Scotland XV of the professional era (post 1995)

First topic message reminder :

Borrowing from our Welsh friends, here's a proposed Scotland 23 using players from the professional era:

1.Tom Smith 2.Gordon Bulloch 3.Euan Murray 4.Nathan Hines 5.Scott Murray 6.Jason White 7.John Hardie 8.Simon Taylor 9.Mike Blair 10.Gregor Townsend 11.Sean Lamont 12.John Leslie 13.Alan Tait 14.Tommy Seymour 15.Chris Paterson

16.Ali Dickinson 17.Ross Ford 18.WP Nel 19.J Gray 20.A Hogg 21.G Armstrong 22.M Bennett 23.S Hogg


Obviously not as "World Class" as the Welsh one, but discuss nonetheless.....

Ross Rennie has been one of my all time favourite players for Scotland in the pro-era - it is such a shame we didn't see more of him.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ross Rennie has been one of my all time favourite players for Scotland in the pro-era - it is such a shame we didn't see more of him.

Agreed, although I do think there are shades of Ross Rennie in both Hamish Watson and Hugh Blake. Both have the same socks rolled down, sleeved rolled up attitude, and get round the park at pace. Both also love to have the ball in hand, and play the old-fashioned link between forwards and backs. When the pitches and weather improve towards the end of the season, I think Blake could be really useful to Glasgow.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Borrowing from our Welsh friends, here's a proposed Scotland 23 using players from the professional era:

1.Tom Smith 2.Gordon Bulloch 3.Euan Murray 4.Nathan Hines 5.Scott Murray 6.Jason White 7.John Hardie 8.Simon Taylor 9.Mike Blair 10.Gregor Townsend 11.Sean Lamont 12.John Leslie 13.Alan Tait 14.Tommy Seymour 15.Chris Paterson

16.Ali Dickinson 17.Ross Ford 18.WP Nel 19.J Gray 20.A Hogg 21.G Armstrong 22.M Bennett 23.S Hogg


Obviously not as "World Class" as the Welsh one, but discuss nonetheless.....

To be fair that's a REALLY good team, though a team from all of Scotlands world cups would be much better.  
Honestly I would of found a spot for Scott Hastings at 13, and put Tait on the wing.  Pity Gavin retired in the World Cup in 1995, just before the game went professional, otherwise he'd be in there.
Personally I'd go with Doddie Weir over Hines also. Doddie was immense in the line out.
Tony Stranger might be worth a mention also, 9 years as a Scottish international, a Lions tour and your record try scorer, he should be in there.
Redpath or Custier mentions for scrum half also.

right I'll have a crack at this:

15 Gavin Hastings - RuggerRadge says he's fair game.
14 Tony Stanger - Record try scorer
13 Scott Hastings - eclipsed by his brother but talented
12 Gregor Townsend - creative inside center
11 Alan Tait - played wing on the 1997 lions tour and deserves a spot
10 chris Patterson - world class goal kicker
9 Bryan Redpath - lots of great scrum halves to choose from, just edges custier
8 Simon Taylor - I'd like to of seen this back row together
7 Rob Wainwright - I'd like to of seen this back row together
6 Budge Poutney - I'd like to of seen this back row together
5 Doddie Weir - line out skills - with Bill Mclaren commentating "light house, pole etc, etc".
4 Jason Wight - tackling
3 Euan Murray
2
1 Tom Smith


sorry no Scottish hooker is really standing out, my minds blank on that one