Possible new caps

[Scottish Caley Fan]

I know we still have another match to play before we can even concentrate on the summer tour (I assume we have one, Ireland and Italy do, both their respective captains mentioned it during post match interviews yesterday) but I thought of this thread after reading comments on an Irish Rugby Facebook group (I'm half Irish hence being in a group, however, I support Scotland first and foremost).

So I thought I'd steal the question and ask it here:

What uncapped players would you like to see picked in the summer and/or autumn?

I already know Pierre Schoeman is eligible in June so he'll be one.

I am 99% sure that Georgia/Romania was touted for the summer so that would be a good time to have a look at Rufus McLean, Jamie Dobie and Josh Bayliss plus a better chance of seeing more of Jaco van der Walt, Scott Steele and Alex Craig.

[Cameo]

Jamie Dobie would be the big one for me if we are focused on uncapped players. If McLean is ready then great but I'm not too bothered about blooding wingers in full 6N games as they often start their international careers firing. Don't know anything about Bayliss but if he is any good it would be good to get him involved.

If we are looking at capped ones too, then Hutchison would be a priority. I'm less bothered about Steele and Van Der Walt as, while I am happy they provide depth, I don't see them as likely to push through.

[Cameo]

Apparently we are playing USA, Canada and England in the summer (according to the EMB). Did anyone know that?

Doesn't feel quite right organising a game against England where both sides will play a weakened team.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

What is the EMB?

[Big D]

What is the EMB?

English Message Board on here.

[Big D]

Assuming we do what we did last time on a North America tour and take a few uncapped guys I think Dobie, Bayliss, McLean, Ashman, and maybe Davidson as a bolter might get a look.

[septic 9]

if we tour, and that's a big IF (we shouldn't be) then Dobie, McLean and Ashman for sure should go. I'd take Chamberlain.

Then need to pick and mix for games. A weakened England might not be very weak, the USA have been on the up and another loss to them an embarrassment we could do without. There would be an opportunity for these lads at least to bench (Dobie to start) against Canada who have been in the doldrums for a few seasons now.
Bayliss is interesting as I suspect no-one knew he was SQ until couple of weeks ago, so could well get a call just to capture him.

[Mikey Brown]

Hard to know how much to experiment for a tour like that if we’re likely just losing 2-5 to the Lions. We clearly need to build some cohesion still but watching 2 repeats of the Italy game doesn’t sound worthwhile for anyone.

I’d like to see Crosbie in addition to those names above.

Has McDowall been injured or just dropped off the map? I feel like I haven’t seen him in a Glasgow squad for a while. Didn’t kick on like I’d hoped at all.

[Big D]

if we tour, and that's a big IF (we shouldn't be) then Dobie, McLean and Ashman for sure should go. I'd take Chamberlain.

Then need to pick and mix for games. A weakened England might not be very weak, the USA have been on the up and another loss to them an embarrassment we could do without. There would be an opportunity for these lads at least to bench (Dobie to start) against Canada who have been in the doldrums for a few seasons now.
Bayliss is interesting as I suspect no-one knew he was SQ until couple of weeks ago, so could well get a call just to capture him.

It is probably worth taking Chamberlain and Thomson ahead of VdW. Fairly low pressure tour to get them mixing with the squad.

I do wonder whether we will see some players rested. With Covid and so on many players didn't really get a break from the back end of last season into this.

[switchskier]

USA have been improving but Canada are pretty awful at the minute so no reason not to include some youngsters to get a look. The standard will be lower than at domestic level. It's also a good chance to give some players a summer off to recover (a large amount of the pack tbh).

So agree that I'd like to see all of Dobie, Chamberlain, Thompson and McLean given a look. I'd also consider Blain if he plays regularly up to the end of the season. In the pack I think that, when he's played, Davidson has been the best Edinburgh lock so deserves a chance. I'd also consider Miller ahead of Crosbie or Bradbury if some of the starters are rested or touring with the Lions.

[septic 9]

USA have been improving but Canada are pretty awful at the minute so no reason not to include some youngsters to get a look. The standard will be lower than at domestic level. It's also a good chance to give some players a summer off to recover (a large amount of the pack tbh).

I haven't seen much of either since the RWC, but we lost out there to USA last time in 2018. I suspect they are right now a good bit better than Italy. Canada on the other hand..........

[septic 9]

I'd also consider Blain if he plays regularly up to the end of the season.

Blain has bewteen Cockerill conservatism, having some decent players in front of him and a couple of knocks had limited opportunity. Looked good at 15 when Kinghorn unavailable.
He was signed from school IIRC, made his debut 2 seasons ago (ie now in 3rd season), and would need to not just play more but step up his claim. Almost exactly the same age as McLean, the latter only made his debut recently and already has started more games and I think has more match minutes under his belt than Blain, and made the wider Scotland squad

All about seizing opportunities

[switchskier]

I'd also consider Blain if he plays regularly up to the end of the season.

Blain has bewteen Cockerill conservatism, having some decent players in front of him and a couple of knocks had limited opportunity. Looked good at 15 when Kinghorn unavailable.
He was signed from school IIRC, made his debut 2 seasons ago (ie now in 3rd season), and would need to not just play more but step up his claim. Almost exactly the same age as McLean, the latter only made his debut recently and already has started more games and I think has more match minutes under his belt than Blain, and made the wider Scotland squad

All about seizing opportunities

Absolutely but I think that I've seen enough tools to warrant an opportunity rather than re-tred with someone like Lee Jones (much as I love him) or Hoyland or a solid club player like Johnstone/Steyn. Of course he won't play because of Cockerill's mantra of having to earn it by riding pine, but it's a good tour on which to give potential a chance to flourish.

[whatisthejava]

Hoyland looked angry last night

Was good seeing him back

[Cameo]

He's been quite good when I've seen him this season.probably just lacking that electric pace needed but could become the next Lee Jones.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

[quote="septic 9"]if we tour, and that's a big IF (we shouldn't be) then Dobie, McLean and Ashman for sure should go. I'd take Chamberlain.

Then need to pick and mix for games. A weakened England might not be very weak, the USA have been on the up and another loss to them an embarrassment we could do without. There would be an opportunity for these lads at least to bench (Dobie to start) against Canada who have been in the doldrums for a few seasons now.
Bayliss is interesting as I suspect no-one knew he was SQ until couple of weeks ago, so could well get a call just to capture him.[/quote]

I'd agree with that but I think he is keen to play for us and, I'm pretty sure I've read on various message boards, including this one, that England aren't in need of locks ie others are ahead of Josh so we shouldn't lose him to England.

That is why I was, so disappointed that he got injured just after he got named in the team, I really wanted him to be in the match day squad so that he could be ours from then, like we did with Cammy in England game.

[Which Tyler]

I'd agree with that but I think he is keen to play for us and, I'm pretty sure I've read on various message boards, including this one, that England aren't in need of locks ie others are ahead of Josh so we shouldn't lose him to England.

That is why I was, so disappointed that he got injured just after he got named in the team, I really wanted him to be in the match day squad so that he could be ours from then, like we did with Cammy in England game.

Josh certainly knew he was Scottish; but I don't think anyone else did.
There's no danger of him being called up for England though - and please, he's a flanker, not a lock - he only ever plays there during injury crises, and he plays like a passionate flanker, not remotely like a lock.

[Ally]

Be good to see Ross Thompson get some game time: be nice to seem him make a push to be 1st choice at Glasgow, and third choice for Scotland.

Did anyone find out the status on Stafford McDowell - do we think he is still coming back to fitness, or is he just not rated by Wilson and co?

[Cameo]

Don't think we need to rush to pick Bayliss. If he merits it then fine.

I was going to say Thompson needs more time, but I suppose if the alternative is VDW I wouldn't mind a bit of fast tracking.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-un ... ts-3181393

Great news for fans of Glasgow: Rufus McLean and Jamie Dobie likely to make their international debut in the summer .

Also talk of Josh Bayliss which I am pleased about and, something that the journalist failed to mention, is, that Schoeman is eligible by then too.

[AL.]

Seen Georgia/Spain/Romania touted somewhere...

If they are going to send the kids out I would prefer it to be "A" status, give them something to aspire to rather than dish out full caps.

[septic 9]

Seen Georgia/Spain/Romania touted somewhere...

If they are going to send the kids out I would prefer it to be "A" status, give them something to aspire to rather than dish out full caps.

think it quotes from Toonie in the Scotsman. apparently looking into what fixtures could be played this summer (think it was supposed to be a tour to North america). Those 3, plus maybe Japan (here to play Lions) a possibility, also an England A game. Nothing conformed yet. Also expected to definitely cap Mclean and Dobie in those

[Mikey Brown]

Seen Georgia/Spain/Romania touted somewhere...

If they are going to send the kids out I would prefer it to be "A" status, give them something to aspire to rather than dish out full caps.

Would you take returning first teamers like Brown, McInally, Hastings, Redpath etc. as part of an A side though? Or just rest everyone?

It would be interesting to see, but always hard to judge a side that is completely changed up from 1-15.

Sort of like the idea of going full kids team and just include Redpath as captain though.

[Big D]

Seen Georgia/Spain/Romania touted somewhere...

If they are going to send the kids out I would prefer it to be "A" status, give them something to aspire to rather than dish out full caps.

Would you take returning first teamers like Brown, McInally, Hastings, Redpath etc. as part of an A side though? Or just rest everyone?

It would be interesting to see, but always hard to judge a side that is completely changed up from 1-15.

It maybe wouldn't be the worst thing to give some of them the summer off.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I think a lot of the first team have played a huge amount in the last season or two. I just don’t know at what point it becomes an ‘A’ tour.

Would guys like Kebble perhaps welcome a chance to find their feet a bit more for Scotland? I’d be particularly interested who the 2nd/3rd line props would be.

Hard to know if those who’ve spent chunks of time out with injury just need rest or they’d want to get playing again.