The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

I see Hogg has scored on his Top14 debut. It’s going to be really awkward if he is back to his best.

I guess it depends, he did say his body was fucked before retirement. Perhaps a rest has done him no end of good, but aside from the off-field stuff he has to be playing better than Kinghorn, Smith and Rowe for starters. He's 32 with a LOT of miles on the clock, the Top 14 is an unforgiving league, especially for foreign troops.

I have no idea on the extent of the pain he's caused his young family with his behaviour, so I'm only really commenting on the rugby side of things.

I think you are right, even if he is tearing it up in France, from a purely rugby perspective, I can’t see how he is going to unseat the young guns if we are moving on, particularly BK.

It would be really interesting to know what his Scotland team mates feel about him as well, I can’t see him coming into a squad going down well, but who knows, team sports are a strange dynamic

[KingBlairhorn]

I see Hogg has scored on his Top14 debut. It’s going to be really awkward if he is back to his best.

I guess it depends, he did say his body was fucked before retirement. Perhaps a rest has done him no end of good, but aside from the off-field stuff he has to be playing better than Kinghorn, Smith and Rowe for starters. He's 32 with a LOT of miles on the clock, the Top 14 is an unforgiving league, especially for foreign troops.

I have no idea on the extent of the pain he's caused his young family with his behaviour, so I'm only really commenting on the rugby side of things.

I think you are right, even if he is tearing it up in France, from a purely rugby perspective, I can’t see how he is going to unseat the young guns if we are moving on, particularly BK.

It would be really interesting to know what his Scotland team mates feel about him as well, I can’t see him coming into a squad going down well, but who knows, team sports are a strange dynamic

Generally I agree, but we have seen many times before it doesn’t take many injuries before we are scraping the barrel somewhat. Is Josh McKay eligible next year or 2026?

[Big D]

I see Hogg has scored on his Top14 debut. It’s going to be really awkward if he is back to his best.

I guess it depends, he did say his body was fucked before retirement. Perhaps a rest has done him no end of good, but aside from the off-field stuff he has to be playing better than Kinghorn, Smith and Rowe for starters. He's 32 with a LOT of miles on the clock, the Top 14 is an unforgiving league, especially for foreign troops.

I have no idea on the extent of the pain he's caused his young family with his behaviour, so I'm only really commenting on the rugby side of things.

I think you are right, even if he is tearing it up in France, from a purely rugby perspective, I can’t see how he is going to unseat the young guns if we are moving on, particularly BK.

It would be really interesting to know what his Scotland team mates feel about him as well, I can’t see him coming into a squad going down well, but who knows, team sports are a strange dynamic

Purely on the onfield stuff I think fans in general are quick to forget how important Hogg and Duhan (he gets some stick too) were to many of our big wins during covid and after.

England away a couple of times and France away had some brilliant field position changing kicking from the Hogg that the other options don't yet have in terms of accuracy and distance.

It isn't a stretch to see a way that Hogg could become the next best option if a back 3 player or two goes down purely on rugby terms rather than cuntery or forward planning.

I would move on, and it wouldn't surprise me if privately he has told Montpellier he wouldn't make him self available anyway.

There's going to be a lot of revisionism about Hoggs on field career based on what has happened off field.

[Big D]

There is an unlikely* odd scenario where he gets really fit and healthy and ends up in Lions contention next summer.

*barely a non zero chance.

[Slick]

I guess it depends, he did say his body was fucked before retirement. Perhaps a rest has done him no end of good, but aside from the off-field stuff he has to be playing better than Kinghorn, Smith and Rowe for starters. He's 32 with a LOT of miles on the clock, the Top 14 is an unforgiving league, especially for foreign troops.

I have no idea on the extent of the pain he's caused his young family with his behaviour, so I'm only really commenting on the rugby side of things.

I think you are right, even if he is tearing it up in France, from a purely rugby perspective, I can’t see how he is going to unseat the young guns if we are moving on, particularly BK.

It would be really interesting to know what his Scotland team mates feel about him as well, I can’t see him coming into a squad going down well, but who knows, team sports are a strange dynamic

Purely on the onfield stuff I think fans in general are quick to forget how important Hogg and Duhan (he gets some stick too) were to many of our big wins during covid and after.

England away a couple of times and France away had some brilliant field position changing kicking from the Hogg that the other options don't yet have in terms of accuracy and distance.

It isn't a stretch to see a way that Hogg could become the next best option if a back 3 player or two goes down purely on rugby terms rather than cuntery or forward planning.

I would move on, and it wouldn't surprise me if privately he has told Montpellier he wouldn't make him self available anyway.

There's going to be a lot of revisionism about Hoggs on field career based on what has happened off field.

I agree with all of that as well.

I think he’s definitely in out top 5 players of all time and as a Scotland supporter will be eternally grateful for what he has done for us over the last years, particularly taking over the captaincy. No revisionism here, best player of the modern era

[I like neeps]

Townsend would have to leave for Hogg, even 2016 Hogg, to get in the Scotland squad.

I also think a huge public apology tour would be required...

[SomersetJock]

It’s quite depressing how much many articles I’ve seen about Hogg’s first game back and talk of international and Lions return.

Meanwhile Johnny Gray made his return at the weekend and gets barely a mention. And he is someone who most definitely would offer Scotland an option in the future !

And hasn’t acted like an absolute clown !

[Slick]

Townsend would have to leave for Hogg, even 2016 Hogg, to get in the Scotland squad.

I also think a huge public apology tour would be required...

Yeah, I think there might be a lot that comes out in Townsends eventual biography!

[Yr Alban]

It’s quite depressing how much many articles I’ve seen about Hogg’s first game back and talk of international and Lions return.

Meanwhile Johnny Gray made his return at the weekend and gets barely a mention. And he is someone who most definitely would offer Scotland an option in the future !

And hasn’t acted like an absolute clown !

Oh, you’re absolutely right. The problem, of course, is that Jonny is a good, international standard player, who never quite became the world-class one we all hoped he would. Whereas Hogg, at his best, was a genius, a truly generational player (despite it having been trendy to diss him at times). So one is more box office than the other.

Still wouldn’t have Hogg back, mind. We have good alternatives and his time is over.

[Simian]

Hogg arrested again, apparently…

[weegie01]

Hogg arrested again, apparently…

Rugby star Stuart Hogg charged with stalking

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx5l7465lo

[robmatic]

Kinghorn and Ramos combining for the first try here is

[Tichtheid]

It’s a shame that video is unavailable on here, I watched the whole game and Kinghorn contributed two excellent passes for tries and had another good game overall.

The comms were saying that Dupont wants to play centre, I’m sure he could but he’s the best in the world by a considerable margin in a very important position as it is.

[westport]

New CEO at Murrayfield

https://scottishrugby.org/alex-williams ... xv6apswoJQ

[KingBlairhorn]

Hogg arrested again, apparently…

Rugby star Stuart Hogg charged with stalking

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx5l7465lo

*sigh*

[Biffer]

New CEO at Murrayfield

https://scottishrugby.org/alex-williams ... xv6apswoJQ

Former boss of House of Fraser fills me with confidence

[I like neeps]

New CEO at Murrayfield

https://scottishrugby.org/alex-williams ... xv6apswoJQ

Former boss of House of Fraser fills me with confidence

He wasn't there long enough before their administration to be at fault for it but he's got a very unimpressive CV.

[KingBlairhorn]

New CEO at Murrayfield

https://scottishrugby.org/alex-williams ... xv6apswoJQ

Former boss of House of Fraser fills me with confidence

He wasn't there long enough before their administration to be at fault for it but he's got a very unimpressive CV.

Other than his 9 years at Goodwood he has never held a role more than 2 or 3 years. He doesn't strike me as a particularly big hitter tbh, he either performed incredibly well at interview or else there is a personal connection. I would be very unsurprised if its the latter.

[Blackmac]

Sad news about the medical issues facing Emma Wassell. She really is a cornerstone of the women's team. Hopefully she makes a full recovery.

[Tichtheid]

Sad news about the medical issues facing Emma Wassell. She really is a cornerstone of the women's team. Hopefully she makes a full recovery.

Seconded

Story here

https://news.stv.tv/sport/emma-wassell- ... GkHJkPhm3w

[Slick]

Sad news about the medical issues facing Emma Wassell. She really is a cornerstone of the women's team. Hopefully she makes a full recovery.

Absolutely lovely person as well. Always makes time for the kids when we’ve met her

[Slick]

Made a last minute decision to go and watch the ladies v Fiji today with my daughter. Another great day out.

Emma Orr is just total class. We seem to have been working on the kicking game, although the wind messed most of that up, which is good because I think it lost us a couple of games last year.

Rhona Lloyd scored a length of the pitch try gassing everyone, she is such a talis woman. Rachel Malcolm was outstanding in the back row and Rachel McLachan was pretty amazing tackling Fiji players twice her size.

[westport]

A ground-breaking new pilot National Academy programme has been launched today to support the development of promising young Scottish male players.

Spearheaded by the men’s national team head coach Gregor Townsend and assistant coaches, a group of young players have been identified to take part in the new pilot programme.

It will initially run across four training camps lasting two days, between now and the end of the calendar year, with more sessions planned as the concept develops.

https://scottishrugby.org/national-acad ... H4xCd4-xlA

[fishfoodie]

A ground-breaking new pilot National Academy programme has been launched today to support the development of promising young Scottish male players.

Spearheaded by the men’s national team head coach Gregor Townsend and assistant coaches, a group of young players have been identified to take part in the new pilot programme.

It will initially run across four training camps lasting two days, between now and the end of the calendar year, with more sessions planned as the concept develops.

https://scottishrugby.org/national-acad ... H4xCd4-xlA

Nucifora in action already ?

[dpedin]

A ground-breaking new pilot National Academy programme has been launched today to support the development of promising young Scottish male players.

Spearheaded by the men’s national team head coach Gregor Townsend and assistant coaches, a group of young players have been identified to take part in the new pilot programme.

It will initially run across four training camps lasting two days, between now and the end of the calendar year, with more sessions planned as the concept develops.

https://scottishrugby.org/national-acad ... H4xCd4-xlA

Nucifora in action already ?

Seems a good idea and stops the national coaching set up twiddling their thumbs in-between international blocks. Hopefully they are true to their word and will rotate players through this based on performance etc, the last thing we want is to exclude late developers from getting top level coaching input.

[Slick]

A ground-breaking new pilot National Academy programme has been launched today to support the development of promising young Scottish male players.

Spearheaded by the men’s national team head coach Gregor Townsend and assistant coaches, a group of young players have been identified to take part in the new pilot programme.

It will initially run across four training camps lasting two days, between now and the end of the calendar year, with more sessions planned as the concept develops.

https://scottishrugby.org/national-acad ... H4xCd4-xlA

Nucifora in action already ?

Seems a good idea and stops the national coaching set up twiddling their thumbs in-between international blocks. Hopefully they are true to their word and will rotate players through this based on performance etc, the last thing we want is to exclude late developers from getting top level coaching input.

They seem to be spreading it about a bit, my mates son has had a call up to the 2nd block

[westport]

Scotland A v Cheeelay in November at The Hive

[Slick]

Bloody hell!

Scotland legend John Jeffrey said he feels "hurt, bitter and betrayed" as the former flanker ended his bid to become chairman of World Rugby after failing to secure the support of his own union.

Jeffrey is the vice-chairman of the game's governing body and was considered the favourite to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont as head of World Rugby in November.

But the 65-year-old, one of the stars of Scotland's 1990 Grand Slam-winning team, was informed on Friday that Scottish Rugby would not be backing his candidacy.

Jeffrey was chairman of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board from 2020-23 and was told various aspects of his performance in that role were the reasons he could not be supported in his bid to be chair of World Rugby.

"I'm very bitter. I'm very upset - very, very upset. To be beaten by your own country really, really hurts," he told BBC Sport Scotland.

"It came as a huge shock. It doesn't reflect well on us as a country. People are now laughing at us - 'you said you were standing and now you're not'.

"I don't know if they are laughing at me or if they're laughing at Scottish Rugby, but they're certainly laughing. It does not reflect well on the [SRU] board.

"There's a lot of politics. I know I was favourite to win. There was opposition in terms of candidates from Italy, France and Australia and had I been beaten by any of them of them I would have shaken their hands and said 'well done'.

"What really sticks in my throat is that I got beaten by my own country. My own country at the 11th hour have withdrawn their nomination, which beggars belief.

"Betrayed is not too strong a word. I’m out, I’m back to farming again."



Capped 40 times by Scotland and a British and Irish Lions tourist in 1989, he has held senior positions within Scottish Rugby and World Rugby since 2010.

In light of Scottish Rugby's decision, Jeffrey is resigning as president of the Six Nations and as an executive board member, council member and vice-chairman of World Rugby.

He is retiring from all rugby union administration in order to return to his farm in Kelso in the Borders.

His withdrawal means the race for arguably the most powerful role in the game is down to former France back row Abdelatif Benazzi, ex-Australia flanker Brett Robinson and professor Andrea Rinaldo, the former Italy lock.

Beaumont, the former England captain, is stepping down after two terms and World Rugby's council will vote for his successor later this year.

'I thought I could make a difference'
Jeffrey believes he was in pole position to land the role and that holding it would have been a boost for the game in Scotland.

"Would I have won it? I probably would, but the other candidates might say the same thing," he added.

"I was favourite. I had the energy, drive and commitment. It was going to be hard, but I was really looking forward to it. I thought I could make a difference.

"It's hugely damaging for Scottish Rugby. We had the chance to have somebody chairing an international sporting federation.

"My question is why are we shooting ourselves in the foot? There is bad blood [between Jeffrey and some in the SRU], but surely for the greater good of Scottish rugby you put your differences aside. But it's not going to happen.

"We now have to go back to the drawing board. We [Scottish Rugby] will have nobody on these decision-making bodies for the next decade."

[SaintK]

Duplicate of Slick's post!

[SaintK]

Bloody hell!

Scotland legend John Jeffrey said he feels "hurt, bitter and betrayed" as the former flanker ended his bid to become chairman of World Rugby after failing to secure the support of his own union.

Jeffrey is the vice-chairman of the game's governing body and was considered the favourite to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont as head of World Rugby in November.

But the 65-year-old, one of the stars of Scotland's 1990 Grand Slam-winning team, was informed on Friday that Scottish Rugby would not be backing his candidacy.

Jeffrey was chairman of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board from 2020-23 and was told various aspects of his performance in that role were the reasons he could not be supported in his bid to be chair of World Rugby.

"I'm very bitter. I'm very upset - very, very upset. To be beaten by your own country really, really hurts," he told BBC Sport Scotland.

"It came as a huge shock. It doesn't reflect well on us as a country. People are now laughing at us - 'you said you were standing and now you're not'.

"I don't know if they are laughing at me or if they're laughing at Scottish Rugby, but they're certainly laughing. It does not reflect well on the [SRU] board.

"There's a lot of politics. I know I was favourite to win. There was opposition in terms of candidates from Italy, France and Australia and had I been beaten by any of them of them I would have shaken their hands and said 'well done'.

"What really sticks in my throat is that I got beaten by my own country. My own country at the 11th hour have withdrawn their nomination, which beggars belief.

"Betrayed is not too strong a word. I’m out, I’m back to farming again."



Capped 40 times by Scotland and a British and Irish Lions tourist in 1989, he has held senior positions within Scottish Rugby and World Rugby since 2010.

In light of Scottish Rugby's decision, Jeffrey is resigning as president of the Six Nations and as an executive board member, council member and vice-chairman of World Rugby.

He is retiring from all rugby union administration in order to return to his farm in Kelso in the Borders.

His withdrawal means the race for arguably the most powerful role in the game is down to former France back row Abdelatif Benazzi, ex-Australia flanker Brett Robinson and professor Andrea Rinaldo, the former Italy lock.

Beaumont, the former England captain, is stepping down after two terms and World Rugby's council will vote for his successor later this year.

'I thought I could make a difference'
Jeffrey believes he was in pole position to land the role and that holding it would have been a boost for the game in Scotland.

"Would I have won it? I probably would, but the other candidates might say the same thing," he added.

"I was favourite. I had the energy, drive and commitment. It was going to be hard, but I was really looking forward to it. I thought I could make a difference.

"It's hugely damaging for Scottish Rugby. We had the chance to have somebody chairing an international sporting federation.

"My question is why are we shooting ourselves in the foot? There is bad blood [between Jeffrey and some in the SRU], but surely for the greater good of Scottish rugby you put your differences aside. But it's not going to happen.

"We now have to go back to the drawing board. We [Scottish Rugby] will have nobody on these decision-making bodies for the next decade."

Snap! I'll delete mine and leave to you Scots to work out what the fuck he did to upset the SRU

[Jock42]

I don't know enough of the politics of the SRU blazers ir of JJ but it does look like it makes us a petty laughing stock.

[Slick]

I don't know enough of the politics of the SRU blazers ir of JJ but it does look like it makes us a petty laughing stock.

Scotlands issue for centuries

[Big D]

I don't know enough of the politics of the SRU blazers ir of JJ but it does look like it makes us a petty laughing stock.

Scotlands issue for centuries

This bit was interesting:
"Jeffrey was chairman of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board from 2020-23 and was told various aspects of his performance in that role were the reasons he could not be supported in his bid to be chair of World Rugby."

I don't think the SRU have done a great deal wrong if that is the case. Being Scottish doesn't mean the SRU have to back him if they have concerns over him being right for the role.

I don't think I know of anything positive he did when in his role within the SRL board.

Clearly if there is underhanded politics at play that is different.

Doubt we'll ever know the true story.

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Wes Goosen (31)

14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)

10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)

1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)

Very interesting that Thompson starts at 10. Not sure about Currie at 12 but we'll see. I think it's now or never for Sykes and Muncaster.

[Jock42]

He's a better 13 but I've no issue with him at 12. Other than sh quite excited by that team.

Not sure how much to read into those selections as 1st choice though.

[KingBlairhorn]

I don't know enough of the politics of the SRU blazers ir of JJ but it does look like it makes us a petty laughing stock.

Scotlands issue for centuries

This bit was interesting:
"Jeffrey was chairman of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board from 2020-23 and was told various aspects of his performance in that role were the reasons he could not be supported in his bid to be chair of World Rugby."

I don't think the SRU have done a great deal wrong if that is the case. Being Scottish doesn't mean the SRU have to back him if they have concerns over him being right for the role.

I don't think I know of anything positive he did when in his role within the SRL board.

Clearly if there is underhanded politics at play that is different.

Doubt we'll ever know the true story.

I've been told his conduct around the Cattigan affair was particularly troublesome. I have no idea if that's true.

To be honest though, I couldn't give less of a fuck about all these blazers. None of them have much interest in anything but their wee jollies and enriching themselves. Rugby is in more of a mess every single year regardless of who is in charge.

[I like neeps]

He's a better 13 but I've no issue with him at 12. Other than sh quite excited by that team.

Not sure how much to read into those selections as 1st choice though.

First game of the season with a mostly fit squad against Leinster at home really should be as first choice as things stand as possible.

[Jock42]

He's a better 13 but I've no issue with him at 12. Other than sh quite excited by that team.

Not sure how much to read into those selections as 1st choice though.

First game of the season with a mostly fit squad against Leinster at home really should be as first choice as things stand as possible.

It should be but Vellacott is on the bench. I know Gilchrist is starting but you don't make your second choice SH co-capt. Muncaster and Cherry over Bradbury and Ashman? Is Currie the best 12 and is he really behind a 13 who's played a handful of pro games?

[Yr Alban]

I just saw a pic of Tuipulotu the younger in Embra kit. I know this leaves me open to jokes about all non-Caucasian people looking the same, but seriously, he really does look exactly like his brother. If you’d told me Tuipulotu Snr had moved to Edinburgh I’d 100% have believed you.

[I like neeps]

He's a better 13 but I've no issue with him at 12. Other than sh quite excited by that team.

Not sure how much to read into those selections as 1st choice though.

First game of the season with a mostly fit squad against Leinster at home really should be as first choice as things stand as possible.

It should be but Vellacott is on the bench. I know Gilchrist is starting but you don't make your second choice SH co-capt. Muncaster and Cherry over Bradbury and Ashman? Is Currie the best 12 and is he really behind a 13 who's played a handful of pro games?

Vellacott as CC was the surprise for me as Price is surely the better player.

Fair point about Ashman and maybe Bradbury too. First game of the season though I think we can read into Thompson over Healy.