dolf_lundgren wrote:Other than props which were necessity (and he has still signed 2 imports to coveR) I cant see who Hodge has promoted or given more game time to that Solly hasnt?
There are always differences of opinion on the quality of some players. If we play Auld then Dean might not get game times, if we played Macandrew then Kennedy and SHC miss out, so it is not really as straight forward. he issue is not having enough pro teams to bring them through. Playing a team with 10 under 21 is not the answer in the pro 12 as they will learn little from being thrashed.
As mentioned I think with Mccallum, Cosgrove, Toolis, Bradbury, Ritchie, SHC, Bean, Hoyland, Knghorn are all young players and realistically there is a limit to the number of young players who will come through at the same time and make the grade.
If they are good enough they will play, we have many issues, not giving youngsters a chance is low on the list.
Auld was a few years before Dean, in any case you could've had Auld 12 Dean 13, or Auld 13 instead of Allan or Beard. Macandrew was world cup cover and last year our scrum halves were all very ropey last year.
I agree there is, I'm not saying we should drop Manu and put in Irvine Hess. I am saying we went a few years will Solly consolidating and trying to avoid a hammering which is fair enough but smacks of a lack or progression and ambition which may have stunted development of players.
I agree that Hodge is continuing Solly kind of introducing young players and this is the road I hope to continue. Ally Miller is a regular at Scottish next year so I hope he gets chances next year. Hugh Fraser as well will return and could be special. There's players coming through and I hope Miller is trusted next year and we don't bring in a journeyman who takes away game time.