The first hour of Saturday’s EMC test match against Ireland could very well be the last-chance saloon for some of the Scotland Rugby World Cup squad to book their place for New Zealand, as head coach Andy Robinson has gone experimental with the first of his two warm-up outings.
After three months of training camp, Robinson has left only his half-backs and front-row untouched from the last outing, the 21-8 win over Italy in March, and will field new second-row, back-row and centre combinations for the penultimate game before a trimmed 30-strong squad boards the plane.
Even with a second warm-up against Italy in two weeks, the coach stressed that failure to deliver even in a limited window of opportunity could determine if a player goes to New Zealand.
“There’s a marker for each and every one of them to put down, however long they have on the pitch,” he said. “I’ve experimented with some combinations, but the team has still been selected to win the test match.
“If any player takes it lightly on Saturday, firstly there’s the potential for them to get hurt and secondly I won’t be looking at them for the squad.”
Saturday’s back row of Alasdair Strokosch, Ross Rennie and Johnnie Beattie, along with uncapped replacement David Denton, come under particular scrutiny, with the coach frank about what they need to do.
He said, “It’s a real opportunity for the back row, a new unit to work together, but these guys aren’t playing to get into the starting XV they’re playing for places to go to the World Cup.”OpportunityIt may also be a limited opportunity, with the coach adding that John Barclay and Kelly Brown will play against Italy, and that he also expects Chris Cusiter, Mike Blair, Nathan Hines and Euan Murray, not available due to injury this week, to play in the second test.
Robinson added, “I probably won’t take players to New Zealand who don’t feature in the two warm-ups, but never say never. We’ll deal with the games and as much as possible look at the guys who take the opportunity.
“I worked with Ross at Edinburgh for two years and thought he was tremendous player, but it’s all about converting that to the international stage.”
As for Beattie, the onus is on the talented No 8 to prove he is back to his best.
The coach said, “All the players have been getting themselves in good position to compete for places. A lot of our work for the last few months has been on strength building and we’ve moved into a team environment in the last couple of weeks.
“Perhaps we’re a little light coming into this game but we’re looking to peak against Romania, not in these games.
“However, we still want to see what we’ve trained in test match conditions and it’s down to guys like Johnnie to deliver.”
Jim Hamilton, who never quite forced his way back into the match day 22 after injury during the last 6 Nations, will partner Richie Gray in the second row, while Graeme Morrison, who missed spring with a knee problem, teams up with Joe Ansbro in the centre.
Rory Lawson captains and Ruaridh Jackson stays as his partner, with no Dan Parks on the bench.
“We’re experimenting with that, using Chris Paterson as back-up cover and also Greig Laidlaw, who I was impressed with playing at 10 for Edinburgh towards the end of last season,” continued Robinson.