On Scotland...

As someone who is not Scottish but watches a lot of RaboDirect Pro12 rugby (mouthful) I wanted to try and bring some constructive criticism and positivity to the debate that is ongoing.

Scotland are not winning rugby matches they could and should win. Scotland are not scoring tries. And of course Scotland are making vital errors at the most crucial stages. All three points are true. Scotland are however getting into positions where the pain of losing is so unbearable because actually Scotland are having a fair share of possession, competing well at the breakdown and showing flashes of flair and excitement from players such as Max Evans and David Denton yesterday for example.

Ok... so that all seems fair. Now how could they go about solving this. The vital errors come from confidence and panic. These errors are because Scotland are not playing with freedom and confidence but playing under intense pressure and scrutiny due to what has happened in the last few years. This is epitomised in their game against New Zealand a couple of years ago. They were hammered out of sight whereas England, Wales and Ireland competed much harder and the game was much closer due to their mentality not their skill and size. Scotland compete with England, Ireland and Wales and win regularly so the size of the score and the way the game went suggests its largely a confidence issue.

The second part of the problem seems to be the coach and the personnel. Andy Robinson has tightened Scotland up defensively and up front. But in the modern game and at international level so much more is required. I feel a more positive and daring coach could really harness the talent and performances of some of the Scottish players at club level and bring a more clinical edge to Scotland's play. Here's a line up I think would be offering a bit of hope (perhaps more so under new management)

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Max Evans
13. Nick De Luca
12. Matt Scott
11. Lee Jones
10. Greg Laidlaw
9. Chris Cusiter

8. David Denton
7. John Barclay / Ross Rennie
6. Roddy Grant / Kelly Brown
5. Jim Hamilton
4. Richie Gray
3. Euan Murray
2. Ross Ford
1. Jon Welsh

You also have the likes of Duncan Weir, Grove and Tim Visser (June 2012) coming through in the backs. Some might think putting this sort of inexperienced side might not be such a good thing, but it's worth two bad years to build a team for 3-4 years ahead. Look at Wales' and Australia's youngsters.

Things as they say, can only get better!

You really have to ask WTF Shingler or whatever his name is wants to play for Scotland - I would check his sanity tbh !

Max, welcome to v2 - difficult to argue with anything that you say - all makes sense

I agree max, watching the game on sat at murrayfield both teams looked really tense and uptight. However, when Laidlaw came on he really opened the game up. As you say AR has tightened us up defensively and up front and I am really happy with the basic structure he has brought to Scotland. We used to be a shambles, way more than we're now.

You mention confidence and panic as problems for Scotland. I don't think there is actually a huge underlying psychological problem. What I think our problem is (I've said it so many times now its not funny) support for breakaway runners is awful! Denton, Jones and Laidlaw were a breathe of fresh air on saturday. They were popping up all over the place and made some brilliant support runs. In several phases of play the support was available, far more than it usually is. I wanted to strangle rennie for not passing the ball. Laidlaw also brought a bit more creativity to the table which is what we need, especially in the 22.

Many people are wanting AR and Parks to go but i think Townsend might be the real problem. Regardless, once Visser is in we'll be guaranteed some tries. I think he is easily the best try scorer in the NH just now.

There's only so much you can blame on the coach though, I feel that whilst Townsend may be a dire coach, the players themselves have to take some initiative. I think its a problem with the current players being used to not scoring when they put that shirt on. I think new, young players would relish the chance to score moreso. We have no problems with our forwards, its just the backs need new blood so that the old boys realise they need to perform to stay in. Bring in the Edinburgh backline, the majority are Scotland qualified and they can score tries. Mostly Edinburgh backline with mostly Glasgow pack could really unlock the scoring problem. I think De Luca can be really good at international level, he's just not had the right people to play with. Parks is not on form and therefore definitely should not be picked right now, regardless of tactics, all of them are international players therefore should be able to play any strategy.

My squad:
15. Hogg
14. Jones
13. De Luca
12. Scott
11. Evans

10. Laidlaw (for the sake of club pairing)
9. Blair

8. Denton
7. Rennie
6. Harley (Stroks is just far too limited, we're really missing Brown here)
5. Kellock (I felt he had more impact on Saturday than Hamilton)
4. Gray
3. Cross
2. Ford
1. Jacobsen (can't see anyone else playing there at the moment)

Bench: Lawson, Hamilton, Barclay, Cusiter/Lawson, Weir, S Lamont, R Lamont

Predicted side:
15. R Lamont
14. Jones
13. De Luca
12. Morrison (deeply unhappy about this already)
11. Evans

10. Laidlaw
9. Blair

8. Denton
7. Rennie
6. Stroks
5. Hamilton
4. Gray
3. Cross
2. Ford
1. Jacobsen

Bench: Lawson, Kellock, Barclay, Kalman, Cusiter, Parks , Hogg (being optimistic here, I bet Danielli will be on his list instead )

NeilyBroon wrote:There's only so much you can blame on the coach though, I feel that whilst Townsend may be a dire coach, the players themselves have to take some initiative. I think its a problem with the current players being used to not scoring when they put that shirt on. I think new, young players would relish the chance to score moreso. We have no problems with our forwards, its just the backs need new blood so that the old boys realise they need to perform to stay in. Bring in the Edinburgh backline, the majority are Scotland qualified and they can score tries. Mostly Edinburgh backline with mostly Glasgow pack could really unlock the scoring problem. I think De Luca can be really good at international level, he's just not had the right people to play with. Parks is not on form and therefore definitely should not be picked right now, regardless of tactics, all of them are international players therefore should be able to play any strategy.

My squad:
15. Hogg
14. Jones
13. De Luca
12. Scott
11. Evans

10. Laidlaw (for the sake of club pairing)
9. Blair

8. Denton
7. Rennie
6. Harley (Stroks is just far too limited, we're really missing Brown here)
5. Kellock (I felt he had more impact on Saturday than Hamilton)
4. Gray
3. Cross
2. Ford
1. Jacobsen (can't see anyone else playing there at the moment)

Bench: Lawson, Hamilton, Barclay, Cusiter/Lawson, Weir, S Lamont, R Lamont

Predicted side:
15. R Lamont
14. Jones
13. De Luca
12. Morrison (deeply unhappy about this already)
11. Evans

10. Laidlaw
9. Blair

8. Denton
7. Rennie
6. Stroks
5. Hamilton
4. Gray
3. Cross
2. Ford
1. Jacobsen

Bench: Lawson, Kellock, Barclay, Kalman, Cusiter, Parks , Hogg (being optimistic here, I bet Danielli will be on his list instead )

NB agree with your side, but Scott is not available, how many times do I have to say this. Also there is for me a query about Denton 6 or 8 that opens up possibilities for other players in the backrow; Vernon, Harley. Would also like to see Schlong on the wing to play against North.