The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Dogbert]

To me that's a good result for Glasgow tonight.

Northampton thrashed Bayonne , so can't see Bayonne progressing , Would be good if Munster could get the same sort of result against Toulon tomorrow

If Glasgow can get any sort of result against Munster ( who at that stage may have already booked their place ( or pretty close to it ) next Friday, then we could well progress.

Glasgow may even have another couple of players back from injury in a week's time

Lots if if, buts & maybes at this stage - Exeter first - and as Disco has kindly pointed out, to fill us full of confidence -

"Points conceded by Glasgow at Sandy Park are 10 - 24 - 34 - 42 - 52. Here's hoping that upward trend doesn't continue!"

[KingBlairhorn]

Two more years for Everitt at Edinburgh. Seems a little premature to me but they must be confident in the job he’s doing.

[KingBlairhorn]

Rufus McLean resurfaces stateside. I’m not sure if the USA selection point is speculation or an actual goal of his.

https://x.com/ofscrum/status/1745942928 ... UZjzgAiO2Q

[Jock42]

Two more years for Everitt at Edinburgh. Seems a little premature to me but they must be confident in the job he’s doing.

Maybe but if he'd been given a 3 year contract 6 months ago we'd not be batting an eyelid.

[KingBlairhorn]

For those not aware (I wasn’t) the Glasgow game is on ITV.

[charltom]

Why do refs give every dropped ball as a knock-on, even when it goes obviously backwards?

[charltom]

Astonishing finish there!

[charltom]

And even more astonishing reffing... again. Boooooo.

[Dogbert]

So Close ... but yet so far.

Still a bonus point at Exeter , and within 2 points is not the worst result.

Hiddleston was fantastic in his first cap, Weir probably had the best game for Glasgow for some time, as did Venter

Hopefully Steyn will be back for next Friday ( Shuggy is really not a winger ), and possibly with Dempsey to make some hard yards - and at Scotstoun - lets hope for a slightly better result

[Yr Alban]

Why do refs give every dropped ball as a knock-on, even when it goes obviously backwards?

This has been a bugbear of mine for years now. Not every handling error is a knock-forward. The clue is in the bloody name.

It was a lot more aggravating when Scotland were in the habit of making more handling errors than is now usual.

[KingBlairhorn]

It didn’t make any difference to the game so just asking for my own knowledge; when the Exeter try was disallowed it was for a knock on. I thought the Exeter player who caught the ball was ahead of the play so surely that’s accidental offside rather than a knock on? Should have been penalty Glasgow, not free kick Glasgow? Or do I misunderstand the law somehow?

[Yr Alban]

Isn’t a knock on a scrum, not a free kick, anyway?

[KingBlairhorn]

Isn’t a knock on a scrum, not a free kick, anyway?

Yeah it was a scrum sorry, not a free kick. The dangers of writing about rugby while watching football

[KingBlairhorn]

Not going to enjoy watching a late loss from a Scottish pro team for the second time today.

[Tichtheid]

You don't win if you are inaccurate in protecting your ruck ball and your lineout is not functioning.

This could be expensive if we lose Goosen, Boff and Bennett to injury.

[Jock42]

Fucking dire

[Tichtheid]

Fucking dire

I'm looking on the bright side - Kinghorn is playing well in a dominant Toulouse side

[Slick]

I keep seeing that disallowed Glasgow try at the end popping up on social media. If ever there was a passage of play that shows the shit show that rugby can make of itself it’s that.

Yes, he was unbound, but if he stayed bound he would have had to drop to his knees and been out the game, which seeems daft. I haven’t seen it get much attention, but his opposite flanker actually unbinds about a second before him, so should be Glasgow penalty. Then we see the 8 broke too early and could have been penalised, all the shoving with the 9’s etc.


There was probably 6 different offences that the refs could call but called the one that prevented the try. This despite there being a touch judge staring straight it at that saw nothing wrong in real time.

The TMO really just has to be for groundings and foul play, nothing else and let the refs ref.

[topofthemoon]

[Dogbert]

TOTM

Am I right in thinking that if Glasgow do win next Friday , and progress, you think there is a good chance that Glasgow would again face Exeter at Sandy Park?

Not usually to happy to replay against the same same team , but in this case , it would be a fantastic rematch

[KingBlairhorn]

I keep seeing that disallowed Glasgow try at the end popping up on social media. If ever there was a passage of play that shows the shit show that rugby can make of itself it’s that.

Yes, he was unbound, but if he stayed bound he would have had to drop to his knees and been out the game, which seeems daft. I haven’t seen it get much attention, but his opposite flanker actually unbinds about a second before him, so should be Glasgow penalty. Then we see the 8 broke too early and could have been penalised, all the shoving with the 9’s etc.


There was probably 6 different offences that the refs could call but called the one that prevented the try. This despite there being a touch judge staring straight it at that saw nothing wrong in real time.

The TMO really just has to be for groundings and foul play, nothing else and let the refs ref.

This is one of the great issues with rugby right now IMO. Honestly, a fairly large proportion of games i watch seem to be decided by refs and their interpretation of the laws. The coaching, the ability to completely ignore some laws at the expense of others, the weird decisions mid-match to penalise things that haven’t been penalised all game, the inability to apply the protocols for head contact correctly and all manner of other things. People say ref decisions even themselves out but i really don’t think that is true.

To be clear, i am not claiming some sort of conspiracy against Scottish teams as we have most definitely been the beneficiaries of this to win games too. What i am saying is that rugby has become too obsessed with the game ‘flowing’ and has allowed refs to get into a position where they are expected to referee on the basis of the spectacle rather than the law. I’ve said it before but this leads to what I’d call refereeing the momentum where a team perceived to be on top gets lots of questionable calls in their favour because those are the calls that allow the game to flow whereas decisions for the team who has no momentum usually lead to the game becoming more disjointed.

My view is definitely littered with perception bias but I can’t help but feel there is something actually there too though.

[topofthemoon]

TOTM

Am I right in thinking that if Glasgow do win next Friday , and progress, you think there is a good chance that Glasgow would again face Exeter at Sandy Park?

Not usually to happy to replay against the same same team , but in this case , it would be a fantastic rematch

A higher chance of them than any other team because if Glasgow win v Toulon (and assuming Exeter beat Bayonne) then both sides are most likely affected consistently by the Munster v Northampton game

ie if Exeter finish 1st we'll be 4th and if Exeter finish 2nd we'll be 3rd so either way they will be one of the 4 teams we could be up against which isn't the case for any other side.

[Margin__Walker]

Looks like Reed has been called up for you guys

[Yr Alban]

Looks like Reed has been called up for you guys

We were supposed to be talking to four players to try and get them to declare for us - three at Sale (Roebuck, Warr and Reed) and Fin Smith.

If this is true, then it suggests that the only one of the four to have accepted the approach is the one I’d not heard of. (Also arguably the least qualified, given Roebuck was born in Inverness, Warr played U20 for us, and Smith’s granddad was a Scotland cap).

[KingBlairhorn]

Looks like Reed has been called up for you guys

We were supposed to be talking to four players to try and get them to declare for us - three at Sale (Roebuck, Warr and Reed) and Fin Smith.

If this is true, then it suggests that the only one of the four to have accepted the approach is the one I’d not heard of. (Also arguably the least qualified, given Roebuck was born in Inverness, Warr played U20 for us, and Smith’s granddad was a Scotland cap).

5 foot 10, 84kg, very fast. Looks like an understudy to Darcy who is to be honest, easily broken.

[Tichtheid]

Kinghorn's now the first choice fullback, so that takes him out of the winger pool, Ollie Smith is out for a while so that's another. Likewise Steyn, but I think I saw that he's due back soon. I would hope Kyle Rowe has done enough to make the squad, along with Duhan and Darcy.

So at the moment there is certainly room for another winger

[Margin__Walker]

Looks like Reed has been called up for you guys

We were supposed to be talking to four players to try and get them to declare for us - three at Sale (Roebuck, Warr and Reed) and Fin Smith.

If this is true, then it suggests that the only one of the four to have accepted the approach is the one I’d not heard of. (Also arguably the least qualified, given Roebuck was born in Inverness, Warr played U20 for us, and Smith’s granddad was a Scotland cap).

5 foot 10, 84kg, very fast. Looks like an understudy to Darcy who is to be honest, easily broken.

Yeah, Reed's the smaller faster yin to Roebuck's bigger stronger aerially yang at Sale

[Dogbert]

Kinghorn's now the first choice fullback, so that takes him out of the winger pool, Ollie Smith is out for a while so that's another. Likewise Steyn, but I think I saw that he's due back soon. I would hope Kyle Rowe has done enough to make the squad, along with Duhan and Darcy.

So at the moment there is certainly room for another winger

Don't be surprised to see Steyn playing for Glasgow this Friday , that would allow Jones to move back to 13 , and give McDowell a break.

McDowall has played a lot of Rugby this season so far , and cold probably do with a bit of a rest.

But Franco knows best

[Jock42]

Kinghorn's now the first choice fullback, so that takes him out of the winger pool, Ollie Smith is out for a while so that's another. Likewise Steyn, but I think I saw that he's due back soon. I would hope Kyle Rowe has done enough to make the squad, along with Duhan and Darcy.

So at the moment there is certainly room for another winger

Replacement FB is more of a concern for me than the winger depth.

[Yr Alban]

Kinghorn's now the first choice fullback, so that takes him out of the winger pool, Ollie Smith is out for a while so that's another. Likewise Steyn, but I think I saw that he's due back soon. I would hope Kyle Rowe has done enough to make the squad, along with Duhan and Darcy.

So at the moment there is certainly room for another winger

Replacement FB is more of a concern for me than the winger depth.

Yes. Huw and Darcy have both covered the position at club level, but with Smith crocked, Kinghorn is the only recognised FB in the squad, I think. Unless we recall Maitland at the age of 35?

[Biffer]

Kinghorn's now the first choice fullback, so that takes him out of the winger pool, Ollie Smith is out for a while so that's another. Likewise Steyn, but I think I saw that he's due back soon. I would hope Kyle Rowe has done enough to make the squad, along with Duhan and Darcy.

So at the moment there is certainly room for another winger

Replacement FB is more of a concern for me than the winger depth.

Yes. Huw and Darcy have both covered the position at club level, but with Smith crocked, Kinghorn is the only recognised FB in the squad, I think. Unless we recall Maitland at the age of 35?

Healy covers FB as well I think.

[Big D]

Rufus McLean in the Raptors squad for Super Rugby Americas. Plainly with the view to playing with the USA.

Exercising his right to have a career but glad the SRU aren't the ones employing him.

[Paddington Bear]

A little bit OT, but I know a number of Scottish cricket clubs are summer additions to rugby clubs:

My cricket club are planning a pre-season tour to Edinburgh (yes we are aware of the weather…) in April. We’ve sorted games on the Friday and Saturday, just trying to fill Sunday now.
We’re bringing a pretty strong side, albeit this will be the final day of tour so I can’t imagine we’ll be at 100%. We also have some “social” members coming along so can accommodate varying standards. We are also quite genuinely a decent bunch of blokes, and goes without saying it would be lucrative for any club’s bar.

Some of you may be involved with rugby clubs that have a cricket side, or know people that are, if that matches you then we can arrange passing on my contact details etc.

[Slick]

A little bit OT, but I know a number of Scottish cricket clubs are summer additions to rugby clubs:

My cricket club are planning a pre-season tour to Edinburgh (yes we are aware of the weather…) in April. We’ve sorted games on the Friday and Saturday, just trying to fill Sunday now.
We’re bringing a pretty strong side, albeit this will be the final day of tour so I can’t imagine we’ll be at 100%. We also have some “social” members coming along so can accommodate varying standards. We are also quite genuinely a decent bunch of blokes, and goes without saying it would be lucrative for any club’s bar.

Some of you may be involved with rugby clubs that have a cricket side, or know people that are, if that matches you then we can arrange passing on my contact details etc.

Who are you playing so far? I have contacts with Watsons cricket club

[KingBlairhorn]

So the squad is announced this afternoon I think. I think it will look something like this:

Hookers (4): Ashman, Turner, Cherry, Matthews
Not much to comment on here. Brown is out due to injury and age, nobody else is really coming through. Robbie Smith is around the Newcastle side I think so could be a leftfield 4th option but the others are all better. It's a shame Patrick Harrison has stalled, Hiddleston might be about to start his run but its much too early to think about Scotland caps.

Props (7): [TH] Fagerson, Nel, Rae; [LH] Schoeman, Bhatti, ?; [cover] Kebble
One prop place remains unclear due to injury in the main. Sebastian would most likely have filled it. Walker may have got into the squad but for injury. The lack of props is a bit overdone as an issue to be honest as there are plenty, the issue is of course more about quality than quantity. On the tighthead side there are McCallum and Will Hurd from Leicester (still surprised he hasn't had the call yet). On the loosehead side there is Grahamslaw (Bristol), Hislop (injured), Dell (injured?) and McBeth. I think McBeth will take the last loosie spot.

Locks (5): RGray, Gilchrist, Cummings, Young, Sykes
I think Young is likely in with Sykes perhaps sneaking the last squad place. JGray isn't going to be fit, neither is Henderson and Alex Craig at Scarlets seems to be off Toonie's radar. Skinner may sneak in as a lock as Toonie loves his versatility but I think he is only just back from injury too.

Backrow (7): Dempsey, Fagerson, Darge, Richie, Watson, Crosbie, Christie
I think Dempsey gets in despite fitness worries, he is too much of a point of difference to leave out and is arguably our only hard carrying back row. Bradbury, Boyle (injury) and Bayliss miss out as Christie sneaks that last spot for his great form at Sarries this year.

Scrumhalf (3): Horne, Price, White
Easy peasy on the 9s I think. Vellacott, Dobie and Chapman all miss out. The U20 cap we are chasing (forget his name) likely to chuck his lot in with England I think

Flyhalf (3): Russell, Healy, Hastings
As good a group of 10s as I can remember, ever. Jordan and Thompson to miss out as frankly they aren't as good as the others. Kiwi superstar 10s will not appear over the horizon.

Centre (5): Jones, Redpath, Tuipulotu, McDowall, Harris
I am salivating at the thought of an axis of Russel - Redpath - Tuipulotu. It surely has everything you could want? Plenty decent players will miss out including Currie, Bennett, Hutchinson and Lang.

Wing (5): Duhan, Darcy, Reed, Rowe, Steyn
Duhan and Darcy pick themselves and the Reed inclusion has been well trailed. That leaves two spots which I think will go to Steyn (who Toonie loves for his versatility) and Rowe kind of by default. I am genuinely struggling to think of anyone else.

Fullback: Kinghorn, ?
I'm at a loss to name another fullback with Smith injured - I think the wings will cover as I don't think Harry Patterson is ready. Either that or a Tombola pick.

Overall a pretty easy to select squad with the big question marks for me being 3rd choice LH, 5th choice lock, is Dempsey fit, 5th choice wing and reserve fullback.

[Big D]

So the squad is announced this afternoon I think. I think it will look something like this:

Hookers (4): Ashman, Turner, Cherry, Matthews
Not much to comment on here. Brown is out due to injury and age, nobody else is really coming through. Robbie Smith is around the Newcastle side I think so could be a leftfield 4th option but the others are all better. It's a shame Patrick Harrison has stalled, Hiddleston might be about to start his run but its much too early to think about Scotland caps.

Props (7): [TH] Fagerson, Nel, Rae; [LH] Schoeman, Bhatti, ?; [cover] Kebble
One prop place remains unclear due to injury in the main. Sebastian would most likely have filled it. Walker may have got into the squad but for injury. The lack of props is a bit overdone as an issue to be honest as there are plenty, the issue is of course more about quality than quantity. On the tighthead side there are McCallum and Will Hurd from Leicester (still surprised he hasn't had the call yet). On the loosehead side there is Grahamslaw (Bristol), Hislop (injured), Dell (injured?) and McBeth. I think McBeth will take the last loosie spot.

Locks (5): RGray, Gilchrist, Cummings, Young, Sykes
I think Young is likely in with Sykes perhaps sneaking the last squad place. JGray isn't going to be fit, neither is Henderson and Alex Craig at Scarlets seems to be off Toonie's radar. Skinner may sneak in as a lock as Toonie loves his versatility but I think he is only just back from injury too.

Backrow (7): Dempsey, Fagerson, Darge, Richie, Watson, Crosbie, Christie
I think Dempsey gets in despite fitness worries, he is too much of a point of difference to leave out and is arguably our only hard carrying back row. Bradbury, Boyle (injury) and Bayliss miss out as Christie sneaks that last spot for his great form at Sarries this year.

Scrumhalf (3): Horne, Price, White
Easy peasy on the 9s I think. Vellacott, Dobie and Chapman all miss out. The U20 cap we are chasing (forget his name) likely to chuck his lot in with England I think

Flyhalf (3): Russell, Healy, Hastings
As good a group of 10s as I can remember, ever. Jordan and Thompson to miss out as frankly they aren't as good as the others. Kiwi superstar 10s will not appear over the horizon.

Centre (5): Jones, Redpath, Tuipulotu, McDowall, Harris
I am salivating at the thought of an axis of Russel - Redpath - Tuipulotu. It surely has everything you could want? Plenty decent players will miss out including Currie, Bennett, Hutchinson and Lang.

Wing (5): Duhan, Darcy, Reed, Rowe, Steyn
Duhan and Darcy pick themselves and the Reed inclusion has been well trailed. That leaves two spots which I think will go to Steyn (who Toonie loves for his versatility) and Rowe kind of by default. I am genuinely struggling to think of anyone else.

Fullback: Kinghorn, ?
I'm at a loss to name another fullback with Smith injured - I think the wings will cover as I don't think Harry Patterson is ready. Either that or a Tombola pick.

Overall a pretty easy to select squad with the big question marks for me being 3rd choice LH, 5th choice lock, is Dempsey fit, 5th choice wing and reserve fullback.

I wonder if Hutchinson might get in as he can play 15 and is playing well too.

[Paddington Bear]

A little bit OT, but I know a number of Scottish cricket clubs are summer additions to rugby clubs:

My cricket club are planning a pre-season tour to Edinburgh (yes we are aware of the weather…) in April. We’ve sorted games on the Friday and Saturday, just trying to fill Sunday now.
We’re bringing a pretty strong side, albeit this will be the final day of tour so I can’t imagine we’ll be at 100%. We also have some “social” members coming along so can accommodate varying standards. We are also quite genuinely a decent bunch of blokes, and goes without saying it would be lucrative for any club’s bar.

Some of you may be involved with rugby clubs that have a cricket side, or know people that are, if that matches you then we can arrange passing on my contact details etc.

Who are you playing so far? I have contacts with Watsons cricket club

The University and then Carlton. If you’d be happy to pass on a number that would be really appreciated

[Slick]

A little bit OT, but I know a number of Scottish cricket clubs are summer additions to rugby clubs:

My cricket club are planning a pre-season tour to Edinburgh (yes we are aware of the weather…) in April. We’ve sorted games on the Friday and Saturday, just trying to fill Sunday now.
We’re bringing a pretty strong side, albeit this will be the final day of tour so I can’t imagine we’ll be at 100%. We also have some “social” members coming along so can accommodate varying standards. We are also quite genuinely a decent bunch of blokes, and goes without saying it would be lucrative for any club’s bar.

Some of you may be involved with rugby clubs that have a cricket side, or know people that are, if that matches you then we can arrange passing on my contact details etc.

Who are you playing so far? I have contacts with Watsons cricket club

The University and then Carlton. If you’d be happy to pass on a number that would be really appreciated

Cool, let me just email him and I'll come back to you

[Tichtheid]

Glasgow thoughtfully noted Josh McKay’s qualification date on their website

The Christchurch-born flyer touched down in Glasgow in November 2021 after helping Canterbury to the semi-finals of the NPC

November ‘26, then.

[KingBlairhorn]

Glasgow thoughtfully noted Josh McKay’s qualification date on their website

The Christchurch-born flyer touched down in Glasgow in November 2021 after helping Canterbury to the semi-finals of the NPC

November ‘26, then.

He'll be 28/29 by then? I bloody hope we have at least one other established top class fullback before then (Patterson perhaps?)