<\/p>\n
Analysis by BBC Sport Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English<\/i><\/p>\n
Outside Scotland, this selection is going to cause sharp intakes of breath. Maybe inside Scotland, or in parts of it, this selection is going to cause sharp intakes of breath. <\/p>\n
It really shouldn’t. <\/p>\n
Yes, Blair Kinghorn has been a shoo-in at 15 for the longest time, but there are mistakes in his game that tend to come tumbling out when Scotland are under the pump.<\/p>\n
The inclusion of Tom Jordan – playing his in his third-best position after 10 and 12 – is a nod to having a more mentally robust outfit when the heat comes on. Kinghorn will get plenty of game-time in this Six Nations, but not in week one.<\/p>\n
Yes, again, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are record-breaking mainstays, but the pair of them have been dragged down by Edinburgh’s malaise and, quite honestly, it would have been a shock had Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie not started.<\/p>\n
They’re both in flying form and are both leaders in their own way. Mental fortitude has been a problem for Scotland, but not for Glasgow. <\/p>\n
Steyn and Dobie were nailed on to start if form over reputation was any sort of guide.<\/p>\n
Grant Gilchrist survives the challenge of a battalion of second rows, but there are two seriously impressive operators to come off the bench. <\/p>\n
Gregor Brown is in at cover at six but he’s just as good at lock. And Max Williamson is the size of a house. You’re getting great impact there. Williamson was injured this time last year and missed the entire tournament. Big chance for the big man.<\/p>\n
With three games in three weeks and five in six weeks, Gregor Townsend is going to use his squad more than ever, I suspect. <\/p>\n
There are a lot of top-notch players turning out for the A team on Friday night or not turning out at all this weekend. <\/p>\n
We’ll be seeing some of them down the track for sure. The schedule and the inevitability of injuries within that schedule will demand it. <\/p>\n
That bench looks good. George Horne is having a whale of a season and what an impact he might have in Rome. Graham, if at his best, gives you massive X-factor. Adam Hastings deserves to be back in the frame. <\/p>\n
It’s encouraging on paper. Now for the reality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
#Nations #Scotland #drop #Van #der #Merwe #Graham #Kinghorn<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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