Big Nathan Hits the Comeback Trail for Realz

Welcome news ahead of this weekend that Big Nathan, Bigger Jim, and even Big Rory have returned to training with the Scotland squad this week. While Hamilton would have been expected to roll in pretty soon, Lamont was not scheduled to return 'til April, so that’s quite the surprise.

It’s unlikely that he’s at full fitness just yet after his ankle injury, but it's good to have him back. With a lot of focus on the full-back battle between Southwell and Paterson, let’s not forget Rory is our hope for the future in that position, provided he can convince Hadden it’s where he belongs.

Sale will be glad to have him back too as they lose players left, right and (inside) centre.

As for “former liability but now we love him” Nathan Hines, great news he’s back a week earlier than predicted. But then he did try and pick himself for France, just before he had knee surgery so he might be bringing the crazy.

If he can prove his fitness this week, might we see him worthy of a spot on the bench?

Of course it does bring up the whole argument about picking players on reputation or form again, but given the level of inconsistency in selection so far who knows. I hope he gets a chance to show his stuff in the next few weeks, with many touting him as a possible Lion.

Interesting that everyone seems to have problems with kiwi Riki “Parachute” Flutey as a Lion (I would too, to be honest, given he’s just qualified for England and is now off to France) but no-one baulks at the big man from Wagga Wagga. Perhaps because he has shown no shortage of fiery commitment in his years for Scotland.

In the absence of Chunk, these boys offer us a bit more ballast in the scrum. Would it be too much to ask for a team with Kellock, Hamilton, and Hines on the bench that offers Scotland a full complement of second rows for the first time this tournament?