The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[westport]

To make things more interesting

Following last week’s cancellation of the France v Fiji match, the tournament organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup have confirmed a decision to award a 28-0 victory with Bonus Point to France.

Whilst no fault has been apportioned to Fiji Rugby, the competition rules provide that if a team is primarily responsible for a match not taking place, a 28-0 victory will be awarded to the opposition that could have played the match.

[clydecloggie]

To make things more interesting

Following last week’s cancellation of the France v Fiji match, the tournament organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup have confirmed a decision to award a 28-0 victory with Bonus Point to France.

Whilst no fault has been apportioned to Fiji Rugby, the competition rules provide that if a team is primarily responsible for a match not taking place, a 28-0 victory will be awarded to the opposition that could have played the match.

So they're basically confirming their tournament doesn't really matter.

[Caley_Red]

To make things more interesting

Following last week’s cancellation of the France v Fiji match, the tournament organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup have confirmed a decision to award a 28-0 victory with Bonus Point to France.

Whilst no fault has been apportioned to Fiji Rugby, the competition rules provide that if a team is primarily responsible for a match not taking place, a 28-0 victory will be awarded to the opposition that could have played the match.

So they're basically confirming their tournament doesn't really matter.

Amazing that no deviation of standard rules was permitted in light of the small matter of this virus. No issue with awarding France the win but a bonus point seems odd given the manner in which Fiji had to withdraw.

No matter, doesn't change the fact that we need to beat France this weekend in order to win the group.

[Big D]

France are the favourites to win, having said that I hope for a good display from us and if as expected France win hope it will be close

France are on their way to becoming a very good team, but we've had their measure at Murrayfield, Dupont/Vakatawa/Alldritt and all. I think this is close to a 50/50 call, and mostly 50/50 games go to the team with the better defense, so by that logic Scotland are heavy favourites. Ooh yeah boy.

I would be gutted if we didn't win this one - it's still a tournament and this is likely to be a decider for who gets to play the final.

We were losing until the red card. This is the biggest test, so long as France rock up with the 1s, that we have had since the first 30odd minutes of the France game in the 6N.

[dpedin]

France are the favourites to win, having said that I hope for a good display from us and if as expected France win hope it will be close

France are on their way to becoming a very good team, but we've had their measure at Murrayfield, Dupont/Vakatawa/Alldritt and all. I think this is close to a 50/50 call, and mostly 50/50 games go to the team with the better defense, so by that logic Scotland are heavy favourites. Ooh yeah boy.

I would be gutted if we didn't win this one - it's still a tournament and this is likely to be a decider for who gets to play the final.

We were losing until the red card. This is the biggest test, so long as France rock up with the 1s, that we have had since the first 30odd minutes of the France game in the 6N.

Agreed - the French look very very strong in almost all positions now and are playing with real confidence plus a strong defence now courtesy of that baldy English twat. I would make them favourites but we have a chance if we can rock them in first 20mins and cause a little self doubt.

[Biffer]

France are the favourites to win, having said that I hope for a good display from us and if as expected France win hope it will be close

France are on their way to becoming a very good team, but we've had their measure at Murrayfield, Dupont/Vakatawa/Alldritt and all. I think this is close to a 50/50 call, and mostly 50/50 games go to the team with the better defense, so by that logic Scotland are heavy favourites. Ooh yeah boy.

I would be gutted if we didn't win this one - it's still a tournament and this is likely to be a decider for who gets to play the final.

We were losing until the red card. This is the biggest test, so long as France rock up with the 1s, that we have had since the first 30odd minutes of the France game in the 6N.

Yeah, but the real turning point was N'Tamack going off imo. Tide had turned, which contributed to the French prop losing his shit.

Edit - having said that I'd forgotten how early he went off . But to be fair, it was only 7-6 when the red card happened, and had only been behind for three minutes, so they weren't exactly cuffing us. One moment of brilliance from DuPont was the difference at that point.

[Slick]

Just bumped into Wee Dunc walking the streets with his baby. Bit surprised, I thought they would be in some kind of strict bubble

[Blackmac]

Just bumped into Wee Dunc walking the streets with his baby. Bit surprised, I thought they would be in some kind of strict bubble

No one can get within 2 metres of him because of the hair.

[Slick]

Just bumped into Wee Dunc walking the streets with his baby. Bit surprised, I thought they would be in some kind of strict bubble

No one can get within 2 metres of him because of the hair.

He’s not actually as wee as I thought either.

Although that might also be the hair

[Yr Alban]

Just bumped into Wee Dunc walking the streets with his baby. Bit surprised, I thought they would be in some kind of strict bubble

No one can get within 2 metres of him because of the hair.

He’s not actually as wee as I thought either.

Although that might also be the hair

He’s 1.72m according to Wikipedia. I’m 1.75m, which AFAIK is average male height in the UK, so no, he isn’t a midget. He just looks like he is because everyone else on the field is huge.

When the RWC was in Australia, I saw a pic someone took when they ran into some of our team in Townsville. The size difference was comical - the players looked like giants.

[Slick]

Does anyone have the time, inclination and skillz to put up a match thread, otherwise we might get over run on Sunday!

I have 2 of the 3, unfortunately the missing one is the vital one.

[Slick]

Scottish rugby gooooooooonnnneeeee

https://www.theoffsideline.com/2020-21- ... cba1185463

Club and school season abandoned for 20/21

[Big D]

No one can get within 2 metres of him because of the hair.

He’s not actually as wee as I thought either.

Although that might also be the hair

He’s 1.72m according to Wikipedia. I’m 1.75m, which AFAIK is average male height in the UK, so no, he isn’t a midget. He just looks like he is because everyone else on the field is huge.

When the RWC was in Australia, I saw a pic someone took when they ran into some of our team in Townsville. The size difference was comical - the players looked like giants.

Maybe because I am fairly tall I always though 5ft 8 was short. Pro rugby players are a funny beasts, some look huge and some strangely normal. Today 3 years ago I had the fortune of being in the presidents suite for the NZ game (McGuigan sung "I want it that way" on dayboo - Kiwis loved it) and Kieran Read just looked like a normal bloke in a suit. I remember regularly bumping into Rob Dewey in Edinburgh and he was shredded and looked like superman.

[dpedin]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

[Tichtheid]

. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

They tend not to, no.

Imagine what it was like when Jonah appeared on the scene? Back then the big backs were mostly around five ten to six foot, thirteen to fourteen stones - Jonah comes along, six five, eighteen stones plus and as quick a pretty much anyone on the park.

[westport]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

I was one of the assistant referees for SRU for quite a few years and did Glasgow, Edinburgh and going back further Borders games as well as european games. Going into the changing rooms before games checking studs etc over the years and to see them with the tops off was eye opening

[Northern Lights]

The one that stood out for me was Mike Phillips, was delayed with a flight out of embra and he was in the hotel bar. He was a scrum half for feck sake and was the same height as me, no longer were they just the annoying wee shites gobbing off throughout the game, they are now big shites gobbing off throughout the game.

Might just be because i am on the tall side but always felt 6ft would be average height and anything less than that was short.

[Yr Alban]

The one that stood out for me was Mike Phillips, was delayed with a flight out of embra and he was in the hotel bar. He was a scrum half for feck sake and was the same height as me, no longer were they just the annoying wee shites gobbing off throughout the game, they are now big shites gobbing off throughout the game.

Might just be because i am on the tall side but always felt 6ft would be average height and anything less than that was short.

Everyone in pro rugby tends to be massive now. Except for a few guys (the Shane Williamses, Laidlaws and Grahams) who have managed to make it in the game despite not being 6 foot plus. They still exist but there aren’t many of them.

[clydecloggie]

The one that stood out for me was Mike Phillips, was delayed with a flight out of embra and he was in the hotel bar. He was a scrum half for feck sake and was the same height as me, no longer were they just the annoying wee shites gobbing off throughout the game, they are now big shites gobbing off throughout the game.

Might just be because i am on the tall side but always felt 6ft would be average height and anything less than that was short.

Everyone in pro rugby tends to be massive now. Except for a few guys (the Shane Williamses, Laidlaws and Grahams) who have managed to make it in the game despite not being 6 foot plus. They still exist but there aren’t many of them.

And it's kind of weird that small guys don't make it anymore - lack of height can be an amazing weapon. Look at how Cheslin Kolbe routinely ducks under the flailing arms of some Orc (i.e. opposing winger or ideally Owen Farrrell). He obviously has an amazing sidestep but the same sidestep from a 6ft+ winger would just mean a tackle - he slides underneath and is gone.

You obviously need the mind set of a bull terrier (like Graham) or a full platoon of cave trolls around you (like Kolbe) to not be a defensive liability, but I still think pro rugby might be missing a trick here.

[Biffer]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

I was one of the assistant referees for SRU for quite a few years and did Glasgow, Edinburgh and going back further Borders games as well as european games. Going into the changing rooms before games checking studs etc over the years and to see them with the tops off was eye opening

I apologise for everything I’ve shouted at you from trackside.

[Biffer]

Fiji v Italy off because of covid in the Fiji camp.

You can see what’s going to happen here - we’re going to be the only ones to play Fiji, won’t get a bonus point and end up missing out on something by one point.

[Blackmac]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

You would have felt really bad when Dickenson's Mrs came along and did exactly the same thing.

[westport]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

I was one of the assistant referees for SRU for quite a few years and did Glasgow, Edinburgh and going back further Borders games as well as european games. Going into the changing rooms before games checking studs etc over the years and to see them with the tops off was eye opening

I apologise for everything I’ve shouted at you from trackside.

I sometimes gave as good as i got. I enjoyed a good bit of banter during the domestic games, couldn't do it with pro games as too far away .

[Yr Alban]

The one that stood out for me was Mike Phillips, was delayed with a flight out of embra and he was in the hotel bar. He was a scrum half for feck sake and was the same height as me, no longer were they just the annoying wee shites gobbing off throughout the game, they are now big shites gobbing off throughout the game.

Might just be because i am on the tall side but always felt 6ft would be average height and anything less than that was short.

Everyone in pro rugby tends to be massive now. Except for a few guys (the Shane Williamses, Laidlaws and Grahams) who have managed to make it in the game despite not being 6 foot plus. They still exist but there aren’t many of them.

And it's kind of weird that small guys don't make it anymore - lack of height can be an amazing weapon. Look at how Cheslin Kolbe routinely ducks under the flailing arms of some Orc (i.e. opposing winger or ideally Owen Farrrell). He obviously has an amazing sidestep but the same sidestep from a 6ft+ winger would just mean a tackle - he slides underneath and is gone.

You obviously need the mind set of a bull terrier (like Graham) or a full platoon of cave trolls around you (like Kolbe) to not be a defensive liability, but I still think pro rugby might be missing a trick here.

I think they get dropped along the way unless they are obviously an exceptional talent. The saying always goes that if Messi had been born in Scotland, he would never have got a professional contract - he’d have been let go at age 14 for being too small (this isn’t a joke, sadly, it’s very probably true). Rugby doesn’t have quite such an antiquated mindset, but the thinking since the game went pro has been to make players behemoths. This is why I think rugby lost its soul a bit - in the amateur era people could relate to the players on the pitch more because they looked a bit more, well, normal.

[Biffer]

I was one of the assistant referees for SRU for quite a few years and did Glasgow, Edinburgh and going back further Borders games as well as european games. Going into the changing rooms before games checking studs etc over the years and to see them with the tops off was eye opening

I apologise for everything I’ve shouted at you from trackside.

I sometimes gave as good as i got. I enjoyed a good bit of banter during the domestic games, couldn't do it with pro games as too far away .

We're pretty damn close to the touchline when we're standing at Murrayfield!

[westport]

I apologise for everything I’ve shouted at you from trackside.

I sometimes gave as good as i got. I enjoyed a good bit of banter during the domestic games, couldn't do it with pro games as too far away .

We're pretty damn close to the touchline when we're standing at Murrayfield!

We are now but not then when everyone was in the west stand.

[Biffer]

I sometimes gave as good as i got. I enjoyed a good bit of banter during the domestic games, couldn't do it with pro games as too far away .

We're pretty damn close to the touchline when we're standing at Murrayfield!

We are now but not then when everyone was in the west stand.

Ah right, fair enough!

[dpedin]

I remember being in DL gym in Embra more than a few years ago and coming off a weight machine having done what I thought was a good session and up popped Al Dickinson who doubled the weight and used it as a warm up before adding even more weights and getting serious. Seriously strong guy. I sloped off into the sauna and it was packed with Embra players, mostly forwards. They were feckin huge! Made me feel very, very inadequate. They are big, big guys. Last season I literally bumped into VdM in the crowd, I think he was injured, and it is very difficult to believe just how big he is for a winger. I just don't understand how someone can take him down when he is going full pelt down the wing ... actually they don't do they?

You would have felt really bad when Dickenson's Mrs came along and did exactly the same thing.

She was also into fitness and strength and conditioning too wasn't she?

[Tichtheid]

Toonie's Fantasy XV of players he's taken the field against

I have to say it's a terrific side


https://www.scottishrugby.org/fanzone/g ... fantasy-xv

[clydecloggie]

Toonie's Fantasy XV of players he's taken the field against

I have to say it's a terrific side


https://www.scottishrugby.org/fanzone/g ... fantasy-xv

It's amazing he played against the likes of McCaw - in my mind the Townsend era and the McCaw era were about 20 years apart...

[westport]

Fiji game is off

Organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup today announced the cancellation of the Scotland v Fiji fixture due to take place at BT Murrayfield on 28th November 2020.

The extent of infection in the Fiji camp, combined with a minimum 10-day isolation period, plus the obvious need for suitable preparation for any international test match meant that, whilst difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The Tournament organisers remain in constant contact with the Fijian squad regarding their wellbeing and recovery which continues to be the number one priority.

The Fiji team and the organisers are hopeful that the fourth match on December 5th against the team that will finish in 4th place in Pool A will be able to take place, subject to checks on fitness levels once the players come out of isolation and following all appropriate protocols.

[Biffer]

Fiji game is off

Organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup today announced the cancellation of the Scotland v Fiji fixture due to take place at BT Murrayfield on 28th November 2020.

The extent of infection in the Fiji camp, combined with a minimum 10-day isolation period, plus the obvious need for suitable preparation for any international test match meant that, whilst difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The Tournament organisers remain in constant contact with the Fijian squad regarding their wellbeing and recovery which continues to be the number one priority.

The Fiji team and the organisers are hopeful that the fourth match on December 5th against the team that will finish in 4th place in Pool A will be able to take place, subject to checks on fitness levels once the players come out of isolation and following all appropriate protocols.

Be a shame for Georgia if they don't get their game v Fiji on a reasonably high profile platform.

That's assuming Georgia don't beat Wales of course....

[westport]

Sunday 22 November (kick-off 3.15pm) – live on Amazon Prime Video

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 78 caps

14. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 24 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 21 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 3 caps

10. Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 29 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps


1. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
2. Fraser Brown VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 52 caps
3. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 27 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 59 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie VICE CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 21 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 35 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps

Substitutes:
16. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
19. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 8 caps
20. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 7 caps
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Exeter Chiefs) – 13 caps
22. Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 26 caps
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps

[westport]

Fiji game is off

Organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup today announced the cancellation of the Scotland v Fiji fixture due to take place at BT Murrayfield on 28th November 2020.

The extent of infection in the Fiji camp, combined with a minimum 10-day isolation period, plus the obvious need for suitable preparation for any international test match meant that, whilst difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The Tournament organisers remain in constant contact with the Fijian squad regarding their wellbeing and recovery which continues to be the number one priority.

The Fiji team and the organisers are hopeful that the fourth match on December 5th against the team that will finish in 4th place in Pool A will be able to take place, subject to checks on fitness levels once the players come out of isolation and following all appropriate protocols.

Be a shame for Georgia if they don't get their game v Fiji on a reasonably high profile platform.

That's assuming Georgia don't beat Wales of course....

Hopefully Fiji at least get one game out of it like you say against Georgia or Wales, preferably Wales

[Tichtheid]

There's obviously a few injuries that lead to that side, Sutherland, McInally and Graham for a kick off.

this

6. Jamie Ritchie VICE CAPTAIN

Is possibly a step towards a long run as captain for Ritchie, he was being tipped for it as 17 year old.

[Yr Alban]

Didn’t realise that Graham was injured too?

Duncan Taylor on the bench has to be the big news in that squad!

[Tichtheid]

Didn’t realise that Graham was injured too?

Duncan Taylor on the bench has to be the big news in that squad!

That was supposition on my part, however there is a rumour floating about that Kinghorn is covering 10, if that is the case the selections start to fall in to place.

[The Party Line]

Haven't seen any mention of injury for McInally?

[Soapy]

Haven't seen any mention of injury for McInally?

Not sure if he is injured but regardless I'd have McInally as 3rd choice hooker based on his drop in form over the past year and a bit.

[KingBlairhorn]

Fiji game is off

Organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup today announced the cancellation of the Scotland v Fiji fixture due to take place at BT Murrayfield on 28th November 2020.

The extent of infection in the Fiji camp, combined with a minimum 10-day isolation period, plus the obvious need for suitable preparation for any international test match meant that, whilst difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The Tournament organisers remain in constant contact with the Fijian squad regarding their wellbeing and recovery which continues to be the number one priority.

The Fiji team and the organisers are hopeful that the fourth match on December 5th against the team that will finish in 4th place in Pool A will be able to take place, subject to checks on fitness levels once the players come out of isolation and following all appropriate protocols.

Be a shame for Georgia if they don't get their game v Fiji on a reasonably high profile platform.

That's assuming Georgia don't beat Wales of course....

If they don't, and they won't, there is a decent chance Italy will in their placing match (there are placing matches, yeah?).