Tuesday 20 January 2015 20:29, UK
Dan Parks believes Scotland are capable of claiming a top-three finish in this year’s Six Nations.
Vern Cotter has named a youthful squad for his first Six Nations campaign, calling up four uncapped players including promising scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and flanker Hamish Watson.
The decision to omit seasoned internationals such as Kelly Brown and John Barclay surprised Parks, but overall the former Scotland fly-half is excited by Cotter’s 34-man squad.
Parks told Sky Sports: “Questions are always asked when good players aren’t selected, but I think the squad Cotter has named is very strong. A lot of guys who were given a chance in the autumn really proved themselves and will look to push on in the Six Nations.
“Hidalgo-Clyne is the big talking point in the backs. Chris Cusiter is playing well at Sale and is enjoying his rugby down there, but I can see the reasons why they went with Sam. He has made a good impact with Edinburgh this year and his goal-kicking has proved invaluable. That’s probably why he has gotten the nod.
I think the Six Nations is going to be a three-horse race between England, Ireland and Wales. If Scotland could somehow finish above one of those teams and get a top three spot, I think that would be a really good effort.
“Bar Finn Russell there is no standout ‘10’. Greig Laidlaw can play there but I’d imagine Greig Tonks will be the back-up fly-half, with Peter Horne potentially the third choice. If you’re looking at it in that respect, Hidalgo-Clyne could pick up a spot on the bench, providing cover as a goal-kicker.
“Laidlaw has been retained as captain, which is a fair decision as he leads the team well. It’s also great to see Matt Scott returning from injury. Sean Lamont is a wily old stayer and I think he’ll be involved in some capacity, either off the bench or on the left wing ahead of Tim Visser, while Tom Seymour has wrapped up the right wing position. It’s a pretty settled, strong backline.
“The one I’m really struggling to understand is the exclusion of Kelly Brown, John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie. I played with those three guys with Glasgow and Scotland and they’re fantastic players. Kelly is probably the most reliable rugby player you could ever play with. At the moment he’s out of favour and I can’t quite understand why, and the same goes for Barclay.
“But in saying that, I’m sure Cotter and the coaches have their reasons why they’re not being picked. Cotter seems to want to go with youth and guys who are unproven, and you’ve got to trust what he’s doing.
“There are a lot of questions marks up front, and some big decisions will have to be made, but overall there is a good balance. It’s a young team with a sprinkle of experience. Fingers crossed it goes well.”
Scotland begin their Six Nations campaign with a tricky trip to Paris on February 7, but Parks believes the visitors could capitalise on France’s inconsistent form.
“It’s not an easy game but who would have predicted that Argentina would win in Paris in the final game of the autumn?” said Parks, who won 66 caps for Scotland and played in two World Cups.
“Cotter knows a lot of the French players and I haven’t seen enough from France recently to suggest they will compete for this year’s Six Nations title.
“If things fall into place and Scotland get a bit of luck, they could get off to a great start. Then they’ve Wales at Murrayfield the following Sunday. If they head into that game on the back of a win with their tails up, they could suddenly find themselves two from two and feeling pretty good about things.
“I think the Six Nations is going to be a three-horse race between England, Ireland and Wales. If Scotland could somehow finish above one of those teams and get a top-three spot, I think that would be a really good effort.”
Parks has spoken to some of his former team-mates about Cotter’s impact and he says the response has been wholly positive. The New Zealander arrived in Scotland with an impressive coaching CV, having won league titles with the Crusaders and Clermont Auvergne.
“He doesn’t say much but is the kind of guy that when he does speak, everyone listens,” said Parks.
“He has that respect after years of coaching in New Zealand and France, where he has been very successful. The guys are talking very highly of him and hold him in high regard.
“There were real positive signs in the autumn, and the key will be how they push on from there. I say it every year: it’s all about the start.”
