The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

Mike Adamson not making many friends in Aus tonight. The Welsh scored a try from an interception where Tompkins stuck out one hand and failed to catch the ball. Adams allowed the play to continue as the ball went backwards. He was right, but 99/100 that is given as a knock-on and a yellow card. Obviously Aus had a player red carded too, as is tradition for any team playing Wales. Wales are having the jammiest year of rugby that has ever been!

Well no, 99/100 times it's a knock on - he knocked it backwards.

I know people can be a bit salty about this but if it goes backwards it's fine

It does. But the vast majority of referees blow for a knock-on for any handling error, no matter which way the ball went. It’s a long-term annoyance of mine.

Edit: I didn’t see the Wales game, but this sounds very reminiscent of Maitland’s YC from two RWCs ago. Surely, if you go for an interception and don’t catch the ball, it doesn’t matter whether the ball went forward or not?

He didn't really go for the intercept - he went to slap it backwards, and managed it. If you manage to get your hand that far out then it's fairly obvious that it's not a knock on, especially when the ball bounces closer to your body than your hand...

Agreed there's probably been a few "not actually forward" ones blown up before, but the nature of this one meant it was pretty clearly a slap back.

[I like neeps]

I also think I’ll forgive myself for getting a bit misty eyed about Hoggy tonight after his try scoring record.

I don’t think you can overestimate the impact he has had on Scottish rugby over the last decade. He’s meant that we can have conversations with any rugby supporters around the globe about world class players, his captaincy has brought an enormous amount of pride to us all and the way he plays has admiration from every corner of the rugby world (high balls apart…)

He is certainly a generational talent for us and we might not realise how much of an impact he has had until he’s gone.

He certainly has. One day he'll reflect on a pretty good career. Was glad to see him win big club competitions too.

When he and Finn call time I think they'll leave pretty big holes (Finn less so). Both are 29, so have time but this is likely the last world cup cycle with them as key factors.

100% agree about Hogg. Ever since his debut Vs Wales Scotland's trajectory has been mostly upwards apart from the Cardiff incident.

Hogg gets some stick from fans but imagine Graham/Kinghorn at fullback. The good times don't happen without him b

[KingBlairhorn]

Well no, 99/100 times it's a knock on - he knocked it backwards.

I know people can be a bit salty about this but if it goes backwards it's fine

It does. But the vast majority of referees blow for a knock-on for any handling error, no matter which way the ball went. It’s a long-term annoyance of mine.

Edit: I didn’t see the Wales game, but this sounds very reminiscent of Maitland’s YC from two RWCs ago. Surely, if you go for an interception and don’t catch the ball, it doesn’t matter whether the ball went forward or not?

He didn't really go for the intercept - he went to slap it backwards, and managed it. If you manage to get your hand that far out then it's fairly obvious that it's not a knock on, especially when the ball bounces closer to your body than your hand...

Agreed there's probably been a few "not actually forward" ones blown up before, but the nature of this one meant it was pretty clearly a slap back.

Can’t say I agree with you there. I see very little in the incident to suggest any notion that he was trying to slap it back. There is certainly a very slight backward motion from his hand/arm, but not a swipe backward like you would make if it was intentional. It was lucky in my opinion, nothing more.

[Yr Alban]

I also think I’ll forgive myself for getting a bit misty eyed about Hoggy tonight after his try scoring record.

I don’t think you can overestimate the impact he has had on Scottish rugby over the last decade. He’s meant that we can have conversations with any rugby supporters around the globe about world class players, his captaincy has brought an enormous amount of pride to us all and the way he plays has admiration from every corner of the rugby world (high balls apart…)

He is certainly a generational talent for us and we might not realise how much of an impact he has had until he’s gone.

He certainly has. One day he'll reflect on a pretty good career. Was glad to see him win big club competitions too.

When he and Finn call time I think they'll leave pretty big holes (Finn less so). Both are 29, so have time but this is likely the last world cup cycle with them as key factors.

I worry that both will retire never having won a 6N title. Not much that can be done about it, but I worry about it all the same.

Positives from the AIs:
Won 3/4
Closed out some tight games we might have lost not too long ago
Beat Australia 3x on the trot
Scored some cracking tries
Hoggy finally broke the record, and is a great captain
Ashman looks like a player
McLean looks like a player
Steyn and Bayliss look like strong squad options
Defence is still really good

Negatives from the AIs:
Played poorly in every game except Tonga, who were undercooked
All of our ‘big’ players looked stale, except for Hogg (in flashes) and maybe Harris
We still don’t know how to counter a power game with a rush defence (and we have to do this to get out of our RWC group, which looks like a pipe dream right now)
We got absolutely bullied by SA in the final quarter, like adults v schoolkids
We still don’t know how to counter a team like Japan, who will run the ball from anywhere
Our lineout is shocking
Our discipline is appalling
We can’t adapt to a referee who sees things differently
We still don’t have anyone suited to playing 8
We still don’t have a decent backup THP

[Big D]

Mike Adamson not making many friends in Aus tonight. The Welsh scored a try from an interception where Tompkins stuck out one hand and failed to catch the ball. Adams allowed the play to continue as the ball went backwards. He was right, but 99/100 that is given as a knock-on and a yellow card. Obviously Aus had a player red carded too, as is tradition for any team playing Wales. Wales are having the jammiest year of rugby that has ever been!

Well no, 99/100 times it's a knock on - he knocked it backwards.

I know people can be a bit salty about this but if it goes backwards it's fine

It does. But the vast majority of referees blow for a knock-on for any handling error, no matter which way the ball went. It’s a long-term annoyance of mine.

Edit: I didn’t see the Wales game, but this sounds very reminiscent of Maitland’s YC from two RWCs ago. Surely, if you go for an interception and don’t catch the ball, it doesn’t matter whether the ball went forward or not?

Not sure what offence has been committed so long as it doesn't go forward and as is long discussed in sporting circles it is hard to prove intent.

Just a bit of luck the difference really.

[Tattie]

Maybe it’s just me and my blue tinted specks but what we got pinged for all game for not rolling away “enough” at rucks seems to have been let go multiple times in all the other games.

[JM2K6]

Well no, 99/100 times it's a knock on - he knocked it backwards.

I know people can be a bit salty about this but if it goes backwards it's fine

It does. But the vast majority of referees blow for a knock-on for any handling error, no matter which way the ball went. It’s a long-term annoyance of mine.

Edit: I didn’t see the Wales game, but this sounds very reminiscent of Maitland’s YC from two RWCs ago. Surely, if you go for an interception and don’t catch the ball, it doesn’t matter whether the ball went forward or not?

Not sure what offence has been committed so long as it doesn't go forward and as is long discussed in sporting circles it is hard to prove intent.

Just a bit of luck the difference really.

It's not really luck. It's about whether you managed to predict the pass or the flight of the ball. The vast majority of these are people running and stretching to get anything on the ball, Tomkins was almost ahead of it - much easier to not knock it forward if you're in that position. It's only a foot at most but it makes all the difference.

I'm fine with the current interpretation, it's very rarely unfair.

[Big D]

I worry that both will retire never having won a 6N title. Not much that can be done about it, but I worry about it all the same.

This is partly why I don't like the comparisons to past teams. It almost accepts just being better than shite as progress.

Wales went from 5/6N mediocrity culminating in a wooden spoon in 2003, to winning the competition with a grand slam in 05 and since 03 have won a third of the 6N held.

Winning 6Ns can happen quickly after being shite. For us it would need everyone playing absolute lights out rugby and the other teams not being at their best, and maybe even then it wouldn't be enough but there is no reason we shouldn't be wanting them playing at their best more often than we see at times.

In saying that, the first NIs after a Lions tour with a lot of rugby played over the last year is mitigation I don't think we've mentioned. Watson and Russell particularly have had injuries that combined with rest will have badly hampered any sort of pre season.

[Yr Alban]

Maybe it’s just me and my blue tinted specks but the amount of times we got pinged for not rolling away “enough” at rucks seems to have been let go multiple times in all the other games.

It pisses me off that it’s now a tactic to literally lie on top of a player at a ruck to prevent him from rolling away and win a penalty. That’s just rewarding teams for being as cynical as possible. See also: choke tackles to prevent fair release.

While we’re on the topic: we had a dominant scrum today and weren’t rewarded for it by the ref. But here’s the thing - I don’t think teams should be. If you have a dominant scrum you already have a huge advantage. You shouldn’t be able to milk penalties from it as well. It’s basically providing teams with free points.

[I like neeps]

I worry that both will retire never having won a 6N title. Not much that can be done about it, but I worry about it all the same.

Positives from the AIs:
Won 3/4
Closed out some tight games we might have lost not too long ago
Beat Australia 3x on the trot
Scored some cracking tries
Hoggy finally broke the record, and is a great captain
Ashman looks like a player
McLean looks like a player
Steyn and Bayliss look like strong squad options
Defence is still really good

Negatives from the AIs:
Played poorly in every game except Tonga, who were undercooked
All of our ‘big’ players looked stale, except for Hogg (in flashes) and maybe Harris
We still don’t know how to counter a power game with a rush defence (and we have to do this to get out of our RWC group, which looks like a pipe dream right now)
We got absolutely bullied by SA in the final quarter, like adults v schoolkids
We still don’t know how to counter a team like Japan, who will run the ball from anywhere
Our lineout is shocking
Our discipline is appalling
We can’t adapt to a referee who sees things differently
We still don’t have anyone suited to playing 8
We still don’t have a decent backup THP

Broadly agree. I think add Schoeman to the positives as both look well at home at the top level. Schoeman especially is brutal in the carry as well as being a good prop.

Not sure McLean and Steyn can be positives. The Tonga game was shooting fish in a barrel without the water. Neither showed up Vs decent opposition.

On the negatives I agree but we do have a good back to TH - his name is WP Nel.

[Yr Alban]

Meant to have Schoeman in the positives. Forgot.

I know Tonga weren’t the best opposition, but I thought McLean showed some amazing trickery and elusive running in the game. I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about Steyn as he largely ran in tries created by others. McLean looked out of his depth against SA, but he wasn’t alone and he’ll learn from it. Early days for both.

Edit: on current evidence I’d have Nel there, yes. The problem is that we need someone to challenge Zander. He knows he is more or less guaranteed his shirt and so isn’t making any attempt to improve - in particular, his discipline.

[Slick]

Meant to have Schoeman in the positives. Forgot.

I know Tonga weren’t the best opposition, but I thought McLean showed some amazing trickery and elusive running in the game. I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about Steyn as he largely ran in tries created by others. McLean looked out of his depth against SA, but he wasn’t alone and he’ll learn from it. Early days for both.

Edit: on current evidence I’d have Nel there, yes. The problem is that we need someone to challenge Zander. He knows he is more or less guaranteed his shirt and so isn’t making any attempt to improve - in particular, his discipline.

That last sentence is key actually. In the past the lack of competition for places was always an issue for us. That competition has risen massively in the last few years but there does always seem to be a couple of revolving positions where it really stands out and effects the team

[Big D]

Some game this one.

[I like neeps]

Meant to have Schoeman in the positives. Forgot.

I know Tonga weren’t the best opposition, but I thought McLean showed some amazing trickery and elusive running in the game. I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about Steyn as he largely ran in tries created by others. McLean looked out of his depth against SA, but he wasn’t alone and he’ll learn from it. Early days for both.

Edit: on current evidence I’d have Nel there, yes. The problem is that we need someone to challenge Zander. He knows he is more or less guaranteed his shirt and so isn’t making any attempt to improve - in particular, his discipline.

That last sentence is key actually. In the past the lack of competition for places was always an issue for us. That competition has risen massively in the last few years but there does always seem to be a couple of revolving positions where it really stands out and effects the team

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

[KingBlairhorn]

Some game this one.

Toonie coined the phrase, but France have perfected fastest rugby in the world (TM). If Ntamack had scored the try from inside his own in goal area, *chef’s kiss*

Still think we can take them next year though

[Slick]

Meant to have Schoeman in the positives. Forgot.

I know Tonga weren’t the best opposition, but I thought McLean showed some amazing trickery and elusive running in the game. I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about Steyn as he largely ran in tries created by others. McLean looked out of his depth against SA, but he wasn’t alone and he’ll learn from it. Early days for both.

Edit: on current evidence I’d have Nel there, yes. The problem is that we need someone to challenge Zander. He knows he is more or less guaranteed his shirt and so isn’t making any attempt to improve - in particular, his discipline.

That last sentence is key actually. In the past the lack of competition for places was always an issue for us. That competition has risen massively in the last few years but there does always seem to be a couple of revolving positions where it really stands out and effects the team

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

Yes, but Hogg is a different level, the bit above about Zander is the point really

[Big D]

Romania coached by Robinson and Scott put out an under strength 15 and still beat Tonga.

Good win for them.

[I like neeps]

That last sentence is key actually. In the past the lack of competition for places was always an issue for us. That competition has risen massively in the last few years but there does always seem to be a couple of revolving positions where it really stands out and effects the team

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

Yes, but Hogg is a different level, the bit above about Zander is the point really

It's hard to think of really good Scottish players over the last decade to discuss!

If you're a professional and your motivation isn't benefiting the team but keeping your place in it you aren't a very good teammate. And if your attitude isn't to always be the best you won't be as good as you can be. Fagerson should cut the nonsense because it harms the team and therefore harms him.

[Yr Alban]

I see D’Arcy Rae has started the last few for Bath. They are still rooted to the bottom of the Premiership, but at least he’s getting game time.

[Yr Alban]

That last sentence is key actually. In the past the lack of competition for places was always an issue for us. That competition has risen massively in the last few years but there does always seem to be a couple of revolving positions where it really stands out and effects the team

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

Yes, but Hogg is a different level, the bit above about Zander is the point really

Quite. Hogg has matured as a player and addressed his attitude (which stank for a while) despite a lack of competition at FB. I guess it depends on the individual player.

[Tichtheid]

I see D’Arcy Rae has started the last few for Bath. They are still rooted to the bottom of the Premiership, but at least he’s getting game time.

I posted on the Glasgow forum that he was putting in a dominant performance in a game I was watching a couple of weeks ago, he had just won a scrum penalty and I got a bit carried away.

The reply I got listed how many times he was penalised and shunted backwards.

Hey ho.

[Tichtheid]

Does Euan Murray still have a pair of boots?

[Yr Alban]

I see D’Arcy Rae has started the last few for Bath. They are still rooted to the bottom of the Premiership, but at least he’s getting game time.

I posted on the Glasgow forum that he was putting in a dominant performance in a game I was watching a couple of weeks ago, he had just won a scrum penalty and I got a bit carried away.

The reply I got listed how many times he was penalised and shunted backwards.

Hey ho.

Hey, I’m looking for positives here

[KingBlairhorn]

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

Yes, but Hogg is a different level, the bit above about Zander is the point really

Quite. Hogg has matured as a player and addressed his attitude (which stank for a while) despite a lack of competition at FB. I guess it depends on the individual player.

They don’t only play for Scotland. Sadly, for Zander to kick on, he either needs a top class young player to emerge at Glasgow or he needs to move on.

[I like neeps]

Not really sure. If Zander doesn't push himself as hard as he can do because there's not a good back up the problem is his professionalism and mindset rather than squad depth.

Hogg hasn't had any competition for years - he never shirked anything.

Yes, but Hogg is a different level, the bit above about Zander is the point really

Quite. Hogg has matured as a player and addressed his attitude (which stank for a while) despite a lack of competition at FB. I guess it depends on the individual player.

I really don't think professionals get to be where they are without intrinsic motivation and wanting to be the best they can be. If Fagerson needs external motivation how's getting no minutes on the Lions tour. How is being absolutely folded by Ox Nche who's not even SA's best loosehead?

If Fagerson or any player doesn't come to work and work as hard as possible to improve for himself and for the team they're a bad professional and bad team mate. And they should be dropped for someone who does their best for the team even if they aren't as good at times. Glasgow could easily start Pieretto, easily.

The best players don't get where they are because someone might take their spot. They get their because their mentality is to be the best player. Hogg isn't unique in that respects.

[clydecloggie]

[robmatic]

Hope he gets a decent amount of gametime and I reckon there's a reasonable chance of that with Brown and Turner's recent injury troubles.

[charltom]

I find myself in a weird position after the AIs. I'm always an optimist, and an optimist ought to be happy with three wins out of four, especially when most of that was achieved without most of Scotland's best tight five.

But Ireland played brilliantly. So did France. Even England looked good. On AI form, we'll be slugging it out with Wales for 4th and 5th place in the 6N.

We're definitely moving in the right direction, but so are most of the others.

Can the addition of Sutherland, Brown, Berghan, Gray and Cummings make that much of a difference? And the blossoming of Bradbury, MFagerson or Bayliss at 8? And the return of Redpath?

We'd still need our back-up front rows to front up against SA and Ireland in two years, which increasingly looks like the draw from hell.

On the plus side, it'll keep the lads motivated. 2023 is when this Scots team may peak. It just needs to peak high enough...

[clydecloggie]

For RWC 2023 we really have a kryptonite draw. The Ireland away game in next year's 6N is almost a must-win if we want to have any confidence in making the QF.

Not too worried about the 6N otherwise. We can easily lose to England, France and Wales while playing well, we can beat them without being great. All 50/50 matches for me, probably decided by fine margins on the day.

[KingBlairhorn]

The good news is we open with South Africa and close with Ireland, and have almost a full month between those two games. Ireland on the other hand close the group SA then Scotland with two weeks separating the games with SA similar us then Ireland two weeks apart (game 1 and 3). We also have Asia Pac 1 only 8 days after Ireland, which will hopefully soften them up a bit for us. The draw was shocking, but the schedule looks more or less as good as could be expected to me.

Game 1: 9th Sept: Ireland vs Europe 2 // 10th Sept Scotland vs SA
Game 2: 16th Sept: Ireland vs Asia Pac 1 // 17th Sept SA vs Europe 2 // 24th Sept: Scotland vs Asia Pac 1
Game 3: 23rd Sept Ireland vs SA // 30th Sept Scotland vs Europe 2
Game 4: 1st Oct SA vs Asia Pac 1 // 7th Oct Scotland vs Ireland

[KingBlairhorn]

[media][removed][/media]

Hope he gets a decent amount of gametime and I reckon there's a reasonable chance of that with Brown and Turner's recent injury troubles.

This is good news btw. As you say, hopefully gets good gametime. If he does he'll remain firmly in the options for the 6N.

[KingBlairhorn]

The good news is we open with South Africa and close with Ireland, and have almost a full month between those two games. Ireland on the other hand close the group SA then Scotland with two weeks separating the games with SA similar us then Ireland two weeks apart (game 1 and 3). We also have Asia Pac 1 only 8 days after Ireland, which will hopefully soften them up a bit for us. The draw was shocking, but the schedule looks more or less as good as could be expected to me.

Game 1: 9th Sept: Ireland vs Europe 2 // 10th Sept Scotland vs SA
Game 2: 16th Sept: Ireland vs Asia Pac 1 // 17th Sept SA vs Europe 2 // 24th Sept: Scotland vs Asia Pac 1
Game 3: 23rd Sept Ireland vs SA // 30th Sept Scotland vs Europe 2
Game 4: 1st Oct SA vs Asia Pac 1 // 7th Oct Scotland vs Ireland

To add to this, Ireland have 9 players who were in their AI squad that will be 33 or older by then (age now): Sexton (36), Earls (34), Healy (34), Kilkoyne (32), Murray (32), O'Mahony (32), Zebo (31), Aki (31), Herring (31). Maybe 7 of those are in their strongest 23 (Sexton, Healy, Earls, Murray, O'Mahony, Aki, Herring).

By contrast our eldest player in the AIs was 31 (accepting WP was rested). We are better placed to peak, whereas Ireland have the risk of decline if they don't start phasing those players out now.

[Slick]

The good news is we open with South Africa and close with Ireland, and have almost a full month between those two games. Ireland on the other hand close the group SA then Scotland with two weeks separating the games with SA similar us then Ireland two weeks apart (game 1 and 3). We also have Asia Pac 1 only 8 days after Ireland, which will hopefully soften them up a bit for us. The draw was shocking, but the schedule looks more or less as good as could be expected to me.

Game 1: 9th Sept: Ireland vs Europe 2 // 10th Sept Scotland vs SA
Game 2: 16th Sept: Ireland vs Asia Pac 1 // 17th Sept SA vs Europe 2 // 24th Sept: Scotland vs Asia Pac 1
Game 3: 23rd Sept Ireland vs SA // 30th Sept Scotland vs Europe 2
Game 4: 1st Oct SA vs Asia Pac 1 // 7th Oct Scotland vs Ireland

To add to this, Ireland have 9 players who were in their AI squad that will be 33 or older by then (age now): Sexton (36), Earls (34), Healy (34), Kilkoyne (32), Murray (32), O'Mahony (32), Zebo (31), Aki (31), Herring (31). Maybe 7 of those are in their strongest 23 (Sexton, Healy, Earls, Murray, O'Mahony, Aki, Herring).

By contrast our eldest player in the AIs was 31 (accepting WP was rested). We are better placed to peak, whereas Ireland have the risk of decline if they don't start phasing those players out now.

A bit of hopeful thinking! Ireland just seem to have a production line of powerful, skilful players who fit straight into the system. I just don't see that ending any time soon.

[Slick]

Anyway, the AI's were a bit disappointing in terms of performances but as we've said, we would probably have taken 3/4 at the beginning. Plus we have had 12 new players come through and scored 18 tries, so not all bad.

Into the 6N the only game I think we will really struggle is Ireland. I don't think England are really up to much, Wales look rubbish (how many times have we said that) and France are our bunnies at home... In saying that, everyone does seen much of a muchness and it could just as easily be 1 win as 4 or 5.

Can the addition of Sutherland, Brown, Berghan, Gray and Cummings make that much of a difference? And the blossoming of Bradbury, MFagerson or Bayliss at 8? And the return of Redpath?

I think the return of those can make quite a difference

[Yr Alban]

The bottom line is that we all feel a bit flat, because we thought we were about to take the next big step, and we really didn’t. We barely even turned up. That was still enough to win 3/4, but we played some seriously skanky rugby even in the wins v Oz and Japan, and I for one hoped we were over that.

It’s not even so much the players we were missing. It’s the lineout, the discipline and the physicality. We could turn up to the 6N with that all sorted out and have a great year, or we could be just like we were in the AIs and be scrapping for 4th. I suppose at least it’s unlikely anyone will give us a shoeing (though Ireland give me the fear)

[SaintK]

Anyway, the AI's were a bit disappointing in terms of performances but as we've said, we would probably have taken 3/4 at the beginning. Plus we have had 12 new players come through and scored 18 tries, so not all bad.

Into the 6N the only game I think we will really struggle is Ireland. I don't think England are really up to much, Wales look rubbish (how many times have we said that) and France are our bunnies at home... In saying that, everyone does seen much of a muchness and it could just as easily be 1 win as 4 or 5.

Can the addition of Sutherland, Brown, Berghan, Gray and Cummings make that much of a difference? And the blossoming of Bradbury, MFagerson or Bayliss at 8? And the return of Redpath?

I think the return of those can make quite a difference

Will you all please keep thinking that

[Slick]

Anyway, the AI's were a bit disappointing in terms of performances but as we've said, we would probably have taken 3/4 at the beginning. Plus we have had 12 new players come through and scored 18 tries, so not all bad.

Into the 6N the only game I think we will really struggle is Ireland. I don't think England are really up to much, Wales look rubbish (how many times have we said that) and France are our bunnies at home... In saying that, everyone does seen much of a muchness and it could just as easily be 1 win as 4 or 5.

Can the addition of Sutherland, Brown, Berghan, Gray and Cummings make that much of a difference? And the blossoming of Bradbury, MFagerson or Bayliss at 8? And the return of Redpath?

I think the return of those can make quite a difference

Will you all please keep thinking that

Well you all did until the weekend. One win seems to have made you the greatest team that ever played. Again.

[SaintK]

Anyway, the AI's were a bit disappointing in terms of performances but as we've said, we would probably have taken 3/4 at the beginning. Plus we have had 12 new players come through and scored 18 tries, so not all bad.

Into the 6N the only game I think we will really struggle is Ireland. I don't think England are really up to much, Wales look rubbish (how many times have we said that) and France are our bunnies at home... In saying that, everyone does seen much of a muchness and it could just as easily be 1 win as 4 or 5.



I think the return of those can make quite a difference

Will you all please keep thinking that

Well you all did until the weekend. One win seems to have made you the greatest team that ever played. Again.

ALL?
I had SA to win by 16
Was pleasantly surprised with the result. A few more tweaks in the team, May looks out of sorts an Curry is not an 8 will help. We certainly won’t get mullered up front in the 6N like on Saturday either.
Looking forward to the 6N even though we’ve got Scotland and France away

[Slick]

Will you all please keep thinking that

Well you all did until the weekend. One win seems to have made you the greatest team that ever played. Again.

ALL?
I had SA to win by 16
Was pleasantly surprised with the result. A few more tweaks in the team, May looks out of sorts an Curry is not an 8 will help. We certainly won’t get mullered up front in the 6N like on Saturday either.
Looking forward to the 6N even though we’ve got Scotland and France away

Yup, could be a cracker of a 6N, most games genuinely hard to call I think and atmosphere should be great with crowds back. Hopefully..

[I like neeps]

My biggest concerns for the six nations are lack of a reliable lineout, lack of a reliable goal kicker, and stupid penalties conceded under little pressure. If we fix them I think 3/5 is very realistic.

Also concerned Townsend actually uses the 6/2 bench. Last year for example Vs Ireland they were comfortable until Huw Jones came on. Not saying Jones should pay because he needs to get in the Quins team first but a change of plan gamebreaker like him or Rory Hutchinson would be ideal.