Chris leads Scotland 'A'

May 15, 2009

Chris leads Scotland 'A'

Posted by Editor on May 15, 2009 12:47 PM | 9 comments | Print | E-mail author

Chris Cusiter will lead Scotland 'A'

Scotland ‘A’ head coach Andy Robinson has chosen new Warriors signing Chris Cusiter to captain the ‘A’ squad during the forthcoming IRB Nations Cup in Romania (12-21 June).

Robinson said: "Chris is a very talented scrum-half and will lead by example on the pitch.

"Having worked with him on the 2005 Lions tour, I know how good his management and decision-making skills are.

"A strong squad has been selected for the competition with experienced Test players mixed together with up-and-coming young players.

"I've been to Romania twice before with rugby and I have no doubts everyone involved with the tour will benefit from the experience.

"We have some tough games on our schedule and we are expecting the heat to test our players' fitness, but we are confident that a raft of positives will emerge from the tour.

"We've selected five centres, but I consider them all to be versatile members of the back division and have the ability to fulfil a different role if required.

"I'm looking forward to working with Joe Ansbro and Alex Grove and seeing what they've got to offer the team."

Northampton Saints centre Ansbro is a new recruit to the Scotland ‘A’ set-up and earned his call-up following some impressive displays in the Guinness Premiership.

The 23-year-old centre was born in Glasgow and admits he is delighted at the prospect of representing his country of birth in the IRB Nations Cup.

Ansbro said: “I’m very pleased to have been selected and it is a new challenge for me.

“It is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while, but unfortunately I’ve had a few injuries.

“Now I’ve had more Premiership experience with Northampton I feel ready to play international rugby.

“I’ve always been a Scotland rugby fan and I’ve always followed them.

“I went to school in England, but I’ve always considered myself to be Scottish.

“I’ve spoken to both Tom Smith and Euan Murray about playing for Scotland and I’m really excited about going to Romania with Scotland ‘A’.”

Worcester’s Alex Grove, 21, has represented Scotland before at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level.

Scotland ‘A’ squad for the IRB Nations Cup 2009: Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), David Blair (Edinburgh), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Stuart Corsar (Doncaster Knights), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (CAPTAIN, Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Rob Dewey (Ulster), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (vice captain, Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Al Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) and Simon Webster (Edinburgh).

Scotland ‘A’ management team for IRB Nations Cup
Head Coach: Andy Robinson
Assistant Coaches: Graham Steadman and Gregor Townsend
Support team: Gavin Scott (Video Analyst), Neill Potts (Fitness Coach) Lynsey Dingwall (Team Manager), Dr Alistair Nicol (Team Doctor)

IRB Nations Cup 2009 (all games to be played in Bucharest)
Friday, 12 June, Scotland ‘A’ v Russia
Tuesday, 16 June, Scotland ‘A’ v Uruguay
Sunday, 21 June, France ‘A’ v Scotland ‘A’

Posted by s153 on May 15, 2009 01:19 PM | Reply to this comment

Please tell me how Rob Dewey has earned his place in the squad. He has been playing club rugby with Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland all season as he can't get into a p*ss poor Ulster team!

Posted by AJPatterson on May 15, 2009 03:53 PM | Reply to this comment

Er, a Ballynahinch team that won everything it entered including the All-Ireland Cup and the Club of the Year!

Posted by s153 on May 15, 2009 06:22 PM | Reply to this comment

eh, a Ballynahinch team that don't even play in the top flight of club rugby in Ireland! Yes they won the cup but come on, winning team of the year, you have got to be joking, since when did that qualify you for being in a scottish squad.
The fact of the matter is that he has been playing club rugby all year, not pro rugby!!

Posted by Derek on May 15, 2009 02:52 PM | Reply to this comment

He could not even get in the Ulster A squad towards the end of the season.

Posted by ballinj on May 15, 2009 05:54 PM | Reply to this comment

well problem of having only two pro teams - lack of alternatives in certain positions.

Posted by s153 on May 15, 2009 06:25 PM | Reply to this comment

Scotland can't financially support two pro rugby teams, look at the attendances. If they were left to cope on their own they would be bust within a matter of weeks. So talking of having three teams is a joke.
If Scottish players were any good they English, Welsh, irish and French teams would be lining up to sign them. There is a reason that this is not happening - they are not good enough. There are far too many of them in the "comfort zone" of an SRU backed contract.

Posted by billyidol on May 16, 2009 12:09 AM | Reply to this comment

So could it not be said that it would be possible to borrow a few players from top 'club' teams like Heriots, Melrose, Watsonians etc to bulk up the numbers? Even in the 'A' games? Could be a way to experiment with potential new talent that may not have previously been discovered.

This idea may fall on its arse but could be a winner. After all, very few players will go on to go up a level to the pro game so it makes sense to try something else. Scotland national team can't perform much worse, right?

Give it a blast!

Posted by S153 on May 16, 2009 05:19 PM | Reply to this comment

Dewey can't be classed as an untried raw talent, he has played with Edinburgh and then had a very very poor time with Ulster culminating with him playing second division club rugby in Northern Ireland. How does that merit a place in the A squad.....it defies belief.

Posted by Alan on May 16, 2009 12:42 AM | Reply to this comment

Admit it guys .. you all just jealous that you will be under an umbrella in Glasgow whilst we are watching the Glasgow boys playing summer rugby in the sun!!