Rugby Union Six Nations: 8 Players Who Should Make 2013 Lions Squad

Scotland Scotland has had the most inconsistent year of the four home nations. They had a terrible 2012 Six Nations yet won all of their tough Summer Tests away to Australia, Fiji and Samoa. In the Autumn Internationals they managed to lose at home to Tonga which prompted the resignation of Head Coach Andy Robinson. Scotland entered this year€™s tournament with new coach Scott Johnson who made his name with Wales and the Ospreys. Johnson's record is not particularly good but Scotland has shown promise of an improved side with a spirited performance against England and a dominant win against the Italians.

Richie Gray (Second Row)

Richie Gray is probably one of the easiest selections that Warren Gatland faces. He's young, fit, disciplined and has a old head on his young 23-year-old shoulders. Gray has been the standout player in an under-performing Scotland team for the last 2-3 years: he is truly an inspirational player and it can't be too long under he becomes captain of the promising young side that Scotland is beginning to form. Second-Row is often a difficult position to get noticed in but Gray is always recognisable due to his height and his mass of blonde hair. He's also rather tricky to tackle due to his physical presence and quick foot-work. Due to his height he is always a reliable option in line-outs or kick-offs. Anything that Scotland do well, Richie Gray is usually part of it either by breaking the defensive line or by smashing an opposition player backwards. There aren't many better options for Gatland to consider in the Second Row. http://youtu.be/b4BaJ0tC0XQ

Stuart Hogg (Wing/Fullback)

In the same vein as Richie Gray, Stuart Hogg is another player that has grown in prominence over the past couple of seasons. He only made his debut against Wales in last year's Six Nations but he immediately showed promise and pace whilst being denied a try. Since last year Hogg has gone on to win 12 Caps for Scotland and has been scoring tries for fun during this year€™s tournament. He is already the top try scorer for the 2013 Six Nations and both of those tries have come from broken play which makes him a rather unusual player within the Scottish backs. He is quickly becoming a player to watch and a player that gets crowds excited due to his quick speed, large kicks and vision to be able to exploit space. Hogg probably won't be a first choice winger but he is certainly staking a claim during this year€™s tournament. http://youtu.be/tMjiXPdU05A