Iain Morrison assesses Scotland boss Andy Robinson's selection problems ahead of the Six Nations in The Scotsman.
"If timing is everything in comedy it's also proving pretty important in the field of sporting endeavour and Richie Vernon has yet to master it. The Glasgow player exploded on to the international scene during the autumn Tests with some superb displays off the bench, but the big breakaway looks set to miss the Six Nations, or at least the start of it, after blood tests last Wednesday proved he had contracted glandular fever.
"This can sideline a player for anything from three weeks to a year and obviously Vernon is hoping that his dose is at the bottom end of that scale. As a one-time medical student, the Glasgow man knows that glandular fever causes the spleen to expand and, if he returns to action too early, there is a danger it will burst.
"It's a huge loss for Scotland and a blow to coach Andy Robinson, although at least he has less of a selection headache when it comes to picking his No.8, which may be a blessing of sorts. Brian Moore once claimed that Robinson was a poor selector and Jake White has stated that 85 per cent of his job with the Boks was picking the right team. You have to hope one of them is wrong."
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