There's been quite a lot of different opinions given on Andy Robinson's decision to have joint captains in his squad for the Autumn Test matches. It's all the more intriguing because the players involved, Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair, play the same position. It's not completely revolutionary as Australia have done it in the past with George Gregan, George Smith and Sterling Mortlock fulfilling joint roles on tours abroad.
 
From Andy Robinson's perspective it's a logical move. The players in question are his two most recent captains, one for Edinburgh and the other with the Scottish A team but I'm sure he has known for a few weeks that Chris Cusiter was going to be his first pick. Cusiter has been outstanding for Glasgow whilst Blair has struggled to keep his place for Edinburgh. I'm of the opinion that the coach just wanted to drop Mike Blair gently but still keep him in the loop.
 
Considering that Euan Murray, Ben Cairns, Max Evans and Alasdair Dickinson were unavailable this is the best XV he could have chosen. Gone are the days when Fiji could intimidate us and Robinson has chosen players who should match them for physicality, pace and dynamism. The three-quarter line must be the most physical we've chosen for a long time and it is interesting that four of them, the Lamont brothers, Alex Grove and Simon Danielli were all developed in the English system.

And when you consider that the Evans brothers, Hugo Southwell and Simon Webster came from south of the border originally, then quality home produced outside backs are "thin" on the ground. I'm surprised that Thom Evans is not even in the 22 as bulk isn't everything and Danielli has been on the bench recently for Ulster.
 
There will be some sympathy for Chris Paterson, who has been relegated to the bench, but I agree with Robinson's assertion that Phil Godman is a good enough goal kicker to keep the points tally ticking over. And nobody should get in on goal kicking ability alone.
 
I like the balance in the forward pack, good enough to supply quality set piece possession but mobile and disciplined enough to give plenty of quick second phase opportunities. We don't produce many ball carrying forwards so it is up to Ross Ford and Alasdair Strokosch to supply the "grunt" in that department.

It's a golden opportunity for Moray Low to stake a claim for the tight head shirt, for although he is not yet as good a scrummager as Murray, he is a far better rugby player. It's also time that Johnnie Beattie started to realise his potential. Family name can often get you on the first rungs of the international ladder but to make the No.8 position his own he has to show consistency and high commitment for 80 minutes. To be fair, he has been playing well for Glasgow.
 
First up, the Fijians will be very dangerous opponents. They have had a short time together but because of their spontaneity and casualness it doesn't really matter how much time they spend together. Their players react to what's in front of them and they then build momentum from that. Their halfbacks, Mosese Rauluni and Nicky Little have been "round the houses" a few times and are really back up players at their respective clubs, Saracens and Bath. But they do have some world class players like Seremaia Bai and Netani Talei, so we can’t underestimate them.
 
Our set piece should be far superior to theirs and if our halfbacks control where the game is to played, namely, in front of our forwards, then we should do all right. The Fijians are lazy defenders and by moving their front five around we should create enough chances to win. They are really in a false position, one position above us in the world rankings, so we have to win to take any confidence into the next two games.