The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[clydecloggie]

Toonie's Top Tombola

Madness. Love it. I'm thinking 80+ points on Saturday. Scotland by 2.

[Tichtheid]

Big onus on Sam Johnson in that side, Hoggy won't be firing out 15m flat passes across the defensive line.

[Big D]

That is a pretty exciting backline.

[KingBlairhorn]

Jamie Lyall (who I rate highly) now also in on the Hogg to 10 - it is almost certainly happening

Will we go all in? Backline of Steele, Hogg, Johnson, Jones, Duhan, Darcy, Maitland? Sexy, but also surely a recipe for utter disaster.

Apparently that’s exactly what we’re doing.

I may just hide under the sofa for the next few days. Damn it, I actually have to work on Sat.

He's only gone and feckin done it! This will either be amazing or an utter disaster IMO.

[Slick]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

[clydecloggie]

Big onus on Sam Johnson in that side, Hoggy won't be firing out 15m flat passes across the defensive line.

What I love most is flank forward slash winger Scott Steele playing 9. Shades of Bergamasco. Either a stroke of genius from Toonie or just utter madness. To be fair, he does have the physique of a scrum half so Toonie may be on to something. Although you'd think they'd have spotted that potential a bit earlier in his career?

[Slick]

Jamie Lyall (who I rate highly) now also in on the Hogg to 10 - it is almost certainly happening

Will we go all in? Backline of Steele, Hogg, Johnson, Jones, Duhan, Darcy, Maitland? Sexy, but also surely a recipe for utter disaster.

Apparently that’s exactly what we’re doing.

I may just hide under the sofa for the next few days. Damn it, I actually have to work on Sat.

He's only gone and feckin done it! This will either be amazing or an utter disaster IMO.

Love him!

[Yr Alban]

Not sure whether it’s an invitation to disaster or not. The main unknown is Hogg at 10, and he has played about an hour there for Scotland recently without disgracing himself. Other than that it’s the most threatening back division we have put out in a long time. Plus the pack looks decent - first choice props and loosies, Cherry has done well, Gilchrist the only question mark for me.

It’s a bold team. So bold, in fact, that it smells slightly of Toony saying ‘OK, you bastards - I’ve dropped all the players you wanted dropped and started the ones you wanted to start. See what you get.’

[KingBlairhorn]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

[Slick]

Big onus on Sam Johnson in that side, Hoggy won't be firing out 15m flat passes across the defensive line.

What I love most is flank forward slash winger Scott Steele playing 9. Shades of Bergamasco. Either a stroke of genius from Toonie or just utter madness. To be fair, he does have the physique of a scrum half so Toonie may be on to something. Although you'd think they'd have spotted that potential a bit earlier in his career?

Hold up! he is a 9 isn't he?

[Jock42]

Good call on Steele and Cherry. VDW must be a bit depressed however I think that's an exciting backline, glad I've got the day off

[Yr Alban]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

[Tichtheid]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

Why why why did you say that?

That's really torn it now!

[clydecloggie]

Big onus on Sam Johnson in that side, Hoggy won't be firing out 15m flat passes across the defensive line.

What I love most is flank forward slash winger Scott Steele playing 9. Shades of Bergamasco. Either a stroke of genius from Toonie or just utter madness. To be fair, he does have the physique of a scrum half so Toonie may be on to something. Although you'd think they'd have spotted that potential a bit earlier in his career?

Hold up! he is a 9 isn't he?

[Yr Alban]

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

Why why why did you say that?

That's really torn it now!

Because he isn’t likely to throw any long floaty miss passes? Look, Toony has selected a mad attacking team, we’re in uncharted waters, I don’t think it’s possible to jinx it.

[Begbie]

This could be absolute mayhem

[Big D]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

I really like this move. We have our leader and future Lions captain (I am not getting off this bandwagon) stepping up to the most important position. This is going to be fun.

[I like neeps]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

Van Der Walt is absolutely pish though. Not that I dislike residency players because I don't but capping him was rank opportunism purely for the situation we're in and we won't even play him then.

[NorfolkScot]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

[NorfolkScot]

Super sexy team!

Bit sad we can't find a 10 though...

How does Jaco feel...

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

To be fair, it wasn't Godman throwing the intercepts....

[C T]

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

I really like this move. We have our leader and future Lions captain (I am not getting off this bandwagon) stepping up to the most important position. This is going to be fun.

I've been really impressed with Hoggy this year as captain. I think it was slightly dragging him down last year but this year he has been great.

We hear about how good he is doing off the field, but on the field I really like how he is putting his own stamp on being captain. The way he talks to the team, it seems to be team decisions. Also thought he spoke very well to the ref vs Ireland.

[C T]

Not sure whether it’s an invitation to disaster or not. The main unknown is Hogg at 10, and he has played about an hour there for Scotland recently without disgracing himself. Other than that it’s the most threatening back division we have put out in a long time. Plus the pack looks decent - first choice props and loosies, Cherry has done well, Gilchrist the only question mark for me.

It’s a bold team. So bold, in fact, that it smells slightly of Toony saying ‘OK, you bastards - I’ve dropped all the players you wanted dropped and started the ones you wanted to start. See what you get.’

I'm really interested in how our defence goes. If this more attacking team can show they can do the business in defence too that'd be great to see.

Having someone as dangerous as Hoggy at 10 must sow some seeds in the opposition defence, hopefully free up some space elsewhere.

[Yr Alban]

100% Scotland isn't it. We now have our deepest pool of tens in recent memory, and they are all either injured, suspended or only half-fit.

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

To be fair, it wasn't Godman throwing the intercepts....

Pretty sure one was him? In my head they all were until I saw it again recently and realised two were Cusiter.

[Yr Alban]

So it’s a shock & awe back division, but with VdW and Harris on the bench, it can easily be abandoned if it doesn’t work. It’s ballsy, but not maybe not quite as reckless as it looks?

[NorfolkScot]

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

To be fair, it wasn't Godman throwing the intercepts....

Pretty sure one was him? In my head they all were until I saw it again recently and realised two were Cusiter.

Godman was the chip - poorly executed but, if it had come off, someone had a run in...Godman carried the can as he started the rot but think Cusiter was more at fault for the eventual outcome.....and if we'd kicked some of the 20-odd penalties Italy coughed up rather than constantly going for the corner & screwing up catch & drives, I still think we could've won....(now why does that sound familiar....)

[robmatic]

So it’s a shock & awe back division, but with VdW and Harris on the bench, it can easily be abandoned if it doesn’t work. It’s ballsy, but not maybe not quite as reckless as it looks?

I think with that split on the bench they will probably both be getting good minutes anyway.

[clydecloggie]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Surely this is a one-off against the one 6N opponent we can afford to do something like this?

No way in hell are we rocking up in Paris next Friday with this team.

Top of my wish list is Huw Jones playing an absolute blinder, making him undroppable.

[KingBlairhorn]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Surely this is a one-off against the one 6N opponent we can afford to do something like this?

No way in hell are we rocking up in Paris next Friday with this team.

Top of my wish list is Huw Jones playing an absolute blinder, making him undroppable.

He's done that before, he was still droppable!

[Slick]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Surely this is a one-off against the one 6N opponent we can afford to do something like this?

No way in hell are we rocking up in Paris next Friday with this team.

Top of my wish list is Huw Jones playing an absolute blinder, making him undroppable.

My exact thoughts.

[robmatic]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Surely this is a one-off against the one 6N opponent we can afford to do something like this?

No way in hell are we rocking up in Paris next Friday with this team.

Top of my wish list is Huw Jones playing an absolute blinder, making him undroppable.

My exact thoughts.

I'm not sure that's how the Tooney tombola works.

[Tattie]

Toonie's Top Tombola

Madness. Love it. I'm thinking 80+ points on Saturday. Scotland by 2.

[NorfolkScot]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Surely this is a one-off against the one 6N opponent we can afford to do something like this?

No way in hell are we rocking up in Paris next Friday with this team.

Top of my wish list is Huw Jones playing an absolute blinder, making him undroppable.

Don't get me wrong, totally agree that we should be experimenting in the Italy game, I'd just rather we experimented by picking a few youngsters than playing Hogg out of position

[SaintK]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Good grief man! Get a grip
Scotland will win like all the other 6N teams by about 40 points

[Yr Alban]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Good grief man! Get a grip
Scotland will win like all the other 6N teams by about 40 points

I keep saying this, but what all the other 6N teams don’t appreciate is that Scotland face a different Italy from everyone else, because this is the game the Italians think they can win. They always save their biggest performance for us, because history tells them that they can beat us if they catch us on an off day.

It’s possible we could win by 40, but 10-14 is more likely.

[charltom]

Very happy me this evening, after a rather more successful bit of RWC ticket buying than the other day!

4 Scotland packs including QF (just in case).

[SaintK]

Honestly don't know what to make of that....This is a huge gamble from Townsend, as other have said we could easily rack up a load of points but, the game could just as easily get away from us. Having switched from an all out attacking team to a more solid defensive team for the world cup, he suddenly seems to have swung the other way again. I worry about Hogg's ability to get the backline moving and having him as a frontline kicker. I just don't see how Hogg at 10 is less of a gamble than either Chamberlain or Thompson, both of whom have been playing well recently.

Good grief man! Get a grip
Scotland will win like all the other 6N teams by about 40 points

I keep saying this, but what all the other 6N teams don’t appreciate is that Scotland face a different Italy from everyone else, because this is the game the Italians think they can win. They always save their biggest performance for us, because history tells them that they can beat us if they catch us on an off day.

It’s possible we could win by 40, but 10-14 is more likely.

Hmmmm! After discussions with my Scottish wife who is as big a Jonah about Scotland rugby as you lot I have gone Scotland +36 on Superbru tipping

[Yr Alban]

Good grief man! Get a grip
Scotland will win like all the other 6N teams by about 40 points

I keep saying this, but what all the other 6N teams don’t appreciate is that Scotland face a different Italy from everyone else, because this is the game the Italians think they can win. They always save their biggest performance for us, because history tells them that they can beat us if they catch us on an off day.

It’s possible we could win by 40, but 10-14 is more likely.

Hmmmm! After discussions with my Scottish wife who is as big a Jonah about Scotland rugby as you lot I have gone Scotland +36 on Superbru tipping

Confident. I like it!

[And 1 guest]

I suppose the Scotland Italy game means there is a chance of 3 tight games on a 6N weekend, rather than 2.

I'd love to see that backline click though. It won't be boring, that's for sure.

[SaintK]

I keep saying this, but what all the other 6N teams don’t appreciate is that Scotland face a different Italy from everyone else, because this is the game the Italians think they can win. They always save their biggest performance for us, because history tells them that they can beat us if they catch us on an off day.

It’s possible we could win by 40, but 10-14 is more likely.

Hmmmm! After discussions with my Scottish wife who is as big a Jonah about Scotland rugby as you lot I have gone Scotland +36 on Superbru tipping

Confident. I like it!

No she wasn't! I overruled her Scotland +8 suggestion

[Slick]

Well, he probably isn’t feeling the love right now, but he only has one cap to date. Would we feel more or less secure with a rookie 10 in charge of that back division? We all remember the Godman disaster. Hogg at least probably won’t throw any intercepts.

I really like this move. We have our leader and future Lions captain (I am not getting off this bandwagon) stepping up to the most important position. This is going to be fun.

I've been really impressed with Hoggy this year as captain. I think it was slightly dragging him down last year but this year he has been great.

We hear about how good he is doing off the field, but on the field I really like how he is putting his own stamp on being captain. The way he talks to the team, it seems to be team decisions. Also thought he spoke very well to the ref vs Ireland.

100% agree with this. I’m really chuffed for him that he has been trusted with the captaincy and has embraced it. He had a couple of dodgy moments as a youth but has come through as, in my opinion, easily the best Scottish player of his generation and someone who obviously loves playing for Scotland. He will go down as one of our legends.

For his sake I really hope he gets a couple of Lions caps because he absolutely deserves it.