The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

I very much doubt he's on reduced terms, plus Blair and Toonie both see him as a 10, albeit as a ten with over 100 club caps in the back three and 28 for Scotland

Does Toony really see him as a 10?

I reckon the experiment of him at 10 is a top-down thing from Toony. Cockerill wasn't playing him there at the tail end of last season due to his natural spirit of curiosity and risk-taking as a coach.

Don’t agree with that (although none of us know), I can’t see why Toony would insist on his 2nd best full back moving to 10 when he has a world
Class incumbent, a 2nd choice not far behind, a young gun coming through and even folk like Meatball who has never let him down (although I accept it seems he would rather pick me than him)

[robmatic]

Does Toony really see him as a 10?

I reckon the experiment of him at 10 is a top-down thing from Toony. Cockerill wasn't playing him there at the tail end of last season due to his natural spirit of curiosity and risk-taking as a coach.

Don’t agree with that (although none of us know), I can’t see why Toony would insist on his 2nd best full back moving to 10 when he has a world
Class incumbent, a 2nd choice not far behind, a young gun coming through and even folk like Meatball who has never let him down (although I accept it seems he would rather pick me than him)

I have seen the theory that it's preparation for the World Cup squad. Kinghorn being able to cover 10 as well as primarily being in the squad as the understudy to Hogg means Toony only needs to take two fulltime 10s. So it's more that he's being pushed to be more versatile rather than being thought of as a primary option at 10.

It's similar to the shenanigans at Glasgow with Oli Kebble getting gametime at tighthead when they are already stacked with international props on that side of the scrum. If he can cover both sides, that's also pretty handy for the World Cup squad.

[I like neeps]

Does Toony really see him as a 10?

I reckon the experiment of him at 10 is a top-down thing from Toony. Cockerill wasn't playing him there at the tail end of last season due to his natural spirit of curiosity and risk-taking as a coach.

Don’t agree with that (although none of us know), I can’t see why Toony would insist on his 2nd best full back moving to 10 when he has a world
Class incumbent, a 2nd choice not far behind, a young gun coming through and even folk like Meatball who has never let him down (although I accept it seems he would rather pick me than him)

It's a real concern that he probably would play at 15 for Scotland as next cab off the rank despite being moved from 15 for his club.

Whoever's idea to move him it was, the reasoning was not he was now such a good 15 it's time for him to learn to play 10. It was it's time he learnt 10 as he's not such a great 15 after all.

Boffeli with no preseason and not good English became an immediate and obvious upgrade. No shame in not being Bofelli who is an international class 15. But as weegie said he was paid as one and he just isn't that level.

[Tichtheid]

I actually think that Toonie and Blair, international half back players and top level coaches, see something special in Kinghorn, or see the potential at least.

The simplest reasons are often the correct ones

Personally I think Kinghorn has improved immensely in his four games at ten this season already, his defence at ten especially so.

[I like neeps]

I actually think that Toonie and Blair, international half back players and top level coaches, see something special in Kinghorn, or see the potential at least.

The simplest reasons are often the correct ones

Personally I think Kinghorn has improved immensely in his four games at ten this season already, his defence at ten especially so.

I agree. I think we all see something special with Kinghorn which is why he's quite divisive. And we've seen that again this year at 10 where we hadn't seen it the last few years at 15. So it's great he'll continue at 10 for Edinburgh.

But for the good of Edinburgh it should be on reduced terms if rumours of his last salary are true.

[Big D]

I think the SRU are failing if not..

Townsend speaks well of every single Scotland player so I don't think you can read into that. I think if we're honest Kinghorn is a depth piece for Scotland (sometimes comes in off the bench but not really a starter at 15, wing or 10). So he should not be getting Scotland starter money. If Townsend did think as highly of him as he words may suggest he'd start more games. Remember your actions are so loud I can't hear what you're saying.

First choice 10 for now, not an established 10 by anyone's imagination but yes let's say promising starter. Ross Thompson level so you'd hope around the same contract if his contract is a 10. But it won't be it will be higher than Ross Thompson as Kinghorn could play 15 (Bofelli is a better 15 than Kinghorn though) and maybe wing (he's not such a good winger).

But, his last deal was as established 15 and presumably as he was one of Edinburgh's best players one of their high earners. And he was also the heir to Hogg as one of Scotland's most promising young players too. Which probably isn't the case anymore.

I think if the SRU didn't have a reduction agreed they've been kind of fleeced. Sure he might be a great 10 - it's going well so far - but he's unproven there. And they have a better 15 currently playing for them anyway.

Ross Thomson will still be on his basic "just out the academy" contract. Which will not be close to representative of his potential.

Townsend speaking highly of a player may not mean much to you or I but it will mean something to the players agent come negotiating time and it will be brought up in discussion and used as leverage. His agent will also argue they've harmed his shirt term earning potential by deciding to move him to 10 and bringing in Boffelli because those two moves are clearly linked.

He is well liked by Blair and Townsend and rarely let them down. He's doing everything asked of him. I can't remember his being particular poor on the wing for Scotland.

This is his 4th deal (I think), and I don't think his last deal would be as much as many would expect it to be. 15 isn't a highly paid position in the league unless you are a superstar like Hogg. Adding in wage inflation plus his importance to Edinburgh covering 4 of the 7 backs positions it should be relatively easy to argue for a pay rise in negotiations.

True enough but just out of the academy is the level Kinghorn is at 10 - he's surely only played about 10 pro games there?

The bolded bit is exactly why he shouldn't have got higher pay. "You're harming my earning potential by bringing in a better player" isn't a strong negotiating point. What's Kinghorn's value outwith Edinburgh? Not a starting 10 in England or France. And I don't believe a good enough 15 to demand big money in a dwindling pot.

Also his agents can say "Townsend says nice things in the press" - I'm sure the SRU are pointing out he's not a starter and will know what Townsend really thinks about him which is obviously going to be more critical than what he says in the press where he never criticises anyone.

I don't think he ever did let Scotland down on the wing. But equally he's not going to start there in a big test match is he? Understandably he just isn't as good an option as Duhan, Graham or McLean/Steyn. I'd be very interested who is 15 for Scotland if Hogg has to miss a match in the six nations. Very interested indeed.

Player ability is only one part of the negotiations, Thomson and Kinghorn won't be offered the same, just as Weir will be getting more than Thomson in basic salary.

Kinghorn is a key piece for Edinburgh as he gives them a lot of flexibility and there is little at 10 there (don't rate Jaco). Contract negotiations are often about timing. He signed a new deal in 2021, he could easily have dropped in salary then given Covid was in full flight. Either he took a one year extension or both sides have redone his deal early. In the latter of those, it wouldn't be done to remove money from the deal.

What is "big money" these days in SRU terms? In a similar discussion as to what we said about Skinner, there aren't that many coaches/players on 200k+ basic salary (2 less last year than the year before) before match fees etc but although there isn't as much money around there is still more than there was and the picture is clearer than it was when Kinghorn signed his last deal in Jan 2021.

All I was saying is it wouldn't surprise me if he has gotten a rise from his last deal. Whether he deserves it our not is another matter.

[I like neeps]

Ross Thomson will still be on his basic "just out the academy" contract. Which will not be close to representative of his potential.

Townsend speaking highly of a player may not mean much to you or I but it will mean something to the players agent come negotiating time and it will be brought up in discussion and used as leverage. His agent will also argue they've harmed his shirt term earning potential by deciding to move him to 10 and bringing in Boffelli because those two moves are clearly linked.

He is well liked by Blair and Townsend and rarely let them down. He's doing everything asked of him. I can't remember his being particular poor on the wing for Scotland.

This is his 4th deal (I think), and I don't think his last deal would be as much as many would expect it to be. 15 isn't a highly paid position in the league unless you are a superstar like Hogg. Adding in wage inflation plus his importance to Edinburgh covering 4 of the 7 backs positions it should be relatively easy to argue for a pay rise in negotiations.

True enough but just out of the academy is the level Kinghorn is at 10 - he's surely only played about 10 pro games there?

The bolded bit is exactly why he shouldn't have got higher pay. "You're harming my earning potential by bringing in a better player" isn't a strong negotiating point. What's Kinghorn's value outwith Edinburgh? Not a starting 10 in England or France. And I don't believe a good enough 15 to demand big money in a dwindling pot.

Also his agents can say "Townsend says nice things in the press" - I'm sure the SRU are pointing out he's not a starter and will know what Townsend really thinks about him which is obviously going to be more critical than what he says in the press where he never criticises anyone.

I don't think he ever did let Scotland down on the wing. But equally he's not going to start there in a big test match is he? Understandably he just isn't as good an option as Duhan, Graham or McLean/Steyn. I'd be very interested who is 15 for Scotland if Hogg has to miss a match in the six nations. Very interested indeed.

Player ability is only one part of the negotiations, Thomson and Kinghorn won't be offered the same, just as Weir will be getting more than Thomson in basic salary.

Kinghorn is a key piece for Edinburgh as he gives them a lot of flexibility and there is little at 10 there (don't rate Jaco). Contract negotiations are often about timing. He signed a new deal in 2021, he could easily have dropped in salary then given Covid was in full flight. Either he took a one year extension or both sides have redone his deal early. In the latter of those, it wouldn't be done to remove money from the deal.

What is "big money" these days in SRU terms? In a similar discussion as to what we said about Skinner, there aren't that many coaches/players on 200k+ basic salary (2 less last year than the year before) before match fees etc but although there isn't as much money around there is still more than there was and the picture is clearer than it was when Kinghorn signed his last deal in Jan 2021.

All I was saying is it wouldn't surprise me if he has gotten a rise from his last deal. Whether he deserves it our not is another matter.

I can't remember when he signed his last deal. If he took a reduction due to covid (and hopefully form, he was bad last season, mebut that seems unlikely) then fair enough. But, as weegie said there was a period he was one of the highest paid players in Scotland. There can be no argument he comes close to deserving that now so if he is paid that way the SRU have done a very poor job in negotiations and that is why I'm interested.

Savala is clearly capable, and VdW is at least a proven 10 you can win with. It's not a totally bare cupboard. Chamberlain was actually reasonable last year when he played too.

As Thompson has a new deal would be surprised if third pick Weir was ahead of him. The thing with Weir is he had likely very few offers from elsewhere. Worcester's back in up 10 isn't a lucrative in demand player. I hope the SRU are leveraging this in negotiations. Whereas Thompson is a good performer with Glasgow and a bright future. If third pick Weir is on more than first pick Thompson Dodson is not the negotiator his reputation suggests.

Yes and I still disagree with Skinner in the top echelon of Scottish earners as he's not in the top echelon of Scottish internationals. If Kinghorn is paid more than as an developmental depth piece as that what he currently is for Scotland (depth piece) and Edinburgh (developmental) is I think it's a poor deal. Whilst I do think he's a special player you have to be a consistent performer for the big bucks imo.

[Big D]

I can't remember when he signed his last deal. If he took a reduction due to covid (and hopefully form, he was bad last season, mebut that seems unlikely) then fair enough. But, as weegie said there was a period he was one of the highest paid players in Scotland. There can be no argument he comes close to deserving that now so if he is paid that way the SRU have done a very poor job in negotiations and that is why I'm interested.

Savala is clearly capable, and VdW is at least a proven 10 you can win with. It's not a totally bare cupboard. Chamberlain was actually reasonable last year when he played too.

As Thompson has a new deal would be surprised if third pick Weir was ahead of him. The thing with Weir is he had likely very few offers from elsewhere. Worcester's back in up 10 isn't a lucrative in demand player. I hope the SRU are leveraging this in negotiations. Whereas Thompson is a good performer with Glasgow and a bright future. If third pick Weir is on more than first pick Thompson Dodson is not the negotiator his reputation suggests.

Yes and I still disagree with Skinner in the top echelon of Scottish earners as he's not in the top echelon of Scottish internationals. If Kinghorn is paid more than as an developmental depth piece as that what he currently is for Scotland (depth piece) and Edinburgh (developmental) is I think it's a poor deal. Whilst I do think he's a special player you have to be a consistent performer for the big bucks imo.

His last deal was signed in Jan 21.

When he signed the deal he was on before that it was 2018. Big money back then will.have been matched and surpassed by some players who signed deals after that.

Given he this is the second deal he has signed in 11months, when he is playing better than he was back then and now playing and been capped as a 10 I still think it is unlikely he will be on less money than what he is currently being paid.

Again, not saying he does or doesn't deserve it, that's for agents and the SRU to battle out. I'm sure Dodson v CSM would be an interesting battle.

I guess my whole point in a nutshell is: I don't see how the SRU can tell him he is less valuable to them than he was 11 months ago in monetary terms.

[Biffer]

According to Graham Love, if you start watching the Scotland v France game at 22:04:38, Hoggy will jump into the air after the final whistle just as the bells go.

[Slick]

According to Graham Love, if you start watching the Scotland v France game at 22:04:38, Hoggy will jump into the air after the final whistle just as the bells go.

[Slick]

I see Jason Leitch is talking about no big crowds until April.

Not looking good for the 6N. Maybe we could play in Newcastle

[Jock42]

I see Jason Leitch is talking about no big crowds until April.

Did he mention which year?

[robmatic]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

[Slick]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Are they allowed 500 at the game?

[Dogbert]

Decent Enough Team for Glasgow - Shame Dempsey is unavailable


Bhatti Turner Fagerson
Cummings McDonald
Wilson Darge Fagerson
Price Thomson
Forbes Tuipoltu Johnson Steyn
Mckay

subs
Brown Kebble Pieretto Bean Gordon Dobie Weir Fifita

Unavailable for selection: Simon Berghan, Jack Dempsey, Richie Gray, Rob Harley, Robbie Fergusson, Sean Kennedy, Tom Lambert, Rufus McLean, Ewan McQuillin, Domingo Miotti, Grant Stewart.

[I like neeps]

I see Jason Leitch is talking about no big crowds until April.

Not looking good for the 6N. Maybe we could play in Newcastle

It absolutely should be played in Newcastle. What a weekend that would be.

I also think financially damaging sports clubs and bodies without a shred of evidence it is beneficial to the health policy you are following is utter sh*te.

[Jock42]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Graham unavailable? Would have had him on the wing and Boffelli at FB. He's had a few weeks off, another won't harm granted, but would like a couple of games for him before the Calcutta Cup (wherever it'll be played).

[robmatic]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Are they allowed 500 at the game?

Yes and no. They are allowed 500 people in total at the game but the SRU aren't having fans at either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Once you take into account the teams, support staff, broadcasters and then the stewards, catering staff that you would need etc it's probably not worth having a select few of the season ticket holders in.

[robmatic]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Graham unavailable? Would have had him on the wing and Boffelli at FB. He's had a few weeks off, another won't harm granted, but would like a couple of games for him before the Calcutta Cup (wherever it'll be played).

Graham is unavailable. I'd have had him in the team as well but he's either injured or covid/isolating.

[Slick]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Are they allowed 500 at the game?

Yes and no. They are allowed 500 people in total at the game but the SRU aren't having fans at either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Once you take into account the teams, support staff, broadcasters and then the stewards, catering staff that you would need etc it's probably not worth having a select few of the season ticket holders in.

Makes sense, cheers.

[Jock42]

Edinburgh go full noise for their game tomorrow:

Edinburgh (v Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 3pm): H Immelman; E Boffelli, M Bennett, J Lang, R Moyano; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Substitutes: D Cherry, B Venter, L de Bruin, G Young, N Haining, C Shiel, J van der Walt, C Dean.

I imagine they will be quite keen to get stuck in on the pitch after a month without a game.

Crosbie is unavailable which solves the back row selection dilemma - think he's probably been in better form than Watson and Richie so far this season for Edinburgh, but it would be difficult to leave one of those two out.

Graham unavailable? Would have had him on the wing and Boffelli at FB. He's had a few weeks off, another won't harm granted, but would like a couple of games for him before the Calcutta Cup (wherever it'll be played).

Graham is unavailable. I'd have had him in the team as well but he's either injured or covid/isolating.

Cheers.

[dkm57]

Pretty comprehensively dominant first half by Embra

[Begbie]

Maggie looking good again, had a couple of big runs and hits.

[Begbie]

Mark Bennett

[dpedin]

Bonkers game from Embra. Totally in charge and killed Cardiff in first half, physically so dominant. Bradbury just immense, Bennet just majestic. Cardiff brave but nothing in the tank. Embra take foot of the pedal in 2nd half but at least got game time into some other players who needed it. Bonkers!

[Biffer]

Yeah, Edinburgh just seemed to stop after Cardiff went down to 14. Good dominant victory though. Bradbury is in great form, the new signings are good (RGs are excellent), Kinghorn seems to be settling at 10, and the game plan is good.

[Oxbow]

Just popping in to say that both Hutchinson and Dingwall played well for Saints today. Dingwall has probably been our player of the season so far. I'm hoping England get hold of him before Scotland do.

[Tichtheid]

The two long breaks for injuries broke our stride, we got back into it just before the 70 minute mark.

Maggie and Bennett were excellent, Knghorn his usual mix of the clumsy mistakes and sublime vision, pace and passing.

What about Chris Dean? He looked very classy when he came on

[dpedin]

For me the main difference is the players look like they are enjoying their rugby and are playing with a smile on their face. Sure they make mistakes and make the wrong decisions but they don't seem afraid to do so and I suspect they are not getting a bollocking for trying. Happy guys and a good team spirit is a good starter.

[KingBlairhorn]

Two BP wins back to back from the pro teams, I’ll definitely take that. It makes the cancellation of the 1872 all the more galling though, what a ding dong battle that might have been.

[Slick]

Just finished watching the games.

Not much to add on the Edinburgh game that hasn’t been said. Boffelli world signing of the year? Bennett is in great form, a real battle for places in the centres for the 6N.

Glasgow looked decent. Johnson looked class as usual, hope he’s not injured. I must say, I thought Tuipoluto looked very average when he first arrived but has been getting better and better, very impressive. Darge looks every inch and international player again. McDonald has hands like tits.

Looking at the empty stands was a bit sad. Life seems to be carrying on with pubs, shops etc open (obviously with some restrictions), we really should be able to go and watch a game of rugby outside.

[Biffer]

Two BP wins back to back from the pro teams, I’ll definitely take that. It makes the cancellation of the 1872 all the more galling though, what a ding dong battle that might have been.

Plus the wins against Saracens and Exeter

[clydecloggie]

Very enjoyable Saturday with the Burghers playing rugby you actually want to watch and then the mighty Warriors showing glimpses of getting back to their old self again. Tuipolotou running at Anscombe brought a big smile to my face. Darge was unreal at 7 - again.

Burghers top of the pile even, although they have yet to play the Irish big guns. Nevertheless, all of this will feed into the confidence of the Scotland players and it's nearly Six Nations time.

It will all end in the shape of an apple-like fruit. We know that. We're still Scotland after all. But let's enjoy it while it lasts; looking at the Welsh celebrating another Grand Jam in two months time will be tough enough.

[dkm57]

I'm very happy with a day when both Scottish teams earned BP wins convincingly with at least 3 players in each team worthy of MOTM.

Zander continues to frustrate with penalties we're light at 3, Hookersand 1 are OK

Lock is OK with good (and young) options coming through, Gilchrist seems to have picked up, I'd always thought he was a bit of an also ran until recently

Real depth at centre and back row. Maggie and Matt stepping up nicely at 8, Watson and Darge at 7, Ritchie and Wilson at 6

Looking OK at 9 but a bit of a drop off from Price same at 15 after Hogg but then both are world class.

10 looks interesting Fin, Hastings, Kinghorn and Thomson all quite different. Could do with some more wingers coming through to truly international class.

[Slick]

Very enjoyable Saturday with the Burghers playing rugby you actually want to watch and then the mighty Warriors showing glimpses of getting back to their old self again. Tuipolotou running at Anscombe brought a big smile to my face. Darge was unreal at 7 - again.

Burghers top of the pile even, although they have yet to play the Irish big guns. Nevertheless, all of this will feed into the confidence of the Scotland players and it's nearly Six Nations time.

It will all end in the shape of an apple-like fruit. We know that. We're still Scotland after all. But let's enjoy it while it lasts; looking at the Welsh celebrating another Grand Jam in two months time will be tough enough.

It does feel a bit like we are getting to the now or never stage. Although strangely it almost feels to me like our best chance is now the years when we have Wales and Ireland at home rather than the traditional optimism of the England/France at Murrayfield years.

[Big D]

Very enjoyable Saturday with the Burghers playing rugby you actually want to watch and then the mighty Warriors showing glimpses of getting back to their old self again. Tuipolotou running at Anscombe brought a big smile to my face. Darge was unreal at 7 - again.

Burghers top of the pile even, although they have yet to play the Irish big guns. Nevertheless, all of this will feed into the confidence of the Scotland players and it's nearly Six Nations time.

It will all end in the shape of an apple-like fruit. We know that. We're still Scotland after all. But let's enjoy it while it lasts; looking at the Welsh celebrating another Grand Jam in two months time will be tough enough.

The point about Edinburghs fixtures is a good one but the positive thing is they've picked up 6 try bonus points in 8 games and defence is looking well organised. Easier part of their schedule but to come through with more wins than last season in total is probably better than expected.

The really positive thing is they looked well coached 1-23 and have clear attacking game plans.

[I like neeps]

Darge is outplaying Watson (and pretty much every 7 I've seen this year) he starts week 1 Vs England right?

[Slick]

Darge is outplaying Watson (and pretty much every 7 I've seen this year) he starts week 1 Vs England right?

Tough one. But probably not.

[Big D]

Darge is outplaying Watson (and pretty much every 7 I've seen this year) he starts week 1 Vs England right?

I wouldn't think so. Although it should be a decision that the staff think long and hard about.

This is the bit where international selection doesn't always pick the player in the best form even if there is a strong case. Watson will have enormous credit in the bank with the coaching staff.

In a weird way the called off festive games hurt Watson as he needs game time and Darge as he could have emphatically shown he deserves the international jersey. Same could be said Bradbury v Fagerson, I'm not sure GT will pick Bradbury despite his form deserving it.

[Slick]

Darge is outplaying Watson (and pretty much every 7 I've seen this year) he starts week 1 Vs England right?

I wouldn't think so. Although it should be a decision that the staff think long and hard about.

This is the bit where international selection doesn't always pick the player in the best form even if there is a strong case. Watson will have enormous credit in the bank with the coaching staff.

In a weird way the called off festive games hurt Watson as he needs game time and Darge as he could have emphatically shown he deserves the international jersey. Same could be said Bradbury v Fagerson, I'm not sure GT will pick Bradbury despite his form deserving it.

Agree re Watson and credit in the bank.

By the same reasoning I disagree about Bradbury and think he’s a shoo in, no one else has much credit and he has been fantastic