The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[clydecloggie]

Looks like Maitland isn't getting released by Saracens.

Heard a rumour he had thrown a hissy fit after being subbed and has been sent back

He didn't look happy at all at being subbed.

More likely: Saracens are not in the Premiership so not bound by the agreement to release players, and are struggling mightily to stay in contention for promotion (a hoot of a story in itself). Thus, all hands on deck.

Normally I'd have Maitland in the XV and see this as a big loss, but in this match France will go all out to win by 20 scoring loads of tries, so the game should be very open - Graham/McMerwe/Hogg is a perfect back-3 for that. Or McLean

[westport]

Looks like Maitland isn't getting released by Saracens.

Heard a rumour he had thrown a hissy fit after being subbed and has been sent back

He didn't look happy at all at being subbed.

More likely: Saracens are not in the Premiership so not bound by the agreement to release players, and are struggling mightily to stay in contention for promotion (a hoot of a story in itself). Thus, all hands on deck.

Normally I'd have Maitland in the XV and see this as a big loss, but in this match France will go all out to win by 20 scoring loads of tries, so the game should be very open - Graham/McMerwe/Hogg is a perfect back-3 for that. Or McLean

I thought Sarries were still members of PRL

[Biffer]

Looks like Maitland isn't getting released by Saracens.

Heard a rumour he had thrown a hissy fit after being subbed and has been sent back

He didn't look happy at all at being subbed.

More likely: Saracens are not in the Premiership so not bound by the agreement to release players, and are struggling mightily to stay in contention for promotion (a hoot of a story in itself). Thus, all hands on deck.

Normally I'd have Maitland in the XV and see this as a big loss, but in this match France will go all out to win by 20 scoring loads of tries, so the game should be very open - Graham/McMerwe/Hogg is a perfect back-3 for that. Or McLean

Yeah, he didn't look happy. Don't know what he expected, did he actually think GT would take Hogg off?

[Soapy]

Maitland's always a starter for me. He's been our most consistent performing back for the past 3 years.

His composure is also needed when we are under pressure and to balance the over-excitedness that springs up in the rest of the backs.

If Maitland's not injured and can be released by Saracens it's a very strange (and poor) call IMO. Or Townsend is being overly sensitive.

[Biffer]

Normally I'd have Maitland in the XV and see this as a big loss, but in this match France will go all out to win by 20 scoring loads of tries, so the game should be very open - Graham/McMerwe/Hogg is a perfect back-3 for that. Or McLean

Always a starter for me. He's been our most consistent performing back for the past 3 years.

His composure is also needed when we are under pressure and to balance the over-excitedness that springs up in the rest of the backs.

If Maitland's not injured and can be released by Saracens it's a very strange (and poor) call IMO. Or Townsend is being overly sensitive.

Oi, get your quotes right!

[Soapy]

Oi, get your quotes right!

Sorry - my bad. Sorted.

[Jock42]

[C T]

So if I'm reading things correctly we need to win by more than 7, or less than 7 but with 4 tries and France less than 4 tries to get 2nd place.

Nae bother.

I'm excited about this game, I think it could tell us a lot.

France should be really up for it given they can still win the championship by spanking us., on the flip side we should be fired up too with a potential 2nd place up for grabs (would that be our highest finish in the 6 Nations?)

If we roll over and let France tickle our tummies then I'll be pretty depressed about this tournament, but if we take on a very strong and fired up French team and make it a great competitive game I think it'll be a sign of progress.

[frodder]

We're counting on you guys...get out there and blast 'em

[Yr Alban]

Well... obviously we’ve all seen too many false dawns to be at all confident, but we certainly have the tools to make this a real contest. TBH, that’s all I ask for - I’ll accept a loss as long as we go down fighting like Wales did. Though a win would be very nice. Just please let’s not turn up and look fecking clueless, and let France run up a big score in the first half hour.

I find it hard to believe Maitland has been dropped just because he was pissed off at being subbed. But what do I know?

[GogLais]

We're counting on you guys...get out there and blast 'em

Damn right, sod that Auld Alliance nonsense. Tales of Welsh archers at Bannockburn are grossly exaggerated.

[Yr Alban]

Just realised (slow, I know) that Jonny Gray isn’t in the squad. I assume he’d have been picked if fit, even if there is a quota, so presumably still injured?

[dkm57]

2020 and 2021 can be written off as freak years. Great progress being made with regard to identifying very promising young players and them getting meaningful game time but that's about it.

Hope the squad we have available can step up and make a real game of it on Friday. Given the way we've been shafted over this I'm quite happy for Wales to have the Championship.

[Yr Alban]

So I note Embra lost in Cardiff. Does anyone lose to Cardiff any more?

That’s both pro teams ahead at HT and losing. Disappointing, but it’s been a disappointing year.

[robmatic]

So I note Embra lost in Cardiff. Does anyone lose to Cardiff any more?

That’s both pro teams ahead at HT and losing. Disappointing, but it’s been a disappointing year.

Embra looked easily the better side at half time but then really fell away in the second half - and the scoreline definitely flattered Cardiff. The scrum was an issue, especially when the subs came on. The 4th choice front row options aren't that great.

[clydecloggie]

Normally I'd have Maitland in the XV and see this as a big loss, but in this match France will go all out to win by 20 scoring loads of tries, so the game should be very open - Graham/McMerwe/Hogg is a perfect back-3 for that. Or McLean

Always a starter for me. He's been our most consistent performing back for the past 3 years.

His composure is also needed when we are under pressure and to balance the over-excitedness that springs up in the rest of the backs.

If Maitland's not injured and can be released by Saracens it's a very strange (and poor) call IMO. Or Townsend is being overly sensitive.

Oi, get your quotes right!

You should be proud, Biff. He clearly has very high regard for you.

[Slick]

We're counting on you guys...get out there and blast 'em

Damn right, sod that Auld Alliance nonsense. Tales of Welsh archers at Bannockburn are grossly exaggerated.

I think it's only fair to tell you this is pretty low down our list of priorities for Friday..

[clydecloggie]

We're counting on you guys...get out there and blast 'em

Damn right, sod that Auld Alliance nonsense. Tales of Welsh archers at Bannockburn are grossly exaggerated.

I think it's only fair to tell you this is pretty low down our list of priorities for Friday..

I'm actually conflicted. Obviously I really want Scotland to get a result in Paris, but it would mean handing the 6N title to the Welsh who should be nowhere near that accolade - and regardless, even if they deserved it, they're so low on my list of favourite rugby teams I really don't want them to win it. Conversely, a French 6N victory would mean a horsing and by extension a limp Scottish performance. And the most likely outcome is a clear French win but by not enough, handing the title to Wales after all. We're in a shithouse triple-bind, a lose-lose-lose situation.

Fuck this.

[Slick]

Damn right, sod that Auld Alliance nonsense. Tales of Welsh archers at Bannockburn are grossly exaggerated.

I think it's only fair to tell you this is pretty low down our list of priorities for Friday..

I'm actually conflicted. Obviously I really want Scotland to get a result in Paris, but it would mean handing the 6N title to the Welsh who should be nowhere near that accolade - and regardless, even if they deserved it, they're so low on my list of favourite rugby teams I really don't want them to win it. Conversely, a French 6N victory would mean a horsing and by extension a limp Scottish performance. And the most likely outcome is a clear French win but by not enough, handing the title to Wales after all. We're in a shithouse triple-bind, a lose-lose-lose situation.

Fuck this.

Imagine if it was a Grand Slam we were handing them... I'd be down at Murrayfield demanding Edinburgh and Glasgow don't relese their players

[Biffer]

I think it's only fair to tell you this is pretty low down our list of priorities for Friday..

I'm actually conflicted. Obviously I really want Scotland to get a result in Paris, but it would mean handing the 6N title to the Welsh who should be nowhere near that accolade - and regardless, even if they deserved it, they're so low on my list of favourite rugby teams I really don't want them to win it. Conversely, a French 6N victory would mean a horsing and by extension a limp Scottish performance. And the most likely outcome is a clear French win but by not enough, handing the title to Wales after all. We're in a shithouse triple-bind, a lose-lose-lose situation.

Fuck this.

Imagine if it was a Grand Slam we were handing them... I'd be down at Murrayfield demanding Edinburgh and Glasgow don't relese their players

yeah, same here.

I want us to perform well, rip the French apart a few times. It would be great to win and get second.

As for the Welsh, if they get lulled into a false sense of security that there's nothing wrong with their national team, I'm ok for that to happen.

[Yr Alban]

Don’t particularly care about Wales getting the title. I didn’t want them to get a GS and they didn’t. If they win a title by being slightly less shite than the other teams then fine.

I want to see a good, competitive Scotland performance. A win would be nice but I accept it is a longshot. What I think we’ll get is yet more disappointment.

[And 1 guest]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

[Slick]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

[And 1 guest]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Redpath and Jones is a dream. Along with finn that could be magical. I do think this game on Friday will showcase running rugby between two good teams

[Biffer]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Redpath and Jones is a dream. Along with finn that could be magical. I do think this game on Friday will showcase running rugby between two good teams

Yeah. I think we'll probably get beaten could be by 10-15 points out of 70-80

[C T]

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Redpath and Jones is a dream. Along with finn that could be magical. I do think this game on Friday will showcase running rugby between two good teams

Yeah. I think we'll probably get beaten could be by 10-15 points out of 70-80

That's about where my head is too, although I'd quite like us to finish second so I can get all grumpy when we get 3 on the Lions tour but England and Ireland get 10 each.

[I like neeps]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Compete in attack maybe but Fickou and Vakatawa running at Johnson and Jones is a concern.

[Jock42]

Couldn't be arsed watching the match earlier. How did Savala get on?

[I like neeps]

Couldn't be arsed watching the match earlier. How did Savala get on?

He was lively - played flat, challenged the line. Was strange seeing an Edinburgh 10 play as flat as he did! He passed like a league pivot rather than union 10. Tough in defense. A few of nice chip kicks but didn't see much of a tactical kicking game.

Hard to see his playmaking skills as the backline was still run by 9 and Shiel had a great game. Pyrgos ... did not.

His goalkicking was shall we say agricultural.

Looks a promising player, he and Chamberlain will be a good battle going forward. Replaced on 55 minutes as Kinghorn was shunted to 10 and also did quite nicely.

[Jock42]

Couldn't be arsed watching the match earlier. How did Savala get on?

He was lively - played flat, challenged the line. Was strange seeing an Edinburgh 10 play as flat as he did! He passed like a league pivot rather than union 10. Tough in defense. A few of nice chip kicks but didn't see much of a tactical kicking game.

Hard to see his playmaking skills as the backline was still run by 9 and Shiel had a great game. Pyrgos ... did not.

His goalkicking was shall we say agricultural.

Looks a promising player, he and Chamberlain will be a good battle going forward. Replaced on 55 minutes as Kinghorn was shunted to 10 and also did quite nicely.

Thats good to read, cheers. Still have it recorded so might give it a watch

[Slick]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Compete in attack maybe but Fickou and Vakatawa running at Johnson and Jones is a concern.

Yes, but I think they will be concerned for the same reasons

[robmatic]

Couldn't be arsed watching the match earlier. How did Savala get on?

He was lively - played flat, challenged the line. Was strange seeing an Edinburgh 10 play as flat as he did! He passed like a league pivot rather than union 10. Tough in defense. A few of nice chip kicks but didn't see much of a tactical kicking game.

Hard to see his playmaking skills as the backline was still run by 9 and Shiel had a great game. Pyrgos ... did not.

His goalkicking was shall we say agricultural.

Looks a promising player, he and Chamberlain will be a good battle going forward. Replaced on 55 minutes as Kinghorn was shunted to 10 and also did quite nicely.

Spot on about Savala, you can tell he's from league but seems promising.

[clydecloggie]

I worry about our centres. I don't think they can compete with those two French guys, whoever we pick. And Aldritt is a class above anyone we put at 8. As for 9, just forget it. I like the look of Steele, but Dupont is special.
However, if we can win some ball, there's always that hope that somehow it all clicks. And it's a thing of beauty on the rare occasions it does.

I've been thinking about the centres and that is definately an area we can compete, think it will be the highlight of the match if it's Johnson and Jones picked. The French lads are not fantastic in defence so can see a lot of action down those channels.

Compete in attack maybe but Fickou and Vakatawa running at Johnson and Jones is a concern.

I thought Fickou was quite poor last week, and Vakatawa quiet. They might click and run all over us, but the French threat has mostly come from the loose forwards and back-3. And Dupont, obviously.

[KingBlairhorn]

Couldn't be arsed watching the match earlier. How did Savala get on?

He was lively - played flat, challenged the line. Was strange seeing an Edinburgh 10 play as flat as he did! He passed like a league pivot rather than union 10. Tough in defense. A few of nice chip kicks but didn't see much of a tactical kicking game.

Hard to see his playmaking skills as the backline was still run by 9 and Shiel had a great game. Pyrgos ... did not.

His goalkicking was shall we say agricultural.

Looks a promising player, he and Chamberlain will be a good battle going forward. Replaced on 55 minutes as Kinghorn was shunted to 10 and also did quite nicely.

Spot on about Savala, you can tell he's from league but seems promising.

Good assessment, agree with all that. On Shiel, I thought his ability to 'hit' a breakdown and pass off the deck on arrival was outstanding and made a huge impact on the quality of Edinburgh's attack. I'd love to see the stats for average breakdown length between him and Pyrgos as it felt stark. His decision making was sometimes slightly suspect, but he is still young (in gametime) so that will improve. I also thought the quality of his (and Edinburgh generally) passing was poor at times with far too much being fired at head/knee height. It seems to be a continual problem in Scottish rugby though with it being evident right through the levels all the way to the international team. When a player arrives on the scene who is not guilty he looks a worldy (see Jamie Dobie for reference).

[Tichtheid]

I might actually watch the game then. I couldn't really face yet another defeat but if there were decent performances from young players then it might be worthwhile

[Slick]

I'm getting quite excited about this game on Friday. Although it could go horribly wrong...

If we can keep withing 6-10 points with 20 minutes to go I'd quite fancy our chances of picking up a couple of loose tries as they throw it about and their belief starts to go. In saying that, this is no ordinary French side so who knows.

I do hope Toony throws a bit of caution to the wind but wouldn't be surprised if he picks quite a cautious starting XV with some playmakers on the bench to come on.

[I like neeps]

He was lively - played flat, challenged the line. Was strange seeing an Edinburgh 10 play as flat as he did! He passed like a league pivot rather than union 10. Tough in defense. A few of nice chip kicks but didn't see much of a tactical kicking game.

Hard to see his playmaking skills as the backline was still run by 9 and Shiel had a great game. Pyrgos ... did not.

His goalkicking was shall we say agricultural.

Looks a promising player, he and Chamberlain will be a good battle going forward. Replaced on 55 minutes as Kinghorn was shunted to 10 and also did quite nicely.

Spot on about Savala, you can tell he's from league but seems promising.

Good assessment, agree with all that. On Shiel, I thought his ability to 'hit' a breakdown and pass off the deck on arrival was outstanding and made a huge impact on the quality of Edinburgh's attack. I'd love to see the stats for average breakdown length between him and Pyrgos as it felt stark. His decision making was sometimes slightly suspect, but he is still young (in gametime) so that will improve. I also thought the quality of his (and Edinburgh generally) passing was poor at times with far too much being fired at head/knee height. It seems to be a continual problem in Scottish rugby though with it being evident right through the levels all the way to the international team. When a player arrives on the scene who is not guilty he looks a worldy (see Jamie Dobie for reference).

Agree Shiel's passing from deck was outstanding. His pass to Crosbie and then Taylor for the try was really excellent 9 play. Then when Pyrgos came on he slowed it all down and the structure went. It was the best I've seen Shiel play. Was pretty disappointed when he was subbed at 50 minutes.

[Tichtheid]

Willemse banned for two weeks, so he's out for Friday.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

[clydecloggie]

Harris for Jones. Ho hum. Not amused.

Otherwise entirely as expected I guess.