Grant Gilchrist remains a central part of Vern Cotter’s plan for Scotland’s future, but the new head coach has tough decisions to make as his first national squad gathered in Newcastle.
The Scots are starting a three-day training camp at the Royal Grammar School in the north-east of England, where they will be based during next year’s World Cup, and the unlucky Gilchrist will be there for the entire camp, said Cotter.
This is despite the 24-year-old having fractured his arm during Edinburgh’s European Rugby Challenge Cup win over Lyon on Friday, just five days after being unveiled by Cotter as the national team’s new leader.
“Clearly this is really disappointing news for Grant, who’s been a fine player and leader for his club this season and was set to continue that role for Scotland this autumn,” said Cotter.
“Despite being unable to play, he will still join and be part of the squad in camp tomorrow, and feature heavily in our preparations for the viagogo autumn tests.”
Gilchrist’s staying on trip to Newcastle underlines that Cotter sees him as the long-term leader going forward to the World Cup, and it’s understood he’s aiming for a return for the RBS 6 Nations Championship in February.
In the meantime Cotter has to fill the gap, and although he called up the veteran Jim Hamilton, it’s unlikely the Saracens’ second-row would be a straight replacement for the captain in the team.
Instead, Cotter’s stated aim for a fast, fluid attacking style suggests he may prefer a combination of the Gray brothers in the second row, particularly as 20-year-old Jonny continues to be a revelation during Glasgow Warriors’ recent outstanding run.
The younger of the two Grays had a superb match for his club in Montpellier on Saturday night, leading all players on the pitch with 16 tackles in Glasgow’s magnificent defensive effort leading to their 15-13 win.
Gray also had four lineout takes as the Warriors got a 100% return from that set piece, and his form since turning pro last year suggests he’s ready to take his place alongside British Lion Richie in the Scotland engine room.
Choosing a replacement as captain is a trickier assignment for Cotter, although he has a number of former custodians of the role in his squad to pick from.
It’s indicative of Scotland’s struggle to find an on-field leader that there are as many as four players within the squad who have taken the job at some point, and that’s with the most recent regular choice, back-rower Kelly Brown, being left out of the 33-strong squad named last week.
Brown himself was originally set to be named as skipper by Andy Robinson prior to the Six Nations three years ago, only to suffer a knee ligament injury before the announcement could be made.
Ross Ford took the job that year as Scotland suffered a Six Nations whitewash, and Greig Laidlaw has been skipper when Brown was not selected during last year’s Six Nations.
Chris Cusiter has also captained the side and was leading the team when Scotland recorded their only Six Nations victory last year in the final seconds in Rome.
Sean Lamont has also been briefly captain during last year autumn tests, but if Cotter wants to continue his theme of “all change” within the squad then the in-form Henry Pyrgos, who was captain of Glasgow when they beat Bath last week, might be the surprise choice.
Scotland did not replace another of Edinburgh’s walking wounded, Hamish Watson, who was due to attend the training camp for experience but broke his jaw in Friday night’s bruising encounter with Lyon.
There were two further injury concerns from Glasgow’s win on Saturday night, with wing Tommy Seymour being taken from the field after suffering a head knock and centre Alex Dunbar being replaced at half-time.