The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Deveron Boy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hopefully Barclay gives Guscott what he deserves when BBC goes off air - what the fuck is Guscott doing at Scotland matches?
He’s such a dick, isn’t he?
Hogg showed he is a break glass in emergency 10 only. And to be fair that is what this was. We are down 3 10s and Cockerill has wasted a year of Chamberlain's development.
VdW doesn't really control games for Edinburgh as that comes from 9 and his passing isn't that great. So we may have kicked more with him at 10 but wouldn't have had the running game we had today imo.
If we were playing Italy next week with the same guys missing I'd still pick Hogg at 10.
VdW doesn't really control games for Edinburgh as that comes from 9 and his passing isn't that great. So we may have kicked more with him at 10 but wouldn't have had the running game we had today imo.
If we were playing Italy next week with the same guys missing I'd still pick Hogg at 10.
Indeed. You can’t argue with 50-up and a winning margin of 42, no matter who the opposition are.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hard to be anything but pleased with that, an excellent performance and all players get strong pass marks. Special mentions for Watson (as always), Jones, Duhan, both Fagersons and Cherry.
I thought Richie turned up with some excellent carries on the wings, he’s actually pretty fast when he gets going. Gilchrist was also good, he made good ground in the tight carries.
I felt there was a little over exuberance in attack at times where structure would have won out, but that’s knit picking.
So, we’ve beaten Italy by as much or more as everyone else, won away to England, and lost two home games by tiny margins. We’re so close to being good, and yet somehow so far. The game next week will be a good barometer of where we currently are. If France win tonight, I suspect we’ll lose by two or three scores. If they lose, it’ll be a lot closer and we might have a chance.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
If the England based guys don't play we are in trouble.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:40 pmIndeed. You can’t argue with 50-up and a winning margin of 42, no matter who the opposition are.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hard to be anything but pleased with that, an excellent performance and all players get strong pass marks. Special mentions for Watson (as always), Jones, Duhan, both Fagersons and Cherry.
I thought Richie turned up with some excellent carries on the wings, he’s actually pretty fast when he gets going. Gilchrist was also good, he made good ground in the tight carries.
I felt there was a little over exuberance in attack at times where structure would have won out, but that’s knit picking.
So, we’ve beaten Italy by as much or more as everyone else, won away to England, and lost two home games by tiny margins. We’re so close to being good, and yet somehow so far. The game next week will be a good barometer of where we currently are. If France win tonight, I suspect we’ll lose by two or three scores. If they lose, it’ll be a lot closer and we might have a chance.
In which case we should refuse to play the match. Why should we play with a handicap because of a problem caused by France?
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
I agree with this. The whole point of not awarding us the game in the first place was to keep the integrity of the tournament and ensure prize money went where it should. If this happens it is a total stitch up
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
I also agree with this. But we shouldn’t lose out either. 28-0 to us, move on
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
In the end a very comfortable win, but we still took the foot of the gas when we were on top. Any other team would have scored before half time, and made it a seven point game, we would have then started nervously in the second half. Even at the end we'd turned off, in a way that others wouldn't.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
I'm really pleased for Cherry. In a fairly un-Scottish way, he has a constant grit and consistent focus to his game - possibly borne from having to graft his way to get to this level.
-
KingBlairhorn
- Posts: 1857
- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:53 am
Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?
Well I suppose it’s al linked.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pmSurely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?
Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
He won't like it but Exeters hands are tied. Why should they pay a fine because France fucked up?Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pmWell I suppose it’s al linked.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pmSurely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?
Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this
No reason at all. The people who should be paying compensation are the FFR.Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:57 pmHe won't like it but Exeters hands are tied. Why should they pay a fine because France fucked up?Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pmWell I suppose it’s al linked.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm
Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?
Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this
If Wales win tonight, my bet is that this game will be quietly cancelled.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Not suggesting for a second they should but of everyone he is the one that it will really hurtBig D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:57 pmHe won't like it but Exeters hands are tied. Why should they pay a fine because France fucked up?Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pmWell I suppose it’s al linked.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm
Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?
Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
-
clydecloggie
- Posts: 1201
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:31 am
God but I have missed Huw Jones in full flow.
Decent game all in all.
Decent game all in all.
I'm looking forward to a game with two teams willing to play rugby.
Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way
Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way
I was thinking about this all week. Yes we are frustrated, this is the best generation we have had for a long time etc, but I love the way we playTichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:21 pm I'm looking forward to a game with two teams willing to play rugby.
Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
If I’m reading the table correctly, any win will put us in the top half. Win by 6, or with a BP, and we finish second.
Back in the realms of reality, to win the title I think France need to win by more than 20 and with a try BP. So we’d better be ready for an onslaught.
Back in the realms of reality, to win the title I think France need to win by more than 20 and with a try BP. So we’d better be ready for an onslaught.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Our players need to watch that game and understand how to make sure you take opportunities. Case in point the last try. Fickou did two critical things. First he held on to the ball for a moment. That fixed two defenders, one on him and one on the man outside him. Second he understood that the ball needed to go through the hands to the wing instead of straight out by mis pass. Our players in the same situation, would have gone straight for the mispass to the wing, which would have allowed the defence to drift over.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Holding your runner is something we've been historically bad at (no idea why), that's one of the reasons I was so delighted with Redpath, he did that a number of times versus England including setting up a try.Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:05 pm Our players need to watch that game and understand how to make sure you take opportunities. Case in point the last try. Fickou did two critical things. First he held on to the ball for a moment. That fixed two defenders, one on him and one on the man outside him. Second he understood that the ball needed to go through the hands to the wing instead of straight out by mis pass. Our players in the same situation, would have gone straight for the mispass to the wing, which would have allowed the defence to drift over.
And on the 7th day, the Lord said "Let there be Finn Russell".
I'm still of the view that more can come of this team, however, I'm not sure if Townsend is the right guy.Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:24 pmI was thinking about this all week. Yes we are frustrated, this is the best generation we have had for a long time etc, but I love the way we playTichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:21 pm I'm looking forward to a game with two teams willing to play rugby.
Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way
And on the 7th day, the Lord said "Let there be Finn Russell".
On today’s showing, you’d start Huw Jones on Friday. But Toony will start Harris for his defence, and TBH he’ll be right. France will be fired up to fuck, and they’ll smash us if our defence isn’t absolutely on point.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Another thought: Jones was pinged for ‘too many rolls’ on the deck. WTF is that about? Is there really a law about that?
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Does Harris offer better defence than Jones?
Good question. I think Toony thinks he does, or he wouldn’t keep starting him, given that he clearly doesn’t offer the attacking threat Jones does. I actually retract what I said about Harris being the right choice, because I want to see Jones. It will be Harris though.
I’d start both Cherry and Steele on Friday. Cherry is a big hard bastard. I was really impressed with him today, and his darts are clearly the best we have available. Given Turner’s were crap v Ireland, Cherry deserves to keep the shirt. Steele has waited patiently for a shot and did really well, although Price looked good at the end. The only thing I’d say against him is that he seems to be one of those 9s who wants to take an extra step before passing.
Really hope Russell makes it back, because I think our best chance of a result is if he has one of his unplayable days - and I fancy him to want to show off against the French in Paris. If not, at least Hastings will be available.
Team for France:
15. Hogg
14. Maitland
13. Jones
12. Johnson
11. Van der Merwe
10. Russell (Hastings if not fit)
9. Steele
8. Fagerson M
7. Watson
6. Ritchie
5. Skinner
4. Gray J (Gilchrist if not fit)
3. Fagerson Z
2. Cherry
1. Sutherland
I have just realised that I’m on call again on Friday. Maybe I’ll make it home for the second half, assuming it isn’t all over by then.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Is Redpath still out? Typical ScotlandYr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:53 amGood question. I think Toony thinks he does, or he wouldn’t keep starting him, given that he clearly doesn’t offer the attacking threat Jones does. I actually retract what I said about Harris being the right choice, because I want to see Jones. It will be Harris though.
I’d start both Cherry and Steele on Friday. Cherry is a big hard bastard. I was really impressed with him today, and his darts are clearly the best we have available. Given Turner’s were crap v Ireland, Cherry deserves to keep the shirt. Steele has waited patiently for a shot and did really well, although Price looked good at the end. The only thing I’d say against him is that he seems to be one of those 9s who wants to take an extra step before passing.
Really hope Russell makes it back, because I think our best chance of a result is if he has one of his unplayable days - and I fancy him to want to show off against the French in Paris. If not, at least Hastings will be available.
Team for France:
15. Hogg
14. Maitland
13. Jones
12. Johnson
11. Van der Merwe
10. Russell (Hastings if not fit)
9. Steele
8. Fagerson M
7. Watson
6. Ritchie
5. Skinner
4. Gray J (Gilchrist if not fit)
3. Fagerson Z
2. Cherry
1. Sutherland
I have just realised that I’m on call again on Friday. Maybe I’ll make it home for the second half, assuming it isn’t all over by then.
And on the 7th day, the Lord said "Let there be Finn Russell".
Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
That really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as wellBiffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
I thought that despite the score yesterday which was more down to Italy refusing to tackle, the Scotland backline looked pretty ordinary. So many passes not going to hand, or innacurate or slow. I think they are going to get schooled by FranceSlick wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:32 amThat really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as wellBiffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.
I think a lot of that is because we didn't have a 10 playing. Individually, VdM and Jones looked dangerous, but as a unit you need your fly half to make them tick and Hogg for all his other skills, isn't one.ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:44 amI thought that despite the score yesterday which was more down to Italy refusing to tackle, the Scotland backline looked pretty ordinary. So many passes not going to hand, or innacurate or slow. I think they are going to get schooled by FranceSlick wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:32 amThat really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as wellBiffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
100% agree with this. For all our other faults I don’t think you can call our backline ordinaryBiffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:59 amI think a lot of that is because we didn't have a 10 playing. Individually, VdM and Jones looked dangerous, but as a unit you need your fly half to make them tick and Hogg for all his other skills, isn't one.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul