The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Margin__Walker]

Watched the Premiership rugby highlights:

Duhan VdM was in his usual form, Hutchinson scored a lovely try for Saints, Kyle Rowe (5'9/5'10) ran through Gary Graham (oh dear) for a really good individual from nothing score, we've spoken about the Gloucester boys already it looks like the kicks Hastings missed were right on the touchline to be fair to him.

Rowe's been a fantastic signing for LI. Slotted in straight away and we're not missing Loader being injured at all.

5 tries in 5 appearances now in the prem. 3 of them solo efforts made from absolutely nothing.

[I like neeps]

Watched the Premiership rugby highlights:

Duhan VdM was in his usual form, Hutchinson scored a lovely try for Saints, Kyle Rowe (5'9/5'10) ran through Gary Graham (oh dear) for a really good individual from nothing score, we've spoken about the Gloucester boys already it looks like the kicks Hastings missed were right on the touchline to be fair to him.

Rowe's been a fantastic signing for LI. Slotted in straight away and we're not missing Loader being injured at all.

5 tries in 5 appearances now in the prem. 3 of them solo efforts made from absolutely nothing.

Yeah I've liked the look of him for Irish. Do you know how he came to be at Irish? It's interesting scouting because he always looked reasonable in the Scottish age grades and for the sevens but didn't get in our stage 3 academy (training with a pro team) and in his one appearance for Edinburgh he looked actually very good but by that time had apparently already signed for Irish. Just not sure why your scouts saw value and none in the SRU pathway did.

What's happened to Glasgow born but England under20s scrum half you had? Brand was it?

[I like neeps]

Watched the Premiership rugby highlights:

Duhan VdM was in his usual form, Hutchinson scored a lovely try for Saints, Kyle Rowe (5'9/5'10) ran through Gary Graham (oh dear) for a really good individual from nothing score, we've spoken about the Gloucester boys already it looks like the kicks Hastings missed were right on the touchline to be fair to him.

This is where selection for the 6N might get interesting because we really missed a decent kicker during the AI’s. Finn has a very good record but I’ve never quite had the faith and he was poor last month.

I think SA would have been very different with a trusty boot in the team and we would have been out of sight against Oz. Can’t afford to go into the 6N without a recognised boot and Hastings seems the closest at the moment

And Finn's general form, he was crap for Racing in a convincing home defeat to Bordeaux last week. Hastings playing well for Gloucester who are stylistically quite similar to how Scotland want to play these days. If Finn continues how he's been going and Racing continue to play Gibert a big call might have to be made.

[Margin__Walker]

Watched the Premiership rugby highlights:

Duhan VdM was in his usual form, Hutchinson scored a lovely try for Saints, Kyle Rowe (5'9/5'10) ran through Gary Graham (oh dear) for a really good individual from nothing score, we've spoken about the Gloucester boys already it looks like the kicks Hastings missed were right on the touchline to be fair to him.

Rowe's been a fantastic signing for LI. Slotted in straight away and we're not missing Loader being injured at all.

5 tries in 5 appearances now in the prem. 3 of them solo efforts made from absolutely nothing.

Yeah I've liked the look of him for Irish. Do you know how he came to be at Irish? It's interesting scouting because he always looked reasonable in the Scottish age grades and for the sevens but didn't get in our stage 3 academy (training with a pro team) and in his one appearance for Edinburgh he looked actually very good but by that time had apparently already signed for Irish. Just not sure why your scouts saw value and none in the SRU pathway did.

What's happened to Glasgow born but England under20s scrum half you had? Brand was it?

No idea how he ended up here. Whoever is doing the scouting for us at the moment is doing well though. This season alone we've had Pearson (BUCs uni rugby with Cardiff Met), Cracknell (massively out of favour at Ospreys) and Rowe all slot into prem rugby seamlessly. Presumably not for a huge outlay.

We've got 5 senior 9s at the moment and Brand is pretty firmly 5th choice, so doesn't get a look in. He may have had a few injuries and is occasionally seen turning out for London Scottish (even then usually off the bench).

At this point, I'd guess he's seeing out a contract. Really don't think Kidney or the coaching team fancy him at all. From the odd occasion I've seen him playing senior rugby, he's strong and explosive with ball in hand, but his basics don't seem great. Not the best pass and can get caught at the base. He probably needs a change of scenery and the opportunity to prove the coaching team here wrong.

[Yr Alban]

Fantastic skills showed by Charlie Chapman to score for Gloucester. We seem to have 9s coming out of our ears. Why can’t we make one or two 3s?

I liked him a lot for the under20s it's exciting to see him come through. I don't think we're blessed with 9s however. Behind Price there's a lot of unproven young guys/premiership bench players. We need a good back up to Price - I don't think we have that right now.

Steele showed up well as understudy in the 6N. May not be getting game time now of course. Vellacott has to be in line for a call-up soon, and even Pyrgos has been playing well recently. After that there are a number of young guys developing nicely.

[I like neeps]

Fantastic skills showed by Charlie Chapman to score for Gloucester. We seem to have 9s coming out of our ears. Why can’t we make one or two 3s?

I liked him a lot for the under20s it's exciting to see him come through. I don't think we're blessed with 9s however. Behind Price there's a lot of unproven young guys/premiership bench players. We need a good back up to Price - I don't think we have that right now.

Steele showed up well as understudy in the 6N. May not be getting game time now of course. Vellacott has to be in line for a call-up soon, and even Pyrgos has been playing well recently. After that there are a number of young guys developing nicely.

He was fine. But would you want a player who never plays for their club starting for Scotland if Price is injured? Would you want Pyrgos? He's also fine, but not international class. Then you're relying on Vellacott, Horne jnr, Dobie and maybe Chapman... I think Price is world class but his back up is right now an area of unknowns.

[Yr Alban]

I liked him a lot for the under20s it's exciting to see him come through. I don't think we're blessed with 9s however. Behind Price there's a lot of unproven young guys/premiership bench players. We need a good back up to Price - I don't think we have that right now.

Steele showed up well as understudy in the 6N. May not be getting game time now of course. Vellacott has to be in line for a call-up soon, and even Pyrgos has been playing well recently. After that there are a number of young guys developing nicely.

He was fine. But would you want a player who never plays for their club starting for Scotland if Price is injured? Would you want Pyrgos? He's also fine, but not international class. Then you're relying on Vellacott, Horne jnr, Dobie and maybe Chapman... I think Price is world class but his back up is right now an area of unknowns.

No, I wouldn’t. But if our first choice is injured, then we can choose from:

1. A 26yo with years of GP experience, recently come to Embra and tearing it up
2. A solid 32yo club veteran who won’t hit any heights but has 26 caps
3. A 26yo who used to look amazing, but hasn’t fully kicked on and has lost form
4. A 28yo who isn’t playing much for his club but had 4 caps recently and looked decent
5. A slightly raw 20yo regarded as an excellent prospect and getting great reviews for his club
6. A 23yo breaking into a GP team with some impressive recent displays

Maybe there isn’t an obvious heir apparent in that collection, but there’s more depth at 9 than we have in most positions. The options at 3 and 15 look threadbare by comparison.

[I like neeps]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

[Margin__Walker]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

Steele is out injured at the moment. Not sure what with, but he's definitely injured.

[Yr Alban]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

I know what you’re saying. It’s what inevitably happens when someone locks down the position for years, though. When Laidlaw was captain, we worried about Price (and the debacle of Cardiff 2018 didn’t help). Hogg is captain now, and nobody else is getting game time at 15.

[Big D]

J Venter off to Bath.

[Tichtheid]

J Venter off to Bath.

Probably the best move for him, there are a of good young players ahead of him at Edinburgh.

Good luck to him, he has a hellish back story that no one should have.

[Slick]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

I really think Dobie is the next in line and also think he has shown enough to suggest he can hack it at the top level. Slightly unconvinced by Vellacott but he probably deserves a decent chance at some point. Horne is young enough to come back and hope he does.

Look at us chatting about 7 potential Scotland 9's!

[Big D]

Chapman is 24 in January, I think we need to be having a look in the 6N squad at him to see what he has.

Mata definitely missing the Saracens game, think that Muncaster should get the start in that one. Bradbury will be needed for the Glasgow games.

[JM2K6]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

Steele is out injured at the moment. Not sure what with, but he's definitely injured.

Yeah - when fit he gets plenty of time on the pitch, and given Care's patchy form he'd likely be starting if he were available right now.

[Tichtheid]

Chapman is 24 in January, I think we need to be having a look in the 6N squad at him to see what he has.

Mata definitely missing the Saracens game, think that Muncaster should get the start in that one. Bradbury will be needed for the Glasgow games.

It's a tricky one, on the one hand you'd want to keep the momentum going with Bradbury and there is a weekend off next week, on the other you want others getting game time in pretty meaningless fixtures and you don't want to risk losing Bradbury as well as Bill.

[Big D]

Chapman is 24 in January, I think we need to be having a look in the 6N squad at him to see what he has.

Mata definitely missing the Saracens game, think that Muncaster should get the start in that one. Bradbury will be needed for the Glasgow games.

It's a tricky one, on the one hand you'd want to keep the momentum going with Bradbury and there is a weekend off next week, on the other you want others getting game time in pretty meaningless fixtures and you don't want to risk losing Bradbury as well as Bill.

I just think the next three fixtures; Glasgow x2 and Cardiff at home are potentially season defining. The run in where Edinburgh play all the Irish sides, Ospreys and a mini tour of SA is just about as tough as it gets with a home game v Zebre thrown in. If either pro side sweeps the derbies it puts them in a very strong position to win the division/conference/what ever it is called. Especially for given the 7 point gap to Glasgow Glasgow as it stands.

I think if I were Blair I'd be looking to hold back a few of the key players for that game. Glasgow have two very physical match ups over the next two weeks too.

[KingBlairhorn]

Chapman is 24 in January, I think we need to be having a look in the 6N squad at him to see what he has.

Mata definitely missing the Saracens game, think that Muncaster should get the start in that one. Bradbury will be needed for the Glasgow games.

It's a tricky one, on the one hand you'd want to keep the momentum going with Bradbury and there is a weekend off next week, on the other you want others getting game time in pretty meaningless fixtures and you don't want to risk losing Bradbury as well as Bill.

I just think the next three fixtures; Glasgow x2 and Cardiff at home are potentially season defining. The run in where Edinburgh play all the Irish sides, Ospreys and a mini tour of SA is just about as tough as it gets with a home game v Zebre thrown in. If either pro side sweeps the derbies it puts them in a very strong position to win the division/conference/what ever it is called. Especially for given the 7 point gap to Glasgow Glasgow as it stands.

I think if I were Blair I'd be looking to hold back a few of the key players for that game. Glasgow have two very physical match ups over the next two weeks too.

Expecting the SA games to go ahead might be optimistic at this point to be honest.

Blair is rotating a lot more than Cockerill did, I don't think its a case of a weakened team in one game and a full-strength team in the other. I think most games will see a mix of more and less established players.

[Slick]

Hoggy named in WR team of the year

[Big D]

It's a tricky one, on the one hand you'd want to keep the momentum going with Bradbury and there is a weekend off next week, on the other you want others getting game time in pretty meaningless fixtures and you don't want to risk losing Bradbury as well as Bill.

I just think the next three fixtures; Glasgow x2 and Cardiff at home are potentially season defining. The run in where Edinburgh play all the Irish sides, Ospreys and a mini tour of SA is just about as tough as it gets with a home game v Zebre thrown in. If either pro side sweeps the derbies it puts them in a very strong position to win the division/conference/what ever it is called. Especially for given the 7 point gap to Glasgow Glasgow as it stands.

I think if I were Blair I'd be looking to hold back a few of the key players for that game. Glasgow have two very physical match ups over the next two weeks too.

Expecting the SA games to go ahead might be optimistic at this point to be honest.

Blair is rotating a lot more than Cockerill did, I don't think its a case of a weakened team in one game and a full-strength team in the other. I think most games will see a mix of more and less established players.

Even without the SA games it is probably as hard a run in from the Cardiff game as possible really.

With injuries, internationals and the RGs only coming into the squad over the last few games I am not sure Blair would even know his strongest team but it isn't really about full strength and not full strength. There is no need to play Nel v Saracens, and with Mata being potentially injured for the medium term why risk Bradbury when for club and player the Glasgow games are probably bigger. Saracens unlikely to go full noise in the diddy cup and Bradbury will have a chance to face up against two competitors (come AI's 2022) for the national 8 shirt against Glasgow. The way the conferences are set up, if Edinburgh win both games the gap is massive going into the second half of the season. If the URC decide to do something daft like void the SA team results because they can't complete the season then the gap increases by another 3 points.

A team of say: Venter, Rambo, Atalifo, Sykes, GG, Ritchie, Boyle, Kunavula, Pyrgos, VdW, Blain (if fit), Dean, Bennett, Moyano and Immelman (if fit) with subs of McBurney, Schoeman, de Bruin, Phillips, Haining, Shiel, Savala and Currie would be fine. I don't think holding Nel, Bradbury, Kinghorn (if there is any doubt), Lang (given he's had knocks) and Boffelli (given he has played through the summer, into AIs and then played the last two weeks) would be that big an issue.

[Big D]

Hoggy named in WR team of the year

Really? Surprised at that.

[JM2K6]

Hoggy named in WR team of the year

Really? Surprised at that.

Can't think of anyone obviously better. Le Roux was nowhere near his best. The Kiwis have been flapping about. Everyone else was varying shades of "eh".

[Big D]

Hoggy named in WR team of the year

Really? Surprised at that.

Can't think of anyone obviously better. Le Roux was nowhere near his best. The Kiwis have been flapping about. Everyone else was varying shades of "eh".

I think he has captained well and obviously broke the Scottish try record but between getting dropped for Exeter and generally not being at his best I was just surprised no one was better.

[JM2K6]

Really? Surprised at that.

Can't think of anyone obviously better. Le Roux was nowhere near his best. The Kiwis have been flapping about. Everyone else was varying shades of "eh".

I think he has captained well and obviously broke the Scottish try record but between getting dropped for Exeter and generally not being at his best I was just surprised no one was better.

He was benched for a few games for Exeter, that's all. Don't think his standards dropped massively for Scotland, and it's the internationals that count!

[Slick]

Can't think of anyone obviously better. Le Roux was nowhere near his best. The Kiwis have been flapping about. Everyone else was varying shades of "eh".

I think he has captained well and obviously broke the Scottish try record but between getting dropped for Exeter and generally not being at his best I was just surprised no one was better.

He was benched for a few games for Exeter, that's all. Don't think his standards dropped massively for Scotland, and it's the internationals that count!

He had a good AI’s and scored 2 try’s against SA. Bit surprised myself to be honest but definitely no other 15’s sticking their hands up

[KingBlairhorn]

I just think the next three fixtures; Glasgow x2 and Cardiff at home are potentially season defining. The run in where Edinburgh play all the Irish sides, Ospreys and a mini tour of SA is just about as tough as it gets with a home game v Zebre thrown in. If either pro side sweeps the derbies it puts them in a very strong position to win the division/conference/what ever it is called. Especially for given the 7 point gap to Glasgow Glasgow as it stands.

I think if I were Blair I'd be looking to hold back a few of the key players for that game. Glasgow have two very physical match ups over the next two weeks too.

Expecting the SA games to go ahead might be optimistic at this point to be honest.

Blair is rotating a lot more than Cockerill did, I don't think its a case of a weakened team in one game and a full-strength team in the other. I think most games will see a mix of more and less established players.

Even without the SA games it is probably as hard a run in from the Cardiff game as possible really.

With injuries, internationals and the RGs only coming into the squad over the last few games I am not sure Blair would even know his strongest team but it isn't really about full strength and not full strength. There is no need to play Nel v Saracens, and with Mata being potentially injured for the medium term why risk Bradbury when for club and player the Glasgow games are probably bigger. Saracens unlikely to go full noise in the diddy cup and Bradbury will have a chance to face up against two competitors (come AI's 2022) for the national 8 shirt against Glasgow. The way the conferences are set up, if Edinburgh win both games the gap is massive going into the second half of the season. If the URC decide to do something daft like void the SA team results because they can't complete the season then the gap increases by another 3 points.

A team of say: Venter, Rambo, Atalifo, Sykes, GG, Ritchie, Boyle, Kunavula, Pyrgos, VdW, Blain (if fit), Dean, Bennett, Moyano and Immelman (if fit) with subs of McBurney, Schoeman, de Bruin, Phillips, Haining, Shiel, Savala and Currie would be fine. I don't think holding Nel, Bradbury, Kinghorn (if there is any doubt), Lang (given he's had knocks) and Boffelli (given he has played through the summer, into AIs and then played the last two weeks) would be that big an issue.

I think we agree!

[Big D]

Expecting the SA games to go ahead might be optimistic at this point to be honest.

Blair is rotating a lot more than Cockerill did, I don't think its a case of a weakened team in one game and a full-strength team in the other. I think most games will see a mix of more and less established players.

Even without the SA games it is probably as hard a run in from the Cardiff game as possible really.

With injuries, internationals and the RGs only coming into the squad over the last few games I am not sure Blair would even know his strongest team but it isn't really about full strength and not full strength. There is no need to play Nel v Saracens, and with Mata being potentially injured for the medium term why risk Bradbury when for club and player the Glasgow games are probably bigger. Saracens unlikely to go full noise in the diddy cup and Bradbury will have a chance to face up against two competitors (come AI's 2022) for the national 8 shirt against Glasgow. The way the conferences are set up, if Edinburgh win both games the gap is massive going into the second half of the season. If the URC decide to do something daft like void the SA team results because they can't complete the season then the gap increases by another 3 points.

A team of say: Venter, Rambo, Atalifo, Sykes, GG, Ritchie, Boyle, Kunavula, Pyrgos, VdW, Blain (if fit), Dean, Bennett, Moyano and Immelman (if fit) with subs of McBurney, Schoeman, de Bruin, Phillips, Haining, Shiel, Savala and Currie would be fine. I don't think holding Nel, Bradbury, Kinghorn (if there is any doubt), Lang (given he's had knocks) and Boffelli (given he has played through the summer, into AIs and then played the last two weeks) would be that big an issue.

I think we agree!

Seems so

Interestingly (or not), if Edinburgh sweep Glasgow then Glasgow are in a tricky spot.

[I like neeps]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

I really think Dobie is the next in line and also think he has shown enough to suggest he can hack it at the top level. Slightly unconvinced by Vellacott but he probably deserves a decent chance at some point. Horne is young enough to come back and hope he does.

Look at us chatting about 7 potential Scotland 9's!

I think Dobie will be a very very good scrum half - just don't think he is right now. Wouldn't be confident in Dobie (or any of the reserve 9s) starting for Scotland.

I agree there are a lot of options coming through which is exciting. But panic stations if Price gets injured.

[sockwithaticket]

Really? Surprised at that.

Can't think of anyone obviously better. Le Roux was nowhere near his best. The Kiwis have been flapping about. Everyone else was varying shades of "eh".

I think he has captained well and obviously broke the Scottish try record but between getting dropped for Exeter and generally not being at his best I was just surprised no one was better.

Of the other contenders in terms of performance (Jaminet, Steward, Keenan), Hogg's possibly the only one to have played the full year's test calendar

[Yr Alban]

Hoggy named in WR team of the year

Have the Welsh demanded a recount yet?

Slightly more seriously, I’m quite surprised as well. He certainly hasn’t been at his best, but then perhaps nobody else in his position has been either.

[clydecloggie]

3 granted but Nel is a way better player at his position than any of the scrum halfs Townsend just doesn't pick him. Berghan is good enough too.

15 you can play Kinghorn. Not that I think he's a good 15 but he's got 100 pro games there and 25 international caps.

I think back up 9 is a clear weakness. I like Vellacott at Edinburgh and hope he gets a game but not willing to say he'll be good at international level as we've never seen it. See Chapman but don't think he's started a PR game for Glaws. I think Dobie has been good for Glasgow but doesn't look an international yet. Just don't think you can call up Steele unless he's injured right now as Quins just never play him. Don't think you can call up Pyrgos either. It's like playing Harley - good club player but never does anything international class. George Horne just doesn't suit what Scotland and Glasgow do now, he's a running 9.

I really think Dobie is the next in line and also think he has shown enough to suggest he can hack it at the top level. Slightly unconvinced by Vellacott but he probably deserves a decent chance at some point. Horne is young enough to come back and hope he does.

Look at us chatting about 7 potential Scotland 9's!

I think Dobie will be a very very good scrum half - just don't think he is right now. Wouldn't be confident in Dobie (or any of the reserve 9s) starting for Scotland.

I agree there are a lot of options coming through which is exciting. But panic stations if Price gets injured.

I think that's more a function of how ridiculously good Ali Price has become. Being the top 9 on the Lions tour has given him that last bit of conviction that he is the boss on the pitch - he has been excellent for Glasgow and Scotland since the Lions tour with little evidence of the fabled Lions hangover being present.

There is now a sizeable gap between him and the other contenders for the Scotland shirt, but those others are still good enough. Losing Price would be huge, but it would simply mean Scotland falls back to an acceptable standard at 9 rather than a world class one and more responsibility for 10 and 15 to run the game - in which we happen to have two other world-class players.

[Yr Alban]

I really think Dobie is the next in line and also think he has shown enough to suggest he can hack it at the top level. Slightly unconvinced by Vellacott but he probably deserves a decent chance at some point. Horne is young enough to come back and hope he does.

Look at us chatting about 7 potential Scotland 9's!

I think Dobie will be a very very good scrum half - just don't think he is right now. Wouldn't be confident in Dobie (or any of the reserve 9s) starting for Scotland.

I agree there are a lot of options coming through which is exciting. But panic stations if Price gets injured.

I think that's more a function of how ridiculously good Ali Price has become. Being the top 9 on the Lions tour has given him that last bit of conviction that he is the boss on the pitch - he has been excellent for Glasgow and Scotland since the Lions tour with little evidence of the fabled Lions hangover being present.

There is now a sizeable gap between him and the other contenders for the Scotland shirt, but those others are still good enough. Losing Price would be huge, but it would simply mean Scotland falls back to an acceptable standard at 9 rather than a world class one and more responsibility for 10 and 15 to run the game - in which we happen to have two other world-class players.

We’ve discussed in the past how it’s great that we finally had a Lions tour with good representation, as Scottish players in the past have realised on similar tours that they are just as good as their 6N opponents.

Price has certainly come away with that impression. Harris probably has too. Duhan was new to Test rugby and has just carried on as before. Watson, Hogg and Russell don’t seem to have benefitted as much, though. Maybe it’s because Hogg was sacrificed for Test 3, and the others didn’t get a lot of game time?

[Big D]

I think Dobie will be a very very good scrum half - just don't think he is right now. Wouldn't be confident in Dobie (or any of the reserve 9s) starting for Scotland.

I agree there are a lot of options coming through which is exciting. But panic stations if Price gets injured.

I think that's more a function of how ridiculously good Ali Price has become. Being the top 9 on the Lions tour has given him that last bit of conviction that he is the boss on the pitch - he has been excellent for Glasgow and Scotland since the Lions tour with little evidence of the fabled Lions hangover being present.

There is now a sizeable gap between him and the other contenders for the Scotland shirt, but those others are still good enough. Losing Price would be huge, but it would simply mean Scotland falls back to an acceptable standard at 9 rather than a world class one and more responsibility for 10 and 15 to run the game - in which we happen to have two other world-class players.

We’ve discussed in the past how it’s great that we finally had a Lions tour with good representation, as Scottish players in the past have realised on similar tours that they are just as good as their 6N opponents.

Price has certainly come away with that impression. Harris probably has too. Duhan was new to Test rugby and has just carried on as before. Watson, Hogg and Russell don’t seem to have benefitted as much, though. Maybe it’s because Hogg was sacrificed for Test 3, and the others didn’t get a lot of game time?

It was Hogg's third Lions tour. He's seen it all before so the ups and downs are less likely to bother him as much.

I think Russell's achilles injury has caused him more issues than they let on and that he played the 3rd test because it was a chance for his only Lions test rather than being fully fit. Watson missed the first part of the season injured too. Both those guys don't seem to suffer from a lack of confidence in their own abilities either. Harris and Price probably had the most to gain from an ego boost pov.

[Slick]

I think Dobie will be a very very good scrum half - just don't think he is right now. Wouldn't be confident in Dobie (or any of the reserve 9s) starting for Scotland.

I agree there are a lot of options coming through which is exciting. But panic stations if Price gets injured.

I think that's more a function of how ridiculously good Ali Price has become. Being the top 9 on the Lions tour has given him that last bit of conviction that he is the boss on the pitch - he has been excellent for Glasgow and Scotland since the Lions tour with little evidence of the fabled Lions hangover being present.

There is now a sizeable gap between him and the other contenders for the Scotland shirt, but those others are still good enough. Losing Price would be huge, but it would simply mean Scotland falls back to an acceptable standard at 9 rather than a world class one and more responsibility for 10 and 15 to run the game - in which we happen to have two other world-class players.

We’ve discussed in the past how it’s great that we finally had a Lions tour with good representation, as Scottish players in the past have realised on similar tours that they are just as good as their 6N opponents.

Price has certainly come away with that impression. Harris probably has too. Duhan was new to Test rugby and has just carried on as before. Watson, Hogg and Russell don’t seem to have benefitted as much, though. Maybe it’s because Hogg was sacrificed for Test 3, and the others didn’t get a lot of game time?

I think that's a really good point about Price and the other 9's, Clydecloggie.

I'm not sure where this stuff about Hogg having a bad season is coming from though. He had a decent Lions tour and was really good in the AI's, I think he has been fairly consistently excellent

[Biffer]

Wrt Nel, I still don't understand why the bat signal didn't go up for him in the autumn, particularly v SA. Better scrummager than any other candidate. Still contributes in the loose. If you're worried about him having to come on and play 75 minutes because of an early injury, the way round that is you start him, then sub him early, maybe half time or 50 minutes. Might have made the scrum more stable vs the saffers.

[Slick]

Just seen a stat from TOTM that Mish hasn't missed a tackle in 1,000 days playing for Scotland

279 - 0

[Biffer]

Just seen a stat from TOTM that Mish hasn't missed a tackle in 1,000 days playing for Scotland

279 - 0

He's utterly astonishing.

[Big D]

Wrt Nel, I still don't understand why the bat signal didn't go up for him in the autumn, particularly v SA. Better scrummager than any other candidate. Still contributes in the loose. If you're worried about him having to come on and play 75 minutes because of an early injury, the way round that is you start him, then sub him early, maybe half time or 50 minutes. Might have made the scrum more stable vs the saffers.

Primarily I think because they need to look at other options as Nel isn't an option for the world cup (presumably). He should be in the 6n squad.

[Biffer]

Wrt Nel, I still don't understand why the bat signal didn't go up for him in the autumn, particularly v SA. Better scrummager than any other candidate. Still contributes in the loose. If you're worried about him having to come on and play 75 minutes because of an early injury, the way round that is you start him, then sub him early, maybe half time or 50 minutes. Might have made the scrum more stable vs the saffers.

Primarily I think because they need to look at other options as Nel isn't an option for the world cup (presumably). He should be in the 6n squad.

I understand that as a general rule, but when we were struggling for options for a one off game, I think it was worth looking at.

[Slick]

Just ended up having a coffee with Blair Kinghorn after my daughter decided to sit next to him in a cafe and start chatting. What a lovely chap