The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[charltom]

Yes we got one first minute of the England game after Itoje's first chargedown and Hill flopped onto the resulting ruck.

Nah. Different offence, opposite end of the match, so that's not one of "those calls".

Off feet at ruck is the same offence and if England scored a try in the first minute the game is totally different.

This woe is me attitude to Scotland and refereeing is just silly.

In what world is off feet at ruck the same offence as tackled without the ball?

[charltom]

Off feet at ruck is the same offence and if England scored a try in the first minute the game is totally different.

This woe is me attitude to Scotland and refereeing is just silly.

Social media has turned everyone in to a citing officer. You see it after almost every single game now, it's really tedious.

During the game I'm as bad as anyone, but it's like calling "FFS Ref" from the side of the pitch. Afterwards, cold light of day etc, it's very rare that a loss is down to anything other than our own mistakes.

It is ALWAYS down to a combination of factors, including mistakes by both players and ref. Tp pretend otherwise is to over-simplify.

[Yr Alban]

Re the Hogg, Williams incident at the end, it was undoubtedly a penalty but I don’t think Hogg was complaining about that. He got up and joined the ruck without a word then only started appealing after someone on the other side of the ruck started shouting about something.

Was thinking about this - of course Hogg got up and joined the ruck. You have to play to the whistle, and it was broken play. It wasn’t a ‘scrum half waving his arms, yelling at the ref and pointing at the scrum’ situation.

The question is why the ref didn’t ask for a TMO review?

[Big D]

It is ALWAYS down to a combination of factors, including mistakes by both players and ref. Tp pretend otherwise is to over-simplify.

That may be true, but more often than not as was obviously the case on Saturday, it was Scotland shooting themselves in the foot (and Wales doing enough to get the job done).

Even allowing for the collective shitting of the bed, with 77mins on the clock we had a good chance to work a penalty. I still can't get my head around Price kicking that ball away.

[Slick]

Re the Hogg, Williams incident at the end, it was undoubtedly a penalty but I don’t think Hogg was complaining about that. He got up and joined the ruck without a word then only started appealing after someone on the other side of the ruck started shouting about something.

Was thinking about this - of course Hogg got up and joined the ruck. You have to play to the whistle, and it was broken play. It wasn’t a ‘scrum half waving his arms, yelling at the ref and pointing at the scrum’ situation.

The question is why the ref didn’t ask for a TMO review?

My point is that I don’t think even Hogg realised he had been tackled at the time. I also think the timing of the incident was unlucky, had there been time on the clock the TMO may well have had a look but from what I can see the Welsh booted it out, no one from Scotland had said anything to the ref so he blew up and that’s that.

[Yr Alban]

Re the Hogg, Williams incident at the end, it was undoubtedly a penalty but I don’t think Hogg was complaining about that. He got up and joined the ruck without a word then only started appealing after someone on the other side of the ruck started shouting about something.

Was thinking about this - of course Hogg got up and joined the ruck. You have to play to the whistle, and it was broken play. It wasn’t a ‘scrum half waving his arms, yelling at the ref and pointing at the scrum’ situation.

The question is why the ref didn’t ask for a TMO review?

My point is that I don’t think even Hogg realised he had been tackled at the time. I also think the timing of the incident was unlucky, had there been time on the clock the TMO may well have had a look but from what I can see the Welsh booted it out, no one from Scotland had said anything to the ref so he blew up and that’s that.

The whole incident is over in a couple of seconds and they're mainlining adrenaline. Wouldn't especially surprise me if he didn't notice in the moment, given that the net effect was only enough to slow him down enough so he couldn't gather the ball. Shame that none of the refereeing team saw it though.

[Biffer]

The key moment for me was the butchering of the third try by Price / Cummings / Graham. Whether the pass was to the wrong guy (it's on Price), a stupid blocking line (it's on Cummings) or the third player should never have got in the way of a tried and tested Glasgow move (it's on Graham), I don't know - but at 24-8 that game is done and dusted. They also had multiple penalties right under the sticks in the build up. To come out of that with 0 points was the killer.

The red card was harsh, the final play should have resulted in a Scotland penalty - all true. But after that moment where it didn't go to 24-8, Wales were on top for the rest of the match. The Hogg try was a bonus.

Firmly on Price for me. You can see Cummings was a bit FFS when I didn’t come to him, and Graham was in the right place to bind to Cummings and drive him over.

[Begbie]

Any word on Chib/ squad updates yet?

[clydecloggie]

Any word on Chib/ squad updates yet?

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

[Begbie]

Any word on Chib/ squad updates yet?

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

[Slick]

Any word on Chib/ squad updates yet?

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

I'm trying to stay positive about this. There is a very good team there.

Trying.

[I like neeps]

Any word on Chib/ squad updates yet?

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

[Slick]

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do wonder if there is a lack of confidence in Finn's kicking. I looked at the team before the England game and thought there was a lack of a goalkicker. Not sure whats Finns stats are (I think actually quite good) but he doesn't inspire confidence in me with that part of his game.

[C T]

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do wonder if there is a lack of confidence in Finn's kicking. I looked at the team before the England game and thought there was a lack of a goalkicker. Not sure whats Finns stats are (I think actually quite good) but he doesn't inspire confidence in me with that part of his game.

Oddly when he's out on the touchline I feel confident but anything other than that and infront of the posts and I'm nervous.

[Big D]

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do wonder if there is a lack of confidence in Finn's kicking. I looked at the team before the England game and thought there was a lack of a goalkicker. Not sure whats Finns stats are (I think actually quite good) but he doesn't inspire confidence in me with that part of his game.

Finn is always going to be rusty in week 1 after not kicking for Racing. His kicking for Scotland has mostly been good other than the 1st international after not kicking for Metro,

I think Hogg has captained pretty well and the side are right behind him. Hogg is following the attacking methods that Exeter employ. To be honest I have no issues with it, off the top of my head on Saturday there were 2 series of penalties we knocked back guaranteed points and one of those led to a try and the other should have. Price picked the wrong pass and/or Cummings and Graham got in the way of each other. But for that fairly inexcusable error we'd have been in a very strong position.

A couple were wide and closer to half way than the 22. The lack of attacking pattern in the opposition 22 other than pick and go is mostly poor though. We have often looked toothless in attacking positions.

[Jock42]

In somewhat bitter sweet news. Mini Murrayfield is complete.

[Blackmac]

In somewhat bitter sweet news. Mini Murrayfield is complete.

It's good news but if I was being picky I would be happier if our new "permanent" home didn't look as if it could be quickly carted away by a team of scaffolders and a few lorries.

[Yr Alban]

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do wonder if there is a lack of confidence in Finn's kicking. I looked at the team before the England game and thought there was a lack of a goalkicker. Not sure whats Finns stats are (I think actually quite good) but he doesn't inspire confidence in me with that part of his game.

Finn is always going to be rusty in week 1 after not kicking for Racing. His kicking for Scotland has mostly been good other than the 1st international after not kicking for Metro,

I think Hogg has captained pretty well and the side are right behind him. Hogg is following the attacking methods that Exeter employ. To be honest I have no issues with it, off the top of my head on Saturday there were 2 series of penalties we knocked back guaranteed points and one of those led to a try and the other should have. Price picked the wrong pass and/or Cummings and Graham got in the way of each other. But for that fairly inexcusable error we'd have been in a very strong position.

A couple were wide and closer to half way than the 22. The lack of attacking pattern in the opposition 22 other than pick and go is mostly poor though. We have often looked toothless in attacking positions.

Finn’s kicking was flawless against Wales. I don’t think he missed once?

If you don’t take the 3 points when they are on offer, it’s the right decision if you score a try and the wrong decision if you don’t. The problem is that although one instance led to a try and the other ‘should have’, that’s still a 50% success rate at the end of the day. Our rate for converting these opportunities isn’t high enough to be passing up the chances to kick. We have to find a way of converting pressure into points, and if that means kicking teams to death, so be it. Ironically, we used to be better at this because we were hopeless at scoring tries and had to grind out wins through forward power and Paterson’s (occasionally Parks’s) boot.

We all want to see running rugby and tries. But if playing the percentages and playing pragmatic and cynical rugby will win us more games, I say we give it a shot.

[clydecloggie]

Toonie probably went on a 4-day bender and will re-emerge sometime next week to wave the France match through under a 'nothing matters anymore' mind set.

I know I would. Roughly 130 minutes of sublime rugby to start the 6 Nations and then have your players shit the bed for half an hour to sink back into the crap Scotland swamp - it would drive a lesser man to the bottle.

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do think Townsend is blameless in this, in particular re point two. They were undisciplined for the first five minutes, after that they had Wales on toast and were cruising to the win. That changed first when the Cummings/Graham try was butchered and then decisively when Fagerson got carded. Neither of those incidents fall on Toonie.

There may be a bit of shared blame on point one, but I would think it's more likely the decision to go for scrums rather than points was entirely on-field between Hogg, Russell and whoever the forwards captain is (Gray? Watson?).

[Big D]

I do wonder if there is a lack of confidence in Finn's kicking. I looked at the team before the England game and thought there was a lack of a goalkicker. Not sure whats Finns stats are (I think actually quite good) but he doesn't inspire confidence in me with that part of his game.

Finn is always going to be rusty in week 1 after not kicking for Racing. His kicking for Scotland has mostly been good other than the 1st international after not kicking for Metro,

I think Hogg has captained pretty well and the side are right behind him. Hogg is following the attacking methods that Exeter employ. To be honest I have no issues with it, off the top of my head on Saturday there were 2 series of penalties we knocked back guaranteed points and one of those led to a try and the other should have. Price picked the wrong pass and/or Cummings and Graham got in the way of each other. But for that fairly inexcusable error we'd have been in a very strong position.

A couple were wide and closer to half way than the 22. The lack of attacking pattern in the opposition 22 other than pick and go is mostly poor though. We have often looked toothless in attacking positions.

Finn’s kicking was flawless against Wales. I don’t think he missed once?

If you don’t take the 3 points when they are on offer, it’s the right decision if you score a try and the wrong decision if you don’t. The problem is that although one instance led to a try and the other ‘should have’, that’s still a 50% success rate at the end of the day. Our rate for converting these opportunities isn’t high enough to be passing up the chances to kick. We have to find a way of converting pressure into points, and if that means kicking teams to death, so be it. Ironically, we used to be better at this because we were hopeless at scoring tries and had to grind out wins through forward power and Paterson’s (occasionally Parks’s) boot.

We all want to see running rugby and tries. But if playing the percentages and playing pragmatic and cynical rugby will win us more games, I say we give it a shot.

As I say the two that are at front of mind as being guaranteed 3s were those two, the other one or two from memory were further out and one on the angle would have been at the edge of Finns range.

Turning down two kickable penalties and coming away with 7 is still greater than kicking two penalties. The second decision was a no brainer with 14 men and some ascendency in the scrum at that point. We have seen before that kicking penalties and trying to hold on barely works for Scotland especially with 14 men.

The first decision in the second half is skewed because of what came after it with Fagerson doing an impression of a missile but at the time we were under pressure and Wales were building momentum and 3 points wouldn't have really stemmed that momentum.

It is also too simplistic as some are saying that not taking one of the 3's lost us the game. The game would have unfolded differently after the red card and Wales would have approached the closing minutes in a different manner.

[Tichtheid]

Minifield is now officially complete

https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... id=1&pid=1

[Jock42]

In somewhat bitter sweet news. Mini Murrayfield is complete.

It's good news but if I was being picky I would be happier if our new "permanent" home didn't look as if it could be quickly carted away by a team of scaffolders and a few lorries.

I think it looks ok but I suppose thats part of the point of it that they can deconstruct stands to build newer stands if needs be.

[Blackmac]

In somewhat bitter sweet news. Mini Murrayfield is complete.

It's good news but if I was being picky I would be happier if our new "permanent" home didn't look as if it could be quickly carted away by a team of scaffolders and a few lorries.

I think it looks ok but I suppose thats part of the point of it that they can deconstruct stands to build newer stands if needs be.

That would be great, but is very optimistic. Even in our best years we have struggled to achieve 6000 averages so I would imagine 7800 will be grand for a while.

[Jock42]

It's good news but if I was being picky I would be happier if our new "permanent" home didn't look as if it could be quickly carted away by a team of scaffolders and a few lorries.

I think it looks ok but I suppose thats part of the point of it that they can deconstruct stands to build newer stands if needs be.

That would be great, but is very optimistic. Even in our best years we have struggled to achieve 6000 averages so I would imagine 7800 will be grand for a while.

Absolutely but I think (could be wrong) they plan to upgrade each stand anyway to something more permanent.

[I like neeps]

Aye, if he had any hair left he'd be pulling it out in clumps.

How is Townsend blameless?

Point one - they didn't kick sticks at Twickenham either. A smart coach would say - Hogg, Russell kick the points when you can. Build a lead or it'll cost us.

Point two - the team were sloppy and illdisciplined from minute one. Against England they were really focused and on it from the first minute. What's the difference? Didn't take this game as seriously?

Townsend needs to sit Hogg down and tell him - kick the points. And then he needs to have his team as disciplined as they were Vs England.

I do think Townsend is blameless in this, in particular re point two. They were undisciplined for the first five minutes, after that they had Wales on toast and were cruising to the win. That changed first when the Cummings/Graham try was butchered and then decisively when Fagerson got carded. Neither of those incidents fall on Toonie.

There may be a bit of shared blame on point one, but I would think it's more likely the decision to go for scrums rather than points was entirely on-field between Hogg, Russell and whoever the forwards captain is (Gray? Watson?).

No it didn't.

It changed just before halftime when they went for the corner instead of kicking a goal and decided to go pick and go - or Sutherland taking a pop and running into Wyn Jones, AWJ with Gary Graham as his only support and then give penalty after penalty after penalty until Wales scored a try and it's game on.

First 10 minutes sets the tone also.

[mos_eisely_]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

[fishfoodie]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

It might be the Disciplinary Committee pointing out that Z was too thick to get the message from the previous week; but that only holds if they continue in the same vein for the remaining weeks; which I would hope to see.

[Jock42]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

Fucking typical

[Soapy]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

They’ve got to appeal that. There is no rationale for the suspension to be longer than O’Mahoney’s.

[Yr Alban]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

It’s just barking mad that Fagerson gets a longer ban than POM if you have seen both incidents. It was being suggested on Twitter that Fagerson wouldn’t admit that the offence merited a sending off, which if true is presumably why. It’s a travesty if you get a longer ban for sticking up for yourself though.

[Big D]

So Zander refuses to agree it was a red card and is banned for 4 weeks. Honest to fuck, no common sense at all.

[Tichtheid]

So Zander refuses to agree it was a red card and is banned for 4 weeks. Honest to fuck, no common sense at all.

He didn’t even challenge that it was foul play, he only argued mitigation and that it merited a yellow rather than red.

That this leads to a more severe sanction suggests to me that the whole process needs to be open and transparent.

[KingBlairhorn]

On Zander not admitting guilt, I can only assume it was a roll of the dice. They knew the minimum he would get was 3 weeks (maximum reduction is 50%, minimum entry point is 6 weeks) which puts him out of the tournament anyway. Plead innocence and hope for no ban was the alternative.

Pretty stupid if you ask me, a bit like Zander going in for a no arms diving clearout in the first place. Our scrum in successive weeks versus France then Ireland cornerstoned by a 34 year old Nel or a prop who is weak in the set piece, byebye optimism, 5th place again

[I like neeps]

On Zander not admitting guilt, I can only assume it was a roll of the dice. They knew the minimum he would get was 3 weeks (maximum reduction is 50%, minimum entry point is 6 weeks) which puts him out of the tournament anyway. Plead innocence and hope for no ban was the alternative.

Pretty stupid if you ask me, a bit like Zander going in for a no arms diving clearout in the first place. Our scrum in successive weeks versus France then Ireland cornerstoned by a 34 year old Nel or a prop who is weak in the set piece, byebye optimism, 5th place again

This is a good point - good old roll of the dice.

Also Nel has really been on a game lately he's putting looseheads on toast at every opportunity. We lose in the loose but in the scrum we're okay.

[Big D]

So Zander refuses to agree it was a red card and is banned for 4 weeks. Honest to fuck, no common sense at all.

He didn’t even challenge that it was foul play, he only argued mitigation and that it merited a yellow rather than red.

That this leads to a more severe sanction suggests to me that the whole process needs to be open and transparent.

It's the same as it has always been. People who go in and say sorry and admit fault get the lowest sanction.

Fagerson has completely failed to read the mood of the lawmakers by challenging that this wasn't a red. They are trying to stamp this out the game, the hearing was never going to agree with him.

[Slick]

Have to say, I'm still feeling pretty beaten up from Saturday. Don't have the energy to get annoyed about Fagerson or any of it at the moment.

[Yr Alban]

Have to say, I'm still feeling pretty beaten up from Saturday. Don't have the energy to get annoyed about Fagerson or any of it at the moment.

I was in a properly foul mood for 2 days. Didn’t even want to think about it. Fortunately that has now lifted, and I’m back to my usual manageable pessimism. I think it was a sort of mini-grief reaction because after we were so good in the England game, I had got my hopes up rather higher than usual, only for them to be dashed immediately (and by Wales, who I am seriously fed up losing to).

[GogLais]

4 weeks for Zander, which is one more than POM got, for what seemed to be a worse offence.

Did Zander take along the wrong biscuits?

The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including his admission of foul play, good disciplinary record and remorse). Mr Fagerson is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he will miss the three Scotland matches in the Guinness Six Nations Championship against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined. He was reminded of his right of appeal.

It’s just barking mad that Fagerson gets a longer ban than POM if you have seen both incidents. It was being suggested on Twitter that Fagerson wouldn’t admit that the offence merited a sending off, which if true is presumably why. It’s a travesty if you get a longer ban for sticking up for yourself though.

I agree it seems harsh, I assumed they must have decided that POM is a 50% better person. FWIW you'll get mitigation in a court of law if you plead guilty won't you?

[clydecloggie]

Have to say, I'm still feeling pretty beaten up from Saturday. Don't have the energy to get annoyed about Fagerson or any of it at the moment.

I was in a properly foul mood for 2 days. Didn’t even want to think about it. Fortunately that has now lifted, and I’m back to my usual manageable pessimism. I think it was a sort of mini-grief reaction because after we were so good in the England game, I had got my hopes up rather higher than usual, only for them to be dashed immediately (and by Wales, who I am seriously fed up losing to).

Roughly the same here. I was in full denial for a few days. Still consumed by disbelief but hey ho, onwards.

There's no chance in hell of a result in Paris and with Ireland I don't have The Fear but The Resignation - somehow they'll beat us as our upstanding RugbyValues(TM) lads just can't deal with Irish-level shithousery.

So a 2-win 6N most likely which is well below the potential of this team.

[Tichtheid]

Ritchie will be back for France, Maitland will be available too. With a bit of luck we’ll see Redpath back, if not for France then for Ireland.

Nel is still our best scrummager, I’m not too bad outlook-wise atm.