The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Yr Alban]

I find it a bit odd that Townsend isn't adding anyone to the squad - that's only three locks (Gilchrist, Gray and Sykes). Is Williamson injured? Skinner would seem the logical bet if so.

He is. Same thumb as before, apparently.

Still absolutely gutted. Yes, injuries are a part of the game (which in itself hands a further advantage to the handful of countries with vast playing resources). But it isn’t just any injury, it’s our captain, current best player and probably one of the most on-form players in Europe. The guy who would get into everyone else’s team right now. It had to be him, it had to be now, and it had to keep him out of the whole sodding tournament. The only player it would have been more of a disaster to lose would have been Zander.

[C T]

Getting a little bored of there always being an excuse (no matter how legit of an excuse).

Time for the team to find their big boy pants and find a way.

[Yr Alban]

Getting a little bored of there always being an excuse (no matter how legit of an excuse).

Time for the team to find their big boy pants and find a way.

I don’t want there to be a bloody excuse. I want this team to show their mettle for once and put in a proper challenge for the title. But losing our best player before the tournament even kicks off is a shitty way to start.

[Big D]

Getting a little bored of there always being an excuse (no matter how legit of an excuse).

Time for the team to find their big boy pants and find a way.

Yeah time to get on with delivering.

I suspect it'll be 3rd or 4th but we have to see a credible challenge.

[Wylie Coyote]

12 is now quite the conundrum. I can't recall a time when we had 3 options that I find myself flitting about on. Form wise, Hutchison is the one, seems to be playing as well as he ever has. My concern though is that it leaves our backline somewhat unbalanced. One of the centres needs to truck it up from time to time and Redpath who is a similar player to Hutchison did not handle the physical Italian centres well last year. Then there is McDowall, who does offer that crash ball option, but I'm not convinced he is on his best form and seems to be solid rather than inspiring. Then there is Tom Jordan, kind of a half way house between the two, but I have felt he has played better at 10 rather than 12. I really don't know who I want.

[Soapy]

12 is now quite the conundrum. I can't recall a time when we had 3 options that I find myself flitting about on. Form wise, Hutchison is the one, seems to be playing as well as he ever has. My concern though is that it leaves our backline somewhat unbalanced. One of the centres needs to truck it up from time to time and Redpath who is a similar player to Hutchison did not handle the physical Italian centres well last year. Then there is McDowall, who does offer that crash ball option, but I'm not convinced he is on his best form and seems to be solid rather than inspiring. Then there is Tom Jordan, kind of a half way house between the two, but I have felt he has played better at 10 rather than 12. I really don't know who I want.

My thoughts are similar. I was really disappointed in Redpath vs Italy last year - he was very poor and lost in the lights. Given the physicality of the Italian centres I'd be inclined to give the role to McDowall - probably with Jordan as back up. McD played very well against the Ireland midfield last year and shutting down Italy's midfield go-forward will be important. Assuming GT is most likely to start White at SH, Horne/Dobie, Jordan and Hutchison as backups gives lots of flex and quality cover across 9-15 (although I expect GT would go with Rowe over Hutchison).

[Jock42]

Getting a little bored of there always being an excuse (no matter how legit of an excuse).

Time for the team to find their big boy pants and find a way.

Yeah time to get on with delivering.

I suspect it'll be 3rd or 4th but we have to see a credible challenge.

I'm solidly in this camp. I'd probably start McDowall for his more physical presence but would be happy if Hutchinson gets a chance (think he's been hard done by) . Both are a step down but to be a serious team there has to be depth particularly in key positions.

[dpedin]

I would go for McDowell - big guy, pacy, decent hands and a good left boot. More importantly he knows and plays with Shug so the team connections and knows the calls, etc. He is a vastly underrated player in my eyes and hopefully will surprise a few commentators in the 6Ns when he shows them just how good he is. It's the McShug midfield for me!

[clydecloggie]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role. But whichever of the three options GT uses, I'm happy with. (Now watch Matt Currie line up at 12 against Italy).

Are we all assuming Gilchrist and Gray as starting locks with Brown or Sykes in the 19 shirt?

[Simian]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role.

That’s what I’d do too

[dpedin]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role. But whichever of the three options GT uses, I'm happy with. (Now watch Matt Currie line up at 12 against Italy).

Are we all assuming Gilchrist and Gray as starting locks with Brown or Sykes in the 19 shirt?

If they can prove their fitness at the weekend then I wouldn't be surprised to see either Young or Skinner in the mix. Both are big, mobile and can play back row as well if required. Skinner probably has the biggest chance given he has a few appearances under his belt but Young has been a pick before.

[Tichtheid]

sigh

SALE SHARKS winger Arron Reed has been called into Scotland’s Six Nations training squad as precautionary cover for Duhan van der Merwe, who is currently not training due to an ankle injury sustained playing for Edinburgh versus Vannes 10 days ago.

Head coach Gregor Townsend said he anticipates van der Merwe will be fit to face Italy in Scotland’s championship opener against Italy at Murrayfield a week on Saturday (1st February), but wanted to be on the safe side. He also pointed out that with Sione Tuipulotu having dropped out the squad over the weekend, it will be helpful to have an extra body in training.

Meanwhile, Dylan Richardson has left the squad due to a shoulder injury but won’t be replaced at this stage as there are three other hookers – Edinburgh triumvirate Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry and Patrick Harrison – who are all fit and raring to go.

[Jock42]

To not bring Matthews in is pish. Wouldn't be overly concerned if VDM not fit for Italy.

[I like neeps]

To not bring Matthews in is pish. Wouldn't be overly concerned if VDM not fit for Italy.

He had a shocker vs Quins and his cameo vs Portugal he was not good either.

I don't think technically as a hooker he is international quality.

[GrahamWa]

To not bring Matthews in is pish. Wouldn't be overly concerned if VDM not fit for Italy.

Yeah big favourite of him at club level but when push comes to shove not at test level. Shame Hiddlestone is injured though.

[Slick]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role. But whichever of the three options GT uses, I'm happy with. (Now watch Matt Currie line up at 12 against Italy).

Are we all assuming Gilchrist and Gray as starting locks with Brown or Sykes in the 19 shirt?

Despite his great debut I’m not convinced yet by Jordan at this level, maybe as an injury sub but I wouldn’t be having him starting or an impact sub

[Biffer]

sigh

SALE SHARKS winger Arron Reed has been called into Scotland’s Six Nations training squad as precautionary cover for Duhan van der Merwe, who is currently not training due to an ankle injury sustained playing for Edinburgh versus Vannes 10 days ago.

Head coach Gregor Townsend said he anticipates van der Merwe will be fit to face Italy in Scotland’s championship opener against Italy at Murrayfield a week on Saturday (1st February), but wanted to be on the safe side. He also pointed out that with Sione Tuipulotu having dropped out the squad over the weekend, it will be helpful to have an extra body in training.

Meanwhile, Dylan Richardson has left the squad due to a shoulder injury but won’t be replaced at this stage as there are three other hookers – Edinburgh triumvirate Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry and Patrick Harrison – who are all fit and raring to go.

Well, shit.

[Big D]

Losing Duhan is a blow. His hit rate of when he scores we win 6N games is high.

[Jock42]

To not bring Matthews in is pish. Wouldn't be overly concerned if VDM not fit for Italy.

He had a shocker vs Quins and his cameo vs Portugal he was not good either.

I don't think technically as a hooker he is international quality.

Agree about Quins but then if we applied that rule there's about 4 players for Glasgow or Edinburgh getting a game v Italy.

[robmatic]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role. But whichever of the three options GT uses, I'm happy with. (Now watch Matt Currie line up at 12 against Italy).

Are we all assuming Gilchrist and Gray as starting locks with Brown or Sykes in the 19 shirt?

Despite his great debut I’m not convinced yet by Jordan at this level, maybe as an injury sub but I wouldn’t be having him starting or an impact sub

I dunno, I think I'm more enthused about him potentially coming in at 12. I don't think he has the kicking game for an international fly half but he probably has the physicality and a bit of creativity to go well as a budget Sione.

[SomersetJock]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

[Tichtheid]

I'm veering towards Tom Jordan simply because I want him on the pitch, and he's also a bosh/playmaker hybrid - not as bosh as Sione but still really phyiscal for a guy in his role. But whichever of the three options GT uses, I'm happy with. (Now watch Matt Currie line up at 12 against Italy).

Are we all assuming Gilchrist and Gray as starting locks with Brown or Sykes in the 19 shirt?

Despite his great debut I’m not convinced yet by Jordan at this level, maybe as an injury sub but I wouldn’t be having him starting or an impact sub

I dunno, I think I'm more enthused about him potentially coming in at 12. I don't think he has the kicking game for an international fly half but he probably has the physicality and a bit of creativity to go well as a budget Sione.

Redpath is due to be available for the Ireland match, so we have Redpath, Jordan or McDowall for most of the 6N. Any of the three of them will do a good job, if not quite at Sione's level. I'm easily swayed between Jordan and Big Staff for the Italy opener, though I favour Jordan slightly. Maybe.

[Tichtheid]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

:-)

Good news, though he'll be vying for a club spot with Henry Pollock who really looks the business already.

[KingBlairhorn]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

:-)

Good news, though he'll be vying for a club spot with Henry Pollock who really looks the business already.

Ah, that is good news. I'm missing all this kind of stuff now as I have managed to fully wean myself off the nazi sympathiser's platform.

[Punter15]

Scotland U20 squad for 2025 U20 Six Nations

Forwards

Billy Allen – Dungannon RFC
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
Freddy Douglas – Edinburgh Rugby
Oliver Duncan – Edinburgh Rugby
Oliver Finlayson-Russell – The University of St Andrew’s
Mark Fyffe – University of Edinburgh
Bart Godsell – Loughborough University
Dan Halkon – Glasgow Warriors
Christian Lindsay – Loretto School/Edinburgh Rugby
Reuben Logan – Northampton Saints
Oliver McKenna – Glasgow Warriors
Charlie Moss – Montpellier
Will Pearce – Cardiff Metropolitan University/Bristol Bears
Joe Roberts – Glasgow Warriors
Jake Shearer – Glasgow Warriors
Pat Spence – Heriot’s RFC
Seb Stephen – Edinburgh Academical Football Club
Jamie Stewart – Edinburgh Rugby
Ryan Whitefield – Biggar RFC

Backs

Jack Brown – Edinburgh Rugby
Isaac Coates – Edinburgh Rugby
Noah Cowan – Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders
Angus Hunter – Heriot’s RFC
Hamish MacArthur – Edinburgh Rugby
Nairn Moncrieff – Edinburgh Rugby
Hector Patterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Guy Rogers – University of Surrey/Harlequins
Matthew Urwin – Glasgow Warriors
Cameron van Wyk – Ayr RFC
Johnny Ventisei – Captain – Glasgow Warriors
Fergus Watson – Glasgow Warriors
Campbell Waugh – Glasgow Hawks
Ross Wolfenden – Edinburgh Rugby
Kerr Yule – Glasgow Warriors

[Yr Alban]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

I was astonished and delighted to see his name on the list - like you, I had read a bunch of stuff about how he was going to choose England!

[Tichtheid]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

:-)

Good news, though he'll be vying for a club spot with Henry Pollock who really looks the business already.

Ah, that is good news. I'm missing all this kind of stuff now as I have managed to fully wean myself off the nazi sympathiser's platform.

Aye, hopefully the SRU plus Edinburgh and Glasgow will go on to Bluesky soon

[Yr Alban]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

[I like neeps]

I know it doesn’t tie him to anything long term but good to see young Logan junior in the under 20’s squad.

Im fed up reading articles saying how he was set to choose England over his mothers country

I was astonished and delighted to see his name on the list - like you, I had read a bunch of stuff about how he was going to choose England!

I think, regrettably, how it works is if you're in an English academy and England age grades pick you you don't get the declare for another nation. So you go to camp and the press ask "your dad is a Scotland legend, but you want to play for England?" and because you're in an England camp you say "yes".

I dont doubt that Logan wants to play for Scotland but I think he's with us now as England just didn't pick him. I'm also glad Logan picked Scotland over Wales who I'm sure would have been keen for him too.

[SaintK]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

[Jock42]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Indeed. I never realised both of Henry Pollocks parents were Scottish. I've no issue with him picking the country of his birth but that's a bigger talking point to me.

[inactionman]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Thought mum was a Yorkie, but might be mistaken.

[Jock42]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Thought mum was a Yorkie, but might be mistaken.

Don't know where she was born but she represented Wales

[SaintK]

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Thought mum was a Yorkie, but might be mistaken.

Don't know where she was born but she represented Wales

Born in Leeds to Welsh parents when her dad was at Leeds Utd

[Yr Alban]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Only because it seemed to be newsworthy when he was going to represent England, as demonstrated by the fact that several of us had read stories about it. If he’d been named in our squad without the previous press attention, I’d agree with you.

[SaintK]

Interesting that Kenny's son appearing in a Scotland squad has attracted pretty much no press attention whatsoever.

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Only because it seemed to be newsworthy when he was going to represent England, as demonstrated by the fact that several of us had read stories about it. If he’d been named in our squad without the previous press attention, I’d agree with you.

I only noticed comment on it on Rugby Pass. Will be interesting to see if he makes the grade at Saints he's a big quick unit so fingers crossed.
Thought this was most interesting name in the Scottish squad, quite a long reach to scout him.

Charlie Moss – Montpellier

[I like neeps]

Why would it? Son of a Scottish international and a Welsh mother chooses to play for the country of his father is no huge shock

Only because it seemed to be newsworthy when he was going to represent England, as demonstrated by the fact that several of us had read stories about it. If he’d been named in our squad without the previous press attention, I’d agree with you.

I only noticed comment on it on Rugby Pass. Will be interesting to see if he makes the grade at Saints he's a big quick unit so fingers crossed.
Thought this was most interesting name in the Scottish squad, quite a long reach to scout him.

Charlie Moss – Montpellier

He's been with our age grades for some time. He schooled at Shiplake in Berkshire so interesting move for him.

We did a few years back have a Montpellier academy player called Robin MacLintock ... who couldn’t peak English. Must've been a strange experience for him.

[Biffer]

Only because it seemed to be newsworthy when he was going to represent England, as demonstrated by the fact that several of us had read stories about it. If he’d been named in our squad without the previous press attention, I’d agree with you.

I only noticed comment on it on Rugby Pass. Will be interesting to see if he makes the grade at Saints he's a big quick unit so fingers crossed.
Thought this was most interesting name in the Scottish squad, quite a long reach to scout him.

Charlie Moss – Montpellier

He's been with our age grades for some time. He schooled at Shiplake in Berkshire so interesting move for him.

We did a few years back have a Montpellier academy player called Robin MacLintock ... who couldn’t peak English. Must've been a strange experience for him.

Apparently he was made redundant by both Wasps and London Irish in a matter of months. That's when he decided to go to France.

[KingBlairhorn]

Thought this was most interesting name in the Scottish squad, quite a long reach to scout him.

Charlie Moss – Montpellier

Was previously in London (at Wasps) so was picked up there.

[Yr Alban]

Only because it seemed to be newsworthy when he was going to represent England, as demonstrated by the fact that several of us had read stories about it. If he’d been named in our squad without the previous press attention, I’d agree with you.

I only noticed comment on it on Rugby Pass. Will be interesting to see if he makes the grade at Saints he's a big quick unit so fingers crossed.
Thought this was most interesting name in the Scottish squad, quite a long reach to scout him.

Charlie Moss – Montpellier

He's been with our age grades for some time. He schooled at Shiplake in Berkshire so interesting move for him.

We did a few years back have a Montpellier academy player called Robin MacLintock ... who couldn’t peak English. Must've been a strange experience for him.

Correct - in fact I saw him play for the U20s in Colwyn Bay. Authentically Scots name (not sure if it was dad or granddad who was Scottish) but yes, I do remember it being reported that he didn’t speak much English!

(Had a Google out of curiosity. His dad Richard was also a player and a coach - may have coached Belgium - but he was born in Toulon and listed as French. I guess it was granddad then. Explains the lack of English. Robin played 5 games for our U20s and lost all of them)