The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[I like neeps]

Excellent!?!?

Passable Yes, excellent No.

He had a very good six nations.

A few good games at 15 for Jones doesn't take away he can't even get into the Glasgow side at 13 and hasn't played well at 13 for a long time when given his chances. Nick Grigg has rightfully kept the shirt from Jones and then Kyle Steyn before Grigg.

For me he has gone from not very good and a bit of liability into being an adequate centre, he wont win us games but he wont lose them either. Personally dont rate him as very good or excellent, based on his early performences he has been very good in comparison.

If we contrast that with the match winners in Hogg and Russell with Graham closing in too we have got x factor in the team just not in the centres but then no team otehr than the great AB sides are chock full of x factor players and we being a smaller nation certainly wont be.

But Townsend has given up on the X factor and is going for structure structure structure now. Kick the corners, rolling maul, great defence etc. Moving from individual winning games and losing them on their own to a real team focus. Harris fits that a lot better than the other options probably. I've probably only watched 1 game of Lang so can't comment on him.

I think Jones has been great at 15. I'd want to see him get some time on the wing.

[Slick]

I used to think Harris was pish but I think he was really starting to hit his stride when Covid put an end to the 6N. It's hard to judge him or Lang on last weeks game.

I’d agree with most of that. It seemed to me Harris got much better after Lang left the field last week which is a worry. I know Jones isn’t getting a game at Glasgow, but there is just that X factor about him
that makes me want him in the team


Blade was the other one that surprised me but I can see why he is there.

[clydecloggie]

I used to think Harris was pish but I think he was really starting to hit his stride when Covid put an end to the 6N. It's hard to judge him or Lang on last weeks game.

I’d agree with most of that. It seemed to me Harris got much better after Lang left the field last week which is a worry. I know Jones isn’t getting a game at Glasgow, but there is just that X factor about him
that makes me want him in the team


Blade was the other one that surprised me but I can see why he is there.

We have just Russell and Hogg with that X factor in the backs, the only other one we have is Jones - and we saw in the RWC against Ireland in particular how easy it is for the opposition if Hogg and Russell are expected to deliver all the attacking impulses. Just tag them and you don't have to worry about the rest. Jones is too precious a commodity to discard this easily.

As for Thomson, I'm surprised he gets the nod at 8 over Haining and DuPreez. It might be because he knows some of the Welsh players inside out being a Scarlet himself and/or because he'll effectively play a home game?

[The Party Line]

I would argue that Darcy brings an X Factor as well and Duhan might very well to. I believe that Lang has played a role at 10 in the recent past so maybe we're not seeing yet what Toonie is aiming for him to bring.

[Soapy]

I’d agree with most of that. It seemed to me Harris got much better after Lang left the field last week which is a worry.

I think that was because Russell was at 10 rather than Hastings.

[Slick]

I’d agree with most of that. It seemed to me Harris got much better after Lang left the field last week which is a worry.

I think that was because Russell was at 10 rather than Hastings.

There definitely was a bit of that but he was also making breaks and finding space a lot better- again, arguably down to Finn, but there was definitely a difference

[Yr Alban]

I would argue that Darcy brings an X Factor as well and Duhan might very well to. I believe that Lang has played a role at 10 in the recent past so maybe we're not seeing yet what Toonie is aiming for him to bring.

Darcy definitely has some of that X-Factor. The question is whether he and Hogg will get the ball to show it?

[Jock42]

He had a very good six nations.

A few good games at 15 for Jones doesn't take away he can't even get into the Glasgow side at 13 and hasn't played well at 13 for a long time when given his chances. Nick Grigg has rightfully kept the shirt from Jones and then Kyle Steyn before Grigg.

For me he has gone from not very good and a bit of liability into being an adequate centre, he wont win us games but he wont lose them either. Personally dont rate him as very good or excellent, based on his early performences he has been very good in comparison.

If we contrast that with the match winners in Hogg and Russell with Graham closing in too we have got x factor in the team just not in the centres but then no team otehr than the great AB sides are chock full of x factor players and we being a smaller nation certainly wont be.

But Townsend has given up on the X factor and is going for structure structure structure now. Kick the corners, rolling maul, great defence etc. Moving from individual winning games and losing them on their own to a real team focus. Harris fits that a lot better than the other options probably. I've probably only watched 1 game of Lang so can't comment on him.

I think Jones has been great at 15. I'd want to see him get some time on the wing.

I'd be starting Graham and VDM, with Kinghorn on the bench although would be happy if Jones got the bench spot.

[Slick]

Yeah, I think I’m with you there

[Caley_Red]

I would argue that Darcy brings an X Factor as well and Duhan might very well to. I believe that Lang has played a role at 10 in the recent past so maybe we're not seeing yet what Toonie is aiming for him to bring.

Darcy definitely has some of that X-Factor. The question is whether he and Hogg will get the ball to show it?

That's the crux right there; a non-distributing, direct running centre will be delivering nothing to them, have to join the line out of position to get a decent sniff.

I agree that Harris has improved but still does nothing for me in a game, can be defended against all day.

[westport]

Looking at the forecast it looks as if it could be like when we played England

[Wylie Coyote]

Looking at the forecast it looks as if it could be like when we played England

Of course it is. That will suit Wales down to the ground. Typical.

[Northern Lights]

I would argue that Darcy brings an X Factor as well and Duhan might very well to. I believe that Lang has played a role at 10 in the recent past so maybe we're not seeing yet what Toonie is aiming for him to bring.

Darcy definitely has some of that X-Factor. The question is whether he and Hogg will get the ball to show it?

That's the crux right there; a non-distributing, direct running centre will be delivering nothing to them, have to join the line out of position to get a decent sniff.

I agree that Harris has improved but still does nothing for me in a game, can be defended against all day.

Yep spot on Doc, we have been here before, the stars are frozen out because the centres dont get the ball to them.

In saying that i dont think Harris is bad at distributing, if anything i think the problem could well be he wont draw a defender as they wont see him as an attacking threat so can drift to a 2 on 1 on Darcy or VDM and also makes it easier to close the Hogg channel. With Jones at 13, the defences know they cant leave him alone as he will burn through them if he gets a sniff of a gap.

[Northern Lights]

Anyway to cheer myself up i just rewatched the highlights from our last 6N game, a pumping of the frogs on front of a packed Murrayfield that was jumping - happy times, even if it feels a lifetime ago.

[Tichtheid]

I see that WP Nel has been released to play for Edinburgh, but retained as emergency cover for Scotland, his international race isn't quite run yet though he is probably on the last bend. He was exactly the right guy at the right time for Scotland, an absolute rock of a scrummager and good around the park.

However, I'd like to see some succession planning at Edinburgh, Murray McCallum needs game time, he's 24 now, not a young pup any more.

Dan Winning seems to have disappeared off the team list on the Embra site.

[charltom]

Thanks NL. That was enjoyable, and it reminded me that Chris Harris can at times be a threat

[Northern Lights]

Thanks NL. That was enjoyable, and it reminded me that Chris Harris can at times be a threat

Ha ha, yes he definitely presented himself as an attacking threat in that game. Hopefully the taffs do us the courtesy of only playing with 14 men too

[Biffer]

Thanks NL. That was enjoyable, and it reminded me that Chris Harris can at times be a threat

Ha ha, yes he definitely presented himself as an attacking threat in that game. Hopefully the taffs do us the courtesy of only playing with 14 men too

AWJ red card in the first five minutes would be one of my favourite rugby memories of all time.

[Begbie]

Anyone feeling confident? I have the same sinking feeling I had before the 2018 game. I think we're going to shit the bed, again. Might have to start on the beers early today.

[Biffer]

Anyone feeling confident? I have the same sinking feeling I had before the 2018 game. I think we're going to shit the bed, again. Might have to start in the beers early today.

Nope. Learned my lesson last time. Will never be confident again.

[Jock42]

Anyone feeling confident? I have the same sinking feeling I had before the 2018 game. I think we're going to shit the bed, again. Might have to start on the beers early today.

Nah not really. Contemplating checking the score to save myself the anguish of watching the game when I finish my shift.

[westport]

Anyone feeling confident? I have the same sinking feeling I had before the 2018 game. I think we're going to shit the bed, again. Might have to start on the beers early today.

Confident, no. Hopeful, yes, but wouldn't be surprised if we bottle it again.

[walletoraccess]

Hopeful yes
However should it go tits up I have enough beer to self medicate

[Yr Alban]

Well, I’ve never been more delighted to be wrong.

Sounds like Wales were shithouse, but who cares? It will go in the books as an away win, and if there’s an asterisk it will merely denote it was played in the autumn rather than the spring.

I haven’t watched the game yet. Will do so on iPlayer once it’s up. Worried about the injuries to Russell and Hastings. Anything to be really concerned about? Is Weir going to get a fairytale recall?

[Biffer]

That'll do nicely. Put us through the wringer and not pretty to watch but the win is the win.

[Big D]

Some horrible decision making - Brown to changing the line out call, giving away a pen and Price not using it despite being told to and others.

If Graham isn't injured it was a massive brainfart to take him off with Hastings clearly struggling.

But there are positives and hopefully that away win will give confidence.

Ball security looked good - tick for Dalziel.
Set piece looked solid - tick for DeVilliers
Defence solid - tick for Tandy.
All of the above and a win away - tick for GT.

[Yr Alban]

That'll do nicely. Put us through the wringer and not pretty to watch but the win is the win.

Quite. It’s been nice when we played flamboyant rugby, but I’m sure we’d all prefer to win ugly. Wales did it for years under Gatland, after all, and to considerable acclaim.

[Big D]

If Finn and Hastings are out for next week I'd roll with Weir and Hogg covering.

[Yr Alban]

Injuries aside, literally the only downside of this result is that it virtually guarantees Hearts will lose to Hibs at Hampden this afternoon. I never get that much good sporting luck in one day!

[Big D]

Only conceded 5 tries all 6N. Why oh why did we stuck with Taylor for so long!

[frodder]

Just dropping in to say well done

[Blackmac]

Just dropping in to say well done

Thanks mate. Not pretty but excuse us if we revel in the win, we've waited long enough

[Yr Alban]

Just dropping in to say well done

Thanks mate. Not pretty but excuse us if we revel in the win, we've waited long enough

Exactly. Thanks Frodder. What Clive doesn’t seem to get on the match thread is that we just don’t care. We won a gritty away match we’d have lost a couple of years ago, and that will do us nicely for now. The limit of my 6N ambitions right now is for Scotland to be competing in the top half of the table. Baby steps...

[Begbie]

Just dropping in to say well done

Cheers. Ugly game but we'll take the win.

[Yr Alban]

Report on Scottish Rugby Blog says that Russell has a groin strain and that Hastings' shoulder 'popped out twice'. I think that fairytale recall for Duncan Weir may be about to happen for real. TBH, I actually feel OK about this (obviously I want Russell in there, I'm just not upset about Weir).

[clydecloggie]

I always thought we’d break our big away game duck by racing into a sizeable lead and then clinging on for dear life. A bit like the Cardiff horror show without the horror at the end.

Today’s scenario, a tight forward tussle with us defending a one point advantage for a longish period, just didn’t compute - there was no way we had enough spine for that.

So it may have been a horrible game against a poor Welsh team, but this game could be a real turning point and one we might look back on as the one where our forwards came of age.

[Yr Alban]

Injuries aside, literally the only downside of this result is that it virtually guarantees Hearts will lose to Hibs at Hampden this afternoon. I never get that much good sporting luck in one day!

...and I was wrong about this too. An away win over Wales (where I live) and Hearts beating Hibs to reach the Cup Final. On the same day. Just. Fecking. MAGNIFICENT.

[Biffer]

By the way, where are all the guys who were saying there was no way we'd maul it as effectively against Wales as we did against Georgia?

[Slick]

Just finished watching, pretty chuffed with that.

Front 5 can compete in the scrum with anyone, although strangely feel a little lightweight around the park - Cummings was superb.

Back row - pretty decent, Ritchie was brilliant (Bolter?) Hamish did his thing. We need an 8.

Hastings looked grand when he came on, he looked under a lot of pressure last week but calmed down today.

Centres- don’t really know what to say. Harries was decent, Lang came good in the last quarter but it’s all a bit meh.

Couple of points. Bloody love Hoggy and also live him as skipper. Had a good game today but is he getting a little conservative? Not a criticism today as he was great.

I’m afraid we still have to speak about Jonny. I know, I know, he does all the right things but I just want a bit more.

Overall. Very chuffed with that. Teams will hate playing is which is great

[Yr Alban]

Just finished watching, pretty chuffed with that.

Front 5 can compete in the scrum with anyone, although strangely feel a little lightweight around the park - Cummings was superb.

Back row - pretty decent, Ritchie was brilliant (Bolter?) Hamish did his thing. We need an 8.

Hastings looked grand when he came on, he looked under a lot of pressure last week but calmed down today.

Centres- don’t really know what to say. Harries was decent, Lang came good in the last quarter but it’s all a bit meh.

Couple of points. Bloody love Hoggy and also live him as skipper. Had a good game today but is he getting a little conservative? Not a criticism today as he was great.

I’m afraid we still have to speak about Jonny. I know, I know, he does all the right things but I just want a bit more.

Overall. Very chuffed with that. Teams will hate playing is which is great

Just finished watching it too and I agree with pretty much all of that.

Didn’t realise Hastings actually played on for a while after his injury. Having seen Russell’s, hoping that it turns out just to be a dead leg. We could do with one of them being fit for the next game at least.

Not a bad performance from anyone, though there were the usual frustrations with the bad lineout call and the restarts. Was particularly annoyed with Liam Williams getting the ball from Hogg in that aerial tussle. Should 100% have been Hogg’s ball. We also butchered a couple of breaks that a better side would have made into tries - the pass Harris fumbled, and the failure to be up in support of Ritchie.

Outweighed, however, by an entirely new degree of ruthlessness and pragmatism. 1-point lead with less than 10 to go, and we strangled the life out of Wales with 25+ phases of possession and recycling. Didn’t make a lot of ground, but when they next got hands on the ball, time was running out, they were desperate, and they duly made the mistake that won it for us.

Ref I thought was good, apart from one moment that really annoyed me - the penalty against Hogg for holding on. Not only did he blow far too quickly, the ball was actually coming back as he did so. Having said that, he also blew quickly for the same offence at the end, so perhaps it evened out.