NPR

Deveron Boy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hopefully Barclay gives Guscott what he deserves when BBC goes off air - what the fuck is Guscott doing at Scotland matches?

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hard to be anything but pleased with that, an excellent performance and all players get strong pass marks. Special mentions for Watson (as always), Jones, Duhan, both Fagersons and Cherry.

I thought Richie turned up with some excellent carries on the wings, he’s actually pretty fast when he gets going. Gilchrist was also good, he made good ground in the tight carries.

I felt there was a little over exuberance in attack at times where structure would have won out, but that’s knit picking.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:40 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:23 pm Hard to be anything but pleased with that, an excellent performance and all players get strong pass marks. Special mentions for Watson (as always), Jones, Duhan, both Fagersons and Cherry.

I thought Richie turned up with some excellent carries on the wings, he’s actually pretty fast when he gets going. Gilchrist was also good, he made good ground in the tight carries.

I felt there was a little over exuberance in attack at times where structure would have won out, but that’s knit picking.

Indeed. You can’t argue with 50-up and a winning margin of 42, no matter who the opposition are.

So, we’ve beaten Italy by as much or more as everyone else, won away to England, and lost two home games by tiny margins. We’re so close to being good, and yet somehow so far. The game next week will be a good barometer of where we currently are. If France win tonight, I suspect we’ll lose by two or three scores. If they lose, it’ll be a lot closer and we might have a chance.

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:41 pm

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

In which case we should refuse to play the match. Why should we play with a handicap because of a problem caused by France?

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:44 pm

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

I don't think they are at fault at all.

Why should they be inconvenienced because the 6N is extended?

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:25 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:12 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:09 pm Good 1st start by Cherry.

Yes, excellent. Dream come true for the guy

Good solid pro. Taking full advantage to get some late career rewards.

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:46 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:41 pm

dkm57 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:30 pm So the Prem Clubs are refusing to release players for the France game, shower of @rseholes

In which case we should refuse to play the match. Why should we play with a handicap because of a problem caused by France?

I agree with this. The whole point of not awarding us the game in the first place was to keep the integrity of the tournament and ensure prize money went where it should. If this happens it is a total stitch up

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:46 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:41 pm

In which case we should refuse to play the match. Why should we play with a handicap because of a problem caused by France?

I agree with this. The whole point of not awarding us the game in the first place was to keep the integrity of the tournament and ensure prize money went where it should. If this happens it is a total stitch up

Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:46 pm

I agree with this. The whole point of not awarding us the game in the first place was to keep the integrity of the tournament and ensure prize money went where it should. If this happens it is a total stitch up

Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?

Well I suppose it’s al linked.

Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:57 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm

Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?

Well I suppose it’s al linked.

Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this

He won't like it but Exeters hands are tied. Why should they pay a fine because France fucked up?

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:57 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:37 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 pm

Surely it was less about where the prize money went and more about the TV companies not paying the full amount out without all the games being completed?

Well I suppose it’s al linked.

Will be interesting to see how Hogg reacts to this

He won't like it but Exeters hands are tied. Why should they pay a fine because France fucked up?

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:04 pm Well we will find out how good some of these guys are next week.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:04 pm Well we will find out how good some of these guys are next week.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:21 pm I'm looking forward to a game with two teams willing to play rugby.

Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way

Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:05 pm Our players need to watch that game and understand how to make sure you take opportunities. Case in point the last try. Fickou did two critical things. First he held on to the ball for a moment. That fixed two defenders, one on him and one on the man outside him. Second he understood that the ball needed to go through the hands to the wing instead of straight out by mis pass. Our players in the same situation, would have gone straight for the mispass to the wing, which would have allowed the defence to drift over.

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:24 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:21 pm I'm looking forward to a game with two teams willing to play rugby.

Aye, I know winning is everything and it doesn't matter how you do it, hoisting the pill into the 22, getting it "in to the fakin mixer" is as valid a way to win as any, but I like to watch ball in hand rugby, and Scotland and France have looked the most likely to play that way

I was thinking about this all week. Yes we are frustrated, this is the best generation we have had for a long time etc, but I love the way we play

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:30 pm On today’s showing, you’d start Huw Jones on Friday. But Toony will start Harris for his defence, and TBH he’ll be right. France will be fired up to fuck, and they’ll smash us if our defence isn’t absolutely on point.

C T wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:08 am

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:30 pm On today’s showing, you’d start Huw Jones on Friday. But Toony will start Harris for his defence, and TBH he’ll be right. France will be fired up to fuck, and they’ll smash us if our defence isn’t absolutely on point.

Does Harris offer better defence than Jones?

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:53 am

C T wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:08 am

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:30 pm On today’s showing, you’d start Huw Jones on Friday. But Toony will start Harris for his defence, and TBH he’ll be right. France will be fired up to fuck, and they’ll smash us if our defence isn’t absolutely on point.

Does Harris offer better defence than Jones?

Good question. I think Toony thinks he does, or he wouldn’t keep starting him, given that he clearly doesn’t offer the attacking threat Jones does. I actually retract what I said about Harris being the right choice, because I want to see Jones. It will be Harris though.

I’d start both Cherry and Steele on Friday. Cherry is a big hard bastard. I was really impressed with him today, and his darts are clearly the best we have available. Given Turner’s were crap v Ireland, Cherry deserves to keep the shirt. Steele has waited patiently for a shot and did really well, although Price looked good at the end. The only thing I’d say against him is that he seems to be one of those 9s who wants to take an extra step before passing.

Really hope Russell makes it back, because I think our best chance of a result is if he has one of his unplayable days - and I fancy him to want to show off against the French in Paris. If not, at least Hastings will be available.

Team for France:
15. Hogg
14. Maitland
13. Jones
12. Johnson
11. Van der Merwe
10. Russell (Hastings if not fit)
9. Steele
8. Fagerson M
7. Watson
6. Ritchie
5. Skinner
4. Gray J (Gilchrist if not fit)
3. Fagerson Z
2. Cherry
1. Sutherland

I have just realised that I’m on call again on Friday. Maybe I’ll make it home for the second half, assuming it isn’t all over by then.

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:32 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.

That really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as well

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:44 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:32 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:18 am Turners throws looked a bit wobbly when he came on yesterday so yes, Cherry ahead of him. Price still made some odd decisions even when we were way ahead - I have never trusted his decision making. Russell was fit to play yesterday, just the HIA protocol prevented it. The form Jones is in its difficult not to start him. Russell, Redpath, Jones, Graham, VdM, Hogg is a backline that makes you salivate.

That really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as well

I thought that despite the score yesterday which was more down to Italy refusing to tackle, the Scotland backline looked pretty ordinary. So many passes not going to hand, or innacurate or slow. I think they are going to get schooled by France

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:59 am

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:44 am

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:32 am

That really is a beautiful backline. I thought Johnson looked back to near his best in the last couple of games as well

I thought that despite the score yesterday which was more down to Italy refusing to tackle, the Scotland backline looked pretty ordinary. So many passes not going to hand, or innacurate or slow. I think they are going to get schooled by France

I think a lot of that is because we didn't have a 10 playing. Individually, VdM and Jones looked dangerous, but as a unit you need your fly half to make them tick and Hogg for all his other skills, isn't one.