The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[OomStruisbaai]

Scotland 7s (13th in the standings) have just beaten SA (top). How?

Our coach have one foot at the $hark$. Since his appointment our midgets turned into shite.

[Biffer]

Why do people keep talking about this Argentina tour as if its some kind of A side tour? I know we've got to leave the lions out but people seem to be ignoring other full internationals and picking lineups full of younger players to blood. We'll be 15 months from a world cup. It's not time to look for lots of new blood it's time to get the players we think will be there playing together consistently as a group.

[I like neeps]

I don’t think we can be so definitive on that given he was absolutely world class at 13 for 2 or 3 seasons. He’s played well at 15 but never those heights, I’d hate to think we would close the door on that since it’s always felt that all he needed was confidence and game time

True but that's coming up to 5 years ago when he was world class and Glasgow didn't move him to 15 until it was clear he wasn't first choice as he wasn't playing well enough.

We have enough 13s anyway. Backup 15ooks very weak but Jones is a credible option there now.

Yup, agree with that last bit. Starting backs in Argentina:

9. Dobie
10. Hastings
11. Kinghorn
12. Hutchinson
13. Dingwall
14. Darcy
15. Jones

Watched Gloucester yesterday and Hastings is looking a bit lost. I'd be surprised if it wasn't Kinghorn 10 and Hastings 22.

Also would be surprised if Bennett isn't 13. He's been fantastic this year. I think a Vellacott Kinghorn Dean Bennett makes the most sense for continuity. And even though Vellacott and Dean aren't obviously first choice probably close enough for that to work. That said, Hutch must play!

[Big D]

It's the last chance to really blood less experienced players and to be honest the experienced ones aren't playing that well.

Our attack has been very average since AB Zondagh came in so something needs freshened up. All for a Hutchinson/Bennett combo.

My touring centres would be the above 2, Johnson, Dean and Jones covering 13 and 15.

[Slick]

True but that's coming up to 5 years ago when he was world class and Glasgow didn't move him to 15 until it was clear he wasn't first choice as he wasn't playing well enough.

We have enough 13s anyway. Backup 15ooks very weak but Jones is a credible option there now.

Yup, agree with that last bit. Starting backs in Argentina:

9. Dobie
10. Hastings
11. Kinghorn
12. Hutchinson
13. Dingwall
14. Darcy
15. Jones

Watched Gloucester yesterday and Hastings is looking a bit lost. I'd be surprised if it wasn't Kinghorn 10 and Hastings 22.

Also would be surprised if Bennett isn't 13. He's been fantastic this year. I think a Vellacott Kinghorn Dean Bennett makes the most sense for continuity. And even though Vellacott and Dean aren't obviously first choice probably close enough for that to work. That said, Hutch must play!

I thought Hastings looked good and assured in the 1st half then, like most of Gloucester, vanished a bit when Harris went off.

I’d forgotten about Bennett

[Slick]

Why do people keep talking about this Argentina tour as if its some kind of A side tour? I know we've got to leave the lions out but people seem to be ignoring other full internationals and picking lineups full of younger players to blood. We'll be 15 months from a world cup. It's not time to look for lots of new blood it's time to get the players we think will be there playing together consistently as a group.

After the last 6N we maybe don’t need wholesale changes but we certainly need to shake it up a bit. We’ll have 9 international games plus a couple of warm ups before the WC after this, I think we need to try some other players and see where we are

[Tichtheid]

I'm very late to the party but I only saw the game yesterday.

Edinburgh never looked to be in any trouble, Maggie had a good game, and @ Slick, I thought Mish had good game too. He made 23 tackles for no misses and when he carried he was taking out two defenders at a time, sometimes three. It was also Nel's best game in the loose for while, he's a machine.
I think it was on the Glasgow forum that someone said the difference in the sides was seen in Crosbie v Wilson and Harley, one young guy hungry and full of power, the others having their best days behind them and full of niggle. Richie Gray was at it too and he was outplayed by Gilchrist.

Are we still the only side to have won in South Africa so far? We're going to need that confidence and resolve in a KO match away to the Stormers, I hope everyone is fit, there were one or two who limped off.

Dean has played himself into contention as the starting 12, I've heard it said that the players all think he's brilliant. I think he has shown real progress over the years, he was a so-so 13 with distribution issues, now he looks like an integral cog in a well-oiled machine

[dpedin]

I'm very late to the party but I only saw the game yesterday.

Edinburgh never looked to be in any trouble, Maggie had a good game, and @ Slick, I thought Mish had good game too. He made 23 tackles for no misses and when he carried he was taking out two defenders at a time, sometimes three. It was also Nel's best game in the loose for while, he's a machine.
I think it was on the Glasgow forum that someone said the difference in the sides was seen in Crosbie v Wilson and Harley, one young guy hungry and full of power, the others having their best days behind them and full of niggle. Richie Gray was at it too and he was outplayed by Gilchrist.

Are we still the only side to have won in South Africa so far? We're going to need that confidence and resolve in a KO match away to the Stormers, I hope everyone is fit, there were one or two who limped off.

Dean has played himself into contention as the starting 12, I've heard it said that the players all think he's brilliant. I think he has shown real progress over the years, he was a so-so 13 with distribution issues, now he looks like an integral cog in a well-oiled machine

Interesting about Dean and I agree with your comments. Under Cockerel he always looked nervous and trying too hard to impress. He just seemed lacking in confidence in himself and the game plan, often asked just to truck the ball up the middle into contact. He now looks more confident in himself and the game plan and far more comfortable with his role in the team. I suspect Blair has had a lot of input here and he is keen to have a ball playing 12 in both Dean and Lang in the team, whereas Hutchison can be used when we need a tackle breaking 12. Dean now looks like the player we all thought he was, he is looking like he will be capped in the summer and he fits in well with the Blair Project. Good luck to him, he deserves it.

[Big D]

Ticket applications for the AIs are out through clubs. Bonze tickets are £16 more for the NZ game (£45) than the Argentina and Australia games (£29). Fiji ticket is £25 for the same one.

[C T]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

[Slick]

I'm very late to the party but I only saw the game yesterday.

Edinburgh never looked to be in any trouble, Maggie had a good game, and @ Slick, I thought Mish had good game too. He made 23 tackles for no misses and when he carried he was taking out two defenders at a time, sometimes three. It was also Nel's best game in the loose for while, he's a machine.
I think it was on the Glasgow forum that someone said the difference in the sides was seen in Crosbie v Wilson and Harley, one young guy hungry and full of power, the others having their best days behind them and full of niggle. Richie Gray was at it too and he was outplayed by Gilchrist.

Are we still the only side to have won in South Africa so far? We're going to need that confidence and resolve in a KO match away to the Stormers, I hope everyone is fit, there were one or two who limped off.

Dean has played himself into contention as the starting 12, I've heard it said that the players all think he's brilliant. I think he has shown real progress over the years, he was a so-so 13 with distribution issues, now he looks like an integral cog in a well-oiled machine

That probably came over as a bit harsher than intended. He had a good game just didn't seem quite as influential as the last few years - probably because he has some class young guys around him now as well. Probably just one of those with a slight Lions hangover, time will tell. Still in my Scotland team mind.

[I like neeps]

I'm very late to the party but I only saw the game yesterday.

Edinburgh never looked to be in any trouble, Maggie had a good game, and @ Slick, I thought Mish had good game too. He made 23 tackles for no misses and when he carried he was taking out two defenders at a time, sometimes three. It was also Nel's best game in the loose for while, he's a machine.
I think it was on the Glasgow forum that someone said the difference in the sides was seen in Crosbie v Wilson and Harley, one young guy hungry and full of power, the others having their best days behind them and full of niggle. Richie Gray was at it too and he was outplayed by Gilchrist.

Are we still the only side to have won in South Africa so far? We're going to need that confidence and resolve in a KO match away to the Stormers, I hope everyone is fit, there were one or two who limped off.

Dean has played himself into contention as the starting 12, I've heard it said that the players all think he's brilliant. I think he has shown real progress over the years, he was a so-so 13 with distribution issues, now he looks like an integral cog in a well-oiled machine

Interesting about Dean and I agree with your comments. Under Cockerel he always looked nervous and trying too hard to impress. He just seemed lacking in confidence in himself and the game plan, often asked just to truck the ball up the middle into contact. He now looks more confident in himself and the game plan and far more comfortable with his role in the team. I suspect Blair has had a lot of input here and he is keen to have a ball playing 12 in both Dean and Lang in the team, whereas Hutchison can be used when we need a tackle breaking 12. Dean now looks like the player we all thought he was, he is looking like he will be capped in the summer and he fits in well with the Blair Project. Good luck to him, he deserves it.

I think Dean always played well under Cockers too. The "problem" with Dean is the problem a few Scottish players have. They're actually really good at club level but obviously not going to be a long term international option (and I say this as a Dean fan who hopes he gets a cap) and so the SRU are always looking at ways to upgrade with someone they think might e.g. Lang and Scott.

[Blackmac]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

I actually think he is quite compact and certainly looked a lot smaller than Bhatti

[robmatic]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

Wait till they see Marshall Sykes, he's about the same width but taller.

[robmatic]

I'm very late to the party but I only saw the game yesterday.

Edinburgh never looked to be in any trouble, Maggie had a good game, and @ Slick, I thought Mish had good game too. He made 23 tackles for no misses and when he carried he was taking out two defenders at a time, sometimes three. It was also Nel's best game in the loose for while, he's a machine.
I think it was on the Glasgow forum that someone said the difference in the sides was seen in Crosbie v Wilson and Harley, one young guy hungry and full of power, the others having their best days behind them and full of niggle. Richie Gray was at it too and he was outplayed by Gilchrist.

Are we still the only side to have won in South Africa so far? We're going to need that confidence and resolve in a KO match away to the Stormers, I hope everyone is fit, there were one or two who limped off.

Dean has played himself into contention as the starting 12, I've heard it said that the players all think he's brilliant. I think he has shown real progress over the years, he was a so-so 13 with distribution issues, now he looks like an integral cog in a well-oiled machine

Interesting about Dean and I agree with your comments. Under Cockerel he always looked nervous and trying too hard to impress. He just seemed lacking in confidence in himself and the game plan, often asked just to truck the ball up the middle into contact. He now looks more confident in himself and the game plan and far more comfortable with his role in the team. I suspect Blair has had a lot of input here and he is keen to have a ball playing 12 in both Dean and Lang in the team, whereas Hutchison can be used when we need a tackle breaking 12. Dean now looks like the player we all thought he was, he is looking like he will be capped in the summer and he fits in well with the Blair Project. Good luck to him, he deserves it.

I think Dean always played well under Cockers too. The "problem" with Dean is the problem a few Scottish players have. They're actually really good at club level but obviously not going to be a long term international option (and I say this as a Dean fan who hopes he gets a cap) and so the SRU are always looking at ways to upgrade with someone they think might e.g. Lang and Scott.

I think similar about Tuipulotu but he's got 5 caps already.

[I like neeps]

Interesting about Dean and I agree with your comments. Under Cockerel he always looked nervous and trying too hard to impress. He just seemed lacking in confidence in himself and the game plan, often asked just to truck the ball up the middle into contact. He now looks more confident in himself and the game plan and far more comfortable with his role in the team. I suspect Blair has had a lot of input here and he is keen to have a ball playing 12 in both Dean and Lang in the team, whereas Hutchison can be used when we need a tackle breaking 12. Dean now looks like the player we all thought he was, he is looking like he will be capped in the summer and he fits in well with the Blair Project. Good luck to him, he deserves it.

I think Dean always played well under Cockers too. The "problem" with Dean is the problem a few Scottish players have. They're actually really good at club level but obviously not going to be a long term international option (and I say this as a Dean fan who hopes he gets a cap) and so the SRU are always looking at ways to upgrade with someone they think might e.g. Lang and Scott.

I think similar about Tuipulotu but he's got 5 caps already.

Tuipolotu is the new, exciting guy in town, we always value things we don't have over what we do. Tuipolotu was earmarked for Scotland caps when he was playing in Japan. To be fair to Tuipolotu he has bulk and did actually have a few punchy carries in the six nations but I agree I don't think he's international class. But again he's new and exciting. Chris Dean has developed steadily over a number of years. The slow and steady developers are the ones who don't have the hype. It's a bit like the old "if he Brazilian he'd be more highly rated" in football. If Chris Dean wasn't Edinburgh under16s through to first team and instead came from elsewhere he'd probably be more highly rated.

[Biffer]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

Wait till they see Marshall Sykes, he's about the same width but taller.

Yeah, been a season ticket holder for a while and Sykes is the one I remember turning to one of my mates and saying 'fucking hell,look at the size of him'

And then I saw Rudi Brown

[Tichtheid]

Dean has always been good at seeing a line and getting through the gap, he’s not a brutal thumper, despite growing up in the back row.

I think the way Mike Blair has the team playing suits Dean, the ball is being moved about quickly with players coming on to it and running at gaps rather than into contact.

Dean’s improvement makes me think he can step up, he is the type that plays himself in to a level rather than bursting on to the scene, but the one concern I have is whether he has that blistering pace needed at international level.

I hope he gets the shout in the summer and makes me eat my words.

[Tichtheid]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

Wait till they see Marshall Sykes, he's about the same width but taller.

Yeah, been a season ticket holder for a while and Sykes is the one I remember turning to one of my mates and saying 'fucking hell,look at the size of him'

And then I saw Rudi Brown

Jamie Campbell is a pretty sizeable laddie too, and not just for an academy player

[Big D]

Dean has always been good at seeing a line and getting through the gap, he’s not a brutal thumper, despite growing up in the back row.

I think the way Mike Blair has the team playing suits Dean, the ball is being moved about quickly with players coming on to it and running at gaps rather than into contact.

Dean’s improvement makes me think he can step up, he is the type that plays himself in to a level rather than bursting on to the scene, but the one concern I have is whether he has that blistering pace needed at international level.

I hope he gets the shout in the summer and makes me eat my words.

He is a pretty intelligent player too which gives me hope he'll do himself justice (without ever being 1st or 2nd choice) at international level. The game on Saturday really exposed the differences between Dean and Tuiplolotu (even though he was at 13). Dean showed some nice passes and he also had a nice passage where he collected a pass from Kinghorn after a loose ball, identifies an issue and puts a kick through that Darcy gets and off loads to Dean. Dean then puts a second deft chip through. Tuipolotu just doesn't have that in his locker and is ok at running hard but that is really it.

[robmatic]

Wes Goosen signs for Edinburgh.

[weegie01]

Wes Goosen signs for Edinburgh.

Is he one of the Fife or the Perthshire Goosen's?

[KingBlairhorn]

Most prevalent thing at Saturday's game for me was the number of people within earshot I could hear saying "Look at the size of him!" whenever Schoeman appeared.

Wait till they see Marshall Sykes, he's about the same width but taller.

Yeah, been a season ticket holder for a while and Sykes is the one I remember turning to one of my mates and saying 'fucking hell,look at the size of him'

And then I saw Rudi Brown

I was going to make the same observation. And Rudi Brown probably hasn't stopped growing

Edit: Actually, I was thinking of Gregor Brown, not Rudi Brown...and Alex Samuel and Max Williamson are both bigger again. Williamson is 201cm and 120kg (6'6" and 18st 9 in old money).

[KingBlairhorn]

Dean has always been good at seeing a line and getting through the gap, he’s not a brutal thumper, despite growing up in the back row.

I think the way Mike Blair has the team playing suits Dean, the ball is being moved about quickly with players coming on to it and running at gaps rather than into contact.

Dean’s improvement makes me think he can step up, he is the type that plays himself in to a level rather than bursting on to the scene, but the one concern I have is whether he has that blistering pace needed at international level.

I hope he gets the shout in the summer and makes me eat my words.

He is a pretty intelligent player too which gives me hope he'll do himself justice (without ever being 1st or 2nd choice) at international level. The game on Saturday really exposed the differences between Dean and Tuiplolotu (even though he was at 13). Dean showed some nice passes and he also had a nice passage where he collected a pass from Kinghorn after a loose ball, identifies an issue and puts a kick through that Darcy gets and off loads to Dean. Dean then puts a second deft chip through. Tuipolotu just doesn't have that in his locker and is ok at running hard but that is really it.

Without indulging in hyperbole, Dean reminds me of a not-quite-so-good Duncan Taylor. He has all the skills (although lacks the top end pace of Taylor), but more than that he's a guy that makes everyone else play better. He is intuitive and understands not just what he is doing but what the player outside him, and then outside that is doing too. He's just a very smart rugby player.

[Big D]

Wes Goosen signs for Edinburgh.

Is he one of the Fife or the Perthshire Goosen's?

Not one of ours. Must be one of Jocks.

[Biffer]

Wait till they see Marshall Sykes, he's about the same width but taller.

Yeah, been a season ticket holder for a while and Sykes is the one I remember turning to one of my mates and saying 'fucking hell,look at the size of him'

And then I saw Rudi Brown

I was going to make the same observation. And Rudi Brown probably hasn't stopped growing

Edit: Actually, I was thinking of Gregor Brown, not Rudi Brown...and Alex Samuel and Max Williamson are both bigger again. Williamson is 201cm and 120kg (6'6" and 18st 9 in old money).

Well, I think Rudi Brown was six foot four and seventeen and a half stone on his 18th birthday

[Jock42]

Wes Goosen signs for Edinburgh.

Is he one of the Fife or the Perthshire Goosen's?

Not one of ours. Must be one of Jocks.

Going by the hype on twitter we're happy to claim him.

[robmatic]

Is he one of the Fife or the Perthshire Goosen's?

Not one of ours. Must be one of Jocks.

Going by the hype on twitter we're happy to claim him.

I don't know too much about him because I don't watch Super Rugby, but he does seem to have some decent highlights. Moyano has been very good this season, so probably a good signing in terms of maintaining/improving the quality of the squad.

[KingBlairhorn]

Yeah, been a season ticket holder for a while and Sykes is the one I remember turning to one of my mates and saying 'fucking hell,look at the size of him'

And then I saw Rudi Brown

I was going to make the same observation. And Rudi Brown probably hasn't stopped growing

Edit: Actually, I was thinking of Gregor Brown, not Rudi Brown...and Alex Samuel and Max Williamson are both bigger again. Williamson is 201cm and 120kg (6'6" and 18st 9 in old money).

Well, I think Rudi Brown was six foot four and seventeen and a half stone on his 18th birthday

Clearly size isn't the only attribute that matters, but it's definitely important. For many years we couldn't buy a properly large player especially at 6, 8, lock and centre (literally, we tried with multiple imports). Fingers crossed we are now starting to see them come through the system, and double fingers crossed its not at the expense of players with the requisite skill levels.

[charltom]

Uh-oh...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... comes-end/

[Big D]

Uh-oh...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... comes-end/

Ach, I don't agree with his religious views but he is eligible so can play. Folau, Piutau and Feikitoa will help them but they are not what they were are their best. Will help them be more competitive but I am not sure it will have a huge impact.

Come the world cup we have a 2 week gap between playing SA and likely Tonga. We should have plenty in the tank to win comfortably. The world cup scheduling is very spaced out. Ireland have 2 week gap before playing us but we play Romania a week before so both sides should be approaching their best.

[Tichtheid]

Uh-oh...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... comes-end/

Ach, I don't agree with his religious views but he is eligible so can play. Folau, Piutau and Feikitoa will help them but they are not what they were are their best. Will help them be more competitive but I am not sure it will have a huge impact.

Come the world cup we have a 2 week gap between playing SA and likely Tonga. We should have plenty in the tank to win comfortably. The world cup scheduling is very spaced out. Ireland have 2 week gap before playing us but we play Romania a week before so both sides should be approaching their best.

That was exactly the way this law change was supposed to happen, a T2 side being strengthened with players who have a link.

I was initially against Jack Dempsey playing for Scotland, but stuff it, if he's up for and if he's the best available we should pick him, he'd certainly make the squad given his form this season.

[Slick]

Stand off asking the ref the law then putting the kick off short isn’t the greatest start

[Jock42]

Ha. Missed that getting a beer

[Jock42]

Lovely try.

[Slick]

Lovely try.

Grateful as I am that Premier Sports are showing this, a camera at one of the ends would be helpful!

Great try from the wee 12 and would have loved to have seen his break before the interception

[Jock42]

I wouldn't disagree. Still it's better than the iplayer.

YC all day long

[Jock42]

Whereas I think Fifita is unlucky

[Slick]

After his kick off debacle the Ayr 10, Jordan, has had a great start

[Biffer]

I’m going to call this Scottish Rugby related.

The caley brewery is closing its doors after 153 years of brewing on the site in Edinburgh. Dreadful news imo.