NPR

Dragons v Edinburgh is postponed - frozen pitch

clydecloggie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:19 pm

Injuries to Ritchie, Redpath and Maitland mean three changes.

Maitland played well last week but Darcy does have that X factor, especially if the game opens up a bit.

I've not been that convinced by Thomson yet but might he put the wind up Ken Owens, especially given the pressure that will be on their line out?

We could be a bit steady in midfield.

westport wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:43 pm Dragons v Edinburgh is postponed - frozen pitch

Bradbury was going to turn out at lock. So much for Cockers hoarding all the forwards in Scotland.

clydecloggie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:30 pm

Begbie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:27 pm How very Scottish of Redpath to be injured already.

Blade...meh, as usual.

Very good in the line out. Not much of a ball carrier but if Watson and Matt Fagerson repeat their performance that will not be missed.

And J Gray.

Oh shit. That team suddenly looks a bit

Lang needs to step up. He has done very little at Quins and even less in dark blue to suggests he is international quality.

Well, that has brought my expectations down to their usual level. Two of the enforced changes weaken the team considerably, despite the fact we’re supposed to have more depth nowadays. The third (Graham for Maitland) isn’t so bad, but even so.

Would Redpath be injured now if he had turned out for England last week? Of course he wouldn’t.

It’s the hallmark of the Scotland supporter that you’re never far from despair. I’m looking at our side and wondering how, with the number of talented centres we have to call on, we’re starting a 6N match with a midfield of Lang and Harris. Yes, I know Harris has played well recently. He’s still about as exciting as a potato.

Well at least the Un Scottish unbridled optimism has faded - that was starting to worry me

I'd rather have Peter Horne at 12, he's no flyhalf but he is a very good 12

Not arsed about Graham, he'd have been my starter last week anyway.

Would have started his name sake this week over Blade the way folk have been banging on about him.

Are there any other 12s in the squad? Taylor? Has he played much?

“Redpath, who made such an impressive debut against England, has a neck problem but it is hoped the 21-year-old can recover before the end of the championship.”

So that's probably him out for the whole thing

I don't think I'm overly concerned.Injuries are inevitable at this level and it could have been a lot worse. I would have been much more worried if it had been Hogg, Watson, Jonny or Sutherland out.

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:17 pm I'd rather have Peter Horne at 12, he's no flyhalf but he is a very good 12

I suppose he's not in the bubble. I guess every team has bubble issues with injury and selection.

Begbie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:35 pm “Redpath, who made such an impressive debut against England, has a neck problem but it is hoped the 21-year-old can recover before the end of the championship.”

So that's probably him out for the whole thing

Out for the whole thing? The way our luck generally goes, he’ll be forced to retire.

Tattie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:48 pm I don't think I'm overly concerned.Injuries are inevitable at this level and it could have been a lot worse. I would have been much more worried if it had been Hogg, Watson, Jonny or Sutherland out.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... cba1185463

It doesn't sound as bleak now I've read the whole article. I'm sure they'll know more soon.

Yr Alban wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:50 pm

Begbie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:35 pm “Redpath, who made such an impressive debut against England, has a neck problem but it is hoped the 21-year-old can recover before the end of the championship.”

So that's probably him out for the whole thing

Out for the whole thing? The way our luck generally goes, he’ll be forced to retire.

That 12 shirt certainly seems to have a hex on it.

The changes in the back should be OK, I don't see Lang touching the ball much, but the back row had me a little worried.

It looked like quite an even contest before the team announcements with us perhaps edging it, they look a little stronger now to me.

Slick wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:48 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:17 pm I'd rather have Peter Horne at 12, he's no flyhalf but he is a very good 12

I suppose he's not in the bubble. I guess every team has bubble issues with injury and selection.

I'm not getting this bubble pish. Is this a genuine thing? The squad was together, then the English players played for their clubs, then back to Scotland squad. How does that work?

I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

He's got my full support as he's wearing blue, but I thought the point of difference Redpath brought was as a second 5/8th type of player, a second distributer with a step and good vision, Horne is that type of 12 too.

However, it's moot and I really hope Lang plays a blinder.

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:02 pm

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

He's got my full support as he's wearing blue, but I thought the point of difference Redpath brought was as a second 5/8th type of player, a second distributer with a step and good vision, Horne is that type of 12 too.

However, it's moot and I really hope Lang plays a blinder.

Does he not see himself as a 10/12?

Begbie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:54 pm

Tattie wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:48 pm I don't think I'm overly concerned.Injuries are inevitable at this level and it could have been a lot worse. I would have been much more worried if it had been Hogg, Watson, Jonny or Sutherland out.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... cba1185463

It doesn't sound as bleak now I've read the whole article. I'm sure they'll know more soon.

Certainly not for Ritchie and Maitland. They’re a bit vague about Redpath - by the sound of things he has a trapped nerve in his neck (the comment about the ‘neural issue’ and the fact he has had a scan). Hard to say how long that will take to improve, but I suspect he’ll be told to avoid contact until it does.

On balance the side looks a wee bit weaker.

With Biggar, Liam Williams and Halfpenny you know it's going to be another kicking contest. Not having Maitland there is a worry, but most kick receipts were done by Fagerson, Russell and Hogg with Maitland primarily chasing the return kicks. A job Graham can do as well. Although a Biggar bomb to Graham with Williams chasing scares me a bit.

Redpath was fantastic, but Lang is at least a similar sort of player - a ball player rather than a crash ball roid bot, so the plan can stay roughly the same. And Wales haven't exactly got Lions quality in their midfield.

Thomson is very good in the line out and Scotland will target the Welsh set piece which is rank rotten at the moment. He'll have to pull up his pants and show real physicality in the loose though.

Jock42 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:09 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:02 pm

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

He's got my full support as he's wearing blue, but I thought the point of difference Redpath brought was as a second 5/8th type of player, a second distributer with a step and good vision, Horne is that type of 12 too.

However, it's moot and I really hope Lang plays a blinder.

Does he not see himself as a 10/12?

I think he does, and it's no shame to be kept out of the ten shirt by Marcus Smith, but I can't say that I've seen that type of player when I've watched Quins.

He's looked ok for Scotland

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

Harris has never been dreadful. His problem is that he came into the side when we were used to dynamic attacking play with lots of tries (but not necessarily a lot of wins), has always been seen as keeping the likes of Huw Jones and Rory Hutchinson out of the side, and just isn’t an exciting sort of player (see the potato comment above). He is much better in defence and we seem to win more often with him in the side, but you just miss the Russell/Jones axis and the havoc it can wreak.

Jock42 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:09 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:02 pm

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

He's got my full support as he's wearing blue, but I thought the point of difference Redpath brought was as a second 5/8th type of player, a second distributer with a step and good vision, Horne is that type of 12 too.

However, it's moot and I really hope Lang plays a blinder.

Does he not see himself as a 10/12?

He said when he signed that he and Cockers wanted him to concentrate in the centre

westport wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:27 pm

Jock42 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:09 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:02 pm


He's got my full support as he's wearing blue, but I thought the point of difference Redpath brought was as a second 5/8th type of player, a second distributer with a step and good vision, Horne is that type of 12 too.

However, it's moot and I really hope Lang plays a blinder.

Does he not see himself as a 10/12?

He said when he signed that he and Cockers wanted him to concentrate in the centre

Sure but the point i was crudely making was that in theory he should have the skills to fill the 2nd 5/8th role.

Disappointed to lose Redpath and Richie, but both Blade and Lang started in our win over Wales in the autumn so I’m not sure there’s too much reason to be overly pessimistic over their selection. They are in a stronger team than played the match in the autumn in my opinion, particularly at 10 where Finn was injured by half time and at wing where Duhan has replaced longhorn.

Kinghorn obviously, although longhorn is an equally cool name!

Was just thinking about who we actually can’t replace at the moment, on the grounds that one of them at least is bound to get crocked against Wales and be out for the rest of the 6N.

Sutherland - good cover from Kebble
Turner - #1 and #2 injured already, though Cherry did well last week
Z Fagerson - a worry, though Nel can still cover
J Gray - would be a massive loss, but we have his brother handy
Cummings - same, or we could call up Skinner
Thompson - already a back-up, could use Graham
Watson - could use Graham but would be a massive loss
Fagerson - Graham can cover

Price - no clear #2, but Steele did well last week and SHC available
Russell - OMG. Hastings out, Weir out, after VdW we’re basically down to playing someone out of position
Irn Du - would be a loss, but if Maitland is back next week it’s OK, otherwise Kinghorn
Lang - already a back-up, but there’s Taylor or call up Scott
Harris - Jones can cover
Graham - as Irn Du
Hogg - would be a massive loss, but Maitland (if fit), Jones and Kinghorn can cover

Does anyone else think Finn is guaranteed to get a bad injury on Saturday?

KingBlairhorn wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:46 pm Disappointed to lose Redpath and Richie, but both Blade and Lang started in our win over Wales in the autumn so I’m not sure there’s too much reason to be overly pessimistic over their selection. They are in a stronger team than played the match in the autumn in my opinion, particularly at 10 where Finn was injured by half time and at wing where Duhan has replaced longhorn.

Thank you for easing my worries, good points.

I just really want to win. Really want a triple crown

Changes are a disappointment but hey ho thats rugby. However last time I saw Blade Thomson play for Scarlets he was the stand out player on the pitch, fantastic player and a strong athlete, like Ritchie. Laing isn't a Redpath but the Welsh will be stronger in the middle of the park and play a one out game off of 10 so having a stronger 12 who will tackle all days is not a bad thing. Given Welsh defence, which is much better than the English one, I can see us having to go wider out anyway and get around the edges. Darcy offers much more in attack that Maitland but we lose out to the kick fielding. However as we will need to attack around the Welsh defence I don't see him playing as a bad thing.

Our gameplan will be different for the Wales game, they defend like dogs and play a limited one pass game and will kick better than England kicked. Our pack should be at least equal to theirs and our set plays better than theirs. They defend narrow and will throw out their 13 to stop us going wide to our danger men and force us back inside where they will smother us in defence. I suspect we will have to go wider quicker and also look to Russell to try wee dinks in behind their defences. It will be a tougher game then the English game.

Hadn’t noticed Finn is the Vice Captain, was he last time?

Slick wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:48 pm Hadn’t noticed Finn is the Vice Captain, was he last time?

That mean he's allowed an extra beer?

Think it was Ritchie

Yr Alban wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:11 pm Was just thinking about who we actually can’t replace at the moment, on the grounds that one of them at least is bound to get crocked against Wales and be out for the rest of the 6N.

Sutherland - good cover from Kebble
Turner - #1 and #2 injured already, though Cherry did well last week
Z Fagerson - a worry, though Nel can still cover
J Gray - would be a massive loss, but we have his brother handy
Cummings - same, or we could call up Skinner
Thompson - already a back-up, could use Graham
Watson - could use Graham but would be a massive loss
Fagerson - Graham can cover

Price - no clear #2, but Steele did well last week and SHC available
Russell - OMG. Hastings out, Weir out, after VdW we’re basically down to playing someone out of position
Irn Du - would be a loss, but if Maitland is back next week it’s OK, otherwise Kinghorn
Lang - already a back-up, but there’s Taylor or call up Scott
Harris - Jones can cover
Graham - as Irn Du
Hogg - would be a massive loss, but Maitland (if fit), Jones and Kinghorn can cover

Does anyone else think Finn is guaranteed to get a bad injury on Saturday?

Good post.

I actually think the drop off from Redpath to Lang and Ritchie to Thompson are, other than Finn, the largest deltas in terms of skills in the 1st team versus next available choice

Yr Alban wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:19 pm

The Party Line wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:58 pm I think Lang should get the benefit of the doubt, clearly Toony sees something in him and Cocker's is no mug either. I remember the despair around Chris Harris and he is going from strength to strength.

Harris has never been dreadful. His problem is that he came into the side when we were used to dynamic attacking play with lots of tries (but not necessarily a lot of wins), has always been seen as keeping the likes of Huw Jones and Rory Hutchinson out of the side, and just isn’t an exciting sort of player (see the potato comment above). He is much better in defence and we seem to win more often with him in the side, but you just miss the Russell/Jones axis and the havoc it can wreak.

Harris' biggest problem was his first six nations game was that disaster in Wales the first weekend when the entire team but in bad performances and Harris carried the can. Price, Russell and Jones that day as 9,10,12 were as bad as it gets.

dpedin wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:21 pm Changes are a disappointment but hey ho thats rugby. However last time I saw Blade Thomson play for Scarlets he was the stand out player on the pitch, fantastic player and a strong athlete, like Ritchie. Laing isn't a Redpath but the Welsh will be stronger in the middle of the park and play a one out game off of 10 so having a stronger 12 who will tackle all days is not a bad thing. Given Welsh defence, which is much better than the English one, I can see us having to go wider out anyway and get around the edges. Darcy offers much more in attack that Maitland but we lose out to the kick fielding. However as we will need to attack around the Welsh defence I don't see him playing as a bad thing.

Our gameplan will be different for the Wales game, they defend like dogs and play a limited one pass game and will kick better than England kicked. Our pack should be at least equal to theirs and our set plays better than theirs. They defend narrow and will throw out their 13 to stop us going wide to our danger men and force us back inside where they will smother us in defence. I suspect we will have to go wider quicker and also look to Russell to try wee dinks in behind their defences. It will be a tougher game then the English game.

That's encouraging, and I've seen similar remarks from Scarlets fans on social media. Is this the longest stretch he's had without an injury or concussion since he came up to the NH?

Thomson has only every been ineffective for Scotland. It's all well and good playing well in the Pro14 but internationals are just different level.

He's also a very different player to Ritchie. Ritchie is powerful, disruptive an absolute b*stard. Thomson is a wide carrier. I'd have started Graham at 8 to take over from Ritchie and Fagerson on bench if Thomson has to play.

I think I’m starting to get optimistic about this one, which is never great!

Can anyone who watches prem rugby tell me about Reece-Zammitt as a defender. He looks very lightweight (although clearly very fast) which has me salivating at the prospect of us sending Duhan down his wing, particularly on turnover ball. I have visions of him trampling LRZ like Mike Catt under Lomu!

I heard a good stat on one of the podcasts this week (think it was the Scottish rugby blog) that Wales made the second most tackles in tournament history last week. As pointed out by Kevin Millar, some of their forwards are getting a little long in the tooth, can they handle the six day turnaround from such a huge effort? Especially so if we dominate possession and territory with a smart kicking game like we did last week?

I would expect Wales to do better in the kick-tennis than England. Biggar and Halfpenny are no mugs at this aspect of the game.