SCOTLAND
Perhaps Scott Johnson’s greatest challenge in his final Six Nations before the Australian hands over the reins to Kiwi coach Vern Cotter at the end of the season, is to somehow find a way to boost Scotland’s try count.
Johnson likes to keep his players on their toes and this is evident in the way in which Saracens’ Kelly Brown has been told he will captain the side provided he sees off the challenge to his place from Glasgow’s Chris Fusaro for the openside flanker position.
Sheer forward effort grit and resilience allied to some sound goal-kicking, notably by scrum-half Greig Laidlaw saw Scotland edge past Ireland 12-8 last season, one of two Championship wins with the other a more convincing success over Italy.
But there is a sense that Scotland may be asking too much of Laidlaw, who cannot be certain, with Glasgow’s Ruaridh Jackson and Duncan Weir competing for a place against each other for both club and country, who will be outside him at fly-half.
Meanwhile Scotland will hope talented runner Stuart Hogg, who can operate at either full-back or fly-half gets through the Championship unscathed after missing the November Test with a wrist problem
Form since 2013 Six Nations: L (SAM), L (RSA), W (ITA), W (JPN), L (RSA) L (AUS)
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