The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[I like neeps]

Speaking of Jack Mann - he has signed a contract for next year for Gloucester

The budget cuts are hitting Glasgow hard, Glasgow now very much a selling club, desperately disappointing for such a promising player

After his injuries luck (a) he'd be mad not to sign a three year contract and (b) it's a massive risk to offer him one.

Good on him.

[Dogbert]

Speaking of Jack Mann - he has signed a contract for next year for Gloucester

The budget cuts are hitting Glasgow hard, Glasgow now very much a selling club, desperately disappointing for such a promising player

After his injuries luck (a) he'd be mad not to sign a three year contract and (b) it's a massive risk to offer him one.

Good on him.

From a security & financial point of view it's a great move for Mann , albeit the contract probably doesn't have the rest protocols that a SRU contract would have, which considering his history might have been important.

Mann is that bit older than than Brown/Ferrie/Darge , and only just 6 months younger than Matt F.

Mann has the potential to be a very special player, great engine & hands , more dog than Crufts , often a missing with Scottish Forwards , and that comes from within , not something you can teach, he;s the sort of player that Telfer would appreciate.

The sore part is that we will not see such a great player week in & out at Scotstoun

The concern for Glasgow is that ( as far as I can see ) Matt Fagerson ,Jack Dempsey, Gregor Brown, Henco Venter will all be OOC at the of the season , that's a fair chuck of backrow.

[Yr Alban]

I disagree on that one. He showed he had it in him but seemed to take the easy way out. He's shown he has real quality at times.

Stay in the comfort of Edinburgh too long. The debacle of being stripped as Edinburgh captain. Go away and perform decently for Bristol then come home and taken the easy path again.

Isn’t taking the easy way out exactly the point

Yes and no. I just think Bradburys ceiling was so much higher than others who didn't have the mentality which is what makes it a "what if". The draw in Twickenham was one of the better number 8 performances. Had everything you'd want from an 8, great pressure relieving pick ups, hard carries, pace to burn for an 8 etc. He had that in him and squandered it.

He really should have been a regular international and with Lions potential IMO.

Agreed. 8 was a massive problem for us for years. Bradbury had all the tools in his locker to fix that problem and somehow couldn’t.

[Yr Alban]

I keep getting articles on my FB feed saying that Ashman is looking forward to his first 6N start. I’m not disputing this, but he seems to have been around for ever, and I’m finding it hard to fit it into my head that he hasn’t started in the 6N before.

[Punter15]

Scotland U20 team to play Italy U20 on Friday at Hive Stadium (kick off 7.15pm) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Jack Brown – Edinburgh Rugby
14. Guy Rogers – University of Surrey/Harlequins
13. Johnny Ventisei – Captain – Glasgow Warriors
12. Kerr Yule – Glasgow Warriors
11. Fergus Watson – Glasgow Warriors

10. Matthew Urwin – Glasgow Warriors
9. Noah Cowan – Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders

1. Oliver McKenna – Glasgow Warriors
2. Joe Roberts – Glasgow Warriors
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
4. Charlie Moss – Montpellier
5. Dan Halkon – Glasgow Warriors
6. Christian Lindsay – Loretto School/Edinburgh Rugby
7. Billy Allen – Dungannon RFC
8. Reuben Logan – Northampton Saints

Replacements

16. Seb Stephen – Edinburgh Academical FC
17. Jake Shearer – Glasgow Warriors
18. Ryan Whitefield – Biggar RFC
19. Bart Godsell – Loughborough University
20. Oliver Duncan – Edinburgh Rugby
21. Hector Patterson – Edinburgh Rugby
22. Ross Wolfenden – Edinburgh Rugby
23. Nairn Moncrieff – Edinburgh Rugby

[topofthemoon]

I keep getting articles on my FB feed saying that Ashman is looking forward to his first 6N start. I’m not disputing this, but he seems to have been around for ever, and I’m finding it hard to fit it into my head that he hasn’t started in the 6N before.

Turner started 17 of the last 20 in the Six Nations (McInally 2 in 2022, Cherry 1 in 2021).

Apart from that 1 for Cherry the only players who have started a Six Nations game at hooker for Scotland in the last decade are Brown, Ford, McInally and Turner.

Add in Dougie Hall and Scott Lawson and that takes you all the way back to 2005 which is when Gordon Bulloch finished up.

Front row in particular we tend to be dealing with very small numbers of players who are up to Six Nations level and they only get usurped when injury or retirement takes them out of contention.

[topofthemoon]

If Bradbury became a dominant performer week in week out he'd get in the squad.

It doesnae stop many others getting in - Schoeman is the second best loosehead at Edinburgh, albeit Venter isn't eligible yet. Gilchrist can't lead a dog when he's in an Edinburgh shirt (not the dog). Duhan just looks pissed off all the time. Crosbie, Ritchie and Graham have looked lively enough and Rae is worth his spot, but overall the Edinburgh team are pulling the average skill levels down in the Scotland squad.

I was saying elsewhere that the difference in the two sides is HUGE, despite the grinding-out win in the 1872 second leg - Glasgow put out a C team and beat a decent Connacht squad. Edinburgh should gub the current Scarlets side but don't.

Everitt needs to go before any more damage is done to really talented young players coming in, the likes of Currie would thrive at Glasgow, same with McConnell and the other youngsters. Perhaps the entire coaching staff and the older players should go too.

Think I've said it elsewhere but Edinburgh can probably get a URC playoff spot and Challenge Cup semi-final without really having to move beyond some solid home form. If they manage both of those I think Everitt will be hard to shift.

[robmatic]

If Bradbury became a dominant performer week in week out he'd get in the squad.

It doesnae stop many others getting in - Schoeman is the second best loosehead at Edinburgh, albeit Venter isn't eligible yet. Gilchrist can't lead a dog when he's in an Edinburgh shirt (not the dog). Duhan just looks pissed off all the time. Crosbie, Ritchie and Graham have looked lively enough and Rae is worth his spot, but overall the Edinburgh team are pulling the average skill levels down in the Scotland squad.

I was saying elsewhere that the difference in the two sides is HUGE, despite the grinding-out win in the 1872 second leg - Glasgow put out a C team and beat a decent Connacht squad. Edinburgh should gub the current Scarlets side but don't.

Everitt needs to go before any more damage is done to really talented young players coming in, the likes of Currie would thrive at Glasgow, same with McConnell and the other youngsters. Perhaps the entire coaching staff and the older players should go too.

Think I've said it elsewhere but Edinburgh can probably get a URC playoff spot and Challenge Cup semi-final without really having to move beyond some solid home form. If they manage both of those I think Everitt will be hard to shift.

Also, while the vibes around Everitt and his style of play aren't good, he was probably tasked with scoring more tries and getting more bonus points this season and he must be well ahead on that measure.

[I like neeps]

Scotland U20 team to play Italy U20 on Friday at Hive Stadium (kick off 7.15pm) – live on BBC iPlayer

15. Jack Brown – Edinburgh Rugby
14. Guy Rogers – University of Surrey/Harlequins
13. Johnny Ventisei – Captain – Glasgow Warriors
12. Kerr Yule – Glasgow Warriors
11. Fergus Watson – Glasgow Warriors

10. Matthew Urwin – Glasgow Warriors
9. Noah Cowan – Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders

1. Oliver McKenna – Glasgow Warriors
2. Joe Roberts – Glasgow Warriors
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
4. Charlie Moss – Montpellier
5. Dan Halkon – Glasgow Warriors
6. Christian Lindsay – Loretto School/Edinburgh Rugby
7. Billy Allen – Dungannon RFC
8. Reuben Logan – Northampton Saints

Replacements

16. Seb Stephen – Edinburgh Academical FC
17. Jake Shearer – Glasgow Warriors
18. Ryan Whitefield – Biggar RFC
19. Bart Godsell – Loughborough University
20. Oliver Duncan – Edinburgh Rugby
21. Hector Patterson – Edinburgh Rugby
22. Ross Wolfenden – Edinburgh Rugby
23. Nairn Moncrieff – Edinburgh Rugby

Billy Allen is an interesting name. With Healey and way back when the Mastertons theres been fairly few Irish guys we've found over there. Must be a lot of scots over there.. I'm surprised we aren't more active in scouting Ireland.

[C T]

What's our thinking for this weekend?

A solid win showing we have made progress (or of course that Italy have taken a step back)? One of those squeaky bum wins we seem to love so much? Or of course a loss? I'm not ruling out any of these.

I am ruling out us getting pumped, perhaps rather foolishly.

[dpedin]

What's our thinking for this weekend?

A solid win showing we have made progress (or of course that Italy have taken a step back)? One of those squeaky bum wins we seem to love so much? Or of course a loss? I'm not ruling out any of these.

I am ruling out us getting pumped, perhaps rather foolishly.

I suspect it will be tough! Italy have an exciting set of backs now - Brex, Menoncello and Capouzzo in particular - and if they win some quick clean ball up front will trouble most teams. I can see Scotland winning by less than 10 points?

[clydecloggie]

Yup, a 5-1 result is what I'm thinking. Close, but we win and we will score tries. Italy might get both bonus points.

[Slick]

What's our thinking for this weekend?

A solid win showing we have made progress (or of course that Italy have taken a step back)? One of those squeaky bum wins we seem to love so much? Or of course a loss? I'm not ruling out any of these.

I am ruling out us getting pumped, perhaps rather foolishly.

I think we might win fairly comfortably. I actually do feel this team is ready to make a big step forward, which is why losing Sione and Cummings was such a hammer blow. Although this set of fixtures is always tough for us.

And , you know, it's Scotland.

[SaintK]

Don't want to worry you guys but.
Franco Smith has been strongly linked with Leicester Tigers as a replacement for Cheika who is apparently not extending his 1 year contract!!!!

[Dogbert]

Don't want to worry you guys but.
Franco Smith has been strongly linked with Leicester Tigers as a replacement for Cheika who is apparently not extending his 1 year contract!!!!

He was always going to be a target since his success at Glasgow.

His contract with Glasgow expires in 2026, but money talks, Franco has said that contract negotiations were going well , but they said that last week about Jack Mann

[KingBlairhorn]

Isn’t taking the easy way out exactly the point

Yes and no. I just think Bradburys ceiling was so much higher than others who didn't have the mentality which is what makes it a "what if". The draw in Twickenham was one of the better number 8 performances. Had everything you'd want from an 8, great pressure relieving pick ups, hard carries, pace to burn for an 8 etc. He had that in him and squandered it.

He really should have been a regular international and with Lions potential IMO.

Agreed. 8 was a massive problem for us for years. Bradbury had all the tools in his locker to fix that problem and somehow couldn’t.

Have any of your read moneyball? There was a collective issue through much of baseball history where guys were drafted on the basis they 'looked' like they should be good baseball players (often literally about the physical stature of the player) rather than because the data supported they actually were good baseball players. I wonder if Magnus falls into the rugby equivalent category - seems to have all the attributes you would want, passes the 'eye test', but the numbers don't actually support the hypothesis that he should be a top class player. Genuinely no idea, but I bet there is an interesting study in there somewhere.

[Yr Alban]

What's our thinking for this weekend?

A solid win showing we have made progress (or of course that Italy have taken a step back)? One of those squeaky bum wins we seem to love so much? Or of course a loss? I'm not ruling out any of these.

I am ruling out us getting pumped, perhaps rather foolishly.

I think we might win fairly comfortably. I actually do feel this team is ready to make a big step forward, which is why losing Sione and Cummings was such a hammer blow. Although this set of fixtures is always tough for us.

And , you know, it's Scotland.

The stupid thing is that we’ve got reasonable depth at 12 and there are at least 3 players we could slot in there. But every time we have to replace a key player we see an immediate drop in performance.

[I like neeps]

Yes and no. I just think Bradburys ceiling was so much higher than others who didn't have the mentality which is what makes it a "what if". The draw in Twickenham was one of the better number 8 performances. Had everything you'd want from an 8, great pressure relieving pick ups, hard carries, pace to burn for an 8 etc. He had that in him and squandered it.

He really should have been a regular international and with Lions potential IMO.

Agreed. 8 was a massive problem for us for years. Bradbury had all the tools in his locker to fix that problem and somehow couldn’t.

Have any of your read moneyball? There was a collective issue through much of baseball history where guys were drafted on the basis they 'looked' like they should be good baseball players (often literally about the physical stature of the player) rather than because the data supported they actually were good baseball players. I wonder if Magnus falls into the rugby equivalent category - seems to have all the attributes you would want, passes the 'eye test', but the numbers don't actually support the hypothesis that he should be a top class player. Genuinely no idea, but I bet there is an interesting study in there somewhere.

Rugby is full of big and athletic guys who dominated at school and youth level but when they were in a match of equally or bigger big and athletic guys they weren't as good as hoped.

[Yr Alban]

Agreed. 8 was a massive problem for us for years. Bradbury had all the tools in his locker to fix that problem and somehow couldn’t.

Have any of your read moneyball? There was a collective issue through much of baseball history where guys were drafted on the basis they 'looked' like they should be good baseball players (often literally about the physical stature of the player) rather than because the data supported they actually were good baseball players. I wonder if Magnus falls into the rugby equivalent category - seems to have all the attributes you would want, passes the 'eye test', but the numbers don't actually support the hypothesis that he should be a top class player. Genuinely no idea, but I bet there is an interesting study in there somewhere.

Rugby is full of big and athletic guys who dominated at school and youth level but when they were in a match of equally or bigger big and athletic guys they weren't as good as hoped.

I read about this in football - there are loads of journeyman pros out there who were always the best player in any game they ever played in. Until they were signed up by a big club and suddenly everyone was as talented as they were. Some rise to that challenge but many don’t. So there are a bunch of players in the English lower leagues or the SPL who were once on the books at a big EPL club, but couldn’t quite make that final step up.

[clydecloggie]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

[clydecloggie]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

Need to get through the first 60 mins with not too much of a deficit whilst all the Edinburgh boys are on the pitch, and then the Glasgow lads can turn it around in the last 20.

[Yr Alban]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

Surprising rebirth for Cherry. However, unlike all of our other hookers (I’m including McInally, Brown and Turner here) he can actually throw in accurately.

Just had the interesting thought that Cherry is suddenly named in the team as soon as Tuipulotu isn’t. I’m sure it’s a coincidence…

[Dogbert]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

Is probably only the surprising pick by Townie

[Slick]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

Without knowing anything about what actually happened, good luck to Cherry, probably is the best pick.

Looking forward to seeing McDowall in a proper game, I'm sure he'll do fine.

My one concern with that team is the back 3 in defence and I mean both tackling, but more importantly, with the new laws about clearing blockers for high balls. None of them are particularly good at that and it will have been noted.

[Jock42]

Cherry starts...

Gregor Brown the lock sub.

Without knowing anything about what actually happened, good luck to Cherry, probably is the best pick.

Looking forward to seeing McDowall in a proper game, I'm sure he'll do fine.

My one concern with that team is the back 3 in defence and I mean both tackling, but more importantly, with the new laws about clearing blockers for high balls. None of them are particularly good at that and it will have been noted.

Agree about Cherry. If the rumours were true I doubt he'd be included in any squad whether Tuipulotu is available or not.

No issues with that team tbh.

[Biffer]

Right, that's me setting off for Murrayfield. See you at the game.

[Tichtheid]

Right, that's me setting off for Murrayfield. See you at the game.

You going to the U20s or on the lash for 20 hours?

[Biffer]

Right, that's me setting off for Murrayfield. See you at the game.

You going to the U20s or on the lash for 20 hours?

In San Francisco

[Tichtheid]

Right, that's me setting off for Murrayfield. See you at the game.

You going to the U20s or on the lash for 20 hours?

In San Francisco

Safe travels.

[clydecloggie]

Are the U20s not on iPlayer?

[Jock42]

Yes. Ko 1915

[GrahamWa]

Are the U20s not on iPlayer?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/l ... nd-v-italy

[Slick]

Strong scrummaging by the boys

[TheNatalShark]

Weird I don't know, what kind of pitch does the Hive have?

Italian discipline awful, lads did well to just work way up

[Punter15]

Great tempo. They are giving it a proper lash

[Tichtheid]

Strong scrummaging by the boys

Big Ollie B-L is our great hope for the future. He's still only 18.

[KingBlairhorn]

Weird I don't know, what kind of pitch does the Hive have?

Italian discipline awful, lads did well to just work way up

Synthetic

[KingBlairhorn]

Strong scrummaging by the boys

Big Ollie B-L is our great hope for the future. He's still only 18.

He’s looking comfortable at this level. He was due to play last year but was removed from the squad at the last minute as World Rugby felt it was a player safety issue for him to play. Presumably for opposition loosies.

[Slick]

Strong scrummaging by the boys

Big Ollie B-L is our great hope for the future. He's still only 18.

Is he the 3? They both look good

[Tichtheid]

Strong scrummaging by the boys

Big Ollie B-L is our great hope for the future. He's still only 18.

He’s looking comfortable at this level. He was due to play last year but was removed from the squad at the last minute as World Rugby felt it was a player safety issue for him to play. Presumably for opposition loosies.

He was only 17 then and didnae have a note frae his ma.

The rules are you can't play this level at 17, apparently