THE SCOTSMAN REVEALS

Breckenridge leaves the door ajar for clubs international hopefuls
Assistant coach hails camaraderie ahead of two-match mission
COLIN RENTON
SCOTLAND clubs international assistant coach George Breckenridge has made it clear that the door is still open for players to stake a claim for places in the squad, which next year will play two matches.

The success of the Scots in last year's rousing victory over Ireland has resulted in the management team of head coach Ian Rankin, team manager Grant Wilson and Breckenridge being asked to fulfil the same roles again. This time around, the Scots will play their Welsh counterparts on February 8 in Caerphilly before facing Ireland (Donnybrook, Feb 22) for the third time in as many seasons.

Breckenridge and his colleagues have already met to discuss the possible make-up of the squad but, the Heriot's backs coach insists, that does not mean the door is closed for anyone seeking to make a late bid for selection. There is still scope for guys to put their hands up," he said, pointing out that he expects more players to be involved this time.

"We have spoken about how we will approach it this year. With two matches to play, we will need a bigger squad, possibly around 30 players, which will be cut to 22 for the trip to Wales. But, some might pick up injuries and we also need to look at how they have played, so there could be changes for the second game in Ireland."

Breckenridge, who is a massively enthusiastic supporter of the concept, believes that the men in his squad will be every bit as passionate about representing their country as those who will be given the nod by Frank Hadden when he picks his final squad for the RBS Six Nations.

"The one thing that last year's match hammered home to me was just how much it meant to the players. Andy Irvine handed out the jerseys at our hotel before the game and there were guys in tears, it was such a tremendous honour for them. These are guys who may not be going to make at pro level, but to get a blue jersey means so much to them."

All Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership clubs have been asked to submit nominations for consideration, either from their own ranks or from opposition sides, and the provisional list includes contenders from all three divisions.

The agreements between the nations involved dictate that anyone who has played professional or has played at Scotland A level or above will be ineligible.

With Breckenridge at Heriot's, Wilson at Boroughmuir and Rankin at Dundee, around half of the Premiership top flight players are in the spotlight each week. Some who have been recommended but not witnessed at first hand are set to be given the opportunity to advance their claims when the Co-optimists play Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place on December 29.

"Kenny Macaulay is in charge if the Co-optimists and he has agreed to let us use the game to have a look at some players," added Breckenridge. "We will then have a couple of sessions in January."

There have been suggestions that, within the next two years, the club international set-up will be extended to include at least the four home nations, with the possibility of the championship being decided over two seasons. Should that come to fruition, Breckenridge will be the first to welcome the announcement.

"I hope they expand it and as far as I am concerned, I just hope that it happens sooner rather than later.

"My view is that this is the best thing that has happened to club rugby for a long time. It brings the players closer together. I now see players who were involved last year talking to each other after games. That hasn't happened for a while. There has been a tendency for the teams to go into the clubhouse after a game and sit with their own team mates.

"This reminds me a bit of the old district championships when guys from different clubs played together and had a bit of camaraderie."

And, as far as Breckenridge is concerned, the honour of being involved for your country does not stop with the players.

"For me, it is a huge honour. I have also coached at Under-18 level and it is fabulous to be involved. To be working with Ian Rankin is great for me. He has coached at professional level and I am learning from him.

"The higher up the game you go, it's the wee things that make all the difference, and I think that's what I can learn from him. For me it's enjoyable getting to know the players and, of course, we really want to win. And, as the players showed last year, winning these games means everything."

This article was posted on 12-Dec-2007, 08:34 by Hugh Barrow.