The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Tichtheid]

I've never heard of Dan Lancaster before now, but the Racing site says he's a centre, I don't think we need to be looking at him to be honest, Sione T, Jones, McDowall, Mosese T and Currie would be my picks (Curriepulotu for the A team) Hutchinson again looked classy the other night

edit, I missed KBH's post and see I forgot Redpath - doh!

[Biffer]

Surely this squad will include fringe players for the A game, rather than having separate squad announcements?

[clydecloggie]

I thought Steyn is out for 6 weeks? So unlikely to be in the squad.

Twoipolotou as the centre pair for the Portugal game?

[Punter15]

Scotland squad being announced tomorrow apparently, I wonder if we'll see any shocks who nobody knows is SQ.

My main questions would be:

Do any of Hastings, Thompson, Healy get in the squad? Does Burke throw his hat in the ring. Russell and Jordan will be there, who else.

Surely Sykes will get a call up? Does Jonny Gray come in after becoming a regular at Bordeaux?

Speaking of the Grays anyone from Japan?

Does Mosese get in the national squad or just the A team? And how strong will the A team be.

Tight head situation will be rough, who else could there be?

Hookers - Harrison or Hiddlestone? To come in with Ashman and Matthews I presume.

Lancaster might be a bolter. Getting game time at Racing 92 and Townsend might want a closer look.

I'd be surprised, bounced around amateur and semi pro rugby until his dad signed him. Screams of nepotism.

Would be nowhere near if Daddy didn't want some company.

[westport]

Gregor Townsend will announce his squad for The Famous Grouse Nations Series at 1pm

[KingBlairhorn]

It's going to be an interesting squad in a number of positions:

Prop:
Obviously Zander and Schoeman will be there but beyond that its pretty tricky. Bhatti and Hepburn at loosie and Hurd at tighthead were call ups to the last 6N (WP also, since retired). Others who might get calls this time include McBeth who is playing fairly regularly at Glasgow, Millar-Mills who toured in the summer, Sutherland who is maybe coming back into form and maybe even Richardson or Walker as we are down to the bare bones.

Hooker:
Presumably Turner will now broadly drop out of Scotland squads except in an absolute emergency so there is one spot open (assuming Ashman and Matthews for the others). Harrison has been going well at Edinburgh, Hiddleston at Glasgow and both Robbie Smith and Dylan Richardson toured in the summer. One of those 4 will make the squad, presumably.

Lock:
Cummings and Gilchrist will be in but I expect Gray (off to Japan) and Skinner (lots of injuries) will miss out. Sykes definitely should be under consideration, as should Max Williamson and possibly Alex Samuel. Alex Craig is apparently moving to Glasgow so wouldn't surprise me to see him in too. Glen Young toured in the summer so might be there or there abouts too. Jonny, as mentioned by others, is an excellent option if he's playing regularly again (which he is).

Backrow:
Absolutely brilliant competition for places in the back row. Darge, Dempsey and Fagerson are bankers for me. Richie will be in despite his sketchy form this year and I expect we will see Bradbury back in the squad too. I expect Mish will be touch and go, he misses out for me, and Crosbie will be unlucky if he misses out too. Muncaster has been playing well but I doubt he will make it and Gregor Brown is on the fringes too. Down south the Christie injury is badly timed, but Bayliss is also a consideration.

Scrummie:
Pre-Saturday I would have said Horne, White Dobie no question with only Warr the other who could be considered, but Price was genuinely very good. It's only one game so I think he should still miss out but Gregor seems to love him. Vellacott also kicking around but not an international standard player for me.

Flyhalf:
Finn, obviously, and probably Hastings are picked. I think Jordan takes the other spot. Thompson and Healy both miss out IMO. As others have said, if Burke is interested he comes straight in to compete with Finn for top spot. Dan Lancaster is obviously interesting if he is playing in the Top14, not sure he would be an upgrade on Hastings though.

Centres:
Tuipolotu Snr, Jones, McDowall are all in the squad for sure. That leaves Redpath, Hutchinson, Tuipolotu Jnr, Steyn and Currie battling for one place. If he's fit I think Redpath gets it. Others like Scott and Bennet obviously still around but I don't think they are serious considerations when everyone is fit.

Back 3:
Darcy and Duhan of course take two wing spots and Kinghorn in at fullback. Harry Paterson, Aaron Reed, Rowe, Steyn (again) and theoretically Ollie Smith if he's back fit will fight it out for one spot. I think Rowe will get it.

I think, on the whole, outside tighthead we have a health number of players to choose from which is nice.

I see this post was a waste of time as toonie has just picked all of them!

Freddy Douglas is a bit of a surprise, I don’t think he’s played any minutes for Edinburgh yet. He was an absolute beast for the U20s though.

[vball]

How does Mosese Tuipulotu qualify to play for Scotland? I thought his brother only qualified through residency (years not days). Seen him twice and he was a lot better this weekend so happy to look at him for future.

[Tichtheid]

How does Mosese Tuipulotu qualify to play for Scotland? I thought his brother only qualified through residency (years not days). Seen him twice and he was a lot better this weekend so happy to look at him for future.

Glasgae Granny

[SomersetJock]

How does Mosese Tuipulotu qualify to play for Scotland? I thought his brother only qualified through residency (years not days). Seen him twice and he was a lot better this weekend so happy to look at him for future.

Both Scotland qualified from the second they were born

[KingBlairhorn]

How does Mosese Tuipulotu qualify to play for Scotland? I thought his brother only qualified through residency (years not days). Seen him twice and he was a lot better this weekend so happy to look at him for future.

Glasgae Granny

Yup, there's actually a third one (Ottavio) - a hooker.

If he was a residency qualifier Sione wouldn't have been eligible until 2026 at the earliest. It's 5 years now. Scotland, despite the headlines, has very few players who are residency qualified. In this squad I think I am correct in saying there are three (Schoeman, Jordan and DVdM).

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Harry Patterson listed - is he recovered from injury?

[charltom]

It's going to be an interesting squad in a number of positions:

Prop:
Obviously Zander and Schoeman will be there but beyond that its pretty tricky. Bhatti and Hepburn at loosie and Hurd at tighthead were call ups to the last 6N (WP also, since retired). Others who might get calls this time include McBeth who is playing fairly regularly at Glasgow, Millar-Mills who toured in the summer, Sutherland who is maybe coming back into form and maybe even Richardson or Walker as we are down to the bare bones.

Hooker:
Presumably Turner will now broadly drop out of Scotland squads except in an absolute emergency so there is one spot open (assuming Ashman and Matthews for the others). Harrison has been going well at Edinburgh, Hiddleston at Glasgow and both Robbie Smith and Dylan Richardson toured in the summer. One of those 4 will make the squad, presumably.

Lock:
Cummings and Gilchrist will be in but I expect Gray (off to Japan) and Skinner (lots of injuries) will miss out. Sykes definitely should be under consideration, as should Max Williamson and possibly Alex Samuel. Alex Craig is apparently moving to Glasgow so wouldn't surprise me to see him in too. Glen Young toured in the summer so might be there or there abouts too. Jonny, as mentioned by others, is an excellent option if he's playing regularly again (which he is).

Backrow:
Absolutely brilliant competition for places in the back row. Darge, Dempsey and Fagerson are bankers for me. Richie will be in despite his sketchy form this year and I expect we will see Bradbury back in the squad too. I expect Mish will be touch and go, he misses out for me, and Crosbie will be unlucky if he misses out too. Muncaster has been playing well but I doubt he will make it and Gregor Brown is on the fringes too. Down south the Christie injury is badly timed, but Bayliss is also a consideration.

Scrummie:
Pre-Saturday I would have said Horne, White Dobie no question with only Warr the other who could be considered, but Price was genuinely very good. It's only one game so I think he should still miss out but Gregor seems to love him. Vellacott also kicking around but not an international standard player for me.

Flyhalf:
Finn, obviously, and probably Hastings are picked. I think Jordan takes the other spot. Thompson and Healy both miss out IMO. As others have said, if Burke is interested he comes straight in to compete with Finn for top spot. Dan Lancaster is obviously interesting if he is playing in the Top14, not sure he would be an upgrade on Hastings though.

Centres:
Tuipolotu Snr, Jones, McDowall are all in the squad for sure. That leaves Redpath, Hutchinson, Tuipolotu Jnr, Steyn and Currie battling for one place. If he's fit I think Redpath gets it. Others like Scott and Bennet obviously still around but I don't think they are serious considerations when everyone is fit.

Back 3:
Darcy and Duhan of course take two wing spots and Kinghorn in at fullback. Harry Paterson, Aaron Reed, Rowe, Steyn (again) and theoretically Ollie Smith if he's back fit will fight it out for one spot. I think Rowe will get it.

I think, on the whole, outside tighthead we have a health number of players to choose from which is nice.

I see this post was a waste of time as toonie has just picked all of them!

Not quite... poor Maggie!

[Biffer]

Harry Patterson listed - is he recovered from injury?

Played for Edinburgh A last weekend.

[KingBlairhorn]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Edit: if team selections were laid out properly it would be easier to have a view at a glance *shakes first at clouds*

[Big D]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Matthews and Redpath were two names I thought would be in.

There are a lot of 13s in the squad.

[KingBlairhorn]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Matthews and Redpath were two names I thought would be in.

There are a lot of 13s in the squad.

JGray too. Presume the squad has been named with Fiji in mind a bunch may drop out after that game. We may see some additional call ups too, you wouldn’t want too big a group I suppose.

[westport]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Edit: if team selections were laid out properly it would be easier to have a view at a glance *shakes first at clouds*

He needs to score more tries

[Yr Alban]

It’s great that there is competition for places (in some positions anyway) but there are some astonishing omissions there, the standouts being Redpath and Matthews. Redpath in particular I’m struggling to understand. I can only assume it’s because Sione is the new captain and plays in his position.

[Slick]

I think, on the whole, outside tighthead we have a health number of players to choose from which is nice.

True, but not massively convinced of the international quality of many of them. I'm worried.

[Biffer]

I think, on the whole, outside tighthead we have a health number of players to choose from which is nice.

True, but not massively convinced of the international quality of many of them. I'm worried.

Cheer up, ten years ago we were trying to decide whether any of our first choices were international quality. Now at least we're talking about depth.

[topofthemoon]

It’s great that there is competition for places (in some positions anyway) but there are some astonishing omissions there, the standouts being Redpath and Matthews. Redpath in particular I’m struggling to understand. I can only assume it’s because Sione is the new captain and plays in his position.

Redpath is on the injured list.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Harry Patterson listed - is he recovered from injury?

Played for Edinburgh A last weekend.

Ta, missed that

[Yr Alban]

I think, on the whole, outside tighthead we have a health number of players to choose from which is nice.

True, but not massively convinced of the international quality of many of them. I'm worried.

Cheer up, ten years ago we were trying to decide whether any of our first choices were international quality. Now at least we're talking about depth.

This! Look at the players who we’ve left out. Mish. Jonny Gray. Healy. Redpath. Bradbury. Vellacott. Steyn (injured?)

Not that long ago all of these players would be starters. Same goes for some of the fringe players who missed out, like Sykes.

We are never going to have a huge player pool. 15 years ago, we’d have killed to have a clear first choice and a backup who wasn’t a massive downgrade in every position, and I don’t think we’re far off that. Aside from THP, I’d say the only positions looking a bit iffy are hooker (lots of candidates, but none very experienced) and lock (similar after Gilchrist and Cummings).

[Yr Alban]

It’s great that there is competition for places (in some positions anyway) but there are some astonishing omissions there, the standouts being Redpath and Matthews. Redpath in particular I’m struggling to understand. I can only assume it’s because Sione is the new captain and plays in his position.

Redpath is on the injured list.

Ah, I missed that! Thanks.

Edit: went to the actual web page and I see Steyn also injured. As well as Murphy Walker.

[I like neeps]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Matthews and Redpath were two names I thought would be in.

There are a lot of 13s in the squad.

Redpath is listed as injured, apparently Jonny Gray turned down the call up to play for Bordeaux which is disappointing.

I'm surprised about Matthews, Harrison and Richardson are raw for test rugby.

Tight head continues to be a mess - is Fagerson going to have to play for Scotland A because we literally don't have another SQ tighthead fit and in Scotland? The sign of a deeply broken pathway.

Great to see Hutchinson back, he won't play but ripping up the premiership again.

Good for Sione to get his shot as Scotland captain!

[KingBlairhorn]

Just noted no Matthews. That’s a pretty green set of hookers.

Matthews and Redpath were two names I thought would be in.

There are a lot of 13s in the squad.

Redpath is listed as injured, apparently Jonny Gray turned down the call up to play for Bordeaux which is disappointing.

I'm surprised about Matthews, Harrison and Richardson are raw for test rugby.

Tight head continues to be a mess - is Fagerson going to have to play for Scotland A because we literally don't have another SQ tighthead fit and in Scotland? The sign of a deeply broken pathway.

Great to see Hutchinson back, he won't play but ripping up the premiership again.

Good for Sione to get his shot as Scotland captain!

Presumably Sebastian is pencilled in to start. I wonder if Hurd might be released for the game, he’s not played many minutes this year.

[clydecloggie]

What do you think is it that makes Toonie not pick Matthews? On the face of it, he's exactly the sort of hooker that would thrive in the Scotland game plan - excellent support runner, always there to finish off a move. What are his glaring weaknesses that make him unfit for international rugby?

[I like neeps]

Matthews and Redpath were two names I thought would be in.

There are a lot of 13s in the squad.

Redpath is listed as injured, apparently Jonny Gray turned down the call up to play for Bordeaux which is disappointing.

I'm surprised about Matthews, Harrison and Richardson are raw for test rugby.

Tight head continues to be a mess - is Fagerson going to have to play for Scotland A because we literally don't have another SQ tighthead fit and in Scotland? The sign of a deeply broken pathway.

Great to see Hutchinson back, he won't play but ripping up the premiership again.

Good for Sione to get his shot as Scotland captain!

Presumably Sebastian is pencilled in to start. I wonder if Hurd might be released for the game, he’s not played many minutes this year.

He's injured, as is Murphy Walker.

[KingBlairhorn]

Redpath is listed as injured, apparently Jonny Gray turned down the call up to play for Bordeaux which is disappointing.

I'm surprised about Matthews, Harrison and Richardson are raw for test rugby.

Tight head continues to be a mess - is Fagerson going to have to play for Scotland A because we literally don't have another SQ tighthead fit and in Scotland? The sign of a deeply broken pathway.

Great to see Hutchinson back, he won't play but ripping up the premiership again.

Good for Sione to get his shot as Scotland captain!

Presumably Sebastian is pencilled in to start. I wonder if Hurd might be released for the game, he’s not played many minutes this year.

He's injured, as is Murphy Walker.

Completely missed that.

Any more drop-outs and it'll be Mikey Jones and Blyth-Lafferty.

[Slick]

What do you think is it that makes Toonie not pick Matthews? On the face of it, he's exactly the sort of hooker that would thrive in the Scotland game plan - excellent support runner, always there to finish off a move. What are his glaring weaknesses that make him unfit for international rugby?

To be honest, I think he's simply not good enough. Does a lot of the eye catching stuff but I don't think his hooker basics, of which I know next to nothing thank you very much much, are up to the top standard. I'm not surprised or annoyed by his omission

[Slick]

True, but not massively convinced of the international quality of many of them. I'm worried.

Cheer up, ten years ago we were trying to decide whether any of our first choices were international quality. Now at least we're talking about depth.

This! Look at the players who we’ve left out. Mish. Jonny Gray. Healy. Redpath. Bradbury. Vellacott. Steyn (injured?)

Not that long ago all of these players would be starters. Same goes for some of the fringe players who missed out, like Sykes.

We are never going to have a huge player pool. 15 years ago, we’d have killed to have a clear first choice and a backup who wasn’t a massive downgrade in every position, and I don’t think we’re far off that. Aside from THP, I’d say the only positions looking a bit iffy are hooker (lots of candidates, but none very experienced) and lock (similar after Gilchrist and Cummings).

Mish is a shadow of the player, Bradbury is borderline at best, Healy, and Vellacott are not good enough. The only real surprise is Redpath. (edited to make sense)

Admittedly I am on a bit of a downer at the moment with the Scotland team and have this nagging feeling that we are on our way down, but I just don't see much top class in that squad. Fagerson x2, the Aussie 8, Finn, Tui and Jones, the back 3. The rest is average and the back ups are also average. Half the pack isn't great and any injuries to the backs listed above and we are trouble.

[Biffer]

What do you think is it that makes Toonie not pick Matthews? On the face of it, he's exactly the sort of hooker that would thrive in the Scotland game plan - excellent support runner, always there to finish off a move. What are his glaring weaknesses that make him unfit for international rugby?

To be honest, I think he's simply not good enough. Does a lot of the eye catching stuff but I don't think his hooker basics, of which I know next to nothing thank you very much much, are up to the top standard. I'm not surprised or annoyed by his omission

I think that's right. He scores a lot of tries but I want my Hooker to scrum down, throw in well, hit rucks hard in the middle of the pitch and tackle like a demon. Not hang about on the wing.

Also, he's 31, so he's as good as he's going to be and will be on the downslope by the next World Cup

[charltom]

I've just had another look at the list and realise it is very much a list of players who are likely to be in the squad at RWC 2027. Sensible, and those green hookers won't still be green three years hence!

[robmatic]

What do you think is it that makes Toonie not pick Matthews? On the face of it, he's exactly the sort of hooker that would thrive in the Scotland game plan - excellent support runner, always there to finish off a move. What are his glaring weaknesses that make him unfit for international rugby?

To be honest, I think he's simply not good enough. Does a lot of the eye catching stuff but I don't think his hooker basics, of which I know next to nothing thank you very much much, are up to the top standard. I'm not surprised or annoyed by his omission

I think that's right. He scores a lot of tries but I want my Hooker to scrum down, throw in well, hit rucks hard in the middle of the pitch and tackle like a demon. Not hang about on the wing.

Also, he's 31, so he's as good as he's going to be and will be on the downslope by the next World Cup

None of the selected hookers are particularly solid at throwing though, which should be the one essential facet of their game.

[Oxbow]

Speaking of hookers, Robbie Smith is going to be out for several months. Would he have made the squad? Saints are going to miss him anyway.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/spor ... th-4837139

[Yr Alban]

Article on the BBC saying we’d have picked Gray Jr but he elected to stay with Bordeaux.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... y4wg7y021o

[Soapy]

Article on the BBC saying we’d have picked Gray Jr but he elected to stay with Bordeaux.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... y4wg7y021o

Reads like GT throwing his toys out of the pram. A confident coach would say "We've got a great group of 2nd rows and whilst it will be great for Jonny to be available we are confident in the players we've selected". Dreadful man management - again.

[Big D]

Article on the BBC saying we’d have picked Gray Jr but he elected to stay with Bordeaux.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... y4wg7y021o

Can someone help the weeane get his toys back in the pram.

Gray had a really bad injury and was out for a long time. He's now old enough to know what's best for him and his body.

[Biffer]

Article on the BBC saying we’d have picked Gray Jr but he elected to stay with Bordeaux.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... y4wg7y021o

Can someone help the weeane get his toys back in the pram.

Gray had a really bad injury and was out for a long time. He's now old enough to know what's best for him and his body.

Saying ‘he’s had time off’ to describe a long term injury is more than a bit wank.

[C T]

Article on the BBC saying we’d have picked Gray Jr but he elected to stay with Bordeaux.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... y4wg7y021o

Can someone help the weeane get his toys back in the pram.

Gray had a really bad injury and was out for a long time. He's now old enough to know what's best for him and his body.

Saying ‘he’s had time off’ to describe a long term injury is more than a bit wank.

Comes across as very stroppy and petulant from Townsend. I thought he was saying "angry" at Bordeaux at first, but then read further. He's probably saying it at both.

I reckon Gray Jnr still has something to offer and I hope this doesn't become one of those face doesn't fit any more things.