Scotland have a nightmare World Cup draw. They’re not favourites to make it out of their group. Eire and South Africa stand of their approach, two groups who no person can be shocked in the event that they win the entire thing. However Scotland are using a wave and a uncommon sense of optimism seems to be creeping in. However who’s the important thing participant to Scotland?

The essential participant to Scotland’s success isn’t Finn Russell’s attacking aptitude, or Darcy Graham’s quick ft, nor the stable entrance row of Zander Fagerson or Pierre Schoeman. No, it’s somebody who performed simply thrice between 2017 and the beginning of final season, Richie Grey.

Learn extra: Scotland Rugby World Cup squad

Towards England within the Six Nations, 6ft 10in Grey was a supply of assured lineout ball on Scotland’s throw. When England had been throwing in he was a menace. At greatest England retained ball underneath big strain and at worst they had been turned over. That led to unbelievable attacking alternatives the place Russell was in a position to orchestrate his assault in opposition to a damaged defence. 

The important thing for Scotland on this World Cup is to dominate on the lineout. To get out of their pool they should beat one among Eire or South Africa, along with getting by Tonga and Romania. Eire and South Africa are two of one of the best lineout groups on the earth.

Their goal might be to dominate their opponents on the set-piece. Scotland would have felt that power 4 years in the past had they been in a position to beat Japan of their residence World Cup. Japan thought they might run round South Africa. As a substitute, the Boks took cost and starved the Japanese of high quality possession.

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Richie Grey carries in the course of the 2023 Calcutta Cup win at Twickenham (SNS Group/Getty Photos)

That might be Scotland’s story on this World Cup until they take cost of the lineout. It’s one among rugby’s truths. It’s why tight-head props earn the large bucks and why groups spend small fortunes on locks who by no means threaten the opposition line. You possibly can have one of the best backline however with out clear ball there’s solely a lot they will do.

Towards Eire within the 2023 Six Nations, second row Grey went off injured within the first couple of minutes. Scotland misplaced 5 of their 12 lineouts. They managed only one line break to 9 by Eire. And even didn’t shut down a makeshift thrower in Josh van der Flier.

A rugby match is an ecosystem. Eradicating an attacking weapon like a lineout can have knock on implications in elements of the sport you wouldn’t often count on. More and more groups will look to maintain the ball on the pitch after they kick. They don’t wish to hand over a launch play alternative by kicking to the touch. It permits groups the chance to counter-attack however that may be a worth they’re prepared to pay.

In the event you can’t win your lineouts, although, then groups will kick to the touch, sluggish the sport down and take away these counter-attacking possibilities. That’s the destiny of a number of thrilling ball in hand groups who can’t persistently win lineouts. The wings of the butterfly flap over your failing lineout and you find yourself with no option to unleash your greatest weapon.

If Russell, Ali Worth, and the Huwipulotu midfield are to fireside, it is going to be as a result of that ahead pack and particularly the lineout work of Grey are letting them. It’s not dangerous for a participant who regarded like he wasn’t going to get one other go for Scotland only a few years in the past.

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