The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[clydecloggie]

Sounds like Cam Redpath set to be named in the Scotland 6N squad.

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

[Tichtheid]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... e-55718363

How good is this but how bittersweet for Doddie! Too late for him but his unselfishness in raising money has helped fund this breakthrough. He must be chuffed.

I mentioned in another thread that I'd taken up the fiddle as a lockdown project, I've signed up to Bruce MacGregor's Patreon page, it's a great resource for learning. anyway, yesterday Bruce published a tune he wrote on Hogmanay in honour of Doddie.

Bruce is a former captain of Highland I believe.

[vball]

Yes Bruce is a former captain and has retired from playing for Highland on many occassions !!

His bar, MacGreggors in Inverness is superb.

A great tune for a great man.

[Big D]

Blair Kinghorn has penned a new deal with his boyhood club.

Good news but something still needs to be done to rekindle his form.

With you 100% on that

Coaching staff needs a refresh.

[Tichtheid]

Yes Bruce is a former captain and has retired from playing for Highland on many occassions !!

His bar, MacGreggors in Inverness is superb.

A great tune for a great man.

I really want to go to a couple of sessions in MacGregor's, also to the fiddle camp they run in Beauly, roll on (out) the vaccinations!

[I like neeps]

Sounds like Cam Redpath set to be named in the Scotland 6N squad.

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

Huw Jones will surely be in the squad but I don't see an argument for him starting 13. It'll be Harris anyway, Hutchinson is unfortunate he was in electric form pre world cup. Should've gone but saints have wobbled since.

Picking up Redpath is huge. He has huge talent, I've watched a lot of AP rugby since we've been locked down so long and watching Bath annoyed me as Redpath looked class and I thought would go for England. 50 caps at least.

[Big D]

Sounds like Cam Redpath set to be named in the Scotland 6N squad.

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

Huw Jones will surely be in the squad but I don't see an argument for him starting 13. It'll be Harris anyway, Hutchinson is unfortunate he was in electric form pre world cup. Should've gone but saints have wobbled since.

Picking up Redpath is huge. He has huge talent, I've watched a lot of AP rugby since we've been locked down so long and watching Bath annoyed me as Redpath looked class and I thought would go for England. 50 caps at least.

The rugby paper was running Vellacott to Edinburgh over the weekend. Seems like the SRU are working hard on the exiles.

[Yr Alban]

God, I hope the Times guy is right and we have secured Redpath. That would be a massive boost for all of us right now - I think most of us had assumed he was a lost cause.

[Yr Alban]

Sounds like Cam Redpath set to be named in the Scotland 6N squad.

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

To be fair, Hutchison has been injured for every squad announced since he was first capped. Jones was an absolute fixture until his form dropped, which coincided with Toony’s sudden enthusiasm for defence. I would like to see him at 13, but as Glasgow aren’t playing him there, the odds look long. I reckon he is a shoo-in for the bench spot, as he could probably now cover every position in the outside backs.

[clydecloggie]

Sounds like Cam Redpath set to be named in the Scotland 6N squad.

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

To be fair, Hutchison has been injured for every squad announced since he was first capped. Jones was an absolute fixture until his form dropped, which coincided with Toony’s sudden enthusiasm for defence. I would like to see him at 13, but as Glasgow aren’t playing him there, the odds look long. I reckon he is a shoo-in for the bench spot, as he could probably now cover every position in the outside backs.

For my money, the balance in the team has shifted too much towards defence. Of course it needed huge improvements, but it shouldn't be at the expense of all attacking sharpness. Huw Jones is such a great runner and has a near-telepathic understanding with Hogg. Can Harris play 12? It's normally the 12 that is the defensive leader anyway. I'd go Harris/Jones if that's the only way we can get Jones on the pitch.

[I like neeps]

Aye. Still want to see Huw Jones in the XV and Hutchinson close to the 23 - we do seem to have a habit of bringing young promising centres in and then leave them by the wayside far too soon for my liking.

Huw Jones will surely be in the squad but I don't see an argument for him starting 13. It'll be Harris anyway, Hutchinson is unfortunate he was in electric form pre world cup. Should've gone but saints have wobbled since.

Picking up Redpath is huge. He has huge talent, I've watched a lot of AP rugby since we've been locked down so long and watching Bath annoyed me as Redpath looked class and I thought would go for England. 50 caps at least.

The rugby paper was running Vellacott to Edinburgh over the weekend. Seems like the SRU are working hard on the exiles.

Vellacott is fourth choice at wasps now, so less excited there. Also how is exciting scrum half Ben Vellacott fitting in with box kick and pop pass Cockers?

[Slick]

I hope Gary Graham gets a go, we really need a big guy there

[sockwithaticket]

Huw Jones will surely be in the squad but I don't see an argument for him starting 13. It'll be Harris anyway, Hutchinson is unfortunate he was in electric form pre world cup. Should've gone but saints have wobbled since.

Picking up Redpath is huge. He has huge talent, I've watched a lot of AP rugby since we've been locked down so long and watching Bath annoyed me as Redpath looked class and I thought would go for England. 50 caps at least.

The rugby paper was running Vellacott to Edinburgh over the weekend. Seems like the SRU are working hard on the exiles.

Vellacott is fourth choice at wasps now, so less excited there. Also how is exciting scrum half Ben Vellacott fitting in with box kick and pop pass Cockers?

Possibly third, but he's definitely behind Dan Robson (obvs) and Will Porter which isn't where you'd want an aspirant international to be.

[Big D]

For my money, the balance in the team has shifted too much towards defence. Of course it needed huge improvements, but it shouldn't be at the expense of all attacking sharpness. Huw Jones is such a great runner and has a near-telepathic understanding with Hogg. Can Harris play 12? It's normally the 12 that is the defensive leader anyway. I'd go Harris/Jones if that's the only way we can get Jones on the pitch.

Most will know I am far from a Townsend sympathiser, but since the RWC and the ARU doing us a massive favour he has been without Russell for a majority of games and latterly without Hastings. VdW and Weir are hardly bastions of the running game.

Along with the issues at 10, Johnson has been so far out of form and fitness and Jones had shown no form at 13 for club or country to the point he was punted to full back. Easy to forget that Jones started the two games at the start of the 6N. Behind Johnson there are so few options, Horne is probably done at that level, Scott and Huchinson battled injuries earlier this year and Redpath was steadfastly English up until this week apparently. So we were left with an out of form Johnson and a very average Lang.

At 13, we have Harris (attacking poor), Grigg (not good enough), Jones (can't get a game at 13 for Glasgow), and Hutchinson who is injured on and off.

Two of our 6 Nations games were played in very poor, if different conditions. We only scored 77 points in the 6N, but across those 2 our opponents only put up 23 across both too.

Attacking game definitely needs to improve, but it is tough to be too critical given the above.

I have no problem with Jones at 13, but he needs to be there with Glasgow first. It is an age since he started a meaningful game there.

[Big D]

Huw Jones will surely be in the squad but I don't see an argument for him starting 13. It'll be Harris anyway, Hutchinson is unfortunate he was in electric form pre world cup. Should've gone but saints have wobbled since.

Picking up Redpath is huge. He has huge talent, I've watched a lot of AP rugby since we've been locked down so long and watching Bath annoyed me as Redpath looked class and I thought would go for England. 50 caps at least.

The rugby paper was running Vellacott to Edinburgh over the weekend. Seems like the SRU are working hard on the exiles.

Vellacott is fourth choice at wasps now, so less excited there. Also how is exciting scrum half Ben Vellacott fitting in with box kick and pop pass Cockers?

I can't remember if he got a bad injury a while back. Wouldn't be too excited about it (although if Groom GTF then I am all for it) but it is a sign the SRU haven't given up on Redpath, BV, Dingwall etc.

[Biffer]

The good part of Jones playing full back recently means he's now much more of a candidate for a bench place.

[sockwithaticket]

The rugby paper was running Vellacott to Edinburgh over the weekend. Seems like the SRU are working hard on the exiles.

Vellacott is fourth choice at wasps now, so less excited there. Also how is exciting scrum half Ben Vellacott fitting in with box kick and pop pass Cockers?

I can't remember if he got a bad injury a while back. Wouldn't be too excited about it (although if Groom GTF then I am all for it) but it is a sign the SRU haven't given up on Redpath, BV, Dingwall etc.

He missed basically all of last season with Wasps due to a horrible knee injury. Made a couple of appearances towards the end and benched (but didn't come on) for the Prem final. This season he's not been injured afaik, just performed disappointingly and dropped rather quickly.

[clydecloggie]

For my money, the balance in the team has shifted too much towards defence. Of course it needed huge improvements, but it shouldn't be at the expense of all attacking sharpness. Huw Jones is such a great runner and has a near-telepathic understanding with Hogg. Can Harris play 12? It's normally the 12 that is the defensive leader anyway. I'd go Harris/Jones if that's the only way we can get Jones on the pitch.

Most will know I am far from a Townsend sympathiser, but since the RWC and the ARU doing us a massive favour he has been without Russell for a majority of games and latterly without Hastings. VdW and Weir are hardly bastions of the running game.

Along with the issues at 10, Johnson has been so far out of form and fitness and Jones had shown no form at 13 for club or country to the point he was punted to full back. Easy to forget that Jones started the two games at the start of the 6N. Behind Johnson there are so few options, Horne is probably done at that level, Scott and Huchinson battled injuries earlier this year and Redpath was steadfastly English up until this week apparently. So we were left with an out of form Johnson and a very average Lang.

At 13, we have Harris (attacking poor), Grigg (not good enough), Jones (can't get a game at 13 for Glasgow), and Hutchinson who is injured on and off.

Two of our 6 Nations games were played in very poor, if different conditions. We only scored 77 points in the 6N, but across those 2 our opponents only put up 23 across both too.

Attacking game definitely needs to improve, but it is tough to be too critical given the above.

I have no problem with Jones at 13, but he needs to be there with Glasgow first. It is an age since he started a meaningful game there.

I would hope the SRU have no say in who plays where in the pro teams, and I've always assumed Jones to 15 was a choice to make the most of what they have at Glasgow currently. I don't believe for a minute that anyone at Glasgow thinks Grigg is a better 13 than Jones.

I would indeed think that Jones is close to nailed on for the 23 shirt, covering 13-W-FB. I just hope he'll be on the pitch long enough to make a difference and that Toonie is willing to offer the defensive solidity of Harris for Jones' attacking prowess in Q4 of a close game. If Kinghorn is preferred to Jones, something's not right.

[Jock42]

So whats changed? As Big D says he was English a week ago? Is he out of contract soon and being offered one up here?

[Big D]

So whats changed? As Big D says he was English a week ago? Is he out of contract soon and being offered one up here?

He is under a long term contract at Bath. IIRC they paid a transfer fee.

[I like neeps]

So whats changed? As Big D says he was English a week ago? Is he out of contract soon and being offered one up here?

He is under a long term contract at Bath. IIRC they paid a transfer fee.

Maybe he always wanted to play for Scotland and now he has long term financial security at Bath (who did pay a transfer fee) he doesn't worry about EQP points.

Maybe he has a chat with Eddie who said Ollie Lawrence is our 12 for the next decade.

Maybe he realised he's guaranteed a lot more Scotland than England caps.

Maybe Townsend is an amazing salesman.

Maybe lockdown made him realise how much family comes first and he can't not join his dad in playing for Scotland.

We'll definitely never know.

[Jock42]

Graham and Redpath in. Dobie invited to train, would like to have seen Shiel train too. Pity no Weir over VDW

[clydecloggie]

Here we go. Really happy with Ashman!

Fairly brutal elsewhere - no Bradbury, Johnson, Weir for instance.

[Big D]

I would hope the SRU have no say in who plays where in the pro teams, and I've always assumed Jones to 15 was a choice to make the most of what they have at Glasgow currently. I don't believe for a minute that anyone at Glasgow thinks Grigg is a better 13 than Jones.

I would indeed think that Jones is close to nailed on for the 23 shirt, covering 13-W-FB. I just hope he'll be on the pitch long enough to make a difference and that Toonie is willing to offer the defensive solidity of Harris for Jones' attacking prowess in Q4 of a close game. If Kinghorn is preferred to Jones, something's not right.

I thought it was a given that the national coach is in fairly regular contact with the pro coaches and players and positions would be discussed and if needed players moved, within reason (e.g when Glasgow have had all their players fit). It makes zero sense for a potential first choice centre, who has on occasion been found wanting in defence, not to be playing in that channel in the Proxx to work on his game. Defensive requirements are very different to full back.

Jones was in and out of favour with Rennie at 13. It probably is more a case of making do with what they have for now but even when Glasgow have had Seymour, Tagive and other wings available Jones has been used at 15. He hasn't even been there as part of a squad rotation type move. I am not sure he has played there at all since the England game?

If the national coaches saw him as a potential starting 13, especially given Wilson having recently left the set up, surely we would have seen him there at some point recently? It would be unfair on Jones to throw him in like that against a top class 13 (assuming Davies is playing).

[Tichtheid]

I'm pleased Ashman is there, but no Brown, who we knew about, but no Rambo either!

[Yr Alban]

Noticed all of those omissions, plus Toolis and Hutchinson as well.

So pleased to see Redpath named in a Scotland squad. Given that he has appeared shortly after his transfer to Bath, it does seem most probable that he was maintaining his EQP status until he got a ‘proper’ contract from someone - in other words, that we were always his first choice. That’s what I’m going to choose to believe, anyway!

[Yr Alban]

Another thought: there are FOUR hookers in this squad (Turner, Ashman, Cherry and Stewart). Given that both of our regular hookers are injured, you have to assume this is Toony saying ‘right lads, one of you will get to be #1 for the 6N, show me what you’ve got.’

[Big D]

I'm pleased Ashman is there, but no Brown, who we knew about, but no Rambo either!

IIRC they still don't know what is wrong with his neck.

[westport]

No Sam Skinner either

[robmatic]

Another thought: there are FOUR hookers in this squad (Turner, Ashman, Cherry and Stewart). Given that both of our regular hookers are injured, you have to assume this is Toony saying ‘right lads, one of you will get to be #1 for the 6N, show me what you’ve got.’

Probably hard to pick between a bunch of options who haven't been playing much. I am guessing that Turner will be the one who has been getting the most gametime so will be in pole position.

[Big D]

Only two 9s?

[Yr Alban]

So... the team I’d like to see...

1. Sutherland
2. Turner
3. Fagerson
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Graham

9. Price
10. Russell
11. Maitland
12. Redpath
13. Jones
14. Graham
15. Hogg

Feck me, that would be a backline. I suspect what we’ll see, though, is Harris at 13 with Jones on the bench, and Matt Fagerson as starting 8.

[Jock42]

Only two 9s?

Just noticed no SHC

[clydecloggie]

I'd assume that Turner is first-choice 2, with the others vying for the 16 jersey (Cherry front-runner for now?)

Some suggestions that some of the higher-profile omissions are exiles who would not be guaranteed to be in the 23, would be required to be released, and would therefore be impossible to maintain in a covid-secure bubble - e.g. Hutchinson, Skinner, Hidalgo-Clyne. Interesting considerations if true.

[KingBlairhorn]

No Sam Skinner either

So pleased to see Redpath in - I've banged on about him often enough and I think he has the potential to make a real difference as a creative but all importantly structured 12 next to Russell, especially while Johnson is out of form.

Surprised not to see Skinner too, we don't have many with his bulk. Possibly more surprised not to see Sam H-C though, for me he is a much better player than Steele. I have no idea if he has been playing though, any insight from anyone?

[Big D]

So... the team I’d like to see...

1. Sutherland
2. Turner
3. Fagerson
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Graham

9. Price
10. Russell
11. Maitland
12. Redpath
13. Jones
14. Graham
15. Hogg

Feck me, that would be a backline. I suspect what we’ll see, though, is Harris at 13 with Jones on the bench, and Matt Fagerson as starting 8.

Second row is surely Cummings + 1? Given Craig has been included in these covid times suggests he is in contention for the 23.

I am as big a Gray Snr fan as they come but covid is the only reason I can see for him being a head of Skinner. One or two good games against Edinburgh isn't enough for me.

I imagine it will be Cummings and Gray Jnr in the second row. And Duhan on the wing. Maitland has next to no rugby in him. Like you say Harris will start.

[Big D]

No Sam Skinner either

So pleased to see Redpath in - I've banged on about him often enough and I think he has the potential to make a real difference as a creative but all importantly structured 12 next to Russell, especially while Johnson is out of form.

Surprised not to see Skinner too, we don't have many with his bulk. Possibly more surprised not to see Sam H-C though, for me he is a much better player than Steele. I have no idea if he has been playing though, any insight from anyone?

Steele been in good form from what I have seen.

[Big D]

Do France pick overseas players? Surprised they haven't even been mentioned in passing for Redpath.

[westport]

No Sam Skinner either

So pleased to see Redpath in - I've banged on about him often enough and I think he has the potential to make a real difference as a creative but all importantly structured 12 next to Russell, especially while Johnson is out of form.

Surprised not to see Skinner too, we don't have many with his bulk. Possibly more surprised not to see Sam H-C though, for me he is a much better player than Steele. I have no idea if he has been playing though, any insight from anyone?

Before this enforced short break both SHC and Steele were playing well

[KingBlairhorn]

Do France pick overseas players? Surprised they haven't even been mentioned in passing for Redpath.

He's about 8 stone shy of a French cap.