NPR

Have we started?

Yep. 19-5 up after about 30m. Time is counting down which is confusing.

Never mind. Just scored superb 4th try. 24-5 with conversion coming

Two of our tries from the hooker, continuing recent Scottish tradition.

Not sure exactly what's causing it, but our backline moves are completely confusing Canada defence. Really nicely timed passes perhaps.

Harry Paterson having another good game in a Scotland shirt.

C T wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 9:54 pm Two of our tries from the hooker, continuing recent Scottish tradition.

Not sure exactly what's causing it, but our backline moves are completely confusing Canada defence. Really nicely timed passes perhaps.

Harry Paterson having another good game in a Scotland shirt.

HP really does look the business. I like what I see from him.

Currie is having a good game too - playing with Big Staff is helping him.

C T wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 9:54 pm Two of our tries from the hooker, continuing recent Scottish tradition.

Not sure exactly what's causing it, but our backline moves are completely confusing Canada defence. Really nicely timed passes perhaps.

Harry Paterson having another good game in a Scotland shirt.

Probably the fact that Canada are ranked 21 in the world rankings - Zebre would beat them.

Saying that for a pretty scratch Scotland team - they are doing OK.

Dogbert wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:00 pm

C T wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 9:54 pm Two of our tries from the hooker, continuing recent Scottish tradition.

Not sure exactly what's causing it, but our backline moves are completely confusing Canada defence. Really nicely timed passes perhaps.

Harry Paterson having another good game in a Scotland shirt.

Probably the fact that Canada are ranked 21 in the world rankings - Zebre would beat them.

Saying that for a pretty scratch Scotland team - they are doing OK.

I don't want to hear your completely accurate pish about how shite Canada are, thank you very much.

Harry Paterson is going to be a huge star. Not only is his handling brilliant (setting up the try there) he is amazing in the air. (Or Canada are rubbish!)

Unfortunately just not worth playing Canada any more.

Would prefer a stop off in Spain or Portugal

Like the look of Warr.

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:26 pm Unfortunately just not worth playing Canada any more.

Would prefer a stop off in Spain or Portugal

Scotland play Portugal in the Autumn.

This is a glorified A fixture though.

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:26 pm Unfortunately just not worth playing Canada any more.

Would prefer a stop off in Spain or Portugal

TBH I have no idea why England, Wales and Ireland are all playing major SH opposition and we are playing Canada and the USA. Again. When did we last get invited to do a proper tour?

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:28 pm

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:26 pm Unfortunately just not worth playing Canada any more.

Would prefer a stop off in Spain or Portugal

TBH I have no idea why England, Wales and Ireland are all playing major SH opposition and we are playing Canada and the USA. Again. When did we last get invited to do a proper tour?

NZ but called off due to covid iirc.

Apparently it's the SRUs choice. This summer it probably isn't a bad thing as we need to blood players.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:26 pm Like the look of Warr.

I do too. His passing is crisp and accurate. Richardson has impressed me too. Reed has looked sharp.

OK, we just brought on someone I had literally never heard of.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:32 pm OK, we just brought on someone I had literally never heard of.

Which one?

Ewan Johnson, Will Hurd and Robbie Smith, are all U20 graduates. Just a shame it took 5 years for them to push for caps.

Oh god, they've given George Horne a mic.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:24 pm Harry Paterson is going to be a huge star. Not only is his handling brilliant (setting up the try there) he is amazing in the air. (Or Canada are rubbish!)

He was very good against France in the 6N, too

Paterson, Warr and Richardson have been very good. Not the most challenging opposition they'll ever play, but showing themselves to be far above the required level.

Healy is playing nice and flat

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:40 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:24 pm Harry Paterson is going to be a huge star. Not only is his handling brilliant (setting up the try there) he is amazing in the air. (Or Canada are rubbish!)

He was very good against France in the 6N, too

Oh, I know. But he’s showed tonight that was no flash in the pan.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:33 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:32 pm OK, we just brought on someone I had literally never heard of.

Which one?

Ewan Johnson. Although as he was a former U20, I may have seen him play before.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:01 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:33 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:32 pm OK, we just brought on someone I had literally never heard of.

Which one?

Ewan Johnson. Although as he was a former U20, I may have seen him play before.

Think he's played all his club rugby in France.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:07 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:01 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:33 pm

Which one?

Ewan Johnson. Although as he was a former U20, I may have seen him play before.

Think he's played all his club rugby in France.

Depends on when he was a U20. I’ve been at a few of the away fixtures v Wales.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 12:32 am

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:07 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:01 pm

Ewan Johnson. Although as he was a former U20, I may have seen him play before.

Think he's played all his club rugby in France.

Depends on when he was a U20. I’ve been at a few of the away fixtures v Wales.

I presume it was when he was under twenty.

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 8:34 am

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 12:32 am

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:07 pm

Think he's played all his club rugby in France.

Depends on when he was a U20. I’ve been at a few of the away fixtures v Wales.

I presume it was when he was under twenty.

Badoom, tish. I guess I walked into that one.

Looks like it was 2018-19. And I haven’t seen him before because he played at home v Wales.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:29 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:28 pm

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:26 pm Unfortunately just not worth playing Canada any more.

Would prefer a stop off in Spain or Portugal

TBH I have no idea why England, Wales and Ireland are all playing major SH opposition and we are playing Canada and the USA. Again. When did we last get invited to do a proper tour?

NZ but called off due to covid iirc.

Apparently it's the SRUs choice. This summer it probably isn't a bad thing as we need to blood players.

I think this Tour is a good idea! After a RWC and then a busy season a lot of our top players need a rest, the Weegies must be knackered after their cup run, ditto Kinghorn, Russell, etc. Both Fagersons have been immense for Glasgow playing 80mins in almost every game recently and needs a month or two off rugby. It doesn't make much sense touring a top team when you need to rest almost all of your top players, we dont really have the depth in the squad like some of the bigger countries. The current tour is designed to cap a number of newcomers, get some guys back playing after long term injuries, embed some fringe players into the team and have a look again at some younger guys. A Tour is a great way to help new guys create relationships, learn what is expected of them when in International duty and hopefully have some fun playing rugby for your country. It is a bit difficult doing that when getting battered by SA. I do worry about some players in some countries are now playing/training almost 12 months a year without any real rest periods.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:07 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 11:01 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:33 pm
Which one?

Ewan Johnson. Although as he was a former U20, I may have seen him play before.

Think he's played all his club rugby in France.

He went to school and grew up in France, dad is Scottish. He was in the Racing academy when he played for the U20s. As a French academy wage he was on £40k when the same here were on £8k. Big lad apparently.

How did Robbie Smith get on last night? I said on here a while ago he was playing really well for Saints and was worth a look at by Scotland. Obviously still some way down the pecking order but has a bright future I reckon.

Oxbow wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 10:26 am How did Robbie Smith get on last night? I said on here a while ago he was playing really well for Saints and was worth a look at by Scotland. Obviously still some way down the pecking order but has a bright future I reckon.

He looked okay, outshone by Richardson IMO who went into the backrow when Smith came on. Another heavy weight hooker on the roster isn't a bad thing though.

Cheers. Smith should be getting a lot more game time at Saints now Matevesi has moved on, which can only be a good thing.

On to the next one in Washington against USA who were beaten by Romania the other day

Granted it was against Canada, but I think Warr showed enough where Price should be phased out pretty quickly.

There are 3 good options with Dobie behind them. There is no need for Price in there.

Real shame Cam Henderson is missing this tour. Would have been good to see him in there.

Highlights up:

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:00 pm Granted it was against Canada, but I think Warr showed enough where Price should be phased out pretty quickly.

There are 3 good options with Dobie behind them. There is no need for Price in there.

I'd agree he's probably struggling to make the Autumn Tests squad at this rate but the only thing I would say is he's been in this position before where his form has been really poor and he he managed to build himself back up. He still probably has the highest ceiling of any of the 9s - although maybe at 31 that ceiling is coming down rapidly....

Niegs wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:58 pm Highlights up:

Thoughts from a Canadian perspective?

topofthemoon wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 3:06 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 1:58 pm Highlights up:

Thoughts from a Canadian perspective?

I haven't really paid attention to our men's program in a while, but that was really disappointing to see. Even if you're amateur and haven't played much together (can't speak to the latter point, but aren't these lads basically all semi-pros in the US?), there's a basic principle of defence being forgotten on most of the tries. Move forward! So many are sat on their heels. In a few other cases, someone shoots up without teammates - 'together' being another part of that principle - and gives an easy outlet.

I ran into a club president of a BC Prem club recently and he - holder of a few caps in Canada's last decent era - said the lack of skill/ability is sadly apparent across the board. Teams doing well have either hoovered up all the local talent (no club loyalty anymore) or have brought in a lot of ringers. Even the lower clubs do it to keep pace... while not putting as much effort into youth development. One club here in Victoria has more than a handful of Kenyan 7s players in the men's 1sts, but don't have a strong youth program at all. The club of the man I was speaking to recongized they used to be like this in their hey-day and now have a booming youth program, but it'll be a generation before it shows... and even then, the competition factor needs to improve across the board. BC has a handful of schools that take it seriously, but they tend to show their limitations when playing touring sides because until that point they've not really been challenged and shown how much extra work even they need.

And it's this type of player that feeds into our 'elite' systems, which never seem to spend much time together or themselves regularly play quality fixtures that show/test/challenge how good they have to be. (And long-term forumers will know I've been banging on about this poor grassroots development factor for AGES! ). Would like to know more about what Georgia's doing though, as they remain competitive and have vastly improved at U20s.

Paterson really was good

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 5:21 pm Paterson really was good

Agreed. Warr and Richardson too were the standouts for me. I'd particularly like to see the latter carrying against a better team (sorry Niegs).