Andy Robinson has been left with a number of selection headaches ahead of next weekend’s match with Fiji, and the subsequent clash with the Samoans.
Robinson’s charges performed heroically in the historic victory against the Wallabies, Scotland’s first Down Under in 30 years, but the former England head coach may still consider changes for next weekend’s match with Fiji.
He now has the try-scoring machine Tim Visser available to make his test debut, but including the Dutch-born winger would seem unfair on Joe Ansbro and Tom Brown, who stood up admirably in Newcastle, despite the atrocious weather conditions.
However, it has seemed inevitable that Visser will be involved to make his international bow, with Brown’s place most under threat, as Max Evans has also joined the squad this week.
A rib injury to Sean Lamont has kept the Scarlets man out of training since the Newcastle deluge, but the experienced back is likely to be available for selection, giving Robinson a full compliment to select from.
Chris Cusiter’s livewire cameo from the replacements bench may make Robinson think about a change at scrum-half, but veteran Mike Blair is likely to retain his starting berth, with Cusiter again on the bench.
In the pack, there is likely to be less change, with either Geoff Cross or Moray Low to come in for the injured Jon Welsh on the bench, while only injury would rule out Perpignan-bound Al Strokosch in the back-row, particularly given the East Kilbride man’s devastating defensive performance against Australia.
Regardless of those selected, and there are sure to be minimal changes from the win over the Wallabies, it is vital to build on Tuesday’s victory, and remain unbeaten going into what is a particularly tough Autumn schedule.