VERN COTTER might like to keep a low profile, but the Scotland coach's first Six Nations squad selection provided a clear sign that he is happy to take the bold approach when it comes to picking his players.
The 32-man party unveiled by Cotter at Murrayfield yesterday included four uncapped players - all of them drawn from Edinburgh - but it was as notable for those he left out as it was for thoise who made the grade.
The most startling choice of all was the inclusion of Hugh Blake, a 22-year-old flanker from New Zealand who signed for Edinburgh last November, has turned out for Melrose but has yet to play a professional game in Scotland. Blake has played for the Otago ITM Cup side New Zealand under-20s, but his career stalled when he was unable to make the breakthrough at Super Rugby level.
Despite that, Cotter, who admitted that he had seen little of openside flankere Blake in action, said that he was happy with what the player brought to the squad.
"He is a talented young player who has made the choice to come over here," said the coach. "He could have stayed comfortably over in New Zealand and worked his way up over there, but he is proud of his Scottish heritage [his eligibility is by way of his Scottish grandfather] and put his hand up to be involved. He has a skills set we do not have.
"He is very quick across the ground and is equally tough attacking as defending. He gets three or four turnovers per game on average, so he is capable of changing the course of a match."
While Blake's lack of top-flight experience will raise eyebrows, the fact he has been chosen ahead of Edinburgh's Roddy Grant and John Barclay of the Scarlets is likely to raise a few hackles. The uncapped Grant has been in good form for Edinburgh recently, while the 43-times-capped Barclay has also been earning rave reviews at his club.
With Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie also left out of the squad, Cotter appears to have severed the last connection to the so-called Killer B's back row that was so influential for Glasgow and Scotland a few seasons ago.
The axe has also fallen on a number of recent caps. Scrum-half Chris Cusiter has been left out of the squad, as have hookers Scott Lawson and Pat MacArthur and lock Tim Swinson. Glasgow forwards Ryan Grant and Ryan Wilson have also been omitted as both are currently on trial for assault.
Aside from Blake, the other newcomers are scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, lock Ben Toolis and flanker Hamish Watson, all of whom have been stand-out players in Edinburgh's recent improvement after a difficult start to the season.
Hidalgo-Clyne's versatility - he has played in a number of other positions in the backline - appears to have been a significant factor in moving him up the pecking order ahead of the hugely experienced Cusiter.
"He offers us a goal-kicking option if he comes in," said Cotter of the 21-year-old. "That means we can keep points turning over, especially late in the game. This will be important, also late in the year when it comes to World Cup.
"He is playing well. His out of hand kicking has been good. He is showing character and spirit around rucks and he is attacking the opposition teams."
Cotter indicated that he may add another loose forward to the squad after this weekend's round of European games. He admitted that he had been disappointed with Beattie's form recently, but made it clear that both he and Brown could yet play their way back into the Test reckoning.
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