Finn's Fine, But Cotter Must Cogitate On A Replacement

THIS has been a quiet, and in some ways disturbing week, for Scottish Rugby. I believe I speak for many, when I say my greatest concern is the health of Scotland and Glasgow Warriors's stand-off Finn Russell.

 Finn Russell - on the mend and hopefully home soon

It was worrying to learn, Finn was transferred from the local hospital in Galway, to the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, however, Beaumont is the best facility in the Republic of Ireland for those who have suffered a neurosurgical injury – therefore, he could not be in better hands. Hopefully, he will, as expected, soon be back home in Scotland, and going through the various stages of the SRU's return to action following a head injury protocol. This protocol was, as we all know, written by Dr James Robson and his team, so all being well, Finn should be passed fit to return to action in the new season.

Before then, however, we have the Summer Tour to Japan, and the answer to the question – who fills-in for Finn? Big Vern Cotter has the decision to make, and he appears to have several options.

Ruaridh Jackson - should be our starting 10 in Japan

Or, might Peter Horne get the job?

1. He could nominate the versatile Peter Horne as back-up to Ruaridh Jackson, who should now go on-tour as our starting stand-off, and for cover bring-in another centre, perhaps taking Mark Bennett out of the preliminary Team GB Olympic Sevens squad.
   
   Or Duncan Weir?
2. He could simply call-up Duncan Weir, Russell's deputy for club and country – but, may prefer to allow Dunky to bed-in with new club Edinburgh.
   
    
3. 1. He could call-up Greig Tonks, or, more likely Tom Heathcote,  who has garnered some good reviews with his play with Worcester Warriors.
      
      Greig Laidlaw - another potential fill-in at 10
      
      
   3. He might leave the squad as is, since either Horne, skipper Greig Laidlaw, or, as a long shot, Stuart Hogg, could fill-in for Finn at 10.

I suppose we will find out on Monday, when the tour squad meets-up at Murrayfield.

BEFORE then, we have Saturday's Guinness Pro12 Final, at BT Murrayfield, Connacht v Leinster. It will be interesting to see how well Scotland's rugby fans support this game, given Glasgow's failure to qualify. The Irish fans, we know, will travel in numbers, but, it would be nice to think the Scots fans might go along to help off-set the numerical advantage in supporters which the “Dubs” from Leinster seem certain to enjoy.

Nigel Owens - the logical choice for Pro12 final referee

As expected, the great Nigel Owens, the best referee in the world today, will have the whistle, with his fellow Welshmen, Ian Davies and Ben Whitehouse on flag duty, and another of the Rugby Taffia – Jon Mason, on TMO duties – a clear case of: “Who's the Mason in the truck”?

As yet the minor officials: fourth official, citing commissioner etc, have not been names, so, there might well be some Scottish input in those positions.

FORMER Scotland coach Andy Robinson is back in the big time, after his Bristol side beat Doncaster Knights in the English Championship play-off, to end their seven-year exile from England's top flight. Former Edinburgh and Scotland prop Kyle Traynor, (above), played his part in getting the West-Country club back to the big time.

 

Doncaster Knights, their opponents in the play-off, had a Scottish connection too. In their squad were Andy Bulumakau, elder brother of Glasgow and Scotland Sevens winger Junior, and Dougi Flockhart, who doubles-u as the Knights' Strength and Conditioning Coach.