Jon and Richie get 'A' team call

November 18, 2009

Jon and Richie get 'A' team call

Posted by Editor on November 18, 2009 02:36 PM | 7 comments | Print | E-mail author

Richie Gray is set for his Scotland 'A' debut

Glasgow's Jon Welsh and Richie Gray will make their Scotland 'A' debuts against Tonga at Netherdale on Friday.

Thom Evans is on the wing with Kelly Brown starting in the pack. Ed Kalman - who was listed to play for Ayr in the British & Irish Cup - and Colin Gregor are among the replacements.

The major surprise in the line-up is Hugo Southwell's appearance at stand-off. Southwell has spent the majority of his playing career operating in the full-back role.

Scotland 'A'

15 Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)

14 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh)
12 John Houston (Edinburgh)
11 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)

10 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais)
9 Rory Lawson (captain, Gloucester)

1 Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors)
2 Scott Lawson (Gloucester)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh)
4 Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh)
5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
7 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh)
8 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)

Substitutes

A Kelly (Edinburgh), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Robertson (Edinburgh)

Posted by AJPatterson on November 18, 2009 05:28 PM | Reply to this comment

Oh dear, Parksy seems to have really hacked someone off... Good team, Scotland have some strength in depth now.

Posted by jonboy on November 18, 2009 09:49 PM | Reply to this comment

Little to gain by playing DP in the A side, would AR really learn anything from it? Much better to try something a bit different, it just might give us another option in the future.

Posted by Les on November 18, 2009 05:37 PM | Reply to this comment

Agreed. Looks a really strong team with youth well represented by Jon Welsh and Ritchie Gray but.... Southwell at stand off - either a stroke of utter genius or we are doomed! He has a big boot and can tackle but have yet to see him pass a ball properly. Chances of Thom making a mark will be by chasing the hoofs up the park - but he is good at it!

Posted by Derek on November 18, 2009 05:49 PM | Reply to this comment

As strong an A team as we have put out in a while!

Posted by sunday5 on November 18, 2009 06:04 PM | Reply to this comment

Is this one on tv at all?

Posted by billy idol on November 18, 2009 06:57 PM | Reply to this comment

Afraid not ma man.

Posted by Kazakh Warrior on November 19, 2009 11:32 AM | Reply to this comment

Well this side could easily represent Scotland never mind at A level, so it should do well, although some of the partnerships might be a bit new.

Trying Shuggie at 10 is a good idea - he's got a good brain on him, and good hands. I think 10 will not expose his lack of pace as some of the other backline positions.

Also great to see a national game going to the borders again!