The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Jock42]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

That makes sense. Haven't seen anything about Bennett though.

[Big D]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

That explains that then.

Would be muddled even by Townsends Tombola standard to bomb him out totally.

[Tichtheid]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

That makes sense. Haven't seen anything about Bennett though.

Aye, I thought Bennett showed enough to at least retain his place on the bench, Harris looks like he is the first name on Toonie's team sheet and to be fair our defence does look lots better with him in place.

I'd liked to have seen Bennett start outside Johnson and Finn, that is a tasty midfield.

[Big D]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

That makes sense. Haven't seen anything about Bennett though.

Aye, I thought Bennett showed enough to at least retain his place on the bench, Harris looks like he is the first name on Toonie's team sheet and to be fair our defence does look lots better with him in place.

I'd liked to have seen Bennett start outside Johnson and Finn, that is a tasty midfield.

Under Tandy I'm not sure we've seen anyone else at 13. So it would be interesting what makes our defence tick. Harris or Tandy. Might get a nice surprise or nasty shock if AN Other gets a go. For resilience planning we need to try other players there during the summer.

Edit: Jones played the 1st two six nations games in 2020 and v Italy in 21, and Tuipolotu v Tonga but it has been Harris in all other games.

[I like neeps]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

Yeh, seen it elsewhere on twitter from Journos that Kinghorn is unavailable (presumably through injury, but I suppose possibly through illness or something else).

Due to vaccine status.

So maybe they do see him as a viable back three choice. They'll have to hope France change their policies before the world cup.

[robmatic]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

Yeh, seen it elsewhere on twitter from Journos that Kinghorn is unavailable (presumably through injury, but I suppose possibly through illness or something else).

Due to vaccine status.

So maybe they do see him as a viable back three choice. They'll have to hope France change their policies before the world cup.

He could still travel to Italy now with a negative test result.

[I like neeps]

Yeh, seen it elsewhere on twitter from Journos that Kinghorn is unavailable (presumably through injury, but I suppose possibly through illness or something else).

Due to vaccine status.

So maybe they do see him as a viable back three choice. They'll have to hope France change their policies before the world cup.

He could still travel to Italy now with a negative test result.

I believe to play professional sport in Italy - as in France - vaccination is required. (https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ ... rom.924436).

Explained why they called up Thompson as well as Hastings if they knew Kinghorn was unavailable. If was injured they'd have said it.

[Biffer]

Stalker

Thought the Stew Mel v Merchiston final was a really good game.

When he was coaching at Watson's (with Steve Lawrie as his boss) my younger son coached both teams when they were younger. Even then they reckoned the current U16 team was one of the best generations they have had.

Very interesting to hear this sort of stuff.

I think I'm as guilty as anyone of thinking that this current crop of players with your Hoggy, Finn, Watson, etc. is our chance of competing for titles and after that we're back to fighting it out with Italy for the spoon.

There are some really good younger players with your Dobbie, Thompson, Darge, Muncaster, plenty of the current crop who are not old timers. The younger guys coming through who I have no knowledge about.

I don't think Hoggy/Finn etc. are retiring after this world cup although concede they may not be at the next one.

Perhaps not all doom and gloom. I was at Cardiff when we lost a few weeks back, maybe that was adding to my doom and gloom feeling.

Ireland have done better after O’Driscoll, O’Gara, Murphy, Wood retired.

[Slick]

From The Offside Line


"Adam Hastings is added to the bench in place of the unavailable Blair Kinghorn"


I did think it odd that they had added two fly halves to the squad this week, perhaps Finn was nursing a knock too?

He didn't play for Racing last week

Yeh, seen it elsewhere on twitter from Journos that Kinghorn is unavailable (presumably through injury, but I suppose possibly through illness or something else).

Due to vaccine status.

So maybe they do see him as a viable back three choice. They'll have to hope France change their policies before the world cup.

He's not vaccinated?

[robmatic]

Due to vaccine status.

So maybe they do see him as a viable back three choice. They'll have to hope France change their policies before the world cup.

He could still travel to Italy now with a negative test result.

I believe to play professional sport in Italy - as in France - vaccination is required. (https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ ... rom.924436).

Explained why they called up Thompson as well as Hastings if they knew Kinghorn was unavailable. If was injured they'd have said it.

Ah, didn't know that. Weird one if basically all of his peers are vaccinated and he's holding out.

[Biffer]

He could still travel to Italy now with a negative test result.

I believe to play professional sport in Italy - as in France - vaccination is required. (https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/ ... rom.924436).

Explained why they called up Thompson as well as Hastings if they knew Kinghorn was unavailable. If was injured they'd have said it.

Ah, didn't know that. Weird one if basically all of his peers are vaccinated and he's holding out.

Yeah, and not clear how it relates to bubbles etc last year.

[Tichtheid]

Townsend not happy with Duhan's red card

https://www.theoffsideline.com/italy-v- ... uspension/


The article also has a quote about Blair Kinghorn

Meanwhile, Blair Kinghorn – who has covered stand-off and back-three from the bench in Scotland’s three matches so far during this campaign – was perhaps the front-runner to take van der Merwe’s place, but he is unavailable.

“It’s personal, so he is just unavailable for this game – we believe he will be available for Ireland,” said Townsend.

[Big D]

It doesn't really matter how or why he is unavailable. He is unavailable for this week. Hopefully it is something simple and not too troublesome for Kinghorn.

Sports fans across many sports think they have a right to know everything when a player misses a game, we don't. He is unavailable and likely to be back for the next one, that's all that needs to be said.

[Slick]

It doesn't really matter how or why he is unavailable. He is unavailable for this week. Hopefully it is something simple and not too troublesome for Kinghorn.

Sports fans across many sports think they have a right to know everything when a player misses a game, we don't. He is unavailable and likely to be back for the next one, that's all that needs to be said.

Dunno, think we have a right to know if he is being a cock about getting vaxxed. Anything else, agree.

[Jock42]

It doesn't really matter how or why he is unavailable. He is unavailable for this week. Hopefully it is something simple and not too troublesome for Kinghorn.

Sports fans across many sports think they have a right to know everything when a player misses a game, we don't. He is unavailable and likely to be back for the next one, that's all that needs to be said.

Dunno, think we have a right to know if he is being a cock about getting vaxxed. Anything else, agree.

I don't care if he's had MMR, yellow fever or covid vaccines.

[Slick]

It doesn't really matter how or why he is unavailable. He is unavailable for this week. Hopefully it is something simple and not too troublesome for Kinghorn.

Sports fans across many sports think they have a right to know everything when a player misses a game, we don't. He is unavailable and likely to be back for the next one, that's all that needs to be said.

Dunno, think we have a right to know if he is being a cock about getting vaxxed. Anything else, agree.

I don't care if he's had MMR, yellow fever or covid vaccines.

But the others don't affect if he plays or not

[Big D]

It doesn't really matter how or why he is unavailable. He is unavailable for this week. Hopefully it is something simple and not too troublesome for Kinghorn.

Sports fans across many sports think they have a right to know everything when a player misses a game, we don't. He is unavailable and likely to be back for the next one, that's all that needs to be said.

Dunno, think we have a right to know if he is being a cock about getting vaxxed. Anything else, agree.

The rumour was he hasn't had his booster, not that he is completely unvaxxed.

Why? So we can follow up with why hasn't he got it? And analyse his answers? What if he says he is boosted, does he need to answer the follow up as to what's the issue?

The national team are comfortable with him being available for the last few weeks either knowing (if he hasn't had a booster) or not (if it is any other reason) that he wouldn't be available for the weekend so they aren't too concerned about it from a team point of view.

This sort of shit from Bill Lothian is bollocks:
"SRU need to come clean on the player’s “unavailability”. His call. But there is a need to know."

He isn't "unavailable" he is unavailable.

[Jock42]

Dunno, think we have a right to know if he is being a cock about getting vaxxed. Anything else, agree.

I don't care if he's had MMR, yellow fever or covid vaccines.

But the others don't affect if he plays or not

I still don't care. If he's unavailable through an anti-vaccine stance, injury, illness or personal reasons nobody has the right to know. Why should his right to confidentiality be any different to yours or mine?

[Slick]

Why? So we can follow up with why hasn't he got it? And analyse his answers?

Yes

What if he says he is boosted, does he need to answer the follow up as to what's the issue?

No.

I, like everyone else, invest a lot in supporting Scotland, emotionally and financially, so I think we do have a right to know if one of our top players has made a decision to make himself unavailable through not being boosted, especially when I can't go and watch him play if I haven't been. If it's for medical reasons, absolutely fine, no more questions needed. if it's just a personal decision I think we should know that. This is all quite apart from the fact that if it is a personal decision then it puts the rest of the team at some risk and might have very big implications.

If it's anything else at all, then no, I've no right to know and absolutely no interest in those reasons.

[Slick]

I don't care if he's had MMR, yellow fever or covid vaccines.

But the others don't affect if he plays or not

I still don't care. If he's unavailable through an anti-vaccine stance, injury, illness or personal reasons nobody has the right to know. Why should his right to confidentiality be any different to yours or mine?

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

[Jock42]

But the others don't affect if he plays or not

I still don't care. If he's unavailable through an anti-vaccine stance, injury, illness or personal reasons nobody has the right to know. Why should his right to confidentiality be any different to yours or mine?

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

[Slick]

I still don't care. If he's unavailable through an anti-vaccine stance, injury, illness or personal reasons nobody has the right to know. Why should his right to confidentiality be any different to yours or mine?

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

Only if you are exempt, and as I've said, if that's the case with him, then fine.

Are you going to help us win in Rome? Apart from your world class insight and mighty cheering of course.

[Tichtheid]

The only thing that buying a ticket for match entitles you to is that seat for a couple of hours. Nothing else.

If a player comes out and publicly decries vaccination and tries to influence others then they will deserve all they get, it they decide they want their medical history to remain private then we should respect their wishes.

We don't even know what the issue is with Kinghorn, this is all just speculation.

[Jock42]

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

Only if you are exempt, and as I've said, if that's the case with him, then fine.

Are you going to help us win in Rome? Apart from your world class insight and mighty cheering of course.

I didn't realise that was the case. I disagree it should be. Anyway we're just going to go round in circles here so I'm out.

[Slick]

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

Only if you are exempt, and as I've said, if that's the case with him, then fine.

Are you going to help us win in Rome? Apart from your world class insight and mighty cheering of course.

I didn't realise that was the case. I disagree it should be. Anyway we're just going to go round in circles here so I'm out.

Yeah, I'm not fully committed to this to be honest

[JM2K6]

Interesting convo, reminds me a bit of Euan Murray and his stance of not playing on Sundays.

[Tichtheid]

Interesting convo, reminds me a bit of Euan Murray and his stance of not playing on Sundays.

I seem to remember that some Scottish supporters got far more upset about that than any Kiwis did about Michael Jones

[Big D]

I still don't care. If he's unavailable through an anti-vaccine stance, injury, illness or personal reasons nobody has the right to know. Why should his right to confidentiality be any different to yours or mine?

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

In your line of work I'd expect a positive test for red bull tbh.

[Big D]

Interesting convo, reminds me a bit of Euan Murray and his stance of not playing on Sundays.

I seem to remember that some Scottish supporters got far more upset about that than any Kiwis did about Michael Jones

IIRC that was around the time we had more Sunday games and there was a RWC game on a Sunday. I wasn't too bothered but remember saying he's risking giving up his shirt if the guy replacing him plays well.

[Slick]

Interesting convo, reminds me a bit of Euan Murray and his stance of not playing on Sundays.

I seem to remember that some Scottish supporters got far more upset about that than any Kiwis did about Michael Jones

IIRC that was around the time we had more Sunday games and there was a RWC game on a Sunday. I wasn't too bothered but remember saying he's risking giving up his shirt if the guy replacing him plays well.

Yes, remember there being a glut of Sunday games for some reason and a particular game in the WC that was quite a big one. Never had a problem I don’t think

[Jock42]

Well try that line trying to get into Murrayfield to watch him play

You can still get into Murrayfield if you're unvaccinated.

As to the reply to BigD. I'm a public servant, do you feel you have the right to know my medical status?

In your line of work I'd expect a positive test for red bull tbh.

Not far off the truth

[mos_eisely_]

It might be as simple as he didn't get the booster yet as any side effects could mean missing out on Scotland training and no-one realised it would be needed to get in to Italy.

Also SRU dropped the need for vaccination certs to enter Murrayfield or MiniField

[westport]

I am sure it has been a decision taken between Kinghorn and Toony/other staff and that is where it should stay. IMO it is nothing to do with anyone else.

[Biffer]

wrt those shouting about Kinghorn, half of his age group haven't had a booster yet. It might just be carelessness rather than any stance. Boosters haven't been available for that age group for a huge length of time and it's also got to be done at the right time vs his second dose. A group of anonymous 40 and 50 somethings shouting about it on t'interweb doesn't really have the full picture for that age group

[Big D]

wrt those shouting about Kinghorn, half of his age group haven't had a booster yet. It might just be carelessness rather than any stance. Boosters haven't been available for that age group for a huge length of time and it's also got to be done at the right time vs his second dose. A group of anonymous 40 and 50 somethings shouting about it on t'interweb doesn't really have the full picture for that age group

Oi 30.something here :-D

[Yr Alban]

It might be as simple as he didn't get the booster yet as any side effects could mean missing out on Scotland training and no-one realised it would be needed to get in to Italy.

Also SRU dropped the need for vaccination certs to enter Murrayfield or MiniField

I reckon this is close to the truth. More likely to be an oversight than anything else. If he’s now had the booster he will be up to speed by the Ireland game.

Speaking as a doctor, I’d agree that none of us has any right to know anything at all about any player’s health status. The SRU has a responsibility to inform the fans when players will be unavailable - people have the right to know what they will be paying to watch - but that’s it, unless the player consents to more information being released. It’s frustrating, but that’s how it is.

Bear this in mind the next time you read a story about an alleged medical error, and the journalist says that nobody from the hospital was available for comment. Nobody from the hospital CAN comment, because it would be breaking confidentiality. I believe the GMC has upheld the right of patients to confidentiality even after they have sold their story to the tabloids. So you only ever get one side.

[KingBlairhorn]

Interesting convo, reminds me a bit of Euan Murray and his stance of not playing on Sundays.

I seem to remember that some Scottish supporters got far more upset about that than any Kiwis did about Michael Jones

That's probably more to do with the quality of the respective squads! Jones was playing in the 90s and would have played in squads with guys like Zinzane Brook, Jonah Lomu, John Kirwan and Chris Cullen. The Scotland squad when Murray made his decision wasn't actually that bad in retrospect, but it did contain such luminaries as Graeme Morrison and Simon Danielli. Murray was an excellent player so was a significant loss to us. Perhaps the same wasn't quite so true of Jones.

New Zealand also won the world cup with Jones in their squad which more or less absolves all the players of any transgressions in the eyes of the fans!

[charltom]

Bennett took hits in the ribs two weeks running, according to GT, so isn't 100%. Sounds like he's in the frame vs. Ireland though - GT was as impressed as we were.

[KingBlairhorn]

Looks like it might be another pumping for the U20s tonight.

[KingBlairhorn]

My verdict: got the win but that was shite.