The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Biffer]

Team's oot

15 Hogg
14 Graham
13 Harris
12 Johnson
11 van der McMerwe
10 Weir
9 Price
8 Thomson
7 Watson
6 Ritchie
5 J Gray
4 Cummings
3 Fagerson
2 McInally
1 Sutherland

Subs Kebble, Turner, Nel, Skinner, Haining, SHC, Lang, Kinghorn

[westport]

Would rather have Haining starting at 8

[Slick]

Decent team that! With the obvious missing superstars.

No.8 jumps out as such a weakness again. Also hope Skinner gets a half decent run.

[clydecloggie]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

[TheNatalShark]

Echo the comments re 8

Good to see SHC's moves are finally working out for him, even if his steal at the end of the Not the Heineken Cup Sponsored by Heineken was a bit suspect. Slightly offsets Horne's drop-off.

All eyes on Dunc I guess. Would have helped if Johnson was coming in with a bit better form, but Italy have their own problems.

[Tichtheid]

Echo the comments re 8

Good to see SHC's moves are finally working out for him, even if his steal at the end of the Not the Heineken Cup Sponsored by Heineken was a bit suspect. Slightly offsets Horne's drop-off.

All eyes on Dunc I guess. Would have helped if Johnson was coming in with a bit better form, but Italy have their own problems.

I thought Johnson looked in decent nick the other week, albeit in getting gubbed by Leinster

[KingBlairhorn]

Echo the comments re 8

Good to see SHC's moves are finally working out for him, even if his steal at the end of the Not the Heineken Cup Sponsored by Heineken was a bit suspect. Slightly offsets Horne's drop-off.

All eyes on Dunc I guess. Would have helped if Johnson was coming in with a bit better form, but Italy have their own problems.

It will be interesting to see if there is a pragmatic trend emerging here. Instead of finishing the match by replacing chaos with chaos (Hastings & Horne for Russell & /Price) will Toonie see value in steadier and more controlled bench options (Weir & SHC/Steele)?

Not surprised by the Johnson pick - there was more or less nobody left. Lang had to bench as cover for 10, who else is there?

[Jock42]

Decent team that! With the obvious missing superstars.

No.8 jumps out as such a weakness again. Also hope Skinner gets a half decent run.

Agree with that. I reckon we should let someone bed in at 8, a bit of consistency might help. Although that said won't help the raw power they lack.

Also agree with NS re SHC.

[Hal Jordan]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

I want some of whatever McInally is on.

[Yr Alban]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

At 13, I’d prefer to be watching Jones (or Hutchinson, or Bennett for that matter) but you can’t argue with Harris’s win record, or his importance to Toony’s new defence-focused game plan.

[Yr Alban]

The thought occurs that Dave Denton is still only 30, and if he hadn’t been forced to retire he could have been the big ball carrier we really need right now. Yes, he had tits for hands, but you can’t have everything.

[TheNatalShark]

I thought Johnson looked in decent nick the other week, albeit in getting gubbed by Leinster

More than happy to be found overly harsh, Weegies backs have been painful viewing.

[TheNatalShark]

It will be interesting to see if there is a pragmatic trend emerging here. Instead of finishing the match by replacing chaos with chaos (Hastings & Horne for Russell & /Price) will Toonie see value in steadier and more controlled bench options (Weir & SHC/Steele)?

Not surprised by the Johnson pick - there was more or less nobody left. Lang had to bench as cover for 10, who else is there?

Do we have the versatility in such bench options to be able to include Weir, if found suitable for such role?

Maybe if a Kinghorn/Maitland starts on a wing, allowing a Taylor type to cover 11-14? Assuming Jones adventures at 15 come to an (unpremature?) end.

Not that they'll all ever be fit to make such a discussion of import, but one can dream.

Yes don't see a better in squad option than Johnson at the moment, just comparative to my perceived form vs his debut levels.

[Tichtheid]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

Bradbury is an 8, he was excellent in the Calcutta Cup draw, but has been hot and cold since then. He looked to be getting a bit of his mojo back in the game on Monday, but he has a bit of a reputation for drifting in and out of games, he's a beast of a ball carrier when he is in the mood for it.

[KingBlairhorn]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

At 13, I’d prefer to be watching Jones (or Hutchinson, or Bennett for that matter) but you can’t argue with Harris’s win record, or his importance to Toony’s new defence-focused game plan.

I'm not really sure, but I do think the view (not expressed by you btw!) that we cannot produce the physical specimen we want at 8 is a bit defeatist. We have numerous players in our squad with the size, numerous with the skills and numerous with the mentality. We just need to put it all together in a single player with 8 on his back, which admittedly isn't easy. Guys like Jamie Heaslip and Kieron Ried weren't physical freaks by any means, we should be able to produce a comparative type of player.

[Tichtheid]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

At 13, I’d prefer to be watching Jones (or Hutchinson, or Bennett for that matter) but you can’t argue with Harris’s win record, or his importance to Toony’s new defence-focused game plan.

I'm not really sure, but I do think the view (not expressed by you btw!) that we cannot produce the physical specimen we want at 8 is a bit defeatist. We have numerous players in our squad with the size, numerous with the skills and numerous with the mentality. We just need to put it all together in a single player with 8 on his back, which admittedly isn't easy. Guys like Jamie Heaslip and Kieron Ried weren't physical freaks by any means, we should be able to produce a comparative type of player.

Luke Crosbie is the coming man, he's as abrasive a player as we've had since the Calders, he's only 23, good in the lineout, decent hands, quick, smacks the opposition into next week in the tackle, will run through walls.

Make a mug of tea, put off work for ten minutes

[robmatic]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

Bradbury is an 8, he was excellent in the Calcutta Cup draw, but has been hot and cold since then. He looked to be getting a bit of his mojo back in the game on Monday, but he has a bit of a reputation for drifting in and out of games, he's a beast of a ball carrier when he is in the mood for it.

He's been playing 6 more often latterly so we don't see the ball carrying so much unfortunately, although he's definitely capable.

[clydecloggie]

We'd all like a Mata or Vunipola but Scotland can be excellent without a brute of a ball carrier at 8, especially given the strengths at flanker and '4th back row', i.e. hooker. Added to that we have willing ball carriers at prop and lock (Sutherland, Kebble, Fagerson, Cummings all good at getting across the gain line in heavy traffic).

[Slick]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

Bradbury is an 8, he was excellent in the Calcutta Cup draw, but has been hot and cold since then. He looked to be getting a bit of his mojo back in the game on Monday, but he has a bit of a reputation for drifting in and out of games, he's a beast of a ball carrier when he is in the mood for it.

He's been playing 6 more often latterly so we don't see the ball carrying so much unfortunately, although he's definitely capable.

Does Skinner ever play 8?

[mos_eisely_]

From Russ Petty on Twatter

[Tattie]

From Russ Petty on Twatter

[Tichtheid]

Top Darts - the state of Chris Harris, axe killer

[Tattie]

That back 3 could tear Italy a new arsehole if they get good ball.

[Biffer]

We'd all like a Mata or Vunipola but Scotland can be excellent without a brute of a ball carrier at 8, especially given the strengths at flanker and '4th back row', i.e. hooker. Added to that we have willing ball carriers at prop and lock (Sutherland, Kebble, Fagerson, Cummings all good at getting across the gain line in heavy traffic).

Yep, that's what I think. Go with one of our 6/8 types e.g. Bradbury to double down on the annoying bastard role that Jamie Ritchie does so well. Carry in the front five.

[Soapy]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

Generally happy with that. Would prefer Maitland to Kinghorn on the bench. I hope Steele gets a chance at SH at some stage in next couple of weeks.

[Big D]

That backrow handled Wales fairly comfortably. They were always getting another run together. Thomson may lack physicality but he is good in the line out and good around the park.

SHC should have been in the original squad so a well deserved run for him.

[Soapy]

That backrow handled Wales fairly comfortably. They were always getting another run together. Thomson may lack physicality but he is good in the line out and good around the park.

SHC should have been in the original squad so a well deserved run for him.

If he can show his club form at this level, I can see SHC progressing through to the starting 9. He's our most rounded no.9 in terms of skillset and probably is best placed of the 4 SHs to deliver the new game plan. As a bonus, he's also pretty good off the tee where we are short of options.

[Northern Lights]

Decent team that! With the obvious missing superstars.

No.8 jumps out as such a weakness again. Also hope Skinner gets a half decent run.

Agree with that. I reckon we should let someone bed in at 8, a bit of consistency might help. Although that said won't help the raw power they lack.

Also agree with NS re SHC.

Yep, agreed just an echo

[sturginho]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

Looks weak

EDIT: the state of that barnet

[Slick]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

Looks weak

EDIT: the state of that barnet

Should be a cracking back row battle

[Yr Alban]

Cheers. Aware of Bradbury, obviously, but he’s definitely a 6/8 rather than a specialist. Do like him as a player though. Haven’t seen a lot of Crosbie, though people have always been very positive on here and I’ve been waiting for him to get a chance. I meant more the guys who are just starting to get game time (the Millers, Boyles, Darges and Gordons).

[Biffer]

Cheers. Aware of Bradbury, obviously, but he’s definitely a 6/8 rather than a specialist. Do like him as a player though. Haven’t seen a lot of Crosbie, though people have always been very positive on here and I’ve been waiting for him to get a chance. I meant more the guys who are just starting to get game time (the Millers, Boyles, Darges and Gordons).

I’ve never seen Crosbie as an 8 tbh and he’s not really been played there for Edinburgh. More a 6/7. Cracking player.

[Caley_Red]

Up your game, lads. This forum has such nice image functionality. Also - Meatball's hair.

Generally happy with that. Would prefer Maitland to Kinghorn on the bench. I hope Steele gets a chance at SH at some stage in next couple of weeks.

Darcy Graham looks like Duncan Taylor

[Tichtheid]

Cheers. Aware of Bradbury, obviously, but he’s definitely a 6/8 rather than a specialist. Do like him as a player though. Haven’t seen a lot of Crosbie, though people have always been very positive on here and I’ve been waiting for him to get a chance. I meant more the guys who are just starting to get game time (the Millers, Boyles, Darges and Gordons).

Miller played 8 on Monday and played it very well. He's not quite as big as Crosbie, but has a similar frame, these guys, like Ritchie, are athletic rather than bruisers, their game is about pace rather than hard yards in confined spaces, though they call all do that it's certainly easier if you're coming in at 120kg+

Boyle, Darge and Gordon are similar to Matt Fagerson in height, all around the six foot mark and can play across the back row, Darge played 8 for the U20s as well as 7, but he's listed as a blindside for Edinburgh.

[stemoc]

loooool

[Tichtheid]

That's another beauty. There's some mileage left in this yet.

Wee Dunc is growing his hair out for charity, I believe.

[robmatic]

That backrow handled Wales fairly comfortably. They were always getting another run together. Thomson may lack physicality but he is good in the line out and good around the park.

SHC should have been in the original squad so a well deserved run for him.

If he can show his club form at this level, I can see SHC progressing through to the starting 9. He's our most rounded no.9 in terms of skillset and probably is best placed of the 4 SHs to deliver the new game plan. As a bonus, he's also pretty good off the tee where we are short of options.

I'm a fan of SHC but I've actually been impressed by Price in these last few games - he seems to have developed his game management. So much so that he now gets the inevitable social media complaints about being too slow.

SHC's pass isn't always great but he's probably the quickest thinker of our 9s now that Laidlaw is gone.

[robmatic]

Cheers. Aware of Bradbury, obviously, but he’s definitely a 6/8 rather than a specialist. Do like him as a player though. Haven’t seen a lot of Crosbie, though people have always been very positive on here and I’ve been waiting for him to get a chance. I meant more the guys who are just starting to get game time (the Millers, Boyles, Darges and Gordons).

Miller played 8 on Monday and played it very well. He's not quite as big as Crosbie, but has a similar frame, these guys, like Ritchie, are athletic rather than bruisers, their game is about pace rather than hard yards in confined spaces, though they call all do that it's certainly easier if you're coming in at 120kg+

Boyle, Darge and Gordon are similar to Matt Fagerson in height, all around the six foot mark and can play across the back row, Darge played 8 for the U20s as well as 7, but he's listed as a blindside for Edinburgh.

I didn't see much of Monday night's game because of the streaming issues but Miller seems to have bulked up a bit since last season?

[Begbie]

With the obvious exception of Russell, I think that’s close to the strongest starting XV we can field.

8 is a weakness, but there isn’t any clearly superior candidate at the moment, so Thomson will have to do. He did OK against Wales. I’d like a better look at Fagerson in a Scotland shirt, but I guess he isn’t fit again. (We have several highly rated young back rows at the pro teams - are any of them specialist 8s?)

Bradbury is an 8, he was excellent in the Calcutta Cup draw, but has been hot and cold since then. He looked to be getting a bit of his mojo back in the game on Monday, but he has a bit of a reputation for drifting in and out of games, he's a beast of a ball carrier when he is in the mood for it.

I could be thinking of a different player or imagining this, but was this not Cotters problem with Bradbury? Said he wasn't hitting enough rucks and generally not doing enough work around the park. Bit concerning it's still an issue a few more years down the line.

[Slick]

Are we all switching sports tonight?