The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[C T]

Please don't - it's the hope that gets you

I thought we had collectively decided to damn all hope and just go for delirious, if unfounded, optimism? Apologies if I misunderstood.

I had clocked the abandon all hope stuff but not the delirious optimism bit and don't really feel like jumping on that particular train.

FWIW, I think we can beat SA first up but the maths of qualifying from the group make it almost impossible and we've got to factor in the luck of the Scots. If we beat SA, they are certain to beat Ireland and even delirious optimism wouldn't allow me to think we can beat Ireland. So a 3-way fight decided by bonus points and points difference and here's where the luck of the Scots dictates we finish third.

Can't shake the feeling of this one happening, it's almost like we need to beat SA with a bonus point.

[charltom]

FWIW I had a wee (admittedly brief) squint at Midi Olympique yesterday.

They had eight pages of coverage of tonight's match. The only mention I could see of the Scottish players was the list of names.

If only our opposition were so ignorant of them!

[Yr Alban]

Please don't - it's the hope that gets you

I thought we had collectively decided to damn all hope and just go for delirious, if unfounded, optimism? Apologies if I misunderstood.

I had clocked the abandon all hope stuff but not the delirious optimism bit and don't really feel like jumping on that particular train.

FWIW, I think we can beat SA first up but the maths of qualifying from the group make it almost impossible and we've got to factor in the luck of the Scots. If we beat SA, they are certain to beat Ireland and even delirious optimism wouldn't allow me to think we can beat Ireland. So a 3-way fight decided by bonus points and points difference and here's where the luck of the Scots dictates we finish third.

Yep, this is the issue. It’s not just that we have been put in a group with the two teams we are least likely to beat. It’s that we could actually beat one of them and it still not be enough for us to progress.

It’s frustrating as hell. If it weren’t for the bloody draw then I’d think we had the best chance in decades of going deep at a RWC. But as it is, we don’t have more than a 5% chance of getting out of our group. World Rugby properly stitched us up.

[And 1 guest]

Dunno about WR stitching us up so much. We fucked up in 2019 and didn't deserve to get out of that group. I agree ire and sa are the two teams we are least likely to beat, even with our record against NZ.
Just hope we can produce decent performances, and this really talented squad do themselves justice

[charltom]

Dunno about WR stitching us up so much. We fucked up in 2019 and didn't deserve to get out of that group.

This is true, but WR did stitch us up.

If they'd used the world rankings from the time they did the draw, we wouldn't be in a group with two big guns.

They chose to use rankings from ten months earlier, specifically to favour Japan.

[Slick]

Please don't - it's the hope that gets you

I thought we had collectively decided to damn all hope and just go for delirious, if unfounded, optimism? Apologies if I misunderstood.

I had clocked the abandon all hope stuff but not the delirious optimism bit and don't really feel like jumping on that particular train.

FWIW, I think we can beat SA first up but the maths of qualifying from the group make it almost impossible and we've got to factor in the luck of the Scots. If we beat SA, they are certain to beat Ireland and even delirious optimism wouldn't allow me to think we can beat Ireland. So a 3-way fight decided by bonus points and points difference and here's where the luck of the Scots dictates we finish third.

My thinking is we beat SA and they then go absolutely Tonto against Ireland and break a few of them

[KingBlairhorn]

Dunno about WR stitching us up so much. We fucked up in 2019 and didn't deserve to get out of that group.

This is true, but WR did stitch us up.

If they'd used the world rankings from the time they did the draw, we wouldn't be in a group with two big guns.

They chose to use rankings from ten months earlier, specifically to favour Japan.

While there were definitely politics involved (retribution for the typhoon fiasco) and it was us who were 8th at the time of the draw, we had consistently been around 10th I think and had managed to jump ahead of Japan due to them not being able to travel due to covid. Japan were certainly very lucky having spent only around 4 months in the top 8 in their history, however whomever was hard done by the situation I am not sure it was us. We had a brief foray into the top 8 and then dropped out again.

That’s all from memory though so is quite possibly bollocks.

[Biffer]

FWIW I had a wee (admittedly brief)

It's middle age mate, no need to be ashamed of it, you're amongst friends here.

[Jock42]

I'm at a wedding on the QF weekend, so clearly Scotland will win the group as that's the day of the wedding. The cunt is Irish and likes rugby too.

[Biffer]

I'm at a wedding on the QF weekend, so clearly Scotland will win the group as that's the day of the wedding. The cunt is Irish and likes rugby too.

On the bright side of they've been knocked out then you'll be grinng like a cunt all day

[Jock42]

I'm at a wedding on the QF weekend, so clearly Scotland will win the group as that's the day of the wedding. The cunt is Irish and likes rugby too.

On the bright side of they've been knocked out then you'll be grinng like a cunt all day

[Slick]

Please don’t let us be utter gash tonight after that game

[charltom]

Dunno about WR stitching us up so much. We fucked up in 2019 and didn't deserve to get out of that group.

This is true, but WR did stitch us up.

If they'd used the world rankings from the time they did the draw, we wouldn't be in a group with two big guns.

They chose to use rankings from ten months earlier, specifically to favour Japan.

While there were definitely politics involved (retribution for the typhoon fiasco) and it was us who were 8th at the time of the draw, we had consistently been around 10th I think and had managed to jump ahead of Japan due to them not being able to travel due to covid. Japan were certainly very lucky having spent only around 4 months in the top 8 in their history, however whomever was hard done by the situation I am not sure it was us. We had a brief foray into the top 8 and then dropped out again.

That’s all from memory though so is quite possibly bollocks.

You're buying into World Rugby's BS there. Japan couldn't travel so didn't win OR LOSE matches during Covid. Scotland moved up by achieving positive results.

[inactionman]

Quick question - anyone know if any pubs in Newington area of Edinburgh are likely to be showing the game?

I'd expect cask and barrels southside would be but not sure how amazon works for pubs. And by Christ i need a pint after that England match.

[Big D]

Please don’t let us be utter gash tonight after that game

I'll take being gash for no injuries or reds.

[KingBlairhorn]

This is true, but WR did stitch us up.

If they'd used the world rankings from the time they did the draw, we wouldn't be in a group with two big guns.

They chose to use rankings from ten months earlier, specifically to favour Japan.

While there were definitely politics involved (retribution for the typhoon fiasco) and it was us who were 8th at the time of the draw, we had consistently been around 10th I think and had managed to jump ahead of Japan due to them not being able to travel due to covid. Japan were certainly very lucky having spent only around 4 months in the top 8 in their history, however whomever was hard done by the situation I am not sure it was us. We had a brief foray into the top 8 and then dropped out again.

That’s all from memory though so is quite possibly bollocks.

You're buying into World Rugby's BS there. Japan couldn't travel so didn't win OR LOSE matches during Covid. Scotland moved up by achieving positive results.

I don’t think you are correct, there is a weighting towards recent matches so Japan’s points reduced by not playing.

[charltom]

While there were definitely politics involved (retribution for the typhoon fiasco) and it was us who were 8th at the time of the draw, we had consistently been around 10th I think and had managed to jump ahead of Japan due to them not being able to travel due to covid. Japan were certainly very lucky having spent only around 4 months in the top 8 in their history, however whomever was hard done by the situation I am not sure it was us. We had a brief foray into the top 8 and then dropped out again.

That’s all from memory though so is quite possibly bollocks.

You're buying into World Rugby's BS there. Japan couldn't travel so didn't win OR LOSE matches during Covid. Scotland moved up by achieving positive results.

I don’t think you are correct, there is a weighting towards recent matches so Japan’s points reduced by not playing.

By not playing, they didn't gain or lose points.

They did, however, retain the double points they had gained in RWC wins.



PS yesssss!

[KingBlairhorn]

Fuck me, 4 marginal as fuck penalties in a row. Very harsh.

[Blackmac]

It would be nice if the French at least tried to scrum straight. That one was outrageous and dangerous.

[Slick]

He’s playing very well but I’m not enjoying Jamie’s captaincy at all

[Jock42]

He’s playing very well but I’m not enjoying Jamie’s captaincy at all

He just can't talk to refs

[Blackmac]

Fuck me. Gilchrist couldn't have possibly moved any quicker.

[Blackmac]

He’s playing very well but I’m not enjoying Jamie’s captaincy at all

He just can't talk to refs

Agreed. Russell has the get the captaincy.

[KingBlairhorn]

We’re 100% on the wrong side of Berry here, I don’t know how much of that is due to how Richie is talking to him? That last pen for Gilchrist not rolling, a Frenchman dived straight off his feet on top of him. Another one that could go either way, but if the ref is pissed with your captain probably goes against you.

[charltom]

He’s playing very well but I’m not enjoying Jamie’s captaincy at all

He just can't talk to refs

It's hard enough to get a good hearing when you're one of the niggly ones. Even harder if you're not talking the right way.

[KingBlairhorn]

I missed what happened but the French seemed pretty unhappy about some head contact. Berry suggested it had been reviewed but there’s always the risk of a citing anyway. Anyone see it?

[And 1 guest]

Decent first half. Too many penalties given away but solid in defence. Line-out is a lot better. Might see more from the midfield as the game goes on

[Jock42]

They're good points I'd not considered before. Makes total sense that a ref would be bias against Ritchie.
His petulant chaff doesn't help.

[charltom]

When Darge was penalised for being "too long", a decent reply might have enquired as to whether Berry had seen him play before. His balance is amazing.

GT could learn a lot by bringing his forward subs on early, with JR replaced, handing the captaincy to FR and seeing if anything changes wrt the ref.

[KingBlairhorn]

Price playing himself out of the 23 here

[Slick]

France showing up frailties we know we have but can usually cover up. No idea what Duhan was up to on that last France non try

[Tichtheid]

Ritchie has been outstanding tonight

[Slick]

Ritchie has been outstanding tonight

He has, really good. I’d like him relieved of the captaincy though

[Slick]

Yeah, let’s get Finn off

[KingBlairhorn]

Almost fucked that!

I’d love to see Duhan run more midfield moves like that wrap around there. He drew in 3 forwards to bring him down, it opens massive space.

[KingBlairhorn]

Price playing himself out of the 23 here

Horne has been good since he came on. It saddens me to see how much Price’s game has dropped away in the last few years.

[Blackmac]

First time ref has seen the many tackles of the ball.

[Tichtheid]

Price playing himself out of the 23 here

Horne has been good since he came on. It saddens me to see how much Price’s game has dropped away in the last few years.

Price, Sutherland and Watson since the Lions, you could add Hogg, but that was time/mileage taking its toll

[KingBlairhorn]

Good heads up rugby there

[Blackmac]

That should be a yellow for Makalo. Textbook professional foul.