It’s the turn of Scotland to go through the four-day funnel into their next game, on Sunday at Elland Road, against the USA. Their coach, Vern Cotter, decidedly single of his Kiwi mind, refuses to see anything beyond the demands of round two, but his team are going to be short on time before round three as well. Four days separate Scotland’s victory over Japan and Sunday; a mere six days will pass before they face South Africa at St James’ Park.
He needs therefore to rest players, but he also needs to make sure he carries continuity into Sunday. He needs to spread the workload around the entire squad, but he will not want to disturb the momentum gathered in last Wednesday’s comprehensive defeat of Japan. For that game Scotland did all the homework South Africa had not done and avoided becoming Japan’s second scalp. They will not want to run the risk of becoming the USA’s first, yet the best way of winning handsomely may be to take a risk or two. And all the while, they must be thinking – without saying anything of the kind – of the huge game against the Springboks.
Most of those players, then, that sat on the bench for the Japan game at Kingsholm, Gloucester, start on Sunday, including the props, Ryan Grant and Jon Welsh. Richie Gray starts in the second row instead of his brother, Jonny, who drops out of the match-day squad for Tim Swinson. Josh Strauss starts at No8, while Alasdair Strokosch is brand new in the back row, having not featured anywhere against Japan.
Henry Pyrgos takes over from Greig Laidlaw at scrum half, Peter Horne comes into the centre, and Sean Maitland and Tim Visser are the wings. Of those that started last time, only full back Stuart Hogg, centre Mark Bennett, outside half Finn Russell, second row Grant Gilchrist and hooker Ross Ford play again from the outset. Wing forward John Hardie was due to start but a head injury means he is replaced by Ryan Wilson.
Will Scotland play differently against the USA? Having been told by the Japan coach, Eddie Jones, that Eddie’s Japan could only play one way, Scotland set out to do what South Africa did not –advance quickly in defence and apply pressure up front. South Africa had allowed Japan space in which to run and pass; Scotland shut it down.
The Eagles are a little less formal in approach than Japan, who are peculiarly structured in everything they do. Japan love to execute rehearsed moves and every situation seems to have a pre-planned play. They are never anything but slaves to sparkling rugby, but it is according to a plan.
The USA are a little more spontaneous than that, quite happy to think on their feet. The trouble for them is that for a side that love big tackles, their collective defence can be unstitched. Scotland must be wary of the speed of Takudzwa Ngwenya on the wing, and the counterattacking of Chris Wyles from full-back, but they will want to exploit the opportunities that arise from a more gung-ho approach.
Cotter has imparted speed to Scotland’s defensive line but also loosened minds in attack. Gone are the nerves that slowed the Scotland of old on their approaches to the line. Now they come forward with gusto. This is a real opportunity to rack up some points. They may yield a few, because just as the Japan game required absolute precision in defence, so Scotland may benefit by inviting their opponents into a more carefree style. USA 30 Scotland 58. Something like that? Four-day fun before their World Cup becomes very six-day serious again.
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