The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

Get a load of this sack of shit

Can’t wait for them to be out of their one and only cycle of being any good

[Yr Alban]

It’s not the rugby, mate, it’s the results. Fans rarely complain about the quality of the rugby as long as their team is winning. Not saying never, but you’d struggle to find a Welshman complaining about Gatlandball when he was their coach.

Edit: this was obviously a response to JK2, but now there’s a post in between and we’re on a different page, which means it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

[I like neeps]

Get a load of this sack of shit

Can’t wait for them to be out of their one and only cycle of being any good

Their provinces are stacked with unreal talent. Ireland are going to be very good for a long time.

[Slick]

Please don’t say that

[JM2K6]

It’s not the rugby, mate, it’s the results. Fans rarely complain about the quality of the rugby as long as their team is winning. Not saying never, but you’d struggle to find a Welshman complaining about Gatlandball when he was their coach.

Edit: this was obviously a response to JK2, but now there’s a post in between and we’re on a different page, which means it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Fans do care about performances and entertainment! There's a lot of disgruntlement even from random people on social media, commentators, etc.

Gatlandball won them matches even against "on paper" stronger teams. Eddie's approach is narrowing the gap between us and weaker teams.

Not sure how many fans care about this Mickey mouse tournament though.

[Northern Lights]

Didn’t watch as I was busy when it was live, so the result and have popped on here to see the verdict.

Won’t be wasting my time watching it now!

[clydecloggie]

Didn’t watch as I was busy when it was live, so the result and have popped on here to see the verdict.

Won’t be wasting my time watching it now!

Watch up until the Taylor yellow, it's really good. Then switch off.

[Slick]

Thought Jaco did well yesterday - hate to say it but definitely a step up from Weir. He bounced back well from a couple of early mistakes and it was great to see how much he wanted to be involved the whole game.

In saying that, I looked at the team huddle after the game and saw Blade, Blair, Maitland, Jaco, Van der, Kebble etc and I couldn’t help wondering if I really wanted my team to look like that.

At least Thomson was noticeable in the huddle!

I agree vdw was good. And I agree about the other point. But fair play to Maitland at 50 caps. I don't mind the foreign born players who come in and give it a real go. Nel, Visser, VdM will probably go down as Edinburgh rugby legends so who really cares where they came from. I also never minded Cowan but I'll never understand why he played yesterday instead of say Crosbie or Gordon. And I'll never understand how Thomson gets in. Kebble and Schoeman seem like good guys but I'm glad the criteria has been increased.

Yeah, my comment is a bit harsh on guys like Maitland and the truth is if other much bigger nations do it we HAVE to do it. Think we have probably reached our polite limit on Saffers though..

Just seen that of the 15 that finished the match on Saturday only 4 were born in Scotland. That is not good enough.

[westport]

Personally I don't care as they all qualify through the rules.

[I like neeps]

4 points to some real issues though. Granted stats aren't perfect as Jones was born in Scotland but left sharpish whereas SHC was born in Spain and moved here. And the reality is there's significant movement between England and Scotland. But it's a concerning number nevertheless.

[Slick]

4 points to some real issues though. Granted stats aren't perfect as Jones was born in Scotland but left sharpish whereas SHC was born in Spain and moved here. And the reality is there's significant movement between England and Scotland. But it's a concerning number nevertheless.

Yes, quite. Whether the fact of where they are from bothers you or not it is not a great advert for player development here.

[JM2K6]

What do the numbers look like if you ignore players born in England?

[I like neeps]

What do the numbers look like if you ignore players born in England?

Kebble, Nel, Thomson, Cowan, SHC (but again was born in Spain and schooled in Edinburgh), Van Der Walt, van Der Merwe, Maitland. So 4 on residency and 3 grandparents from further afield than England.

Thomson and Cowan have never played for a Scottish pro team either which doesn't sit great with me. Thomson even turned down Glasgow for Scarlets. Should've meant he's not capped. As should his very limited ability.

[Biffer]

It’s not the rugby, mate, it’s the results. Fans rarely complain about the quality of the rugby as long as their team is winning. Not saying never, but you’d struggle to find a Welshman complaining about Gatlandball when he was their coach.

Edit: this was obviously a response to JK2, but now there’s a post in between and we’re on a different page, which means it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Fans do care about performances and entertainment! There's a lot of disgruntlement even from random people on social media, commentators, etc.

Gatlandball won them matches even against "on paper" stronger teams. Eddie's approach is narrowing the gap between us and weaker teams.

Not sure how many fans care about this Mickey mouse tournament though.

This is the rugby equivalent of white privilege.

[Biffer]

Get a load of this sack of shit

Can’t wait for them to be out of their one and only cycle of being any good

Their provinces are stacked with unreal talent. Ireland are going to be very good for a long time.

Stacked with hyped talent. I think there have been seven or eight next Johnny Sextons up until this point. None of them have panned out that way. They have good players coming through but nobody of the class of Sexton, OkMahoney, Woods, O’Driscoll, O’Connell etc. Their great players are being replaced by good ones.

[I like neeps]

Can’t wait for them to be out of their one and only cycle of being any good

Their provinces are stacked with unreal talent. Ireland are going to be very good for a long time.

Stacked with hyped talent. I think there have been seven or eight next Johnny Sextons up until this point. None of them have panned out that way. They have good players coming through but nobody of the class of Sexton, OkMahoney, Woods, O’Driscoll, O’Connell etc. Their great players are being replaced by good ones.

Don't agree. Leinster are unplayable with their second team, Munster and Ulster up there competing. Connacht very good. A lot of very good players in Ireland.

[Biffer]

Who is there who’s of the class of the guys I listed?

[I like neeps]

Who is there who’s of the class of the guys I listed?

They're doing pretty well without Wood, BoD, O'Connell et al aren't they. Leinster are close to unbeatable. Ulster and Munster back up to competing at the top of the Pro14 and qualify in Europe. Very good teams full of very good players. They'll be good going forward.

[clydecloggie]

Who is there who’s of the class of the guys I listed?

James Ryan and Caelan Doris aren't exactly geriatrics and they may end up bona fide legends as well. Isn't Ryan pretty much certain to be the Lions starting lock with Itoje? Doris may even be the nr 8, given that Faletau is gash these days and Vunipola crocked most of the time. It sure as chips won't be a Scot...

[KingBlairhorn]

Who is there who’s of the class of the guys I listed?

James Ryan and Caelan Doris aren't exactly geriatrics and they may end up bona fide legends as well. Isn't Ryan pretty much certain to be the Lions starting lock with Itoje? Doris may even be the nr 8, given that Faletau is gash these days and Vunipola crocked most of the time. It sure as chips won't be a Scot...

I'd add Tadhg Furlong to that list, who is in and around the conversation for top tighthead in the world. Larmour and Ringrose will also probably retire as legends of the Irish game too.

[KingBlairhorn]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

[Biffer]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

Yeah, I've noticed his punditry being, frankly, shit. No real insight, joining in with the clubby, matey atmosphere that too much rugby broadcasting resorts to. You don't see Brian Moore doing that....

[robmatic]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

[Caley_Red]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

[Dogbert]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

Well as far as improvement goes having a world class 10 available would be good

If not GT , then who else ? were not exactly rolling in cash

It's not as if even if we change coach , we can change players.

The Ireland game was the most disappointing , even without Russell the first 30 minutes were fine , but Taylors yellow really changed things , and we never really recovered .It was like going back in time , with too many players giving away too many stupid , needless penalties , and the players need to sort that out , as I don't think that any change in coaches would really make any difference

The backrow needs to be better balanced against Ireland it simply didn't click , I thought Ritchie had a particularly poor game , but we do have options here, and I really think it's time to bring Jones back to the 13 shirt

As much as I like Darcy as a winger , I would love him to be Scotland's" Shane Williams ", I'm just not sure that against International opposition , he is defensively strong enough

[Caley_Red]

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

Well as far as improvement goes having a world class 10 available would be good

If not GT , then who else ? were not exactly rolling in cash

It's not as if even if we change coach , we can change players.

The Ireland game was the most disappointing , even without Russell the first 30 minutes were fine , but Taylors yellow really changed things , and we never really recovered .It was like going back in time , with too many players giving away too many stupid , needless penalties , and the players need to sort that out , as I don't think that any change in coaches would really make any difference

The backrow needs to be better balanced against Ireland it simply didn't click , I thought Ritchie had a particularly poor game , but we do have options here, and I really think it's time to bring Jones back to the 13 shirt

As much as I like Darcy as a winger , I would love him to be Scotland's" Shane Williams ", I'm just not sure that against International opposition , he is defensively strong enough

Scott Robertson is still available and looking for an international job, might be a stretch but certainly worth enquiring, in my view.

Interesting view on Darcy, I'm of the view that he's a top quality international winger but I haven't watched much Scottish international rugby beyond highlights (time zone is a killer) so maybe I'm still thinking of 2019 Darcy?

[Slick]

I'm starting to get a little frustrated with John Barclay who it seems might be heading down the long established route of building a media career as a Scotsman out of being relentlessly negative about Scotland. I have noticed it a fair bit in his punditry recently, and articles like this are also pretty unhelpful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55228033

There seems to be no critical thought in this at all. Apparently "Scotland have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour" for instance. Why is that John? Does Wales have to play very well in the Six Nations to get guys on tour too? What about Ireland and England? The reality is that individual players should be picked on their individual merits regardless of their collective results as part of a team of 22 other guys. For instance, in his pomp (by Barclay's logic), has he been eligible Sergio Parisse would never have made a representative team because the rest of the Italians in his team were gash. That is a nonsense opinion and it isn't applied to the other Lions nations. I can confidently say that, even if Wales finish last, they will have half a dozen or more Lions. We should expect to be treated the same.

I don't expect him to be a happy clappy Scotland are the best team in the world fantasist, but he should be accurate and balanced. Opinions like his do effect public opinions, and public opinions do impact on selection.

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

I get a bit frustrated by the Toony out talk. There have been a couple of disappointing performances in the last few weeks but by most measures the last few years have been a pretty successful period in our rugby history. I think some people have pretty unrealistic expectations of where we should be.

I also think that generally the rugby has been exciting to watch and has given Scottish rugby a fair bit of respect.

I also struggle to criticise a coach that tries a style that was pretty successful for a while, accepted it wasn’t working later, and then completely changed the style. He is still working towards where he wants it to be. I think that has been very impressive, frankly.

I just don’t see how any coach is going to come in and make our results better with the resources we have.

[I like neeps]

Darcy Graham is class and has played very well for Scotland in the recent past. He didn't look match fit or match sharp anyway in the tournament. He'll be fine.

Would rather Robertson than Townsend but I'm no longer Toonie out. My biggest problem with him was we just didn't turn up for half the games we played but aside from the dodgy yellow bursting the balloon against Ireland we've played all games with a good intensity and the scorelines have been close.

[Begbie]

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/province-c ... r-rumours/

Scottish and English qualified lock David Meihuizen attracting interest from Scotland.

[clydecloggie]

Confirmation of a 2-year contract extension up to and including RWC2023 for Toonie.

[KingBlairhorn]

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

I get a bit frustrated by the Toony out talk. There have been a couple of disappointing performances in the last few weeks but by most measures the last few years have been a pretty successful period in our rugby history. I think some people have pretty unrealistic expectations of where we should be.

I also think that generally the rugby has been exciting to watch and has given Scottish rugby a fair bit of respect.

I also struggle to criticise a coach that tries a style that was pretty successful for a while, accepted it wasn’t working later, and then completely changed the style. He is still working towards where he wants it to be. I think that has been very impressive, frankly.

I just don’t see how any coach is going to come in and make our results better with the resources we have.

Absolutely agree with this post. Not only does Toonie's tenure pass the sniff test (i.e. we have looked good at least at times, we are generally more optimistic, we are subjectively improving, the rugby has been exciting), but it also passes the statistical test. OTOTM has posted numerous times that, statistically, Toonie is the most successful Scotland coach ever. No other coach, even in our 'halcyon days' has won as consistently. Of course we haven't won any tournaments, and we had a frankly awful world cup, but I think he has done enough for another cycle.

[robmatic]

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/province-c ... r-rumours/

Scottish and English qualified lock David Meihuizen attracting interest from Scotland.

Big unit.

People grumble about the project players but this seems more mercenary to me. At least the project players are guys who commit to Scotland and international rugby is a long-term consideration. Think we are basically bidding for this guy's allegiance?

[KingBlairhorn]

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/province-c ... r-rumours/

Scottish and English qualified lock David Meihuizen attracting interest from Scotland.

Big unit.

People grumble about the project players but this seems more mercenary to me. At least the project players are guys who commit to Scotland and international rugby is a long-term consideration. Think we are basically bidding for this guy's allegiance?

20 stone players are like gold dust to Scotland in terms of size, but can he play too? His wiki says he is 23 with 10 pro appearances, that isn't much for his age. Interesting, but we are in danger of becoming South Africa B.

[clydecloggie]

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/province-c ... r-rumours/

Scottish and English qualified lock David Meihuizen attracting interest from Scotland.

Big unit.

People grumble about the project players but this seems more mercenary to me. At least the project players are guys who commit to Scotland and international rugby is a long-term consideration. Think we are basically bidding for this guy's allegiance?

20 stone players are like gold dust to Scotland in terms of size, but can he play too? His wiki says he is 23 with 10 pro appearances, that isn't much for his age. Interesting, but we are in danger of becoming South Africa B.

B?? Perhaps out of our tartan Saffers McMerwe would rise to those heights, but who else?

Funnily enough I'm just listening to Andrew Cotter's interview on the Scottish Rugby Blog podcast, which is great value - and he is surprisingly outspoken on this issue. To - sort of - quote: "I'm doing comms and saying these names like van der Merwe and van der Walt and thinking 'this is ridiculous'!"

[Jock42]

It doesn't seem like that long ago I felt I was the only one against this.

[Biffer]

Big unit.

People grumble about the project players but this seems more mercenary to me. At least the project players are guys who commit to Scotland and international rugby is a long-term consideration. Think we are basically bidding for this guy's allegiance?

20 stone players are like gold dust to Scotland in terms of size, but can he play too? His wiki says he is 23 with 10 pro appearances, that isn't much for his age. Interesting, but we are in danger of becoming South Africa B.

B?? Perhaps out of our tartan Saffers McMerwe would rise to those heights, but who else?

Funnily enough I'm just listening to Andrew Cotter's interview on the Scottish Rugby Blog podcast, which is great value - and he is surprisingly outspoken on this issue. To - sort of - quote: "I'm doing comms and saying these names like van der Merwe and van der Walt and thinking 'this is ridiculous'!"

Nel, Schoeman.

[KingBlairhorn]

It doesn't seem like that long ago I felt I was the only one against this.

I'm not against it as such, but it's an 'all things in moderation' type of view I have. We could conceivably put out:

Kebble/Shoeman - xx - Nel/Berghan
Skinner - Toolis
Cowan - Thomson/Du Preez - Haining
xx
VDW
Grigg/Harris - Johnson/Lang
Maitland - Duhan
xx

That's off the top of my head of various qualification routes that don't involve our own system. The only three positions I couldn't think of a player are hooker, scrumhalf and fullback, and there are multiple I thought of more than one and some generous non-picks (Ali Price and SHC both from outside Scotland). I think all the players involved merit selection, but it is an awful lot.

[Yr Alban]

To be fair, he's saying that Scotland have to have a good 6 Nations because of Warren Gatland's biases, not because it's the way he thinks the Lions squad should be chosen.

On the 6N front, we are probably looking at 3 wins as keeping head above water (home games against Wales and Italy are absolute must-wins and we should be looking to beat Ireland at home), difficult to see wins in the away games.

I've been very disappointed by the last two games and believe they've erased any credit in the bank from last 6N. I'm also still convinced that GT is not the person to lead Scotland, can anyone honestly see where the necessary improvement is going to come from to properly challenge for 6N titles?

I get a bit frustrated by the Toony out talk. There have been a couple of disappointing performances in the last few weeks but by most measures the last few years have been a pretty successful period in our rugby history. I think some people have pretty unrealistic expectations of where we should be.

I also think that generally the rugby has been exciting to watch and has given Scottish rugby a fair bit of respect.

I also struggle to criticise a coach that tries a style that was pretty successful for a while, accepted it wasn’t working later, and then completely changed the style. He is still working towards where he wants it to be. I think that has been very impressive, frankly.

I just don’t see how any coach is going to come in and make our results better with the resources we have.

I think the unrealistic expectations reflect that anyone who is in their 40s right now grew up in an era when Scotland competed at the top of the table, won titles and were relevant on a global scale. The problem is that Scotland have spent most of rugby history being a bit mediocre, and it’s the 80s and 90s that were the statistical outlier.

[Biffer]

It doesn't seem like that long ago I felt I was the only one against this.

I'm not against it as such, but it's an 'all things in moderation' type of view I have. We could conceivably put out:

Kebble/Shoeman - xx - Nel/Berghan
Skinner - Toolis
Cowan - Thomson/Du Preez - Haining
xx
VDW
Grigg/Harris - Johnson/Lang
Maitland - Duhan
xx

That's off the top of my head of various qualification routes that don't involve our own system. The only three positions I couldn't think of a player are hooker, scrumhalf and fullback, and there are multiple I thought of more than one and some generous non-picks (Ali Price and SHC both from outside Scotland). I think all the players involved merit selection, but it is an awful lot.

Are 11 of that list not parent/ grandparent rule though?

Where do we want to stop with this?

[Begbie]

It doesn't seem like that long ago I felt I was the only one against this.

I'm really feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing now.