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Six Nations 2017 Preview: Scotland the Brave

On current form, Scotland's Finn Russell could find space in a black hole

Scotland v2017 are a very different and much more difficult proposition than they have been for years, writes James Harrington.

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What to look out for
Thrilling, marauding rugby. There will be no easy wins at Murrayfield for Ireland or Wales this year, while the raiders from up north should give England and France at least a scare on their home turf.

Strengths
Flair. What the French were once famous for, the Scots have claimed as their own under outgoing coach Vern Cotter. Finn Russell seems able to see gaps before they are there, and has the ability to exploit them in the most devastating manner. And no opposition likes to see Stuart Hogg – surely a Lions’ shoo-in – get the ball in any kind of space.

Weaknesses
Defence. Strangely. Scotland leaked 13 tries in last year’s Six Nations, with only Italy having a worse record. And they have put themselves in winning positions – such as when they were nine points in front of Australia in the November internationals – only to let their lead slip away.

The Man in Charge
This is Cotter’s Scotland swansong – and while the course of his tenure has not always run smooth, it’s fair to say he has laid the foundations of something pretty special at Murrayfield. The humiliating whitewash of his first Six Nations has been largely forgotten amid a dizzying frenzy of exciting, attacking rugby. Cotter remains diplomatic about Scottish Rugby’s decision not to renew his contract at the end of the tournament, but some may consider it a shame he has not been allowed to see what he has started through to the end.

Player to Watch
Zander Fagerson. WP Nel’s injury has given the 21-year-old Glasgow tighthead – a Scot born-and-bred – the chance to strut his scrummaging stuff on the international scene. He has been chewing-up opposition looseheads and spitting them out all season for the Warriors, and deserves the chance to add to his four international caps.

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Big Match
The opener against Ireland at Murrayfield. A good start in front of their home crowd will have fans believing that, this year, there will be no wooden spoon battle with Italy.

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Prediction
Fifth. It may seem harsh on Scotland, who have played some better-than-decent rugby recently and who have the luxury of three home matches in this Six Nations, but this is the most competitive tournament for many a year, and the Scots are away to both England and France. If they do win at Murrayfield against Ireland, though, things will look very different.

Squad
Forwards: Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, John Barclay, Cornell Du Preez, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson
Backs: Greig Laidlaw, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Stuart Hogg, Damien Hoyland, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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