THERE is a symbolism about Greig Laidlaw captaining Scotland at a Rugby World Cup. It is the thick end of three decades since his uncle Roy played scrum half in the inaugural one out in Australia and New Zealand, while four years ago he was distraught at missing the cut for Andy Robinson’s squad for the 2011 version, also in New Zealand. Given all this personal backstory, it seems almost like fate that the 29-year-old will almost certainly be afforded the privilege of leading his nation out in their opener against Japan at his club ground of Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Wednesday September 23.
“It was a feeling of disappointment,” said Laidlaw about his 2011 snub, when experienced duo Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair were taken in his stead. “I was in the position of some of the boys this time round. You do all the training and stuff, but Vern [Cotter] can only pick 31 players. It was 30 last time and they picked what they thought was the best 30 in Scotland. Now, Vern has picked the 31 he feels can do the best job for the country.
“Four years is a long time,” he added. “But I didn’t really think about it. I got on with my business of trying to play well for my club and then hoping to get selected for my country. I didn’t think about 2015 too quickly, but I’m abolutely delighted to be here this time around.”
The reason it is still worth hedging your bets a little about everything is the fact Scotland still have one warm-up match to negotiate, against France on Saturday, not to mention a tough World Cup schedule once they get there. And Cotter is clearly the kind of coach who keeps everybody on their toes. With alternative scrum halves Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Henry Pyrgos also in the squad, even Laidlaw isn’t counting any chickens yet.
“They’ve both been playing very well but I’m not doubly pleased to be captain because that never cements your place in the team,” said Laidlaw. “With Vern you can’t just turn up and go through the motions, you need to be playing well. But that’s helped me; to have players well beneath you makes you realise that you need to raise your game.”
In addition, it is clear that neither Cotter or his captain see leadership as a one-man thing. While the Kiwi feels Laidlaw has developed his own attributes in this regard, one of the conclusions drawn by the meticulous Kiwi from a winless Six Nations was an imperative to increase the leadership quotient in his squad. Greater concentration against costly errors is another must.
“Vern has helped me [become a better leader],” said Laidlaw. “But we have a good mix now throughout the team. Finn [Russell] is young but he shows a lot of experience in the way he plays the game. Fordy [Ross Ford] became Scotland’s most capped forward at the weekend. I will be looking to these boys too.”
“He’s our captain for the World Cup,” admitted Cotter. “But if Greig is injured we will have to find someone else. If we need another option we have had Grant Gilchrist but Greig is squad captain.”
In another first for the national side, Laidlaw shares his duties as captain with those as cheerleader, the task of convincing any neutrals in the Gloucester area to throw their whole-hearted support behind Scotland. “I’ll try and get the boys in the shed onside,” he said. “Obviously the fact that Japan play in cherry and white isn’t ideal but I’ll try and convert as many as I can. We’ll get a couple of Scotland flags chucked in there too.”
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