The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

I was at the Ireland England game at the weekend. England were exceptionally poor but Ireland did not look like world champs to me. In fact, they looked relatively ordinary. They huffed and puffed to be honest despite the eventual score line.

Oh god, is this the hope building again

[robmatic]

"A big half ahead"

Are they still not playing the u20s lads? This was an absolute hiding.

[Biffer]

"A big half ahead"

Are they still not playing the u20s lads? This was an absolute hiding.

Ended up 92-14

[robmatic]

"A big half ahead"

Are they still not playing the u20s lads? This was an absolute hiding.

Ended up 92-14

Oof. Seems the u20s are indeed still being rested, so it's mostly even younger boys and they are only getting a couple of training sessions together before being thrown out in a senior game. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I thought the whole idea was to give the u20s squad more competitive game time and have them benefit from getting a decent amount of training time together.

[Big D]

Thinking about the weekend. As an attendee I want to see the 1s but with the red cards and furore around them I think we should be overly cautious with a couple of them.

[clydecloggie]

Thinking about the weekend. As an attendee I want to see the 1s but with the red cards and furore around them I think we should be overly cautious with a couple of them.

First XV but Cummings and Healy for Gray and Russell.

[Yr Alban]

Thinking about the weekend. As an attendee I want to see the 1s but with the red cards and furore around them I think we should be overly cautious with a couple of them.

First XV but Cummings and Healy for Gray and Russell.

I think Healy has to start this one. He needs some miles on the clock as he is now the #2, plus we need to keep Finn safe at all costs. Would also be sensible to keep Gray out of the team.

[Slick]

Thinking about the weekend. As an attendee I want to see the 1s but with the red cards and furore around them I think we should be overly cautious with a couple of them.

First XV but Cummings and Healy for Gray and Russell.

I think Healy has to start this one. He needs some miles on the clock as he is now the #2, plus we need to keep Finn safe at all costs. Would also be sensible to keep Gray out of the team.

Yes and yes

[Wylie Coyote]

First XV but Cummings and Healy for Gray and Russell.

I think Healy has to start this one. He needs some miles on the clock as he is now the #2, plus we need to keep Finn safe at all costs. Would also be sensible to keep Gray out of the team.

Yes and yes

i'm a bit wary of starting Jones at 13, the drop from Jones to Harris is pretty big, I think he's a big reason why our back division has clicked this last year or so. Jones needs to be fit for the boks so I'd start Healy, Redpath, Harris for Georgia. Redpath has the distribution skills to get the ball out beyond Harris so I think it could work.

[Tichtheid]

I would want to go as full reserve team as we can, but this has been ruled out hasn't it?

[Simian]

I just don’t get that view at all. Our opening game is our best bet of getting out the group. Shouldn’t we be looking to peak for that?

Any other group, I’d totally agree. But our opening game is pretty much make or break, no?

[Jock42]

I would want to go as full reserve team as we can, but this has been ruled out hasn't it?

From what I've read/heard, yes. I've always been of the same opinion as you but I see the sense in the 1st team every 2 weeks strategy. Yes it means risking injuries but having them firing on all cylinders outweighs that risk for me. That said, I'd still like to see Healy get a good half an hour.

[I like neeps]

I just don’t get that view at all. Our opening game is our best bet of getting out the group. Shouldn’t we be looking to peak for that?

Any other group, I’d totally agree. But our opening game is pretty much make or break, no?

I agree, South Africa are putting out strong teams every week and just had the URC. They'll be fit and in form for the match so I'd like Scotland to continue with their current run and put out a good side to smash Georgia.

[Slick]

I just don’t get that view at all. Our opening game is our best bet of getting out the group. Shouldn’t we be looking to peak for that?

Any other group, I’d totally agree. But our opening game is pretty much make or break, no?

I agree, South Africa are putting out strong teams every week and just had the URC. They'll be fit and in form for the match so I'd like Scotland to continue with their current run and put out a good side to smash Georgia.

Could maybe be persuaded to this, except Finn. He’s too important to lose at this stage

[Tichtheid]

Ok, I've been convinced by the argument for going full throttle this weekend, it makes sense.

Like Slick I'm wary of risking Finn, but no one else plays like him so if we don't field him we are playing a very different game

[Biffer]

Ok, I've been convinced by the argument for going full throttle this weekend, it makes sense.

Like Slick I'm wary of risking Finn, but no one else plays like him so if we don't field him we are playing a very different game

I'd give Finn a half. Very conscious that anyone who doesn't play thus week will be a month without a game before South Africa.

[Slick]

Ok, I've been convinced by the argument for going full throttle this weekend, it makes sense.

Like Slick I'm wary of risking Finn, but no one else plays like him so if we don't field him we are playing a very different game

I'd give Finn a half. Very conscious that anyone who doesn't play thus week will be a month without a game before South Africa.

That's a good point Tichtheid, that I hadn't really thought of.

On Biffers point, you'll be glad to hear I had thought of that. It kind of feels to me that Finn is so on his game at the moment that he could be firing even with that break. If we lose Finn before SA the whole atmosphere of our WC changes and I don't think we have any chance.

[dpedin]

Ok, I've been convinced by the argument for going full throttle this weekend, it makes sense.

Like Slick I'm wary of risking Finn, but no one else plays like him so if we don't field him we are playing a very different game

I'd give Finn a half. Very conscious that anyone who doesn't play thus week will be a month without a game before South Africa.

That's a good point Tichtheid, that I hadn't really thought of.

On Biffers point, you'll be glad to hear I had thought of that. It kind of feels to me that Finn is so on his game at the moment that he could be firing even with that break. If we lose Finn before SA the whole atmosphere of our WC changes and I don't think we have any chance.

We might see Townsend making changes at half time in order to try out a couple of different game plans ie starting with a more attritional kicking game with Healy at 10 then a running game with Russell in 2nd half. I am more worried for our forwards in this game, the Georgians have a number of rough and tough forwards, particularly in the front row, who could cause us trouble at scrum and breakdown and I cant see them holding back against us. Fingers crossed.

[Biffer]

I'd give Finn a half. Very conscious that anyone who doesn't play thus week will be a month without a game before South Africa.

That's a good point Tichtheid, that I hadn't really thought of.

On Biffers point, you'll be glad to hear I had thought of that. It kind of feels to me that Finn is so on his game at the moment that he could be firing even with that break. If we lose Finn before SA the whole atmosphere of our WC changes and I don't think we have any chance.

We might see Townsend making changes at half time in order to try out a couple of different game plans ie starting with a more attritional kicking game with Healy at 10 then a running game with Russell in 2nd half. I am more worried for our forwards in this game, the Georgians have a number of rough and tough forwards, particularly in the front row, who could cause us trouble at scrum and breakdown and I cant see them holding back against us. Fingers crossed.

Yeah, that last bit is key - for Georgia any game vs Tier 1 is a chance to make a statement, this isn’t a warm up for them in the same way as it is for us, it’s a full on test match.

In a way that’s good as it provides a serious game, but it carries risks which we can all see.

Main worries for injury / suspension would be starting loosehead, 10-12-13, Blairhorn. Tight head would be if Fagerson wasn’t already suspended.

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby
1h ·
All the best to Henry Pyrgos who today announced his retirement from professional rugby after 13 years at the top of the game.
A true gent that never failed to give his all to the jersey, we wish Henry the very best in his next steps

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh Rugby
1h ·
All the best to Henry Pyrgos who today announced his retirement from professional rugby after 13 years at the top of the game.
A true gent that never failed to give his all to the jersey, we wish Henry the very best in his next steps

Hank is a top bloke, best wishes for whatever comes next for him.


We've got Angus Gardner for the South Africa game at the RWC.
South Africa v Scotland

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)


https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby- ... tes-opener

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby
1h ·
All the best to Henry Pyrgos who today announced his retirement from professional rugby after 13 years at the top of the game.
A true gent that never failed to give his all to the jersey, we wish Henry the very best in his next steps

Hank is a top bloke, best wishes for whatever comes next for him.


We've got Angus Gardner for the South Africa game at the RWC.
South Africa v Scotland

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)


https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby- ... tes-opener

And the rest of the games

Scotland v Tonga
Stade de Nice, Nice
Sunday, 24 September, 2023

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Scotland v Romania
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Saturday, 30 September, 2023

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Ireland v Scotland
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Saturday, 7 October, 2023

Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

[KingBlairhorn]

Given how the breakdown in particular and the game in general went with Berry as the ref vs France, that appointment could have gone better for us.

[Dogbert]

Edinburgh Rugby
1h ·
All the best to Henry Pyrgos who today announced his retirement from professional rugby after 13 years at the top of the game.
A true gent that never failed to give his all to the jersey, we wish Henry the very best in his next steps

Title-winning scrum-half - Henry Pyrgos if you please

[LenCohen]

Edinburgh Rugby
1h ·
All the best to Henry Pyrgos who today announced his retirement from professional rugby after 13 years at the top of the game.
A true gent that never failed to give his all to the jersey, we wish Henry the very best in his next steps

Saw him jogging in Inverleith Park the other day, did make me wonder!

[Jock42]

Was in the cards with Steele signing, still, he's been a good servant to... well, all the Scottish teams.

[Big D]

Refs for the group games are out:
SA - Gardner (Aus)
Romania - Barnes (Eng)
Tonga - Dickson (Eng)
Ireland - Berry (Aus)

We've managed to pull IMO 3 of the worst refs on the panel for the world cup.

[Sandstorm]

Refs for the group games are out:
SA - Gardner (Aus)
Romania - Barnes (Eng)
Tonga - Dickson (Eng)
Ireland - Berry (Aus)

We've managed to pull IMO 3 of the worst refs on the panel for the world cup.

Jeez, that 's rough Scotland

[Slick]

Refs for the group games are out:
SA - Gardner (Aus)
Romania - Barnes (Eng)
Tonga - Dickson (Eng)
Ireland - Berry (Aus)

We've managed to pull IMO 3 of the worst refs on the panel for the world cup.

Don’t know if the link will work but TotM did a thread on Twitter yesterday showing that matches with these refs and Scotland are fairly evenly split on penalties conceded and in our favour, mostly, on cards give:

https://x.com/topofthemoongw/status/169 ... tSNBueE4mg

[Big D]

Refs for the group games are out:
SA - Gardner (Aus)
Romania - Barnes (Eng)
Tonga - Dickson (Eng)
Ireland - Berry (Aus)

We've managed to pull IMO 3 of the worst refs on the panel for the world cup.

Don’t know if the link will work but TotM did a thread on Twitter yesterday showing that matches with these refs and Scotland are fairly evenly split on penalties conceded and in our favour, mostly, on cards give:

https://x.com/topofthemoongw/status/169 ... tSNBueE4mg

Would be useful knowing what games they were. But even then they just aren't good refs,

[TheNatalShark]

So more or less full strength for Georgia then

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 71 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) 15 caps

1. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps
2. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 9 caps
3. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 64 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 42 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 25 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
22. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 43 caps

[westport]

So Rambo is stuck on 49, thought that would happen.

[Biffer]

So more or less full strength for Georgia then

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 71 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) 15 caps

1. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps
2. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 9 caps
3. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 64 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 42 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 25 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
22. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 43 caps

Pretty much but I expect Schoeman, Turner and Kinghorn in for the full strength team. Although I’d stick with Cherry, better darts.

[Slick]

Seeing it in writing I want to see Finn at home with his feet up even more.

Unless he has a niggle, strange BK isn't getting a bit more game time.

[TheNatalShark]

Pretty much but I expect Schoeman, Turner and Kinghorn in for the full strength team. Although I’d stick with Cherry, better darts.

Aye, basically assuming those missing were either injured/niggle or they want one, last, final look

[Jockaline]

So more or less full strength for Georgia then

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 71 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) 15 caps

1. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps
2. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 9 caps
3. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 64 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 42 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 25 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
22. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 43 caps

Pretty much but I expect Schoeman, Turner and Kinghorn in for the full strength team. Although I’d stick with Cherry, better darts.

Richie Gray too?

[Tichtheid]

So more or less full strength for Georgia then

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 71 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) 15 caps

1. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps
2. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 9 caps
3. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 64 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 42 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 25 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
22. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 43 caps

Pretty much but I expect Schoeman, Turner and Kinghorn in for the full strength team. Although I’d stick with Cherry, better darts.

Richie Gray too?

Aye and "Shooders" Fagerson too.

[Slick]

https://x.com/glove931/status/169441097 ... tSNBueE4mg

[Slick]

Josh Kerr wins the world athletics 1500! Stunning race

[Biffer]

Josh Kerr wins the world athletics 1500! Stunning race

That Norwegian fella must be getting a bit sick of Scottish guys going past him on the final bend