The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Biffer]

Interesting BBC Scottish Rugby Pod with Toony.

Seemed to be saying that Ritchie is playing for a place this weekend let alone the captaincy. Was definitely a bit of edge from him about it all

He’s regularly made a point of that though. Said a similar thing about Hogg a few years back.

[Yr Alban]

I see that both Fin Smith and Roebuck are in the England squad - and Fraser Dingwall too. I guess Dingwall’s policy of waiting forever for an England call has finally paid off.

It's actually Dingwall's 10th (!) Squad inclusion. It's the cap that's proving elusive.

Wow, is that true? I had no idea. I thought he had maybe been in one or two and I’d missed it, but 10? Surprising he hasn’t given up entirely and thrown his lot in with us by now. The strange thing is that we’ve been fairly flush for good centres recently (after having had literally none for at least a decade). I wonder if he’d have been more tempted to switch if we had been weaker in his position?

I reckon that if you’re called Fraser Dingwall, it ought to be illegal for you to represent a team that isn’t Scotland. It’s just wrong. At least the worst example of this (Ruairidh McConnochie) finally came back to the fold.

[Margin__Walker]

I see that both Fin Smith and Roebuck are in the England squad - and Fraser Dingwall too. I guess Dingwall’s policy of waiting forever for an England call has finally paid off.

It's actually Dingwall's 10th (!) Squad inclusion. It's the cap that's proving elusive.

Wow, is that true? I had no idea. I thought he had maybe been in one or two and I’d missed it, but 10? Surprising he hasn’t given up entirely and thrown his lot in with us by now. The strange thing is that we’ve been fairly flush for good centres recently (after having had literally none for at least a decade). I wonder if he’d have been more tempted to switch if we had been weaker in his position?

I reckon that if you’re called Fraser Dingwall, it ought to be illegal for you to represent a team that isn’t Scotland. It’s just wrong. At least the worst example of this (Ruairidh McConnochie) finally came back to the fold.

It's definitely a lot. Bloke from the Times bothered to count.

[Slick]

Interesting BBC Scottish Rugby Pod with Toony.

Seemed to be saying that Ritchie is playing for a place this weekend let alone the captaincy. Was definitely a bit of edge from him about it all

He’s regularly made a point of that though. Said a similar thing about Hogg a few years back.

Ahh, OK, fair enough. He just sounded like he was a bit frustrated with him

[Slick]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

[Tichtheid]

I know I’m perhaps guilty of watching players whilst wearing the old rose tinted specs and maybe I should be more critical, but I genuinely think Ritchie has recently been playing as well as he ever has, he certainly always gets talked up during matches by Barclay and Hamilton.

I don’t think his place is under threat but he probably should just focus on his game as he does lose it with referees.

Finn always seems to have a good relationship with refs, he’s not an “all blood and snotters” sort of player.

I think even Sione isn’t 100% guaranteed his starting place so I’d go with Russell.

[Tichtheid]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Wales in Cardiff are never a walkover, I hesitate to be dismissive of them

[I like neeps]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Our record against Wales since 2019 is an absolute scandal.

[Tichtheid]

Having said that, just because of some of their fans and especially because of Gatland, there isn’t another team I want to put 50 on as much as I want us to do to Wales.

[dpedin]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

[Slick]

Oh I know all this, but they seem to be struggling to even get enough players together for a squad, have lost massive amounts of experience and, frankly, are pretty rubbish. If we have any pretence to be any good we should be professional enough to swat them out the way.

It would be a massive, massive step backwards to go down there and not get a result.

[Slick]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

I actually really quite like Gatland, underneath his gruff exterior he is a proper rugby man. I'm just not sure if this is a step too far for even his turn shining abilities.

[Slick]

I know I’m perhaps guilty of watching players whilst wearing the old rose tinted specs and maybe I should be more critical, but I genuinely think Ritchie has recently been playing as well as he ever has, he certainly always gets talked up during matches by Barclay and Hamilton.

I don’t think his place is under threat but he probably should just focus on his game as he does lose it with referees.

Finn always seems to have a good relationship with refs, he’s not an “all blood and snotters” sort of player.

I think even Sione isn’t 100% guaranteed his starting place so I’d go with Russell.

Agree with all of this, he's been playing very well and deserves his place, which is why I was a bit surprised at the tone of the comments from Toony, Maybe it's just me, or maybe he just thinks he needs a rocket.

Finn is great with refs. I guess the worry is that he has enough to worry about already, but he doesn't seem to care either way

[KingBlairhorn]

Having said that, just because of some of their fans and especially because of Gatland, there isn’t another team I want to put 50 on as much as I want us to do to Wales.

I agree with you often, but rarely have I agreed with you more!

[KingBlairhorn]

I know I’m perhaps guilty of watching players whilst wearing the old rose tinted specs and maybe I should be more critical, but I genuinely think Ritchie has recently been playing as well as he ever has, he certainly always gets talked up during matches by Barclay and Hamilton.

I don’t think his place is under threat but he probably should just focus on his game as he does lose it with referees.

Finn always seems to have a good relationship with refs, he’s not an “all blood and snotters” sort of player.

I think even Sione isn’t 100% guaranteed his starting place so I’d go with Russell.

Agree with all of this, he's been playing very well and deserves his place, which is why I was a bit surprised at the tone of the comments from Toony, Maybe it's just me, or maybe he just thinks he needs a rocket.

Finn is great with refs. I guess the worry is that he has enough to worry about already, but he doesn't seem to care either way

The thing about Finn is he an unusually strong ability to play and live in the moment. By that I mean he is completely unfussed and unfrustrated by things that have happened already, those are gone, all he cares about is what is going to happen. This gives him great potential as a captain as he he doesn't get frustrated in the same way as others. I can imagine he will tell the ref what he thinks and if the ref disagrees he will move on to the next thing. Compare that with Hogg and seemingly with Richie and they would get immensely frustrated with the ref if they didn't get their own way straight away.

For the same (but opposite) reason I will be interested to see how O'Mahony goes as Ireland captain. He (at least outwardly) seems to hold grudges bigtime and he might really rub refs up the wrong way if he stropps about whatever goes against him.

[C T]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Got to admit I find myself thinking the same.

That said I also know I'll take a 1 point win. Loosing would be tough to take.

[Biffer]

Edinburgh massively struggling with injuries in the backs. One fit fullback, one fit winger. Four fit centres so they're all in the 23 for tomorrow v Scarlets. They haven't replaced Kinghorn and obviously don't feel that Douglas or Brown from the academy are up to the mark yet. I would have taken one of them for the bench tbh.

[I like neeps]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

All of this is a criticism of Townsend when you think about it.

[Biffer]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

Welllllll.....

Last year Wales conceded 147 points in the Six Nations. Year before 104. In Gatland's previous tenure, they only conceded over 100 once, in 2010.

So the question is how much of that defensive organisation was down to Gatland, and how much to Edwards?

[KingBlairhorn]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

Welllllll.....

Last year Wales conceded 147 points in the Six Nations. Year before 104. In Gatland's previous tenure, they only conceded over 100 once, in 2010.

So the question is how much of that defensive organisation was down to Gatland, and how much to Edwards?

But also how much was down to player quality? Guys like Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny etc. are all Welsh legends. I would say they are substantially weaker than they were in their Garland era pomp.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors for Toulon

Steyn and Demmo back in the team - Zander on the bench ( hopefully wrapped in Cotton wool )
Jones off the wing and back to 13 , Stafford getting a bit of a rest (finally)
Good to see Williamson getting more game time , thought he was excellent against Exeter last wee

14 changes to the Toulon team that played Munster last week ( White not in the 23)

The big question is whether Scotstoun will be playable , or will the match be moved to Murrayfield

15 Josh McKay (37)

14 Kyle Steyn (Captain) (67)
13 Huw Jones (66)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (45)
11 Kyle Rowe (10)

10 Tom Jordan (36)
9 George Horne (107)

1 Jamie Bhatti (98)
2 George Turner (98)
3 Lucio Sordoni (23)
4 Max Williamson (6)
5 Richie Gray (111)
6 Ally Miller (23)
7 Matt Fagerson (101)
8 Jack Dempsey (40)

Substitutes

16 Johnny Matthews (60)
17 Oli Kebble (95)
18 Zander Fagerson (138)
19 Scott Cummings (115)
20 Euan Ferrie (10)
21 Henco Venter (8)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Stafford McDowall (68)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).

[KingBlairhorn]

The big question is whether Scotstoun will be playable , or will the match be moved to Murrayfield

Due to cold/ice? It's to be 5 degrees in Glasgow tomorrow, should be time for the pitch to thaw out?

[Dogbert]

Similar to what happened in 2022 with the Perpignan game.

That time they had defrosted the top layer and were able to maintain a thawed surface, however, the sand below was more difficult to defrost and with the persisting cold weather it was simply not going to be possible to make the surface playable.

I know they have had covers & Blowers working - but will it be enough

[weegie01]

Edinburgh Rugby welcome the return of Scotland and British & Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe for tomorrow night’s crucial EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (Friday 19 January, kick-off 8pm) – live on S4C and epcrugby.tv.

Van der Merwe – who was rested for last weekend’s Gloucester match – returns to the starting line-up as one of six changes made for the Round 4 encounter in Llanelli, where a bonus-point win will guarantee the capital side’s place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

With Darcy Graham (quad), Wes Goosen (quad) and Harry Paterson (shoulder) unavailable for selection, Chris Dean joins Van der Merwe in the back-three, where he is named on the wing.

James Lang returns at inside centre – with Matt Currie shifting to 13 – as Mark Bennett misses out with a knee injury.

Club co-captain Ben Vellacott – who makes his 50th appearance – takes the place of Ali Price at scrum-half, with the British & Irish Lions 9 named among the replacements.

The capital side make just one change to starting pack as Luke Crosbie returns from injury to start at blindside flanker, replacing Glen Young, who is named on the bench as part of a 6-2 split.

Ahead of the clash in Llanelli, Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “We’ve named a strong and experienced 23 for an important game in our overall season. We know we need a positive result and we’ll be going all out to achieve that tomorrow night.

“We’re delighted to welcome Duhan [van der Merwe], Luke [Crosbie] and Jamie [Ritchie] back to the squad after missing last week’s Gloucester match. They all possess game-changing skillsets, and their experience will be key in helping us deliver a match-winning performance.

“Scarlets are strong at home and both sides know each other well from league competition. It will be an 80-minute battle where we’ll need to be on it from the very first whistle.”

Argentine internationalist Emiliano Boffelli continues at full-back alongside wingers Van der Merwe and Dean.

Centres Lang and Currie link-up in midfield as Vellacott is paired with Scotland stand-off, Ben Healy, at half-back.

Hooker Dave Cherry once again packs down alongside props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel as an unchanged lock combination of Sam Skinner and Grant Gilchrist completes the tight-five.

Fijian star Viliame Mata continues at number 8 alongside flankers Hamish Watson and Crosbie.



Edinburgh Rugby team to face Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in the EPCR Challenge Cup
Friday 19 January (kick-off 8pm) – live on S4C/epcrugby.tv

15. Emiliano Boffelli (34)

14. Chris Dean (141)
13. Matt Currie (28)
12. James Lang (46)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (83)

10. Ben Healy (11)
9. Ben Vellacott (49) CO-CAPTAIN

1. Pierre Schoeman (107)
2. Dave Cherry (81)
3. WP Nel (196)
4. Sam Skinner (15)
5. Grant Gilchrist (197) CO-CAPTAIN
6. Luke Crosbie (92)
7. Hamish Watson (147)
8. Viliame Mata (126)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (11)
17. Boan Venter (55)
18. Angus Williams (25)
19. Glen Young (34)
20. Jamie Ritchie (104)
21. Tom Dodd (5)
22. Ali Price (7)
23. Cammy Scott (5)

Unavailable: Mark Bennett (knee), Connor Boyle (neck), Wes Goosen (quad), Darcy Graham, (quad), Robin Hislop (knee), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), Ben Muncaster (foot), Harry Paterson (shoulder), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (hamstring).


Not looking good in the back three for injuries.

[Biffer]

Under Gatland Wales will be fit, well prepared and defensively organised. As much as I dislike the man he knows how to prepare a rugby team. Within that Wales squad there is 15 decent players and actually leaving their clubs to train and play for the national team might be a relief for them. Gatland will also have studied Scotland and know where our weaknesses are, we have a few, and will target them relentlessly. I suspect we will win but it will be tougher than most folk think and the game will be a good lesson for us going forward in 6Ns. Over confidence will be our major concern!

Welllllll.....

Last year Wales conceded 147 points in the Six Nations. Year before 104. In Gatland's previous tenure, they only conceded over 100 once, in 2010.

So the question is how much of that defensive organisation was down to Gatland, and how much to Edwards?

But also how much was down to player quality? Guys like Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny etc. are all Welsh legends. I would say they are substantially weaker than they were in their Garland era pomp.

Yeah, player quality is part of it as well, but I just think the Gatland excels in coaching defence thing is a bit over stated - Edwards had a huge part to play and without him the coaching isn't as good either.

[Slick]

Interesting BBC Scottish Rugby Pod with Toony.

Seemed to be saying that Ritchie is playing for a place this weekend let alone the captaincy. Was definitely a bit of edge from him about it all

He’s regularly made a point of that though. Said a similar thing about Hogg a few years back.

20. Jamie Ritchie (104)

It's all a bit odd.

[Blackmac]

Having said that, just because of some of their fans and especially because of Gatland, there isn’t another team I want to put 50 on as much as I want us to do to Wales.

We don't seem to agree on much but I certainly very much agree on this, although the Irish are quickly taking their place.

[Biffer]

Having said that, just because of some of their fans and especially because of Gatland, there isn’t another team I want to put 50 on as much as I want us to do to Wales.

We don't seem to agree on much but I certainly very much agree on this, although the Irish are quickly taking their place.

Hey, they can both be fuckers, it's not an exclusive thing.

[inactionman]

As an Englishman, I'm slightly disappointed.

[Slick]

As an Englishman, I'm slightly disappointed.

We love playing Italy as well, if that helps?

[Jock42]

Having said that, just because of some of their fans and especially because of Gatland, there isn’t another team I want to put 50 on as much as I want us to do to Wales.

We don't seem to agree on much but I certainly very much agree on this, although the Irish are quickly taking their place.

I'd be happy just to beat them. Especially this year in Dublin on Paddy's weekend.

[Yr Alban]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

[Slick]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

I know, I know. We just CANT lose to this current lot or it’s all over for this group

[SomersetJock]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

That was possibly the most miserable I have ever left a rugby match (and that’s really saying something)

Vowed never to go to go to another Wales v Scotland match ever again !

And somehow I find myself Cardiff bound in a couple of weeks time

[KingBlairhorn]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

That was possibly the most miserable I have ever left a rugby match (and that’s really saying something)

Vowed never to go to go to another Wales v Scotland match ever again !

And somehow I find myself Cardiff bound in a couple of weeks time

We say it every year, it's the hope that kills you.

[Yr Alban]

If we don't comprehensively beat Wales I might have to step away from watching international rugby for a while, the game will be up.

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

That was possibly the most miserable I have ever left a rugby match (and that’s really saying something)

Vowed never to go to go to another Wales v Scotland match ever again !

And somehow I find myself Cardiff bound in a couple of weeks time

My first (and probably only) trip to Cardiff was the one when Hogg got sent off and it finished 51-3 to Wales. That will take some beating.

[Slick]

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

That was possibly the most miserable I have ever left a rugby match (and that’s really saying something)

Vowed never to go to go to another Wales v Scotland match ever again !

And somehow I find myself Cardiff bound in a couple of weeks time

My first (and probably only) trip to Cardiff was the one when Hogg got sent off and it finished 51-3 to Wales. That will take some beating.

Yup. Spent most of the time staring at my pint working out what would be the earliest I could leave without being laughed at was.

Although 2010 when we were winning with no minutes to go but with only about 9 players and Shane Williams went over under the posts was a special kind of low. Also notable for being the only time I've fought with a man in a wheelchair as well

[Slick]

Looks like Darcy might be out

[SomersetJock]

Oh Christ, just don’t go there. Do you not recall what happened the last time a Scotland team went to Cardiff for game #1 expected to get a result?

That was possibly the most miserable I have ever left a rugby match (and that’s really saying something)

Vowed never to go to go to another Wales v Scotland match ever again !

And somehow I find myself Cardiff bound in a couple of weeks time

My first (and probably only) trip to Cardiff was the one when Hogg got sent off and it finished 51-3 to Wales. That will take some beating.

I was at the Hoggy red card one as well, and as awful experience as it was the one after sticking 50 past Aus in the Autumn was more painful.

Totally my own fault, despite many years experience I went into the stadium that day expecting us to put them away easy !

[Big D]

I was there last time we won in Cardiff and Dublin. Would like to apologise to you all for not being able to afford to go back since.