NPR

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:43 am

dpedin wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:26 am Scotland will miss GC in the first test. I know he can be a bit marmite to some Scots but for me he does tons and tons of work, has a great engine, can get around the park and makes his tackles. He allows us to play as we do and will be a loss, however 2nd row is a position where we have a number of options.

He's definitely one of those where you just have to trust that the coaches know better, and on this one, I do. Jonny Grey is similar, but on that one I'm not so sure.

Coaches are human and will make mistakes like everyone else, but when a player is selected by several coaches nearly seventy times over a number of years you have to trust that they are making the right call. The players are studied and recorded by all sorts of metrics, there isn’t a lot of guesswork.
The one I’m not sure about is that Darge is the nailed on starter at 7, but Toonie more or less said that a few days ago so we have to trust that is the right call.

Rory Hutchinson playing fullback for saints this weekend

Sigh. The whole ‘number of foreign born players’ thing keeps coming up on social media again. Seriously, can we give it a rest? Ireland’s player pathway is streets ahead of ours, but that didn’t stop them going into the RWC with three Kiwis and an Aussie in their backline, and nobody gave a toss.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 12:40 pm Sigh. The whole ‘number of foreign born players’ thing keeps coming up on social media again. Seriously, can we give it a rest? Ireland’s player pathway is streets ahead of ours, but that didn’t stop them going into the RWC with three Kiwis and an Aussie in their backline, and nobody gave a toss.

There's a subset of Irish supporters who are still raging about us voting for France to host the World Cup. They take every chance they get to have a go.

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:28 pm [quote="Yr Alban" post_id=336856 time=<a href="tel:1706272849">1706272849</a> user_id=87]
Sigh. The whole ‘number of foreign born players’ thing keeps coming up on social media again. Seriously, can we give it a rest? Ireland’s player pathway is streets ahead of ours, but that didn’t stop them going into the RWC with three Kiwis and an Aussie in their backline, and nobody gave a toss.

There's a subset of Irish supporters who are still raging about us voting for France to host the World Cup. They take every chance they get to have a go.
[/quote]

The more they bang on about that the more I am happy we played a part in France getting the tournament at their expense. I really can’t be 4r5ed with shameless entitlement !

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:03 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:28 pm [quote="Yr Alban" post_id=336856 time=<a href="tel:1706272849">1706272849</a> user_id=87]
Sigh. The whole ‘number of foreign born players’ thing keeps coming up on social media again. Seriously, can we give it a rest? Ireland’s player pathway is streets ahead of ours, but that didn’t stop them going into the RWC with three Kiwis and an Aussie in their backline, and nobody gave a toss.

There's a subset of Irish supporters who are still raging about us voting for France to host the World Cup. They take every chance they get to have a go.

The more they bang on about that the more I am happy we played a part in France getting the tournament at their expense. I really can’t be 4r5ed with shameless entitlement !
[/quote]

Here’s the thing. If Scotland had been bidding to host the event (which we all know won’t happen, but bear with me here) but didn’t come up with the best bid, not only do I not think the IRFU would have shown unconditional Celtic solidarity, none of the fans who are angry with us would have given a toss. We’d have been told it was our own fault and we should have tried harder. Scotland fans took no pleasure in this - it was an SRU decision and we weren’t consulted. But apparently we still all need cursed to the depths of hell for it.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:32 pm

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:03 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:28 pm [quote="Yr Alban" post_id=336856 time=<a href="tel:1706272849">1706272849</a> user_id=87]
Sigh. The whole ‘number of foreign born players’ thing keeps coming up on social media again. Seriously, can we give it a rest? Ireland’s player pathway is streets ahead of ours, but that didn’t stop them going into the RWC with three Kiwis and an Aussie in their backline, and nobody gave a toss.

There's a subset of Irish supporters who are still raging about us voting for France to host the World Cup. They take every chance they get to have a go.

The more they bang on about that the more I am happy we played a part in France getting the tournament at their expense. I really can’t be 4r5ed with shameless entitlement !

Here’s the thing. If Scotland had been bidding to host the event (which we all know won’t happen, but bear with me here) but didn’t come up with the best bid, not only do I not think the IRFU would have shown unconditional Celtic solidarity, none of the fans who are angry with us would have given a toss. We’d have been told it was our own fault and we should have tried harder. Scotland fans took no pleasure in this - it was an SRU decision and we weren’t consulted. But apparently we still all need cursed to the depths of hell for it.
[/quote]

I often wonder if it would do us some good as a nation if we had a bit more sense of entitlement and a bit less self awareness.

But who would want to act like some of their clowns do

Where are the team going in the summer?
I thought I saw something last year, my mate is Aus said the same and he thought he would pop over from the Gold Coast to Fiji, saying it was the Pacific Islands but someone else was saying it is Canada, USA and Chile.

westport wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:43 am Where are the team going in the summer?
I thought I saw something last year, my mate is Aus said the same and he thought he would pop over from the Gold Coast to Fiji, saying it was the Pacific Islands but someone else was saying it is Canada, USA and Chile.

Someone else is right, it’s us, Canada and chile

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:08 am

westport wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:43 am Where are the team going in the summer?
I thought I saw something last year, my mate is Aus said the same and he thought he would pop over from the Gold Coast to Fiji, saying it was the Pacific Islands but someone else was saying it is Canada, USA and Chile.

Someone else is right, it’s us, Canada and chile

Thanks for that

How long has Charlie Savala been at Saints?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:54 pm How long has Charlie Savala been at Saints?

Since November

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:59 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:54 pm How long has Charlie Savala been at Saints?

Since November

Cheers. How did he go in the 2nd half?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:22 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:59 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 2:54 pm How long has Charlie Savala been at Saints?

Since November

Cheers. How did he go in the 2nd half?

Not watching until later
Hopefully well

westport wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:43 am Where are the team going in the summer?
I thought I saw something last year, my mate is Aus said the same and he thought he would pop over from the Gold Coast to Fiji, saying it was the Pacific Islands but someone else was saying it is Canada, USA and Chile.

I think Fiji, Tonga, Samoa is the following year, which could tie in nicely with Lions. I, too, had thought that was this year and was starting to try to work out a family holiday itinerary when I tealised otherwise!

The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

They can’t, surely? It’s barely had time to bed in, and we don’t know whether it’s going to make a difference or not?

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:23 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

They can’t, surely? It’s barely had time to bed in, and we don’t know whether it’s going to make a difference or not?

I mean, yeah, that would be my thought process but fuck knows with the SRU.

Andy Christie MOTM again today for Sarries, that’s 3 out of the 8 games he’s played. You have to think he’s a genuine contender to start at 7 (or possibly 6)?

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:39 pm Andy Christie MOTM again today for Sarries, that’s 3 out of the 8 games he’s played. You have to think he’s a genuine contender to start at 7 (or possibly 6)?

I was just saying elsewhere that my starting backrow for Wales would be Bradbury, Crosbie and Dempsey.

I don't for one moment think they will start, but I like the power in that selection - when was the last time we had a backrow that gave us good front foot ball, really dominating the opposition in the collisions?

That is the game in which Finn thrives.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:11 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:39 pm Andy Christie MOTM again today for Sarries, that’s 3 out of the 8 games he’s played. You have to think he’s a genuine contender to start at 7 (or possibly 6)?

I was just saying elsewhere that my starting backrow for Wales would be Bradbury, Crosbie and Dempsey.

I don't for one moment think they will start, but I like the power in that selection - when was the last time we had a backrow that gave us good front foot ball, really dominating the opposition in the collisions?

That is the game in which Finn thrives.

Bradbury isn't in the squad is he?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:24 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:11 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:39 pm Andy Christie MOTM again today for Sarries, that’s 3 out of the 8 games he’s played. You have to think he’s a genuine contender to start at 7 (or possibly 6)?

I was just saying elsewhere that my starting backrow for Wales would be Bradbury, Crosbie and Dempsey.

I don't for one moment think they will start, but I like the power in that selection - when was the last time we had a backrow that gave us good front foot ball, really dominating the opposition in the collisions?

That is the game in which Finn thrives.

Bradbury isn't in the squad is he?

He isn't, but there were two players who dropped out and only one called in, so there is a spare slot, should Toonie want to call him up - I don't think it will happen, but I think it's madness to not go with the most powerful option we can - we always lose to teams that out-muscle us (Ireland, SA in the RWC), I want us to start beating other sides up. Picking a nimble back row is not going to change anything, just more of the same

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:36 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:24 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:11 pm



I was just saying elsewhere that my starting backrow for Wales would be Bradbury, Crosbie and Dempsey.

I don't for one moment think they will start, but I like the power in that selection - when was the last time we had a backrow that gave us good front foot ball, really dominating the opposition in the collisions?

That is the game in which Finn thrives.

Bradbury isn't in the squad is he?

He isn't, but there were two players who dropped out and only one called in, so there is a spare slot, should Toonie want to call him up - I don't think it will happen, but I think it's madness to not go with the most powerful option we can - we always lose to teams that out-muscle us (Ireland, SA in the RWC), I want us to start beating other sides up. Picking a nimble back row is not going to change anything, just more of the same

I don't disagree. Haven't seen much of Bristol this season but thought he was very good today.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:23 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

They can’t, surely? It’s barely had time to bed in, and we don’t know whether it’s going to make a difference or not?

After all the chat about our lack of pathways and the new Chairman saying it was a priority (although he was in retrospect a bit cool on S6) there must be another plan, they can’t just cut it.

Newcastle as a 3rd pro team? Not really serious

Lets hope the injury to White is fairly minor

Hurst is shoulder scoring for Toulon tonight , was taken off just after & seen in the dugout with an ice pack

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

That's not good news. I thought Super6 made a lot of sense and was a decent standard from what I saw of it.

Players need gametime at an appropriate level and despite what the folk at the Offside Line believe, there's a massive gap between the Scottish amateur/FP teams and two pro clubs who are aiming to play Heineken Cup rugby every season.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:51 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:36 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:24 pm

Bradbury isn't in the squad is he?

He isn't, but there were two players who dropped out and only one called in, so there is a spare slot, should Toonie want to call him up - I don't think it will happen, but I think it's madness to not go with the most powerful option we can - we always lose to teams that out-muscle us (Ireland, SA in the RWC), I want us to start beating other sides up. Picking a nimble back row is not going to change anything, just more of the same

I don't disagree. Haven't seen much of Bristol this season but thought he was very good today.

Christie was brilliant for Sarries today as well playing at 7, all over the park for 80 minutes. He was easily the best player on the pitch and won MotM. Certainly has a chance of starting or being on the bench during 6Ns.

robmatic wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:26 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

That's not good news. I thought Super6 made a lot of sense and was a decent standard from what I saw of it.

Players need gametime at an appropriate level and despite what the folk at the Offside Line believe, there's a massive gap between the Scottish amateur/FP teams and two pro clubs who are aiming to play Heineken Cup rugby every season.

Speaking to a mate last night who leads a S6 club he says absolutely no one from any club knows anything about the claims from OL

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:10 am

robmatic wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:26 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:53 pm The Thistle claiming super6 is getting binned. I hope they are either wrong or there is something good replacing it, but I fear this is cost cutting and another blow to our development system.

That's not good news. I thought Super6 made a lot of sense and was a decent standard from what I saw of it.

Players need gametime at an appropriate level and despite what the folk at the Offside Line believe, there's a massive gap between the Scottish amateur/FP teams and two pro clubs who are aiming to play Heineken Cup rugby every season.

Speaking to a mate last night who leads a S6 club he says absolutely no one from any club knows anything about the claims from OL

I hope your mate is right. If nothing else, it would be madness to do it right before we found out if the U20s have benefitted at all from their experience in it. Given that is one of the main reasons it is there, to help bridge the gap between the amateur and pro game.

I see Peter Wright is continuing to establish himself as the replacement for Ian McGeechan in the annual ‘flap your mouth off pre-Six Nations to give the opposition the chance to throw it back in your face’ pundit.

It always seems to come back to haunt us and allows the Irish in particular to say we always talk but never back it up. I know the press go looking for this kind of opinion so they can have their story, but Peter Wright in particular should know better given he is essentially a journalist himself.

dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:26 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:51 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:36 pm


He isn't, but there were two players who dropped out and only one called in, so there is a spare slot, should Toonie want to call him up - I don't think it will happen, but I think it's madness to not go with the most powerful option we can - we always lose to teams that out-muscle us (Ireland, SA in the RWC), I want us to start beating other sides up. Picking a nimble back row is not going to change anything, just more of the same

I don't disagree. Haven't seen much of Bristol this season but thought he was very good today.

Christie was brilliant for Sarries today as well playing at 7, all over the park for 80 minutes. He was easily the best player on the pitch and won MotM. Certainly has a chance of starting or being on the bench during 6Ns.

He is probably the form SQ back row this season. Deserves a chance based on performances.

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:37 am

dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:26 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:51 pm

I don't disagree. Haven't seen much of Bristol this season but thought he was very good today.

Christie was brilliant for Sarries today as well playing at 7, all over the park for 80 minutes. He was easily the best player on the pitch and won MotM. Certainly has a chance of starting or being on the bench during 6Ns.

He is probably the form SQ back row this season. Deserves a chance based on performances.

I think it's tremendously unlikely he will start though. In saying that, Toony is certainly not scared of those big decisions.

In 3 seconds I've talked myself into Toony starting him.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:41 am

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:37 am

dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:26 am

Christie was brilliant for Sarries today as well playing at 7, all over the park for 80 minutes. He was easily the best player on the pitch and won MotM. Certainly has a chance of starting or being on the bench during 6Ns.

He is probably the form SQ back row this season. Deserves a chance based on performances.

I think it's tremendously unlikely he will start though. In saying that, Toony is certainly not scared of those big decisions.

In 3 seconds I've talked myself into Toony starting him.

It probably is unlikely and at international level coaches will rightfully put faith in players they trust. Christie and Darge are a year a part in age so if they both develop it'll be a good competition.

I think Darge is the future but I haven't seen any defining performances from him at international level that marks him out as being undeniable owner of the 7 shirt. I hope it comes but arguably Jac Morgan had more stand out performances at the RWC than Darge has had in his 15 caps so far. He needs a 6N like M Fagerson had a few years back when he really stepped it up a level and he's very capable of doing so.

Nel has a neck strain. Sebastien is out in Spain to cover. Thompson called up, presumably as Hastings cover and Dobbie and Ferrie are training with the team.

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:02 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:41 am

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:37 am

He is probably the form SQ back row this season. Deserves a chance based on performances.

I think it's tremendously unlikely he will start though. In saying that, Toony is certainly not scared of those big decisions.

In 3 seconds I've talked myself into Toony starting him.

It probably is unlikely and at international level coaches will rightfully put faith in players they trust. Christie and Darge are a year a part in age so if they both develop it'll be a good competition.

I think Darge is the future but I haven't seen any defining performances from him at international level that marks him out as being undeniable owner of the 7 shirt. I hope it comes but arguably Jac Morgan had more stand out performances at the RWC than Darge has had in his 15 caps so far. He needs a 6N like M Fagerson had a few years back when he really stepped it up a level and he's very capable of doing so.

Yup, think we are all agreed that Darge needs a big 6N, have a feeling its coming.

I think the backrow will be Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey. Without any evidence there just seems to be something going on with Ritchie

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:05 pm Nel has a neck strain. Sebastien is out in Spain to cover. Thompson called up, presumably as Hastings cover and Dobbie and Ferrie are training with the team.

I saw someone ask elsewhere how WP can have a neck strain since he doesn't have one?

Is the team announced tomorrow?

Not sure if it's been covered, but Cam Redpath has extended his contract at Bath.

He also played at 13 against Bristol, which is mildly interesting only in that Borthwick has been bemoaning Max Ojomoh not getting much gametime at 12 behind Redpath
- although this move is more linked to Lawrence being unavailable, as in the end it was Will Butt at 12 anyway.

Like pretty much everyone else on the team, had a bit of a shocker defensively.

Interesting piece on Huw Jones:

https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/huw-jones-profile/

Video about the U20s and the “ones to watch” this year
https://scottishrugby.org/fanzone/watch ... -to-watch/