Six Nations 2017 Preview: Scotland the Brave

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

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.

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