The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Jock42]

Dobbie and Thompson era starts on Saturday.

[robmatic]

The questions I have with Townsend are why wasn't Turner hooked at half time?

Why can't we play the last 3 min of a game when 3 points down? It is utterly bizarre that we are kicking the ball away with 3 min to go in both games we have lost.

Mind numbing.

That’s the thing though, we all think it’s obvious but we ended up with 2 serious injuries in the pack and a young scrum half in the back row. If it was just a case of hooking off someone early doors for not playing great we would all be coaches

When a facet of play is debilitating to the extent it was then you need to take action before it costs you. We won 2 of 8 line outs and one of those was a really shabby effort.

There is a difference from hooking a player "only" because he's having a shocker to hooking him when his poor play is having a devastating impact to the whole team game plan.

For all the despair about Scotland just not being good enough etc. I think it would have been an entirely different result if the lineout had been functioning. Maybe Townsend doesn't rate Cherry because he's 'only' a solid pro, but if he had been on the pitch having a bang average game but hitting his jumpers the difference in territory and possession would have been massive.

[Yr Alban]

Dobbie and Thompson era starts on Saturday.

Nice thought, but I can’t see it happening. There’s a chance Thompson might make the bench, but Jaco VdW will be in to start and I suspect Toony will rely on Hogg or Lang for cover at 10.

Price will keep his spot, partly because there will be a less experienced 10 playing, but mainly because Toony is stubborn. Given that it’s Italy, giving Steele a start might not be a bad plan, although Italy will doubtless have saved up their one good performance for this game, as they usually do, but I can’t see a new 9 coming in at this stage.

[Soapy]

This is what I think. What I can’t understand is this: Wales have pro teams who are generally as mediocre as ours, and underperform at European level too. Yet they are a game away from a GS and we are nowhere. If this isn’t down to coaching, what is it?

Selection too.

In an era when we have options Townsend lasers in on perceived shortcomings of some players (Jones, Hutchinson) but ignores huge issues with the performance of others. And he seems to have a love affair with some very mediocre players who crumble under pressure when alternatives exist.

[I like neeps]

Dobbie and Thompson era starts on Saturday.

Nice thought, but I can’t see it happening. There’s a chance Thompson might make the bench, but Jaco VdW will be in to start and I suspect Toony will rely on Hogg or Lang for cover at 10.

Price will keep his spot, partly because there will be a less experienced 10 playing, but mainly because Toony is stubborn. Given that it’s Italy, giving Steele a start might not be a bad plan, although Italy will doubtless have saved up their one good performance for this game, as they usually do, but I can’t see a new 9 coming in at this stage.

Italy have been as bad as I've ever seen them in this tournament. Buuuuuuut a disheartened Scotland team with loads of key injuries and suspensions (hookers, starting and bench props, second rows, 10s, Redpath who is looking even better in his absence). If we don't win by 20 judging by what everyone else has done to Italy it's not good enough. But I might be watching the game from behind a sofa...

I think you have to play Dobie in this one. Maybe not from the start as the 10 will be VdW who is atrocious. Also I was very wrong on Thompson thought watching the 20s he wouldn't be good enough for club rugby but I can't see him being good enough at international level. I think Chamberlain is the future.

[clydecloggie]

Dobbie and Thompson era starts on Saturday.

Nice thought, but I can’t see it happening. There’s a chance Thompson might make the bench, but Jaco VdW will be in to start and I suspect Toony will rely on Hogg or Lang for cover at 10.

Price will keep his spot, partly because there will be a less experienced 10 playing, but mainly because Toony is stubborn. Given that it’s Italy, giving Steele a start might not be a bad plan, although Italy will doubtless have saved up their one good performance for this game, as they usually do, but I can’t see a new 9 coming in at this stage.

Italy have been as bad as I've ever seen them in this tournament. Buuuuuuut a disheartened Scotland team with loads of key injuries and suspensions (hookers, starting and bench props, second rows, 10s, Redpath who is looking even better in his absence). If we don't win by 20 judging by what everyone else has done to Italy it's not good enough. But I might be watching the game from behind a sofa...

I think you have to play Dobie in this one. Maybe not from the start as the 10 will be VdW who is atrocious. Also I was very wrong on Thompson thought watching the 20s he wouldn't be good enough for club rugby but I can't see him being good enough at international level. I think Chamberlain is the future.

I'd start Thompson on Saturday. He's looked to the manor born so far in his Glasgow appearances, Redpathesque one could say. Keep Price at 9, he's a good scrum half with experience which will be needed. Jones at 13. Skinner at lock definitely.

[Big D]

I think there is every chance they play Hogg at 10 and Jones into the starting XV. To be honest I think I'd be ok with that.

Price is either so incredibly thick or just panics in the last few minutes. Kicking the ball away, not even a chip like Hogg which was daft too, but actually kicking it away two matches in a row is just dense.

[Big D]

Back on the line out, Dalziel needs a long hard look at himself too. To know Ireland were going to target the line out and not have a few moves to combat it is questionable.

[clydecloggie]

I think there is every chance they play Hogg at 10 and Jones into the starting XV. To be honest I think I'd be ok with that.

Price is either so incredibly thick or just panics in the last few minutes. Kicking the ball away, not even a chip like Hogg which was daft too, but actually kicking it away two matches in a row is just dense.

Hogg is brilliant at loads of things, but is passing the ball one of them? Not something he needs to do that much as a 15. And the majority will be short passes during a backs move rather than longer distributing passes that a 10 has to give again and again.

[Big D]

I think there is every chance they play Hogg at 10 and Jones into the starting XV. To be honest I think I'd be ok with that.

Price is either so incredibly thick or just panics in the last few minutes. Kicking the ball away, not even a chip like Hogg which was daft too, but actually kicking it away two matches in a row is just dense.

Hogg is brilliant at loads of things, but is passing the ball one of them? Not something he needs to do that much as a 15. And the majority will be short passes during a backs move rather than longer distributing passes that a 10 has to give again and again.

I am not saying it is ideal but realistically it is him, Lang or VdW and I know which I'd rather see.

It would be far too early for Thompson or Chamberlain.

[Slick]

What's Gatland doing after the Lions?

Not coming to Scotland I hope.

Wouldn't have to put up with this piss if he did.

On reflection I might be coming round to this... I don't think I'm quite ready to ditch Townsend yet but I accept that might be an emotional response.

Thinking it over last night and this morning it struck me that I have started to accept that we are going to lose tight games. My wife actually came to check on me yesterday as I wasn't making my usual noise and all she had heard all match was a laugh. Even when we drew level I didn't get out of my seat, first reaction was "you know whats coming". And it did, although a little sooner than I was expecting.

We do seem to be quite unlucky with injuries and that affects us more than other teams but there is a bit missing and it has been missing for too long now, winning those tight games. I guess it is progress of a sort that we are making these games so close now that we would have lost by 10-15 points in years gone by, but again, it has stalled. Maybe we just have too many players that know they will not get dropped.

We need a bit of a fear factor and for all the good that Toony brings I don't get the impression that is there at all. You have a few players like Hogg, Watson, Ritchie, that will run through walls to win but maybe not enough of the others have that.

So, maybe we do need a Gatland like figure. What we also need is a player that the rest of the players are terrified of, a Martin Johnson, AWJ, Paul O'Connel. When was the last time we really had that sort of player, early 90's?

[I like neeps]

Not coming to Scotland I hope.

Wouldn't have to put up with this piss if he did.

On reflection I might be coming round to this... I don't think I'm quite ready to ditch Townsend yet but I accept that might be an emotional response.

Thinking it over last night and this morning it struck me that I have started to accept that we are going to lose tight games. My wife actually came to check on me yesterday as I wasn't making my usual noise and all she had heard all match was a laugh. Even when we drew level I didn't get out of my seat, first reaction was "you know whats coming". And it did, although a little sooner than I was expecting.

We do seem to be quite unlucky with injuries and that affects us more than other teams but there is a bit missing and it has been missing for too long now, winning those tight games. I guess it is progress of a sort that we are making these games so close now that we would have lost by 10-15 points in years gone by, but again, it has stalled. Maybe we just have too many players that know they will not get dropped.

We need a bit of a fear factor and for all the good that Toony brings I don't get the impression that is there at all. You have a few players like Hogg, Watson, Ritchie, that will run through walls to win but maybe not enough of the others have that.

So, maybe we do need a Gatland like figure. What we also need is a player that the rest of the players are terrified of, a Martin Johnson, AWJ, Paul O'Connel. When was the last time we really had that sort of player, early 90's?

Yes I think we all knew it was coming. The disappointment was how poor and sloppy we were for me.

The question I ask myself is do we continue to make the same mistakes, continue the mental fragility and continue the illdiscipline if Gatland is in charge?

I don't think we do.

[NorfolkScot]

Saturday was gutting, after the first 10 minutes there only looked like being 1 winner & we did well to battle our way back into the match but, we give away far too many points from the kick off & this is something that's happened time and time again. Combined with a woeful lineout & there was only ever going to be 1 winner on Saturday.

The injuries ought to force Toonie's hand - Skinner has to start against Italy and I don't see how he can avoid calling up both Dobie and Thompson. Even assuming VDW is fit, to train with only one recognised 10 in the squad is crazy. I think in an ideal world, Thompson would get another year or so to bed himself in as first choice at Glasgow but, we're in a break glass in case of emergency situation - he's been playing out of his skin and VDW is average and hasn't been playing. Even if he doesn't start, he should be on the bench. Dobie has also done more than enough to earn his chance - even against Italy I'd be wary about having both on the pitch at the same time so, I'd start one & bench the other. Townsend clearly doesn't trust Steele so why waste a bench spot on a 27 year old rather than an extremely promising 19 year old? Far better to give him the experience - same goes for Cherry, a solid 30 year old who isn't going to get any better, why not take a punt on Ashman?

We're down to 4th/5th choice at both 2 and 10, and, with Horne out, it's probably between Steele and Dobie for 3rd/4th choice, in all cases, I'd far rather see us take a punt on promising youngsters

[Big D]

Not coming to Scotland I hope.

Wouldn't have to put up with this piss if he did.

On reflection I might be coming round to this... I don't think I'm quite ready to ditch Townsend yet but I accept that might be an emotional response.

Thinking it over last night and this morning it struck me that I have started to accept that we are going to lose tight games. My wife actually came to check on me yesterday as I wasn't making my usual noise and all she had heard all match was a laugh. Even when we drew level I didn't get out of my seat, first reaction was "you know whats coming". And it did, although a little sooner than I was expecting.

We do seem to be quite unlucky with injuries and that affects us more than other teams but there is a bit missing and it has been missing for too long now, winning those tight games. I guess it is progress of a sort that we are making these games so close now that we would have lost by 10-15 points in years gone by, but again, it has stalled. Maybe we just have too many players that know they will not get dropped.

We need a bit of a fear factor and for all the good that Toony brings I don't get the impression that is there at all. You have a few players like Hogg, Watson, Ritchie, that will run through walls to win but maybe not enough of the others have that.

So, maybe we do need a Gatland like figure. What we also need is a player that the rest of the players are terrified of, a Martin Johnson, AWJ, Paul O'Connel. When was the last time we really had that sort of player, early 90's?

I do wonder whether GT is a bit "harder" behind closed doors than he seems, but I can't see a Gatland type standing for some of the mind numbing BS we see regularly. It will feel like I am picking on Price but he is the example front of mind:
1. If it wasn't for Hill flying off his feet v us at Twickenham, Price charge downs could have cost us two games.
2. We have been 3 points down in the last 3min of a game twice and he has kicked it away twice..

[Begbie]

Wouldn't have to put up with this piss if he did.

On reflection I might be coming round to this... I don't think I'm quite ready to ditch Townsend yet but I accept that might be an emotional response.

Thinking it over last night and this morning it struck me that I have started to accept that we are going to lose tight games. My wife actually came to check on me yesterday as I wasn't making my usual noise and all she had heard all match was a laugh. Even when we drew level I didn't get out of my seat, first reaction was "you know whats coming". And it did, although a little sooner than I was expecting.

We do seem to be quite unlucky with injuries and that affects us more than other teams but there is a bit missing and it has been missing for too long now, winning those tight games. I guess it is progress of a sort that we are making these games so close now that we would have lost by 10-15 points in years gone by, but again, it has stalled. Maybe we just have too many players that know they will not get dropped.

We need a bit of a fear factor and for all the good that Toony brings I don't get the impression that is there at all. You have a few players like Hogg, Watson, Ritchie, that will run through walls to win but maybe not enough of the others have that.

So, maybe we do need a Gatland like figure. What we also need is a player that the rest of the players are terrified of, a Martin Johnson, AWJ, Paul O'Connel. When was the last time we really had that sort of player, early 90's?

Yes I think we all knew it was coming. The disappointment was how poor and sloppy we were for me.

The question I ask myself is do we continue to make the same mistakes, continue the mental fragility and continue the illdiscipline if Gatland is in charge?

I don't think we do.

Turning this lot of serial underachievers in to a consistently good side would surely be the ideal challenge for a guy like him.

[Slick]

It’s also worth saying that although the line out was a horror show we also conceded 14 turnovers, the majority of them on the ground, that’s bloody rubbish.

I can’t remember a game where I got a feeling of dread every time we went into contact.

When we were hammering away at their line in the 2nd half I couldn’t understand why we weren’t taking the scrum option instead of a tap and allowing them to fan out. Every time we got the ball off a set piece we were getting through them in the backs. Seemed a bit daft although I appreciate scrums can be a bit of a lottery

[I like neeps]

It’s also worth saying that although the line out was a horror show we also conceded 14 turnovers, the majority of them on the ground, that’s bloody rubbish.

I can’t remember a game where I got a feeling of dread every time we went into contact.

When we were hammering away at their line in the 2nd half I couldn’t understand why we weren’t taking the scrum option instead of a tap and allowing them to fan out. Every time we got the ball off a set piece we were getting through them in the backs. Seemed a bit daft although I appreciate scrums can be a bit of a lottery

I think that's because Exeter tap and go from the 5 and score basically everytime so Hogg favours that to a scrum.

[clydecloggie]

Saturday was gutting, after the first 10 minutes there only looked like being 1 winner & we did well to battle our way back into the match but, we give away far too many points from the kick off & this is something that's happened time and time again. Combined with a woeful lineout & there was only ever going to be 1 winner on Saturday.

The injuries ought to force Toonie's hand - Skinner has to start against Italy and I don't see how he can avoid calling up both Dobie and Thompson. Even assuming VDW is fit, to train with only one recognised 10 in the squad is crazy. I think in an ideal world, Thompson would get another year or so to bed himself in as first choice at Glasgow but, we're in a break glass in case of emergency situation - he's been playing out of his skin and VDW is average and hasn't been playing. Even if he doesn't start, he should be on the bench. Dobie has also done more than enough to earn his chance - even against Italy I'd be wary about having both on the pitch at the same time so, I'd start one & bench the other. Townsend clearly doesn't trust Steele so why waste a bench spot on a 27 year old rather than an extremely promising 19 year old? Far better to give him the experience - same goes for Cherry, a solid 30 year old who isn't going to get any better, why not take a punt on Ashman?

We're down to 4th/5th choice at both 2 and 10, and, with Horne out, it's probably between Steele and Dobie for 3rd/4th choice, in all cases, I'd far rather see us take a punt on promising youngsters

Agree with all of that.

Let's face it, whatever happens in the last two games, this will be another shit 6N regardless. Let's just get the promising lads on and have some fun, expose them to the big time in the meantime - Ashman, Thompson to start, Dobie and Chamberlain benching.

[C T]

What gets me the most is that it's belief and confidence that this team needs the most, just can't shake the feeling that winning those two games would have had the potential for a turning point due to the boost it would have given them confidence wise.

There feels a bit of pressure next week now, because a win isn't really good enough. Has to be a 30/40 point win. That pressure and Italy saving their best game for us.

Not worried about losing, but scraping past Italy will be another hole in the already deflated confidence.

[Slick]

Apparently Toony has already said he won’t be picking Chamberlain or Thompson - “there are other players we will look to first”

[And 1 guest]

It’s also worth saying that although the line out was a horror show we also conceded 14 turnovers, the majority of them on the ground, that’s bloody rubbish.

I can’t remember a game where I got a feeling of dread every time we went into contact.

When we were hammering away at their line in the 2nd half I couldn’t understand why we weren’t taking the scrum option instead of a tap and allowing them to fan out. Every time we got the ball off a set piece we were getting through them in the backs. Seemed a bit daft although I appreciate scrums can be a bit of a lottery

Agree with all of this. The line-out and inability to keep hold of what little ball we did get were the main factors in the total shitshow.

Russell coming in for a lot of flak, and he wasn't good, but it's tough to criticise someone for not producing a miracle in a game where we were unable to secure our own ball up front.

We were pish under the high ball as well, maitland apart.

[I like neeps]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

[clydecloggie]

Zander? Did both the Ireland game and Ospreys game played this weekend count towards his suspension?

[Big D]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

Wouldn't think Hoyland would take that jersey off Jones.

[Yr Alban]

Not coming to Scotland I hope.

Wouldn't have to put up with this piss if he did.

On reflection I might be coming round to this... I don't think I'm quite ready to ditch Townsend yet but I accept that might be an emotional response.

Thinking it over last night and this morning it struck me that I have started to accept that we are going to lose tight games. My wife actually came to check on me yesterday as I wasn't making my usual noise and all she had heard all match was a laugh. Even when we drew level I didn't get out of my seat, first reaction was "you know whats coming". And it did, although a little sooner than I was expecting.

We do seem to be quite unlucky with injuries and that affects us more than other teams but there is a bit missing and it has been missing for too long now, winning those tight games. I guess it is progress of a sort that we are making these games so close now that we would have lost by 10-15 points in years gone by, but again, it has stalled. Maybe we just have too many players that know they will not get dropped.

We need a bit of a fear factor and for all the good that Toony brings I don't get the impression that is there at all. You have a few players like Hogg, Watson, Ritchie, that will run through walls to win but maybe not enough of the others have that.

So, maybe we do need a Gatland like figure. What we also need is a player that the rest of the players are terrified of, a Martin Johnson, AWJ, Paul O'Connel. When was the last time we really had that sort of player, early 90's?

Here’s the thing. A few years back we were truly hopeless. Every game was full of basic errors, errors that the players just weren’t making on club duty. Many people (I was one) were saying that we needed a hard-as-nails taskmaster who would put the fear of God into the players and crack down on the sloppiness. And then we got one. We even waited an awful year to get him in. And it worked. The players available were the same as before, but we began to iron out the sloppiness and become harder to beat. And then we got rid of him, in order to appoint a guy with no pedigree at Test level, because the SRU were afraid he would go somewhere else.

We wondered at the time whether we would come to regret getting rid of Stern Vern. Well, I regret it now. We’ve had some good results with Toony in charge, but we still can’t manage two in a row. And every time he fixes something (our defence, for example) something else breaks.

We are probably being a bit hard on ourselves. We know margins are fine in Test rugby, and we have lost our last two by a grand total of four points. The trouble is that if you’re a Wales or an Ireland fan, you can shrug your shoulders, accept it wasn’t your day or your year this time, and look forward to next year. We can’t do that, because we have no confidence that next year will be any better. We have improved enough to be competitive, but not enough to win consistently, and that shows no signs of changing.

[Yr Alban]

Zander? Did both the Ireland game and Ospreys game played this weekend count towards his suspension?

The only logical conclusion here is that this squad is for Italy and France, and that Zander will be eligible for the second game?

I was having another random thought. Home advantage has been much reduced by the lack of fans, and this has shown in the results this year. If we had been playing in front of sellout partisan crowds, I suspect we would have beaten Wales and Ireland, but lost again at Twickenham. But if you had offered me a mediocre 6N that included getting the Twickenham monkey off our backs, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have taken it.

[I like neeps]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

Wouldn't think Hoyland would take that jersey off Jones.

I'm assuming Jones starts at 13.

[robmatic]

Apparently Toony has already said he won’t be picking Chamberlain or Thompson - “there are other players we will look to first”

Wait, are we surprised that an international coach isn't going to be picking a fly half - either one - who's had a handful of senior starts? Glasgow didn't even give Thompson the whole game against Zebre the other week.

[clydecloggie]

Apparently Toony has already said he won’t be picking Chamberlain or Thompson - “there are other players we will look to first”

Wait, are we surprised that an international coach isn't going to be picking a fly half - either one - who's had a handful of senior starts? Glasgow didn't even give Thompson the whole game against Zebre the other week.

No, not surprised. But in my endless wisdom as an established international rugby coach rather than webchat keyboard warrior, I'd definitely take Thompson over Jaco for the Italy game.

Looks like it will be Russell anyway.

[NorfolkScot]

Apparently Toony has already said he won’t be picking Chamberlain or Thompson - “there are other players we will look to first”

Wait, are we surprised that an international coach isn't going to be picking a fly half - either one - who's had a handful of senior starts? Glasgow didn't even give Thompson the whole game against Zebre the other week.

No, not surprised. But in my endless wisdom as an established international rugby coach rather than webchat keyboard warrior, I'd definitely take Thompson over Jaco for the Italy game.

Looks like it will be Russell anyway.

For me, Thompson is very much a break glass in case of emergency option - unless Russell has the all clear today, I don't see how he can recover in time for Saturday. With Hastings suspended and Weir injured, that leaves us with a choice of VDW, only just back from injury, or Lang or Hogg at 10. If VDW is fit, great, I'd definitely pick him to start but given neither Hogg nor Lang are out and out 10's, I'd much rather have Thompson as a back up.

[Slick]

Apparently Toony has already said he won’t be picking Chamberlain or Thompson - “there are other players we will look to first”

Wait, are we surprised that an international coach isn't going to be picking a fly half - either one - who's had a handful of senior starts? Glasgow didn't even give Thompson the whole game against Zebre the other week.

Nope

[Jock42]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

VDW will be fit won't he?

[I like neeps]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

VDW will be fit won't he?

I presume so but it just seems odd to drop McLean who is playing well and has bags of potential for Hoyland a fullback who is playing okay and doesn't. Only logic could be they're needing a third fullback which suggests Hogg to 10.

[Big D]

If Russell failed his HIA I'd have assumed he would've been dropped as you can't have a 6 day turnaround.

Hoyland is the interesting one. He doesn't really play wing for Edinburgh anymore he's a 15. So are we thinking Hogg 10 Maitland 15 Hoyland 23?

Wouldn't think Hoyland would take that jersey off Jones.

I'm assuming Jones starts at 13.

Then Harris has the 23 shirt. Although Harris will be in the 13 shirt.

[I like neeps]

Wouldn't think Hoyland would take that jersey off Jones.

I'm assuming Jones starts at 13.

Then Harris has the 23 shirt. Although Harris will be in the 13 shirt.

Jones was 22 Vs Ireland with Graham 23. It seems unlikely that Hogg is picked as the only 10 so maybe Lang 22 with Harris back to Gloucester.

Or probably Jaco does start but Hoyland in the squad doesn't make much sense!

[Jock42]

Just another dimension to the Toonie Tombola

[Big D]

I'm assuming Jones starts at 13.

Then Harris has the 23 shirt. Although Harris will be in the 13 shirt.

Jones was 22 Vs Ireland with Graham 23. It seems unlikely that Hogg is picked as the only 10 so maybe Lang 22 with Harris back to Gloucester.

Or probably Jaco does start but Hoyland in the squad doesn't make much sense!

Harris will be starting. Unless there has been something said by the coaches in a presser. Harris is thought of much better inside rugby than Scotland fans give him credit for.

With Russell seemingly fit, or at least in the squad, we may see the same bench arrangement as last week.

[I like neeps]

Then Harris has the 23 shirt. Although Harris will be in the 13 shirt.

Jones was 22 Vs Ireland with Graham 23. It seems unlikely that Hogg is picked as the only 10 so maybe Lang 22 with Harris back to Gloucester.

Or probably Jaco does start but Hoyland in the squad doesn't make much sense!

Harris will be starting. Unless there has been something said by the coaches in a presser. Harris is thought of much better inside rugby than Scotland fans give him credit for.

With Russell seemingly fit, or at least in the squad, we may see the same bench arrangement as last week.

Maybe, I'm a Harris fan but Jones made Scotland competitive. I think Vs Italy you go with the form attacker.

[Butterfingers]

I think mentality is the issue. When I look at Ireland and Wales I generally see players who are not that much more capable than us. But I do see lads that are hard as nails who you would want with you in the trenches.
By contrast, Scotland, with the exception of Watson and Hogg look like rear echelon gym bunnies who look the part but don't have the grit for the front line nastiness.

This is what I think. What I can’t understand is this: Wales have pro teams who are generally as mediocre as ours, and underperform at European level too. Yet they are a game away from a GS and we are nowhere. If this isn’t down to coaching, what is it?

100% agree. Even in recent years when Glasgow we’re flying and regularly spanking the Welsh sides, as soon as those same players put on their respective international jerseys, for some unknown reason the Welsh upper their game and the Scots... well. Has to be coaching - physical and mental.

If you pooled all of Wales rugby resources into 2 professional teams then we'd do much better at club level.

It would obviously not be a good thing for the national side though.

[Yr Alban]

This is what I think. What I can’t understand is this: Wales have pro teams who are generally as mediocre as ours, and underperform at European level too. Yet they are a game away from a GS and we are nowhere. If this isn’t down to coaching, what is it?

100% agree. Even in recent years when Glasgow we’re flying and regularly spanking the Welsh sides, as soon as those same players put on their respective international jerseys, for some unknown reason the Welsh upper their game and the Scots... well. Has to be coaching - physical and mental.

If you pooled all of Wales rugby resources into 2 professional teams then we'd do much better at club level.

It would obviously not be a good thing for the national side though.

Sure they would, but that isn’t really the point. The point is that Welsh players manage to transcend their iffy club form at international level, and Scots players don’t.