Vern Cotter has wasted no time in making cuts to his enlarged training squad following games against Ireland and Italy. Seven players won’t be making it through to the judges houses World Cup squad but the names will come as no surprise to those who’ve been keeping tabs on our running squad predictions. Although Hamish Watson can count himself unlucky to be returning to Edinburgh after a decent appearance from the bench on Saturday.
Scotland have also released Josh Strauss back to Glasgow with a view to getting him some game time before the 31 man squad is announced which gives as strong an indication as any that he’ll make the cut.
Definately awf the bus
Watson returns to Edinburgh with Alan Dell, Dougie Fife, Damien Hoyland and Ben Toolis whilst Mike Cusack and Rory Hughes travel back to Glasgow. Kevin Bryce who was called up as injury cover last week also returns to Scotstoun. So where does that leave the Scottish Rugby Blog predicted final 31 man squad. Remember we’re trying to second guess Big Vern. These are not our personal picks.
Scottish Rugby Blog predicted final 31 man squad (changes in bold):
Dickinson, Grant, Nel, Reid, Welsh, Brown, Ford, McInally, Harley, J. Gray, R. Gray, Gilchrist, Ashe, Hardie, Cowan, Denton, Strauss, Hildago-Clyne, Laidlaw, Pyrgos, Russell, Jackson, Bennett, Vernon, Dunbar, Horne, Hogg, Seymour, Maitland, Lamont, Visser.
One foot awf the bus
Adam Ashe – Didn’t get much of a chance to contribute this weekend. That coupled with a loss of form that saw him dropped for the Pro 12 final means he needs to step up his game. John Barclay has been playing number 8 for Scarlets this season and that versatility could easily see him make the final 31.
Maybes awf the bus
Duncan Weir – Just one change in our predicted final 31 man squad this week with Duncan Weir dropping out and Alex Dunbar popping back in. Not a straight swap as such but Cotter has three options at fly half if you include Laidlaw. After all the All Blacks won the last World Cup with a scrum half at 10 so why not. Weir put in a decent shift, especially in defence but wasn’t able to spark the back line into action. Added to this, Weir lacks the versatility of others in the squad which is why he loses out.
Clingin oan tae the bumper
John Barclay – Still clinging on but Hardie put in a real performance and Barclay’s cameo against Ireland hardly set the world on fire. However Adam Ashe’s drop in form means there is a chance Barclay could still travel. We may get an inkling as to Cotter’s thinking on this should Barclay appear at the base of the scrum this weekend.
Matt Scott – Vernon’s performance didn’t quite reach the heights of the Ireland game but that may be because of his established relationship with his Glasgow counterparts. Unfortunately it may be the Glasgow connection that does it for Scott’s World Cup chances. Still in with a chance should Cotter decide that Dunbar has not recovered sufficiently.
Greig Tonks – Sure and steady but that doesn’t necessarily fit with the “shock and awe” organized chaos Vern Cotter aspires to. Tonks remains in contention but Jackson’s broken play ability sees him make the cut.
Mike Cusack – Big Vern might have told him to pack his bags but the lack of depth in the Scotland front row remains a huge worry. We’ve seen two front row forwards leave the field with concussion symptoms in the last two games so Cusack may yet be required to plug a gap. The front row has been an an issue since the last World Cup and a solution ought to have been found by now.
Inexplicably still in the mix
Hugh Blake – We were a little surprised to see that Blake was still in the mix as we felt Watson might have just edged it with his performance at the weekend. However we’re not privvy to what goes on at training and Cotter obviously sees a bright future for his compatriot. We’d be very surprised if he made the final squad. Stranger things have happened though.
Jim Hamilton – Back to his old ways and a real liability in giving away penalties. Used to be selected purely because he could call the line out but there are now others who can do that.
Alasdair Strokosch – Did nothing to suggest he will unseat any of those already on the bus.
Ryan Wilson & Chris Cusiter – See last week