Six players to watch following Scotland’s comfortable 73-12 win over Canada and their chances of breaking into the starting line-up
Dylan Richardson, 2 caps (Hooker)
Part of a scrum that was not as dominant as fans might have hoped given the opposition, Richardson and the rest of the pack compensated for the lack of playing time together after conceding an early try to provide a platform for the backs to thrive.
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The hooker was accurate in the line-out and was able to profit from Scotland’s weapon of choice, the rolling maul, to grab the first of his two tries. Far from a lumbering presence, the Sharks’ frontman showed good feet and an ability to run with the ball. He was also helped by his fitness to last the full 80 before seeing out the game as a flanker.
Richardson received his first cap three years ago but had not featured since his debut against Japan. At that time, he had found himself competing against Fraser Brown, Stuart McInally and Dave Cherry. Now, with the three either retired or out of contention, his performances stand him in good stead to add to his tally sooner rather than later.
There are four hookers in the squad and Ewen Ashman is far ahead the most capped albeit with only 17 as George Turner (40) and try-scoring machine Johnny Mathews (1) have both been left at home.
Josh Bayliss, 6 caps (Back Row)
Qualifying through an Aberdonian Grandparent, Bayliss was given the chance to use all of his 1m90 to add brute force to a Scottish back row that has lacked the physicality of their rivals in recent years.
The Bath forward was not found wanting defensively, but his supporting runs impressed, scoring the opening try after receiving a Matt Currie offload to score Scotland’s first try.
The number 8’s line-breaks were slightly underwhelming given his size and his handling was not always up to scratch. Notably, one very poor pass which Canada failed to take advantage of.
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Like Richardson, Bayliss has been on the fringes since his debut against Australia in 2021. This is not all too surprising given the strength the back row has had in recent years. This was not top drawer performance but it is early days in a tour that will offer plenty of opportunities with the U.S., Chile and Uruguay still to come.
Matt Fagerson, also picked in the squad, is his biggest threat for a place at the back of the scrum; the Glasgow player has only grown in stature within the squad and looks set to remain the first choice in the big games.
Gus Warr, 1 cap (Scrum Half)
One of the ten debutants in Saturday’s squad, Warr looked like he’d been a fixture in the side for some time. The Sale man did not dally on the ball and his quick distribution kept the pressure on Canada whilst his quick tap began an attack which he finished for his first try.
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Also able to mix things up when his side needed time to re-organise, and constantly in support of runners on the ball, he was rewarded when he received a pass from Harry Paterson to score his second try. Warr’s box-kicking was solid although the opposition never put him under any immense pressure.
Aside from the electric George Horne, the competition for the position is fairly light in this squad, Jamie Dobie looked more useful on the wing and Ben Ashfar is in the squad as a training development player, a bit early in his career so he should expect game time.
However Ben White remains the first choice and Horne is one of the URC’s best. Ali Price meanwhile has yet to re-discover the form that made him a Lion in 2021.
Ross Thompson, 4 caps (Fly Half)
It is a rare gift for any Scottish fly half other than Russell to be given a start. Unfortunately, that carries with it a pressure to deliver something close to an unforgettable performance to state your case.
Although Thompson didn’t quite produce that, the fly-half showed that he too was capable of flair. A dummy not once, but twice, sent Richardson through for a try and his hands had the Canadian defence guessing throughout.
The Glasgow player continued to find space between an increasingly creaking defence, often keeping it simple as was required rather than overplaying and gifting possession.
His performance was checked by some inaccuracy from boot and tee late in the first half. Not a great way to audition for understudy when your replacement, Ben Healy, is known for his precision.
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Although both lack Finn’s and to a lesser extent, Adam Hasting’s talent on the ball, the injury proneness of the latter in recent years has left a spot on the bench to fight for.
So far, Thompson remains the fourth choice should all be fit.
Stafford McDowall, 3 caps (Centre)
Once touted as a future Scotland star and captain, it beggars belief that this was only the 26-year-old’s third cap, having first been named in a Scotland squad back in 2019.
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Troubles with injury and having to dislodge Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu for both club and country have not helped. However, following his stellar season for Glasgow in which he won the URC as arguably their best player, the centre could not be denied the start when fit.
At 6’5′, McDowall offers physicality in the middle of the park and uses it well in attack, often breaking the line before earning himself a try late on.
Defensively strong too, he did not offer a way through for Canada and managed to pinch a ball before it could be grounded. McDowall later spared Kyle Steyn’s blushes with a try-saving tackle following the winger’s poor pass.
Facing stiff competition from the previously mentioned duo, he will also be competing against English Premiership finalists Cam Redpath and Rory Hutchinson. However, performances like these should see him rewarded with some time against stiffer competition in November.
Harry Paterson, 2 caps (Full back)
Arguably the most promising player in the starting line-up, Paterson has been touted as a potential star following his debut against France during the Six Nations.
Probably a bit soon for that kind of appraisal but the Edinburgh player did all that can be asked of a full back and more. Some strong kicking and aerial dominance gave the side a base from which to build.
More impressive yet, was Paterson’s desire to get involved in play as he raced up the park to present himself as a receiver, regularly breaking through the defence before offloading to set up teammates to touch down.
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Although the 23-year-old came off early on with an HIA, he returned soon after and continued to cause problems for Canada’s defence by creating tries with relative ease and offering constant supporting runs which led to a try of his own towards the end as the youngster was rightly declared Man of the Match.
Now is as good a time as any to fight for the 15 shirt with Blair Kinghorn, his main rival for the shirt, not showing nearly the same form for Scotland as he has for Stade Toulousain.
Expect Paterson to be given more opportunities throughout the year to stake a claim as a starter.
Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash
Source : Six Of The Best: Scotland vs Canada
