THE HERALD REPORTS

Andy Robinson states his case over thorny issue of player releases


Robinson has hinted that he will overlook English-based players if their clubs insist on making life difficult for Scotland
Kevin Ferrie

21 Oct 2010
Eight English-based players were named in Andy Robinson’s 34-man squad for next month’s meeting with New Zealand but Scotland’s coach indicated that the participation of at least some of them in next year’s World Cup could be threatened if their clubs refuse to release them when required.

The issue of gaining player release from, in particular, English clubs, but also from Welsh clubs, has been a thorny issue long pre-dating Robinson’s arrival in this part of the world.

However he raised the matter before his first Test in charge against Japan last year and it was brought back into the public domain this week by Warren Gatland, the Wales coach. He left Andy Powell and Dwayne Peel out of his squad for the autumn in protest at English Premier Rugby Limited’s (PRL) decision not to allow players to be released to their countries until 35 days ahead of the World Cup which takes place in September and October next year.

Robinson simply cannot afford to follow suit with many more Scots involved with English clubs.

That said, competition for places is greater than at any time in recent years as best demonstrated by Robinson’s comments regarding the current absence from the Northampton starting XV of Euan Murray, long seen as an automatic choice.

My focus is on getting the best preparations for a player to perform on the world stage
Andy Robinson
The coach said he believes Murray is a player who can raise his game, particularly at Test level, but also observed: “For any player that’s only playing for 15-20 minutes it’s something we’ll take into account. Tighthead is a position that is up for grabs currently. It’s a spot where it’s not been nailed down and there’s a lot of discussion going on which is why I’ve named three tighthead props. They’ve all shown glimpses of performing well. One of the most important things about being a tighthead prop is the scrummaging element. That’s something we’ve got to nail within the Scotland set-up.”

In short, none of the Anglos named yesterday can be considered indispensable and it is conceivable that Robinson could assemble a credible 30-man World Cup squad without them. While matters are a long way from reaching that stage, there was room to read between the lines yesterday.

“I flagged up the problem for Japan last year and it’s really an issue for the IRB [International Rugby Board] to be dealing with,” he said. “We’ve been dealing with the IRB, the RFU [English Rugby Union] and PRL ever since that day to make sure we have a solution that is right for Scotland for the World Cup. The reason I made that stance before the Japan game is that this is about player welfare. My whole focus here is on getting the best preparations for a player to perform on the world stage. The discussions we’ve been having with the RFU and PRL have been positive and we’re pleased with where we are currently.

“Our focus will be on having a release for the players. I’m not going to discount any player if we don’t have that release but it will make it tougher for them in terms of their preparation. What you’ve got to remember is that this is a team sport that we’re playing, so it’s that competition for places and the work you do in training that adds to it.”

The former England coach added: “I was involved in 2003 at the World Cup and I saw at first hand what very good training and preparation can do for a team. What we’ll be looking at is trying to get our players together as a squad when we first meet up, whatever date that is.”

A complicating factor is that England, Scotland’s pool rivals at the World Cup, pay vast sums of money for player release from their clubs whereas Robinson stated categorically yesterday: “We will not be paying for the release of players.”

As things stand, then, the English-based players will be available just before the first World Cup warm-up against Ireland next August. “That’s where the regulation is at the moment. We’ve asked for the players to be released earlier and those discussions are on-going,” Robinson acknowledged. When asked whether he thought an agreement might not be reached until the last minute, Robinson grinned and said: “You know the PRL.”

He did, however, add that he was satisfied that the existing regulations offer enough time for preparation for the meeting with New Zealand which kicks off Scotland’s autumn Test series.

As well as four uncapped backs – Joe Ansbro, Ruaridh Jackson, Greig Laidlaw and Jim Thompson – the coach has recalled Edinburgh’s Ross Rennie whose injury problems have prevented him from adding to the sole cap won against Ireland in 2008.

The quality of competition in that position is underlined by the form of Roddy Grant, Rennie’s club captain and fellow openside flanker, whom he has been selected ahead of: “It’s very difficult . . . Roddy’s been outstanding for us.”

Others to miss out in the back-row were Jason White, the former captain who Robinson said could yet feature in the remaining autumn Tests and Ally Hogg, whose form since moving to Newcastle had not, the coach said, been good enough.

There was encouragement for Edinburgh pair David Blair and Fraser McKenzie, with Robinson stating that both will contend for places if they can maintain the sort of form shown last weekend.

Al Kellock, who captained the side in Argentina last summer, is in the same bracket as Nick de Luca, and has been discounted until he gets some playing time following big injuries. Their situation differs from that of Rory Lawson and Dan Parks who had played a number of matches before suffering recent short-term injuries.

Robinson listed five contenders for the captaincy – John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Ross Ford, Mike Blair and Rory Lawson but the final decision will, he said, depend on who is selected to start. Ford, though, was the one man he identified as being certain to do so.

This article was originally posted on 21-Oct-2010, 07:05 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 21-Oct-2010, 07:09.