The Scotsman's David Ferguson reflects on Scotland coach Andy Robinson's decision to withdraw five of his top players from club rugby for the rest of the season.
"Robinson is acutely aware, therefore, of the need to have his best players available for a World Cup in which he will have to overcome Romania, Georgia and at least one of Argentina or England to maintain Scotland's 100 per cent record of reaching quarter-finals.
"And he acknowledged that while he remains hopeful of securing the release of some players currently in England, as well as France, Ireland and Wales, for the summer camp, many of them will play intense games over the next six weeks.
"He also acknowledged that the decision, made with the understanding but not delight of Nick Scrivener at Edinburgh and Glasgow's Sean Lineen, would not please supporters, and while the fact that both teams were not in the running for the Magners League play-offs the action may have been taken even if they were."
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