The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[C T]

Jake Kerr starts for Bristol tomorrow night. Exciting if he can make something of himself and be a Scotland option. Keeping Thacker on the bench which is good to see.

Huw Jones not in the Quins 23. Oh dear.

Time to take my medicine on Jones.

I used to think "What's going on with Glasgow? His defensive issues are being exaggerated, Why can't they find a way?" Now he's got a new club, fresh start and OK it's early days but he's struggling to get into the 23 never mind start. Now I'm thinking "What's going on with Jones?"

And of course Harris is doing a fine job at 13 for Scotland.

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

That's a good point, well made. I'll keep the medicine in the cabinet for now.

[Slick]

Time to take my medicine on Jones.

I used to think "What's going on with Glasgow? His defensive issues are being exaggerated, Why can't they find a way?" Now he's got a new club, fresh start and OK it's early days but he's struggling to get into the 23 never mind start. Now I'm thinking "What's going on with Jones?"

And of course Harris is doing a fine job at 13 for Scotland.

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

That's a good point, well made. I'll keep the medicine in the cabinet for now.

Ahh, look, there is probably no player in the world I want to regain his best form than him. He is unplayable at his best and brilliant to watch. I'll keep hanging to threads for a while yet

[Big D]

Jake Kerr starts for Bristol tomorrow night. Exciting if he can make something of himself and be a Scotland option. Keeping Thacker on the bench which is good to see.

Huw Jones not in the Quins 23. Oh dear.

Time to take my medicine on Jones.

I used to think "What's going on with Glasgow? His defensive issues are being exaggerated, Why can't they find a way?" Now he's got a new club, fresh start and OK it's early days but he's struggling to get into the 23 never mind start. Now I'm thinking "What's going on with Jones?"

And of course Harris is doing a fine job at 13 for Scotland.

I think we need to remember the background to him signing there. They signed him because his deal fell through elsewhere, not because they were desperate to sign him.

Their backline is a backline that powered them to the league title and their centres played a key part of that.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

That's a good point, well made. I'll keep the medicine in the cabinet for now.

Ahh, look, there is probably no player in the world I want to regain his best form than him. He is unplayable at his best and brilliant to watch. I'll keep hanging to threads for a while yet

While Harris has made a number of people eat some humble pie (myself included), I still salivate and the thought of Russel, Redpath and Jones (on form) tearing defences apart. I really hope I'm not expecting too much of Redpath based on 1 cap so far.

[Slick]

That's a good point, well made. I'll keep the medicine in the cabinet for now.

Ahh, look, there is probably no player in the world I want to regain his best form than him. He is unplayable at his best and brilliant to watch. I'll keep hanging to threads for a while yet

While Harris has made a number of people eat some humble pie (myself included), I still salivate and the thought of Russel, Redpath and Jones (on form) tearing defences apart. I really hope I'm not expecting too much of Redpath based on 1 cap so far.

Agree with every part of this post! A very honourable mention for Sam Johnson as well.

[I like neeps]

Jake Kerr starts for Bristol tomorrow night. Exciting if he can make something of himself and be a Scotland option. Keeping Thacker on the bench which is good to see.

Huw Jones not in the Quins 23. Oh dear.

Time to take my medicine on Jones.

I used to think "What's going on with Glasgow? His defensive issues are being exaggerated, Why can't they find a way?" Now he's got a new club, fresh start and OK it's early days but he's struggling to get into the 23 never mind start. Now I'm thinking "What's going on with Jones?"

And of course Harris is doing a fine job at 13 for Scotland.

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

Hard to see how he gets into the team ahead of Marchant and if Northmore is their preferred centre/back three cover it's very much a season of maybe play during the international windows or injuries.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Ahh, look, there is probably no player in the world I want to regain his best form than him. He is unplayable at his best and brilliant to watch. I'll keep hanging to threads for a while yet

While Harris has made a number of people eat some humble pie (myself included), I still salivate and the thought of Russel, Redpath and Jones (on form) tearing defences apart. I really hope I'm not expecting too much of Redpath based on 1 cap so far.

Agree with every part of this post! A very honourable mention for Sam Johnson as well.

Sounds like Johnson is playing himself into some form too, which is very welcome to hear. A combination of being a tight-arse and being too busy on weekends means I'm not able to watch the Pro-16 (or whatever it's called today), so I'm reliant on comments on here for this kind of insight. Watching highlights often doesn't show enough to gauge a players form.

[Jock42]

Blair not showing much faith in the young 10s

[Slick]

That's pretty disappointing I have to say, I thought Jaco was largely rubbish last week.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors ( for Lions Game )

15 Cole Forbes

14 Kyle Steyn
13 Nick Grigg
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rufus McLean

10 Ross Thompson
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Jamie Bhatti
2 Fraser Brown (Co-captain)
3 Murray McCallum
4 Lewis Bean
5 Richie Gray
6 Ryan Wilson (co-captain)
7 Rory Darge
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Johnny Matthews
17 Brad Thyer
18 Murphy Walker
19 Robert Harley
20 Matt Fagerson
21 George Horne
22 Duncan Weir
23 Sione Tuipulotu

That's a good looking team - Great to see Matt back - on the Bench - but that's a hard Backrow to get into

[Tichtheid]

That's pretty disappointing I have to say, I thought Jaco was largely rubbish last week.

The missed kicks to touch were unforgivable and not exactly a new thing for him, it just turns momentum, territory, possession and pressure against us.

Kinghorn is still on the injured list, but I'd feel happier with Chamberlain or Savala starting this game

[Big D]

That's pretty disappointing I have to say, I thought Jaco was largely rubbish last week.

The missed kicks to touch were unforgivable and not exactly a new thing for him, it just turns momentum, territory, possession and pressure against us.

Kinghorn is still on the injured list, but I'd feel happier with Chamberlain or Savala starting this game

Jaco and Immelman were hopeless with the boot last week.

[Slick]

Glasgow Warriors ( for Lions Game )

15 Cole Forbes

14 Kyle Steyn
13 Nick Grigg
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rufus McLean

10 Ross Thompson
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Jamie Bhatti
2 Fraser Brown (Co-captain)
3 Murray McCallum
4 Lewis Bean
5 Richie Gray
6 Ryan Wilson (co-captain)
7 Rory Darge
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Johnny Matthews
17 Brad Thyer
18 Murphy Walker
19 Robert Harley
20 Matt Fagerson
21 George Horne
22 Duncan Weir
23 Sione Tuipulotu

That's a good looking team - Great to see Matt back - on the Bench - but that's a hard Backrow to get into

Dobie deserves that start

[JM2K6]

Time to take my medicine on Jones.

I used to think "What's going on with Glasgow? His defensive issues are being exaggerated, Why can't they find a way?" Now he's got a new club, fresh start and OK it's early days but he's struggling to get into the 23 never mind start. Now I'm thinking "What's going on with Jones?"

And of course Harris is doing a fine job at 13 for Scotland.

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

Hard to see how he gets into the team ahead of Marchant and if Northmore is their preferred centre/back three cover it's very much a season of maybe play during the international windows or injuries.

Jones was on the bench for the first couple of matches, wouldn't worry too much. Certainly think he's a bench player in general for Quins. Hell, our star signing (sort of) Nick David can't make the squad at the mo either.

Kerr keeping Thacker out I think is more to do with Thacker not being fully fit, iirc he picked up an injury earlier in the season.

[robmatic]

All Scottish 2nd row for Saracens this weekend - Callum Hunter-Hill and Swinson both starting.

I'm still curious whose chips CHH pissed in at Edinburgh.

[I like neeps]

All Scottish 2nd row for Saracens this weekend - Callum Hunter-Hill and Swinson both starting.

I'm still curious whose chips CHH pissed in at Edinburgh.

CHH is the last fit lock at Sarries. If you want to see how highly they rate him see him being stuck behind the out of retirement Swinno. Kpoku, Iziekwe, Itoje all unavailable.

Andy Christie who is on the bench for them (again down to injuries) is SQ

[I like neeps]

He's just joined a team that has recently won the Premiership, give him a chance!

Hard to see how he gets into the team ahead of Marchant and if Northmore is their preferred centre/back three cover it's very much a season of maybe play during the international windows or injuries.

Jones was on the bench for the first couple of matches, wouldn't worry too much. Certainly think he's a bench player in general for Quins. Hell, our star signing (sort of) Nick David can't make the squad at the mo either.

Kerr keeping Thacker out I think is more to do with Thacker not being fully fit, iirc he picked up an injury earlier in the season.

I think we're disappointed the centre who burst on the scene is now compared to Nick David (all credit to him) when not getting game time.

Still good for Kerr if he can displace Capon in the pecking order. Our hooker stocks are bare.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors ( for Lions Game )

15 Cole Forbes

14 Kyle Steyn
13 Nick Grigg
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rufus McLean

10 Ross Thompson
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Jamie Bhatti
2 Fraser Brown (Co-captain)
3 Murray McCallum
4 Lewis Bean
5 Richie Gray
6 Ryan Wilson (co-captain)
7 Rory Darge
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Johnny Matthews
17 Brad Thyer
18 Murphy Walker
19 Robert Harley
20 Matt Fagerson
21 George Horne
22 Duncan Weir
23 Sione Tuipulotu

That's a good looking team - Great to see Matt back - on the Bench - but that's a hard Backrow to get into

Dobie deserves that start

Hmm - you didn't watch the Sharks game then - Horne was the much better 9 , Its fine Bothe Dobie and Thomson need game time , and the Lions don't seem to be firing on all Cylinders, But Horne bossed the first 50 minutes against the Sharks

[Slick]

Hmm - you didn't watch the Sharks game then - Horne was the much better 9 , Its fine Bothe Dobie and Thomson need game time , and the Lions don't seem to be firing on all Cylinders, But Horne bossed the first 50 minutes against the Sharks

Yeah, Horne was good in that game, but I think Dobie came on as Glasgow were relaxing into it a bit and couldn't get going again.

The week before I thought Dobie was miles better when he came on

[Dogbert]

With Horne . Dobie , and with Price to come back - all three will need game time

Its a fairly inexperienced 9/ 10 axis with both Dobie & Thomson - they only have 16 starts between them

[walletoraccess]

was at the Knights Stirling game last night

After watching last weeks match v Bulls I've seen Hollie Davidson 2 weeks in a row

She is an excellent ref - possibly the best of the current Scottish group

[JM2K6]

Sobering start to DVDM's career at Worcs, by all accounts

Even Van der Merwe himself would acknowledge his eagerly-awaited debut for Worcester did not go as he might have hoped. His first 40 minutes in a Warriors’ jersey, in particular, were a total nightmare, the apparent consequence of trying too hard mixed with a dollop of misplaced overconfidence. From dropped balls and poor passes to assorted unnecessary turnovers, here was a salutory reminder that an eye-catching signing or two is no guarantee of instant nirvana for any club.

[Slick]

Odd game at MM tonight - loved the stadium though, really great set up and not a rip off at all - unless you want a soft drink.

Anyway, after being roundly ridiculed for saying Jaco was shite literally seconds before he made his first break and set up the try, I’m sticking to my guns on that one. His kicking was aimless and very few passes were accurate. It seemed to me that 10, 12, 13 offered very little at all. I think it’s going to be a tough season

[Tichtheid]

Odd game at MM tonight - loved the stadium though, really great set up and not a rip off at all - unless you want a soft drink.

Anyway, after being roundly ridiculed for saying Jaco was shite literally seconds before he made his first break and set up the try, I’m sticking to my guns on that one. His kicking was aimless and very few passes were accurate. It seemed to me that 10, 12, 13 offered very little at all. I think it’s going to be a tough season

Kinghorn is streets ahead of Jaco in every department. We have Boffelli to come in at fullback.

I don't see the point of having Charlie Shiel, one of the most exciting scrum halfs in the league, sitting on the pine for 80 minutes for two weeks in a row.
I think Lang can develop into a decent 12 for us, Currie is going to be a real player at 13, but in the meantime Bennett has been good in the first two games and we "rested him"

It was good to see Bradbury back and carrying well.

[robmatic]

Odd game at MM tonight - loved the stadium though, really great set up and not a rip off at all - unless you want a soft drink.

Anyway, after being roundly ridiculed for saying Jaco was shite literally seconds before he made his first break and set up the try, I’m sticking to my guns on that one. His kicking was aimless and very few passes were accurate. It seemed to me that 10, 12, 13 offered very little at all. I think it’s going to be a tough season

I think MOTM Jaco did enough to keep his place. Hutchison wasn't great, wasn't breaking the line and threw some ungenerous passes, think we'd have been better off with Lang & Bennett.

[Biffer]

My worry at Edinburgh under Blair is that the culture will revert to what it was when he played at the club. To chummy, too much patting on the back. I’m worried we’re already seeing that in the Fuckups in the last two games.

[Big D]

Odd game at MM tonight - loved the stadium though, really great set up and not a rip off at all - unless you want a soft drink.

Anyway, after being roundly ridiculed for saying Jaco was shite literally seconds before he made his first break and set up the try, I’m sticking to my guns on that one. His kicking was aimless and very few passes were accurate. It seemed to me that 10, 12, 13 offered very little at all. I think it’s going to be a tough season

He was poor in the second half. His passing off his left hand is poor and he was sending runners straight into contact in behind the attacking line.

The halve backs again combined to give no real control in the second half. One out runners, poor decision making and no leadership coming to the fore.

Many of the new signings really not impressing; Immelman has been very poor, Lang out of position at 13 and De Bruin could have been hooked earlier.

A second week of leaving a win out there when a bit of leadership would have seen them over the line.

[robmatic]

Glasgow due to announce a new signing today. Presumably a second row as they are short there?

[robmatic]

Glasgow due to announce a new signing today. Presumably a second row as they are short there?

Tongan winger Walter Fifita joins from North Harbour in the NPC.

[Begbie]

[I like neeps]

Not too happy about this we don't need a backrow. Need to stop poaching now methinks. How many saffers in the squad tomorrow: Nel, VdM, Schoeman, Kebble, Richardson, potentially VdW? Bit much.

[NorfolkScot]

I think there's a difference between Richardson and the others as he obviously qualifies via a parent or grandparent while the others qualified via residency. I'll admit that the grandparent route is a bit more dubious, but these things are a bit messy on the modern world - he's only 22, so there'd still be plenty of time for him to be picked by the boks if that's what he really wanted, instead it sounds like he's thrown his lot in with us and, if he's good enough, great!

[Tichtheid]

It's an odd selection, imo. The one area where we have some pool depth is at flanker, not only the incumbents and those around the squad but the young guys coming through like Darge, Boyle and Morris.

If the Stormers No.8 had a granny from Hawick, that would be nice

[Slick]

It's an odd selection, imo. The one area where we have some pool depth is at flanker, not only the incumbents and those around the squad but the young guys coming through like Darge, Boyle and Morris.

If the Stormers No.8 had a granny from Hawick, that would be nice

Yes, you’ve got to wonder how this impacts young players coming through. I’d imagine it would be a lot easier to swallow if it was a position that was a weakness but it must grate when guys are taking places in a position of strength.

In saying all this, if he scores the winning try in the Calcutta Cup no one gives a shit

[dpedin]

It's an odd selection, imo. The one area where we have some pool depth is at flanker, not only the incumbents and those around the squad but the young guys coming through like Darge, Boyle and Morris.

If the Stormers No.8 had a granny from Hawick, that would be nice

Yes, you’ve got to wonder how this impacts young players coming through. I’d imagine it would be a lot easier to swallow if it was a position that was a weakness but it must grate when guys are taking places in a position of strength.

In saying all this, if he scores the winning try in the Calcutta Cup no one gives a shit

He can play hooker as well so perhaps there is more to it than first thought?

[I like neeps]

It's an odd selection, imo. The one area where we have some pool depth is at flanker, not only the incumbents and those around the squad but the young guys coming through like Darge, Boyle and Morris.

If the Stormers No.8 had a granny from Hawick, that would be nice

Yes, you’ve got to wonder how this impacts young players coming through. I’d imagine it would be a lot easier to swallow if it was a position that was a weakness but it must grate when guys are taking places in a position of strength.

In saying all this, if he scores the winning try in the Calcutta Cup no one gives a shit

He can play hooker as well so perhaps there is more to it than first thought?

Worries me a bit why he's in the back row if he plays hooker. If we're picking the Sharks back row as a hooker internationally we're screwed.

Also flanker depth isn't great we have Ritchie and Watson who are great but behind them a lot of average or uncapped.

[Yr Alban]

Hey, it’s expanding the player pool. I’ve come to terms with that. When we have 3 pro teams, let alone 4, perhaps we can be choosier, but until then I’ll happily take anyone who wants to commit to us. At least this guy is young, and hasn’t made this decision after figuring out he won’t get a game for SA.

Is the squad announced tomorrow? I am still crossing my fingers and hoping to see Dingwall in there. You never know.

[dpedin]

Yes, you’ve got to wonder how this impacts young players coming through. I’d imagine it would be a lot easier to swallow if it was a position that was a weakness but it must grate when guys are taking places in a position of strength.

In saying all this, if he scores the winning try in the Calcutta Cup no one gives a shit

He can play hooker as well so perhaps there is more to it than first thought?

Worries me a bit why he's in the back row if he plays hooker. If we're picking the Sharks back row as a hooker internationally we're screwed.

Also flanker depth isn't great we have Ritchie and Watson who are great but behind them a lot of average or uncapped.

I seem to remember another flanker who went on to become an international hooker! My point is we don't know an awful lot about him nor what the future plans for him might be. If the guy is keen to play for us, is deemed good enough and is eligible then I am open to him being selected for the squad. If he is better than the others then he will become established in the squad/team if not then he won't be. At least give him a chance and see what he is like - if nothing else it might mean others have to up their game if there is greater competition for places.

[I like neeps]

He can play hooker as well so perhaps there is more to it than first thought?

Worries me a bit why he's in the back row if he plays hooker. If we're picking the Sharks back row as a hooker internationally we're screwed.

Also flanker depth isn't great we have Ritchie and Watson who are great but behind them a lot of average or uncapped.

I seem to remember another flanker who went on to become an international hooker! My point is we don't know an awful lot about him nor what the future plans for him might be. If the guy is keen to play for us, is deemed good enough and is eligible then I am open to him being selected for the squad. If he is better than the others then he will become established in the squad/team if not then he won't be. At least give him a chance and see what he is like - if nothing else it might mean others have to up their game if there is greater competition for places.

Sure but this guy is contracted to the sharks so it's not our decision where he plays for his club. We kind of need them (who have been playing him at 7 all year) to also play him at hooker.

[westport]

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has today named a 36-man squad for a two day training camp ahead of the first game of the 2021 Autumn Nations Series.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/scot ... WB7k096q4o