The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

Possibly meant Bayliss?

Maybe. Shame that one, Mercer would be a 50 cap international for us by now. A cautionary tale I would be discussing with every dual eligible player who might be picked for us.

Zac Mercer lived his dream of playing for England on the other hand. Also it's not a very good cautionary tale: "we think England will cap you and drop you whereas for us you'll get 50 caps". As (a) you're talking your team down and (b) you're telling a player you're trying to impress you don't think they're as good as England's existing players.

I don’t think so, we’ve just had an issue at number 8 specifically for some time now. I think these are exactly the stories you would expect to be told; they would revolve around player x being the missing piece of our puzzle where they wouldn’t have such an impact for the other team. It’s about them being valued and wanted, to characterise the other side as not valuing them as much is a standard tactic I would think. They are professional sportspeople, this will be a constant conversation they have with and through their agents.

[Big D]

Mercer is a totally different case. He was only SQ so long as he lived in the country and we didn't offer him a pro deal at 17/18 which Scottish clubs rarely do for anyone.

Dingwall etc have to weigh up becoming less valuable to their club the minute they accept a Scotland cap.

Redpath was different again as Bath paid a transfer fee for him and was on a long term deal so he was in no risk of being hurt in contract negotiations.

[TartanBear]

Yes, meant Bayliss! He’s shown some decent quality on the (admittedly few) occasions I’ve endured a Barf game.

[Biffer]

I forgot about Bayliss, definitely expect him to be in.

I think there will by necessity be a large number without any pro game time coming into this. I wouldn't be too worried about the props, fitness isn't really their thing anyway!

Fit for purpose, fit for purpose.

[dpedin]

I forgot about Bayliss, definitely expect him to be in.

I think there will by necessity be a large number without any pro game time coming into this. I wouldn't be too worried about the props, fitness isn't really their thing anyway!

Fit for purpose, fit for purpose.

I can't see anyone playing in AI without at least one pro game under their belt beforehand. I think the Embra/Weegie selections this weekend will be illuminating and let us know who is likely to feature. Cant see the point in risking the likes of Watson or Price in an AI not having played for months. Going into a URC game against Zebra after a lay off is one thing, facing Australia or SA is a completely different thing!

[I like neeps]

Maybe. Shame that one, Mercer would be a 50 cap international for us by now. A cautionary tale I would be discussing with every dual eligible player who might be picked for us.

Zac Mercer lived his dream of playing for England on the other hand. Also it's not a very good cautionary tale: "we think England will cap you and drop you whereas for us you'll get 50 caps". As (a) you're talking your team down and (b) you're telling a player you're trying to impress you don't think they're as good as England's existing players.

I don’t think so, we’ve just had an issue at number 8 specifically for some time now. I think these are exactly the stories you would expect to be told; they would revolve around player x being the missing piece of our puzzle where they wouldn’t have such an impact for the other team. It’s about them being valued and wanted, to characterise the other side as not valuing them as much is a standard tactic I would think. They are professional sportspeople, this will be a constant conversation they have with and through their agents.

Equally he was England under20s captain and picked for them as a very young man. England were also saying that to him.

And as mentioned when he left to Bath he was no longer SQ anyway.

[sockwithaticket]

Mercer is a totally different case. He was only SQ so long as he lived in the country and we didn't offer him a pro deal at 17/18 which Scottish clubs rarely do for anyone.

Dingwall etc have to weigh up becoming less valuable to their club the minute they accept a Scotland cap.

Redpath was different again as Bath paid a transfer fee for him and was on a long term deal so he was in no risk of being hurt in contract negotiations.

Sorry to interject chaps, but I just wanted to point out that this is going to be increasingly relevant for dual qualified players if they want to play their club rugby in England.

- clubs are particularly cash strapped after covid, so meeting the current EQP incentives for cash from the RFU is a bigger deal than it was
- some clubs have reduced squad size a bit in response to the salary cap reducing which means they have fewer players with which to meet the incentive criteria (at the moment I believe it's the matchday squad averaging 15 EQPs over the course of the season).
- non-EQP players who disappear during international periods aren't as valuable as players available all season round (always been the case, but more acute in light of the above)
- it was suggested that the RFU would be bringing in new criteria for EQPs in the near future, 15 for each Prem matchday squad rather than as an average over the season

For those who back themselves to become regular internationals, maybe not such a big deal, but for those who realise they may just be fringe players with a handful of caps in their future it might be more worth their while to remain uncapped and EQP.

[Yr Alban]

Proper squad is out. Bayliss in, but no Vellacott or Dingwall, sadly. Tupilotu (sp?) in. Matt Scott gets a recall (delighted for him). Ashman also in - I expect him to bench v Tonga.

[westport]

Autumn Nations Series Squad

Forwards:
Ewan Ashman – Sale Sharks - uncapped
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby - uncapped
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps
Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps
Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps
Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps
Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps


Backs:
Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 28 caps
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 23 caps
Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – 85 caps
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps
Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Huw Jones – Harlequins – 31 caps
Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
Duhan van de Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 10 caps
Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 55 caps
Matt Scott – Leicester Tigers – 39 caps
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

[robmatic]

Autumn Nations Series Squad

Forwards:
Ewan Ashman – Sale Sharks - uncapped
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby - uncapped
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps
Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps
Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps
Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps
Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps


Backs:
Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 28 caps
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 23 caps
Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – 85 caps
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps
Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Huw Jones – Harlequins – 31 caps
Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
Duhan van de Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 10 caps
Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 55 caps
Matt Scott – Leicester Tigers – 39 caps
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

There are a few players in there who have had no rugby yet this season.

[Yr Alban]

Autumn Nations Series Squad

Forwards:
Ewan Ashman – Sale Sharks - uncapped
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby - uncapped
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps
Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps
Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps
Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps
Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps


Backs:
Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 28 caps
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 23 caps
Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – 85 caps
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps
Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Huw Jones – Harlequins – 31 caps
Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
Duhan van de Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 10 caps
Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 55 caps
Matt Scott – Leicester Tigers – 39 caps
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

There are a few players in there who have had no rugby yet this season.

Yup. Is Zander one of them? No Nel and no Berghan, so his backup must be McCallum?

[vball]

Second row looks a problem area. Cummings and both Grays out. Suppose Harley could do a job there but thought Ryan Wilson was playing better of late.

[robmatic]

Autumn Nations Series Squad

Forwards:
Ewan Ashman – Sale Sharks - uncapped
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby - uncapped
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps
Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps
Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps
Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps
Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps


Backs:
Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 28 caps
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 23 caps
Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – 85 caps
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps
Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
Huw Jones – Harlequins – 31 caps
Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
Duhan van de Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 10 caps
Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 55 caps
Matt Scott – Leicester Tigers – 39 caps
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

There are a few players in there who have had no rugby yet this season.

Yup. Is Zander one of them? No Nel and no Berghan, so his backup must be McCallum?

Yeah, Zander hasn't played. Kebble played tighthead against Zebre, maybe he's viewed as an option as well?

[robmatic]

Second row looks a problem area. Cummings and both Grays out. Suppose Harley could do a job there but thought Ryan Wilson was playing better of late.

Neither of those two should be playing second row internationally. Hodgson and Sykes have been showing up well for Edinburgh but are both very inexperienced. At least Gilchrist is back in decent form though.

[I like neeps]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

[Yr Alban]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

[I like neeps]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

That's true I always forget about Gilchrist I guess he's fine.

I'd have Hutchinson in as the Cam Redpath role rather than Johnson. I think Scott deserves his chance. I guess it's good for Bennett to be back and he's been mostly good for Edinburgh this year. I just think both lack top end international class.

[SaintK]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

Scott hasn't had much rugby the past few weeks as he copped a 3 match ban.
Very happy in a selfish way that Hutchinson and Dingwall haven't made the squad. Hopefully Saints will find some real consistency in their backline with them both available
Would Swinson be an outside bert if there are any injuries amongst the locks? He appears to have nailed down a starting position at Sarries and is playing well

[Yr Alban]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

That's true I always forget about Gilchrist I guess he's fine.

I'd have Hutchinson in as the Cam Redpath role rather than Johnson. I think Scott deserves his chance. I guess it's good for Bennett to be back and he's been mostly good for Edinburgh this year. I just think both lack top end international class.

I think Scott suffered hugely from having broken through at a time when we lacked any talent at 10, and our back play was pedestrian at best. If he had come into a team with a Russell or a Hastings, I think he’d have had a different career. As it was, he was a ball playing 12 introduced to a struggling back division, who understandably enough struggled to make much of an impression and was then dropped for Alex Dunbar (who was an excellent defender but a very different player).

Now we are in an entirely different place. We have talent throughout the backs and don’t struggle for tries. Scott is 31 and can’t be seen as the future, but he deserves the chance to play in a Scotland team where he doesn’t have the burden of being the sole source of creativity.

[Tichtheid]

Always disappointed when Hutchinson isn't involved.

Second row is very thin indeed I wonder if Henderson or Davidson have been spoken to. I like Sykes and Hodgson and Harley are fine. But going up against the SA behemoths and even Skelton for Australia...

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

Scott hasn't had much rugby the past few weeks as he copped a 3 match ban.
Very happy in a selfish way that Hutchinson and Dingwall haven't made the squad. Hopefully Saints will find some real consistency in their backline with them both available
Would Swinson be an outside bert if there are any injuries amongst the locks? He appears to have nailed down a starting position at Sarries and is playing well

Scott has started in 4 of the 5 games so far, the only one he missed was Oct. 2nd against Saracens

[SaintK]

I’m assuming that Gilchrist and Skinner will be our starters v the big boys, with one of the others on the bench. We do look very light in that position with three of our most experienced Test players out of contention.

EDIT: once again, sorry for Hutchinson, but agree with the recall of Bennett and Scott.

Scott hasn't had much rugby the past few weeks as he copped a 3 match ban.
Very happy in a selfish way that Hutchinson and Dingwall haven't made the squad. Hopefully Saints will find some real consistency in their backline with them both available
Would Swinson be an outside bert if there are any injuries amongst the locks? He appears to have nailed down a starting position at Sarries and is playing well

Scott has started in 4 of the 5 games so far, the only one he missed was Oct. 2nd against Saracens

Aaaah! Of course, it was Kelly that copped 3 matches not Scott!!

[Yr Alban]

Glasgow team for Leinster includes Richie Gray and also has Cole Forbes on the bench. So, neither is injured, just left out. Which I find truly bizarre in the case of Gray, given the injuries to multiple second rows.

Ross Thompson also named at 15. Is it now SRU policy to play players out of their natural position?

[Slick]

Glasgow team for Leinster includes Richie Gray and also has Cole Forbes on the bench. So, neither is injured, just left out. Which I find truly bizarre in the case of Gray, given the injuries to multiple second rows.

Ross Thompson also named at 15. Is it now SRU policy to play players out of their natural position?

Has Gray definitely made himself available?

[Yr Alban]

Glasgow team for Leinster includes Richie Gray and also has Cole Forbes on the bench. So, neither is injured, just left out. Which I find truly bizarre in the case of Gray, given the injuries to multiple second rows.

Ross Thompson also named at 15. Is it now SRU policy to play players out of their natural position?

Has Gray definitely made himself available?

Dunno. I remember he made himself unavailable for the RWC, but he hasn’t retired, AFAIK?

[Slick]

Glasgow team for Leinster includes Richie Gray and also has Cole Forbes on the bench. So, neither is injured, just left out. Which I find truly bizarre in the case of Gray, given the injuries to multiple second rows.

Ross Thompson also named at 15. Is it now SRU policy to play players out of their natural position?

Has Gray definitely made himself available?

Dunno. I remember he made himself unavailable for the RWC, but he hasn’t retired, AFAIK?

I thought he had made himself unavailable on at least one other occasion but could be completely wrong

[KingBlairhorn]

Has Gray definitely made himself available?

Dunno. I remember he made himself unavailable for the RWC, but he hasn’t retired, AFAIK?

I thought he had made himself unavailable on at least one other occasion but could be completely wrong

He made himself unavailable when he had a young family, as his partner would have been left in France on her own with no support network. As far as I know he hasn't retired, but I would think the SRU are being ultra-cautious given his injury history. He's still, unbelievably, only 32 (just). Managed properly he could go for another 3 or 4 years.

I see Leinster have gone more or less full bhuna for this one. Unfortunately I do not see it ending well for Glasgow. Not ideal prep for an international period, having a bunch of returning players get skelped but it is what it is.

[Yr Alban]

Dunno. I remember he made himself unavailable for the RWC, but he hasn’t retired, AFAIK?

I thought he had made himself unavailable on at least one other occasion but could be completely wrong

He made himself unavailable when he had a young family, as his partner would have been left in France on her own with no support network. As far as I know he hasn't retired, but I would think the SRU are being ultra-cautious given his injury history. He's still, unbelievably, only 32 (just). Managed properly he could go for another 3 or 4 years.

I see Leinster have gone more or less full bhuna for this one. Unfortunately I do not see it ending well for Glasgow. Not ideal prep for an international period, having a bunch of returning players get skelped but it is what it is.

Glasgow have a strong side out, but I suspect you’re right. Price and Fagerson will be rusty, and Leinster seem to have the frustrating ability to roll over Scottish teams even when they’re understrength and we aren’t.

[I like neeps]

Richie Gray was totally ineffective Vs Leinster. Maybe he's just not picked as he's not good anymore?

Also on the Leinster game they were a class apart. Sione Tuipolotu was responsible for two of their tries as he was beaten far too easily. I don't see an international 13.

[Oxbow]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

[I like neeps]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

[SaintK]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

Apart from one brainfart clearance kick that was charged down for a try, Hutchinson was sublime!

[I like neeps]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

Apart from one brainfart clearance kick that was charged down for a try, Hutchinson was sublime!

And from what I saw the chargedown was great play from Worcester as they read what the saints plan was.

What I like about how Saints use Hutchinson is that he's essentially the primary playmaker. Imagine what you could do with Russell at 10 and Hutchison in at 12 - especially Townsend a man who used to be for attacking rugby. Put Hutchinson in the Redpath role - he's better than Redpath anyway!

[Yr Alban]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

It’s a bit of an odd one TBH. Toony mentioned his name after the squad was announced, as if to say ‘I haven’t frozen him out’. Chris Harris has the 13 shirt locked down right now, but 12 is absolutely up for grabs with Redpath injured, as is demonstrated by Matt Scott getting a (deserved) recall at 31. Not sure what Hutchinson needs to do. I was hoping for a Dingwall change of heart, since the pair of them are tearing things up right now.

EDIT: the worst part about this result was that the Worcester side contained two of our Lions. Never understood why either of them chose Worcester in the first place.

[KingBlairhorn]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

Do you think? Better than (on form) Huw Jones?

For me the issue is Toonie wants a distributor in the 12 shirt and a defender in the 13 shirt. Johnstone and Redpath are both that, as is Lang to a certain extent. That’s why the likes of Scott hasn’t had much of a look in either. Scott and Hutchinson are both running 12s (from what little I’ve seen of Hutch, which to be fair isn’t much).

[I like neeps]

Both Hutchinson and Dingwall played really well last night (albeit against a shite Worcester side), as a Saints fan I'm happy they're not in the squad, but I can't understand why Hutch isn't getting a look in. Has he done something to upset the management, or are Scotland that blessed at centre at the moment?

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

Do you think? Better than (on form) Huw Jones?

For me the issue is Toonie wants a distributor in the 12 shirt and a defender in the 13 shirt. Johnstone and Redpath are both that, as is Lang to a certain extent. That’s why the likes of Scott hasn’t had much of a look in either. Scott and Hutchinson are both running 12s (from what little I’ve seen of Hutch, which to be fair isn’t much).

Different type of attacker. Jones is a runner who doesn't do much else. Hutchinson is a playmaker who has delightful distribution but can also run good lines. Would I expect Hutchinson to score the two tries Jones did Vs England? No. I don't think Jones does that these days, though. As Jones could not do what saints have Hutchinson doing.

I agree but Hutchinson plays 12 for saints and is their key distributor and playmaker.

[Yr Alban]

Townsend doesn't like his defence. But he's easily the most gifted Scottish centre in attack so I can't understand it. As we all saw yesterday Tuipolotu isn't so good there and nor is Huw Jones. It's frustrating I could watch Hutchinson play all day.

Do you think? Better than (on form) Huw Jones?

For me the issue is Toonie wants a distributor in the 12 shirt and a defender in the 13 shirt. Johnstone and Redpath are both that, as is Lang to a certain extent. That’s why the likes of Scott hasn’t had much of a look in either. Scott and Hutchinson are both running 12s (from what little I’ve seen of Hutch, which to be fair isn’t much).

Different type of attacker. Jones is a runner who doesn't do much else. Hutchinson is a playmaker who has delightful distribution but can also run good lines. Would I expect Hutchinson to score the two tries Jones did Vs England? No. I don't think Jones does that these days, though. As Jones could not do what saints have Hutchinson doing.

I agree but Hutchinson plays 12 for saints and is their key distributor and playmaker.

He really should be getting a shot at 12 for us.

[Tichtheid]

Townsend doesn't like his defence

Same story with Matt Scott and Mark Bennett, but they seem to have redeemed themselves

[Biffer]

Edinburgh v Zebre very much a case of who made fewer mistake. Not even one for the purists. But Edinburgh got the bonus point late so job done. Kinghorn didn't look good at ten tbh.

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh v Zebre very much a case of who made fewer mistake. Not even one for the purists. But Edinburgh got the bonus point late so job done. Kinghorn didn't look good at ten tbh.

Kinghorn was in the back foot for a lot of the time, but one howling pass aside, I thought he showed a good bit of control without tearing the opposition apart, it’s a steep learning curve and he showed more focus at ten than he has done at times in the back three

[robmatic]

Edinburgh v Zebre very much a case of who made fewer mistake. Not even one for the purists. But Edinburgh got the bonus point late so job done. Kinghorn didn't look good at ten tbh.

Thought Kinghorn did well for Blain's try but spent most of the game struggling in heavy traffic.