The Scotsman reveals

By David Ferguson
RUARIDH Jackson's ability to "let his back line breathe" may be the key reason why Scotland are turning to the Glasgow stand-off just ten days after his 23rd birthday.
That certainly is one of his most impressive traits, according to Glasgow coach Sean Lineen, who knows him better than most. Lineen was keen yesterday also to stress the qualities of Dan Parks, his former stand-off, insisting that he did not know what the Scotland selectors had opted for this week. However, with The Scotsman understanding that Jackson has been handed his opportunity, Lineen compared the dilemma facing the Scotland coaches to that with Ireland and their selection of Jonny Sexton ahead of veteran Ronan O'Gara.

"I'd fully back Ruaridh (for Scotland]," he said. "He's a young, confident player who gets the back line moving; lets the back line breathe. I don't know what the selection is going to be, but he's ready. He's got that in-built confidence; he'll have a go, which is important, and is a threat. He's a different player to Parksy (Dan Parks].

"It's a bit like the Jonny Sexton v Ronan O'Gara situation and it's good to have those options. It's up to Andy, Gregor (Townsend] and Steady (Graham Steadman], and they'll choose when the time is right, but I'm sure going into the World Cup that Ruaridh will get a chance.

"We know what Parksy can do and we know he's been fantastic for Scotland, so it's just about when you throw Ruaridh in. That's the call they have to make."

At 23 Jackson's age is no concern, and he does offer a running threat Robinson yearns for in the style of game he is developing, but he has not played a heap of professional rugby due to injury and the presence of Parks at Glasgow until last summer, so is still working on his ability to become a rounded game controller at stand-off.

The fact that Chris Paterson is also returning to the side, and so will be able to relieve him of goal-kicking duties on his first international start, should lift some pressure, but with few options and the World Cup now just six games away, Robinson has to test Jackson.

And there is a world of difference between starting a match and setting the tone, in word and deed, under pressure, to coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes.

"But international rugby is not about giving favours or a little run out," added Lineen. "It's all about winning games and Andy's in the best position to decide when that's going to be. And when the chance comes he's got to take it."

As for Johnnie Beattie returning to the starting line-up, for the first time since he played in Argentina last June, he added: "When the backs are to the wall in a big game like that, Johnnie Beattie could be your man.

"By his own admission he hasn't been at his best in the last two games for us, but he's been outstanding for Scotland, and these are trying times. Johnnie's world-class when he's on form and he can definitely do that (turn it on] for Scotland, and he's definitely fit enough. He's a classy player."

This article was posted on 23-Feb-2011, 07:29 by Hugh Barrow.