Hunger and frustration after the Six Nations failure and 12 weeks of gruelling pre-season camp will fuel Scotland to hit the ground running in Dublin, believes Vern Cotter.
The head coach called what looks like a second XV team to meet Ireland “the first opportunity” but it’s clear he’s looking for clues of various options rather than hints of stitch-on certainties in this side, which with Tommy Seymour’s withdrawl with a hip problem features none of the regulars from the Six Nations.
Scotland didn’t win a game then, of course, but this is no purge.
“This is a good opportunity to have a look at ourselves and analyse the work we have undertaken up until now,” he said of the intensive 12-week camp. “We will be looking closely at players carrying the jerseys one to 15 and the players that come on.
“After two months most of the players are just dying to get out and play. Any of those players could be selected in the final 31, you don’t know.
“These players get the first crack at it, really. There are a few frustrated players and a few more to come.
“The measurements we get back from the performance against tough opposition will give us some true indicators of where we are at. Looking at what they did last week against Wales Ireland probably don’t need pre-season games, they are already flying.”
Ireland have picked arguably a slightly weaker team than last week, but it’s still plenty good and Scotland look a little lightweight in comparison, with new cap Hugh Blake the stand-out in the back row.
The 22-year-old has been closely involved under Cotter’s watch despite the fact that he played more for Melrose in club rugby than in pro games since arriving in December. Yet the coach still wants to see him in this company.
“He offers a different form of play, gets to the wide channels quicker and he has a good step and carry,” said the coach. “He is a young man coming through and he has a pedigree.
“Against (Sean) O’Brien and company in their back row we will get a fair idea of where he’s at. He is a player of the future but we need to see exactly where he’s at.”
Cotter has gone for two specialist 7s in his back row with Blair Cowan at 6, a tactic that brought dividends for Australia at the weekend against New Zealand.
“We have to compete physically against Ireland,” reasoned Cotter. “The contact area is important because they are probably one of the best teams in the world there.
“Getting numbers to the breakdown quickly is something we have looked at. Being able to get to wide channels quickly will be important to us.”
The other option that will have some scratching their heads is Greig Tonks, nominally a full-back, at 10 while Ruaridh Jackson, a fly-half for all but a few minutes of his 24 caps so far, at full-back.
“Greig has shown us some pretty good things over the past couple of months,” said Cotter. “Ruaridh comes in and plays 15, where he’s played before. This is a good opportunity to see what other players can do in different positions.”
The ideal is that all squad members will get a game in the four warm-ups, and Cotter could have as many as three captains in the preparatory campaign, although the skipper against France on September 3 will be the World Cup captain.
“I haven’t decided. A halfback with character is always someone who fits that role because he’s combining with his forward pack they’re very close and he’s not very far away from play to talk to the referee at all times.
“I think that Henry (Pyrgos) has leadership qualities and that why he gets the nod for this game, and he’s positioned well, so it’s for two reasons more for his leadership qualities than for the position he plays to be honest.”
Cotter’s own decision to sign a contract extension came from his desire to see the team through this development spell.
“I’m really enjoying working with these guys,” he said. “They’re a good group because they work hard, they’re honest and they have their feet on the ground.
It’ll be nice to be able to work longer with them, so I’m really happy to stay. But now we’re fully focused on what comes next in this World Cup.”