VERN Cotter has defended his decision to select John Hardie as his only openside flanker in his Scotland squad of 31 for the Rugby World Cup, despite the 27-year-old having played less than an hour of rugby since moving from New Zealand in July.
Blair Cowan and John Barclay, the other main contenders for the No 7 jersey, are among nine players omitted in the head coach’s final cut for the tournament. Hugh Blake, another flanker from New Zealand, has also missed out, as have Chris Cusiter, Greig Tonks, Ruaridh Jackson and the injured Alex Dunbar from the backs, and Adam Ashe, Jim Hamilton and Rob Harley from the forwards. Tim Swinson, who dropped out of the squad because of injury in June, has been reinstated following a return to fitness, demonstrated when he played for Glasgow against Canada last Saturday.
The head coach had been expected to pick Hardie, who made his Test debut against Italy in Turin last month - but not at the expense of Cowan, who played in every Six Nations match this year. However, Cotter insisted he had enough versatility in his squad, which includes 17 forwards and 14 backs, to allow him to go into the competition with only one recognised openside.
“Fraser Brown is a very accomplished No 7 and Stuart McInally can play loose forward as well,” Cotter said, referring to two of the three hookers he has selected. “If we want to go further Richie Vernon has played there. So that offers that versatility.
“We’ve got Ryan Wilson who can play seven. We have to make sure we have the right mix. John has played rugby at a high level for a number of years.”
Asked what Hardie had done against Italy to press his case, Cotter added: “Sixteen tackles, no misses.
“I said right from the start that he had to prove himself and he was dumped right in there. I just shook his hand and said ‘If you’re good enough you’ll make it and if you’re not then you won’t’. He didn’t say boo: he just got on with his work.
“History tells us that players are just one injury away from getting back in,” he continued when asked how disappointed Cowan had been. “ All the players are disappointed. You can understand how Blair felt, but he’s a big man and he’ll be working hard in case he gets the opportunity to come back.”
Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland have been selected despite being unfit to play in the three warm-up games to date and will be considered for Saturday’s match against France. Josh Strauss is in the squad but does not become eligible to represent Scotland until later this month.
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