The second, and last, ‘A’ international of this season takes place tomorrow at Scotstoun, the home of Glasgow Warriors, with Six Nations aspirations at stake. The Saxons put in a dour performance against the Wolfhounds at Kingsholm on Saturday, and they will be keen on making amends, but will have to do so against a Scottish side that have won each of the last two encounters. Rain is forecast yet again, and the Glasgow pitch is hardly noted for its speed so another slugfest is to be expected.
Jon Callard has rewarded the reserves who made an impact in the second half on the weekend, bringing in Dave Ward, Elliott Stooke, and Sam Dickinson, while Scott Wilson replaces injured Tom Mercey at tighthead. Wasps-bound Rob Miller earns a run-out at fullback, and will be joined out wide by Leicester’s Adam Thompstone, a bit of a surprise selection, and Fijian Semesa Rokoduguni, who has recovered sufficiently to take part after being ruled out of the Wolfhounds match.
Freddie Burns should be happier this week with his clubmate Dan Robson selected at scrumhalf, just reward for one of the few Gloucester players to impress this season. Sam Hill and Matt Hopper are both out injured, so Elliot Daly moves up from fullback and lightning quick Kyle Eastmond is summoned from the senior squad to get some quality game time. Newcastle tighthead Kieran Brookes is the only new name on the bench.
Shade Munro might be wondering why his team doesn’t have a fancy name, perhaps the Bravehearts or something equally condescending, but more importantly why they have only one game this year. It’s a disappointment to be sure, but one they’ll have to live with and take advantage of, because the eyes of the selectors will be firmly on some of the players taking part.
Of those in the hot seat, none will be under closer scrutiny than flyhalf Greig Tonks, normally a fullback but forced to fill it at no10 to help with Edinburgh’s severe injury problems. Scott Johnson has already declared his interest in seeing him with the test side so there’s a big opportunity for him to impress. Second row Jonny Gray is also expected to shine, captaining the side despite being the youngest in the named 23.
In the hopes of finding another decent tighthead, Jon Welsh is again given the no3 jersey though the no1 spot is where he is most comfortable. Abrasive London Irish flanker Blair Cowan is handed his first start in a Scottish jersey, and veteran Ally Hogg, first capped a decade ago but ignored by Andy Robinson, gets a chance to revive his international prospects as he lines up in his familiar no8 jersey. Ex-Bath fullback Jack Cuthbert is much in the same boat after being all but written off last year, and exciting centre prospect Mark Bennett takes the next step towards a near-certain test future.
There are others worth talking about, but it’s best to let the rugby write the script. Hopefully there will be some decent rugby in spite of the weather, and some of the lads on show earn spots if not in the senior tournament, perhaps on the June tours. Scotland look to have the advantage in experience up front and they will be more familiar with their surroundings, so it should come as little surprise that they take this one again and squeak a 5 point win with a late try in a scrappy encounter.
SCOTLAND ‘A’ vs ENGLAND ‘A’
Friday, January 31, 19:30 GMT, Glasgow
Live stream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWJbF_nYKPM
Referee: Laurent Cardona (FFR)
Assistants: Arnaud Blondel (FFR) & Mourad Zitouni (FFR)
TMO: n/a
