Scotland ring the changes to Face Ireland

First topic message reminder :

Scotsman Article

So from the above article it seems Robinson is resting Kelly Brown, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Euan Murray and Nathan Hines for this weekend's clash with Ireland.

Under those circumstances what do we think the XXII will look like for Ireland and what tactics could be employed to beat them.

As noted in the article the backrow is the area that is giving Robinson a headache but he has also eluded to NDL and Morrison training well for the centre berth.

I think this weekend will see a XXII something like this.

1. Jacobsen
2. Ford
3. Cross
4. Gray
5. Kellock (C)
6. Harley
7. Barclay
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson
11. Danielli
12. S. Lamont
13. Ansbro
14. R. Lamont
15. Mossy

Dickinson, S Lawson, Hamilton, Beattie, R Lawson, Morrison, Cuthbert

I think this gives us a good mix of some of our newer players and some of the more experienced guys. it will also give AR a chance to check if Beattie is fit enough to be back in the 1st XV without the pressure of a Starting position.

It will also give Denton and Harley a chance to test themselves against Irelands Wrecking ball backrow combo of Ferris and SOB if Kidney decides to play them. What you guys think?

Edit, KRD - just combining some of the Scotland vs Ireland threads.
Actual team as named:

15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)
14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
13 Joe Ansbro (London Irish)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets)
10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) (C)

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh)
4 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester)
5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors)
7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh)

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks)
18 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors)
19 David Denton (Edinburgh)
20 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh)
21 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)
22 Jack Cuthbert (Bath)

That is a very slow back line.....bit of a worry!

Huge pack though, probably one of the biggest we could field (Rennie the obvious exception).

Very interesting omission of desperate Dan - do you think Laidlaw or Mossy will get game time at 10?

If Cusiter has picked up another knock in training which was a rumour I have mentioned a few people mention, it may be hard for Robbo to pick him for the WC since he has not played test match rugby for over a year. I would have expected him to be on the bench at least....

The only pick I would say I am un happy about is Walker starting. Danielli is a far better strike runner and defender IMO.

As for Desperate Dan, I can only think he has been left out to perhaps test Laidlaw at 10. Mossy is no stranger to being 1st receiver and I would expect him to come into 10 a lot during the game.

No Barclay? Its in the bag

Strong looking side. This is a real 50/50 game and I think Sotland will fancy their chances to get a win here.

Looks like Ireland will be fielding a second string side guys

red_stag wrote:No Barclay? Its in the bag

you havent seen rennie have you?

A decent pack,Walker and Morrison aren't great but I was quite impressed by Ansbro in the 6N and Paterson is a good full back.

I wouldn't underestimate Ross Rennie - I have said it before that I think he would be Scotland's first choice 7 just now if it wasn't for the amount of injuries he's had over the past couple of years.

I think he is a fantastic player - in a kind of Pockock mould of a 7

I have. I'm only joking really. Barclay is on another level IMO though.

Ireland fielding a second string? Thats good should mean its a close game so

We have to remember that Robinson can only select the players available, and if the best players happen to include Dan Parks and Graeme Morrison, then they have to be picked.

Personally I don't think Morrison is a bad player, just not a great one. He's a strong tackler, leads the defensive line (a lot better than Lamont in that regard) and as of the end of last season, carried the ball strongly into contact. He's not a great distributor, but on occasion he has shown some subtlety, not least when releasing Danielli for a try against Italy the season before last. If fit he has to go.

red_stag wrote:I have. I'm only joking really. Barclay is on another level IMO though.

Just one of those "if" or "coulda" situations as Rennie was rated just as highly as Barclay but injuries have seriously curtailed his career to this point.

Would I be right in saying theres about 8 first choice players in that team?

If Ireland go for something similar say 8, I think this could be very close.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Ireland have three warm-up games rather than the two we have.

Actually we have 5

Ireland v Scotland
France v Ireland
Ireland v Connacht
Ireland v France
Ireland v England

Just realised that Dickinson is our reserve tight head.....I think it is fair to say that has been proven numerous times to be a bad idea!

Saying that with big Jim behind him he might just hold out.

funnyExiledScot wrote:We have to remember that Robinson can only select the players available, and if the best players happen to include Dan Parks and Graeme Morrison, then they have to be picked.

Personally I don't think Morrison is a bad player, just not a great one. He's a strong tackler, leads the defensive line (a lot better than Lamont in that regard) and as of the end of last season, carried the ball strongly into contact. He's not a great distributor, but on occasion he has shown some subtlety, not least when releasing Danielli for a try against Italy the season before last. If fit he has to go.

Not a comment aimed at FES, but it seems as good a place as any to insert it - there are some surprising comments about Schlong being the assumed first choice at 12. I don't think that this is a 'given' at all. Morrison is a specialist 12, his reason for missing the 6N being injury. For obvious reasons, he reads the defensive channel better than Lamont and he must travel. Lamont is a good impact sub and can obviously cover 11 and 14.

Not a bad side, can't see why Niki Walker is in there either but there you go.

A bit disappointed Barclay won't be playing but very interested to see how Rennie goes.

Very interested to see how Gray and Hamilton go together.

Interesting, as two sides to how the selection should go.

1) Is it a selection to test players and combinations

or

2) is it a selection to get the team up and running

Most concern for me will be how the front 5 stand up. If they provide a platform, then I think we can do quite well. If not, then it is 6 nations time again

Stag - Rennie famously outplayed Barclay at school. Am delighted to see this as a vote of confidence for him.

Utterly mixed bag.

Back three are slower than a Merchant-Ivory film but I think that Morrison and Ansbro could be a very nice pairing indeed. Nikki Walker in there is a complete joke, however - I would rather anyone else in there just to see what they can do, Patterson even.

The lock combo could be superb provided we see Mad Dog Jim and not Lazy bum Jim and the bench essentially means we will be seeing a fully 80 minutes from the baldy legend that is Big Al.

Hopefully Ireland will be a similarly jumbled squad and we should see a cracking game.

George Carlin wrote:
Hopefully Ireland will be a similarly jumbled squad and we should see a cracking game.

By the sounds of it based on the other thread our side won't have more than a handful of 1st choice players + a few returning long term absentees + fringe players. We have a few injury problems right now and a lot of players are still on pre season and aren't ready this week.

Ok since it's now lunch time I can properly talk about that squad.

Starting with the forwards. I actually think that is the Scotland no1 choice front row. Cross played very well against Italy and Ford and Jacobsen always were the men in posession of the 1 and 2 shirts respectively.

The lock combo will give us a wee indication of how much Kellock brings to the line out which is arguably his area of greatest strength. The line out should still be solid with Gray, Big Jim and Beattie at the tail. It's all up to the thrower to make sure we are going to click. In the loose the boiler room will be agile and speedy with Gray but will be abrasive and powerful with big Jim who has been frankly outstanding for Glaws all season. If he can keep his discipline in check it could be a long afternoon for the boys in green. Kellock too will be able to steady the ship or raise the intensity when he comes on.

The backrow is superbly balenced. Strok will do the majority of the chopping, Rennie the majority of the fetching and (touch wood) Beattie will be back as the rampaging ball carrying no8 that caused Ireland so many problems in the 2010 game. If Beattie is fit and firing this could be a very strong back row combination. Denton to come on as an impact sub will be something of an unknown quantity in Scotland's game plan and will cause Havoc if he takes the ball at pace in broken play.

Halfbacks, can't really argue against Lawson who personifies solid if unspectacular. He is a very steady pair of reasonably fast hands to help Jackson out who is still in his test match infancy. Jackson too I'm sure will be sharing the 1st receiver honours with Mossy all game long. I'm happy for that to be the case since it keeps the opposition guessing. Walker's try against Italy is an example of how effective this tactic can be. Laidlaw too in reserve could be scrum half and stand off cover. Kicking duties too could in theory be shared between Jackson, Laidlaw, Mossy and Cuthbert.

Centre combo of Morrison and Ansbro should be a good one. From my memory I can't recall this combo being tried, but they are 2 big powerful men capable of punching holes in the defence. With Mossy or Jacko finding space to put these guys in it is not inconceivable this might be an effective pairing. I could also see Lamont and Walker coming in off the wings to hit gaps, throw Cuthbert into the mix and there is 3 powerful strike runners to play off. NDL on the bench for all his faults is still probably the most creative centre we have at our disposal.

Back 3 may be a little slow but Mossy still has some gas and has a fabulous step. The power and size will come from Lamont and Walker who have an eye for the tryline and have the experience and instinct to be in the right place at the right time. Lamont too has some pace (his try saving tackle against Jamie Roberts and his score against France in the 6N just past are good examples). Cuthbert is a man I most want to see have a good game. I have seen some of his wrecking ball antics for Bath and expect something similar on Saturday.

Looking forward to a cracking game that Scotland can win. I just hope win lose or draw we can start to nail names onto seats for the trip to the world cup.

no Danielli in the squad, will he make the WC squad?

From an Ulster point of view we'd appreciate it it you didn't take Danielli (sure he never plays that well for you's anyway), and we could use him during the Worldcup.

Forwards:
Great to see Stroks back - he has to impress against Ireland to be in with a chance for a rwc call-up. Harley will be sweating not having a similiar opportunity at this stage.
With Denton the only loose forward on the bench, I think Rennie will play the full 80 - great chance for him to show what he can do compared to Barclay.

Backs:
As ever, eyes will be on Jackson here. Wonder whether he will be taking kicking duties from Paterson in this game. Cuthbert will also be watched closely - good to have some new blood in the back 3. Morrison will also be fully aware of how well Lamont did in the 6N, so I'm expecting a good performance from him.

Can't wait, c'mon boys

That is a very nice looking team.

I am looking forward to this game all the more now.

Televised??

Ireland have a number of games so can experiment a bit more, 5 against our 2 I've seen quoted. I'm not sure I'd want 5 but 3 might have been prudent to ensure all questions would have been answered and all squad members given a chance.

I reckoned AR would have experimented in the front-row and maybe added Rennie or Denton to the back, what doI know he's done the opposite. This is close to the test front row but the back-row isn't. The Irish have a good B-R so this will test them, Rennie I'm fully comfortable with, compared with the Barclay of 2011 he is better (Barclay needs to shake all injuries and be back on form or his place is under real threat). I'm glad Strokosch has a full game and hope Denton also gets a go. I expect Denton to come on at 60 something and if he plays well will face Parisse in 3 weeks. 2nd row in theory should work well, Gray will be ready for the 4 role in a couple more years, not yet, right now Hines or Hamilton must start.

Like everyone else I'm disappointed Cusiter isn't there and hope it is precautionary and he's going to face Italy. Would have liked a bit more guile in the 3/4 line but will go with it. Maybe CP will go to wing to allow Cuthbert on.

Does this mean the players ommitted will get a chance against Italy, or will AR modify this side to hone his starting line-up?

red_stag wrote:Televised??

BBC 2

SRU are selling tickets on the day and considering that seemed to be so many peoples excuse for not going to the AIs then we should see a bumper crowd......

I think Gray is ready now, especially after the 6N performance he put in. Its Hamilton that concerns me. Test level locks are becoming increasingly mobile, and I think he will be at a disadvantage against the more athletic locks that he would face in the world cup. Having said all that, I haven't seen him play at his club this season - so happy to be proven wrong

Pretty good selection, but it would have been nice to see Rory Lamont given a place on the bench.

Be very interesting to see if our scrum preforms better than it did in the 6 nations now we've gone for the heavyweight Big Jim and Richie combo.

Hamilton was fantastic for Glaws all season. I would say arguably the cornerstone of a pretty Successful season for them.

Manky-Flanker wrote:I think Gray is ready now, especially after the 6N performance he put in. Its Hamilton that concerns me. Test level locks are becoming increasingly mobile, and I think he will be at a disadvantage against the more athletic locks that he would face in the world cup. Having said all that, I haven't seen him play at his club this season - so happy to be proven wrong

A very good point, the last time I saw big Jim play he was lumbering and slow, here's hoping that's changed. I'd have liked to see Hines paired with Gray in the 2nd row, big strong and aggressive, plus given the way he's been played at flanker (against the Boks in the autumn, and Italy, France and England in the 6 nations) he's fairly mobile.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Hamilton was fantastic for Glaws all season. I would say arguably the cornerstone of a pretty Successful season for them.

just what i wanted to here

hopefully Rennie will put in more big hits like this come Saturday
http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/03/ross-rennie-tackle-on-brian-odriscoll.html

I hope he hits nothing like that on Saturday, that sort of tackle is more than a wee bit dangerous and to be honest he was lucky not to get binned.

The game is dangerous enough as it is without players recklessly taking contact like that.

To be fair to Rennie though it does look like he lost his grip and BOD looked like he tried to bump him off but the position of both players and the speed of the contact made it look worse than it probably was.

Not a great tackle advert though mate.

Fully committed and effective tackles yes, but nothing that gives away penalties, draws yellow cards, winds refs up or seriously damages someone.

TBF that was ok, if you check out spear tackles that one doesn't get into the category, but must be careful if feet go above head - or preferably they don't.

red_stag wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Ireland have three warm-up games rather than the two we have.

Actually we have 5

Ireland v Scotland
France v Ireland
Ireland v Connacht
Ireland v France
Ireland v England

Didn't realise you were playing France twice, and didn't know about that Connacht fixture. That's actually quite a lot of games!

GC - I think SL probably will get the nod as first choice at 12 given his performances during the 6 Nations. There was work to do defensively, but small changes really rather than wholesale. He ran with more conviction than Morrison and they are both equally bad distributors.

My assumption is that SL being the man in possession would be first choice at 12, but I suppose both could be accommodated, with Lamont on the other wing to Evans. Not my choice though. Personally I'd use SL at 12, and have either R Lamont or S Danielli on the wing, and perhaps Morrison on the bench.

I would have agreed with you FES but Robbo has wrong footed us all again.

Scotland Team discussion

It's an interesting selection.

Assuming Chris Cusiter and Max Evans aren't fit/available, it looks like a full strength backline from Robinson. Not my first choice but it looks like that is the group that Robinson is looking at. It doesn't surprise me either. With only two warm-ups, he needs to get those combinations and units firing, so I doubt we'll see much change in the second warm-ups from this selection. Obviously he has the option of switching Lamont to the centre if he feels he needs to, and wants to give Cuthbert some time, or put Ansbro onto the wing and give De Luca a chance.

The front five looks sensible. First choice front row, and with Hines rested, his most powerful scrummage option in the second row. This is an area where we can legitimately expect some traction against Ireland. The line out will be tested, but Beattie offers help there as a tail jumper. Beattie is clearly being picked here to prove some form and fitness. If he fades, then Denton is on hand to prove himself. It'll be interesting to see at what point in the match Beattie is withdrawn. If Beattie misfires, it's going to be interesting to see if Denton is preferred for the Italy game.

Strokosch looks to me to have been preferred to Rob Harley, despite what AR has been saying. It would be very odd if Brown and Barclay didn't play the next game together in my opinion, so I think we can assume that Harley won't make it.

A deserved chance for Ross Rennie. Looking forward to seeing him play the full 80 minutes.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Strokosch looks to me to have been preferred to Rob Harley, despite what AR has been saying. It would be very odd if Brown and Barclay didn't play the next game together in my opinion, so I think we can assume that Harley won't make it.

You don't think there is a chance Brown will be slotted into number 8 if Beattie can't cut it and then leave the door open for Harley at 6 for Italy?

A lot is resting on Beattie for this one. I reckon if he fails to impress Denton and Brown will go as 1st choice No8 with Strok and Harley having a good chance of traveling.

No, I think the plan must be to play Brown, Barclay and Beattie together against Italy to get that trio functioning again together. It's such a key unit for us. Beattie in this game has a clear chance to prove himself.

That means there are two other slots (assuming there are five places in the back row). This selection doesn't change what I've said previously. Rennie will surely go as specialist 7 cover, leaving a straight shoot between Strokosch and Denton. These are the three candidates that AR has turned to in this warm-up, and it doesn't surprise me that all are involved. If Beattie looks ropey, I think Denton will get the nod. If not, and Beattie looks fit enough to take on both England and Argentina, then I think Strokosch will get the nod.

Too soon for Harley, and he wouldn't even be a form pick, not ahead of Brown or Strokosch. I think it would be extremely odd (and wrong) if AR selected Harley for the next game, and failed to give the 3 B's the chance to play together, and without a start in the warm-ups, I can't see how Harley can be picked.

Riskysports wrote:Interesting, as two sides to how the selection should go.

1) Is it a selection to test players and combinations

or

2) is it a selection to get the team up and running

Most concern for me will be how the front 5 stand up. If they provide a platform, then I think we can do quite well. If not, then it is 6 nations time again

Risky, definitely the former for me, this is a chance for a couple of guys to put up their hands for the last few slots on the plane with impressive performances and a chance to see how a couple of units work together - looks to me like Robbo's priorities in selection are (i) getting from 38 to 30 players, and then (ii) testing out some of the different combinations that he will use at some point during the RWC

Agreed - the selections of Strokosch, Rennie and Denton (on the bench) very much have the feel of Robinson trying to make his final selection decisions, as does Walker and Cuthbert (on the bench).

I think we'll see the first choice 22 against Italy (and Romania), with some of the guys who do well in this game facing Georgia.

Radge, think I agree with pretty much most of your comments, might add a couple tho:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Ok since it's now lunch time I can properly talk about that squad.

Starting with the forwards. I actually think that is the Scotland no1 choice front row. Cross played very well against Italy and Ford and Jacobsen always were the men in posession of the 1 and 2 shirts respectively.

Agree re 1 & 2, Cross is being given another go, I reckon, after decent performances coming on against England and starting against Italy - would have been tempted by Murray or Low on the bench tho, cos I still don't think we'll learn anything by giving Dickinson a run out.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The lock combo will give us a wee indication of how much Kellock brings to the line out which is arguably his area of greatest strength. The line out should still be solid with Gray, Big Jim and Beattie at the tail. It's all up to the thrower to make sure we are going to click. In the loose the boiler room will be agile and speedy with Gray but will be abrasive and powerful with big Jim who has been frankly outstanding for Glaws all season. If he can keep his discipline in check it could be a long afternoon for the boys in green. Kellock too will be able to steady the ship or raise the intensity when he comes on.

Thought from Robbo's earlier comments that we'd see Kellock and Gray starting, with Hines rested and Hamilton on the bench, but really don't mind which order they're in as with Hamilton's form as it was once he got over niggling injuries towards the end of last season, I think we're well covered in the boiler-room. Don't think Gray/Hamilton will be first choice, but would expect to see them together at some point, perhaps against Romania, so no harm in trying them out in a live match and as you said, they are complements to one another.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The backrow is superbly balanced. Stroks will do the majority of the chopping, Rennie the majority of the fetching and (touch wood) Beattie will be back as the rampaging ball carrying no8 that caused Ireland so many problems in the 2010 game. If Beattie is fit and firing this could be a very strong back row combination. Denton to come on as an impact sub will be something of an unknown quantity in Scotland's game plan and will cause Havoc if he takes the ball at pace in broken play.

Somehow Robbo has to get from 8 down to 6 or maybe even just 5 (if AR really thinks that Hines provides cover at blindside?) - I suspect that Vernon won't make the cut, and Harley, despite having a great first season, likewise, so I believe that Robbo is giving a chance to Rennie, Denton and Strokosch to put up their hands to go as cover for the Killer Bs, plus giving Beattie a chance to get some high quality match fitness under his belt. Delighted with the balance of the combination, think this could be a really useful combo.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Halfbacks, can't really argue against Lawson who personifies solid if unspectacular. He is a very steady pair of reasonably fast hands to help Jackson out who is still in his test match infancy. Jackson too I'm sure will be sharing the 1st receiver honours with Mossy all game long. I'm happy for that to be the case since it keeps the opposition guessing. Walker's try against Italy is an example of how effective this tactic can be. Laidlaw too in reserve could be scrum half and stand off cover. Kicking duties too could in theory be shared between Jackson, Laidlaw, Mossy and Cuthbert.

Parks's exclusion is for me the talking point here - i think we're seeing Robbo trying to convince himself that Laidlaw and Paterson between them can offer adequate cover, which I really hope they can. We know that Blair is carrying a slight knock and it was indicated that Cusiter would be rested for this one (for reasons that remain unknown?), so Lawson and Laidlaw are the obvious 9s, and will combine much as their father and uncle (respectively) did in he navy blue jersey back in the 80s.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Centre combo of Morrison and Ansbro should be a good one. From my memory I can't recall this combo being tried, but they are 2 big powerful men capable of punching holes in the defence. With Mossy or Jacko finding space to put these guys in it is not inconceivable this might be an effective pairing. I could also see Lamont and Walker coming in off the wings to hit gaps, throw Cuthbert into the mix and there is 3 powerful strike runners to play off. NDL on the bench for all his faults is still probably the most creative centre we have at our disposal.

I guess Robbo wants to see how the Morrison/Ansbro partnership goes in action, as he knows perfectly well what a Schlong/Ansbro unit brings to the table from the back end of the 6Ns. De Luca (providing Cairns remains out of favour) will always be the bench-man for me as he is the most versatile in terms of being able to cover 12 & 13.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Back 3 may be a little slow but Mossy still has some gas and has a fabulous step. The power and size will come from Lamont and Walker who have an eye for the tryline and have the experience and instinct to be in the right place at the right time. Lamont too has some pace (his try saving tackle against Jamie Roberts and his score against France in the 6N just past are good examples). Cuthbert is a man I most want to see have a good game. I have seen some of his wrecking ball antics for Bath and expect something similar on Saturday.

No idea why Walker is being given another chance to stake his claim, he was ok at best during the 6Ns, but I remain unconvinced - would much have preferred to see R Lamont on one wing, with Danielli (or Schlong) on the other as a decent bludgeon&rapier combination. Mossy at fullback fully deserving of his place after some great shows at the end of the 6Ns, and it will be exciting to see Cuthbert coming off the bench.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Looking forward to a cracking game that Scotland can win. I just hope win lose or draw we can start to nail names onto seats for the trip to the world cup.

Absolutely, a very winnable game, and Scotland must go into this with absolutely the right mindset - there are plane seats waiting for bums, so I hope we'll see some stand-out performances as players vie for those last few places - v v excited now!!!

I agree that Vernon is certainly out of the picture now. It's clear that Beattie and Denton are the choices at 8. Good news for Sale.

As noted above, I think Harley is out as well, injuries notwithstanding.

The non-selection of Parks is interesting, but I think this is where AR is treating this more as a nice to win game rather than a must win game. He may also want to see Laidlaw or CP at 10 at some stage to assess his back-up option. Most sides will take three 10's and we are unlikely to, so prudent to see how the back-up looks, even if for only 10-15 minutes. Plus we won't learn anything about Parks coming off the bench in this match.

Walker is another call certain to divide opinion. I'm assuming Evans isn't in the picture at the moment, so I guess it was a call between Walker, Danielli, Cuthbert and R Lamont. From that group I wouldn't have picked Walker either, and personally I don't see him going to the WC, so wouldn't have picked him myself at all in these games.

As for Dickinson on the bench - I can only assume that AR doesn't want Jacobsen to have to play 80 minutes. If Dickinson is ever our bench prop at the WC I'll throw all my toys out of the pram. It should have been Murray on the bench for this game.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I agree that Vernon is certainly out of the picture now. It's clear that Beattie and Denton are the choices at 8. Good news for Sale.

As noted above, I think Harley is out as well, injuries notwithstanding.

The non-selection of Parks is interesting, but I think this is where AR is treating this more as a nice to win game rather than a must win game. He may also want to see Laidlaw or CP at 10 at some stage to assess his back-up option. Most sides will take three 10's and we are unlikely to, so prudent to see how the back-up looks, even if for only 10-15 minutes. Plus we won't learn anything about Parks coming off the bench in this match.

Walker is another call certain to divide opinion. I'm assuming Evans isn't in the picture at the moment, so I guess it was a call between Walker, Danielli, Cuthbert and R Lamont. From that group I wouldn't have picked Walker either, and personally I don't see him going to the WC, so wouldn't have picked him myself at all in these games.

As for Dickinson on the bench - I can only assume that AR doesn't want Jacobsen to have to play 80 minutes. If Dickinson is ever our bench prop at the WC I'll throw all my toys out of the pram. It should have been Murray on the bench for this game.

fES, sorry for not being clear, I agree with you that Parks will at the very least be on the plane (especially after THAT tackle!!), but there is a possibility he may not see much action, if any, even coming on from the bench. Walker's selection suggests to me that he is being given a chance to stake his claim, and I'm guessing that one of Walker/Danielli/R Lamont will not get a ticket - not sure which one will lose out tho. Yes, bit surprised that Robbo doesn't fancy Chunk for 80mins given that he's not played a competitive match for 5 months now - god forbid that he goes on in place of Cross, altho at least with Hamilton behind him, it's only Dickinson that will get crushed!!

The selection of Cuthbert on the bench suggests that it's more like 2 from Cuthbert, R Lamont, Danielli and Walker.

I'm slightly surprised that it's Cuthbert on the bench rather than R Lamont.

I'm hoping that R Lamont is already nailed on, so that might be one from Cuthbert, Danielli & Walker?

From a ball in hand point of view, Scotland doesn't look to open it up with a lot of running Rugby. Don't think we really expected that anyway. But they should be effective with a lot of pound it, up the gut, straight ahead running, with hopes to spring someone. I'd also expect Lamont to come off his wing to keep the ball tight, but moving forwards.

What I am more interested in is how Scotland play defense. To me, that's everything for this team (besides scoring tries). Good defense, and they can do quite well. Their forwards are strong. So I want to see how the backs play and contain Ireland. Should be a nice tight tactical match. A good one to watch for both sides.

doctor_grey wrote:From a ball in hand point of view, Scotland doesn't look to open it up with a lot of running Rugby. Don't think we really expected that anyway. But they should be effective with a lot of pound it, up the gut, straight ahead running, with hopes to spring someone. I'd also expect Lamont to come off his wing to keep the ball tight, but moving forwards.

What I am more interested in is how Scotland play defense. To me, that's everything for this team (besides scoring tries). Good defense, and they can do quite well. Their forwards are strong. So I want to see how the backs play and contain Ireland. Should be a nice tight tactical match. A good one to watch for both sides.

The good doctor, reckon you're right, and the key to success on Saturday will be the breakdown - I would imagine that Robbo will be looking for Rennie to dominate, starving Ireland of ball, securing turnovers and recycling quickly for Scotland allowing the game to break up