The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Tichtheid]

Team for Saturday?

I'm going to assume that Watson is out, bring Crosbie on to the bench. He can play either side of the scrum and Dempsey and Fagerson both cover 8.
Same tight five for me - Brown's performance warrants him keeping the shirt, as did the others.

I thought Price played pretty well, his best game this season. Finn, ffs keep Finn. 12 is the only question for me, I'd like to see Redpath recalled, otherwise the same backline.
Murphy Walker should be on the pine, he needs minutes on the park in international games. Ashman, Bhatti (it looked bad for Sutherland, again), Walker, J Gray, Crosbie, Horne, Kinghorn, Bennett.

[Slick]

Team for Saturday?

I'm going to assume that Watson is out, bring Crosbie on to the bench. He can play either side of the scrum and Dempsey and Fagerson both cover 8.
Same tight five for me - Brown's performance warrants him keeping the shirt, as did the others.

I thought Price played pretty well, his best game this season. Finn, ffs keep Finn. 12 is the only question for me, I'd like to see Redpath recalled, otherwise the same backline.
Murphy Walker should be on the pine, he needs minutes on the park in international games. Ashman, Bhatti (it looked bad for Sutherland, again), Walker, J Gray, Crosbie, Horne, Kinghorn, Bennett.

I'll leave the front row to you, but agree re Brown.

We have to change 12, Tuipoluto did nothing, again. You would think it has to be Redpath.

Agree that was the best I've seen Price since the Lions, but I'd like one of the other guys to start, we know what Price can do.

[I like neeps]

Callum Hunter-Hill in for Richie Gray who was cited - punching Scott Barrett?

Sutherland and Watson out.

Crosbie/Bayliss/Christie is good bench depth at flanker.

[dpedin]

Callum Hunter-Hill in for Richie Gray who was cited - punching Scott Barrett?

Sutherland and Watson out.

Crosbie/Bayliss/Christie is good bench depth at flanker.

Crosbie would be my pick at 6 or 7. I quite fancy us having another look at Richardson the Sharks flanker.

[Biffer]

Callum Hunter-Hill in for Richie Gray who was cited - punching Scott Barrett?

Sutherland and Watson out.

Crosbie/Bayliss/Christie is good bench depth at flanker.

I’m not clear why you’d be cited for punching Scott Barrett. Or any of the Barretts tbh.

[KingBlairhorn]

Callum Hunter-Hill in for Richie Gray who was cited - punching Scott Barrett?

Sutherland and Watson out.

Crosbie/Bayliss/Christie is good bench depth at flanker.

I’m not clear why you’d be cited for punching Scott Barrett. Or any of the Barretts tbh.

Bit weird is it not, the call up suggests the management think Richie will be banned, but surely if he did it there would have been footage of it by now? Are there more cameras in the ground that the TMO/tv studio have access to?

[mos_eisely_]

Dangerous entry in to a ruck is what he's been cited for.

And yes they have more camera angles than are broadcast

[KingBlairhorn]

Ah, that makes more sense.

Good to see CHH back, I thought the SRU might never forgive him for his little indiscretion.

[Tichtheid]

Ah, that makes more sense.

Good to see CHH back, I thought the SRU might never forgive him for his little indiscretion.

What did he do?

It's never really come out why he had to get out of Dodge tout de suite.

[KingBlairhorn]

Ah, that makes more sense.

Good to see CHH back, I thought the SRU might never forgive him for his little indiscretion.

What did he do?

It's never really come out why he had to get out of Dodge tout de suite.

Heavy heavy heavy allegedly, and very much based on what I have heard from people several places removed from being truly in the know, but a bit of a dalliance with class A is what I have consistently heard.

[Tichtheid]

Ah, that makes more sense.

Good to see CHH back, I thought the SRU might never forgive him for his little indiscretion.

What did he do?

It's never really come out why he had to get out of Dodge tout de suite.

Heavy heavy heavy allegedly, and very much based on what I have heard from people several places removed from being truly in the know, but a bit of a dalliance with class A is what I have consistently heard.

Ah, okay cheers.

[I like neeps]

Regardless of his social life I've never been hugely convinced with CHH - not sure how being buried on sarries depth chart really develops someone but he does play a good bit with Itoje and Tizard involved in England.

I was a huge fan of Henderson, I see he's getting a bit of time here and there with Leicester post injury but I think he could be the athletic beast at lock we want. Hopefully he goes to Glasgow to play weekly.

[Tichtheid]

Alex Craig is back playing for Glaws. I thought he was pretty useful.

I don't recall seeing Henderson, but overall we can look at a pool of lock for next year of

Cummings, Gilchrist, Gray x2, Skinner, Hodgson, Sykes, Young, CHH, Craig, all of whom are capped.

Henderson, any other bolters?

[Yr Alban]

Sykes is the one who has struck me as the possible huge hard-as-nails enforcer, but I haven’t seen that much of his actual play.

[westport]

What a shame about Donald MacLeod, former team doctor and president, passing away. He was a lovely man with a great sense of humour.

[Tichtheid]

What a shame about Donald MacLeod, former team doctor and president, passing away. He was a lovely man with a great sense of humour.

https://scottishrugby.org/donald-macleod/

[KingBlairhorn]

Alex Craig is back playing for Glaws. I thought he was pretty useful.

I don't recall seeing Henderson, but overall we can look at a pool of lock for next year of

Cummings, Gilchrist, Gray x2, Skinner, Hodgson, Sykes, Young, CHH, Craig, all of whom are capped.

Henderson, any other bolters?

Kiran McDonald? I’ve not been particularly impressed when I’ve watched him but he must be pretty decent to get gigs at wasps then Munster.

[robmatic]

Alex Craig is back playing for Glaws. I thought he was pretty useful.

I don't recall seeing Henderson, but overall we can look at a pool of lock for next year of

Cummings, Gilchrist, Gray x2, Skinner, Hodgson, Sykes, Young, CHH, Craig, all of whom are capped.

Henderson, any other bolters?

Kiran McDonald? I’ve not been particularly impressed when I’ve watched him but he must be pretty decent to get gigs at wasps then Munster.

He must have a very capable agent because he's fairly mediocre from what I've seen of him.

[sockwithaticket]

We (Wasps) only had him for a handful of games, but I thought he looked very good.

[Simian]

We (Wasps) only had him for a handful of games, but I thought he looked very good.

Yeah, he was playing very well for Glasgow I thought in the 18 months or so before he left. I was sad to see him move on and gutted for him that the move to the Prem didn’t pan out.

[I like neeps]

We (Wasps) only had him for a handful of games, but I thought he looked very good.

Yeah, he was playing very well for Glasgow I thought in the 18 months or so before he left. I was sad to see him move on and gutted for him that the move to the Prem didn’t pan out.

I have to agree. I thought his final season at Glasgow and limited games at wasps he was very good. I expect him to do very well at Munster.

[Slick]

We (Wasps) only had him for a handful of games, but I thought he looked very good.

Yeah, he was playing very well for Glasgow I thought in the 18 months or so before he left. I was sad to see him move on and gutted for him that the move to the Prem didn’t pan out.

I have to agree. I thought his final season at Glasgow and limited games at wasps he was very good. I expect him to do very well at Munster.

First game I saw him he had hands like tits and I found it hard to see past that. Glad he is doing well

[mos_eisely_]

Alex Craig is back playing for Glaws. I thought he was pretty useful.

I don't recall seeing Henderson, but overall we can look at a pool of lock for next year of

Cummings, Gilchrist, Gray x2, Skinner, Hodgson, Sykes, Young, CHH, Craig, all of whom are capped.

Henderson, any other bolters?

Kiran McDonald? I’ve not been particularly impressed when I’ve watched him but he must be pretty decent to get gigs at wasps then Munster.

He must have a very capable agent because he's fairly mediocre from what I've seen of him.

He was player of the match for Munster Vs Springbok A

[robmatic]

Kiran McDonald? I’ve not been particularly impressed when I’ve watched him but he must be pretty decent to get gigs at wasps then Munster.

He must have a very capable agent because he's fairly mediocre from what I've seen of him.

He was player of the match for Munster Vs Springbok A

You probably shouldn't trust me with player recruitment.

[Yr Alban]

Richie Gray banned for 3 games - Argentina and the next two Glasgow games.

Thought the SRU were confident he would get off?

[Tichtheid]

Richie Gray banned for 3 games - Argentina and the next two Glasgow games.

Thought the SRU were confident he would get off?

Gray denied foul play, which is never good as if you are found guilty you don't get any reduction.

The independent Disciplinary Committee chaired by Shao-ing Wang (Singapore), joined by former international Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and former international referee Juan-Pablo Spirandelli (Argentina), heard the case, considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representative. The Disciplinary Committee considered and accepted submissions from the player’s representative that the charge be amended to Law 9.11 (Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm).
The player denied that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card. Having reviewed all the evidence, the Committee deemed that on the balance of probabilities, there was foul play in that the Player had led with his elbow into the tackle area which was dangerous to others. Applying World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, the Committee determined that

there was contact with the head
the Player had acted recklessly
there was a high degree of danger
there was no mitigation
On that basis, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head. This resulted in a starting point of a six-week suspension.
Having acknowledged mitigating factors including the Player’s excellent disciplinary record, the Committee reduced the six-week entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks (to be served as the following given the player’s upcoming schedule):

19 November – Scotland v Argentina, ANS

26 November – Glasgow Warriors v Leinster, URC

3 December – Glasgow Warriors v Zebre URC

So, "on the balance of probability" Gray was found to committed an act of foul play, but the ban was reduced by 50%

[Soapy]

The inadequacy of the citing process and it’s role in a professional era aren’t helped by having an Argentinian ruling on a player of the team playing Argentina next up …

[I like neeps]

Team for Argentina predictions?

I hope that centres are changed, I think as he's VC Harris is likely to play so I hope Redpath comes in. I'm just not a fan of Tuipolotu internationally.

Bhatti on the bench, Jonny replacing his brother with Young benching I'd hope, the Argentina backrow are all monsters with Matera, Gonzalez and Kremer - I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey's performances so far so I'd look at one of the younger guys and see what they can do. I think Crosbie is at a bit of a disadvantage as he's competing with Watson, Ritchie and Darge who are all special players and whilst he's very good for Edinburgh he's unlikely to get consistent changes for Scotland so don't mind seeing what he can do.

[robmatic]

Team for Argentina predictions?

I hope that centres are changed, I think as he's VC Harris is likely to play so I hope Redpath comes in. I'm just not a fan of Tuipolotu internationally.

Bhatti on the bench, Jonny replacing his brother with Young benching I'd hope, the Argentina backrow are all monsters with Matera, Gonzalez and Kremer - I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey's performances so far so I'd look at one of the younger guys and see what they can do. I think Crosbie is at a bit of a disadvantage as he's competing with Watson, Ritchie and Darge who are all special players and whilst he's very good for Edinburgh he's unlikely to get consistent changes for Scotland so don't mind seeing what he can do.

I think this will be the one where Dempsey starts. Crosbie is a pretty good bench option though as he can play across the back row.

[Tichtheid]

Team for Argentina predictions?

I hope that centres are changed, I think as he's VC Harris is likely to play so I hope Redpath comes in. I'm just not a fan of Tuipolotu internationally.

Bhatti on the bench, Jonny replacing his brother with Young benching I'd hope, the Argentina backrow are all monsters with Matera, Gonzalez and Kremer - I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey's performances so far so I'd look at one of the younger guys and see what they can do. I think Crosbie is at a bit of a disadvantage as he's competing with Watson, Ritchie and Darge who are all special players and whilst he's very good for Edinburgh he's unlikely to get consistent changes for Scotland so don't mind seeing what he can do.

I think this will be the one where Dempsey starts. Crosbie is a pretty good bench option though as he can play across the back row.

Yeah, I expect it to be Ritchie, Fagerson and Dempsey to start, and I'll be disappointed if Crosbie doesn't get the bench slot, he's been terrific in recent weeks for Embra.

I really don't want him to move, but he needs to play more, he's 25 now and it's difficult to see where his starts are coming from when Ritchie, Watson and Mata are the first choice and Haining and Muncaster are also there for when you need a bit of biff from the bench. Boyle is another who needs time on the park, he was ahead of Darge when they were in the 20s - ahead/neck and neck, it makes no difference.
Rudi Brown is coming up on the rails too, although he still only 18.

[dpedin]

Team for Argentina predictions?

I hope that centres are changed, I think as he's VC Harris is likely to play so I hope Redpath comes in. I'm just not a fan of Tuipolotu internationally.

Bhatti on the bench, Jonny replacing his brother with Young benching I'd hope, the Argentina backrow are all monsters with Matera, Gonzalez and Kremer - I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey's performances so far so I'd look at one of the younger guys and see what they can do. I think Crosbie is at a bit of a disadvantage as he's competing with Watson, Ritchie and Darge who are all special players and whilst he's very good for Edinburgh he's unlikely to get consistent changes for Scotland so don't mind seeing what he can do.

I think this will be the one where Dempsey starts. Crosbie is a pretty good bench option though as he can play across the back row.

Yeah, I expect it to be Ritchie, Fagerson and Dempsey to start, and I'll be disappointed if Crosbie doesn't get the bench slot, he's been terrific in recent weeks for Embra.

I really don't want him to move, but he needs to play more, he's 25 now and it's difficult to see where his starts are coming from when Ritchie, Watson and Mata are the first choice and Haining and Muncaster are also there for when you need a bit of biff from the bench. Boyle is another who needs time on the park, he was ahead of Darge when they were in the 20s - ahead/neck and neck, it makes no difference.
Rudi Brown is coming up on the rails too, although he still only 18.

Dont disagree but a nice problem to have!

[I like neeps]

I'm not sure how robust Crosbies market would be. With England having both budget reductions and a glut of players available. Ireland only signing marquees which as good as Crosbie is he is not. Maybe could get something in France but their intl recruitment is mostly for the Watson's/Ritchie's and not the Crosbies or a lower paid contract in Wales.

Scottish rugby is increasingly in trouble with a logjam of players who won't get the development opportunities.

[Tichtheid]

I'm not sure how robust Crosbies market would be. With England having both budget reductions and a glut of players available. Ireland only signing marquees which as good as Crosbie is he is not. Maybe could get something in France but their intl recruitment is mostly for the Watson's/Ritchie's and not the Crosbies or a lower paid contract in Wales.

Scottish rugby is increasingly in trouble with a logjam of players who won't get the development opportunities.

The same may have been said about Magnus Bradbury, though he does have more caps and is probably of a higher profile. I'm happy to keep Crosbie as it allows for more rest for all of them, the ideal is to have a pool of players in every position where we don't lose much or anything in rotating the squad.

[robmatic]

Team for Argentina predictions?

I hope that centres are changed, I think as he's VC Harris is likely to play so I hope Redpath comes in. I'm just not a fan of Tuipolotu internationally.

Bhatti on the bench, Jonny replacing his brother with Young benching I'd hope, the Argentina backrow are all monsters with Matera, Gonzalez and Kremer - I'm not the biggest fan of Dempsey's performances so far so I'd look at one of the younger guys and see what they can do. I think Crosbie is at a bit of a disadvantage as he's competing with Watson, Ritchie and Darge who are all special players and whilst he's very good for Edinburgh he's unlikely to get consistent changes for Scotland so don't mind seeing what he can do.

I think this will be the one where Dempsey starts. Crosbie is a pretty good bench option though as he can play across the back row.

Yeah, I expect it to be Ritchie, Fagerson and Dempsey to start, and I'll be disappointed if Crosbie doesn't get the bench slot, he's been terrific in recent weeks for Embra.

I really don't want him to move, but he needs to play more, he's 25 now and it's difficult to see where his starts are coming from when Ritchie, Watson and Mata are the first choice and Haining and Muncaster are also there for when you need a bit of biff from the bench. Boyle is another who needs time on the park, he was ahead of Darge when they were in the 20s - ahead/neck and neck, it makes no difference.
Rudi Brown is coming up on the rails too, although he still only 18.

You say this, but he has actually played more for Edinburgh in recent seasons than all of Ritchie, Watson and Mata. Even if he's not in the first choice back row, he's next off the rank and that gives him a lot of game time.

[I like neeps]

I'm not sure how robust Crosbies market would be. With England having both budget reductions and a glut of players available. Ireland only signing marquees which as good as Crosbie is he is not. Maybe could get something in France but their intl recruitment is mostly for the Watson's/Ritchie's and not the Crosbies or a lower paid contract in Wales.

Scottish rugby is increasingly in trouble with a logjam of players who won't get the development opportunities.

The same may have been said about Magnus Bradbury, though he does have more caps and is probably of a higher profile. I'm happy to keep Crosbie as it allows for more rest for all of them, the ideal is to have a pool of players in every position where we don't lose much or anything in rotating the squad.

I was surprised he got the move but yes he's a 20 cap international and more importantly it was before the Wasps/Worcester administration. I'd be surprised if we saw anyone going to England this year from a Scottish pro club.

[dpedin]

I'm not sure how robust Crosbies market would be. With England having both budget reductions and a glut of players available. Ireland only signing marquees which as good as Crosbie is he is not. Maybe could get something in France but their intl recruitment is mostly for the Watson's/Ritchie's and not the Crosbies or a lower paid contract in Wales.

Scottish rugby is increasingly in trouble with a logjam of players who won't get the development opportunities.

The same may have been said about Magnus Bradbury, though he does have more caps and is probably of a higher profile. I'm happy to keep Crosbie as it allows for more rest for all of them, the ideal is to have a pool of players in every position where we don't lose much or anything in rotating the squad.

I was surprised he got the move but yes he's a 20 cap international and more importantly it was before the Wasps/Worcester administration. I'd be surprised if we saw anyone going to England this year from a Scottish pro club.

Yet Bradbury is a first choice pick for Bristol, plays almost every game and seems to be getting plaudits from the fans down there. Perhaps we underestimate the value of some of our players? I accept the budget issues and Wasps/Worcester debacle has changed the landscape but good players will always find a club.

[I like neeps]

The same may have been said about Magnus Bradbury, though he does have more caps and is probably of a higher profile. I'm happy to keep Crosbie as it allows for more rest for all of them, the ideal is to have a pool of players in every position where we don't lose much or anything in rotating the squad.

I was surprised he got the move but yes he's a 20 cap international and more importantly it was before the Wasps/Worcester administration. I'd be surprised if we saw anyone going to England this year from a Scottish pro club.

Yet Bradbury is a first choice pick for Bristol, plays almost every game and seems to be getting plaudits from the fans down there. Perhaps we underestimate the value of some of our players? I accept the budget issues and Wasps/Worcester debacle has changed the landscape but good players will always find a club.

Value in the sense of a Bristol player is an interesting one as Bristol's squad building strategy is very much sign Piutau, Radrada, Genge, Sinckler and one or two others on huge money and then scrimp and save on the rest. It's not really working anymore they've had an awful time of it since the covid Quins semi. I would be interested on hearing about Bradbury's performances from a Bristol fan. But don't think there is one around.

And Wuss/Wasps changed the landscape beyond recognition. The better Scottish players were already starting to be offered more in Scotland as English clubs started to cut their cloth accordingly and now the second tier of player e.g. Bradbury is competing with not only Wasps and Worcester players but the ones they displace.

Like I say, I could be wrong - I am more often than not! - but I'd be surprised if we see a move from Scotland to England. Glasgow and Edinburgh are able to keep who they want to keep these days. The market is just so depressed elsewhere.

[clydecloggie]

[Yr Alban]

So, team more or less as expected then. No bench spot for Crosbie though.

Once again one has to wonder what Toony sees in Tuipulotu.

[dpedin]

So, team more or less as expected then. No bench spot for Crosbie though.

Once again one has to wonder what Toony sees in Tuipulotu.

To be fair the backs were ok against NZ and they created enough chances for wingers and FB to score more points so I can understand not changing them. For me we lost the NZ game due to our pack being overpowered in 2nd half, Dempsey's yellow didnt help, and losing front foot ball and failing to slow their pack down in the tight carries around the fringes. However I am not sure what changes would help strengthen our pack much although Crosbie certainly brings a hard edge and dog to the fight that some others don't. I am not sure our 2nd row options are aggressive enough, although Ritchie Gray surprised me, we really need the likes of Hodgson and Sykes to kick on as they are both more like the brutal and confrontational players we need in the boiler house.