The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Tichtheid]

I thought Watson was just starting to show glimpses of form yesterday for the first time since the Lions and injury, there are a couple of games at least before the 6N opener, I’d like Toonie to be picking from a fully fit and in form squad, having said that both Darge and Crosbie are biting at Watson’s heels.

For me Bradbury has to start at 8, Crosbie offers another lineout option whilst Darge and Watson are very similar players, they would both be playing at scrum half for some lineouts, I’m not sure I’ve seen Crosbie used that way.
Fagerson could well play in the 7 shirt.

Ritchie is my first name on the teamsheet every week, the guy is a machine.

[I like neeps]

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

I agree about Bradbury as Fagerson hasn't been playing at 8 and had a weak Autumn. Bradbury Vs Bayliss maybe?

I think Watson has huge credit in the bank... But I don't think we've had in Scottish domestic rugby a player hitting the heights weekly that Darge does in a long time. This is easily the most challenging selection between the form guy and the established guy in the Scottish national team that I can remember.

I'd pick Darge, he's just been too good not to. Also, it's a bit of a "wait if Watson can be challenged every shirt is up for grabs" for the squad.

[Tichtheid]

I wouldn’t argue if Darge started against England, Watson off the pine with a point to prove worked well the last time it happened (v Wales iirc)

[Biffer]

Watson isn’t getting dropped folks. Player of the Championship last year, hasn’t missed a tackle for Scotland in over two years.

Darge will play v Italy.

[robmatic]

Watson isn’t getting dropped folks. Player of the Championship last year, hasn’t missed a tackle for Scotland in over two years.

Darge will play v Italy.

Darge seems a pretty cool character but he's played a handful of professional games and many of those have been behind closed doors. Giving him his first start against England, which is probably the most emotionally intense and pressured of games for Scotland players, is arguably not great management and not even necessary when you have a more than reliable option available in Watson.

[Slick]

I thought Watson was just starting to show glimpses of form yesterday for the first time since the Lions and injury, there are a couple of games at least before the 6N opener, I’d like Toonie to be picking from a fully fit and in form squad, having said that both Darge and Crosbie are biting at Watson’s heels.

For me Bradbury has to start at 8, Crosbie offers another lineout option whilst Darge and Watson are very similar players, they would both be playing at scrum half for some lineouts, I’m not sure I’ve seen Crosbie used that way.
Fagerson could well play in the 7 shirt.

Ritchie is my first name on the teamsheet every week, the guy is a machine.

Agree re Watson, he was good yesterday and looked like he was coming back to form.

Also agree on Bradbury at starting 8 and Ritchie being a machine. That back row, with the form Bradbury is in, is a match for anyone in the world

[I like neeps]

Watson isn’t getting dropped folks. Player of the Championship last year, hasn’t missed a tackle for Scotland in over two years.

Darge will play v Italy.

If he doesn't play Vs England he won't play Vs Italy. Even Vs Italy we don't experiment as it's the only "must win" game we play.

[Biffer]

Watson isn’t getting dropped folks. Player of the Championship last year, hasn’t missed a tackle for Scotland in over two years.

Darge will play v Italy.

If he doesn't play Vs England he won't play Vs Italy. Even Vs Italy we don't experiment as it's the only "must win" game we play.

Right enough.

I have a feeling Watson will get the summer off.

[Yr Alban]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

[I like neeps]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

I don't think people are worrying about it. It's the first genuinely interesting selection debate we can have about one of our best players. Realistically nobody is challenging Hogg, Duhan, Price, Z Fagerson, Russell and co. And nobody really ever challenges the really good players we've had.

Maybe Schoeman and Sutherland.

[Big D]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

I don't think people are worrying about it. It's the first genuinely interesting selection debate we can have about one of our best players. Realistically nobody is challenging Hogg, Duhan, Price, Z Fagerson, Russell and co. And nobody really ever challenges the really good players we've had.

Maybe Schoeman and Sutherland.

I'd start Nel over Fagerson. May as well throw a hand grenade in there for gits and shiggles.

[Biffer]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

*probably three now, the young lad playing in Serie A is also a left back.

[robmatic]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

I don't think people are worrying about it. It's the first genuinely interesting selection debate we can have about one of our best players. Realistically nobody is challenging Hogg, Duhan, Price, Z Fagerson, Russell and co. And nobody really ever challenges the really good players we've had.

Maybe Schoeman and Sutherland.

I'd start Nel over Fagerson. May as well throw a hand grenade in there for gits and shiggles.

Me too actually. Fagerson's not as good in the scrum and is a bit of liability, discipline-wise.

[Slick]

I don't think people are worrying about it. It's the first genuinely interesting selection debate we can have about one of our best players. Realistically nobody is challenging Hogg, Duhan, Price, Z Fagerson, Russell and co. And nobody really ever challenges the really good players we've had.

Maybe Schoeman and Sutherland.

I'd start Nel over Fagerson. May as well throw a hand grenade in there for gits and shiggles.

Me too actually. Fagerson's not as good in the scrum and is a bit of liability, discipline-wise.

Agree. Nel could really rattle England for 60 minutes

[weegie01]

Before we get too carried away about Darge, club form does not always translate to international games. Darge would not be the first player to explode onto the scene and then not fulfil the high hopes of him, nor the first to look fantastic at club level and not make the step up to international.

He hope he fulfils the expectations of him, but at the moment he has tremendous potential as a test player, he has to fulfil that potential before we can start talking about him in the same breath as Watson.

Which is a chicken and egg situation. We can't be certain that he is good enough to replace Watson until he replaces Watson.

[Biffer]

Before we get too carried away about Darge, club form does not always translate to international games. Darge would not be the first player to explode onto the scene and then not fulfil the high hopes of him, nor the first to look fantastic at club level and not make the step up to international.

He hope he fulfils the expectations of him, but at the moment he has tremendous potential as a test player, he has to fulfil that potential before we can start talking about him in the same breath as Watson.

Which is a chicken and egg situation. We can't be certain that he is good enough to replace Watson until he replaces Watson.

And the Glasgow fans were sayung similar things about Tom Gordon a couple of seasons back.

[Yr Alban]

I tweeted yesterday that it’s only Scotland fans who worry about having two Test-class players fighting for a jersey. Other teams regard this as a good thing. The reason we don’t is that we are accustomed to only having a handful of truly class players, and if two play in the same position it makes it harder to get both onto the pitch. Hopefully we can get past this.

Same thing happens in the football - our two best players are both left backs. Though they do seem to have found a way to accommodate both of them!

*probably three now, the young lad playing in Serie A is also a left back.

Aaron Hickey. Went there from Hearts (more’s the pity). Seems strangely invisible to the selectors. Can also play on the right.

[Yr Alban]

Before we get too carried away about Darge, club form does not always translate to international games. Darge would not be the first player to explode onto the scene and then not fulfil the high hopes of him, nor the first to look fantastic at club level and not make the step up to international.

He hope he fulfils the expectations of him, but at the moment he has tremendous potential as a test player, he has to fulfil that potential before we can start talking about him in the same breath as Watson.

Which is a chicken and egg situation. We can't be certain that he is good enough to replace Watson until he replaces Watson.

And the Glasgow fans were sayung similar things about Tom Gordon a couple of seasons back.

Fair point at the end there.

[Tichtheid]

Just for the sake of it lets say our first XV is currently as follows

Sutherland, McInally, Fagerson, Gray, Cummings, Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson
Price, Russell, vdM, Johnson, Harris, Graham, Hogg.


Sutherland apparently got sent off yesterday, so he is in doubt for the first test v England, Schoeman and Kebble will deputise, no problem there.
Rambo looked good at the weekend, but only lasted the first half iirc. Turner is playing well, Brown is back, I like Cherry as a player, Ashman started for Sale - good enough
Nel is still doing it, though I have concerns about his puff for international rugby these days, Berghan is still injured - we are light here.
Craig si still crocked I think, but Hodgson goes from strength to strength, Gilchrist could start ahead of either of those I picked, he is playing very well at the moment, Sykes is the coming man, good depth at lock.
Crosbie, Bradbury, Darge, Bayliss - back row is fine.

There is a drop off from Price, Horne has gone backwards, I haven't seen the Quins laddie whose name escapes me for the moment, Vellacott is a particular type of player, he injects insane pace into the game but in fact has also shown a bit of control in his last couple of outings. Charlie Shiel is yet to kick on to the next level, Pyrgos looked good recently and won't let anyone down, Dobie is still raw but is very talented.
Behind Finn, Hastings will still be second choice, is there room on the bench for both him and Kinghorn? Kinghorn covers the back three plus 10 now, I have every confidence that he can repeat his club form at 10 on the big stage. On a 6-2 bench split his versatility would be very appealing. Thompson is very consistent, I think we are fine at 10.
I don't think Redpath is back yet, is he? Lang is playing very well but looks to be made of glass. Up to now I have thought of Chris Dean as an excellent league player, but not quite at the next level, but on Saturday he looked fantastic, everything he did was classy, he just looked to have time on the ball and he passed beautifully off both sides. Tuipolotu had a stormer in the 13 jersey on Saturday evening.
Mark Bennett is playing some of his best rugby right now, Taylor is injured again, sadly I think that's it for him in an international jersey.
Otherwise I think we're okay in the centres.

Evergreen Sean Maitland will still be in the squad I imagine, Kinghorn as mentioned covers all three back positions, I think Hoyland will miss this 6N unfortunately, he was playing so well too. Hastings also covers full back, as does Darcy Graham.
Judo's Byron McGuigan could make the squad, which leaves only Huw Jones, I haven't watched Quins this season, but I haven't heard great things about Jones so far.

Ah, Scott Steele, I remembered just in time


edit - Kyle Steyn will be in the squad too,

[weegie01]

Before we get too carried away about Darge, club form does not always translate to international games. Darge would not be the first player to explode onto the scene and then not fulfil the high hopes of him, nor the first to look fantastic at club level and not make the step up to international.

He hope he fulfils the expectations of him, but at the moment he has tremendous potential as a test player, he has to fulfil that potential before we can start talking about him in the same breath as Watson.

Which is a chicken and egg situation. We can't be certain that he is good enough to replace Watson until he replaces Watson.

And the Glasgow fans were sayung similar things about Tom Gordon a couple of seasons back.

After I'd made the post, the same thought occurred to me.

[Slick]

Whilst I agree he is progressing, I wouldn't have Kinghorn anywhere near covering 10 for the 6N. Between him and Hastings they cover pretty much everywhere don't they? Think I'd prefer a 5/3 split anyway.

[clydecloggie]

Before we get too carried away about Darge, club form does not always translate to international games. Darge would not be the first player to explode onto the scene and then not fulfil the high hopes of him, nor the first to look fantastic at club level and not make the step up to international.

He hope he fulfils the expectations of him, but at the moment he has tremendous potential as a test player, he has to fulfil that potential before we can start talking about him in the same breath as Watson.

Which is a chicken and egg situation. We can't be certain that he is good enough to replace Watson until he replaces Watson.

And the Glasgow fans were sayung similar things about Tom Gordon a couple of seasons back.

After I'd made the post, the same thought occurred to me.

Current Darge is a level above Gordon back then. But I assume Watson will be 7 for the Calcutta Cup and rightly so. I'd be happy if Darge took the 20 shirt or if he was included in a 6/2 split bench. Give him 20 minutes here and there and see if he can replicate club form.

[Tichtheid]

The tighthead situation is bothering me.

Who would be our third choice there since Berghan is not available? I keep coming back to Bhatti and Dell backing up the loosehead side and Kebble moving over to number 3, which makes Toonie's experimentation there in November seem entirely sensible.

[clydecloggie]

Just for the sake of it lets say our first XV is currently as follows

Sutherland, McInally, Fagerson, Gray, Cummings, Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson
Price, Russell, vdM, Johnson, Harris, Graham, Hogg.


Sutherland apparently got sent off yesterday, so he is in doubt for the first test v England, Schoeman and Kebble will deputise, no problem there.
Rambo looked good at the weekend, but only lasted the first half iirc. Turner is playing well, Brown is back, I like Cherry as a player, Ashman started for Sale - good enough
Nel is still doing it, though I have concerns about his puff for international rugby these days, Berghan is still injured - we are light here.
Craig si still crocked I think, but Hodgson goes from strength to strength, Gilchrist could start ahead of either of those I picked, he is playing very well at the moment, Sykes is the coming man, good depth at lock.
Crosbie, Bradbury, Darge, Bayliss - back row is fine.

There is a drop off from Price, Horne has gone backwards, I haven't seen the Quins laddie whose name escapes me for the moment, Vellacott is a particular type of player, he injects insane pace into the game but in fact has also shown a bit of control in his last couple of outings. Charlie Shiel is yet to kick on to the next level, Pyrgos looked good recently and won't let anyone down, Dobie is still raw but is very talented.
Behind Finn, Hastings will still be second choice, is there room on the bench for both him and Kinghorn? Kinghorn covers the back three plus 10 now, I have every confidence that he can repeat his club form at 10 on the big stage. On a 6-2 bench split his versatility would be very appealing. Thompson is very consistent, I think we are fine at 10.
I don't think Redpath is back yet, is he? Lang is playing very well but looks to be made of glass. Up to now I have thought of Chris Dean as an excellent league player, but not quite at the next level, but on Saturday he looked fantastic, everything he did was classy, he just looked to have time on the ball and he passed beautifully off both sides. Tuipolotu had a stormer in the 13 jersey on Saturday evening.
Mark Bennett is playing some of his best rugby right now, Taylor is injured again, sadly I think that's it for him in an international jersey.
Otherwise I think we're okay in the centres.

Evergreen Sean Maitland will still be in the squad I imagine, Kinghorn as mentioned covers all three back positions, I think Hoyland will miss this 6N unfortunately, he was playing so well too. Hastings also covers full back, as does Darcy Graham.
Judo's Byron McGuigan could make the squad, which leaves only Huw Jones, I haven't watched Quins this season, but I haven't heard great things about Jones so far.

Ah, Scott Steele, I remembered just in time


edit - Kyle Steyn will be in the squad too,

I'd seriously consider George Turner as starting hooker for the 6N with McInally/Brown/Cherry/Ashman as potential back ups - absolutely no worries there.

It's amazing that we essentially have no worries about a thin squad for any position at the moment. Even a few seasons back when we were starting to say there was unprecedented talent in the squad, we had our issues for some shirts. Not anymore. Cue a full-on covid assault, ill-timed red cards and other assorted injuries in the next few weeks, obviously, but for now - we're dancing. We're still not beating Ireland, mind.

[Tichtheid]

Whilst I agree he is progressing, I wouldn't have Kinghorn anywhere near covering 10 for the 6N.

I would, and although it's really only a "break glass in case of emergency" scenario right now, I'd take that over Hogg covering ten in that circumstance.

Between him and Hastings they cover pretty much everywhere don't they? Think I'd prefer a 5/3 split anyway.

Yes, but there are horses for courses situations when you pick 6 forrits on the bench, it was a hypothetical, I don't see anything other than 5/3 splits for the coming games, with potentially the Ireland game being 6/2

[Tichtheid]

I'd seriously consider George Turner as starting hooker for the 6N with McInally/Brown/Cherry/Ashman as potential back ups - absolutely no worries there.

It's amazing that we essentially have no worries about a thin squad for any position at the moment. Even a few seasons back when we were starting to say there was unprecedented talent in the squad, we had our issues for some shirts. Not anymore. Cue a full-on covid assault, ill-timed red cards and other assorted injuries in the next few weeks, obviously, but for now - we're dancing. We're still not beating Ireland, mind.

My concern with Turner is solely on his darts, Cherry or Ashman are probably our best throwers, but neither of them are ahead of the others in terms of overall hooker play.

[Slick]

Whilst I agree he is progressing, I wouldn't have Kinghorn anywhere near covering 10 for the 6N.

I would, and although it's really only a "break glass in case of emergency" scenario right now, I'd take that over Hogg covering ten in that circumstance.

Between him and Hastings they cover pretty much everywhere don't they? Think I'd prefer a 5/3 split anyway.

Yes, but there are horses for courses situations when you pick 6 forrits on the bench, it was a hypothetical, I don't see anything other than 5/3 splits for the coming games, with potentially the Ireland game being 6/2

oh god yes, I'd rather have him than Hogg at 10! I just think Hastings is so far ahead as a 10, and can cover 12 and 15, that you have to have him in the squad. I wouldn't like to go into a game with Kinghorn as our back up 10.

[Slick]

I'd seriously consider George Turner as starting hooker for the 6N with McInally/Brown/Cherry/Ashman as potential back ups - absolutely no worries there.

It's amazing that we essentially have no worries about a thin squad for any position at the moment. Even a few seasons back when we were starting to say there was unprecedented talent in the squad, we had our issues for some shirts. Not anymore. Cue a full-on covid assault, ill-timed red cards and other assorted injuries in the next few weeks, obviously, but for now - we're dancing. We're still not beating Ireland, mind.

My concern with Turner is solely on his darts, Cherry or Ashman are probably our best throwers, but neither of them are ahead of the others in terms of overall hooker play.

Yup, was just think about that earlier. Turner probably ahead in terms of scrummaging and around the park but we just can't afford a lineout meltdown.

[Tichtheid]

Whilst I agree he is progressing, I wouldn't have Kinghorn anywhere near covering 10 for the 6N.

I would, and although it's really only a "break glass in case of emergency" scenario right now, I'd take that over Hogg covering ten in that circumstance.

Between him and Hastings they cover pretty much everywhere don't they? Think I'd prefer a 5/3 split anyway.

Yes, but there are horses for courses situations when you pick 6 forrits on the bench, it was a hypothetical, I don't see anything other than 5/3 splits for the coming games, with potentially the Ireland game being 6/2

oh god yes, I'd rather have him than Hogg at 10! I just think Hastings is so far ahead as a 10, and can cover 12 and 15, that you have to have him in the squad. I wouldn't like to go into a game with Kinghorn as our back up 10.

What I'm talking about is having Kinghorn as Hastings' back up for the moment, but by this time next year, who knows where Kinghorn will be in the pecking order?

[Slick]

I would, and although it's really only a "break glass in case of emergency" scenario right now, I'd take that over Hogg covering ten in that circumstance.



Yes, but there are horses for courses situations when you pick 6 forrits on the bench, it was a hypothetical, I don't see anything other than 5/3 splits for the coming games, with potentially the Ireland game being 6/2

oh god yes, I'd rather have him than Hogg at 10! I just think Hastings is so far ahead as a 10, and can cover 12 and 15, that you have to have him in the squad. I wouldn't like to go into a game with Kinghorn as our back up 10.

What I'm talking about is having Kinghorn as Hastings' back up for the moment, but by this time next year, who knows where Kinghorn will be in the pecking order?

Ahh OK, sorry. Thought you were talking about him covering 10,15 and wing.

[Slick]

Just seen the Sutherland red. You'd hope that would be at the lower end for weeks off. Hope so, I see his club have 3 games between now at the Calcutta Cup.

[KingBlairhorn]

Just for the sake of it lets say our first XV is currently as follows

Sutherland, McInally, Fagerson, Gray, Cummings, Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson
Price, Russell, vdM, Johnson, Harris, Graham, Hogg.


Sutherland apparently got sent off yesterday, so he is in doubt for the first test v England, Schoeman and Kebble will deputise, no problem there.
Rambo looked good at the weekend, but only lasted the first half iirc. Turner is playing well, Brown is back, I like Cherry as a player, Ashman started for Sale - good enough
Nel is still doing it, though I have concerns about his puff for international rugby these days, Berghan is still injured - we are light here.
Craig si still crocked I think, but Hodgson goes from strength to strength, Gilchrist could start ahead of either of those I picked, he is playing very well at the moment, Sykes is the coming man, good depth at lock.
Crosbie, Bradbury, Darge, Bayliss - back row is fine.

There is a drop off from Price, Horne has gone backwards, I haven't seen the Quins laddie whose name escapes me for the moment, Vellacott is a particular type of player, he injects insane pace into the game but in fact has also shown a bit of control in his last couple of outings. Charlie Shiel is yet to kick on to the next level, Pyrgos looked good recently and won't let anyone down, Dobie is still raw but is very talented.
Behind Finn, Hastings will still be second choice, is there room on the bench for both him and Kinghorn? Kinghorn covers the back three plus 10 now, I have every confidence that he can repeat his club form at 10 on the big stage. On a 6-2 bench split his versatility would be very appealing. Thompson is very consistent, I think we are fine at 10.
I don't think Redpath is back yet, is he? Lang is playing very well but looks to be made of glass. Up to now I have thought of Chris Dean as an excellent league player, but not quite at the next level, but on Saturday he looked fantastic, everything he did was classy, he just looked to have time on the ball and he passed beautifully off both sides. Tuipolotu had a stormer in the 13 jersey on Saturday evening.
Mark Bennett is playing some of his best rugby right now, Taylor is injured again, sadly I think that's it for him in an international jersey.
Otherwise I think we're okay in the centres.

Evergreen Sean Maitland will still be in the squad I imagine, Kinghorn as mentioned covers all three back positions, I think Hoyland will miss this 6N unfortunately, he was playing so well too. Hastings also covers full back, as does Darcy Graham.
Judo's Byron McGuigan could make the squad, which leaves only Huw Jones, I haven't watched Quins this season, but I haven't heard great things about Jones so far.

Ah, Scott Steele, I remembered just in time


edit - Kyle Steyn will be in the squad too,

Can't disagree with any of that. The thing that is really encouraging is the versatility of so many of our backs, and quite a few forwards too (i.e. skinner at flanker/lock, kebble at loosehead.tighthead, all our hookers in the back row etc.). Given our propensity for an injury explosion, it bodes well that we should be able to cope.

[KingBlairhorn]

And the Glasgow fans were sayung similar things about Tom Gordon a couple of seasons back.

After I'd made the post, the same thought occurred to me.

Current Darge is a level above Gordon back then. But I assume Watson will be 7 for the Calcutta Cup and rightly so. I'd be happy if Darge took the 20 shirt or if he was included in a 6/2 split bench. Give him 20 minutes here and there and see if he can replicate club form.

I agree. Gordon was playing consistently well. Darge is consistently the best player on the pitch.

[KingBlairhorn]

The tighthead situation is bothering me.

Who would be our third choice there since Berghan is not available? I keep coming back to Bhatti and Dell backing up the loosehead side and Kebble moving over to number 3, which makes Toonie's experimentation there in November seem entirely sensible.

Loosie: Sutherland, Schoeman, Bhatti
Tighthead: Zander, Nel, Berghan
Cover for both: Kebble

[KingBlairhorn]

I'd seriously consider George Turner as starting hooker for the 6N with McInally/Brown/Cherry/Ashman as potential back ups - absolutely no worries there.

It's amazing that we essentially have no worries about a thin squad for any position at the moment. Even a few seasons back when we were starting to say there was unprecedented talent in the squad, we had our issues for some shirts. Not anymore. Cue a full-on covid assault, ill-timed red cards and other assorted injuries in the next few weeks, obviously, but for now - we're dancing. We're still not beating Ireland, mind.

My concern with Turner is solely on his darts, Cherry or Ashman are probably our best throwers, but neither of them are ahead of the others in terms of overall hooker play.

Watching the games on Saturday one of the things that struck me was how well all our hookers threw. I didn't see Sale, so no idea of Ashman, but McInally, Cherry, Turner and Brown all threw well I think - I can't recall a lost lineout, let alone a misthrow.

[I like neeps]

I would, and although it's really only a "break glass in case of emergency" scenario right now, I'd take that over Hogg covering ten in that circumstance.



Yes, but there are horses for courses situations when you pick 6 forrits on the bench, it was a hypothetical, I don't see anything other than 5/3 splits for the coming games, with potentially the Ireland game being 6/2

oh god yes, I'd rather have him than Hogg at 10! I just think Hastings is so far ahead as a 10, and can cover 12 and 15, that you have to have him in the squad. I wouldn't like to go into a game with Kinghorn as our back up 10.

What I'm talking about is having Kinghorn as Hastings' back up for the moment, but by this time next year, who knows where Kinghorn will be in the pecking order?

The problem with Kinghorn covering 10 for Scotland currently is goalkicking. You could make an argument for Kinghorn over Hastings and Thompson on form but would you trust him kicking goals in the six nations?

If we still had Laidlaw or a 9 who was his level kicker I think you could pick Kinghorn over Hastings who hasn't been amazing for Gloucester.

[Biffer]

For tighthead, the worry about Nel is obviously the whole what-if-Fagerson-comes-off-in-the-first-five-minutes deal.

I've never really seen Nel fail to last the pace, but if that's the worry, then you start with him, play him for forty and bring Fagerson on for the second half. If Nel is injured early, Fagerson can last for 70.

But I think Townsend will put Kebble at TH bench spot, unless McCallum does astonishing things in the next few weeks.

[Big D]

The problem with Darge or Watson on the bench is that if Ritchie goes off we lose a lot in the line out or Bradbury/Fagerson goes off we lose a lot at 8.

If we select one of them in the 20 shirt over a Bayliss or Fagerson then it probably needs Skinner on the bench.

[robmatic]

Just seen the Sutherland red. You'd hope that would be at the lower end for weeks off. Hope so, I see his club have 3 games between now at the Calcutta Cup.

Yes, just looks like a rugby collision to me, but suspect he could be missing the start of the 6 Nations.

[I like neeps]

For tighthead, the worry about Nel is obviously the whole what-if-Fagerson-comes-off-in-the-first-five-minutes deal.

I've never really seen Nel fail to last the pace, but if that's the worry, then you start with him, play him for forty and bring Fagerson on for the second half. If Nel is injured early, Fagerson can last for 70.

But I think Townsend will put Kebble at TH bench spot, unless McCallum does astonishing things in the next few weeks.

In my opinion it's a much bigger risk to ask Kebble to play tighthead for 70 minutes than to have Nel play 70.

I get the logic (well no I don't as world cup squads have been extended to 36 and the next world cup is in France a two hour flight) of him as the swing prop to play Tonga. I really don't understand the logic in asking him to scrum on the wrong side for 70 minutes against the big boys of the six nations when you have Nel and Fagerson.

I also wouldn't start Nel over Fagerson. Fagerson has some discipline issues but he's one of the more aggressive players in attack and defence. Schoeman and Fagerson are nasty props to play against in the loose.