The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[I like neeps]

Go on Jonny!

[topofthemoon]

Final permutations for Pool B:

[clydecloggie]

I like the 5-1 5-point win scenario. At least the margin of victory is not beyond the realm of the possible. Such a shame there's only ever been one 5-1 result in the history of the RWC I believe.

But still, Scotland score 4 tries, Ireland let Sexton do his thing but only score 2 or 3 tries...final result 28-23. Yes, this is the scenario.

I am still entirely without hope.

[Tichtheid]

Hawick has produced 61 male Scottish international players and 13 British & Irish Lions plus 6 women internationals.

Three of Scotland’s top four try scorers are from Hawick, Stuart Hogg on 27, Darcy Graham on 24 (alongside Ian Smith) and Tony Stanger is on 23.

Two of the women, Lisa Thompson and Lana Skeldon , show up in Scotland’s top try scorers,

[Tichtheid]

I like the 5-1 5-point win scenario. At least the margin of victory is not beyond the realm of the possible. Such a shame there's only ever been one 5-1 result in the history of the RWC I believe.

But still, Scotland score 4 tries, Ireland let Sexton do his thing but only score 2 or 3 tries...final result 28-23. Yes, this is the scenario.

I am still entirely without hope.

From Disco’s table it looks like we need to win by 21 clear points, but Ireland get a try bp for us both to go through, which would be my preferred option.

Not very likely, unfortunately

[Big D]

I'd take 15-6.

[C T]

It’s going to happen, isn’t it? We’ll produce our best performance in years, record our first victory over Ireland in forever, and still go home because they get a LBP. Probably from a drop goal from bloody Sexton with the clock red.

What could be more Scottish than that?

I was originally of the opinion that this would happen, only because it is the most Scottish way.

Now though I think one of our players gets a red for a very soft shoulder to the face of an Ireland player within the first 20 and we go on to get pumped.

You know, barely a penalty kind of thing. Much less severe than the 5 or so times its happened to us in 3 games.

[Jock42]

I don't care who else qualifies as long as Scotland does. Obviously it'd be great if Scotland pump them but 8 nil will do me

[Yr Alban]

It’s going to happen, isn’t it? We’ll produce our best performance in years, record our first victory over Ireland in forever, and still go home because they get a LBP. Probably from a drop goal from bloody Sexton with the clock red.

What could be more Scottish than that?

I was originally of the opinion that this would happen, only because it is the most Scottish way.

Now though I think one of our players gets a red for a very soft shoulder to the face of an Ireland player within the first 20 and we go on to get pumped.

You know, barely a penalty kind of thing. Much less severe than the 5 or so times its happened to us in 3 games.

Pretty much our only chance in this game would be an early red for Ireland, but clearly that won’t happen even if it should. The reverse scenario is depressingly likely, and it would happen exactly as you say. Nothing like as dangerous as any of the ones that were penalties or yellows against us, but promptly upgraded to red by the bunker. I can 100% see this happening.

[clydecloggie]

I like the 5-1 5-point win scenario. At least the margin of victory is not beyond the realm of the possible. Such a shame there's only ever been one 5-1 result in the history of the RWC I believe.

But still, Scotland score 4 tries, Ireland let Sexton do his thing but only score 2 or 3 tries...final result 28-23. Yes, this is the scenario.

I am still entirely without hope.

From Disco’s table it looks like we need to win by 21 clear points, but Ireland get a try bp for us both to go through, which would be my preferred option.

Not very likely, unfortunately

Unless Ireland and Scotland both decide to fuck SA over and do exactly this, which would probably melt the Internet and bring forth the Apocalypse, so I'm all for it.

[Tichtheid]

I like the 5-1 5-point win scenario. At least the margin of victory is not beyond the realm of the possible. Such a shame there's only ever been one 5-1 result in the history of the RWC I believe.

But still, Scotland score 4 tries, Ireland let Sexton do his thing but only score 2 or 3 tries...final result 28-23. Yes, this is the scenario.

I am still entirely without hope.

From Disco’s table it looks like we need to win by 21 clear points, but Ireland get a try bp for us both to go through, which would be my preferred option.

Not very likely, unfortunately

Unless Ireland and Scotland both decide to fuck SA over and do exactly this, which would probably melt the Internet and bring forth the Apocalypse, so I'm all for it.

Can you imagine the Rassie videos ?

Bring it on

[Yr Alban]

Can’t see Ireland easing off against us, even if it would be to their benefit. Apparently we are solely to blame for them not getting the RWC. Also, their world ranking would take a hit.

[robmatic]

Has anyone seen the stuff emerging on social media about Dave Cherry's injury. I'm not going to repeat it on here, but I've heard it from my usually very well connected source and if true appears unlikely he will ever play for Scotland and Edinburgh again.

I don't know about the rumours, but I assumed there must be more to his exit from camp than the official story. He's not the only player to get a concussion during the period but he's the only one to go home.

[KingBlairhorn]

Final permutations for Pool B:

Congrats on getting name checked by Rassie himself!

[_Os_]

Moon, just so you know Rassie used your diagram and name checked you..

[Theflier]

I don't usually come to NPR, but thought I might to see the melt down.
The rules have just been changed, so it states the top two spots are decided on Points Difference in the case of a 3 way tie.
So yesterday the scots were through with a 4-0 win(most likely) now its either 5-0, or 5-1/4-0 AND a 25 point winning margin.

Harsh.

[Slick]

I don't usually come to NPR, but thought I might to see the melt down.
The rules have just been changed, so it states the top two spots are decided on Points Difference in the case of a 3 way tie.
So yesterday the scots were through with a 4-0 win(most likely) now its either 5-0, or 5-1/4-0 AND a 25 point winning margin.

Harsh.

What are you on about mate>?

[Theflier]

I don't usually come to NPR, but thought I might to see the melt down.
The rules have just been changed, so it states the top two spots are decided on Points Difference in the case of a 3 way tie.
So yesterday the scots were through with a 4-0 win(most likely) now its either 5-0, or 5-1/4-0 AND a 25 point winning margin.

Harsh.

What are you on about mate>?

World rugby have just changed the rules, so before you guys needed a 4-0 win, but now they are saying if the teams are level on points, the head to head doesn't count, its points difference now

[Jock42]

I don't usually come to NPR, but thought I might to see the melt down.
The rules have just been changed, so it states the top two spots are decided on Points Difference in the case of a 3 way tie.
So yesterday the scots were through with a 4-0 win(most likely) now its either 5-0, or 5-1/4-0 AND a 25 point winning margin.

Harsh.

What are you on about mate>?

I was hoping nobody would engage them.

[Theflier]

I don't usually come to NPR, but thought I might to see the melt down.
The rules have just been changed, so it states the top two spots are decided on Points Difference in the case of a 3 way tie.
So yesterday the scots were through with a 4-0 win(most likely) now its either 5-0, or 5-1/4-0 AND a 25 point winning margin.

Harsh.

What are you on about mate>?

I was hoping nobody would engage them.

I'm not winding you up, it was believed that say the pool finishes all on 15 and SA top on points(highly likely) that the Irish and scottish would come to the head to head, but that's been changed to PD, its on the rugy world cup social media pages if you want to check

Could be an error on their part of course, but given it benefits the Irish, I'd keep an eye out

[charltom]

Nah, that's bollocks.

[clydecloggie]

I can already see it; Ireland deliberately fouling in midfield, half-heartedly contesting the maul only for the Scottish replacement hooker to knock it on while grounding the ball. we will be arguing whether he did it deliberately for the rest of eternity.

Let's do it.

[fishfoodie]

I can already see it; Ireland deliberately fouling in midfield, half-heartedly contesting the maul only for the Scottish replacement hooker to knock it on while grounding the ball. we will be arguing whether he did it deliberately for the rest of eternity.

Let's do it.

at what point does POM poleaxe the Ref, to make sure a penalty try is awarded ?

[Tichtheid]

The problem with the above scenario is that I would put my house on Sexton getting at least two from four conversion attempts.

[charltom]

I've seen some bizarre fan team selections on social media since the Romania match - really bizarre... BUT it wouldn't bother me at all if Cam Redpath got his chance. I still really rate him, and perhaps Ireland will have prepared less for him...

[Slick]

I've seen some bizarre fan team selections on social media since the Romania match - really bizarre... BUT it wouldn't bother me at all if Cam Redpath got his chance. I still really rate him, and perhaps Ireland will have prepared less for him...

That’s kind of my thinking. Huwipolotu has gone off the boil slightly for whatever reason, so throw him in and mix it up.

Maybe

[Tichtheid]

D'Arcy Rae has joined Embra, one season deal

[robmatic]

D'Arcy Rae has joined Embra, one season deal

Thought he was signed with Montpellier? Think this does strengthen the stocks though, Embra's options on that side of the scrum aren't that great when Nel and Sebastian are away.

[topofthemoon]

What are you on about mate>?

I was hoping nobody would engage them.

I'm not winding you up, it was believed that say the pool finishes all on 15 and SA top on points(highly likely) that the Irish and scottish would come to the head to head, but that's been changed to PD, its on the rugy world cup social media pages if you want to check

Could be an error on their part of course, but given it benefits the Irish, I'd keep an eye out

Pretty certain this is an error by whoever runs their social media accounts. Permutations post on World Rugby's own site is consistent with the PD etc. to decide first then back up to Criterion 1 (head to head) to decide second:

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news ... rmutations

Not a great look for the organisers - but at least they have deleted the offending posts.

[Yr Alban]

There is simply no way that even WR would actually change the rules mid-tournament.

Not that it is going to matter either way.

[Tichtheid]

D'Arcy Rae has joined Embra, one season deal

Thought he was signed with Montpellier? Think this does strengthen the stocks though, Embra's options on that side of the scrum aren't that great when Nel and Sebastian are away.

Yeah he has played for Montpellier in recent weeks. I liked what I saw of him for Bath last season.

DeBruin was injured in training recently, he's not had a good run of luck that way and he's not really a tighthead anyway.

[Big D]

I've seen some bizarre fan team selections on social media since the Romania match - really bizarre... BUT it wouldn't bother me at all if Cam Redpath got his chance. I still really rate him, and perhaps Ireland will have prepared less for him...

That’s kind of my thinking. Huwipolotu has gone off the boil slightly for whatever reason, so throw him in and mix it up.

Maybe

Are Huwipoltu off the boil? They got bugger all useable ball due to the exceptional bok defence. They were good against France IIRC.

There are some parallels to 2019 here and in 2019 the centre selection was all over the shop too:

Not laying a glove one of pool favourites.
Not the best performance but sufficient enough to beat a PI team.
Gub the groups weak link
Will we turn up in the last, must win group game

[Slick]

I've seen some bizarre fan team selections on social media since the Romania match - really bizarre... BUT it wouldn't bother me at all if Cam Redpath got his chance. I still really rate him, and perhaps Ireland will have prepared less for him...

That’s kind of my thinking. Huwipolotu has gone off the boil slightly for whatever reason, so throw him in and mix it up.

Maybe

Are Huwipoltu off the boil? They got bugger all useable ball due to the exceptional bok defence. They were good against France IIRC.

There are some parallels to 2019 here and in 2019 the centre selection was all over the shop too:

Not laying a glove one of pool favourites.
Not the best performance but sufficient enough to beat a PI team.
Gub the groups weak link
Will we turn up in the last, must win group game

Maybe slightly harsh, but not tearing it up like last season. Reckon this is their type of game though

[Big D]

[clydecloggie]

That stat is not going to convince anyone rugby is leaving its posh boy image behind.

[Tichtheid]

To be fair they both went to state schools and Hawick isn't exactly a posh boy town

[clydecloggie]

To be fair they both went to state schools and Hawick isn't exactly a posh boy town

That's the massive irony of it.

[Tichtheid]

To be fair they both went to state schools and Hawick isn't exactly a posh boy town

That's the massive irony of it.

I may have told this story before, but on the Gruaniad's comments section there was a guy who had worked in the BBC Sport dept in Glasgow. He reckoned there was a definite inverse snobbery in the Scottish media when it came to rugby, it was dismissed as this posh boy sport and actively hated by the majority of those who worked in the industry in Scotland.

There is nowhere in the Borders that has a posh boy team, even when I played in the 80s and 90s the FP teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow were becoming open.
I'm of the opinion that the private schools actually saved the sport as a going concern in Scotland and I really couldn't care that some players were good enough to win scholarships at the likes of Strathallan and Merchiston before going on to represent Scotland.

The point I'm trying to make is that the image of a posh boy sport is one that is promulgated from outside the game itself.

[Biffer]

To be fair they both went to state schools and Hawick isn't exactly a posh boy town

That's the massive irony of it.

I may have told this story before, but on the Gruaniad's comments section there was a guy who had worked in the BBC Sport dept in Glasgow. He reckoned there was a definite inverse snobbery in the Scottish media when it came to rugby, it was dismissed as this posh boy sport and actively hated by the majority of those who worked in the industry in Scotland.

There is nowhere in the Borders that has a posh boy team, even when I played in the 80s and 90s the FP teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow were becoming open.
I'm of the opinion that the private schools actually saved the sport as a going concern in Scotland and I really couldn't care that some players were good enough to win scholarships at the likes of Strathallan and Merchiston before going on to represent Scotland.

The point I'm trying to make is that the image of a posh boy sport is one that is promulgated from outside the game itself.

I would agree with that, the only caveat being about a quarter of the Murrayfield crowd for internationals seems to be private school yahoos.

[Slick]

That's the massive irony of it.

I may have told this story before, but on the Gruaniad's comments section there was a guy who had worked in the BBC Sport dept in Glasgow. He reckoned there was a definite inverse snobbery in the Scottish media when it came to rugby, it was dismissed as this posh boy sport and actively hated by the majority of those who worked in the industry in Scotland.

There is nowhere in the Borders that has a posh boy team, even when I played in the 80s and 90s the FP teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow were becoming open.
I'm of the opinion that the private schools actually saved the sport as a going concern in Scotland and I really couldn't care that some players were good enough to win scholarships at the likes of Strathallan and Merchiston before going on to represent Scotland.

The point I'm trying to make is that the image of a posh boy sport is one that is promulgated from outside the game itself.

I would agree with that, the only caveat being about a quarter of the Murrayfield crowd for internationals seems to be private school yahoos.

I have to say that when I moved back up I was quite surprised at how "working class" rugby was up here, outside the FP clubs obviously. Haven't understood the posh boy narrative. In saying that, with a good few of the current Scotland team, including the wonder boy, coming from pretty normal backgrounds I would have expected the SRU to have made a bit more of it