The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[GrahamWa]

Thought he was involved in a lot of the collisions as well for all the made of glass naysayers.

[KingBlairhorn]

That knock-on decision absolutely stank of an attempt to even out after disallowing the try. Nonsense decision by Whitehouse.

[Slick]

That knock-on decision absolutely stank of an attempt to even out after disallowing the try. Nonsense decision by Whitehouse.

Just said the same on the other thread. Ref needs to stop and take a breath, been terrible since that call

[KingBlairhorn]

Haha, no way has Sione been out injured for months. Such a baller.

[Slick]

Again, the one thing it wasn’t was “shoulder to shoulder”. Didn’t think there was much in it to be honest but to dismiss it on the grounds of something that didn’t happen is bizarre again

[KingBlairhorn]

Again, the one thing it wasn’t was “shoulder to shoulder”. Didn’t think there was much in it to be honest but to dismiss it on the grounds of something that didn’t happen is bizarre again

It always seems to be the way with the best sides, those who need it least get the most latitude when decisions are made.

[KingBlairhorn]

If Glasgow beat the Stormers do they then play the winner of Sharks Munster? If it’s Munster then they play at home?

[KingBlairhorn]

If Glasgow beat the Stormers do they then play the winner of Sharks Munster? If it’s Munster then they play at home?

Ah, just saw it’s the winner of Leinster Scarlets they play.

Big opportunity for Edinburgh then, Munster are a good knockout team and could well beat the sharks. That would then (I presume) give Edinburgh home advantage in the semis. Lots of ifs there though, most notably beating the Bulls at Loftus!

[Jock42]

If Glasgow beat the Stormers do they then play the winner of Sharks Munster? If it’s Munster then they play at home?

Ah, just saw it’s the winner of Leinster Scarlets they play.

Big opportunity for Edinburgh then, Munster are a good knockout team and could well beat the sharks. That would then (I presume) give Edinburgh home advantage in the semis. Lots of ifs there though, most notably beating the Bulls at Loftus!

Munster finished 6 so would have home advantage

[KingBlairhorn]

If Glasgow beat the Stormers do they then play the winner of Sharks Munster? If it’s Munster then they play at home?

Ah, just saw it’s the winner of Leinster Scarlets they play.

Big opportunity for Edinburgh then, Munster are a good knockout team and could well beat the sharks. That would then (I presume) give Edinburgh home advantage in the semis. Lots of ifs there though, most notably beating the Bulls at Loftus!

Munster finished 6 so would have home advantage

So they did, for some reason I had Munster in 7th and Edinburgh 6th in my head

[Biffer]

Edinburgh qould only get him advantage if they ended up in the final v Scarlets. So that's not going to happen.

Glasgow can only get home advantage if Scarlets beat Leinster, or Edinburgh or Munster get to the final.. So also very, very unlikely. (And if Edinburgh were to get to the final v Glasgow it'd undoubtedly be at Murrayfield anyway)

[Tichtheid]

With there being two weeks between now and the QFs, hopefully we'll see Duhan and Vellacott back in the mix. Paul Hill is definitely out and I think I read Tuipolotu is having an op.

We should have a stronger squad available than when we beat the Bulls in the Challenge Cup quarters, however I accept going to Pretoria is a different proposition to playing at home.

[TheNatalShark]

Who are the weeg going to get back in next two weeks?

[Dogbert]

Who are the weeg going to get back in next two weeks?

Probably only Josh McKay in the backs , and if the BR - Henco Venter as he will have completed his suspension.

Williamson was really only rested as a precaution , and Sione Vailanu , who was rested as part of rotation

The Props are the main issue with Zander out , and the importance of Zander to Glasgow should not be underestimated , Sutherland will be available, along with Sam Talakai, who was in Australia for family bereavement

Glasgow will have their first choice second row available of Williamson & Cummings , and although the back row will be missing Fagerson, Dempsey, Brown, and Miller, we can still put out Darge / Venter / Vailanu, along with Ferrie, and Jack Mann has recovered from a pectoral injury

Seb Stephen at Hooker had an immense game ( for his first pro game ) against the probable Lions hookers this weekend , and could see him on the bench.

[KingBlairhorn]

Who are the weeg going to get back in next two weeks?

The Props are the main issue with Zander out , and the importance of Zander to Glasgow should not be underestimated , Sutherland will be available, along with Sam Talakai, who was in Australia for family bereavement

Murphy Walker was pretty decent when he came on I thought given how long he has been out, another option is always useful. Murphy, if he can stay fit, is a very decent player.

[Tichtheid]

Agree on Walker in the post above ^

A couple of days ago I was lamenting 12 points Edinburgh chucked away in the games against Leinster, Zebre x2 and Benetton away. Talk on the URC thread of the Sharks made me remember our game against them, we were leading 17-13 going into the last ten minutes, we had several opportunities to score before conceding a try when the 80 was up, that has to go down as another three points chucked away.

If my aunty had baws etc, but another 15 points would have us in third place and a a home play off against Munster.

Our recent form has been encouraging, I hope Ritchie leaving isn't an excuse to go back into our shells, he does seem to inspire those around him with his attitude when he is at his best.

[Big D]

Agree on Walker in the post above ^

A couple of days ago I was lamenting 12 points Edinburgh chucked away in the games against Leinster, Zebre x2 and Benetton away. Talk on the URC thread of the Sharks made me remember our game against them, we were leading 17-13 going into the last ten minutes, we had several opportunities to score before conceding a try when the 80 was up, that has to go down as another three points chucked away.

If my aunty had baws etc, but another 15 points would have us in third place and a a home play off against Munster.

Our recent form has been encouraging, I hope Ritchie leaving isn't an excuse to go back into our shells, he does seem to inspire those around him with his attitude when he is at his best.

Those games, a couple of which weren't in ideal conditions, are part of the reason I'm not sold that the garden is suddenly rosey under Everitt. Although there are encouraging signs.

[Biffer]

Agree on Walker in the post above ^

A couple of days ago I was lamenting 12 points Edinburgh chucked away in the games against Leinster, Zebre x2 and Benetton away. Talk on the URC thread of the Sharks made me remember our game against them, we were leading 17-13 going into the last ten minutes, we had several opportunities to score before conceding a try when the 80 was up, that has to go down as another three points chucked away.

If my aunty had baws etc, but another 15 points would have us in third place and a a home play off against Munster.

Our recent form has been encouraging, I hope Ritchie leaving isn't an excuse to go back into our shells, he does seem to inspire those around him with his attitude when he is at his best.

We won three games by one score or less. We lost 6 games by one score or less. Need to even that up, another six points would have us easily in the top 8.

[Tichtheid]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

[Big D]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

It is hard to say definitively although I lean on the progress but not enough side:
- Same number of overall points.
- six more TBPs.
- Four more LBPs
- Scored 55 more points
- Conceded 10 more points
- So have scored on average 3 points more and conceded <1 point more per game.
- Have scored a lot more tries (19) but also conceded more (5 more).

But below that surface level:
- Won one fewer game in the conference.
- Of the losing bonus points, one was against Zebre and Benneton in games that were games that should gave been won. Losing at home to Zebre is almost sack worthy in itself.
- Of the wins, the losing teams have only picked up two LBPs (Munster and Glasgow). So of eight "one score games" lost 75% of them.
- Of the 23/24 wins, the losing teams, seven of them picked up losing bonus points. Meaning won approx. 77% of them.

I'm sure OTOM will be able to correct the above but it feels like when the going is easier in game they win well but when it is hard they have found ways to lose this year.

I don't think the team has come on too far in the two years Everitt has been coach although there has been some progress from a low starting point. But he is under contract for another 12 months so unlikely to be leaving.

[robmatic]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

The most important of those stats is the league position and place in the Champions Cup. Last year had a few more teams struggling at the bottom of the table so it was easier for the mid-table teams to accumulate points, but this year it's just Dragons who are particularly dire.

I think Everitt's coat was probably on a shoogly peg halfway through the season and the way he has been talking about the league games being like knockout rugby he probably knew he needed that top 8 spot. However, the mood around the team is also seeming a lot more positive now. The defensive efforts have been consistently excellent and the team are also scoring some nice tries.

[Tichtheid]

6N 2026

R1 Ital - Sco Sat 7th Feb

R2 Sco - Eng Sat 14th Feb

R3 Wal - Soc Sat 21st Feb

R4 Sco - Fra Sat Sat 7th Mar

R5 Ire - Sco Sat 14th Mar

[robmatic]

6N 2026

R1 Ital - Sco Sat 7th Feb

R2 Sco - Eng Sat 14th Feb

R3 Wal - Soc Sat 21st Feb

R4 Sco - Fra Sat Sat 7th Mar

R5 Ire - Sco Sat 14th Mar

The Grand Slam decider in Dublin is going to be tough.

[Slick]

6N 2026

R1 Ital - Sco Sat 7th Feb

R2 Sco - Eng Sat 14th Feb

R3 Wal - Soc Sat 21st Feb

R4 Sco - Fra Sat Sat 7th Mar

R5 Ire - Sco Sat 14th Mar

The Grand Slam decider in Dublin is going to be tough.

It is, but it does look like our year

EDIT: In all seriousness though, that is quite a friendly fixture list for us, best for a while. Although the team is usually decimated by key injuries by the end of the 2nd game so it might all be moot.

[Jock42]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

My less detailed opinion is it depends on your view point. They're better to watch (overall) but not as successful. That latter point is a but subjective given they're in the championship cup and top 8.

I'm still worried they regress, if not in the QF then when the new season starts. Unless they make the SF id still be looking for a new coach but I doubt this will happen.

[KingBlairhorn]

6N 2026

R1 Ital - Sco Sat 7th Feb

R2 Sco - Eng Sat 14th Feb

R3 Wal - Soc Sat 21st Feb

R4 Sco - Fra Sat Sat 7th Mar

R5 Ire - Sco Sat 14th Mar

The Grand Slam decider in Dublin is going to be tough.

It is, but it does look like our year

EDIT: In all seriousness though, that is quite a friendly fixture list for us, best for a while. Although the team is usually decimated by key injuries by the end of the 2nd game so it might all be moot.

That's a proper build through the tournament set of fixtures. Switch Wales from 3rd to 1st and it would be in ascending level of difficulty. Definitely our year*



*(for the wooden spoon)

[KingBlairhorn]

I just saw a clip of Dan-the-man Lancaster with a lovely kicked try assist for Racing (at the weekend maybe?). Do we think he might be an inclusion for the summer tour? Fergus Burke, Ross Thomson and Dan Lancaster gives 3 young enough 10s for what is essentially a development tour. Hastings rested, Jordan on holiday in Australia, Healy out the picture.

[Tichtheid]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

My less detailed opinion is it depends on your view point. They're better to watch (overall) but not as successful. That latter point is a but subjective given they're in the championship cup and top 8.

I'm still worried they regress, if not in the QF then when the new season starts. Unless they make the SF id still be looking for a new coach but I doubt this will happen.

Looking at the players who are leaving and the ones who will replace them, for the ones who were in the first team squad anyway;

Jamie Ritchie, Mark Bennett, Dave Cherry, Matt Scott, Jamie Hodgson, Ali Price, Emiliano Boffelli, Robin Hislop, Javan Sebastian, Jake Henry, Nathan Sweeney and Jack Hocking.

Ritchie is a big loss, but Muncaster has had a run of games now and looks likely to really push on next season. Mish is playing as well as he ever has and so is Bradbury. We all know the potential young Freddy has, along with Boyle and Crosbie to come back and McConnell and Currie to step up, we look ok in the back row.

I think Dylan Richardson is a better hooker than Dave Cherry so we are stronger there. Those who make the choices obviously think we are better off without Hodgson. Sebastian is a big call, unless they want to bring young OBL in, and I really hope they do, I don't see the point in getting rid of big Javan. However, I'm going to make a prediction that Ollie will get his chance and do the business.

Matt Scott barely played and Mark Bennett has been supplanted by Matt Currie, so we don't lose out there, imo. Tuipulotu looks to me like he improves with every game and we've got a guy coming in who seems to play across the midfield and back three.

Boff - Im sorry to see him go, I love his personality and he is a truly international class winger/fullback/kicker, pretty much every team would miss him, but I have very high hopes for Harry Paterson if he can stop the run of bizarre injuries.

I don't think we've got a direct replacement for Ali Price, but they seem to want to bring Hector Patterson on, so fair play to them if they do.

[Tichtheid]

I just saw a clip of Dan-the-man Lancaster with a lovely kicked try assist for Racing (at the weekend maybe?). Do we think he might be an inclusion for the summer tour? Fergus Burke, Ross Thomson and Dan Lancaster gives 3 young enough 10s for what is essentially a development tour. Hastings rested, Jordan on holiday in Australia, Healy out the picture.

Personally I'd take Burke, Thompson, Hastings and Jordan as a 12/15 - they will be within a few hours of Australia. Hastings hasn't played much rugby

This tour matters, I seem to recall that the World Cup seedings take place at the end of the year and we can't drop any points. I hope they take the strongest available squad.

[Punter15]

Oh and one more thing, a quirk of the scoring system, I guess, but last season we won 11 games, earned a total of 5 BPs to give 49 league points and 11th place on the table.

This season we've won 8 games, 1 draw, 15 BPs for a total of 49 points and 7th place on the table.

Can this be counted as an improvement overall?

My less detailed opinion is it depends on your view point. They're better to watch (overall) but not as successful. That latter point is a but subjective given they're in the championship cup and top 8.

I'm still worried they regress, if not in the QF then when the new season starts. Unless they make the SF id still be looking for a new coach but I doubt this will happen.

Looking at the players who are leaving and the ones who will replace them, for the ones who were in the first team squad anyway;

Jamie Ritchie, Mark Bennett, Dave Cherry, Matt Scott, Jamie Hodgson, Ali Price, Emiliano Boffelli, Robin Hislop, Javan Sebastian, Jake Henry, Nathan Sweeney and Jack Hocking.

Ritchie is a big loss, but Muncaster has had a run of games now and looks likely to really push on next season. Mish is playing as well as he ever has and so is Bradbury. We all know the potential young Freddy has, along with Boyle and Crosbie to come back and McConnell and Currie to step up, we look ok in the back row.

I think Dylan Richardson is a better hooker than Dave Cherry so we are stronger there. Those who make the choices obviously think we are better off without Hodgson. Sebastian is a big call, unless they want to bring young OBL in, and I really hope they do, I don't see the point in getting rid of big Javan. However, I'm going to make a prediction that Ollie will get his chance and do the business.

Matt Scott barely played and Mark Bennett has been supplanted by Matt Currie, so we don't lose out there, imo. Tuipulotu looks to me like he improves with every game and we've got a guy coming in who seems to play across the midfield and back three.

Boff - Im sorry to see him go, I love his personality and he is a truly international class winger/fullback/kicker, pretty much every team would miss him, but I have very high hopes for Harry Paterson if he can stop the run of bizarre injuries.

I don't think we've got a direct replacement for Ali Price, but they seem to want to bring Hector Patterson on, so fair play to them if they do.

Hector Patterson is very over rated.

[Jock42]

Looking at the players who are leaving and the ones who will replace them, for the ones who were in the first team squad anyway;

Jamie Ritchie, Mark Bennett, Dave Cherry, Matt Scott, Jamie Hodgson, Ali Price, Emiliano Boffelli, Robin Hislop, Javan Sebastian, Jake Henry, Nathan Sweeney and Jack Hocking.

Ritchie is a big loss, but Muncaster has had a run of games now and looks likely to really push on next season. Mish is playing as well as he ever has and so is Bradbury. We all know the potential young Freddy has, along with Boyle and Crosbie to come back and McConnell and Currie to step up, we look ok in the back row.

I think Dylan Richardson is a better hooker than Dave Cherry so we are stronger there. Those who make the choices obviously think we are better off without Hodgson. Sebastian is a big call, unless they want to bring young OBL in, and I really hope they do, I don't see the point in getting rid of big Javan. However, I'm going to make a prediction that Ollie will get his chance and do the business.

Matt Scott barely played and Mark Bennett has been supplanted by Matt Currie, so we don't lose out there, imo. Tuipulotu looks to me like he improves with every game and we've got a guy coming in who seems to play across the midfield and back three.

Boff - Im sorry to see him go, I love his personality and he is a truly international class winger/fullback/kicker, pretty much every team would miss him, but I have very high hopes for Harry Paterson if he can stop the run of bizarre injuries.

I don't think we've got a direct replacement for Ali Price, but they seem to want to bring Hector Patterson on, so fair play to them if they do.

I'm not really worried about the transfers in/out but the drop offs in performances seen throughout the season.

[Tichtheid]

Hector Patterson is very over rated.

I know very little about him, what makes you say that?

He was the name given, iirc, from Everitt when it was confirmed that Price was leaving and it was suggested that Edinburgh would be looking "in-house" for a replacement.

[Tichtheid]

I'm not really worried about the transfers in/out but the drop offs in performances seen throughout the season.

Yeah, I agree, though I think there has been a bit of a shift since the Zebre game at home when Maggie said the players were taking more responsibility. We're not going go from getting, honestly, pumped by Zebre at home to winning the Champions Cup next year, but I'd like us to have a basic level of commitment, which to be fair they have mostly shown since that nadir

[Jock42]

I'm not really worried about the transfers in/out but the drop offs in performances seen throughout the season.

Yeah, I agree, though I think there has been a bit of a shift since the Zebre game at home when Maggie said the players were taking more responsibility. We're not going go from getting, honestly, pumped by Zebre at home to winning the Champions Cup next year, but I'd like us to have a basic level of commitment, which to be fair they have mostly shown since that nadir

Absolutely but I just have a nagging feeling they'll shit the bed again. The new season concerns me more than a fortnight's time, all that momentum and mind set they've built and created disappearing.

[Punter15]

Hector Patterson is very over rated.

I know very little about him, what makes you say that?

He was the name given, iirc, from Everitt when it was confirmed that Price was leaving and it was suggested that Edinburgh would be looking "in-house" for a replacement.

Perhaps at Edinburgh but not in the Scotland camp.

[Biffer]

Hector Patterson is very over rated.

I know very little about him, what makes you say that?

He was the name given, iirc, from Everitt when it was confirmed that Price was leaving and it was suggested that Edinburgh would be looking "in-house" for a replacement.

Perhaps at Edinburgh but not in the Scotland camp.

The only way the clubs will generate international talent is by building as clubs first. Imo.

[Dogbert]

Who are the weeg going to get back in next two weeks?

The Props are the main issue with Zander out , and the importance of Zander to Glasgow should not be underestimated , Sutherland will be available, along with Sam Talakai, who was in Australia for family bereavement

Murphy Walker was pretty decent when he came on I thought given how long he has been out, another option is always useful. Murphy, if he can stay fit, is a very decent player.

Murphy still young at 25 for a prop, and has lost effectively a couple of years due to injury, what he needs now is an injury free run , to see if he can fulfil his potential.

Franco has stated that he was pushed to hard early in his career , and that was where his chronic injuries can from. Pro Rugby is a hard game on the body, we hear a lot of people pushing really young players to get gametime , possibly to their overall detriment - maybe that's why Douglas in Edinburgh is being slowly introduced

[Biffer]

The Props are the main issue with Zander out , and the importance of Zander to Glasgow should not be underestimated , Sutherland will be available, along with Sam Talakai, who was in Australia for family bereavement

Murphy Walker was pretty decent when he came on I thought given how long he has been out, another option is always useful. Murphy, if he can stay fit, is a very decent player.

Murphy still young at 25 for a prop, and has lost effectively a couple of years due to injury, what he needs now is an injury free run , to see if he can fulfil his potential.

Franco has stated that he was pushed to hard early in his career , and that was where his chronic injuries can from. Pro Rugby is a hard game on the body, we hear a lot of people pushing really young players to get gametime , possibly to their overall detriment - maybe that's why Douglas in Edinburgh is being slowly introduced

It's a difficult balance. Young front rows need to play to build up the neck and shoulder strength and technique. Gym work doesn't cut it.

[Biffer]

Anyone know when Townsend names his squad for the summer?

[Tichtheid]

We travel to SA in March, so probably without 6N players :-(