The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

Thistle podcast are suggesting that Tuipulotu will be playing 12 and Kinghorn will be on the wing at the weekend.

The only way I could see Tuipulotu at 12 is if Sam Johnson is injured, which would be a body blow.

I can see Kinghorn at 14 though.

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

[robmatic]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

[I like neeps]

The only way I could see Tuipulotu at 12 is if Sam Johnson is injured, which would be a body blow.

I can see Kinghorn at 14 though.

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

He looks like he could be the big basher at 12 we've wanted for some time - agree don't see it with him at 13. Doesn't really make sense to drop Johnson who had one of his better games though.

[dpedin]

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

He looks like he could be the big basher at 12 we've wanted for some time - agree don't see it with him at 13. Doesn't really make sense to drop Johnson who had one of his better games though.

I don't see a need to change the midfield, both played well against Aussies and were solid in defence. I suspect however we might see change on wing given the arial bombardment we will get, Steyn might be a replacement for Graham who I think can do more damage off the bench. I also worry about our TH options, Fagerson is solid but can't see Kebble as a bench option, bring back Nel for the last 20mins!

[JM2K6]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

It was in the context of Ashman getting a callup - Ashman was always likely to go the Scotland route, Rodd the England one.

[sockwithaticket]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

U18s and U20s.

[Slick]

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

He looks like he could be the big basher at 12 we've wanted for some time - agree don't see it with him at 13. Doesn't really make sense to drop Johnson who had one of his better games though.

I just haven’t seen anything at all that makes me think he’s an international player, 12 or 13

[Yr Alban]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

EDIT: I have no problem at all with Rodd choosing England. Only with the way it’s being reported.

[Slick]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

I was delighted to find out Marcus Smith was born and lived in Singapore until he was 11. Should be able to have some fun with that in the future

[JM2K6]

Fancy some salt with that, chaps? :)

[robmatic]

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

I was delighted to find out Marcus Smith was born and lived in Singapore until he was 11. Should be able to have some fun with that in the future

That's an outrageous poach.

[sockwithaticket]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

EDIT: I have no problem at all with Rodd choosing England. Only with the way it’s being reported.

Oh yeah, no other side's ever caught flack for that...

[inactionman]

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

I was delighted to find out Marcus Smith was born and lived in Singapore until he was 11. Should be able to have some fun with that in the future

I may be being whooshed, but he was born in manila.

[Yr Alban]

Fancy some salt with that, chaps? :)

Honestly, from the way it gets reported sometimes, you’d think Scotland were the only team to ever have capped anyone born outside the country. Lots of stats on how many ‘foreign born players’ each squad had at the last RWC. But that attitude makes John Barclay Chinese, Parisse Argentinian, ROG American and Jamie Heaslip Israeli.

[Yr Alban]

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

EDIT: I have no problem at all with Rodd choosing England. Only with the way it’s being reported.

Oh yeah, no other side's ever caught flack for that...

We get it a lot more than most. Yeah, we’ve made more use of the grandparent rule than most countries, but we’ve only had a few players qualify by residence. And although there have certainly been players who would have played for someone else if asked, you also get guys like Hamish Watson, who despite qualifying via a grandparent, was brought to watch Scotland from childhood.

[JM2K6]

Fancy some salt with that, chaps? :)

Honestly, from the way it gets reported sometimes, you’d think Scotland were the only team to ever have capped anyone born outside the country. Lots of stats on how many ‘foreign born players’ each squad had at the last RWC. But that attitude makes John Barclay Chinese, Parisse Argentinian, ROG American and Jamie Heaslip Israeli.

And no one ever referred to Barclay as China-born in the media. I think you're reading a lot into this.

[Yr Alban]

Fancy some salt with that, chaps? :)

Honestly, from the way it gets reported sometimes, you’d think Scotland were the only team to ever have capped anyone born outside the country. Lots of stats on how many ‘foreign born players’ each squad had at the last RWC. But that attitude makes John Barclay Chinese, Parisse Argentinian, ROG American and Jamie Heaslip Israeli.

And no one ever referred to Barclay as China-born in the media. I think you're reading a lot into this.

No, but he was counted as ‘not Scottish’ in the numbers.

[Big D]

Honestly, from the way it gets reported sometimes, you’d think Scotland were the only team to ever have capped anyone born outside the country. Lots of stats on how many ‘foreign born players’ each squad had at the last RWC. But that attitude makes John Barclay Chinese, Parisse Argentinian, ROG American and Jamie Heaslip Israeli.

And no one ever referred to Barclay as China-born in the media. I think you're reading a lot into this.

No, but he was counted as ‘not Scottish’ in the numbers.

They did that for evey nation. And in those lists the likes of Heaslip was always mentioned too.

Non issue.

[Begbie]

[Yr Alban]

And no one ever referred to Barclay as China-born in the media. I think you're reading a lot into this.

No, but he was counted as ‘not Scottish’ in the numbers.

They did that for evey nation. And in those lists the likes of Heaslip was always mentioned too.

Non issue.

If you say so. I maintain that if it had been the other way round, ‘English-born’ would have been the first words in the article. But I can’t prove that, of course.

In other news: the Thistle rugby pod has reported first that Tuipilotu was playing 12 in training, and now that he pulled up and Scott may be in line for a start. Scenes if true.

[Big D]

Of interest here - Bevan Rodd called up to England squad to replace the isolating Joe Marler.

Was there talk of him being picked for Scotland at one point?

He was born in Scotland so is eligible, but he plays professional rugby and hasn't been in or near the squad so can't have made himself available. Think he played for England at age group level.

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

EDIT: I have no problem at all with Rodd choosing England. Only with the way it’s being reported.

Their first two paragraphs some up the situation exactly how it is.

"Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into England's squad to face Australia in place of the isolating Joe Marler.

Rodd, 21, was born in Scotland but played for England at loosehead at age-grade level and a senior cap would commit him to Eddie Jones' side."

How many players have we had that was English born but lived here all their days, played age grade etc, turned pro here be capped and referred to as English born?

Rodd's history isn't widely known from what I can find but he has been out of Scotland at the very least since 10 years old.

[charltom]

The only way I could see Tuipulotu at 12 is if Sam Johnson is injured, which would be a body blow.

I can see Kinghorn at 14 though.

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

Ditto, and I would be shocked if Kinghorn was on the wing, just when we have got some great talent there AND he's been playing at 10 all season. Therefore, perhaps it'll happen. Big he may be, but I've never perceived him as much use defensively.

[Big D]

Yeah, I can see Kinghorn at 14 also. We must have a better centre available than Tuipulota if Johnson is injured, that scares me.

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

Ditto, and I would be shocked if Kinghorn was on the wing, just when we have got some great talent there AND he's been playing at 10 all season. Therefore, perhaps it'll happen. Big he may be, but I've never perceived him as much use defensively.

Not that I agree with him, Toony specifically name checked Kinghorn and defence at the start of camp. He's never let Townsend down and has a big boot so can see why GT may go for him.

I wonder if we will see a bit more of a Tombola type selection for this one.

[charltom]

I'm not fully convinced by Tuipulotu yet but Toonie seems to have a thing for him.

Ditto, and I would be shocked if Kinghorn was on the wing, just when we have got some great talent there AND he's been playing at 10 all season. Therefore, perhaps it'll happen. Big he may be, but I've never perceived him as much use defensively.

Not that I agree with him, Toony specifically name checked Kinghorn and defence at the start of camp. He's never let Townsend down and has a big boot so can see why GT may go for him.

I wonder if we will see a bit more of a Tombola type selection for this one.

He did. It's worrying. Maybe it's bluff tombola...

[Tichtheid]

Darcy Graham is a brilliant player, he stands at five foot nine.

Blair Kinghorn is also a brilliant player, he is six foot four. jumps well and is secure under the high ball (as is Graham btw).

If you were expecting a whole load of bombs being put up, it would make sense to play the guy seven inches taller than the other, and also taller than the opposition.

[Yr Alban]

Now they’re talking about Haining…

[Yr Alban]

Darcy Graham is a brilliant player, he stands at five foot nine.

Blair Kinghorn is also a brilliant player, he is six foot four. jumps well and is secure under the high ball (as is Graham btw).

If you were expecting a whole load of bombs being put up, it would make sense to play the guy seven inches taller than the other, and also taller than the opposition.

Aye, but he hasn’t been showing his best form and has been playing stand-off. Steyn is a solid defender and six-one?

[Big D]

Definitely the Tombola game.

[Big D]

Now they’re talking about Haining…

I don't think that's unreasonable.

[Yr Alban]

Now they’re talking about Haining…

I don't think that's unreasonable.

Agreed. But slightly unexpected. Or maybe not - he’s been called on for a couple of big games before.

[Slick]

I’m slightly annoyed at the BBC story on this. They lead off with ‘Uncapped Sale prop Bevan Rodd, who also qualifies for Scotland, has been called into the England squad…’

If this were a player born in England being called up to our squad, I’d bet serious money that opening sentence would have been ‘English-born Sale prop… has been called into the Scotland squad.’ A subtle difference perhaps, but the point that the player wasn’t born in Scotland would be the first thing in the article. But somehow it’s only Scotland who get criticised for picking players born elsewhere. Rodd will be excused as ‘learned his rugby in England’ whereas Rufus McLean (clearly developed in Scotland) will be counted against us because he was born in Boston.

I was delighted to find out Marcus Smith was born and lived in Singapore until he was 11. Should be able to have some fun with that in the future

I may be being whooshed, but he was born in manila.

Same thing.

For avoidance of doubt that was said in a Partridge voice. But in the report in The Times today it said he was born and raised in Singapore

[robmatic]

Now they’re talking about Haining…

If he's fit, I'd have him in ahead of Fagerson anyway.

[Jock42]

WTF are you cunts on? I'm not going to pretend that was a faultless display but that was a good game all in. Even in beating one of the top teams in the world some of you are trying to be as negative as possible.

Nah, I think it's you that is failing to acknowledge that there are still a number of star players underperforming, making shit choices and stupid mistakes at this level when we know they shouldn't and that we don't see other top teams doing.
We are more than capable of putting the likes of Australia to the sword, but instead we scrambled a win. Australia were a seriously mediocre team but poor decisions/play by Johnson, Fagerson, Hogg and Horne butchered 4 clear cut opportunities that should have made the result far more clear cut. On top of that we have idiots like Zander who seems capable of a serious discipline fuck up at every opportunity. I don't think we should be delighted with scrapping a win when we know we have the players who are capable of doing so much more. If i'm a cunt for thinking that then so be it.

I thought you were ex-army? I've never known a squaddie to be irked by the use of cunt. Sure it wasn't the WRVS you were in?

[Jock42]

Something positive on here for a change (unless you're Tuipulotu of course).

[Yr Alban]

I was delighted to find out Marcus Smith was born and lived in Singapore until he was 11. Should be able to have some fun with that in the future

I may be being whooshed, but he was born in manila.

Same thing.

For avoidance of doubt that was said in a Partridge voice. But in the report in The Times today it said he was born and raised in Singapore

I wouldn’t trust a Murdoch paper if it printed that bears shat in the woods. However, that increasingly applies to pretty much all of the UK mainstream media.

[charltom]

Scotland team to face South Africa at BT Murrayfield live on Amazon Prime – Saturday 13 November 2021 – kick-off 1pm.



15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) – 86 caps

14. Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors - 1 cap

13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 29 caps

12. Matt Scott – Leicester Tigers – 39 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 11 caps

10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - (Vice-Captain) – 56 caps

9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 44 caps



1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 2 caps

2. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby - 41 caps

3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 40 caps

4. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 13 caps

5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 46 caps

6. Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 9 caps

7. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) – 29 caps

8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 15 caps




Replacements


16. Ewan Ashman – Sale Sharks – 1 cap

17. Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 20 caps

18. Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 10 caps

19. Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – 2 caps

20. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps

21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 15 caps

22. Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 24 caps

23. Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 26 caps

[charltom]

Very exciting... but Watson off the bench?

I hope the starting props last the full 80...

[vball]

Watson carrying a slight knock or maybe just tired from Sunday ?

[I like neeps]

Dropping our best player for South Africa is it.

[Slick]

Suddenly that team doesn't excite me very much..