Who do the Scots want as there 9 at the RWC?

People of the Scottish nation an argument has arisen between two friends of mine over who should be Scotland's scrum half at the WC. Please cast light on the argument and share your thoughts

To be honest none of the three of them have been setting the world alight but my personal preference is an in form Cusiter. I think he's a bit more nuggety and quicker around the base than the other two. I'd like to see the Glasgow 9 gregor given a bit of game time though as I think he is the epitomy of a Scottish 9

I'm not from Scotland but I thought I'd add my thoughts. I voted Cusiter as when fit I believe he is by far the best scrum half you have. However if he doesn't regain fitness then I would start with Lawson at the WC, he offered more than Blair did for you during the 6 Nations in my opinion.

I would go for Lawson based on form this year. also if the scots want to play a higher tempo then i do not think cussiters pass is up to it

Gregor for me as a complete outsider.

You might want to add Greig Laidlaw to the list as well? He's certainly ahead of Colin Gregor in the pecking order at the moment. Truthfully I don't think we can call this one yet, it very much depends how they all go in the training camp and the warm up games - Mike Blair back to his autumn 08 form would get my vote, alternatively Chris Cusiter given the form he showed in his first season with Glasgow

I think Chris Cusiter is the business.

Can they play scrumnhalves at 10, 11 and 14?

Cus has no form but is a much better player. I'd take Lawson over Blair also, the latter looks lost. If Cus gets back playing like he did before injury I'd only have him behind Youngs, big IF though.

I think form goes out the window come world cup.

red_stag wrote:I think form goes out the window come world cup.

Think you'v hit the nail on the head there staggy ,with only 2/3 games in the month before to judge i think coaches go safety first and pick tried a tested player

Glas

I like the look of Gregor. I think he's quick, strong and has a speedy pass about him. Also he can make a decent break given the chance

mckay1402 wrote:Glas

I like the look of Gregor. I think he's quick, strong and has a speedy pass about him. Also he can make a decent break given the chance

Aye, that's because you're a Scarlets fan and appreciate the finer things in a rugby player

Think that we may well see Cusiter, Lawson and Laidlaw get the 9 slots, with Jackson and Parks (aarrgggghhh, but who else) for 10, with Paterson and Laidlaw providing cover there

Cusiter is my favourite of those players, the one I rate the best, he just needs some gametime! Scotland's warm-up matches will reveal much.

It's pretty obvious that Cussiter, Lawson and Laidlaw will go. The trouble with our players is that if they start, they under perform and the sub then plays a blinder. Next match, the sub starts but under performs and the sub comes on and plays well and so on.

We need some consistency.

And Parks staying in Cardiff.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

And Parks staying in Cardiff.

I went for Cusiter but was close to going for lawson as he has had some great performances for glouscester this season.

Cusiter would be my first choice, but due to injury, on current form it would be Lawson, who finished the season strongly for Glaws (and a belting try saving challenge in the playoff semi on James Short).

Blair's form is horrible at the moment. Laidlaw has every right to be on the plane ahead of him, even if he did finish the season at 10.

Must be wee CC if fit. Otherwise Lawson. Not Blair anytime, anyhow or anyway.

And here's the view from the Torygraph: Scotland scrummies

And the Scotsman's comments too: Cus down under

Odd that the Torygraph expects there to be only 2 scrum halves in the World Cup squad, pretty sure most sides nearly always take 3.

I'd have thought it far more likely that there'll be only 2 fly halves (Jackson and Parks) with CP as notional cover.

I have for a long time been one of Blair's stalwart defenders.

The thing is I can't say he has been poor for a short time, in truth he has been poor for a long time. I really think the Lions tour psychologicaly effected him and his confidence has been shattered since.

For me it I would take Cusiter and Lawson I would also not bet against Laidlaw travelling as Fly Half cover instead of Parks....

No, Parks will certainly go. We definitely can't go to the WC with only Jackson as a specialist 10. Laidlaw is nothing more than emergency cover at 10. He's probably played there about 5 times in his life, and never in a meaningful high intensity rugby match.

I would take Cusiter, Lawson and Laidlaw, and I'd take Jackson and Parks. We can take 15 or 16 backs to the World Cup, and there's quite a lot of versatility in our backs options (Rory Lamont as a 15 or wing, Sean as 12, 13 or wing, Ansbro at centre or wing - likewise Max Evans).

I think we can afford to take 3 specialist scrum halves.

funnyExiledScot wrote: I think we can afford to take 3 specialist scrum halves.

I agree but I would rather take someone like Denton, Rennie or Harley as opposed to an extra scrum half.

As it stands I'm not 100% sure Laidlaw would get a sniff of a bench or start ahead of an in form Cusiter (touch wood) and a very impressive Rory Lawson as of late.

I reckon with the bruising forward battles against Georgia, England and Argentina I would rather take extra loose forwards than scrum halfs.

funnyExiledScot wrote:No, Parks will certainly go. We definitely can't go to the WC with only Jackson as a specialist 10. Laidlaw is nothing more than emergency cover at 10. He's probably played there about 5 times in his life, and never in a meaningful high intensity rugby match.

I would take Cusiter, Lawson and Laidlaw, and I'd take Jackson and Parks. We can take 15 or 16 backs to the World Cup, and there's quite a lot of versatility in our backs options (Rory Lamont as a 15 or wing, Sean as 12, 13 or wing, Ansbro at centre or wing - likewise Max Evans).

I think we can afford to take 3 specialist scrum halves.

Most teams will be taking 13 or 14 backs - breakdown is generally
4 props
3 hookers
4 locks
5 or 6 loose forwards

3 half-backs
2 fly-halves
8 or 9 outside backs

Sorry - you're quite right Kiwi.

Because of the Euan Murray issue, I suspect we'll have 17 forwards and 13 backs. But there's still room for 5 of those backs to be half backs, given the versatility we have outside.

8 outside backs could be R and S Lamont, Evans, Ansbro, Morrison, CP, Danielli and Cairns (or with AR picking, NDL). Gives us enough cover outside.

Rugger - you have to factor in injuries in the specialist positions. What if Cusiter were to get injured against Romania? Lawson would have to play every minute of every game thereafter. That just isn't practical.

Pete, I think Scotland'll end up taking:
5 props (our pool games will be bruising - Eng, Arg & Georgia)
3 hookers
4 locks
5 loose forwards

3 half-backs
2 fly-halves
8 outside backs (Mossy as emergency cover at 10)

The tough one is the back row, because we'll be leaving behind some very good players.

I'd personally expect to see Brown, Strokosch, Barclay, Rennie and Beattie.

Big gamble though on Beattie's fitness, with Brown really only cover at 8. Harsh on Vernon as well. I would imagine he would expect to be picked.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Sorry - you're quite right Kiwi.

Because of the Euan Murray issue, I suspect we'll have 17 forwards and 13 backs. But there's still room for 5 of those backs to be half backs, given the versatility we have outside.

8 outside backs could be R and S Lamont, Evans, Ansbro, Morrison, CP, Danielli and Cairns (or with AR picking, NDL). Gives us enough cover outside.

Not playing Sundays cost the great Michael Jones an RWC 95 berth

An injured player can be replaced in the squad, the issue is the 48 hour notification period (covering flight times for a replacement), plus once you've sent someone home you can't bring them back ...

In the SRU's case, it's not just the flight times, it's the flight/hotel costs!!

funnyExiledScot wrote:In the SRU's case, it's not just the flight times, it's the flight/hotel costs!!

I would not be surprised if the team were told to go to Edinburgh airport, get on the runway and hitchhike.