The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[westport]

They have just put a video on faceache and it looks not too bad

[Caley_Red]

We haven't really been wooden spoon contenders for the last few years, so I agree the transition is actually well on its way.

Realistically, Wales are going to hit a lean patch. Their sustained success under Gatland was a minor miracle, it'd be a full sainthood qualifier if Pivac managed to keep going at that level. Unfortunately France seem to be building nicely, but we still have their measure at Murrayfield at least.

I can see us being in the reckoning in a year where we play England and France at home and get results against them, and win away in Cardiff and Rome.

Which goes against the orthodoxy of winning in a triple home game season, but i can't see us winning a championship with away games in Twickenham and Paris.

So here's to Scotland, 2022 Six Nations Winners*.

(* OK ,so we came second in the 7N but the Springboks are in a different league, doesn't really count).

Remember Wales in '04? Remember what happeend in '05? We can definitely win if things fall into place for us but it will require us to win in Cardiff, London or Dublin every other year to have a chance.
I am still not convinced that GT is the man for the job and post-WC, I was rather hoping that the SRU would try and recruit Scott Robertson after he was bizarrely snubbed for the ABs job. This year was promising (but yet we lost to England at home) but it would require a win in Cardiff to change my opinion on GT and, sadly, it looks like that game will never be played.

[Jock42]

They have just put a video on faceache and it looks not too bad

Yeah it looks decent although smaller than I'd envisaged for nearly 8k.

[Caley_Red]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

[Biffer]

They have just put a video on faceache and it looks not too bad

Yeah it looks decent although smaller than I'd envisaged for nearly 8k.

About 2000 of it is standing.

[KingBlairhorn]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

[Slick]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

I've been a critic of Maitland in the past, but the last couple of seasons he has been outstanding IMO, a calm head with lots of young talent around him.

[clydecloggie]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

I've been a critic of Maitland in the past, but the last couple of seasons he has been outstanding IMO, a calm head with lots of young talent around him.

I agree. For me Maitland is first choice, no debate. Excellent positioning - he's not a flash eye-catching winger but that's because he doesn't need to do outrageous things to be in the right place at the right time.

[The Party Line]

As I understand it there have either been some new riles or a strict interpretation of the existing rules around the Breakdown in the Competitions currently running in the Southern Hemisphere. Are these rule changes coming here and might they benefit the Scottish Sides.? If I look at Leinster's current style of play, it appears to be based around absolutely annihilating the contact area. This is enormously successful for them and is leading them to dominate all comers. Although the Scottish sides appear to be coming more savvy I was, for years in despair as what appeared to be, and near in mind this is relative not absolute, earnest and hard working Scottish sides lost out to 'Streetwise' opponents.

[clydecloggie]

As I understand it there have either been some new riles or a strict interpretation of the existing rules around the Breakdown in the Competitions currently running in the Southern Hemisphere. Are these rule changes coming here and might they benefit the Scottish Sides.? If I look at Leinster's current style of play, it appears to be based around absolutely annihilating the contact area. This is enormously successful for them and is leading them to dominate all comers. Although the Scottish sides appear to be coming more savvy I was, for years in despair as what appeared to be, and near in mind this is relative not absolute, earnest and hard working Scottish sides lost out to 'Streetwise' opponents.

I've been watching the SR Aotearoa matches, and in week 1 'strict enforcement of the breakdown laws' was actually presented as a rules change . First few weeks matches averaged 30+ penalties, the majority for breakdown stuff that would have previously gone unpunished - flying into rucks was consistently penalised as going off feet for instance. A really positive change, although Ben O'Keeffe was markedly more lenient last Saturday.

I agree if this happens over here, the Irish are fucked as it is the bedrock of their style of play to physically dominate the breakdown by stretching the laws beyond their intended limits.

For balance, the jackal is made more difficult as you're not allowed to have your hands touch the ground beyond the ball and then rake them back in. You have to place them on the ball straightaway.

[Slick]

As I understand it there have either been some new riles or a strict interpretation of the existing rules around the Breakdown in the Competitions currently running in the Southern Hemisphere. Are these rule changes coming here and might they benefit the Scottish Sides.? If I look at Leinster's current style of play, it appears to be based around absolutely annihilating the contact area. This is enormously successful for them and is leading them to dominate all comers. Although the Scottish sides appear to be coming more savvy I was, for years in despair as what appeared to be, and near in mind this is relative not absolute, earnest and hard working Scottish sides lost out to 'Streetwise' opponents.

I've been watching the SR Aotearoa matches, and in week 1 'strict enforcement of the breakdown laws' was actually presented as a rules change . First few weeks matches averaged 30+ penalties, the majority for breakdown stuff that would have previously gone unpunished - flying into rucks was consistently penalised as going off feet for instance. A really positive change, although Ben O'Keeffe was markedly more lenient last Saturday.

I agree if this happens over here, the Irish are fucked as it is the bedrock of their style of play to physically dominate the breakdown by stretching the laws beyond their intended limits.

For balance, the jackal is made more difficult as you're not allowed to have your hands touch the ground beyond the ball and then rake them back in. You have to place them on the ball straightaway.

This may be bollocks, but it does seem to me that we as a rugby nation are always very good at the technical side of rugby, perhaps as a consequence of having to be to compete, but if we come up against "streetwise" teams we can't change that style. Give us a set of laws that will be officiated properly and we have a much better chance.

[Biffer]

As I understand it there have either been some new riles or a strict interpretation of the existing rules around the Breakdown in the Competitions currently running in the Southern Hemisphere. Are these rule changes coming here and might they benefit the Scottish Sides.? If I look at Leinster's current style of play, it appears to be based around absolutely annihilating the contact area. This is enormously successful for them and is leading them to dominate all comers. Although the Scottish sides appear to be coming more savvy I was, for years in despair as what appeared to be, and near in mind this is relative not absolute, earnest and hard working Scottish sides lost out to 'Streetwise' opponents.

I've been watching the SR Aotearoa matches, and in week 1 'strict enforcement of the breakdown laws' was actually presented as a rules change . First few weeks matches averaged 30+ penalties, the majority for breakdown stuff that would have previously gone unpunished - flying into rucks was consistently penalised as going off feet for instance. A really positive change, although Ben O'Keeffe was markedly more lenient last Saturday.

I agree if this happens over here, the Irish are fucked as it is the bedrock of their style of play to physically dominate the breakdown by stretching the laws beyond their intended limits.

For balance, the jackal is made more difficult as you're not allowed to have your hands touch the ground beyond the ball and then rake them back in. You have to place them on the ball straightaway.

Yep. I really like the stricter interpretations and it will indeed fuck the Irish.

[robmatic]

As I understand it there have either been some new riles or a strict interpretation of the existing rules around the Breakdown in the Competitions currently running in the Southern Hemisphere. Are these rule changes coming here and might they benefit the Scottish Sides.? If I look at Leinster's current style of play, it appears to be based around absolutely annihilating the contact area. This is enormously successful for them and is leading them to dominate all comers. Although the Scottish sides appear to be coming more savvy I was, for years in despair as what appeared to be, and near in mind this is relative not absolute, earnest and hard working Scottish sides lost out to 'Streetwise' opponents.

Embra in the Cockerill era are generally quite 'smart' around the breakdown area, they might need a period to adjust if they start getting pinged for side entry etc. But then players like Richie and Watson might benefit if the opposition aren't flying in, and also the likes of Berghan are surprisingly good over the ball.

[KingBlairhorn]

I'll reserve judgement on it until it is actually implemented and stuck with for a prelonged period of time. World Rugby have a bit of a history of picking a certain law as flavour of the month and officiating hard against infringements, and then kind of just forgetting about it and letting everything go back to normal. See previous edicts on squint feeds for example.

[Biffer]

I'll reserve judgement on it until it is actually implemented and stuck with for a prelonged period of time. World Rugby have a bit of a history of picking a certain law as flavour of the month and officiating hard against infringements, and then kind of just forgetting about it and letting everything go back to normal. See previous edicts on squint feeds for example.

Too right. See 'This year we're cracking down on straight put ins at the scrum' as exhibit A. One penalty each team in the opening of the six nations and then it was forgotten about.

The big one for me is actually the offside line. The presumption has been changed - instead of a player needing to be clearly offside before they're called, they now need to be clearly onside or they will be called. Imagine giving Hogg, Russell, Graham and extra half yard on every attacking phase.

[charltom]

Hi all, charltom here. Name on PR was charltom. I like to make it easy for everyone...

Was on PR in the early 2000s, then lurked or ignored it for years, then returned several years ago but never got anywhere near the 1000s of posts.

Edinburgh fan who likes the weegie squad too; my kids have been born in Exeter and Northampton so will probably end up with different allegiances.

Can't believe how much more life there is here than there was the other week!

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

[Yr Alban]

Hi all, charltom here. Name on PR was charltom. I like to make it easy for everyone...

Was on PR in the early 2000s, then lurked or ignored it for years, then returned several years ago but never got anywhere near the 1000s of posts.

Edinburgh fan who likes the weegie squad too; my kids have been born in Exeter and Northampton so will probably end up with different allegiances.

Can't believe how much more life there is here than there was the other week!

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

My kids were born in Newcastle and York, and have grown up in Wales. No divided allegiances though! (It helps that the wife is Scots too, to be fair). My eldest takes a passing interest. The younger one doesn’t, though we all went to MF together about 18 months ago and I think he enjoyed it.

[Jock42]

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

If you request to join in the user control panel it'll be flagged up for ASMO to do the necessary

[Caley_Red]

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

I've been a critic of Maitland in the past, but the last couple of seasons he has been outstanding IMO, a calm head with lots of young talent around him.

I agree. For me Maitland is first choice, no debate. Excellent positioning - he's not a flash eye-catching winger but that's because he doesn't need to do outrageous things to be in the right place at the right time.

I think my point might be misconstrued here: Maitland would definitely be in my first choice XV normally but a year of playing against Championship opposition is going to erode his sharpness for test level. Never know, he may actually be considering international retirement and has factored that into his decision.

Anyone know what Duhan's defence is like? Have never seen him play live.

[dkm57]

From memory pretty good and full blooded, it would be a dumb opponent that kicked the ball to him in any space. Duhan, Darcy and Hoggy would be a tasty back 3. IMHO Kinghorn is caught between two stools decent enough but not 1st choice in either position yet.

[Slick]

From memory pretty good and full blooded, it would be a dumb opponent that kicked the ball to him in any space. Duhan, Darcy and Hoggy would be a tasty back 3. IMHO Kinghorn is caught between two stools decent enough but not 1st choice in either position yet.

Yes, Kinghorn is a strange one. That first couple of seasons his line breaks were extraordinary, just couldn't work out how such a big lad was doing it. Seems defences have figured him out to an extent. Also feel a bit sorry for him, in any other era he would be walking into the team in any position he chose, but good competition around at the moment.

In saying all that he is still very young and has already gained massive experience.

[Jock42]

Shit for Kinghorn but I think its great overall as he gets that bench spot every match as great back 3 cover.

[clydecloggie]

Shit for Kinghorn but I think its great overall as he gets that bench spot every match as great back 3 cover.

Aye, he's in the 23 pretty much every single time. And he'll get his starts as well. It's not at all certain that Duhan will take over from Maitland as first choice.

[robmatic]

From memory pretty good and full blooded, it would be a dumb opponent that kicked the ball to him in any space. Duhan, Darcy and Hoggy would be a tasty back 3. IMHO Kinghorn is caught between two stools decent enough but not 1st choice in either position yet.

Yes, Kinghorn is a strange one. That first couple of seasons his line breaks were extraordinary, just couldn't work out how such a big lad was doing it. Seems defences have figured him out to an extent. Also feel a bit sorry for him, in any other era he would be walking into the team in any position he chose, but good competition around at the moment.

In saying all that he is still very young and has already gained massive experience.

Hugo Southwell seems a good guy but he got 59 caps

And some of the wingers in that era were also dire.

[Biffer]

From memory pretty good and full blooded, it would be a dumb opponent that kicked the ball to him in any space. Duhan, Darcy and Hoggy would be a tasty back 3. IMHO Kinghorn is caught between two stools decent enough but not 1st choice in either position yet.

Yes, Kinghorn is a strange one. That first couple of seasons his line breaks were extraordinary, just couldn't work out how such a big lad was doing it. Seems defences have figured him out to an extent. Also feel a bit sorry for him, in any other era he would be walking into the team in any position he chose, but good competition around at the moment.

In saying all that he is still very young and has already gained massive experience.

Hugo Southwell seems a good guy but he got 59 caps

And some of the wingers in that era were also dire.

Yeah, got to remember that one of the reasons Hogg got capped at 19 was because our back three options were shite. Kinghorn and Graham are both 23, van der Merwe 25, ad there are some more promising lads coming through as well.

[robmatic]

Yes, Kinghorn is a strange one. That first couple of seasons his line breaks were extraordinary, just couldn't work out how such a big lad was doing it. Seems defences have figured him out to an extent. Also feel a bit sorry for him, in any other era he would be walking into the team in any position he chose, but good competition around at the moment.

In saying all that he is still very young and has already gained massive experience.

Hugo Southwell seems a good guy but he got 59 caps

And some of the wingers in that era were also dire.

Yeah, got to remember that one of the reasons Hogg got capped at 19 was because our back three options were shite. Kinghorn and Graham are both 23, van der Merwe 25, ad there are some more promising lads coming through as well.

I forget how young Kinghorn is, he's already been playing pretty consistently for Edinburgh for 5 years.

[KingBlairhorn]

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

If you request to join in the user control panel it'll be flagged up for ASMO to do the necessary

What does this mean?

[Biffer]

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

If you request to join in the user control panel it'll be flagged up for ASMO to do the necessary

What does this mean?

There are groups on the bored that you can be a member of - they're basically national groups, and the Scottish one is called the Bite, as in midges. It changes your username to a stylish blue. That's about it.

[ASMO]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

Darcy has totally underwhelmed at international level

[KingBlairhorn]

Maitland staying at Salarycens, disappointing for Scotland: won't play against the required quality to be international standard again.

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

Darcy has totally underwhelmed at international level

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

[KingBlairhorn]

If you request to join in the user control panel it'll be flagged up for ASMO to do the necessary

What does this mean?

There are groups on the bored that you can be a member of - they're basically national groups, and the Scottish one is called the Bite, as in midges. It changes your username to a stylish blue. That's about it.

Ta. Done.

[Slick]

We've picked from the Championship before. Maitland might struggle to get into the side though, as Darcy and Duhan will both be playing at a higher level, as will Kinghorn. If those 3 are fit a Championship Maitland might miss out. We've yet to see what a long-term fit Tagive can do too.

Darcy has totally underwhelmed at international level

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

ASMO, I'd have you banned for the idiocy of that comment if you didn't own the bored

Can anyone post the photo of Darcy riding the vanquished Englishers?

[Biffer]

Darcy has totally underwhelmed at international level

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

ASMO, I'd have you banned for the idiocy of that comment if you didn't own the bored

Can anyone post the photo of Darcy riding the vanquished Englishers?

This one?

[dkm57]

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

ASMO, I'd have you banned for the idiocy of that comment if you didn't own the bored

Can anyone post the photo of Darcy riding the vanquished Englishers?

This one?

[charltom]

Hi all, charltom here. Name on PR was charltom. I like to make it easy for everyone...

Was on PR in the early 2000s, then lurked or ignored it for years, then returned several years ago but never got anywhere near the 1000s of posts.

Edinburgh fan who likes the weegie squad too; my kids have been born in Exeter and Northampton so will probably end up with different allegiances.

Can't believe how much more life there is here than there was the other week!

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

My kids were born in Newcastle and York, and have grown up in Wales. No divided allegiances though! (It helps that the wife is Scots too, to be fair). My eldest takes a passing interest. The younger one doesn’t, though we all went to MF together about 18 months ago and I think he enjoyed it.

I meant club allegiances!

[Caley_Red]

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

ASMO, I'd have you banned for the idiocy of that comment if you didn't own the bored

Can anyone post the photo of Darcy riding the vanquished Englishers?

This one?

Never seen that pic before, fantastic

[Slick]

Not sure if serious...? 7 appearances, 5 tries (including two against England at HQ).

ASMO, I'd have you banned for the idiocy of that comment if you didn't own the bored

Can anyone post the photo of Darcy riding the vanquished Englishers?

This one?

That’s the one

[Yr Alban]

Hi all, charltom here. Name on PR was charltom. I like to make it easy for everyone...

Was on PR in the early 2000s, then lurked or ignored it for years, then returned several years ago but never got anywhere near the 1000s of posts.

Edinburgh fan who likes the weegie squad too; my kids have been born in Exeter and Northampton so will probably end up with different allegiances.

Can't believe how much more life there is here than there was the other week!

As for the Bite, I'm in (please).

My kids were born in Newcastle and York, and have grown up in Wales. No divided allegiances though! (It helps that the wife is Scots too, to be fair). My eldest takes a passing interest. The younger one doesn’t, though we all went to MF together about 18 months ago and I think he enjoyed it.

I meant club allegiances!

Sorry about that! Misread the post.

[I like neeps]

From memory pretty good and full blooded, it would be a dumb opponent that kicked the ball to him in any space. Duhan, Darcy and Hoggy would be a tasty back 3. IMHO Kinghorn is caught between two stools decent enough but not 1st choice in either position yet.

Yes, Kinghorn is a strange one. That first couple of seasons his line breaks were extraordinary, just couldn't work out how such a big lad was doing it. Seems defences have figured him out to an extent. Also feel a bit sorry for him, in any other era he would be walking into the team in any position he chose, but good competition around at the moment.

In saying all that he is still very young and has already gained massive experience.

I think Kinghorn is a victim of his and Edinburgh's success. When he started teams were fine kicking long to a 19 year old fullback with Fife/Brown/Scholars/whoever back there. Now they aren't fine with kicking long to Graham, Kinghorn and vdM with Mata occasionally deep too. So Kinghorn has less space to run into and presumably more contested kicks. I guess Edinburgh dominate field position and possession with Cockers too so that doesn't help the counter attacker he is.

[Northern Lights]

If you request to join in the user control panel it'll be flagged up for ASMO to do the necessary

What does this mean?

There are groups on the bored that you can be a member of - they're basically national groups, and the Scottish one is called the Bite, as in midges. It changes your username to a stylish blue. That's about it.

Did you not get the welcome pack?