Some players in the first two games of Scotland’s Rugby World Cup warm-ups could be getting their only chance to shine, admits head coach Vern Cotter.
The bluff New Zealander seems set on giving everyone in his enlarged squad their chance prior to the final cut to 31 for the tournament on August 31 although the choice won’t be made public until the following day.
Thus 11 changes have been made for the second warm-up in the Stadio Olimpico in Turin tomorrow night (7pm BST). Those not involved so far including incumbent skipper Greig Laidlaw, first choice fly-half Finn Russell and others should be along for the second half of the doubleheader against Italy at Murrayfield next week.
The axe falls after that game, and before the final warm-up against France in Paris. So one could easily imagine this is cut-or-bust for some players brought in this week, such as the controversially “parachuted” back rower John Hardie, or the debuting wing Rory Hughes.
Cotter almost hinted as much when he addressed Hardie’s inclusion.
“He is a good professional,” said the coach. “He has gone about his work without making a fuss and he has learnt all he needs to learn. He’s looking forward to the game.
“He is showing a desire, he wants to come over and play for Scotland. He hasn’t got a contract, he’s got no security. Basically everything will hinge on the training time he has had and the game he plays this weekend.
“But he’s adapted very quickly. He’s different to Hugh (Blake) who I thought went pretty well last week. But we’re looking forward to seeing him.”
Cotter admits he’s not even decided on his split of forward and backs for the squad, and probably won’t be until he knows whether Alex Dunbar, out since March recovering from ACL surgery, will be fit to take part.
“Last week, I thought some players put their hands up and played well and that’s what we were hoping for – to make it as hard for us to pick the 31 as possible,” he continued.
“We now have back-to-back games against Italy and the players that haven’t played up to now will almost be sure they get a run against Italy next weekend in the return match.
“I don’t think (picking the final squad) will be something that comes easily. I hope that the players to get their opportunities on Saturday play really well to make it as hard as possible.”
Given that other countries are already pairing down to their final 31, Cotter doesn’t feel it’s a weakness to be still pondering now.
“I think it’s good, it means that players have put their hands up and the strength of the squad is improving,” he said.
“I know that the players are challenging other, which is creating new challenges within, forcing us to take another look at the depth. We’re also up against opposition who will play differently tactically to Ireland.
“Being able to adapt in the World Cup, when we have two games in four days, then another game six days later, means these things will come into play.”
Cotter still thinks winning despite the fact that Scots have now lost six in a row is of secondary importance this weekend.
“If we get driven with thatI don’t want to overstress these boys. They’ve got enough to think about without that.
“We’re looking at things like team cohesion and we’re still trying to put things together. I’m looking more at content, the construction of the game.
“If we look after that, it should give us an opportunity to get ultimately what every team wants a win.”
The four retained from Dublin are Sean Lamont winning his 95th cap and it appears being given every chance to reach his 100th Richie Vernon and skipper Grant Gilchrist, while Greig Tonks is also still there but at full-back rather than fly-half.
It’s a new half-back combination of Duncan Weir and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, and an entirely new front row of Gordon Reid, Stuart McInally and Mike Cusack.
Alasdair Strokosch joins Hardie in the back row with Adam Ashe at No 8. There’s a chance of first caps off the bench for WP Nel and Damien Hoyland as well as those for starters Hardie, Hughes and McInally.
Scotland team (vs Italy, Turin, 7pm, Saturday)
G Tonks (Edinburgh); S Lamont, R Vernon (both Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), R Hughes; D Weir (both Glasgow), S Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh); G Reid (Glasgow), S McInally (Edinburgh), M Cusack (Glasgow); R Gray (Castres), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh, capt); A Strokosch (Perpignan), J Hardie (unattached), A Ashe (Glasgow).
Replacements: R Ford, A Dickinson, WP Nel (all Edinburgh), J Hamilton (Saracens), H Watson (Edinburgh), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), P Horne (Glasgow), D Hoyland (Edinburgh).