The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[I like neeps]

Never seeing anyone else at 13 now Harris is a VC. Hastings in is good, Tuipulotu over Bennett isn't (neither is Harris mind you, would have been great to see him in that backline). Would also prefer Horne/White and Ashman to be starting.

Delighted that Hastings is playing, that's some pragmatism by Townsend. Bennett really only covers 13 so if Redpath got injured you'd be screwed off the bench. Happy that Redpath is in over Tuipolotu.

Very surprised Richie Gray is back.

[Jock42]

Thats a fair point regarding Bennett Tuipulotu....... I suppose

[clydecloggie]

Never seeing anyone else at 13 now Harris is a VC. Hastings in is good, Tuipulotu over Bennett isn't (neither is Harris mind you, would have been great to see him in that backline). Would also prefer Horne/White and Ashman to be starting.

Delighted that Hastings is playing, that's some pragmatism by Townsend. Bennett really only covers 13 so if Redpath got injured you'd be screwed off the bench. Happy that Redpath is in over Tuipolotu.

Very surprised Richie Gray is back.

When did the elder Gray last play for Scotland?

A team to like. Good to see Hastings starting.

[charltom]

There's a lot to like about that team, and I am delighted to see Richie Gray back after his recent form.

Would rather see Bennett in now that there's someone inside him who might pass the ball, but I suppose Harris'll do. Would also rather see Ashman starting, but at least he's in the 23 this time.

Will revamp my FR team now to have Kinghorn as supersub. I expect him to return next week (with Finn...?).

[Tichtheid]

I’m fully behind Hastings and I hope he does well.

I have high hopes for Murphy Walker

[Slick]

Stronger team than I was expecting really, thought Richie and Mish might have a bit of a rest given what’s coming up.

Would quite liked to have seen one of the other 9’s start as well.

No complaints though, looks like a proper test match team

[SaintK]

It would be genuinely amazing but if Toonie decide's
our best chance to beat Ireland and South Africa is an elaborate long con to have a very public fallouts with your star player over a number of years you have to question his sanity!

I am confident Fin Smith will chose Scotland. Too many really good young England 10s about and noise about him joining for it to be without merit.

Based on what?

Gregor Townsend openly talking about it which is very bullish, Smith's family history and England have magic Marcus the finest rugby player ever to have lived in the 10 shirt for the next decade/other good prospects such as Atkinson.

Scottish grandad.
Played all his age groups for England. Already been called in to a senior England training camp after the last U20 comp. Should imagine he'd could well fight his corner against Smith (M) and Atkison if he so wishes.
Let's see how he progresses at Saints where he's certain to get game time with Biggar moving on an d certainly looked the part in his first match for them last week.

[SaintK]

Double post!!!

[Jock42]

Never seeing anyone else at 13 now Harris is a VC. Hastings in is good, Tuipulotu over Bennett isn't (neither is Harris mind you, would have been great to see him in that backline). Would also prefer Horne/White and Ashman to be starting.

Delighted that Hastings is playing, that's some pragmatism by Townsend. Bennett really only covers 13 so if Redpath got injured you'd be screwed off the bench. Happy that Redpath is in over Tuipolotu.

Very surprised Richie Gray is back.

When did the elder Gray last play for Scotland?

A team to like. Good to see Hastings starting.

4 years according to Jamie Lyall.

[charltom]

Based on what?

Gregor Townsend openly talking about it which is very bullish, Smith's family history and England have magic Marcus the finest rugby player ever to have lived in the 10 shirt for the next decade/other good prospects such as Atkinson.

Scottish international grandad.

You'd be surprised how much of a difference it can make.

[SaintK]

Gregor Townsend openly talking about it which is very bullish, Smith's family history and England have magic Marcus the finest rugby player ever to have lived in the 10 shirt for the next decade/other good prospects such as Atkinson.

Scottish international grandad.

You'd be surprised how much of a difference it can make.

Aaah! Ian Smith?

[KingBlairhorn]

Scottish international grandad.

You'd be surprised how much of a difference it can make.

Aaah! Ian Smith?

Scottish international grandad that was also a lion (although not capped).

No, it’s his maternal lineage I think. Tom Elliott.

[SaintK]

You'd be surprised how much of a difference it can make.

Aaah! Ian Smith?

Scottish international grandad that was also a lion (although not capped).

No, it’s his maternal lineage I think. Tom Elliott.

Thanks. Not familiar with that name.

[dpedin]

Delighted that Hastings is playing, that's some pragmatism by Townsend. Bennett really only covers 13 so if Redpath got injured you'd be screwed off the bench. Happy that Redpath is in over Tuipolotu.

Very surprised Richie Gray is back.

When did the elder Gray last play for Scotland?

A team to like. Good to see Hastings starting.

4 years according to Jamie Lyall.

Elder Gray in there to provide more options at line out time? It was a bit shaky last week. Otherewise a good team with some good options off the bench.

[I like neeps]

It's surprising that Hogg or Price aren't vice captain - Edinburgh 6 discipline?

[Big D]

It's surprising that Hogg or Price aren't vice captain - Edinburgh 6 discipline?

Should be but Price was VC last week.

[Tichtheid]

It's surprising that Hogg or Price aren't vice captain - Edinburgh 6 discipline?

What, you mean the dozens of penalties per game that Edinburgh cough up and the fact it might be a translate to Scotland could be a problem?

Nah, sharely no.

[Yr Alban]

Russell aside, that’s about as close to a full noise team as we can put out. Looking forward to the match now.

[KingBlairhorn]

Russell aside, that’s about as close to a full noise team as we can put out. Looking forward to the match now.

Gray (Jnr) and probably Sutherland would be in the best 15 too, but not far off I agree.

[Tichtheid]

This was posted on the Weedgie board

From The Herald

“Meanwhile, Townsend quashed rumours that the exiled Finn Russell is to be recalled ahead of next Sunday’s clash against New Zealand, providing a one-word answer – “No” – to a direct question on the subject.”

[KingBlairhorn]

This was posted on the Weedgie board

From The Herald

“Meanwhile, Townsend quashed rumours that the exiled Finn Russell is to be recalled ahead of next Sunday’s clash against New Zealand, providing a one-word answer – “No” – to a direct question on the subject.”

*sigh*

[Yr Alban]

This was posted on the Weedgie board

From The Herald

“Meanwhile, Townsend quashed rumours that the exiled Finn Russell is to be recalled ahead of next Sunday’s clash against New Zealand, providing a one-word answer – “No” – to a direct question on the subject.”

Not unexpected. Still very disappointing.

[Tichtheid]

Embra have appointed ex-Wasp Dave Bassett, as the club’s new Head of Rugby Operations.

[Jock42]

I'm glad I'll be on it from the back of 11 next week as they're in for a fucking pumping.

[KingBlairhorn]

A win is a win but that was shite.

[vball]

Hastings took some clattering but it was not his best game. BK got things going for sure.Thought Gray Snr put in a good shift.

[Slick]

All the accuracy that made us good to watch and pretty successful 2/3 years ago has gone. Our defence used to be brilliant, our attack and passing really controlled, our mail was a decent weapon. None of it is working very well.

The attitude today also stank before the game and first half.

Ashman was good. Thought Sutherland was good and Walked did well when he came on. Dempsey brought a bit of punch, White was OK. Apart from that…. Genuine question, was Mish on for the whole game?

Hastings was poor while he was on

[KingBlairhorn]

Hastings took some clattering but it was not his best game. BK got things going for sure.Thought Gray Snr put in a good shift.

If he’s injured, and it did look the sort of smash that could have caused a concussion, then who comes into the squad at 10. Toonie cannot even try to justify anyone but Finn surely?

[Big D]

A win is a win but that was shite.

I don't think it is that simple in this case tbh. Something is rotten.

[Begbie]

That AB Zondagh lad is really earning his wages...

[Yr Alban]

A win is a win but that was shite.

Yeah, that was much my take on it as well. In the end we won because, shite though our discipline is, Fiji’s was worse.

Compared to a couple of years ago, we look leaden and spiritless. It really does appear that the squad just aren’t playing for Toony any more. I did transiently wonder whether it would be worth losing today in order that we might get new coach in with a year until the RWC.

A couple of nice touches here and there. Kinghorn did add something when he came on, and that was some conversion from the touchline. A lot of good stuff from Darcy. Good try from Duhan. 5/10 performance though, and I really fear that it might get ugly next week.

[westport]

Hastings to get a knee scan to go with his head injury

[Blackmac]

All the accuracy that made us good to watch and pretty successful 2/3 years ago has gone. Our defence used to be brilliant, our attack and passing really controlled, our mail was a decent weapon. None of it is working very well.

The attitude today also stank before the game and first half.

Ashman was good. Thought Sutherland was good and Walked did well when he came on. Dempsey brought a bit of punch, White was OK. Apart from that…. Genuine question, was Mish on for the whole game?

Hastings was poor while he was on

I don't know if Watson needs a rest but he certainly has been well off the pace since the Lions tour. Rarely has the impact he used to.

Price is another one. His painfully slow service and endlessly shit box kicks are brutal.

[Yr Alban]

All the accuracy that made us good to watch and pretty successful 2/3 years ago has gone. Our defence used to be brilliant, our attack and passing really controlled, our mail was a decent weapon. None of it is working very well.

The attitude today also stank before the game and first half.

Ashman was good. Thought Sutherland was good and Walked did well when he came on. Dempsey brought a bit of punch, White was OK. Apart from that…. Genuine question, was Mish on for the whole game?

Hastings was poor while he was on

I don't know if Watson needs a rest but he certainly has been well off the pace since the Lions tour. Rarely has the impact he used to.

Price is another one. His painfully slow service and endlessly shit box kicks are brutal.

Oh, the box kicks. What the f is the point in box kicking if you’re constantly kicking it too far for there to be any contest? You’re just giving away possession cheaply.

[Big D]

Double post below

[Yr Alban]

However it finishes in Cardiff today, Wales have given this a real lash and given NZ a proper game. Anyone see us doing the same next week? Thought not.

[Big D]

Back home after the game and slowly getting more annoyed about it. They had 14 men for 26+ minutes of that game. Over a quarter of a game.

Fiji looked the better coached side. Which is interesting given their coach.

Scotland forwards were mostly powder puff in open field even if set piece was decent. The backs didn't get a huge amount of good attacking ball but aren't offering a huge amount.

The penalties, oh the penalties. Poor discipline is often a reflection of the coaching.

ABZ has offered nothing since we paid him out his contract.

[Yr Alban]

Back home after the game and slowly getting more annoyed about it. They had 14 men for 26+ minutes of that game. Over a quarter of a game.

Fiji looked the better coached side. Which is interesting given their coach.

Scotland forwards were mostly powder puff in open field even if set piece was decent. The backs didn't get a huge amount of good attacking ball but aren't offering a huge amount.

The penalties, oh the penalties. Poor discipline is often a reflection of the coaching.

ABZ has offered nothing since we paid him out his contract.

I can’t disagree. We still have a very good set of players, but we look more like we have lost our way with every game we play. We can do better than this.

[Tichtheid]

You can never, ever, be overconfident going into a game against New Zealand, but a few weeks ago I was hoping we might do something very special, now I'm hoping we can keep it below 50.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

You can never, ever, be overconfident going into a game against New Zealand, but a few weeks ago I was hoping we might do something very special, now I'm hoping we can keep it below 50.

Tbh Wales looked more disciplined than us, and they couldn't manage that