The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

https://giphy.com/gifs/bbc-one-uk-uFiaMyDjtxoE6Q1gCU

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would be a good pickup

Edit: seems you can’t embed gifs here

[SaintK]

It's "grandparent" and he also has a Welsh one so you'll need to get in quick

[Biffer]

Gold and silver in the curling. We’re pretty good at something.

[weegie01]

Gold and silver in the curling. We’re pretty good at something.

But we needed a poach to do it

Hailey Duff
Role: Lead
Age: 25
First Olympics

Born in Auckland, New Zealand,

[Big D]

Glasgow’s lock roster is exceptionally poor. Cummings is obviously very good, Gray may still have something about him, McDonald is poor IMO (big but very poor skills), Bean is a championship level journeyman and Bain, who knows. That’s it.

Agree... But they have Ferrie who played well in the s6 and Williamson who is one of the very few playing well for the 20s.

What's the point in playing Bean (great story to him) over an academy player Vs bennetton's second team? What does Scottish rugby gain? Nothing, imo.

I would say a pro team should have a minimum of 1 or 2 international quality, 1 or 2 high quality league pro, 1 or 2 promising youngsters who are pro ready and tested and will be one of the top two categories with game time and 1 filler to help with injuries etc. with 6 established pros across those categories.

Arguably Glasgow have:
International quality: Cummings
High quality league pro: Gray
Promising youngsters: none as they haven’t played (Hamish Bain 1 start, Ferrie no starts, Williamson no starts, Alex Samuel is also in the academy and highly rated) so it’s impossible to say if they are pro quality.
Filler: Bean, McDonald

So 4 full time pros (is Bain on a pro contract?) of which 2 are emergency options.

In contrast Edinburgh have:
International quality: Gilchrist
High quality league pro: Toolis, Young
Promising youngsters: Sykes, Hodgson
Filler: Pierce
So 6 full time pros of which 1 is an emergency option.

Glasgow need to ditch one of Bean or McDonald, give game time to at least one promising lock or bring one in to develop plus bring in at least one more established pro (which they already have lined up for next season tbf). They aren’t far away if they can bring through one of the young players for next season, but they should never have gone into this season so weak in a key position.

Glasgow have had Davidson on their books as recently as 2020 and Sykes in their academy. Just daft they didn't keep a hold of them, or in Davidsons case "rehabilitate" him the way Cockerill did. Edinburgh either outbid them or took them without a fight.

[charltom]

Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.

Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.

Not so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.

Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.

[Margin__Walker]

Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.

Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.

Not so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.

Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.

Wasn't a comment on the relative strength of the countries.

If he's born here, schooled here, at a club here and very much on the up, he'd have to have a really strong desire to play for Scotland to make the switch at 19.

[I like neeps]

Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.

Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.

Not so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.

Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.

2027? 2023 will be a strong squad - but we haven't beaten Ireland since Cotter was in charge and we haven't beaten SA since Scott Johnson?

I'd be nervous to committing to a Scotland team who by then likely won't have Russell and Hogg.

[charltom]

Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.

Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.

Not so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.

Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.

Wasn't a comment on the relative strength of the countries.

If he's born here, schooled here, at a club here and very much on the up, he'd have to have a really strong desire to play for Scotland to make the switch at 19.

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

[Margin__Walker]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

[I like neeps]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

I like your posts about LI on here Margin - always informative.

Don't worry about the Scottish debate - it's been getting more entrenched recently. I agree with the thrust of your post that unless he's like Ashman and considered himself Scottish from the jump he's 19 with first team games already for LI doesn't make sense to declare for Scotland unless the SRU offer him silly money to join Glasgow/Edinburgh. Anyway if it's public knowledge now Scotland fancy him watch him get asked to train with England.

[Margin__Walker]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

I like your posts about LI on here Margin - always informative.

Don't worry about the Scottish debate - it's been getting more entrenched recently. I agree with the thrust of your post that unless he's like Ashman and considered himself Scottish from the jump he's 19 with first team games already for LI doesn't make sense to declare for Scotland unless the SRU offer him silly money to join Glasgow/Edinburgh. Anyway if it's public knowledge now Scotland fancy him watch him get asked to train with England.

Yeah, circumstances will obviously differ massively. A kid like Redpath who despite doing English age grade is the son of a Scottish rugby legend, would probably have an easier decision to make at the young age he did.

I guess a comparison would be if the next Hogg, Russell, Graham etc came through the Scottish pipeline and suddenly declared for England as a teenager because of an English gran. When you dig into it, it may make sense on an individual basis, but would definitely raise eyebrows at the time.

[Begbie]

Jonny Gray out injured

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/

[westport]

Edinburgh win the U18 regional championship in today’s final against Glasgow 33-7.

[Tichtheid]

Jonny Gray out injured

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/

Cummings is also crocked so it's most likely to be Skinner coming in with Hodgson on the bench.
Darge starting?

Maybe Haining at 6

[Yr Alban]

Jonny Gray out injured

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/

He hasn’t exactly been showing his best form recently - if Cummings weren’t ruled out too, I’d argue it didn’t weaken the team.

[Slick]

This is more like it, felt wrong having a full squad to choose from

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh win the U18 regional championship in today’s final against Glasgow 33-7.

The Edinburgh backline is quite funny: Edinburgh U18: 15. Jack Brown (George Watsons), 14. Alastair Holmes (George Watsons), 13. Jamie Littlefield (George Watsons), 12. Ben Somerville (Boroughmuir RFC), 11. Nick Alder (Boroughmuir RFC), 10. Rory Cockburn (George Watsons), 9. Conor McAlpine (George Watsons);

5/7 at Watson's! And they didn't make the school's cup final losing to Stew Mel - wonder what happened there.

Townsend's son is playing 10 for the borders u18 and one of Doddie Weir's sons is in the boiler room too. I'd absolutely love to see one of Doddies sons make it to full international.

[Slick]

Edinburgh win the U18 regional championship in today’s final against Glasgow 33-7.

The Edinburgh backline is quite funny: Edinburgh U18: 15. Jack Brown (George Watsons), 14. Alastair Holmes (George Watsons), 13. Jamie Littlefield (George Watsons), 12. Ben Somerville (Boroughmuir RFC), 11. Nick Alder (Boroughmuir RFC), 10. Rory Cockburn (George Watsons), 9. Conor McAlpine (George Watsons);

5/7 at Watson's! And they didn't make the school's cup final losing to Stew Mel - wonder what happened there.

Townsend's son is playing 10 for the borders u18 and one of Doddie Weir's sons is in the boiler room too. I'd absolutely love to see one of Doddies sons make it to full international.

I’ve actually watched that Watsons U18 side a few times this year, some good players but nothing really outstanding. Except the 15, if it’s the one I’m thinking of, who was always the best player on the park and a couple of years younger than the rest

[charltom]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

Charming!

Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.

[KingBlairhorn]

Jonny Gray out injured

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/

He hasn’t exactly been showing his best form recently - if Cummings weren’t ruled out too, I’d argue it didn’t weaken the team.

It was a very un-Gray like performance against Wales - I wonder if he was rushed back too soon. He tackled a lot, that's standard for him, but otherwise did very little. I think he made 1 meter from his carries which, despite the justifiable criticism over his carrying over the years is well below his best.

[inactionman]

Bayliss on bench for Bath after his HIA, comes on and scores.

It's up on BT website

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/cl ... sh-bayliss

To borrow the words of Bill McLaren, a lovely little shilly-shally (although it was Burns, not the greatest defender at all times, still a lovely little stop and step)

So naturally he was taken back off after Hughes passed his HIA.

[JM2K6]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

Charming!

Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.

[Slick]

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

Charming!

Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.

I think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.

[JM2K6]

Charming!

Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.

I think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.

Happily it seems like you've missed a couple of Welsh trolls (and a few others)!

[Slick]

Lang, Ollie Smith, Kebble, Berghan, Kiran McDonald, Sykes - added to squad

Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Cummings, Redpath - gone

shhhiiiittttt

[robmatic]

Lang, Ollie Smith, Kebble, Berghan, Kiran McDonald, Sykes - added to squad

Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Cummings, Redpath - gone

shhhiiiittttt

Kiran McDonald? Is that a joke?

[Slick]

Lang, Ollie Smith, Kebble, Berghan, Kiran McDonald, Sykes - added to squad

Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Cummings, Redpath - gone

shhhiiiittttt

Kiran McDonald? Is that a joke?

Really, really wish it was

[Big D]

Lang, Ollie Smith, Kebble, Berghan, Kiran McDonald, Sykes - added to squad

Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Cummings, Redpath - gone

shhhiiiittttt

Kiran McDonald? Is that a joke?

Really, really wish it was

There aren't many other options to hold bags at training. Gray is probably done at internationals given his tooing and frooing and Young hasn't played a huge amount of rugby.

Sykes will be the next cab off the rank should one of the other 3 go down.

[KingBlairhorn]

Kiran McDonald? Is that a joke?

Really, really wish it was

There aren't many other options to hold bags at training. Gray is probably done at internationals given his tooing and frooing and Young hasn't played a huge amount of rugby.

Sykes will be the next cab off the rank should one of the other 3 go down.

Definitely a tackle bag selection IMO - if it was a selection for the squad it would have been someone who's been around the squad like Alex Craig picked?

[KingBlairhorn]

Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.

I think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.

Happily it seems like you've missed a couple of Welsh trolls (and a few others)!

I think as you say there is very much a difference between good posters (such as yourself, SaintK etc.) who add to the discussion when they drop by and the trolls who don't. I very much hope the recent hostility doesn't reduce the good posters from visiting as I, at least, very much enjoy the value they/you bring.

[Tichtheid]

I think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.

Happily it seems like you've missed a couple of Welsh trolls (and a few others)!

I think as you say there is very much a difference between good posters (such as yourself, SaintK etc.) who add to the discussion when they drop by and the trolls who don't. I very much hope the recent hostility doesn't reduce the good posters from visiting as I, at least, very much enjoy the value they/you bring.

Seconded.

As for Alex Craig, I think he's still injured, he had a bad hamstring tear iirc, according to its rugby he hasn't played this season.

Andrew Davidson has played a couple of games, I think Hunter Hill has had more time on the park.

[Big D]

Really, really wish it was

There aren't many other options to hold bags at training. Gray is probably done at internationals given his tooing and frooing and Young hasn't played a huge amount of rugby.

Sykes will be the next cab off the rank should one of the other 3 go down.

Definitely a tackle bag selection IMO - if it was a selection for the squad it would have been someone who's been around the squad like Alex Craig picked?

As TH says I think Craig has been injured. CHH wasn't involved with Sarries this weekend. Unsure if injured or form just not there.

[Margin__Walker]

You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.

BTW I am guessing that for you "here" isn't Scotland, despite this being the Scottish forum?

No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.

I won't bother you again.

Charming!

Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.

Sorry, been out today.

Fair enough. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

[Yr Alban]

Anyone else beginning to worry that Redpath is going to turn into another Duncan Taylor, and almost never be available for selection?

[Slick]

Anyone else beginning to worry that Redpath is going to turn into another Duncan Taylor, and almost never be available for selection?

Yes

[Big D]

Anyone else beginning to worry that Redpath is going to turn into another Duncan Taylor, and almost never be available for selection?

Not yet. He's only 22 off the back of a significant knee injury, I think it was inevitable he'd pick up a knock or two or the way back.

[Slick]

Anyone else beginning to worry that Redpath is going to turn into another Duncan Taylor, and almost never be available for selection?

Not yet. He's only 22 off the back of a significant knee injury, I think it was inevitable he'd pick up a knock or two or the way back.

Our Tuilagi

[Big D]

Neck injury for Redpath apparently.

[I like neeps]

Neck injury for Redpath apparently.

My worry with Redpath isn't so much the injuries - although he might be a bit on the small side for international rugby when all is said and done. It's that Bath have a really fantastic young 12 in Max Ojomoh and van Graan is apparently bringing De Allende with him to the Rec. Seems like Redpath might have to move again or won't be getting much gametime for his club.