The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Big D]

Next week VP will probably get a rest - he is 63 years old - Mish will probably come in for young Luke Crosbie. Hogg looks crocked - hopefully - so Maitland or Kinghorn will probably slot in. Personally I would drop Jonny Gray and put in Sam Skinner.

You're hoping Hogg got injured? Really?

Bar one poor pass considering he hadn't played due to injury for weeks he was pretty solid. Including two very good pieces of defensive work, which is odd for him.

[Big D]

We have won in the 1st week of the 6N four times and lost to Wales in week 2 three of the four. Must win.

[westport]

Next week VP will probably get a rest - he is 63 years old - Mish will probably come in for young Luke Crosbie. Hogg looks crocked - hopefully - so Maitland or Kinghorn will probably slot in. Personally I would drop Jonny Gray and put in Sam Skinner.

You're hoping Hogg got injured? Really?

Bar one poor pass considering he hadn't played due to injury for weeks he was pretty solid. Including two very good pieces of defensive work, which is odd for him.

Very odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.

[Big D]

Next week VP will probably get a rest - he is 63 years old - Mish will probably come in for young Luke Crosbie. Hogg looks crocked - hopefully - so Maitland or Kinghorn will probably slot in. Personally I would drop Jonny Gray and put in Sam Skinner.

You're hoping Hogg got injured? Really?

Bar one poor pass considering he hadn't played due to injury for weeks he was pretty solid. Including two very good pieces of defensive work, which is odd for him.

Very odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.

So you are hoping he is injured? Bit odd to be hoping a guy due to win a 100th test cap/any player is injured tbh.

[I like neeps]

We have won in the 1st week of the 6N four times and lost to Wales in week 2 three of the four. Must win.

At least show up. The last two games there's been none of the discipline, emotion or focus that was shown the week before Vs England.

I'm quite hopeful as neither Ritchie or Toonie were anything but - great win, back it up next week. There doesn't look to be much boozing post match. But please put in a performance.

[I like neeps]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

[Jock42]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

Can't help but think that if it had been Graham instead of Steyn he'd probably have scored himself

[Slick]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

Have to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.

Also, Tuipolotu picking 2 great passes and tying in defenders. Think I might have to admit my doubts have been well and truly thrown back at me

[I like neeps]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

Have to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.

Also, Tuipolotu picking 2 great passes and tying in defenders. Think I might have to admit my doubts have been well and truly thrown back at me

Mine too - he was imperious.

[Yr Alban]

Next week VP will probably get a rest - he is 63 years old - Mish will probably come in for young Luke Crosbie. Hogg looks crocked - hopefully - so Maitland or Kinghorn will probably slot in. Personally I would drop Jonny Gray and put in Sam Skinner.

You're hoping Hogg got injured? Really?

Bar one poor pass considering he hadn't played due to injury for weeks he was pretty solid. Including two very good pieces of defensive work, which is odd for him.

Very odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.

He hasn’t been on his best form, but I thought he played well in the Autumn

[Big D]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

Have to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.

Also, Tuipolotu picking 2 great passes and tying in defenders. Think I might have to admit my doubts have been well and truly thrown back at me

Mine too - he was imperious.

Yeah he was very good to be fair. Was worried for him after being bumped off in the 1st half but that was a blip.

A few really classy touches from him.

[Yr Alban]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

[Biffer]

55seconds,5 phases, 10 different players handle the ball. England don't miss a tackle until Duhan steps inside Smith. It's a stunning try

[I like neeps]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

Yeah it's really one of the best tries Scotland have scored since a long while. Maybe Maitland Vs England.

Kinghorn had a few lovely touches as a playmaker.

[Yr Alban]

55seconds,5 phases, 10 different players handle the ball. England don't miss a tackle until Duhan steps inside Smith. It's a stunning try

You know how whenever you watch Hogg screaming towards the line at the end of the game v NZ, you hope that THIS time he’ll make it? This one is like the good version of that. He’s got three men to beat. It looks impossible - and then that right arm comes down like Thor in an Avengers film. I will never get bored of watching it.

[Slick]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him up

[clydecloggie]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him up

I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.

[Simian]

I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him up

absolutely

[I like neeps]

The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.

Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.

EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.

I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him up

I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.

Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.

[Biffer]

I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him up

I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.

Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.

Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.

Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.

[Yr Alban]

I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.

Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.

Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.

Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.

OK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.

I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.

[Big D]

Only real issue with the pass was it looked close to being forward. Great hands by the team to get it out there.

[Biffer]

I'm still struggling with Kyle Steyn getting an assist for Duhan's first try.

[I like neeps]

On Hogg a lot over the years has been made of his one on one tackling...

... Steward is hailed as some uber solid robot and he missed three one on ones leading to scores at the weekend. Not saying he's bad, just how hard it is to tackle 1vs1 at 15

[Yr Alban]

On Hogg a lot over the years has been made of his one on one tackling...

... Steward is hailed as some uber solid robot and he missed three one on ones leading to scores at the weekend. Not saying he's bad, just how hard it is to tackle 1vs1 at 15

Chris Paterson probably isn’t a Lion today due to one missed tackle v Ireland (I think. Maybe Wales?) which somehow led to him being labelled as a bad defender, which I don’t think he ever was. I don’t want to sound paranoid here, but it does sometimes seem that Scottish players are more likely to receive these labels than others. Rather like when Hogg was bumped from the Lions tea in favour of Liam Williams, who didn’t do any better under the high ball than Hogg had.

[dpedin]

Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.

Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.

Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.

OK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.

I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.

As Biffer says Horne was at the breakdown so early he was almost standing hands on hips waiting for the ruck to form! Our recycling speed was excellent and Horne made all the right decisions.

I think we also need to admire our team fitness - the last try in 75th minute involved Fagerson and Gray in the link play and the play had started in our own 22, for big guys like them this is mighty impressive to be going so strong after 75mins in an international.

[Big D]

Been thinking about next week.

My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.

As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.

[I like neeps]

On Hogg a lot over the years has been made of his one on one tackling...

... Steward is hailed as some uber solid robot and he missed three one on ones leading to scores at the weekend. Not saying he's bad, just how hard it is to tackle 1vs1 at 15

Chris Paterson probably isn’t a Lion today due to one missed tackle v Ireland (I think. Maybe Wales?) which somehow led to him being labelled as a bad defender, which I don’t think he ever was. I don’t want to sound paranoid here, but it does sometimes seem that Scottish players are more likely to receive these labels than others. Rather like when Hogg was bumped from the Lions tea in favour of Liam Williams, who didn’t do any better under the high ball than Hogg had.

Have to agree, nobody has mentioned how poor Steward's defence was. Missing Duhan with a 30 meter run up totally fine, getting skinned by Ben White... Yeesh.

If Hogg had been at fault we'd have heard about it no end.

[charltom]

Been thinking about next week.

My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.

As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.

They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.

Good calls on the bench changes.

[dpedin]

Been thinking about next week.

My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.

As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.

They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.

Good calls on the bench changes.

I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.

[Yr Alban]

Zander has to bench if he is fit, though let’s give Berghan credit here - he didn’t let us down when called upon. There was the one scrum penalty, but given Cole’s antics it was somewhat dubious that it was us at fault.

Other than that, happy with Skinner or Jonny Gray. I always thought the Gray brothers were our best lock pairing before Richie dropped out of the reckoning.

Redpath v Harris - tough call. It depends on whether we want to have more of the same or have the option to lock things down. Against the current Wales at home, I’d lean towards the former. France away, maybe the latter.

[clydecloggie]

Been thinking about next week.

My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.

As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.

They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.

Good calls on the bench changes.

I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.

It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.

However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.

Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.

[I like neeps]

They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.

Good calls on the bench changes.

I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.

It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.

However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.

Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.

NO!

The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.

Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.

Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.

[Yr Alban]

I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.

It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.

However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.

Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.

NO!

The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.

Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.

Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.

Couldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.

[Big D]

They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.

Good calls on the bench changes.

Because it isn't about goalkicking but releasing Kinghorn to roam the wider channels where he can pop up and cause issues but also distribute if needed. If he replaces Russell then we lose a real game breaker in those channels.

NO!

The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.

Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.

Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.

Yeah, I do agree I wouldn't change the starting XV at all. To explain my thinking on the bench I just think that Fagerson is a no brainer, Skinner is currently better than Gray Jnr and Harris doesn't really suit the game they are evidently trying to play.

[charltom]

It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.

However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.

Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.

NO!

The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.

Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.

Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.

Couldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.

It just occurs to me, though, that Ollie Smith or Kinghorn for Hogg might be sensible...

[Yr Alban]

Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.

Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.

Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.

OK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.

I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.

Would just like to observe that my comment about Lilliputians above was written before I saw Tom English’s match report, in which he has employed the same metaphor!

[charltom]

Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.

Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.

OK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.

I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.

Would just like to observe that my comment about Lilliputians above was written before I saw Tom English’s match report, in which he has employed the same metaphor!

Ha! I stopped reading his report when I read that word, thinking I must have already read it. I shall have to go back to it.

Perhaps he reads the bored!

[I like neeps]

NO!

The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.

Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.

Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.

Couldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.

It just occurs to me, though, that Ollie Smith or Kinghorn for Hogg might be sensible...

I don't really see it. You have to consider the squad will all have tremendous faith in Hogg, they'll all be (hopefully, I have my doubts based on the last two years) super focused on the match Vs Wales. To drop Hogg for a younger high potential player in Smith, or the guy they now believe to be back up flyhalf in Kinghorn I don't think is the right move mentally.

Or playing, I like Smith but not yet at this level. I like Kinghorn but he's not played 15 regularly for some time and I still think Blair and Toonie moved him to 10 because he was in a serious rut at 15 with cockers.

[Slick]

Couldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.

It just occurs to me, though, that Ollie Smith or Kinghorn for Hogg might be sensible...

I don't really see it. You have to consider the squad will all have tremendous faith in Hogg, they'll all be (hopefully, I have my doubts based on the last two years) super focused on the match Vs Wales. To drop Hogg for a younger high potential player in Smith, or the guy they now believe to be back up flyhalf in Kinghorn I don't think is the right move mentally.

Or playing, I like Smith but not yet at this level. I like Kinghorn but he's not played 15 regularly for some time and I still think Blair and Toonie moved him to 10 because he was in a serious rut at 15 with cockers.

I honestly view Hogg as Scotland's greatest ever player, or at least joint. He has looked a bit off in the last few games but he was also just coming back from a few weeks off on Saturday. That of course doesn't mean he can never be dropped, but he is still a game changer and I'd have him every week. Have a feeling he is going to be special on Saturday, if not injured.