NPR

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:19 am

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:46 am Scotland have the quality to win but also have it in them to get humped.

Bookies have England as favourites and I can't see any reason to disagree really. The Scotland attack was pretty uninspiring in the autumn and if Redpath isn't fit enough to play then our centres are quite bland which puts a lot of pressure on Russell.

Looking forward to seeing Smith v Russell, both players who look to play good attacking rugby. Hopefully the gameplans from the coaches let them.

Redpath looked in pretty good nick in his comeback match for Bath on Friday night
Thought I read on the Scotland thread you guys discussing the strength in depth of the possible centre pairings for the 6N?

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:18 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:19 am

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:46 am Scotland have the quality to win but also have it in them to get humped.

Bookies have England as favourites and I can't see any reason to disagree really. The Scotland attack was pretty uninspiring in the autumn and if Redpath isn't fit enough to play then our centres are quite bland which puts a lot of pressure on Russell.

Looking forward to seeing Smith v Russell, both players who look to play good attacking rugby. Hopefully the gameplans from the coaches let them.

Redpath looked in pretty good nick in his comeback match for Bath on Friday night
Thought I read on the Scotland thread you guys discussing the strength in depth of the possible centre pairings for the 6N?

The attacking limitations at centre are there for all to see. Although there was a new attack coach in the AI's so maybe he just hadn't fully implemented any plans. Redpath and Harris is probably the first choice pairing which puts a lot of onus on Redpath.

In theory we have some lovely attacking players available in Redpath, Hutchinson and Bennett, who is looking sharp again. But, and I say this as a fan of Harris* in defence, he offers very very little in attack and he is the mainstay of the centres due to his excellent defence. Don't get me wrong, Harris does all the unflashy defensive work, clears rucks etc but his passing and attacking play isn't really tier 1 international standard.

Johnson looks well off the boil in recent games and the other centre in the squad it Tuipulotu but he looks every bit a flat track bully at this point.

*won a tidy sum off him making the Lions too which was nice.

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:18 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:19 am

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:46 am Scotland have the quality to win but also have it in them to get humped.

Bookies have England as favourites and I can't see any reason to disagree really. The Scotland attack was pretty uninspiring in the autumn and if Redpath isn't fit enough to play then our centres are quite bland which puts a lot of pressure on Russell.

Looking forward to seeing Smith v Russell, both players who look to play good attacking rugby. Hopefully the gameplans from the coaches let them.

Redpath looked in pretty good nick in his comeback match for Bath on Friday night
Thought I read on the Scotland thread you guys discussing the strength in depth of the possible centre pairings for the 6N?

The attacking limitations at centre are there for all to see. Although there was a new attack coach in the AI's so maybe he just hadn't fully implemented any plans. Redpath and Harris is probably the first choice pairing which puts a lot of onus on Redpath.

In theory we have some lovely attacking players available in Redpath, Hutchinson and Bennett, who is looking sharp again. But, and I say this as a fan of Harris* in defence, he offers very very little in attack and he is the mainstay of the centres due to his excellent defence. Don't get me wrong, Harris does all the unflashy defensive work, clears rucks etc but his passing and attacking play isn't really tier 1 international standard.

Johnson looks well off the boil in recent games and the other centre in the squad it Tuipulotu but he looks every bit a flat track bully at this point.

*won a tidy sum off him making the Lions too which was nice.

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:43 pm Every good backline has a Harris in there, defending, organising others in defence etc. There's plenty of attacking threat with Russell, Redpath, Hogg, Van der Merwe and Graham

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:47 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:43 pm Every good backline has a Harris in there, defending, organising others in defence etc. There's plenty of attacking threat with Russell, Redpath, Hogg, Van der Merwe and Graham

As long as you avoid blockers in the centres who stop the ball ever getting further than one out.

What's Harris' distribution like? Seems pretty solid if unspectacular in the little I've seen of him, mostly for Gloucester.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:12 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:18 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:19 am
Redpath looked in pretty good nick in his comeback match for Bath on Friday night
Thought I read on the Scotland thread you guys discussing the strength in depth of the possible centre pairings for the 6N?

The attacking limitations at centre are there for all to see. Although there was a new attack coach in the AI's so maybe he just hadn't fully implemented any plans. Redpath and Harris is probably the first choice pairing which puts a lot of onus on Redpath.

In theory we have some lovely attacking players available in Redpath, Hutchinson and Bennett, who is looking sharp again. But, and I say this as a fan of Harris* in defence, he offers very very little in attack and he is the mainstay of the centres due to his excellent defence. Don't get me wrong, Harris does all the unflashy defensive work, clears rucks etc but his passing and attacking play isn't really tier 1 international standard.

Johnson looks well off the boil in recent games and the other centre in the squad it Tuipulotu but he looks every bit a flat track bully at this point.

*won a tidy sum off him making the Lions too which was nice.

Johnson hasn’t been firing on full but I think that massively underestimates his influence on Scotland over the last few years. I’m a big fan

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:05 pm

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Harris was, correctly, preferred for Scotland because he brings better shape to the team. Jones never really nailed down the 13 shirt at Glasgow and although I haven't seen Quins play much this season, no one has been talking him up there.

At his best in attack he is magnificent. However our defence was porous and it wasn't just him at fault, but Harris runs the defence and the difference is stark.

I thought Harris was really good both sides of the ball for Glaws when I've seen them.

I wish Redpath had made it back a few weeks sooner for the 12 shirt, he looks sharp, but it's a big step up to international rugby after a year out


(ffs, I inherited this MacBook from my daughter after she upgraded and the autocorrect has a mind of its own)

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:05 pm

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Harris was, correctly, preferred for Scotland because he brings better shape to the team. Jones never really nailed down the 13 shirt at Glasgow and although I haven't seen Quins play much this season, no one has been talking him up there.

At his best in attack he is magnificent. However our defence was porous and it wasn't just him at fault, but Harris runs the defence and the difference is stark.

I thought Harris was really good both sides of the ball for Glaws when I've seen them.

I wish Redpath had made it back a few weeks sooner for the 12 shirt, he looks sharp, but it's a big step up to international rugby after a year out


(ffs, I inherited this MacBook from my daughter after she upgraded and the autocorrect has a mind of its own)

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:01 pm

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Playing poorly for quins

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:32 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:12 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:18 am

The attacking limitations at centre are there for all to see. Although there was a new attack coach in the AI's so maybe he just hadn't fully implemented any plans. Redpath and Harris is probably the first choice pairing which puts a lot of onus on Redpath.

In theory we have some lovely attacking players available in Redpath, Hutchinson and Bennett, who is looking sharp again. But, and I say this as a fan of Harris* in defence, he offers very very little in attack and he is the mainstay of the centres due to his excellent defence. Don't get me wrong, Harris does all the unflashy defensive work, clears rucks etc but his passing and attacking play isn't really tier 1 international standard.

Johnson looks well off the boil in recent games and the other centre in the squad it Tuipulotu but he looks every bit a flat track bully at this point.

*won a tidy sum off him making the Lions too which was nice.

Johnson hasn’t been firing on full but I think that massively underestimates his influence on Scotland over the last few years. I’m a big fan

I don't think saying he is off the boil is underestimating past glories at all. He was much better pre knee injury and often people remember him for that try v England and deservedly so. He is a consistent player who is occasionally excellent, but he hasn't offered a whole lot in attack since his knee injury and has been off his best for Glasgow this season. We are not talking about what he has done, we must talk about what he is currently. The centres in the various combinations used during the AIs v Aus/SA/Japan offered little.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:05 pm

Woddy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:42 pm What's happened to Huw Jones?

Harris was, correctly, preferred for Scotland because he brings better shape to the team. Jones never really nailed down the 13 shirt at Glasgow and although I haven't seen Quins play much this season, no one has been talking him up there.

At his best in attack he is magnificent. However our defence was porous and it wasn't just him at fault, but Harris runs the defence and the difference is stark.

I thought Harris was really good both sides of the ball for Glaws when I've seen them.

I wish Redpath had made it back a few weeks sooner for the 12 shirt, he looks sharp, but it's a big step up to international rugby after a year out


(ffs, I inherited this MacBook from my daughter after she upgraded and the autocorrect has a mind of its own)

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:32 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:12 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:18 am

The attacking limitations at centre are there for all to see. Although there was a new attack coach in the AI's so maybe he just hadn't fully implemented any plans. Redpath and Harris is probably the first choice pairing which puts a lot of onus on Redpath.

In theory we have some lovely attacking players available in Redpath, Hutchinson and Bennett, who is looking sharp again. But, and I say this as a fan of Harris* in defence, he offers very very little in attack and he is the mainstay of the centres due to his excellent defence. Don't get me wrong, Harris does all the unflashy defensive work, clears rucks etc but his passing and attacking play isn't really tier 1 international standard.

Johnson looks well off the boil in recent games and the other centre in the squad it Tuipulotu but he looks every bit a flat track bully at this point.

*won a tidy sum off him making the Lions too which was nice.

Johnson hasn’t been firing on full but I think that massively underestimates his influence on Scotland over the last few years. I’m a big fan

I don't think saying he is off the boil is underestimating past glories at all. He was much better pre knee injury and often people remember him for that try v England and deservedly so. He is a consistent player who is occasionally excellent, but he hasn't offered a whole lot in attack since his knee injury and has been off his best for Glasgow this season. We are not talking about what he has done, we must talk about what he is currently. The centres in the various combinations used during the AIs v Aus/SA/Japan offered little.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:24 pm Jones is pretty shit. He's good for the occasional break and can be a threat with ball in hand, but that ball never leaves his hand until he's getting turned over, he's a bit of a shit defender, and he makes bad decisions constantly.

I can't see him ever being first choice if everyone's fit.

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:48 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:32 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:12 pm

Johnson hasn’t been firing on full but I think that massively underestimates his influence on Scotland over the last few years. I’m a big fan

I don't think saying he is off the boil is underestimating past glories at all. He was much better pre knee injury and often people remember him for that try v England and deservedly so. He is a consistent player who is occasionally excellent, but he hasn't offered a whole lot in attack since his knee injury and has been off his best for Glasgow this season. We are not talking about what he has done, we must talk about what he is currently. The centres in the various combinations used during the AIs v Aus/SA/Japan offered little.

Hutchinson didn't feature in the AI's did he?
Been playing very well for Saints

Enzedder wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:06 pm You'd think England would be all over this - but Eddie Jones

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:46 am Scotland have the quality to win but also have it in them to get humped.

Bookies have England as favourites and I can't see any reason to disagree really. The Scotland attack was pretty uninspiring in the autumn and if Redpath isn't fit enough to play then our centres are quite bland which puts a lot of pressure on Russell.

Looking forward to seeing Smith v Russell, both players who look to play good attacking rugby. Hopefully the gameplans from the coaches let them.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:17 pm 18 months to the next RWC and Jones is relying on a genuine carthorse as his third lock, Youngs will pick up his 113th cap and he'll pick his 29th centre combination.

Chancer extraordinaire.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:19 pm

Enzedder wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:06 pm You'd think England would be all over this - but Eddie Jones

The last five meetings have seen two wins each and a draw, albeit quite some draw.

Scotland are stronger now than at any time in the last five years and England possibly not as strong as they have been.

For every "but Eddie Jones" there is Scotland's ability to disintegrate.

I really do find this game difficult to call.

mos_eisely_ wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:29 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:46 am Scotland have the quality to win but also have it in them to get humped.

Bookies have England as favourites and I can't see any reason to disagree really. The Scotland attack was pretty uninspiring in the autumn and if Redpath isn't fit enough to play then our centres are quite bland which puts a lot of pressure on Russell.

Looking forward to seeing Smith v Russell, both players who look to play good attacking rugby. Hopefully the gameplans from the coaches let them.

Have you seen R.Hutchinson and M.Bennett for Saints and Edinburgh respectively recently?

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:48 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:32 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:12 pm

Johnson hasn’t been firing on full but I think that massively underestimates his influence on Scotland over the last few years. I’m a big fan

I don't think saying he is off the boil is underestimating past glories at all. He was much better pre knee injury and often people remember him for that try v England and deservedly so. He is a consistent player who is occasionally excellent, but he hasn't offered a whole lot in attack since his knee injury and has been off his best for Glasgow this season. We are not talking about what he has done, we must talk about what he is currently. The centres in the various combinations used during the AIs v Aus/SA/Japan offered little.

Hutchinson didn't feature in the AI's did he?
Been playing very well for Saints

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:44 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:17 pm 18 months to the next RWC and Jones is relying on a genuine carthorse as his third lock, Youngs will pick up his 113th cap and he'll pick his 29th centre combination.

Chancer extraordinaire.

Although I generally agree with you re eddie, you're laying it on with a trowel with the third lock thing. Launch is one game back from a long term injury, hill is in a moon boot and lawes, who he has used in the row, is hia. Yet to mention your sainted kruis who you've mentioned coming back in time.

Hammer eddie for what he does wrong, not what you make up, otherwise it just dilutes the message

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:27 pm

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:44 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:17 pm 18 months to the next RWC and Jones is relying on a genuine carthorse as his third lock, Youngs will pick up his 113th cap and he'll pick his 29th centre combination.

Chancer extraordinaire.

Although I generally agree with you re eddie, you're laying it on with a trowel with the third lock thing. Launch is one game back from a long term injury, hill is in a moon boot and lawes, who he has used in the row, is hia. Yet to mention your sainted kruis who you've mentioned coming back in time.

Hammer eddie for what he does wrong, not what you make up, otherwise it just dilutes the message

Ewels has been in the squad for years, he's not been drafted in as injury cover. He's genuinely there on Eddie merit. He's ahead of Isiekwe and Ribbans plus previous flavour of the month Martin. Is Ewels - playing in a woeful Bath pack - a better option than a young player like Munga or Tizard for example playing in winning packs? What does Ewels offer England now and in 18 months?

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:48 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:27 pm

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:44 pm

Although I generally agree with you re eddie, you're laying it on with a trowel with the third lock thing. Launch is one game back from a long term injury, hill is in a moon boot and lawes, who he has used in the row, is hia. Yet to mention your sainted kruis who you've mentioned coming back in time.

Hammer eddie for what he does wrong, not what you make up, otherwise it just dilutes the message

Ewels has been in the squad for years, he's not been drafted in as injury cover. He's genuinely there on Eddie merit. He's ahead of Isiekwe and Ribbans plus previous flavour of the month Martin. Is Ewels - playing in a woeful Bath pack - a better option than a young player like Munga or Tizard for example playing in winning packs? What does Ewels offer England now and in 18 months?

Not my point, but I'll answer it.

Isiekwe I just don't get. Has all the tools but meh.
Ribbans, big hard bastard, does the basics incredibly well, not really international class.
Tizard, great prospect, you must be very glad to have signed him, but far too raw. Definitely one to watch.
Munga. Now I've been to quite a few LI games recently and again, a talent, but I'd play their ageing locks ahead of him atmo.
Martin, I haven't seen enough of to comment tbf.
Eddie obviously sees something in ewels, and although he's never looked good in an England shirt, he has actually stood out in a shit bath side on occasion, which takes some doing for a lock. I don't get him, personally.
I get your point, but as you said, the RWC is in 18 months time. Unless injuries happen again or someone really starts to perform, we go into it with itoje/hill/launch/lawes and 1 or 2 who are performing at the time, depending on the back row/second row balance.

Doesn't seem too mad to me

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:14 am weather forecast, which means absolutely nothing in Edinburgh, looks like an OK day but windy.

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:39 pm Ian Blackford with the game winning score at the death

here first!