NPR

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:13 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:05 am Toonie only took 1 fullback to both the 2015 and 2019 WCs. Kinghorn travelled in 2019 but very much as a winger (that's my recollection mind which is generally terrible!).

Looking back at the squads though, he has only ever taken two fly-halfs, I had misremembered he took three.

His typical squad is 2 fly-halfs, 4 centres, 4 wings and 1 fullback. Obviously he likes a lot of flexibility in that and many of the players will play multiple positions. There was one additional squad place for backs in 2019 and he used that for a fourth scrum-half.

The squads have increased from 31 to 33 players this year, so that allows for six props and an extra back

Ah, didn't realise that. I'd be surprised if he used that extra place for a specialist fullback though. I suppose it depends on whether Kinghorn travels as a flyhalf/fullback or a fullback/flyhalf. My preference would be to have him on the pitch as much as possible in which case he goes as first choice 15 and 3rd/4th choice 10. I suppose he could be first choice 15 and 3rd choice 10 which is maybe what you have all been getting at in which case, yes - maybe Smith does travel and one of Hastings or Healy misses out.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:36 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:13 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:05 am Toonie only took 1 fullback to both the 2015 and 2019 WCs. Kinghorn travelled in 2019 but very much as a winger (that's my recollection mind which is generally terrible!).

Looking back at the squads though, he has only ever taken two fly-halfs, I had misremembered he took three.

His typical squad is 2 fly-halfs, 4 centres, 4 wings and 1 fullback. Obviously he likes a lot of flexibility in that and many of the players will play multiple positions. There was one additional squad place for backs in 2019 and he used that for a fourth scrum-half.

The squads have increased from 31 to 33 players this year, so that allows for six props and an extra back

Ah, didn't realise that. I'd be surprised if he used that extra place for a specialist fullback though. I suppose it depends on whether Kinghorn travels as a flyhalf/fullback or a fullback/flyhalf. My preference would be to have him on the pitch as much as possible in which case he goes as first choice 15 and 3rd/4th choice 10. I suppose he could be first choice 15 and 3rd choice 10 which is maybe what you have all been getting at in which case, yes - maybe Smith does travel and one of Hastings or Healy misses out.

I think we'll take

6 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks and 6 backrow
3 scrum halves, 2 fly halves, 4 centres, 5 back 3


Schoey, Suzz, Bhatti, Fagerson, Nel, Sebastian
Turner, McInally, Ashman
Gray, Gilchrist, Cummings, Skinner
Ritchie, Watson, Dempsey, Fagerson, Darge, Crosbie

White, Price, Horne
Finn, Healy
Tuipulotu, Jones, Redpath, Harris
vd Merwe, Kinghorn, Graham, Smith, Steyn.


The two hookers behind Turner are not set in stone for me, Cherry could yet make a push for it. Crosbie is not nailed on, not yet at this level. Price has a lot of experience, but he needs to improve. Healy or Hastings.

I want a good side out against Romania, that squad allows for a strong selection from 1 to 23 for that match.

Strong side. Russell as capt is interesting but he was talking as a player with more responsibilities on Saturday.

Ritchie injured? Strange not to see him yet.

I assume Jamie Ritchie is carrying a knock, I hope it's not too serious

Other than Ritchie and Turner that could well be the first team.

Full contact training plus 3 warm up games to go will inevitably mean that we will get a few injuries before the final squad is picked. Whilst I dont disagree with squad above I wouldn't be surprised if there was a few enforced changes.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:18 am Other than Ritchie and Turner that could well be the first team.

In the backs that's pretty much it, I'd say.

In the forwards: not convinced Watson is first-choice 7, Ritchie would take Fagerson's place, and hooker is completely up in the air for me. Also never entirely convinced that Gilchrist is worthy of being the starting lock but our cupboard is a bit bare there - a strong showing from Cummings or Skinner over the next few games could get them into the team.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:31 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:18 am Other than Ritchie and Turner that could well be the first team.

In the backs that's pretty much it, I'd say.

In the forwards: not convinced Watson is first-choice 7, Ritchie would take Fagerson's place, and hooker is completely up in the air for me. Also never entirely convinced that Gilchrist is worthy of being the starting lock but our cupboard is a bit bare there - a strong showing from Cummings or Skinner over the next few games could get them into the team.

For me Gilchrist is one of those players that the coaches like more than the fans do

Townsend describes Ritchie has having sustained a "little tweak" - he may be back next week, if not he'll be in training for the Georgia game.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:57 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:36 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:13 am

The squads have increased from 31 to 33 players this year, so that allows for six props and an extra back

Ah, didn't realise that. I'd be surprised if he used that extra place for a specialist fullback though. I suppose it depends on whether Kinghorn travels as a flyhalf/fullback or a fullback/flyhalf. My preference would be to have him on the pitch as much as possible in which case he goes as first choice 15 and 3rd/4th choice 10. I suppose he could be first choice 15 and 3rd choice 10 which is maybe what you have all been getting at in which case, yes - maybe Smith does travel and one of Hastings or Healy misses out.

I think we'll take

6 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks and 6 backrow
3 scrum halves, 2 fly halves, 4 centres, 5 back 3


Schoey, Suzz, Bhatti, Fagerson, Nel, Sebastian
Turner, McInally, Ashman
Gray, Gilchrist, Cummings, Skinner
Ritchie, Watson, Dempsey, Fagerson, Darge, Crosbie

White, Price, Horne
Finn, Healy
Tuipulotu, Jones, Redpath, Harris
vd Merwe, Kinghorn, Graham, Smith, Steyn.


The two hookers behind Turner are not set in stone for me, Cherry could yet make a push for it. Crosbie is not nailed on, not yet at this level. Price has a lot of experience, but he needs to improve. Healy or Hastings.

I want a good side out against Romania, that squad allows for a strong selection from 1 to 23 for that match.

With Hogg retiring I think you can take 3 flyhalves, especially when Hastings covers 15 well. Kinghorn should be considered an out and out 15 who can cover wing. I would not take Harris, Steyn can cover 13 very adequately and would be totally fine vs Romania, indeed Tuipolotu plays there regularly too.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:02 am

Has Russell ever captained before?

Wylie Coyote wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:25 am

With Hogg retiring I think you can take 3 flyhalves, especially when Hastings covers 15 well. Kinghorn should be considered an out and out 15 who can cover wing. I would not take Harris, Steyn can cover 13 very adequately and would be totally fine vs Romania, indeed Tuipolotu plays there regularly too.

I was trying to build a squad along the lines of what we've seen Townsend pick over the last couple of years - we know he likes Harris, he took him on the Lions tour. I would be very surprised if Townsend now considers Kinghorn as not covering 10 - he picked him with that in mind a week ago.

I agree on Steyn's ability to cover 13, it will be interesting to see if he is listed for the South Africa or Ireland games, there are quite a few permutations, if we go 6/2 like we did against France in the 6N, then you have a scrum half plus one back on the pine. Jones can cover fullback and Kinghorn can cover 10, so that would allow either Steyn or Redpath to make the bench.

If we go 5/3 Smith or Steyn or Redpath can sub, plus whoever makes the boat between Healy and Hastings.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:41 am
Has Russell ever captained before?

First time for Scotland

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:49 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:41 am
Has Russell ever captained before?

First time for Scotland

Big vote of confidence - Townsend playing the media a little to get rid of any questions of conflict still being there. Quite smart imo.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:49 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:41 am
Has Russell ever captained before?

First time for Scotland

Would never have thought he was potential captain material. Good luck to him.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:22 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:49 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:41 am
Has Russell ever captained before?

First time for Scotland

Would never have thought he was potential captain material. Good luck to him.

He's always been vocal and an organiser and appears to have been willing to mentor others. Perhaps if he'd been given more responsibility sooner there wouldn't have been the spat between him and Toony but we'll never know.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:22 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:49 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:41 am
Has Russell ever captained before?

First time for Scotland

Would never have thought he was potential captain material. Good luck to him.

He's apparently always been good with up and coming players, especially during a game. He's the senior back now, it would serve both him and the team well if he takes to it, though Jamie Ritchie will resume captaincy duties when he's fit.

Ach, Jock beat me to the breakdown there

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:28 pm Ach, Jock beat me to the breakdown there

First time ever.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:35 am

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:31 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:18 am Other than Ritchie and Turner that could well be the first team.

In the backs that's pretty much it, I'd say.

In the forwards: not convinced Watson is first-choice 7, Ritchie would take Fagerson's place, and hooker is completely up in the air for me. Also never entirely convinced that Gilchrist is worthy of being the starting lock but our cupboard is a bit bare there - a strong showing from Cummings or Skinner over the next few games could get them into the team.

For me Gilchrist is one of those players that the coaches like more than the fans do

He's been consistently favoured by a range of coaches as well. I remember Cockerill saying something like he came in to Edinburgh not knowing much about him and then realised he was outstanding.

robmatic wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:34 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:35 am

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:31 am

In the backs that's pretty much it, I'd say.

In the forwards: not convinced Watson is first-choice 7, Ritchie would take Fagerson's place, and hooker is completely up in the air for me. Also never entirely convinced that Gilchrist is worthy of being the starting lock but our cupboard is a bit bare there - a strong showing from Cummings or Skinner over the next few games could get them into the team.

For me Gilchrist is one of those players that the coaches like more than the fans do

He's been consistently favoured by a range of coaches as well. I remember Cockerill saying something like he came in to Edinburgh not knowing much about him and then realised he was outstanding.

GG and Gray were a very good pairing in their recent outings together. They are nailed on barring injury.

Wylie Coyote wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:25 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:57 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:36 am

Ah, didn't realise that. I'd be surprised if he used that extra place for a specialist fullback though. I suppose it depends on whether Kinghorn travels as a flyhalf/fullback or a fullback/flyhalf. My preference would be to have him on the pitch as much as possible in which case he goes as first choice 15 and 3rd/4th choice 10. I suppose he could be first choice 15 and 3rd choice 10 which is maybe what you have all been getting at in which case, yes - maybe Smith does travel and one of Hastings or Healy misses out.

I think we'll take

6 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks and 6 backrow
3 scrum halves, 2 fly halves, 4 centres, 5 back 3


Schoey, Suzz, Bhatti, Fagerson, Nel, Sebastian
Turner, McInally, Ashman
Gray, Gilchrist, Cummings, Skinner
Ritchie, Watson, Dempsey, Fagerson, Darge, Crosbie

White, Price, Horne
Finn, Healy
Tuipulotu, Jones, Redpath, Harris
vd Merwe, Kinghorn, Graham, Smith, Steyn.


The two hookers behind Turner are not set in stone for me, Cherry could yet make a push for it. Crosbie is not nailed on, not yet at this level. Price has a lot of experience, but he needs to improve. Healy or Hastings.

I want a good side out against Romania, that squad allows for a strong selection from 1 to 23 for that match.

With Hogg retiring I think you can take 3 flyhalves, especially when Hastings covers 15 well. Kinghorn should be considered an out and out 15 who can cover wing. I would not take Harris, Steyn can cover 13 very adequately and would be totally fine vs Romania, indeed Tuipolotu plays there regularly too.

ST hasn't played 13 successfully at international level and is currently our best 12. An injury/bug to Jones shouldn't need a player switch and position switch.

Steyns defence at international level isn't good enough for 13 based on the 6N.

There needs to be a second 13 not named Jones or Tuipoltu in the squad.

Diego Miotti has apparently signed for Oyonnax which seems fairly unremarkable other than he signed a contract extension with Glasgow about 2 months ago.

Any other big name SQ 10s kicking about that we don’t know about?

What about Domingo?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:52 pm

This has probably been posted before, and probably by me, but it's worth another look

charltom wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:47 pm What about Domingo?

Aye, him too

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:48 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 6:52 pm

This has probably been posted before, and probably by me, but it's worth another look

Loved the steal in the England game at the end. Nicks the ball off the ground, pushes it back, gets BA onside and then joins the ruck and just grins at the English.

Excitement is starting to kick in for Saturday.

Just for the record, I fully expect us to beat one of either South Africa or Ireland in the world cup group.

It'll end up in a 3 way tie and we'll go out on points difference (or whatever the determining factor is). It's the only way to do it properly Scottish.

C T wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:10 am Excitement is starting to kick in for Saturday.

Just for the record, I fully expect us to beat one of either South Africa or Ireland in the world cup group.

It'll end up in a 3 way tie and we'll go out on points difference (or whatever the determining factor is). It's the only way to do it properly Scottish.

Has that “determining factor” been decided yet or are World Rugby waiting until after the group matches are complete

France have named their team for Saturday but don't know how to add piccies of it 3 new caps

Linkie thing

https://www.ffr.fr/actualites/xv-de-fra ... ons-series

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:53 am

C T wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:10 am Excitement is starting to kick in for Saturday.

Just for the record, I fully expect us to beat one of either South Africa or Ireland in the world cup group.

It'll end up in a 3 way tie and we'll go out on points difference (or whatever the determining factor is). It's the only way to do it properly Scottish.

Has that “determining factor” been decided yet or are World Rugby waiting until after the group matches are complete

Good point

Number of South African players in squad, highest goes out. We're dooooomed.

C T wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:10 am Excitement is starting to kick in for Saturday.

Just for the record, I fully expect us to beat one of either South Africa or Ireland in the world cup group.

It'll end up in a 3 way tie and we'll go out on points difference (or whatever the determining factor is). It's the only way to do it properly Scottish.

Yes, we beat SA, SA beat Ireland, Ireland beat us. They'll beat Tonga and Romania by more than we do, and go through on bonus points or points difference or greenness of shirt.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:53 pm Diego Miotti has apparently signed for Oyonnax which seems fairly unremarkable other than he signed a contract extension with Glasgow about 2 months ago.

Any other big name SQ 10s kicking about that we don’t know about?

That does leave Glasgow light at 10, so surely they will be looking at someone? I don't think they can go into the season relying on Weir, who looks finished, Thompson, who might need careful managing back from injury, and Jordan, who isn't a great kicker.

!

Yeah, that's potentially libellous I reckon, I'd delete it.

I think that’s absolute bollocks to be honest, it’s just some malicious weirdo making stuff up.

I'm not even sure that it makes sense, really. I don't think the management would take that strict a line about something that happened outside of camp two months before the World Cup.

These rumours have been doing the rounds. Sounds like total bollocks to me. As I said before, Scottish rugby is very small and I haven’t heard anything about any of this from anyone connected with the game