The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[westport]

Javan Sebastion, Suzz, Marshall Sykes and James Dobie called up to the squad with Sione, Alex Craig and WP out of the squad

Why was Sutherland not there in the first place? Anyone know?

He was on the French rugby pod with Jonnie Beattie the other week and Toony said to him he has not played a lot, thank to the club captain playing in his position, and he has a few things to work on

[Jock42]

Cheers lads

[charltom]

We're within 500 posts of the English group now. Keep it up guys!

[Slick]

We're within 500 posts of the English group now. Keep it up guys!

Not bothered by that

[Slick]

We're within 500 posts of the English group now. Keep it up guys!

Not bothered by that

At all.

[clydecloggie]

We're within 500 posts of the English group now. Keep it up guys!

Not bothered by that

At all.

Me

[clydecloggie]

Not bothered by that

At all.

Me

neither.

[inactionman]

Or

[inactionman]

me

[inactionman]

hold up.....

[KingBlairhorn]

+1 for the not bothered

[KingBlairhorn]

+1 for the not bothered

[KingBlairhorn]

+1 for the not bothered

Oh dear, I seem to have triple posted by accident.

[Dogbert]

We should not be measuring ourselves against the English

[Dogbert]

Petty Nationalism

[Dogbert]

At its worst

[Dogbert]

[Big D]

Thoughts on the team for Saturday?

Only real debate is probably over the back row make up and maybe 12. I still prefer Rowe to Steyn on the wing but accept I am in the minority on that. .

I'd go with Christie in for Ritchie and think either Redpath or McDowell will be fine at 12.

For all the chat about Italy improving we should really be beating them this weekend.

[Tichtheid]

Toonie has said it lots of times and he said it again in the video showing the build up to the Calcutta Cup, tricky selections will be about who shows up in training, assuming everyone is busting a gut, I'd be surprised if there were any changes for Saturday except at 12 and the available spot on the bench because of it.

I think Redpath will start and I'd really like to see McDowall's form rewarded with a seat on the pine.

[westport]

I think Cam will slot in at centre and it would be good to see the Sarries youngster get a start in the back row

[topofthemoon]

Given that Duhan is not averse to a cheeky try or two against Italy, here's a look at how things stand in the 'Race for 28' and the history of Scotland's top try scorer:

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/analy ... ry-record/

[Jock42]

Thoughts on the team for Saturday?

Only real debate is probably over the back row make up and maybe 12. I still prefer Rowe to Steyn on the wing but accept I am in the minority on that. .

I'd go with Christie in for Ritchie and think either Redpath or McDowell will be fine at 12.

For all the chat about Italy improving we should really be beating them this weekend.

Might be in the minority but not alone. I'd have him or Paterson involved. Redpath at 12. I'd drop Ritchie, happy for either Christie or Fagerson to start. If I wasn't changing that I might be tempted to bring Watson back in too.

[clydecloggie]

Thoughts on the team for Saturday?

Only real debate is probably over the back row make up and maybe 12. I still prefer Rowe to Steyn on the wing but accept I am in the minority on that. .

I'd go with Christie in for Ritchie and think either Redpath or McDowell will be fine at 12.

For all the chat about Italy improving we should really be beating them this weekend.

Might be in the minority but not alone. I'd have him or Paterson involved. Redpath at 12. I'd drop Ritchie, happy for either Christie or Fagerson to start. If I wasn't changing that I might be tempted to bring Watson back in too.

Redpath at 12, Hutchinson or McDowell to the bench. I also think either of the Kyles will do on the wing.

Back row for me would be Christie, Darge, Dempsey with Ritchie or Fagerson benching.

Italy in Rome gives me The Fear far more these days than England at Twickenham or even Wales in Cardiff. How the times have changed.

[Jock42]

Thoughts on the team for Saturday?

Only real debate is probably over the back row make up and maybe 12. I still prefer Rowe to Steyn on the wing but accept I am in the minority on that. .

I'd go with Christie in for Ritchie and think either Redpath or McDowell will be fine at 12.

For all the chat about Italy improving we should really be beating them this weekend.

Might be in the minority but not alone. I'd have him or Paterson involved. Redpath at 12. I'd drop Ritchie, happy for either Christie or Fagerson to start. If I wasn't changing that I might be tempted to bring Watson back in too.

Redpath at 12, Hutchinson or McDowell to the bench. I also think either of the Kyles will do on the wing.

Back row for me would be Christie, Darge, Dempsey with Ritchie or Fagerson benching.

Italy in Rome gives me The Fear far more these days than England at Twickenham or even Wales in Cardiff. How the times have changed.

Hutch is a good shout for the bench. I'd forgotten about him.

[clydecloggie]

Might be in the minority but not alone. I'd have him or Paterson involved. Redpath at 12. I'd drop Ritchie, happy for either Christie or Fagerson to start. If I wasn't changing that I might be tempted to bring Watson back in too.

Redpath at 12, Hutchinson or McDowell to the bench. I also think either of the Kyles will do on the wing.

Back row for me would be Christie, Darge, Dempsey with Ritchie or Fagerson benching.

Italy in Rome gives me The Fear far more these days than England at Twickenham or even Wales in Cardiff. How the times have changed.

Hutch is a good shout for the bench. I'd forgotten about him.

Hah! Rumbled, Toonie! Great to have you on the Board, coach.

[Slick]

Redpath at 12, Hutchinson or McDowell to the bench. I also think either of the Kyles will do on the wing.

Back row for me would be Christie, Darge, Dempsey with Ritchie or Fagerson benching.

Italy in Rome gives me The Fear far more these days than England at Twickenham or even Wales in Cardiff. How the times have changed.

Hutch is a good shout for the bench. I'd forgotten about him.

Hah! Rumbled, Toonie! Great to have you on the Board, coach.

[Slick]

Toonie has said it lots of times and he said it again in the video showing the build up to the Calcutta Cup, tricky selections will be about who shows up in training, assuming everyone is busting a gut, I'd be surprised if there were any changes for Saturday except at 12 and the available spot on the bench because of it.

I think Redpath will start and I'd really like to see McDowall's form rewarded with a seat on the pine.

Definitely think Redpath will start at 12.

The days of teams putting out an A team against Italy are well gone, but I still think he might choose this game to give Christie a start and see what he is made of.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Toonie has said it lots of times and he said it again in the video showing the build up to the Calcutta Cup, tricky selections will be about who shows up in training, assuming everyone is busting a gut, I'd be surprised if there were any changes for Saturday except at 12 and the available spot on the bench because of it.

I think Redpath will start and I'd really like to see McDowall's form rewarded with a seat on the pine.

Definitely think Redpath will start at 12.

The days of teams putting out an A team against Italy are well gone, but I still think he might choose this game to give Christie a start and see what he is made of.

I'd prefer McDowell at 12, as he's big, powerful & abrasive, so more similar to Tuipulotu in my mind. But Toonie will probably go with Redpath, who should also be fine, so no complaints really.

And Ritchie starting would be my preference. But again, good depth in the back row with Christie and Fagerson good options.

We should be confident for this, but as ever, I am nervous!

[Tichtheid]

Lads, I've tried to ignore this, but the pedant in my just can't put it off, this happens on the Weegie bored too, can we please spell McDowall correctly? It's bringing on a nervous tick in me, I'm like Inspector Dreyfus.


Slick, I think Toonie will go full strength, as he should, no experiments. On that basis I expect we'll see whichever of the backrowers have trained well in the run up to the match.

[SaintK]

This lad will qualify for Scotland in a couple of years having been discarded by Gatland.
Sarries will sort his fitness out as well.

SARACENS IS PLEASED TO CONFIRM THAT RHYS CARRE WILL RETURN TO THE CLUB FOR A SECOND SPELL FOR THE 2024/25 CAMPAIGN.
The Wales international, who previously featured for the Men in Black during the 2019/20 season will head back across the Severn Bridge in the summer for another stint at StoneX Stadium.
The 26-year-old, who has 20 caps for his country is an experienced loosehead who will add further quality to the front-row with his scrummaging prowess at the forefront.

https://saracens.com/rhys-carre-to-ma ... s-return/

[Slick]

Lads, I've tried to ignore this, but the pedant in my just can't put it off, this happens on the Weegie bored too, can we please spell McDowall correctly? It's bringing on a nervous tick in me, I'm like Inspector Dreyfus.


Slick, I think Toonie will go full strength, as he should, no experiments. On that basis I expect we'll see whichever of the backrowers have trained well in the run up to the match.

Hedging your bets there!

[Tichtheid]

Lads, I've tried to ignore this, but the pedant in my just can't put it off, this happens on the Weegie bored too, can we please spell McDowall correctly? It's bringing on a nervous tick in me, I'm like Inspector Dreyfus.


Slick, I think Toonie will go full strength, as he should, no experiments. On that basis I expect we'll see whichever of the backrowers have trained well in the run up to the match.

Hedging your bets there!

I suppose I am, though I think Ritchie deserves to start again, with Christie on the bench.

As an aside, I've read more rumours that Bradbury is heading back to Embra, maybe he and Big Bill will meet up at a service station half way, maybe around Leeds somewhere, to exchange pleasantries.

[topofthemoon]

For Scotland Rugby News, part 1 of the match preview for Italy v Scotland this Saturday.

- Italy's long wait for a home win;
- the key men in the Azzurri 's attack;
- previous history with referee, Angus Gardner.

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/analy ... ng-record/

[Slick]

Lads, I've tried to ignore this, but the pedant in my just can't put it off, this happens on the Weegie bored too, can we please spell McDowall correctly? It's bringing on a nervous tick in me, I'm like Inspector Dreyfus.


Slick, I think Toonie will go full strength, as he should, no experiments. On that basis I expect we'll see whichever of the backrowers have trained well in the run up to the match.

Hedging your bets there!

I suppose I am, though I think Ritchie deserves to start again, with Christie on the bench.

As an aside, I've read more rumours that Bradbury is heading back to Embra, maybe he and Big Bill will meet up at a service station half way, maybe around Leeds somewhere, to exchange pleasantries.

That would be interesting. I think he had to go away to get out of his comfort zone and be the best he could be, but must feel a bit distant from the action. Will have huge respect if he comes back and tears it up and makes it back into the Scotland team

[KingBlairhorn]

This lad will qualify for Scotland in a couple of years having been discarded by Gatland.
Sarries will sort his fitness out as well.

SARACENS IS PLEASED TO CONFIRM THAT RHYS CARRE WILL RETURN TO THE CLUB FOR A SECOND SPELL FOR THE 2024/25 CAMPAIGN.
The Wales international, who previously featured for the Men in Black during the 2019/20 season will head back across the Severn Bridge in the summer for another stint at StoneX Stadium.
The 26-year-old, who has 20 caps for his country is an experienced loosehead who will add further quality to the front-row with his scrummaging prowess at the forefront.

https://saracens.com/rhys-carre-to-ma ... s-return/

Hadn't heard that one before. A 20 cap international switching sides seems a bit mucky tbh. I know that is hugely hypocritical because Jack Dempsey is ace and is a 15 cap Aussie international and I am delighted he plays for us. But all the same, mucky.

I think Carre played in the 2021 Wales jamslam so that would make him the most decorated Scotland international of the last 25 years. Can't have that!

[Tichtheid]

This lad will qualify for Scotland in a couple of years having been discarded by Gatland.
Sarries will sort his fitness out as well.

SARACENS IS PLEASED TO CONFIRM THAT RHYS CARRE WILL RETURN TO THE CLUB FOR A SECOND SPELL FOR THE 2024/25 CAMPAIGN.
The Wales international, who previously featured for the Men in Black during the 2019/20 season will head back across the Severn Bridge in the summer for another stint at StoneX Stadium.
The 26-year-old, who has 20 caps for his country is an experienced loosehead who will add further quality to the front-row with his scrummaging prowess at the forefront.

https://saracens.com/rhys-carre-to-ma ... s-return/

Hadn't heard that one before. A 20 cap international switching sides seems a bit mucky tbh. I know that is hugely hypocritical because Jack Dempsey is ace and is a 15 cap Aussie international and I am delighted he plays for us. But all the same, mucky.

I think Carre played in the 2021 Wales jamslam so that would make him the most decorated Scotland international of the last 25 years. Can't have that!

At the moment he’d have to be as good as or better than Schoeman, Bhatti, Sutherland, Hepburn and McBeth. Venter qualifies in Feb ‘26 when he’ll be a bit younger than Schoeman is now. All of these guys will be around for the next world cup

[KingBlairhorn]

This lad will qualify for Scotland in a couple of years having been discarded by Gatland.
Sarries will sort his fitness out as well.

https://saracens.com/rhys-carre-to-ma ... s-return/

Hadn't heard that one before. A 20 cap international switching sides seems a bit mucky tbh. I know that is hugely hypocritical because Jack Dempsey is ace and is a 15 cap Aussie international and I am delighted he plays for us. But all the same, mucky.

I think Carre played in the 2021 Wales jamslam so that would make him the most decorated Scotland international of the last 25 years. Can't have that!

At the moment he’d have to be as good as or better than Schoeman, Bhatti, Sutherland, Hepburn and McBeth. Venter qualifies in Feb ‘26 when he’ll be a bit younger than Schoeman is now. All of these guys will be around for the next world cup

Yeah, there is significantly better depth at loosehead than tighthead. The likes of Hislop, McCallum and Murphy Walker are all kicking around too. I'm not suggesting they are better than Carre but they are already in the system. A few of the 20s looked pretty promising too, notably Smyth and Deans.

[Tichtheid]

Hadn't heard that one before. A 20 cap international switching sides seems a bit mucky tbh. I know that is hugely hypocritical because Jack Dempsey is ace and is a 15 cap Aussie international and I am delighted he plays for us. But all the same, mucky.

I think Carre played in the 2021 Wales jamslam so that would make him the most decorated Scotland international of the last 25 years. Can't have that!

At the moment he’d have to be as good as or better than Schoeman, Bhatti, Sutherland, Hepburn and McBeth. Venter qualifies in Feb ‘26 when he’ll be a bit younger than Schoeman is now. All of these guys will be around for the next world cup

Yeah, there is significantly better depth at loosehead than tighthead. The likes of Hislop, McCallum and Murphy Walker are all kicking around too. I'm not suggesting they are better than Carre but they are already in the system. A few of the 20s looked pretty promising too, notably Smyth and Deans.

I'm looking forward to seeing the younger Blyth-Lafferty play in the summer, the one that wasn't allowed to play in the U20s this year due to being 17 - it's a long way from where he is to being a professional tighthead but from what I hear he is a real prospect

[KingBlairhorn]

At the moment he’d have to be as good as or better than Schoeman, Bhatti, Sutherland, Hepburn and McBeth. Venter qualifies in Feb ‘26 when he’ll be a bit younger than Schoeman is now. All of these guys will be around for the next world cup

Yeah, there is significantly better depth at loosehead than tighthead. The likes of Hislop, McCallum and Murphy Walker are all kicking around too. I'm not suggesting they are better than Carre but they are already in the system. A few of the 20s looked pretty promising too, notably Smyth and Deans.

I'm looking forward to seeing the younger Blyth-Lafferty play in the summer, the one that wasn't allowed to play in the U20s this year due to being 17 - it's a long way from where he is to being a professional tighthead but from what I hear he is a real prospect

I rate Callum Norrie pretty highly so if he's already surpassed him at 3 years younger it is pretty exciting. Shades of Zander breaking through where he was a beast from a very early age.

[Yr Alban]

Hadn't heard that one before. A 20 cap international switching sides seems a bit mucky tbh. I know that is hugely hypocritical because Jack Dempsey is ace and is a 15 cap Aussie international and I am delighted he plays for us. But all the same, mucky.

I think Carre played in the 2021 Wales jamslam so that would make him the most decorated Scotland international of the last 25 years. Can't have that!

At the moment he’d have to be as good as or better than Schoeman, Bhatti, Sutherland, Hepburn and McBeth. Venter qualifies in Feb ‘26 when he’ll be a bit younger than Schoeman is now. All of these guys will be around for the next world cup

Yeah, there is significantly better depth at loosehead than tighthead. The likes of Hislop, McCallum and Murphy Walker are all kicking around too. I'm not suggesting they are better than Carre but they are already in the system. A few of the 20s looked pretty promising too, notably Smyth and Deans.

Isn’t Murphy Walker a tighthead?