I think Scotland could struggle in the set piece myself. Both of your hookers are prone to serious cases of the yips and Donnacha Ryan has the best stats for pinching opposition ball of anyone. With Donncha O' Callaghan starting we have more ballast in the second row at scrum time behind three very good scrummagers in Court, Best and Ross. Court strengthens the Irish scrum that has comfortably dealt with Wales and England. I think it will be advantage Scotland if the game goes very loose but the positioning inexperience of Visser and Maitland could well be exploitable especially as we have an OH starting who can kick the ball more than twenty yards, thank God ROG is not starting. If we pinch a couple of early throws from balls we have put through for position it could be a long afternoon for the Scots lineout. But if we have a mental breakdown and bottle it like we did against England we won't win a thing.
And the thug Hartley to replace Youngs the larger. Allez les Bleus!!!!!!!
Haskell has had the flu so he drops to the bench. It maybe a good call on Lancasters part to give Lawes a go as I don't think Haskell has stood-out. Wood was superb at 6 against the AB's but is covering 8 at the moment and I think they are hoping it might become a longterm option for him. Lawes is a supreme athlete who might go very well at 6 and will provide another line out option.
Some?
