NPR

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:38 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:42 pm

westport wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:35 pm Fiji game is off

Organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup today announced the cancellation of the Scotland v Fiji fixture due to take place at BT Murrayfield on 28th November 2020.

The extent of infection in the Fiji camp, combined with a minimum 10-day isolation period, plus the obvious need for suitable preparation for any international test match meant that, whilst difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The Tournament organisers remain in constant contact with the Fijian squad regarding their wellbeing and recovery which continues to be the number one priority.

The Fiji team and the organisers are hopeful that the fourth match on December 5th against the team that will finish in 4th place in Pool A will be able to take place, subject to checks on fitness levels once the players come out of isolation and following all appropriate protocols.

Be a shame for Georgia if they don't get their game v Fiji on a reasonably high profile platform.

That's assuming Georgia don't beat Wales of course....

If they don't, and they won't, there is a decent chance Italy will in their placing match (there are placing matches, yeah?).

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:39 pm Not sure on the thinking behind Berghan for Fagerson. Fagerson is both a better scrummager and better in the loose IMO. Perhaps it's a weight thing, not sure if Berghan is heavier?

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:28 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:39 pm Not sure on the thinking behind Berghan for Fagerson. Fagerson is both a better scrummager and better in the loose IMO. Perhaps it's a weight thing, not sure if Berghan is heavier?

Isn't that just a matter of keeping together the 2nd choice front row, who have trained together plenty in the squad?

Zander will probably be the first change if they are done separately.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:31 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:18 pm Didn’t realise that Graham was injured too?

Duncan Taylor on the bench has to be the big news in that squad!

That was supposition on my part, however there is a rumour floating about that Kinghorn is covering 10, if that is the case the selections start to fall in to place.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:28 pm Just noticed Gary Graham grabbed two tries for Newcastle in their game v Bath. Shame he isn’t an 8!

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:56 pm Looking at tomorrow's match, I'm really surprised at the predicted scoreline; I've read/ listened to three different sources which all basically say we're getting a shellacking tomorrow, France by 15 and France by 20 were two that I distinctly recall (and the 15 point one was an average of journalists' predictions). I think it'll be less than seven either way and I personally think we'll sneak it, am I wildly optimistic in this?

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 12:21 am

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:56 pm Looking at tomorrow's match, I'm really surprised at the predicted scoreline; I've read/ listened to three different sources which all basically say we're getting a shellacking tomorrow, France by 15 and France by 20 were two that I distinctly recall (and the 15 point one was an average of journalists' predictions). I think it'll be less than seven either way and I personally think we'll sneak it, am I wildly optimistic in this?

We lack a "bad bastard" factor, we haven't really had it since the Calders, White etc.

Our pack is talented, but they are soft, Ritchie and Watson excluded, it's not about being dirty, it's about a refusal to take a step back, a refusal to lose.

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 12:51 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 12:21 am

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:56 pm Looking at tomorrow's match, I'm really surprised at the predicted scoreline; I've read/ listened to three different sources which all basically say we're getting a shellacking tomorrow, France by 15 and France by 20 were two that I distinctly recall (and the 15 point one was an average of journalists' predictions). I think it'll be less than seven either way and I personally think we'll sneak it, am I wildly optimistic in this?

We lack a "bad bastard" factor, we haven't really had it since the Calders, White etc.

Our pack is talented, but they are soft, Ritchie and Watson excluded, it's not about being dirty, it's about a refusal to take a step back, a refusal to lose.

I think Ritchie is growing into that role nicely.

All said, I still fancy us, admittedly far less strongly without Russell and Hastings and a crowd but still by a few points.

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:03 pm Is there a match thread?

Thought it was supposed to start at 1500

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 5:07 pm Not going to go too over the top on this. A bad day at the office for sure.

I’ve had it with Jonny though, just can’t watch him being so fucking passive over and over.

Lost count of the number of aimless kicks as well.

I also have to say, I like Barnes as a ref and a bloke but he was bloody woeful today

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:48 pm We're stuck with Gray as he's probably better than the other options. We certainly overhyped him.

I'm okay with Cummings' issues today. Still a class player.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:38 pm How do people think Fagerson went at 8, by the way? I wasn’t able to watch the game as I was at work (may watch it back later).

I have read reports in different places saying he was great, OK and useless. No two seem to agree.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:51 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:38 pm How do people think Fagerson went at 8, by the way? I wasn’t able to watch the game as I was at work (may watch it back later).

I have read reports in different places saying he was great, OK and useless. No two seem to agree.

He did okay but the back row in general got monstered at the breakdown. Not helped by Barnes giving the French free range, but we weren't at the races.

C T wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:08 pm France are one of four teams that I think are on a different level to everyone else at the moment, well played to them they were the better team.

What's grating on me is that we lost the scrum battle and the breakdown, which before that match I would have been confident we'd give at least as good as we got in those areas. Scrum perhaps down to selection/injuries? Breakdown tactical or a bad day at the office?

I'm glad we've strengthened up our defence, It couldn't have gotten much worse. But does this new found ability to defend really have to be at the cost of all our creativity? I just can't believe we can't do more with the backs we have and still be difficult to score against.

Hoggy is trying too hard, needs to settle down. He ran up a few blind alleys today as well as the obvious blunder. He did do quite a lot of good today too in fairness.

Its nice to be competitive again, just a bit more flair please. Presume the scrum and breakdown will be better next time.

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:16 pm

C T wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:08 pm France are one of four teams that I think are on a different level to everyone else at the moment, well played to them they were the better team.

What's grating on me is that we lost the scrum battle and the breakdown, which before that match I would have been confident we'd give at least as good as we got in those areas. Scrum perhaps down to selection/injuries? Breakdown tactical or a bad day at the office?

I'm glad we've strengthened up our defence, It couldn't have gotten much worse. But does this new found ability to defend really have to be at the cost of all our creativity? I just can't believe we can't do more with the backs we have and still be difficult to score against.

Hoggy is trying too hard, needs to settle down. He ran up a few blind alleys today as well as the obvious blunder. He did do quite a lot of good today too in fairness.

Its nice to be competitive again, just a bit more flair please. Presume the scrum and breakdown will be better next time.

I’d be interested to know who you think those 4 teams are. We were poor today but we still competed with France. I’d bet on us being competitive against England. I’d also love a shot at NZ at the moment. SA would blow us off the park.

Today was sobering, but I still think we are in a good place

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:16 pm

C T wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:08 pm France are one of four teams that I think are on a different level to everyone else at the moment, well played to them they were the better team.

What's grating on me is that we lost the scrum battle and the breakdown, which before that match I would have been confident we'd give at least as good as we got in those areas. Scrum perhaps down to selection/injuries? Breakdown tactical or a bad day at the office?

I'm glad we've strengthened up our defence, It couldn't have gotten much worse. But does this new found ability to defend really have to be at the cost of all our creativity? I just can't believe we can't do more with the backs we have and still be difficult to score against.

Hoggy is trying too hard, needs to settle down. He ran up a few blind alleys today as well as the obvious blunder. He did do quite a lot of good today too in fairness.

Its nice to be competitive again, just a bit more flair please. Presume the scrum and breakdown will be better next time.

I’d be interested to know who you think those 4 teams are. We were poor today but we still competed with France. I’d bet on us being competitive against England. I’d also love a shot at NZ at the moment. SA would blow us off the park.

Today was sobering, but I still think we are in a good place

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:43 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:28 pm Just noticed Gary Graham grabbed two tries for Newcastle in their game v Bath. Shame he isn’t an 8!

Good player, but to make it to a Scotland starting line up he has to be better than, well I was going to list them, but on recent form is he better than Ally Miller? I doubt it, and Miller is well down the pecking order, he doesn't even have a full 15s contract at the moment.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:02 am

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:43 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:28 pm Just noticed Gary Graham grabbed two tries for Newcastle in their game v Bath. Shame he isn’t an 8!

Good player, but to make it to a Scotland starting line up he has to be better than, well I was going to list them, but on recent form is he better than Ally Miller? I doubt it, and Miller is well down the pecking order, he doesn't even have a full 15s contract at the moment.

Just found out Graham was actually playing 8 in that game. All the caveats still apply, of course, but I thought it was interesting. He seems to exude the sort of nastiness that is mostly absent from our forwards (Ritchie aside).