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November 17, 2008

Three Warriors called in

Posted by Editor on November 17, 2008 05:52 PM | 13 comments | Print | E-mail author

Al Kellock has been called into the Scotland squad preparing for Saturday's match with Canada
Head coach Frank Hadden has called up three Glasgow Warriors players to the full Scotland squad for selection against Canada.

The players, who were involved in the 69-3 victory against Georgia on Friday include Max Evans, Alastair Kellock and man of the match Kelly Brown.

However despite the call ups Scotland backs coach Sean Lineen has indicated that Scotland will keep changes to a minimum for their international against Canada in Aberdeen on Saturday.

Speaking as Scotland begin their week's preparations Sean reflected on the players’ fierce desire to win this weekend.

Sean said: "It was never our intention to change the team - to select on the basis of 'let’s see what these guys are like’. That would be a disservice to Canada. It’s really important that we win the game.

“Looking around the changing room (against South Africa last weekend) there was genuine disappointment, frustration and anger. The boys know they cannot keep on saying they are making progress. They have to win."

Seven players have been ruled out of Scotland training today on account of injuries from the South Africa match - Thom Evans (leg and arm); Jim Hamilton (ankle irritation); Allister Hogg (stitches above right eye); Rory Lamont (shoulder and leg knocks); Euan Murray (mild strain to his right knee); Chris Paterson (blow to his left cheek); and Jason White (neck).

Comments
Posted by Hugues on November 17, 2008 07:54 PM | Reply to this comment

Kelly Brown and Max evans were outstanding!

Posted by way_ahead on November 17, 2008 08:22 PM | Reply to this comment

Can I just check - think the Canada game is on the red button on Saturday - anyone confirm?

Posted by billyidol on November 17, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply to this comment

Yup! BBC Interactive.

Posted by The Munchkin on November 17, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply to this comment

No, programme starts at 2.30pm on BBC1 as Wales game against All Blacks is on BBC2 at 4.55pm.

Posted by Alan on November 17, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply to this comment

So, just what is the point of this game, then? Sean says we will put out the same team and it's not about seeing what others can do?
No disrespect to Canada (and, indeed, we may put out a stronger team if we make changes) but is this not a chance to see how new players like Max can fit in and to give them some experience/confidence at the next level? .. or to try different combinations? .. or it that team we had on Sat to take us through to the World Cup? ;)

Posted by sunday5 on November 18, 2008 07:45 AM | Reply to this comment

So we're now in the 3rd group for the next RWC? It seems strange that the groups are selected 3 years before the event, anything could happen between now and then. When do we find out who we'll be playing?

Personally I think the best group would be NZ and England. That'd be good for a larf!

Why is this game against Canada important?

Posted by demosthenes on November 18, 2008 09:52 AM | Reply to this comment

"Why is this game against Canada important?"

The importance is that if we beat Canada; and Argentina beat Ireland, Scotland should end up in 8th place in the IRB rankings. That way we end up as second seeds in whatever pool for the WC.

If that were the only change, it would mean that we would avoid England, France or Wales, instead drawing one of Ireland, Fiji, Italy, or Samoa.

If we end up in 9th place, we would have to play one of the other home nations, as well as one of the southern hemisphere teams (whom we will draw anyway).

Given that the WC structure takes two teams from each pool to the knock-out stages, it is prefereable to be in 8th rather than 9th place in the rankings when the seedings are determined.

If only we had taken our chances against SA, we wouldnot be having this discussion!

demosthenes

Posted by sunday5 on November 18, 2008 03:13 PM | Reply to this comment

Are you sure about that? I read that we are now in the 9th place and it'll be a hard RWC for us regardless of what happens between now and then as we will now be in the 3rd seed.

Posted by Hugues on November 18, 2008 07:14 PM | Reply to this comment

Too late,
Argentina is not going to beat Ireland by 15 points.
Actually i'm pretty sure that Ireland is going to trash Argentina.

Posted by jonboy on November 18, 2008 09:20 PM | Reply to this comment

Argentina may need to win by 15pts for their own benefit, to stay in the top 4 in the world, but any win for Argentina is enough to move Scotland up to 8th - we'll see

Posted by Hugues on November 18, 2008 09:57 PM | Reply to this comment

Thank you jonboy to have clarified the information, that's interesting.
But i'm afraid with the Irish reaction after their "poor" game V AB's

Posted by Big Blue on November 18, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply to this comment

If we hadn't lost the late try to the Argentinians.............

Posted by AJ Patterson on November 20, 2008 01:11 PM | Reply to this comment

This IRB points paranoia thing is catching. Ireland have just put Geordan Murphy in at full back when Keith Earls would be a much better bet in preparation for the 6N.

Seems to be popular to put the wrinklies in unfortunately - it would seem that a qualifying redesign would be a good idea. Personally speaking I'd be perfectly happy to see all the teams in qualifying rounds as per the fitba. It would be a good way to bring on the developing nations such as Georgia.

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