Rugby Union: Redpath on rampage

South of Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Glasgow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

IF Bryan Redpath continues to display the kind of sharpness so evident as the South retained Scotland's Inter- District title, then maybe the selectors could take a break from twisting Gary Armstrong's arm as they pick a few representative teams this week to face the All Blacks.

With Andy Nicol, the player assumed to be Armstrong's automatic successor, patently lacking an edge in the aftermath of injuries, Redpath's slick service and general understanding with his club-mate Craig Chalmers was a timely bonus which enabled the borderers to give Glasgow's heavier pack the run-around.

Even before Armstrong made it known he was prepared to break his resolve to cease playing scrum-half and accept an invitation to wear the No 9 shirt for Scottish Districts against Auckland on 14 November, the telephone lines were buzzing. Though Armstrong claims it is a 'one-off' and that he still sees his future as a stand-off, his Jed-Forest club coach, Donald Miller, is among those who believe the player may be having a change of heart irrespective of any pressure being applied.

Scotland's plans will begin to unfold on Wednesday when A and Development XV's are named to face the All Blacks. On the evidence provided by the district double-header, where Edinburgh needed a last- minute penalty by Gavin Hastings from inside his own half to defeat the North and Midlands 28-25, it is looking increasingly as though a Scotland pack is taking shape.

The abrasive qualities of Derek Turnbull at blind-side flanker were a key feature at The Greenyards and he looks certain to be included alongside Sharp, Milne, Burnell, Cronin, Weir, Hogg and Wainwright against the All Blacks on 20 November. Which scrum-half will be snapping at their heels increasingly looks like a matter of selectorial diplomacy as much as pure rugby ability.

South: Tries Nichol, Chalmers, Turnbull; Conversions Parker 2; Penalties Parker 2; Drop Goal Chalmers. Glasgow: Try Brough; Penalties Barrett 3.

SOUTH: M Dods (Gala); A Stanger (Hawick), S Nichol (Selkirk), G Shiel (Melrose), G Parker; C Chalmers, B Redpath (Melrose); G Isaac (Gala), J Hay (Hawick), H Hunter (Gala), R Brown (capt), G Weir (Melrose), D Turnbull (Hawick), C Hogg (Melrose), J Amos (Gala). Replacement: D Hunter (Selkirk) for Dods, 57.

GLASGOW: K Logan; A Turner (Stirling Co), S McIntosh (West), I Jardine (Stirling Co), R Porter (Edinburgh Acads); D Barrett, F Stott (West), A Watt (GHK), K McKenzie, B Robertson, S Hamilton (Stirling Co), S Munro, F Wallace (capt), (GHK), J Brough (Stirling Co), D Busby (GHK).

Referee: E Morrison (Bristol).