The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

I’d be a bit annoyed if that was given for the Scarlets

[Big D]

This is awful. Shiel I’m particular has been unusually poor

Not seeing anything from Watson to suggest he should break into the 23 for Paris either.

[Big D]

Hodgson might be in trouble here. Not much in that actually, just needless.

[Slick]

This is awful. Shiel I’m particular has been unusually poor

Not seeing anything from Watson to suggest he should break into the 23 for Paris either.

Was just thinking that, looks off the pace

[Slick]

Hodgson might be in trouble here. Not much in that actually, just needless.

Fucking stupid, but would be interested in which part of Davies’ head he hurt - just hate this play acting coming in and it’s almost condoned by the commentators

[Big D]

Get Shiel off. He's been horrific.

Needless risk.

[Big D]

Pathetic from Young.

[Big D]

At least 9 full caps on the pitch and no one leading.

[Big D]

It is just horrible.

Just this half already there have been 6 or 7 errors.

[dkm57]

Edinburgh clueless and rudderless in the first half. Not looking any better in the 2nd

[Big D]

Now embarrassing

[Big D]

Where's the 9 sweeping?

[Big D]

There's no identity to the team on the field. Given Blair has had three weeks with most of that team it is alarming how unprepared they have looked.

[Jock42]

This is absolutely atrocious.

[Big D]

Watson done nowhere near enough for involvement in the rest of the 6N.

[mos_eisely_]

Awful, awful stuff. And then for the kick off not to go 10 is just the icing on the cake (and by cake I mean turd)

[Yr Alban]

Fairly strong looking Embra side to play Scarlets. Every time I think that, though, they seem to lose

Guess I called it.

[dpedin]

Fairly strong looking Embra side to play Scarlets. Every time I think that, though, they seem to lose

Guess I called it.

That is close to one of the worst performances I have seen from an Edinburgh team. They were hopeless, completely hopeless. I was excited by Blairs appointment as coach but if that is evidence of 3 weeks dedicated time with a squad that looks half decent on paper then I need to rethink! Just awful!

[robmatic]

Fairly strong looking Embra side to play Scarlets. Every time I think that, though, they seem to lose

Guess I called it.

I was half expecting them to muff it up but that was exceptionally poor. That pack should not have been bullied like that, and I think only Lang out of the backs got pass marks (and he maybe should have been playing at 10 to be honest).

[GrahamWa]

I said on my group chat that the team should be made to get the megabus back after that performance. Completely unacceptable, where Cockerill had too much of the rod, Blair seems to be the complete opposite with no method for laying down the law in his armory.

[Biffer]

I said on my group chat that the team should be made to get the megabus back after that performance. Completely unacceptable, where Cockerill had too much of the rod, Blair seems to be the complete opposite with no method for laying down the law in his armory.

My fear with Blair was that he was part of the culture as a player that Cockerill had to deal with when he arrived (let's not kidnourselves that it had only been going on a couple of years) and that some of it would sneak back in. He never played for a consistently winning side at club or international level, so doesn't have that hard edged mentality.

I know we want to develop Scottish coaches, but when so few of them have a history of being winners as players, due to our very poor time in the first ten or fifteen years of this century, it's hard to see them bringing that winners mentality with them.

[Tichtheid]

Well, that's a game that is getting scrubbed off the hard disk without getting watched, not for the first time with Edinburgh this season.

There is a such a massive drop off from the first tight five to the second, in attitude as well as deed. I see Gilchrist still gets a lot of stick online, but we are a completely different side when he's not in it.

[I like neeps]

I said on my group chat that the team should be made to get the megabus back after that performance. Completely unacceptable, where Cockerill had too much of the rod, Blair seems to be the complete opposite with no method for laying down the law in his armory.

My fear with Blair was that he was part of the culture as a player that Cockerill had to deal with when he arrived (let's not kidnourselves that it had only been going on a couple of years) and that some of it would sneak back in. He never played for a consistently winning side at club or international level, so doesn't have that hard edged mentality.

I know we want to develop Scottish coaches, but when so few of them have a history of being winners as players, due to our very poor time in the first ten or fifteen years of this century, it's hard to see them bringing that winners mentality with them.

Why when talking about the toxic culture pre Cockers do we then never mention the toxic culture he created? You know, the same toxic culture he created at Leicester.

Blair did really well last year, he's had mostly a shocker this year (did qualify in Europe the high water mark of cockers reign and not against Newcastle etc). Let's see if he can right the ship. Needs a proper forwards coach.

[Big D]

Henderson scored for Tigers today.

Gray Jnrs world cup spot should be under real pressure.

[Slick]

I said on my group chat that the team should be made to get the megabus back after that performance. Completely unacceptable, where Cockerill had too much of the rod, Blair seems to be the complete opposite with no method for laying down the law in his armory.

My fear with Blair was that he was part of the culture as a player that Cockerill had to deal with when he arrived (let's not kidnourselves that it had only been going on a couple of years) and that some of it would sneak back in. He never played for a consistently winning side at club or international level, so doesn't have that hard edged mentality.

I know we want to develop Scottish coaches, but when so few of them have a history of being winners as players, due to our very poor time in the first ten or fifteen years of this century, it's hard to see them bringing that winners mentality with them.

Why when talking about the toxic culture pre Cockers do we then never mention the toxic culture he created? You know, the same toxic culture he created at Leicester.

Blair did really well last year, he's had mostly a shocker this year (did qualify in Europe the high water mark of cockers reign and not against Newcastle etc). Let's see if he can right the ship. Needs a proper forwards coach.

Yeah, seems a bit early to be talking like this. Although I did mention a few weeks ago I was getting sick of him giving platitudes after average or bad displays, there does seem to be a little too much carrot and not enough stick.

[Tichtheid]

Dingwall has been brought into the England squad - fair enough if that is where his heart lies, good luck to him.

To be honest our squad is pretty well stocked in the centre, and Steyn can play there if needs be, Sam Johnson looked good on Friday. Mark Bennett is playing in a shit team at the moment, or a team playing badly at least, but he could step up too

[Slick]

Dingwall has been brought into the England squad - fair enough if that is where his heart lies, good luck to him.

To be honest our squad is pretty well stocked in the centre, and Steyn can play there if needs be, Sam Johnson looked good on Friday. Mark Bennett is playing in a shit team at the moment, or a team playing badly at least, but he could step up too

Yup, seems a very good player but not sure he’d get anywhere near the Scotland squad at the moment given we tipped their centres a new one in the Calcutta Cup and we have those above plus Redpath, Harrison - even Hutch if Toony didn’t hate him!

[Tichtheid]

I only watched the first half of the Tigers Saracens game properly, but Henderson looked to be playing well enough. I'm not sure there is space in the RWC squad at the moment, although he's there in the 6N squad. Any bolter in the locking positions will only come through injuries, after Gray x2, Gilchrist, Cummings and Skinner, we have Hodgson, Sykes, Craig, Henderson and Hunter-Hill - have I missed any?

[Big D]

I only watched the first half of the Tigers Saracens game properly, but Henderson looked to be playing well enough. I'm not sure there is space in the RWC squad at the moment, although he's there in the 6N squad. Any bolter in the locking positions will only come through injuries, after Gray x2, Gilchrist, Cummings and Skinner, we have Hodgson, Sykes, Craig, Henderson and Hunter-Hill - have I missed any?

Young I think?
Of those named after Skinner, Henderson seems to be currently ahead of the rest as he's the one currently in the squad.

Gray shouldn't be guaranteed a place by any stretch, he's been mostly average in the games I've seen him in for Exeter and Henderson is progressing pretty well fairly rapidly.

Seems inconceivable but there could be a couple of shocks in the WC squad. For example Watson doesn't seem nailed on as he once might have. Darge, Crosbie, Ritchie all can play 7.
Talking of second rows, seems odd for the Scotland camp to hold Skinner back yesterday when their 3 match day locks from the last 2 games didn't have a game or were held in camp.

[Big D]

Dingwall has been brought into the England squad - fair enough if that is where his heart lies, good luck to him.

To be honest our squad is pretty well stocked in the centre, and Steyn can play there if needs be, Sam Johnson looked good on Friday. Mark Bennett is playing in a shit team at the moment, or a team playing badly at least, but he could step up too

Yup, seems a very good player but not sure he’d get anywhere near the Scotland squad at the moment given we tipped their centres a new one in the Calcutta Cup and we have those above plus Redpath, Harrison - even Hutch if Toony didn’t hate him!

Townsend would have him as back up to Tuipulotu IMO. He's a hard centre with good hands and I think he can kick well enough for what we're looking for. Meant to be an excellent leader too.

It is a good business decision for him. Not many dual qualified players turn down a call up to the England squad. Even Redpath would have went on tour with them before his injury.

[Tichtheid]

I only watched the first half of the Tigers Saracens game properly, but Henderson looked to be playing well enough. I'm not sure there is space in the RWC squad at the moment, although he's there in the 6N squad. Any bolter in the locking positions will only come through injuries, after Gray x2, Gilchrist, Cummings and Skinner, we have Hodgson, Sykes, Craig, Henderson and Hunter-Hill - have I missed any?

Young I think?
Of those named after Skinner, Henderson seems to be currently ahead of the rest as he's the one currently in the squad.

Gray shouldn't be guaranteed a place by any stretch, he's been mostly average in the games I've seen him in for Exeter and Henderson is progressing pretty well fairly rapidly.

Seems inconceivable but there could be a couple of shocks in the WC squad. For example Watson doesn't seem nailed on as he once might have. Darge, Crosbie, Ritchie all can play 7.
Talking of second rows, seems odd for the Scotland camp to hold Skinner back yesterday when their 3 match day locks from the last 2 games didn't have a game or were held in camp.

I'm not going to watch yesterday's game, but Watson played well in his first game back, I wouldn't write him off just yet. I really want Darge to come through, but I'm waiting to see if he can get a run of fitness, Crosbie is the guy in possession and he has to be ousted by the others playing and training better, not just on reputation in Watson's case or hope in Darge's.

Johnny Gray seems to be a big favourite with Toonie, GT always looks for massive work-rate (one of the reasons Bradbury fell from grace) and I think he gets that with J Gray, that and his defence.

On Skinner being held back, it was mooted on the weedgie board that Toonie might be looking at a 6/2 split for France, with Skinner being the back up 6 - it's not a wild thought by any means. Kinghorn covers 10, 11, 14, 15, Steyn covers the centres (Harris has only played a handful of minutes over the two games) and Horne covers 9.

[Slick]

I only watched the first half of the Tigers Saracens game properly, but Henderson looked to be playing well enough. I'm not sure there is space in the RWC squad at the moment, although he's there in the 6N squad. Any bolter in the locking positions will only come through injuries, after Gray x2, Gilchrist, Cummings and Skinner, we have Hodgson, Sykes, Craig, Henderson and Hunter-Hill - have I missed any?

Young I think?
Of those named after Skinner, Henderson seems to be currently ahead of the rest as he's the one currently in the squad.

Gray shouldn't be guaranteed a place by any stretch, he's been mostly average in the games I've seen him in for Exeter and Henderson is progressing pretty well fairly rapidly.

Seems inconceivable but there could be a couple of shocks in the WC squad. For example Watson doesn't seem nailed on as he once might have. Darge, Crosbie, Ritchie all can play 7.
Talking of second rows, seems odd for the Scotland camp to hold Skinner back yesterday when their 3 match day locks from the last 2 games didn't have a game or were held in camp.

I'm not going to watch yesterday's game, but Watson played well in his first game back, I wouldn't write him off just yet. I really want Darge to come through, but I'm waiting to see if he can get a run of fitness, Crosbie is the guy in possession and he has to be ousted by the others playing and training better, not just on reputation in Watson's case or hope in Darge's.

Johnny Gray seems to be a big favourite with Toonie, GT always looks for massive work-rate (one of the reasons Bradbury fell from grace) and I think he gets that with J Gray, that and his defence.

On Skinner being held back, it was mooted on the weedgie board that Toonie might be looking at a 6/2 split for France, with Skinner being the back up 6 - it's not a wild thought by any means. Kinghorn covers 10, 11, 14, 15, Steyn covers the centres (Harris has only played a handful of minutes over the two games) and Horne covers 9.

Agree re Mish on his first game back but he didn’t do much yesterday, but was in a team when no one did much. He has too much in the bank to count out though and will -00% be in the WC squad. Re Crosbie, he has done terrifically well but still have the feeling he is a stop gap - but his time will come without a doubt.

I’ve never been a huge JG fan but that’s probably more about me not understanding the position than anything else. Like Gilchrist he seems to be a coaches favourite so I bow to that. In saying that, we seem to have some fantastic 2nd rows at the moment and think others have that x-factor as well as the work rate so not convinced he is nailed on. I’d have Skinner involved in any team

[Big D]

Not writing Mish or anyone off just saying there may be a few close calls that may end up in there being a shock selection.

[I like neeps]

Dingwall has been brought into the England squad - fair enough if that is where his heart lies, good luck to him.

To be honest our squad is pretty well stocked in the centre, and Steyn can play there if needs be, Sam Johnson looked good on Friday. Mark Bennett is playing in a shit team at the moment, or a team playing badly at least, but he could step up too

Yup, seems a very good player but not sure he’d get anywhere near the Scotland squad at the moment given we tipped their centres a new one in the Calcutta Cup and we have those above plus Redpath, Harrison - even Hutch if Toony didn’t hate him!

I think he would, I love watching Hutch play rugby but Dingwall is ahead of him at Saints these days. Dingwall imo is a slightly better Chris Harris - defensively have the same qualities but Dingwall is a better attacker.

I don't think he'd break up Huwipolotu, but definitely a really good option should he give up on getting into England squads but never capped.

[Slick]

Dingwall has been brought into the England squad - fair enough if that is where his heart lies, good luck to him.

To be honest our squad is pretty well stocked in the centre, and Steyn can play there if needs be, Sam Johnson looked good on Friday. Mark Bennett is playing in a shit team at the moment, or a team playing badly at least, but he could step up too

Yup, seems a very good player but not sure he’d get anywhere near the Scotland squad at the moment given we tipped their centres a new one in the Calcutta Cup and we have those above plus Redpath, Harrison - even Hutch if Toony didn’t hate him!

I think he would, I love watching Hutch play rugby but Dingwall is ahead of him at Saints these days. Dingwall imo is a slightly better Chris Harris - defensively have the same qualities but Dingwall is a better attacker.

I don't think he'd break up Huwipolotu, but definitely a really good option should he give up on getting into England squads but never capped.

OK. My comments probably needed a caveat that I'm not sure I've ever seen him play and were based purely in triumphalism.

[Tichtheid]

Hutchinson has played 18, started 13 this season, mainly at 12
Dingwall has played 17, started 15, mainly at 13.

It looks like Saints' preferred paring is to have both of them on the field, rather than one over the other, it looks like Dingwall steps in to 12 when Hutchinson isn't available


https://all.rugby/player/rory-hutchinson

https://all.rugby/player/fraser-dingwall

[I like neeps]

Hutchinson has played 18, started 13 this season, mainly at 12
Dingwall has played 17, started 15, mainly at 13.

It looks like Saints' preferred paring is to have both of them on the field, rather than one over the other, it looks like Dingwall steps in to 12 when Hutchinson isn't available


https://all.rugby/player/rory-hutchinson

https://all.rugby/player/fraser-dingwall

As someone who watches saints most weeks I invite you go and check the most recent matches. There's been a clear shift from Hutch 12 Dingwall 13 earlier in the season to Dingwall 12 and Proctor 13. Especially since Fin Smith came in and Biggar left.

Hutch was a great foil for Biggar because he's not much of a playmaker. But Smith is so Dingwall is picked.

Stats eh, what did Scott Johnson say. Drunk, lampost, support, illumination. As said, I love watching Hutch play, this isn't negativity. This is just facts, I'm actually less inclined to watch saints play now they don't start Hutch as regularly.

[westport]

Murray McCallum who will join Newcastle Falcons this summer upon the conclusion of his short-term deal.

[Tichtheid]

Hutchinson has played 18, started 13 this season, mainly at 12
Dingwall has played 17, started 15, mainly at 13.

It looks like Saints' preferred paring is to have both of them on the field, rather than one over the other, it looks like Dingwall steps in to 12 when Hutchinson isn't available


https://all.rugby/player/rory-hutchinson

https://all.rugby/player/fraser-dingwall

As someone who watches saints most weeks I invite you go and check the most recent matches. There's been a clear shift from Hutch 12 Dingwall 13 earlier in the season to Dingwall 12 and Proctor 13. Especially since Fin Smith came in and Biggar left.

Hutch was a great foil for Biggar because he's not much of a playmaker. But Smith is so Dingwall is picked.

Stats eh, what did Scott Johnson say. Drunk, lampost, support, illumination. As said, I love watching Hutch play, this isn't negativity. This is just facts, I'm actually less inclined to watch saints play now they don't start Hutch as regularly.

In the ten games Hutchinson has played since Biggar left, (by the looks of things there have only been ten Saints games since then) he's started at 12 five times, at 13 once and has come off the bench four times, his starts were in the Champions Cup and in league games, the outside centre start was in the prem cup semi-final. If you look at those stats you'll see he is starting on successive weekends right up to now, though he did get 66 minutes off the bench against Sale on Saturday there.

[Tichtheid]

Murray McCallum who will join Newcastle Falcons this summer upon the conclusion of his short-term deal.

Well, at least he's got a contract, who is the current first choice tighthead there?