for honours (Jim Thompson).
One player sadly absent will of course be Thom Evans, who (unfortunately but unsurprisingly) it seems was forced to retire from rugby following his serious injury against Wales. All at SRBlog towers wish Thom every success in his recovery and whatever he does next. Meanwhile, Scotland will have to resume the search for searing pace on the wing that Thom gave us all too briefly.
“It’s about restating our collective values and our commitment to strive for improvement.” says Andy Robinson. So by Scotland “duty”, I mean sitting around watching re-runs of the Ireland and Argentina matches and general back-slapping over coffee (no booze for Mossy).
Who knows, they might run about like mentalists with ball in hand but this close to pre-season it’s unlikely there will be much in the way of heavy beasting allowed by the clubs. It may be more like my upcoming three day camp at the Tartan Heart Festival this weekend, but with less beer, pirate flags and over-priced hamburger.
Scotland squad for three-day camp at St Andrews, August 9-11:
Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman, Alex Grove (both Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys).
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald, Scott MacLeod (both Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors).
In attendance: Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors).
