Is he seen as an 8 at Newcastle now? Or was he just covering for an injury?
GG plays across the back row depending on others availability which is probably testament to a mix of lack of real depth at Falcons and his versatility, but I think is seen as the better alternative to Nagusa who is played predominately at 8.
Is my view that GG isn't all that good outdated now? Haven't seen him play in a year or so.
How often have you watched him?
I didn't get to that much of the Championship season but he more than held his own in his first 2 years in the Premiership and was a regular standout in most matches despite a pack that struggled to gain parity. He makes the hard yards across the gain line, carries with aggression, has good ball handling skills and is a niggly big bugger.
I think his problem is that he is adaptable at 6, 7 or 8 and a lack of club depth has possibly stopped him cementing a regular position in the back row. At Falcons he's fighting against John Hardie and Mark Wilson at 7 and the (then) club captain at 6.
Is he Scotlands long term answer to 8, IMO no. Is he the answer in the lead up to France '23, possibly but you won't know until you try him.
The loss of the summer tour and proper Autumn International season has limited the chance to bleed new players into the setup.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:48 am
by Big D
Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 7:17 amWe can’t be saying number 8s aren’t supposed to tackle are we? The old fashioned thinking about positions and very defined roles have been blown away, Brian O’Driscol showed that centres can jackal in a ruck as well as any ground hog “proper 7”, now everyone on the park is expected to do it when necessary- look at Sammy H-C
In recent years Scotland have had John Barclay, Kelly Brown and Ryan Wilson start at 6,7 or 8, Bradbury has played 6&8, as did Dents.
Ritchie and Watson start in our strongest team, the “problem” is that for Edinburgh there is Mata, Bradbury, Haining and Kunavula with experience at 8 and we have a conservative head coach, but I still think Edinburgh and Scotland are missing a trick by not employing Crosbie in that middle jersey - what specifically is lacking in his game that would prevent him gelling with Ritchie and Watson?
The latter two are nailed on starters, Crosbie is that ball carrier to compliment them, to me that is a very balanced back row, on tv at least he looks the quickest of the three.
I meant negating as in nutralising. I would want him in the defensive line every single time. The point about centres has no bearing on this discussion as we have seen as recently as Sunday that Scotland will ask the number 8 to sit deep and field kicks. Ritchie did it once poorly when Fagerson was at the bottom of a ruck. That removes the 8 from the defensive line. That is also seen by the tackle numbers where the 8 and sub regularly have lower tackle numbers than the flankers, although there are a couple of exceptions such as Georgia where Ritchie only made 3 tackles. It is not a surprise a decent percentage of the best number 8's are guys who play there all the time and rarely move to the flank.
4 of the 5 players you named weren't or haven't shown to be good international 8s. Barclay and Brown were and played like flankers at 8 and were far better on the flank. All 5 had played 8 at club level. The best back row combination we have had in the last 10-15 years had a guy who knew how to play 8 in at 8.
Crosbie, based on what I have seen, doesn't have the handling skills of an 8 nor the experience to pack down at 8. Edinburgh are playing a guy who is effectively a 7s specialist at this point at 8 (although he is doing it well).
Given realistically we are talking the summer before Crosbie gets a cap, why are Watson and Ritchie nailed on starters if others can be proven to be in better form, or just better by that point? for Scotland
Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 7:17 amWe can’t be saying number 8s aren’t supposed to tackle are we? The old fashioned thinking about positions and very defined roles have been blown away, Brian O’Driscol showed that centres can jackal in a ruck as well as any ground hog “proper 7”, now everyone on the park is expected to do it when necessary- look at Sammy H-C
In recent years Scotland have had John Barclay, Kelly Brown and Ryan Wilson start at 6,7 or 8, Bradbury has played 6&8, as did Dents.
Ritchie and Watson start in our strongest team, the “problem” is that for Edinburgh there is Mata, Bradbury, Haining and Kunavula with experience at 8 and we have a conservative head coach, but I still think Edinburgh and Scotland are missing a trick by not employing Crosbie in that middle jersey - what specifically is lacking in his game that would prevent him gelling with Ritchie and Watson?
The latter two are nailed on starters, Crosbie is that ball carrier to compliment them, to me that is a very balanced back row, on tv at least he looks the quickest of the three.
I meant negating as in nutralising. I would want him in the defensive line every single time. The point about centres has no bearing on this discussion as we have seen as recently as Sunday that Scotland will ask the number 8 to sit deep and field kicks. Ritchie did it once poorly when Fagerson was at the bottom of a ruck. That removes the 8 from the defensive line. That is also seen by the tackle numbers where the 8 and sub regularly have lower tackle numbers than the flankers, although there are a couple of exceptions such as Georgia where Ritchie only made 3 tackles. It is not a surprise a decent percentage of the best number 8's are guys who play there all the time and rarely move to the flank.
4 of the 5 players you named weren't or haven't shown to be good international 8s. Barclay and Brown were and played like flankers at 8 and were far better on the flank. All 5 had played 8 at club level. The best back row combination we have had in the last 10-15 years had a guy who knew how to play 8 in at 8.
Crosbie, based on what I have seen, doesn't have the handling skills of an 8 nor the experience to pack down at 8. Edinburgh are playing a guy who is effectively a 7s specialist at this point at 8 (although he is doing it well).
Given realistically we are talking the summer before Crosbie gets a cap, why are Watson and Ritchie nailed on starters if others can be proven to be in better form, or just better by that point? for Scotland
The point about centres is absolutely central to this discussion because it's about breaking down the old way of thinking that players in particular jerseys fulfil narrow roles, but whilst we're on the subject of centres and new roles, Sam Simmonds scored 20 tries for Exeter in the season just finished, England are also missing a trick in picking Vunipola, or any of the others such as Hughes in front of him, imo.
Regarding the defending, I don't think we lose much in having Ritchie and Watson on the flanks, yes the 8 often tracks back but you need your best ball carrier in that role and for me that is Crosbie.
On handling, whilst there are very few Bill Matas in the game, there is nothing I've seen of Crosbie's hand skills that lead me to think he is a liability in that department.
This discussion started with me recognising that he hasn't played at 8 for Edinburgh, though had done for Scotland U20s, and suggesting that he has all the tools to become a very good international in that jersey, he has the power to play tight and the pace to play wide
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:37 pm
by Begbie
Speaking of Billy V, this is a decent article about his importance to England, backrow balance etc.
Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 7:17 amWe can’t be saying number 8s aren’t supposed to tackle are we? The old fashioned thinking about positions and very defined roles have been blown away, Brian O’Driscol showed that centres can jackal in a ruck as well as any ground hog “proper 7”, now everyone on the park is expected to do it when necessary- look at Sammy H-C
In recent years Scotland have had John Barclay, Kelly Brown and Ryan Wilson start at 6,7 or 8, Bradbury has played 6&8, as did Dents.
Ritchie and Watson start in our strongest team, the “problem” is that for Edinburgh there is Mata, Bradbury, Haining and Kunavula with experience at 8 and we have a conservative head coach, but I still think Edinburgh and Scotland are missing a trick by not employing Crosbie in that middle jersey - what specifically is lacking in his game that would prevent him gelling with Ritchie and Watson?
The latter two are nailed on starters, Crosbie is that ball carrier to compliment them, to me that is a very balanced back row, on tv at least he looks the quickest of the three.
I meant negating as in nutralising. I would want him in the defensive line every single time. The point about centres has no bearing on this discussion as we have seen as recently as Sunday that Scotland will ask the number 8 to sit deep and field kicks. Ritchie did it once poorly when Fagerson was at the bottom of a ruck. That removes the 8 from the defensive line. That is also seen by the tackle numbers where the 8 and sub regularly have lower tackle numbers than the flankers, although there are a couple of exceptions such as Georgia where Ritchie only made 3 tackles. It is not a surprise a decent percentage of the best number 8's are guys who play there all the time and rarely move to the flank.
4 of the 5 players you named weren't or haven't shown to be good international 8s. Barclay and Brown were and played like flankers at 8 and were far better on the flank. All 5 had played 8 at club level. The best back row combination we have had in the last 10-15 years had a guy who knew how to play 8 in at 8.
Crosbie, based on what I have seen, doesn't have the handling skills of an 8 nor the experience to pack down at 8. Edinburgh are playing a guy who is effectively a 7s specialist at this point at 8 (although he is doing it well).
Given realistically we are talking the summer before Crosbie gets a cap, why are Watson and Ritchie nailed on starters if others can be proven to be in better form, or just better by that point? for Scotland
The point about centres is absolutely central to this discussion because it's about breaking down the old way of thinking that players in particular jerseys fulfil narrow roles, but whilst we're on the subject of centres and new roles, Sam Simmonds scored 20 tries for Exeter in the season just finished, England are also missing a trick in picking Vunipola, or any of the others such as Hughes in front of him, imo.
Regarding the defending, I don't think we lose much in having Ritchie and Watson on the flanks, yes the 8 often tracks back but you need your best ball carrier in that role and for me that is Crosbie.
On handling, whilst there are very few Bill Matas in the game, there is nothing I've seen of Crosbie's hand skills that lead me to think he is a liability in that department.
This discussion started with me recognising that he hasn't played at 8 for Edinburgh, though had done for Scotland U20s, and suggesting that he has all the tools to become a very good international in that jersey, he has the power to play tight and the pace to play wide
The point about centres doesn't make a difference. Everyone on the pitch is expected to compete for the ball if the chance arises. Everyone on the pitch should be able to carry too, which is your prime motivation for wanting to move him. Many teams around the world use their 8 deep to field kicks, that isn't a stereotype, it is a tactic that teams continue to use over and over.
You refer to old fashioned stereotypes then state you need your best ball carrier at 8. He can carry from 6 too. He and Ritchie are still young and can potentially be a better balanced combo than Ritchie and Watson
Simmonds should be starting for England. He moved position to 8 a few years ago at a younger age than Crosbie is now. He is also playing behind a pack that can monster anyone.
I'll bow to those more knowledgeable about the 20s but Darge looked decent at 8 for them and would hopefully come through the ranks if given game time to show what he can do. Fagerson still has plenty of potential too.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:33 pm
by Biffer
No, what we're saying is that in the modern game, No8 often tends to hang back from the defensive line to take long kicks and run them back. So they're not iften present in and around the breakdown defensively. That takes one of Crosbie's key attributes and lessens the contribution it can make.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:56 pm
by Tichtheid
Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:33 pm
No, what we're saying is that in the modern game, No8 often tends to hang back from the defensive line to take long kicks and run them back. So they're not iften present in and around the breakdown defensively. That takes one of Crosbie's key attributes and lessens the contribution it can make.
To answer this and BigD at the same time, I'd say Crosbie is our most abrasive forward, he is our best defender and our best ball carrier, he seems to be more consistent than Bradbury.
It's not actually written anywhere that the guy fielding deep has to be wearing 8, in fact the scrum half is often used as a sweeper and the wingers pendulum in when the full back is perhaps caught upfield, but as we are picking Ritchie and Watson, the discussion is about who will join them at 8.
When fielding kickoffs I want our best carrier to be collecting the ball, I don't really care what shirt he is wearing.
I feel our best back row players at this moment in time includes Crosbie, I'd have him ahead of Thomson, CdP, Bradbury, Haining or Fagerson,
Now, he might be better than Ritchie and/or Watson, and he might even be more effective for Scotland in one of those shirts if he was playing flanker, I'm not going to argue that, but I do think that he is in our top three and he will provide the carrying we need.
What I'm arguing is that Crosbie offers more than the others who are being selected at 8 currently and bringing him on as an 8 will serve to strengthen both Edinburgh and Scotland
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:10 pm
by Begbie
Interesting debate lads. I don't have much to add other than Crosbie has the potential to be even more hated by opposing fans than Jamie Ritchie
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:18 pm
by Biffer
Begbie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:10 pm
Interesting debate lads. I don't have much to add other than Crosbie has the potential to be even more hated by opposing fans than Jamie Ritchie
Yeah, the thing for me is that Mish is 30 next year. He might be tempted by a big contract somewhere else, or might start to have to be a bit more limited in his playing time in the next few years.
Having Ritchie on one flank and Crosbie on the other will virtually guarantee a back line that opposing fans hate, for all of the best reasons. I'm very much looking forward to that.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:03 pm
by Tichtheid
I'm still hoping Bradbury can regain and hold the kind of form he showed at Twickenham in 2019
this should start at 3mins 20, that is DAly and May he is running away from there, leaving Billy puffing waaay behind.
Right, that's the back row done.
What about centres? Luke Crosbie is pretty quick and has great defence...
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:35 pm
by Big D
Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:03 pm
I'm still hoping Bradbury can regain and hold the kind of form he showed at Twickenham in 2019
this should start at 3mins 20, that is DAly and May he is running away from there, leaving Billy puffing waaay behind.
Right, that's the back row done.
What about centres? Luke Crosbie is pretty quick and has great defence...
That performance was one of the best no.8 performances under Townsend and Cotter before him. The most impressive part for me was two of the number 8 picks ups under pressure and making yards.
Crosbie ahead of Harris? I'm game.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:42 pm
by Big D
Begbie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:10 pm
Interesting debate lads. I don't have much to add other than Crosbie has the potential to be even more hated by opposing fans than Jamie Ritchie
Yeah it is nice to have a bit of debate without insults flying around!
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:51 pm
by Northern Lights
With injuries as they are in the modern game Crosbie will undoubtedly get more than enough chances to see if he has what it takes at this level ont he flank.
For me i want a strong ball handler at 8, i think that suits our game as he can also be used as a link man with the backs, the consumate 8 from another age was Zinzan, Parisse is the same. Great hands and tactical awareness with sufficient heft to enter the fray as needed, i would much prefer either of them over big Billy V as i think it would suit our game plan better as well.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:26 am
by KingBlairhorn
Northern Lights wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:51 pm
With injuries as they are in the modern game Crosbie will undoubtedly get more than enough chances to see if he has what it takes at this level ont he flank.
For me i want a strong ball handler at 8, i think that suits our game as he can also be used as a link man with the backs, the consumate 8 from another age was Zinzan, Parisse is the same. Great hands and tactical awareness with sufficient heft to enter the fray as needed, i would much prefer either of them over big Billy V as i think it would suit our game plan better as well.
The galling thing is you've just described Zach Mercer. What could, in fact should, have been.
For those that don't know, he was playing for our age grade sides having grown up here while his dad coached at Merchiston (I think) and wanted to continue to do so. However, when he moved to Bath someone from the SRU contacted him and said he would no longer be considered. England found out and jumped at the opportunity.
Northern Lights wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:51 pm
With injuries as they are in the modern game Crosbie will undoubtedly get more than enough chances to see if he has what it takes at this level ont he flank.
For me i want a strong ball handler at 8, i think that suits our game as he can also be used as a link man with the backs, the consumate 8 from another age was Zinzan, Parisse is the same. Great hands and tactical awareness with sufficient heft to enter the fray as needed, i would much prefer either of them over big Billy V as i think it would suit our game plan better as well.
The galling thing is you've just described Zach Mercer. What could, in fact should, have been.
For those that don't know, he was playing for our age grade sides having grown up here while his dad coached at Merchiston (I think) and wanted to continue to do so. However, when he moved to Bath someone from the SRU contacted him and said he would no longer be considered. England found out and jumped at the opportunity.
His old man was Glasgow defence coach for a while. Zach attended Merchiston but joined Bath straight from school after Edinburgh and Glasgow showed no interest. I think not being picked for the U18 that year also influenced his decision to go back down south (or he wasn't picked because he'd already signed for Bath, depending on who you believe)
Northern Lights wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:51 pm
With injuries as they are in the modern game Crosbie will undoubtedly get more than enough chances to see if he has what it takes at this level ont he flank.
For me i want a strong ball handler at 8, i think that suits our game as he can also be used as a link man with the backs, the consumate 8 from another age was Zinzan, Parisse is the same. Great hands and tactical awareness with sufficient heft to enter the fray as needed, i would much prefer either of them over big Billy V as i think it would suit our game plan better as well.
The galling thing is you've just described Zach Mercer. What could, in fact should, have been.
For those that don't know, he was playing for our age grade sides having grown up here while his dad coached at Merchiston (I think) and wanted to continue to do so. However, when he moved to Bath someone from the SRU contacted him and said he would no longer be considered. England found out and jumped at the opportunity.
His old man was Glasgow defence coach for a while. Zach attended Merchiston but joined Bath straight from school after Edinburgh and Glasgow showed no interest. I think not being picked for the U18 that year also influenced his decision to go back down south.
It was altogether a completely avoidable situation. There's almost certainly an argument that he wouldn't have become the player he is today without the move, but he would definitely start at 8 for us if he remained eligible.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:34 pm
by westport
Be able to watch GG playing at 8 for the Falcons tonight
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 8:33 pm
by Tichtheid
westport wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:34 pm
Be able to watch GG playing at 8 for the Falcons tonight
westport wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:34 pm
Be able to watch GG playing at 8 for the Falcons tonight
He’s making some good hard yards carries.
Magnificent beard, it has to be said.
Whilst it was a truly awful game he made a lot of hard yards throughout
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:48 am
by Biffer
SRU have applied to government to have
5000 at the 1872 match on 2nd January
10,000 at a pro game before the six nations
25,000 at each of the Six Nations games at Murrayfield
Key question here is obviously where we get 10,000 fans for an Edinburgh game...
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:56 am
by westport
Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:48 am
SRU have applied to government to have
5000 at the 1872 match on 2nd January
10,000 at a pro game before the six nations
25,000 at each of the Six Nations games at Murrayfield
Key question here is obviously where we get 10,000 fans for an Edinburgh game...
Go round the doors of Gorgie, Corstorphine and Roseburn and drag them out and force them to attend
ETA Joking aside, I am sure there will be folk wanting to get out and do stuff and what better way to get folk out than offering them a night at a pro game, whether it be reduce the price of a ticket for this season or whatever
westport wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:34 pm
Be able to watch GG playing at 8 for the Falcons tonight
He’s making some good hard yards carries.
Magnificent beard, it has to be said.
Whilst it was a truly awful game he made a lot of hard yards throughout
Aye it was a bit of a dud, I switched off after about quarter of an hour into the second half. GG was playing well, though.
Interesting news about the fans being allowed in, or at least the application for it.
Personally I wouldn’t go before getting the jags.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:32 am
by Slick
Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:48 am
SRU have applied to government to have
5000 at the 1872 match on 2nd January
10,000 at a pro game before the six nations
25,000 at each of the Six Nations games at Murrayfield
Key question here is obviously where we get 10,000 fans for an Edinburgh game...
Reckon I’d be one of them. Missing going to games so much I’d even make the effort for a pro club game
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 12:05 pm
by Jock42
That seems ambitious to me. Going from where we are now to 5000 people at a game in a month? Would gladly go along with or without a jab though.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 2:36 pm
by Biffer
Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 12:05 pm
That seems ambitious to me. Going from where we are now to 5000 people at a game in a month? Would gladly go along with or without a jab though.
Remember they’ve already had a test event.
There are 45 sections in the lower level at Murrayfield, 53 in the upper level. So 100 fans in each, lower level open for the first game, both open for the second. That’s about 1 in 7 seats occupied. Assuming things worked in the first test event with 700, which by all accounts they did, it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of man to achieve it.
25,000 for the six nations is more ambitious, but by that time we will, hopefully, be well down the track of a mass vaccination programme with a view to removing social distancing in April.
Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 12:05 pm
That seems ambitious to me. Going from where we are now to 5000 people at a game in a month? Would gladly go along with or without a jab though.
Remember they’ve already had a test event.
There are 45 sections in the lower level at Murrayfield, 53 in the upper level. So 100 fans in each, lower level open for the first game, both open for the second. That’s about 1 in 7 seats occupied. Assuming things worked in the first test event with 700, which by all accounts they did, it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of man to achieve it.
25,000 for the six nations is more ambitious, but by that time we will, hopefully, be well down the track of a mass vaccination programme with a view to removing social distancing in April.
So we should get good crowds for Embra in the league and big cup finals
Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 12:05 pm
That seems ambitious to me. Going from where we are now to 5000 people at a game in a month? Would gladly go along with or without a jab though.
Remember they’ve already had a test event.
There are 45 sections in the lower level at Murrayfield, 53 in the upper level. So 100 fans in each, lower level open for the first game, both open for the second. That’s about 1 in 7 seats occupied. Assuming things worked in the first test event with 700, which by all accounts they did, it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of man to achieve it.
25,000 for the six nations is more ambitious, but by that time we will, hopefully, be well down the track of a mass vaccination programme with a view to removing social distancing in April.
So we should get good crowds for Embra in the league and big cup finals
*cough*
That sounds nasty, get yourself out to the airport for a test.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 6:12 pm
by westport
I thought the Scotland team were in a bubble as Sam Skinner is playing for Exeter, so I assume he is not playing next week
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2020 6:25 pm
by Slick
So probably Ireland next week.
Good, fancy a crack at them. Although also fancy a crack at England
GG plays across the back row depending on others availability which is probably testament to a mix of lack of real depth at Falcons and his versatility, but I think is seen as the better alternative to Nagusa who is played predominately at 8.
Is my view that GG isn't all that good outdated now? Haven't seen him play in a year or so.
How often have you watched him?
I didn't get to that much of the Championship season but he more than held his own in his first 2 years in the Premiership and was a regular standout in most matches despite a pack that struggled to gain parity. He makes the hard yards across the gain line, carries with aggression, has good ball handling skills and is a niggly big bugger.
I think his problem is that he is adaptable at 6, 7 or 8 and a lack of club depth has possibly stopped him cementing a regular position in the back row. At Falcons he's fighting against John Hardie and Mark Wilson at 7 and the (then) club captain at 6.
Is he Scotlands long term answer to 8, IMO no. Is he the answer in the lead up to France '23, possibly but you won't know until you try him.
The loss of the summer tour and proper Autumn International season has limited the chance to bleed new players into the setup.
Recently, not at all , hence the question.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:42 am
by KingBlairhorn
Glasgow looked better last night. Very, very aggressive in defence at times particularly with their linespeed and when competing at rucks. Gordon was very good and looks like another Scotland cap in waiting. A backrow containing any two of Richie, Crosbie and Gordon could be despised the world over, which is nice
Their attack still looked blunt and they still made plenty of mistakes, but I think the blueprint is becoming clearer. If they can get their first choice 15 out and playing to this style, they could be very effective.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 4:43 pm
by dpedin
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:42 am
Glasgow looked better last night. Very, very aggressive in defence at times particularly with their linespeed and when competing at rucks. Gordon was very good and looks like another Scotland cap in waiting. A backrow containing any two of Richie, Crosbie and Gordon could be despised the world over, which is nice
Their attack still looked blunt and they still made plenty of mistakes, but I think the blueprint is becoming clearer. If they can get their first choice 15 out and playing to this style, they could be very effective.
Agree with this. I thought Kiran MacDonald added some real grunt and aggression plus he made some good carries. Have waited a year or two to see him come good and it looks like this could be his year. He certainly looks to have bulked up and lasted the game well but he was breathing out of his arse at the end. Ritchie Grey might struggle for a game - Cummings and MacDonald look like a good combo!
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:42 am
Glasgow looked better last night. Very, very aggressive in defence at times particularly with their linespeed and when competing at rucks. Gordon was very good and looks like another Scotland cap in waiting. A backrow containing any two of Richie, Crosbie and Gordon could be despised the world over, which is nice
Their attack still looked blunt and they still made plenty of mistakes, but I think the blueprint is becoming clearer. If they can get their first choice 15 out and playing to this style, they could be very effective.
Agree with this. I thought Kiran MacDonald added some real grunt and aggression plus he made some good carries. Have waited a year or two to see him come good and it looks like this could be his year. He certainly looks to have bulked up and lasted the game well but he was breathing out of his arse at the end. Ritchie Grey might struggle for a game - Cummings and MacDonald look like a good combo!
You've got to think when Nakarawa (easy to forget about him these days) is fit he's number one choice with Cummings. That leaves Gray perhaps struggling to even make the bench, especially with BBH's form.
Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 10:16 pm
by Yr Alban
Another fairly painful reverse v Ulster for Embra tonight. Maybe not a surprise when you look at the team - probably only the starting back row (Bradbury, Crosbie, Miller) didn’t look makeshift.
Given how relatively weak the pipeline is after Sexton, I'd be surprised if he did jump ship- could easily have an Ireland cap within a year or two?
Had a good game against Glasgow, and by how he played he would fit into the 'Scottish fly half mould'. Bring him over. Imagine having to be a Munster man for your whole life...if we are serious about being humanitarians, we must free him.
Reads like an agent has spoken to a journo. "Here lad, the IRFU still aren't opening discussions with OOC players. Did you know he is SQ and I know Townsend has seen him play once?".
Reads like an agent has spoken to a journo. "Here lad, the IRFU still aren't opening discussions with OOC players. Did you know he is SQ and I know Townsend has seen him play once?".
Oh it's definitely agent shit-stirring. He's still an academy player and this is just setting the stall out for a senior contract.
Reads like an agent has spoken to a journo. "Here lad, the IRFU still aren't opening discussions with OOC players. Did you know he is SQ and I know Townsend has seen him play once?".
Oh it's definitely agent shit-stirring. He's still an academy player and this is just setting the stall out for a senior contract.
Can’t see it happening. It would be funny as fuck though.
