The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Jock42]

I played one of the Scotland players that day into our golf club he wasn't happy to talk about that match.

Completely OT. If you don't follow FYB on Facebook you need to get on it. Last couple of days have been comedy gold thanks to 2 MERCIAN CoC

[Biffer]

I will bet you a virtual pint that POM will be available to play against us.

Week 4 is it? You'd think POM would get a 3-week ban? Bet is on

3 weeks for POM it is. But don't worry, I'm sure some fallow week Pro14 shenanigans or well-timed Covid outbreak will still see him play the 6N game against us and the pint heading your way.

I think they now have to nominate games in advance. He's missing the Scotland game I think.

[Yr Alban]

Week 4 is it? You'd think POM would get a 3-week ban? Bet is on

3 weeks for POM it is. But don't worry, I'm sure some fallow week Pro14 shenanigans or well-timed Covid outbreak will still see him play the 6N game against us and the pint heading your way.

I think they now have to nominate games in advance. He's missing the Scotland game I think.

According to the Beeb it’s 3 matches, meaning he misses the game v Scotland but will be back to play England.

It is somewhat incredible that his ‘record’ led to a reduction from 6 weeks to 3. Stuart Hogg says hi...

[robmatic]

Blair Kinghorn has an injury, which is possibly a partial explanation for him being let go from the squad.

[Soapy]

Blair Kinghorn has an injury, which is possibly a partial explanation for him being let go from the squad.

Whilst wishing Kinghorn a good recovery from injury I'm hoping that his release from the squad mainly reflects his true position in the pecking order for a back 3 place.

BK really needs time working on his basic skills and proving he can execute them reliably at club level before he gets another chance to put on a blue jersey .

[clydecloggie]

Right. We're only 3 days out from our 2nd 6N game and no chat whatsoever about possible line ups.

Uhmmm...exact same 23 again it is then?

Or would we need to make any changes to combat Wales' strengths?

[Slick]

Right. We're only 3 days out from our 2nd 6N game and no chat whatsoever about possible line ups.

Uhmmm...exact same 23 again it is then?

Or would we need to make any changes to combat Wales' strengths?

Maybe wee Darcy for a laugh?

[clydecloggie]

Right. We're only 3 days out from our 2nd 6N game and no chat whatsoever about possible line ups.

Uhmmm...exact same 23 again it is then?

Or would we need to make any changes to combat Wales' strengths?

Maybe wee Darcy for a laugh?

Good luck dropping IrnDu McMerwe or Majestic Maitland. And Darcy is not a natural sub given he's an out-and-out winger.

[Slick]

Right. We're only 3 days out from our 2nd 6N game and no chat whatsoever about possible line ups.

Uhmmm...exact same 23 again it is then?

Or would we need to make any changes to combat Wales' strengths?

Maybe wee Darcy for a laugh?

Good luck dropping IrnDu McMerwe or Majestic Maitland. And Darcy is not a natural sub given he's an out-and-out winger.

Was just trying to keep the chat going . Nope, same 23.

[clydecloggie]

Maybe wee Darcy for a laugh?

Good luck dropping IrnDu McMerwe or Majestic Maitland. And Darcy is not a natural sub given he's an out-and-out winger.

Was just trying to keep the chat going . Nope, same 23.

Wasting time on a forum was much more fun when we were shite.

[Tichtheid]

I read that there are no injuries from the 23 from last week, I can't see many changes coming for this week

[Slick]

Good luck dropping IrnDu McMerwe or Majestic Maitland. And Darcy is not a natural sub given he's an out-and-out winger.

Was just trying to keep the chat going . Nope, same 23.

Wasting time on a forum was much more fun when we were shite.

Potentially just another 3 days to hang on

[Jock42]

As much as I'd like to see Darcy playing you can't drop Maitland after that performance. Don't think you could drop anyone tbh. So same 23.

Edit: it must be about a month since he's played now no? Game against dragons for a hat trick good warm up

[SaintK]

I read that there are no injuries from the 23 from last week, I can't see many changes coming for this week

Why change a team that played so well anyway?

[Slick]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

[Big D]

I read that there are no injuries from the 23 from last week, I can't see many changes coming for this week

That is good news. Was worried when Ritchie went off injured. Or I assume he was injured given it meant a lock at 6.

[Jock42]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

There will be plenty of time for that. This is Scotland we're talking about after all.

[clydecloggie]

I read that there are no injuries from the 23 from last week, I can't see many changes coming for this week

That is good news. Was worried when Ritchie went off injured. Or I assume he was injured given it meant a lock at 6.

Richie Gray came on for Jamie Ritchie before Gary Graham came on, so must have been a tactical decision.

[robmatic]

I thought Ritchie came off because he was knackered after not having played for a while.

[Jock42]

Has it been mentioned that Adamson has his first 6N match as ref and Davidson her first pro14?

[Openside]

Me and my mate got to our seats 6 minutes late for that game. Asked the guy next to me what was up with the scoreboard. Then they scored the third one. We left.

I played one of the Scotland players that day into our golf club he wasn't happy to talk about that match.

Was it Godman and, if so, did he make it past the ladies tee?

No - I didn't want to say as he deserves his privacy. Very nice chap indeed. We also have the son of a great Scotland back row who I played in and as soon as I found out who he was I said "I have your fathers autograph in a book somewhere at home (in my defence I was about 6) you are definitely in "

[Openside]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

Also Faletau doesn't seem to be anywhere near as influential as he was.

[clydecloggie]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

Also Faletau doesn't seem to be anywhere near as influential as he was.

You'd think the starting back row for Wales will be Navidi, Tipuric, Faletau. That's proper quality. But Navidi is no better than Ritchie, Tipuric is immense but so is Watson, and Faletau is not the player he was - perhaps not to the extent of a Billy Vunipola, but still not the sort of Alldritt-level nr 8 that Scotland finds impossible to handle. So the back row may not be a clear win to Scotland, I don't expect them to come second this Saturday.

In the tight five, I think Scotland has a clear advantage. Especially since Wales have a really poor line out just now.

[TheNatalShark]

I thought Ritchie came off because he was knackered after not having played for a while.

Ritchie looked absolutely exhausted

[Slick]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

Also Faletau doesn't seem to be anywhere near as influential as he was.

You'd think the starting back row for Wales will be Navidi, Tipuric, Faletau. That's proper quality. But Navidi is no better than Ritchie, Tipuric is immense but so is Watson, and Faletau is not the player he was - perhaps not to the extent of a Billy Vunipola, but still not the sort of Alldritt-level nr 8 that Scotland finds impossible to handle. So the back row may not be a clear win to Scotland, I don't expect them to come second this Saturday.

In the tight five, I think Scotland has a clear advantage. Especially since Wales have a really poor line out just now.

Agree with all of this. That is still a quality back row and as I said elsewhere, AWJ seemed to be back to form after a creaky autumn, but we should still be fairly comfortable up front. They actually a potentially really good back line that will surprise someone, some day, but I don't think it will be on Saturday.

[The Party Line]

I can feel the beginnings of Belief that we are a good team but the acid tests are coming, on current form we should beat Wales this weekend, I feel comfortable saying that but not comfortable believing it and that is progress of sorts....

I don't yet feel I can say the same when talking about playing Ireland, they have a better top 6 inches and despite their apparent stagnant malaise and age they are never, ever, really as poor as I hope they are going to be. Dirty tricks done dirt cheap is their theme tune and I don't yet believe we have the answer to their power and skulduggery. We have, however, shown that we can answer a power game so you never know... I am more hopeful than I have been in the past and that is progress of sorts.....

France, MEH, and I ay that advisedly they will either be sublime and we didn't have a F*ckin' hope or we will match them for power and guile. Something I think we are better at than Power and skulduggery but it's in Paris so genuine Hope more than expectation and that is progress of sorts.

I'll stick my neck out and say that I expect to Beat Italy and that is progress....

As it stands right now I' would take you hand off for a Triple Crown, regardless of winning margins and in the mix for the title/ second place after points difference.

[Big D]

I read that there are no injuries from the 23 from last week, I can't see many changes coming for this week

That is good news. Was worried when Ritchie went off injured. Or I assume he was injured given it meant a lock at 6.

Richie Gray came on for Jamie Ritchie before Gary Graham came on, so must have been a tactical decision.

Graham was definitely on the field. He was on about 90sec before which made me think "injury".

[Big D]

In all seriousness, maybe Gary Graham. Would be tremendously harsh on Fagerson but that's about the only possibility. In saying that, Wales don't seem a massive backrow so maybe it's just the type of game for Fagerson. Either way, would like to see Graham get a little more game time.

Also Faletau doesn't seem to be anywhere near as influential as he was.

You'd think the starting back row for Wales will be Navidi, Tipuric, Faletau. That's proper quality. But Navidi is no better than Ritchie, Tipuric is immense but so is Watson, and Faletau is not the player he was - perhaps not to the extent of a Billy Vunipola, but still not the sort of Alldritt-level nr 8 that Scotland finds impossible to handle. So the back row may not be a clear win to Scotland, I don't expect them to come second this Saturday.

In the tight five, I think Scotland has a clear advantage. Especially since Wales have a really poor line out just now.

Where Tipuric does something that our lads can't is the open field stuff. He has the best handling skills amongst the home nations back rows.

This is the type of game Ritchie and Watson should be looking to get on top early and dominate.

[Big D]

I thought Ritchie came off because he was knackered after not having played for a while.

Ritchie looked absolutely exhausted

Yeah, it was just the timing that seemed odd. Why bring Fagerson off a min or two earlier if Ritchie was blowing out his hoop.

[robmatic]

I see rumours on FB that Ritchie is out for the Wales game. Graham to come in?

[KingBlairhorn]

I see rumours on FB that Ritchie is out for the Wales game. Graham to come in?

That seems to be the consensus. Who benches, Blade? You would expect him to want to turn it on against his teammates.

[robmatic]

I see rumours on FB that Ritchie is out for the Wales game. Graham to come in?

That seems to be the consensus. Who benches, Blade? You would expect him to want to turn it on against his teammates.

He needs to turn it on at some point for Scotland.

[Slick]

I see rumours on FB that Ritchie is out for the Wales game. Graham to come in?

Do we know what's wrong with him? He has given a couple of interviews this week without mentioning anything.

I see North is out for Wales. Thought he had a decent game on Sunday.

[Begbie]

@thistlerugbypod
Team announcement lunchtime
Pod recording tonight

For what it is worth, we hear Ritchie is being given until the last last minute to see if he is fit.

Blade’s experience of playing with Ken Owens at Scarlets being considered a big upside if Jamie doesn’t make it

Bit more on Ritchie. No idea what the injury is though.

[Big D]

I would be considering Alex Craig on the blind side. I would fall on the side of not picking him but he has played 6 for Gloucs and would help put real pressure on their line out too.

[GogLais]

and would help put real pressure on their line out too.

Thanks but there's no need, we can do that perfectly well ourselves.

[clydecloggie]

Injuries to Ritchie, Redpath and Maitland mean three changes.

[Begbie]

How very Scottish of Redpath to be injured already.

Blade...meh, as usual.

[Tichtheid]

Redpath had such a good game last week that already he is going to be considered a big miss.

Graham for Maitland is okay, Thomson for Ritchie less so.

[clydecloggie]

How very Scottish of Redpath to be injured already.

Blade...meh, as usual.

Very good in the line out. Not much of a ball carrier but if Watson and Matt Fagerson repeat their performance that will not be missed.