New face, new era, old problem

Once again, the fly-half bug-bear that has plagued us ever since Craig Chalmers departed from the scene remains a problem and one which could be horribly exposed if the current incumbent does not produce a rapid turn of form when the French visit Murrayfield on Sunday.

Those of you who read this column regularly will be familiar with the Dan Parks drum we have been beating of late. After all, surely his good form this season was worthy of at least a place on the bench?

Wrong. He may have been invited to the squad get together but once again his non-selection from the starting 15 and replacements bench again raises a well-worn eyebrow.

While we are sure Phil Godman is a nice lad who is well-mannered and respectful of the world around him, questions still remain over his kicking from hand.

Coach Andy Robinson clearly wants to play a running game and when on form, Godman can perform that role well. If he's not, as has clearly been the case from the recent Autumn tests onwards, the big plan can go wrong and a weak link is seized upon by opponents.

All the more reason to have Dan on the bench? You would have thought so but he will be making the tea and lugging the kit hamper around on Sunday instead of being able to provide an alternative option if the French snuff out anything Phil has to offer. Still, at least Parks' absence ensures there is no chance of Edinburgh supporters booing a Scotland player again eh?

If France do wrap up Godman, tie a bow round him and send him back to Santa, then Robinson will have to rely on a risk to either move Chris Paterson from full-back to fly-half (fine if he has been playing a 10 recently but he hasn't) or sending on Hugo Southwell - a full-back - on in Phil's place.

It's a big gamble either way and one which effectively tells French boss Marc Lievremont, "here's where you can hurt us". With no Parks on the bench, Godman becomes a bigger target for the French and if they can keep him quiet or force him off via ensuring his limited kicking game goes to pot, or (gulp) via injury, they will have in front of them someone who is rusty at fly-half or a very green full-back in alien territory.

Naturally we hope we are wrong and Phil's kicking game is what wins it for Scotland but the inevitable question will and must be raised if the big plan is shot down.

It is a shame to still be questioning the selection because that one position aside, it does look a very good team that can take the game to the French.

The Killer B's of John Barclay, Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie at last get to strut their stuff on the international stage after wowing those at Glasgow. Given the French back-row selection of Thierry Dusautoir, Imanol Harinordoquy and Fulgence Ouedraogo, the break down could be a lively place to be.

If Godman can bring his backs into play with some quick (and accurate) ball, Max and Thom Evans certainly have the pace to test the French, Sean Lamont and Graeme Morrison can certainly make inroads into the visiting defence and if they concede a penalty or two, who better than Paterson to knock it over?

But make no mistake, Scotland have to be at their best. If one player falters, the French have the class to make us pay.

Have a good one Phil.... we need you to.