Robinson keeps options open

Robinson: Keeping his options open

If a player is showing the sort of form that makes me believe he can do a job for Scotland in the autumn internationals, I will select him

Andy Robinson
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Scotland coach Andy Robinson insists the door isn't closed on any player not involved in this week's training camp in St Andrews.

Fresh off a summer series victory in Argentina, the squad have gathered together to prepare for the upcoming autumn internationals.

However Robinson isn't afraid to look outside of his squad if required - something he showed last year with Dan Parks.

Fly-half Parks was frozen out of the national set-up during the first half of last season but was recalled when Phil Godman's form plummeted at the start of the RBS Six Nations.

Push themselves

"There is plenty of scope for a player outside this training squad to push themselves into the team for the November Tests," Robinson said.

"If a player is showing the sort of form that makes me believe he can do a job for Scotland in the autumn internationals, I will select him."

Robinson has identified Glasgow prop John Welsh as one man with the potential to force his way into the reckoning. He will also be looking at his back-row options with Johnnie Beattie ruled out until the end of the year.

"John Welsh definitely comes into that category, if he comes back from injury and shows the form he showed at some points last year, then he will be pushing very hard for call-up," he added.

"Roddy Grant and Ross Rennie at Edinburgh are in the same boat, as are Allister Hogg, Jason White and Simon Taylor. There are a number of guys who could really push."

Although no one has played a game yet this season, Robinson feels that the get together is a valuable exercise, and not just to play some golf.

As well as Beattie, Nathan Hines, Al Kellock, Graeme Morrison and Jim Thompson are all recovering from knee operations, while Simon Danielli (shoulder) and Dougie Hall (hand) are also finding their fitness after surgery.

Meanwhile, Chris Cusiter (knee) and Ruaridh Jackson (ankle) are both still sidelined by injuries that they sustained towards the end of last season.

Future plans

"Any get-together is useful, but there has got to be a purpose to it," the former Edinburgh coach insisted.

"There is no point coming here and spending three days on the golf course.

"Whenever this squad gets together they have got to challenge each other and work hard at laying down plans for the future.

"What we have to do is look at how we are going to improve and set guidelines down about what we have to do to improve individually and as a team.

"Then, during the season, we can remind the players of the targets we set ourselves.

"It is too early to say who is in form and who is not, there is still three weeks of preparation time to go before the season starts, but I can say that the guys are looking sharp. They are all putting the work in - which is pleasing."