Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend announces his 33-man World Cup squad on Wednesday morning.
Who is already out of contention?
Thank you, Hoggy 🩵
Stuart Hogg has announced his immediate retirement from rugby.
Read more: https://t.co/qsuobXpGzT pic.twitter.com/ko71qC6wBP— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 9, 2023
Gregor Townsend named a provisional 41-man training squad on May 9th to negotiate an intense pre-season camp and four warm-up matches prior to the tournament itself.
In the intervening three months, the squad has evolved and become more streamlined. Scotland’s record try-scorer Stuart Hogg, who would likely have been a starter, announced his retirement in early July, while back-row Andy Christie dropped out through injury, with his place taken by Josh Bayliss. Ruaridh McConnochie was called in to replace Hogg, but the Bath back soon drifted out of the mix due to injury.
The weekend before last, stand-off Adam Hastings, lock Cam Henderson, centre Stafford McDowall and wing Kyle Rowe, who was a later addition to the initial squad, were all part of a four-man cull as Townsend trimmed his pool to 37.
Where will the remaining cuts come from?
It's time for a new chapter to be written 🏴
Tomorrow. 8am. pic.twitter.com/b9IxXcZXZa— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 15, 2023
Townsend said after Saturday’s loss to France in Saint-Etienne that the last four players to leave the squad would be a tighthead prop, a hooker, a back-row and a scrum-half.
Edinburgh hooker set to miss out
George Turner is the most prominent of the four hookers currently in the squad and is certain to go to France.
Ewan Ashman, at 23 the youngest and least experienced of the quartet, appears to have a good shout of getting the nod after the new Edinburgh recruit was chosen to start the recent home match against France, when Townsend sent out a near full-strength XV.
The places of Edinburgh veterans Dave Cherry, 32, and Stuart McInally, 33, therefore could be in jeopardy.
Cherry has featured in only one of the three warm-up matches so far, although he did make a positive impression by scoring the decisive try as a substitute in the home win over France.
The following weekend, 2019 World Cup captain McInally, who will retire after this tournament to become an airline pilot, served up a timely reminder of his ability by stepping off the bench to help the Scots stage a rousing fightback in Saint-Etienne.
Prop poser
Zander Fagerson is the first choice and – after dodging a long suspension following his recent red card against France – is assured of a place.
Likewise WP Nel, who despite being 37 is still trusted enough by Townsend to start big games, such as last weekend’s match away to France and the Six Nations opener away to England earlier this year.
The unlucky one will be either Edinburgh new boy Javan Sebastian or Glasgow’s Murphy Walker.
Sebastian’s contribution off the bench on Saturday could help him get the nod over Walker, who has played no part in either of the France matches.
Rowing back on the back-rows
Captain Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson can all consider themselves safely on the plane on the basis of their form and status within the national team.
Veteran flanker Hamish Watson probably also has enough credit in the bank to ensure he is on the plane, although – not helped by injuries – he has not been as prominent for Scotland over the past year or so as he would have liked.
The bad news appears likely to be delivered to one of the two least-established internationals in the back-row pool.
Luke Crosbie, with five caps to his name, played no part in the double-header against France, while Bayliss – also now on five caps – was not named in the initial 41-man squad.
Warriors scrum-half scrap
Ben White has made the number nine jersey his own since the start of the Six Nations, although Scotland were having his ankle injury – sustained in the France home game – assessed on Monday before finalising the squad.
Assuming – as Townsend was expecting – the new Toulon man gets the all-clear, a Glasgow scrum-half will miss out. Ali Price, George Horne and Jamie Dobie have been vying for the nine shirt for the Warriors.
Price, with 63 caps, and Horne, who went to the last World Cup in Japan, are significantly more established on the international scene than 22-year-old Dobie, who may have to wait for the following World Cup in Australia.
