Scotland Summer Tour Squad

[Mikey Brown]

Too early to start thinking/caring about this? Obviously form and injuries will come into it, but the areas to address won't change much.

As far as I know the third test opponent still isn't confirmed. I don't know how drastically we expect that to dictate the quality of team taken.

July 5 – Maori All Blacks vs. Scotland - TBA
July 12 – Fiji vs. Scotland - TBA
July TBA – Pacific Island Summer International Test

By my reckoning this is every player who could be a contender for the Lions this summmer:

Schoeman, Fagerson, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey, Fagerson, White, Russell, VDM, Tuipulotu, Jordan, Jones, Graham, Kinghorn

Of those 14 I would realistically expect fewer than 10 to go, following an inconsistent and underwhelming 6 nations, but it's interesting to think about the options in all of those spots. Some guys just need a rest anyway. Schoeman, Gray, Fagerson look a bit knackered.

Trying to find depth in the front five while missing key backrows and backline players will be interesting. I can't say I've kept up with Maori team of recent years, but I remember them being a decent test for several top international teams over the years.

Front row
In the front row Cherry has looked great at hooker, but isn't exactly one for the future. Ashman full of promise, but hugely inconsistent. Richardson similar but injury prone. Hurd has played but has he done any more than previous stand-ins? Reserve props have been rotated around and none have seemed all that convincing. Which of the young guys are actually ready to step up?

Second row
Gilchrist, like Cherry, has been key but we need to look at other options in the 23. Looking forward to seeing more of Brown, and hopefully Williamson/Henderson. Any word on Cummings?

Back row
Hopefully Christie will be fully back up to speed. Hard to predict which, if any, of the backrows will be with the Lions. Bayliss, Ferrie, Douglas and Muncaster would all be hoping for a squad place? I feel like Matt Fagerson is surely due a rest. Is Bradbury still in the picture if we're short at 8?

Half backs
Scrum-half is really just about who takes that backup spot to Horne/Dobie.

Fly-half is incredibly weak if Jordan goes to Aus too. Hardly seems worth asking whether Hastings is (and can stay) fit. I hope we can at least give someone a proper run rather than a token game/hour at a time. Healy has gone backwards at Edinburgh, but I really liked the look of him initially. Incredibly different style of 10 to Russell, Jordan and Hastings though.

Centre
I'd be happy with McDowall in either centre position alongside Redpath or Currie. Jones is surely on the plane to Australia. Jordan may provide some cover but imagine he'll be busy at 10 if he's available. Is anyone else pushing? Hutchinson is always on the fringe, but doesn't feel like he'll ever move beyond that.

Back three
I imagine we'll still have Graham anyway, but Rowe, Steyn and Ollie Smith coming back in at fullback (assuming he's getting any gametime there) seems decent enough. He was looking realy good before his injury. I assume he'll soon be back at 15 for Glasgow?

[Cameo]

At 10, I would have thought that Burke and Hastings would be the main options if Jordan's away.

[Mikey Brown]

Ah. Yeah totally forgot him. To be honest I've seen very little of him for Saracens and am automatically biased against most of their players. He was in the 6 nations squad the whole way through?

[BaldiePete]

I suspect Tuipolotu won’t be on the Lions tour unless he’s fit really soon and plays exceptionally on the URC run in. If he’s available for Scotland I’d like to see him on this tour. It would be a travesty if Jones doesn’t go with the Lions so we’ll need a couple of outside centres. How is McDowall at 13?

[septic 9]

I suspect Tuipolotu won’t be on the Lions tour unless he’s fit really soon and plays exceptionally on the URC run in. If he’s available for Scotland I’d like to see him on this tour. It would be a travesty if Jones doesn’t go with the Lions so we’ll need a couple of outside centres. How is McDowall at 13?

McDowell basically last season played 12 or 13 depending on whether Tuipolotu or Jones was missing/rested. e went just fine in either position

On Tuipolotu, he is apparently progressing really well and Smith hopeful he will be back in April - I'd guess later April of course
Farrell will be the usual Lions coach, looking for any tiny reason to excuse a good player in favour of his personal favourite

[Mikey Brown]

This seems a good enough place for this article about AOC. Equally grim and fascinating.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/s/byTOaYU9bl

Obviously I have no idea if he’ll just play a few games and then need another rest/pre-season, but it would be great to see him out there if he’s up to it.

[Mikey Brown]

I suspect Tuipolotu won’t be on the Lions tour unless he’s fit really soon and plays exceptionally on the URC run in. If he’s available for Scotland I’d like to see him on this tour. It would be a travesty if Jones doesn’t go with the Lions so we’ll need a couple of outside centres. How is McDowall at 13?

McDowell basically last season played 12 or 13 depending on whether Tuipolotu or Jones was missing/rested. e went just fine in either position

That was my understanding. He looks genuinely capable of switching back and forth.

[Mikey Brown]

Samoa confirmed as the third test.

[Cameo]

Samoa confirmed as the third test.

I like that, but a shame they are not playing it in Apia. Eden Park might feel a bit empty.

May not have been in their control, though, Moana Pasifika still haven't managed to play in either of Tonga or Samoa despite efforts. For some reason the logistics seem hard.

In an ideal world, they would add one more proper tour match against an NPC side or something, even if they call it an A game, but that might be a little old school.

[septic 9]

Samoa confirmed as the third test.

I like that, but a shame they are not playing it in Apia. Eden Park might feel a bit empty.

May not have been in their control, though, Moana Pasifika still haven't managed to play in either of Tonga or Samoa despite efforts. For some reason the logistics seem hard.

when did any NZ team ever play in Tonga or Samoa? I'll bet Scotland have more often

[Cameo]

Samoa confirmed as the third test.

I like that, but a shame they are not playing it in Apia. Eden Park might feel a bit empty.

May not have been in their control, though, Moana Pasifika still haven't managed to play in either of Tonga or Samoa despite efforts. For some reason the logistics seem hard.

when did any NZ team ever play in Tonga or Samoa? I'll bet Scotland have more often

Had to look that up as I had a vague (but erroneous) memory that NZ had never played away in any of the Pacific Islands.

Turns out NZ played Samoa in Apia in 2015 and Scotland did in 2012 (1 point win). I think that is each of their only trips there (though a NZ Heartlands team is playing two matches vs Samoa over there in November).

I don't think either have played in Tonga.