What next for deLuca

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 9:50 am

While I do not condone personal attacks (verbal or physical) on players due to performance, I do want to discuss what we do with a player like deLuca

He has now had many chances to show his Edinburgh form for Scotland, but so far, has at best shown fleeting skill, and at worst been a complete and utter liability in the Scotland Blue

From the first games he started, he has been sent off for stupid and unprovoked acts of petulance. This weekend, he did it again. No need to try to kick the ball out the hands of the Italian scrum half - in fact it was a concerted effort to kick it, and showed that he had determination to do an illegal and obvious act. He cost us any chance in the Wales game, and proberbly cost us any chance in the Italian game. -Both through acts of a man who imo is not fit for international rugby

He really has only shown a couple of good games, but time and time again shows he is mentally broken in Internationals. I stated before he was a brain fart waiting to happen and he has proven me right again.

So what do you think - should he play again?

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 12:24 pm

Small vote so far...

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 19 Mar 2012, 12:47 pm

I was all for giving him chances before and that a decent 12 would bring out the best in him.

I actually don't think that would help either with regards to Internationals.

Good regional player but that's hid limits I'm afraid. He has not got the the brains or attitude for International rugby.

I'm with you risky - perhaps he could give Robinson a lift down the M6?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 19 Mar 2012, 12:52 pm

He was on his last chance, but that's enough - he's been unfortunate to have donkeys Morrison and S Lamont on his inside, but the YCs are inexcusable. Sorry, Radge Sorry

by Pat_Mustard Mon 19 Mar 2012, 12:56 pm

I'd never say never but would definitely drop him now and would require injuries/serious drops in form from others before I'd consider him again

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 2:03 pm

Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

Lee Jones - defensive liability, should never play again.

Greg Laidlaw - no ability to manage a game, poor length on his kicks from hand and the less we say about his tackling the better. Should never play again.

Jim Hamilton - silly yellow card. Should never play again.

Sean Lamont - poor defence, should never play agains.

Max Evans - silly yellow card, should never play again.

Stuart Hogg - poor kicking from hand, missed tackle, should never play agains.

Allan Jacobsen - can't scrum.

Ross Ford - can't throw.

Dave Denton - poor decision making, idiotic comments to the press.

Guys, we'll run out of players soon.

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 2:22 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

I would refer you back to the highlighted text - in a Scotland shirt he has never shown this

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 2:24 pm

I would also point out that a lot of the players you have mentioned are new and can be developed - NDL has had chance after chance after chance after chance - and failed

Some of the older bods, it IS time to start looking to replace them - just part of the development -

Allan Jacobsen is showing his age, and needs to either find form, or be replaced

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 19 Mar 2012, 2:28 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

Lee Jones - defensive liability, should never play again.

Greg Laidlaw - no ability to manage a game, poor length on his kicks from hand and the less we say about his tackling the better. Should never play again.

Jim Hamilton - silly yellow card. Should never play again.

Sean Lamont - poor defence, should never play agains.

Max Evans - silly yellow card, should never play again.

Stuart Hogg - poor kicking from hand, missed tackle, should never play agains.

Allan Jacobsen - can't scrum.

Ross Ford - can't throw.

Dave Denton - poor decision making, idiotic comments to the press.

Guys, we'll run out of players soon.

You say we shouldn't rule out form players yet you mention the guys in bold?

Jacobsen, Evans and Lamont are not in form and sadly, have passed their prime by a long way.

De Luca shouldn't be dropped for his yellow cards even though they were beyond stupidity. He should be dropped because he doesn't put in the big hits for Scotland, doesn't distribute like we know he can, doesn't make the great line breaks like he does for Edinburgh.

He is a good player and I enjoy watching him play but he is not good enough Internationally and that's the simple fact.

Also for the record, I still think that Ford is the best 2 in the NH.

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 3:44 pm

Tattie Scones RRN Today at 14:28

+1 thumbsup

by tigertattie Mon 19 Mar 2012, 4:39 pm

I'd never say never again. But De Luca has had too many chances and blown it. He should only be picked in the event of injuries and he is the last choice. I thought De Luca had a great game against France when he came on, but the two games since have seen him return to his dire performances of old.

I cannot explain how a seemingly talented player can mess up so much! He is like a rabbit in the headlights and his brain gets left in the chnaging room!

As a side note thoug, Lee Jones needs to get his finger out. It was said earlier as a joke, but he is a defensive liability. His try was given to him by Vernon but his two missed tackles have been woeful!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 19 Mar 2012, 7:29 pm

No - idiot - cost us 2 games - bin him !

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 7:55 pm

Riskysports wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

I would refer you back to the highlighted text - in a Scotland shirt he has never shown this

Yes he has, albeit briefly. Best Scotland try of the 6 Nations? I'd say Lee Jones against France. Who created it?

Last season running up to the World Cup in the game against Ireland, we needed a last minute try from Ansbro to score. Who created it?

If you were to ask me of all the backs in Scotland which player would be most likely to put away an overlap and make the telling pass, I'd have to say Nick De Luca. He has done it for Scotland (more so than any other player in the last couple of years which isn't saying much) but most tellingly he has been outstanding for Edinburgh this season. Visser has gone on record as saying his impressive scoring record has much to do with De Luca.

Personally I'd allow Ansbro an opportunity in the summer to stake his claim, but NDL should most certainly be involved. The only other alternative is Grove, who is defensively very solid, but doesn't offer as much in attack as NDL. If we're going to add the likes of Matt Scott into the equation, it would be silly to make statements like "NDL should never play for Scotland again". He's still only 28 for heavens sake.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 7:57 pm

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

Lee Jones - defensive liability, should never play again.

Greg Laidlaw - no ability to manage a game, poor length on his kicks from hand and the less we say about his tackling the better. Should never play again.

Jim Hamilton - silly yellow card. Should never play again.

Sean Lamont - poor defence, should never play agains.

Max Evans - silly yellow card, should never play again.

Stuart Hogg - poor kicking from hand, missed tackle, should never play agains.

Allan Jacobsen - can't scrum.

Ross Ford - can't throw.

Dave Denton - poor decision making, idiotic comments to the press.

Guys, we'll run out of players soon.

You say we shouldn't rule out form players yet you mention the guys in bold?

Jacobsen, Evans and Lamont are not in form and sadly, have passed their prime by a long way.

De Luca shouldn't be dropped for his yellow cards even though they were beyond stupidity. He should be dropped because he doesn't put in the big hits for Scotland, doesn't distribute like we know he can, doesn't make the great line breaks like he does for Edinburgh.

He is a good player and I enjoy watching him play but he is not good enough Internationally and that's the simple fact.

Also for the record, I still think that Ford is the best 2 in the NH.

Tattie, the form comment was regarding NDL. I only listed the others to show that you could construct a good reason to dismiss pretty much the entire squad after that 6 Nations.

All I'm trying to encourage is some perspective. I also agree that NDL should be made to "re-earn" his slot in the side, and would allow Ansbro the opportunity in the summer to re-stake his claim. I just think the statement saying "so and so should never play for Scotland again" are pretty silly in the context of a 28 year old centre who has been outstanding for his club this season.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:03 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Riskysports wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:Oh yes, we should definitely start ruling out our more talented and form players. That's the way to go.

I would refer you back to the highlighted text - in a Scotland shirt he has never shown this

Yes he has, albeit briefly. Best Scotland try of the 6 Nations? I'd say Lee Jones against France. Who created it?

Last season running up to the World Cup in the game against Ireland, we needed a last minute try from Ansbro to score. Who created it?

If you were to ask me of all the backs in Scotland which player would be most likely to put away an overlap and make the telling pass, I'd have to say Nick De Luca. He has done it for Scotland (more so than any other player in the last couple of years which isn't saying much) but most tellingly he has been outstanding for Edinburgh this season. Visser has gone on record as saying his impressive scoring record has much to do with De Luca.

Personally I'd allow Ansbro an opportunity in the summer to stake his claim, but NDL should most certainly be involved. The only other alternative is Grove, who is defensively very solid, but doesn't offer as much in attack as NDL. If we're going to add the likes of Matt Scott into the equation, it would be silly to make statements like "NDL should never play for Scotland again". He's still only 28 for heavens sake.

Lee Jones try was made by John Barclay's steal. Vernon did well to hold on to a loose de Luca pass, of similar variety to the one tht he fluffed to Hogg against Wales, leading to Hogg juggling and Poite getting it wrong. A simple pass was 5 points - NDL couldn't manage that. How many chances does he need? By your logic, Chunk has been unspectacularly solid for donkeys, so let's keep him too?

by R!skysports Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:03 pm

You may say it.is.silly but the brief (ever.so brief) flashing of ok may not make.up.for thale.fact.at.international level he.seems.to be a bit.mentally unstable.

Yo mention him setting.up the try. well he nearly buchered.it with a shocking pass to vernon and did butcher the one to hogg. passes a school kid could make

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:05 pm

Risky my son -you still bladdered ?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:19 pm

His "shocking pass" was still timed so as to fix all the defenders and whilst it was a little rushed, it was still effective under pressure.

In any case, as I posted before, I could justify dropping most of the squad for similar offences.

I'd be happy to jump on the "NDL should never play rugby again" if I thought we had better alternatives just waiting in the wings. Who are these wonder players that I've missed? Where is the compelling case coming from elsewhere? You obviously don't mean Ansbro, because he's been injured and can't make the Irish team because of Jonathan Joseph. Perhaps Alex Grove, a fine and underrated player in my view, but one who has hardly set the world on fire at Worcester this season. He plays regularly, which I guess makes him a standout option by our standards. Oh, wait, there's Mark Bennett of course, playing for the reserves in Clermont.

I suspect these players are now world class, purely because they are not Nick De Luca. NDL has struggled for Scotland (outside dross at 12), therefore by very definition we should just chuck in someone else, regardless of merit, just to see how they get on. That makes sense. Trial and error, the foundation stone of 606 selection policy.

I may be overstating the point, but this NDL witch hunt is frankly ludicrous. Were he to walk away from Scotland our resources at 13 would be considerably weakended.

There must surely be Edinburgh fans on here who agree with me?

by Imperialbigdave Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:36 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:His "shocking pass" was still timed so as to fix all the defenders and whilst it was a little rushed, it was still effective under pressure.

In any case, as I posted before, I could justify dropping most of the squad for similar offences.

I'd be happy to jump on the "NDL should never play rugby again" if I thought we had better alternatives just waiting in the wings. Who are these wonder players that I've missed? Where is the compelling case coming from elsewhere? You obviously don't mean Ansbro, because he's been injured and can't make the Irish team because of Jonathan Joseph. Perhaps Alex Grove, a fine and underrated player in my view, but one who has hardly set the world on fire at Worcester this season. He plays regularly, which I guess makes him a standout option by our standards. Oh, wait, there's Mark Bennett of course, playing for the reserves in Clermont.

I suspect these players are now world class, purely because they are not Nick De Luca. NDL has struggled for Scotland (outside dross at 12), therefore by very definition we should just chuck in someone else, regardless of merit, just to see how they get on. That makes sense. Trial and error, the foundation stone of 606 selection policy.

I may be overstating the point, but this NDL witch hunt is frankly ludicrous. Were he to walk away from Scotland our resources at 13 would be considerably weakended.

There must surely be Edinburgh fans on here who agree with me?

I rate De Luca, I really do, but you just cant accept that kind of stupidity and not punish it in a way that will really hit home. I retract what ive said earlier that he should never play again, but he should be dropped and told that he must not only show form for Embra, but also take on leadership roles within the club and generally prove that he is mature enough to be allowed back in to the Scotland squad.

by eirebilly Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:37 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Risky my son -you still bladdered ?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:43 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:His "shocking pass" was still timed so as to fix all the defenders and whilst it was a little rushed, it was still effective under pressure.

In any case, as I posted before, I could justify dropping most of the squad for similar offences.

I'd be happy to jump on the "NDL should never play rugby again" if I thought we had better alternatives just waiting in the wings. Who are these wonder players that I've missed? Where is the compelling case coming from elsewhere? You obviously don't mean Ansbro, because he's been injured and can't make the Irish team because of Jonathan Joseph. Perhaps Alex Grove, a fine and underrated player in my view, but one who has hardly set the world on fire at Worcester this season. He plays regularly, which I guess makes him a standout option by our standards. Oh, wait, there's Mark Bennett of course, playing for the reserves in Clermont.

I suspect these players are now world class, purely because they are not Nick De Luca. NDL has struggled for Scotland (outside dross at 12), therefore by very definition we should just chuck in someone else, regardless of merit, just to see how they get on. That makes sense. Trial and error, the foundation stone of 606 selection policy.

I may be overstating the point, but this NDL witch hunt is frankly ludicrous. Were he to walk away from Scotland our resources at 13 would be considerably weakended.

There must surely be Edinburgh fans on here who agree with me?

fES, there's no witch-hunt - those so-called fans that twittered personal insults to him after the Welsh game should be deeply ashamed. But I have yet to see NdL replicate his club form at international level, and am no longer convinced that he ever will - add that to his abnormal frequency of brain farts and I'd be giving Ansbro a shot on the summer tour and taking a gamble with one eye on the future with Bennett. Anyway, let's see how NdL goes at club evel for the rest of Tis season, eh?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:45 pm

Imperialbigdave wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:His "shocking pass" was still timed so as to fix all the defenders and whilst it was a little rushed, it was still effective under pressure.

In any case, as I posted before, I could justify dropping most of the squad for similar offences.

I'd be happy to jump on the "NDL should never play rugby again" if I thought we had better alternatives just waiting in the wings. Who are these wonder players that I've missed? Where is the compelling case coming from elsewhere? You obviously don't mean Ansbro, because he's been injured and can't make the Irish team because of Jonathan Joseph. Perhaps Alex Grove, a fine and underrated player in my view, but one who has hardly set the world on fire at Worcester this season. He plays regularly, which I guess makes him a standout option by our standards. Oh, wait, there's Mark Bennett of course, playing for the reserves in Clermont.

I suspect these players are now world class, purely because they are not Nick De Luca. NDL has struggled for Scotland (outside dross at 12), therefore by very definition we should just chuck in someone else, regardless of merit, just to see how they get on. That makes sense. Trial and error, the foundation stone of 606 selection policy.

I may be overstating the point, but this NDL witch hunt is frankly ludicrous. Were he to walk away from Scotland our resources at 13 would be considerably weakended.

There must surely be Edinburgh fans on here who agree with me?

I rate De Luca, I really do, but you just cant accept that kind of stupidity and not punish it in a way that will really hit home. I retract what ive said earlier that he should never play again, but he should be dropped and told that he must not only show form for Embra, but also take on leadership roles within the club and generally prove that he is mature enough to be allowed back in to the Scotland squad.

Then we are agreed. I'm all for punishing stupidity. I'd drop him and make him "re-earn" his place. That may well mean (assuming he doesn't play well for Edinburgh) that he misses the summer tour, and Ansbro and Grove (if fit) both get the chance to play alongside Matt Scott or Harry Leonard, or even play Ansbro and Grove together.

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:49 pm

Guys we are talking Robbo-World here so De Luca will be made Captain for the tour !

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:50 pm

I mean he rates Townsend FFS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by eirebilly Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:54 pm

21st, you are cracking me up Laugh

by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Mar 2012, 8:59 pm

eirebilly wrote:21st, you are cracking me up

I think he's cracking up!!

by Majestic83 Mon 19 Mar 2012, 9:06 pm

I'm an Embra fan and think NDL is great at club level but at international level he has never replicated anywhere near that form and for me shouldn't be anywhere near the Scotland squad. He has had enough opportunities but has never performed and the excuse of "if we drop him who else have we got" is a poor poor excuse to use. We'll never know what better options we have unless we drop players performing poorly (not just NDL). Scotland players have gotten away for too long playing poorly and getting away with it by being continually picked. At the moment other options at 13 are Ansbro once fit again, Grove who has been playing very well at Worcester who is definitely under rated. Great in defence but is very good in attack and has great hands and offload. Alex Dunbar at Glasgow has been playing well and a few more games at 13 he will be knocking on the door. For the future Mark Bennett is probably a season away after being out injured otherwise he would have been knocking on the door now having performed well for clermont 1stxv at the beginning of the season.

by R!skysports Tue 20 Mar 2012, 7:18 am

Fes. i understand where you are coming from but have to point out u got no the wrong bus.

The huge difference between ndl and the others is we would be talking about form. with ndl we are talking about his mental ability to play internationals. He has shown time and.time again that he can nope cope. he has cost us game after game, not theough form issues (whixh is a fact.of life) but through uncalled for, unprovoked and inbelievably stupids acts that noone should make.

It.is thse that should be looked at. on top of that he has never actually.peformed for.scotpand.

Put.it this way. whenever ndl is menioned on tv my english girlfriend.rolls her eyes and asks what has he done wrong this time.

by R!skysports Tue 20 Mar 2012, 7:19 am

eirebilly wrote:
21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Risky my son -you still bladdered ?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 20 Mar 2012, 8:25 am

The average YC equates to 7 points, is it? That's too big a hurdle for a struggling Scotland side to have to overcome

by Imperialbigdave Tue 20 Mar 2012, 8:46 am

Riskysports wrote:Fes. i understand where you are coming from but have to point out u got no the wrong bus.

The huge difference between ndl and the others is we would be talking about form. with ndl we are talking about his mental ability to play internationals. He has shown time and.time again that he can nope cope. he has cost us game after game, not theough form issues (whixh is a fact.of life) but through uncalled for, unprovoked and inbelievably stupids acts that noone should make.

It.is thse that should be looked at. on top of that he has never actually.peformed for.scotpand.

Put.it this way. whenever ndl is menioned on tv my english girlfriend.rolls her eyes and asks what has he done wrong this time.

ive never seen someone actually use more punctuation than required when drunk, usually the opposite. laughing

by R!skysports Tue 20 Mar 2012, 8:59 am

In actual fact, it is writing on my phone. It likes the full stop more than the space bar

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 20 Mar 2012, 9:42 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:He was on his last chance, but that's enough - he's been unfortunate to have donkeys Morrison and S Lamont on his inside, but the YCs are inexcusable. Sorry, Radge

No apology needed, he is a good player, but he has not been able to bring it to the Scotland shirt. I have not seen the Italy game and judging by some of the comments here its something I think I'll avoid.

NDL has had his chances and his 2 stupid Yellow Cards show he does not have the temperament to play International Rugby. Cairns, Leonard or perhaps even Jackson should be given a chance to see what they could to at 13 in the absence of Ansbro.

Even I won't be defending NDL this time, but the alternatives don't exactly fill me with Confidence. We are in dire straits here Sad

by Shifty Tue 20 Mar 2012, 4:11 pm

It probably says everything that Andy Robinson wanted to take Shingler from 3rd / 4th choice fly half from the Scarlets (via London Irish), straight into the Scottish squad, because De Luca has been a liability for Scotland, he has cost them dearly this season, with a lot of brainless mistakes.

If he was a young kid then maybe you could say he'd learn, but De Luca is actually 28! If he hasn't learned not to do such stupid things at his age then he never will. He's out of his depth in international rugby and probably would not get anywhere near any other 6 Nations teams squad.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 20 Mar 2012, 4:29 pm

AlynDavies wrote:It probably says everything that Andy Robinson wanted to take Shingler from 3rd / 4th choice fly half from the Scarlets (via London Irish), straight into the Scottish squad, because De Luca has been a liability for Scotland, he has cost them dearly this season, with a lot of brainless mistakes.

If he was a young kid then maybe you could say he'd learn, but De Luca is actually 28! If he hasn't learned not to do such stupid things at his age then he never will. He's out of his depth in international rugby and probably would not get anywhere near any other 6 Nations teams squad.

AD, only problem is that Shingler, if I've understood correctly is a 10/12, whereas NdL is really a 13

by Tattie Scones RRN Tue 20 Mar 2012, 4:34 pm

I wonder if Robinson regrets having a personal dislike of Cairns.

by nickj Tue 20 Mar 2012, 4:46 pm

De Luca might not get into any of the other teams in the 6n's but he's the form 13 in Scotland and any talk of him not playing for Scotland is IMO rubbish.

He and Ansbro should be nailed as the 13's for the summer tour. There are some youngsters coming through but none of them have played any real 1st team rugby.

by R!skysports Tue 20 Mar 2012, 6:44 pm

nickj wrote:De Luca might not get into any of the other teams in the 6n's but he's the form club 13 in Scotland and any talk of him not playing for Scotland is IMO ~~rubbish~~ sensible as he has cost us games and never performed.

He ~~and Ansbro~~ should be nailed as the under 13's for the summer tour where his petulant behaviour would be more appropriate. There are some youngsters coming through but none of them have played any real 1st team rugby and should get a chance once he is dropped.

Edited it for you

by Imperialbigdave Tue 20 Mar 2012, 6:46 pm

Riskysports wrote:
nickj wrote:De Luca might not get into any of the other teams in the 6n's but he's the form club 13 in Scotland and any talk of him not playing for Scotland is IMO ~~rubbish~~ sensible as he has cost us games and never performed.

He ~~and Ansbro~~ should be nailed as the under 13's for the summer tour where his petulant behaviour would be more appropriate. There are some youngsters coming through but none of them have played any real 1st team rugby and should get a chance once he is dropped.

Edited it for you

you should edit some of the guff out of the hootsmans articles. Youd be better than whoevers doing it currently.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 21 Mar 2012, 1:29 pm

nickj wrote:De Luca might not get into any of the other teams in the 6n's but he's the form 13 in Scotland and any talk of him not playing for Scotland is IMO rubbish.

He and Ansbro should be nailed as the 13's for the summer tour. There are some youngsters coming through but none of them have played any real 1st team rugby.

Sense, at long last.

On this board there are suggestions for Jackson, Leonard and Shingler to play 13. Seriously, are you all drinking oven cleaner??!!

As for Ben Cairns, a talented runner, but shall we see if he can ever play more than 3 games in a row without getting injured before we berate Robinson for not picking him. He's been unlucky in the past, but he hasn't put in a decent run at 13 for a very long time.

by nickj Wed 21 Mar 2012, 2:41 pm

I feel sorry for Cairns but the SRU (Edinburgh) has a record of letting injury prone players go. Webster is the latest to be shown the door. I think Godman has been the exception to the rule to date. Anyway I digress, I'd love to see Ben come back and push De Luca to play alongside King / Scott. De Luca has to know his position is on the line for club and country.

Btw Grove is playing 12 for Worcester right?

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 21 Mar 2012, 2:44 pm

Nicky J rases the best point, we have greater problems at 12 playing Lamont and Morrison than we do at 13.

AR's selection of the 12 lynchpin has been abysmal.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 21 Mar 2012, 2:51 pm

nickj wrote:I feel sorry for Cairns but the SRU (Edinburgh) has a record of letting injury prone players go. Webster is the latest to be shown the door. I think Godman has been the exception to the rule to date. Anyway I digress, I'd love to see Ben come back and push De Luca to play alongside King / Scott. De Luca has to know his position is on the line for club and country.

Btw Grove is playing 12 for Worcester right?

No, 13

by nickj Wed 21 Mar 2012, 2:58 pm

Cheers Radge. And cheers ASBO I got confused there for a mo.

I'd say the results have been abysmal, but his selection to date has been largely based on the options available to him. Abysmal as those options were. Even the 'mis' selection of Lamont at 12 was down to lack of options in my opinion.

Until this season we didnt have a King or a Scott; we had Morrison at Glasgow and De Luca, Cairns or Houston sharing duties at centre in Edinburgh.

Remember we also had Godman or Parks at 10 and their territory game and inability to tackle required a good defender at 12. Hence why players like Henderson and Morrison have had the 12 jersey until now and hence why De Luca has never had the chance to show people what he can actually do.

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 21 Mar 2012, 3:03 pm

So for the Summer :

1. Welsh
2. Ford
3. Cross
4. Gray
5. Hamilton
6. Brown
7. Rennie
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw/Blair
10. Weir
11. Visser
12. Scott
13. Grove
14. Jones
15. Hogg

16. MacArthur
17. Murray/Kalman
18. Gilchrist/McKenzie
19. Harley/Barclay/McInally
20. Blair/Laidlaw
21. NDL
22. Evans

I still feel we owe NDL a chance outside someone who can actually play a running game and for the benefits of Glasgow I hope Toonie gives Jacko a chance at 12. Morrison is like a black hole that sucks in flair, pace and good running lines.

A lot of young talent still in the Scottish game and as I have said I still think it will be a couple of years to get the best out of the likes of Gray, Laidlaw, Weir, Scott, Jones and Hogg.

by GLove39 Wed 21 Mar 2012, 3:10 pm

Its a tricky one. As other have pointed out NDL's cause hasn't be helped by playing alongside crash-ball merchants like SLamont & Morrison.
However after 4 years, and 33 caps of international rugby, surely he's had a chance to many?

by **George Carlin** Wed 21 Mar 2012, 4:44 pm

Good lord, I was surprised it took me this long to track down where the sound of handbags was coming from.

We cannot rule out selecting De Lukewarm in future - that is, as my 6 year old goddaughter told me the other day, completely mental.

A few things to bear in mind:

1. his form has been superlative for Edinburgh this season - it really has - Visser regards young Nicholas as his link man.

2. his break and float pass to Ansbro was the reason that we beat Ireland pre-RWC.

3. his skillset is fine - if it's just a problem with repeated brainfarts/temperament, then I think that can be fixed if a new head coach gives him confidence.

4. he has consistently played alongside various inside centres who can't pass or won't pass. Philippe Sella would have had difficulties in scoring if he had Le Graham Morreeeeeson inside him and Parks inside that.

I still think that the best centre combo we have is De Luca and Ansbro or De Luca and Scott - both of whom will be pressured when Bennett starts getting up to speed.

by **George Carlin** Wed 21 Mar 2012, 4:46 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
nickj wrote:De Luca might not get into any of the other teams in the 6n's but he's the form 13 in Scotland and any talk of him not playing for Scotland is IMO rubbish.

He and Ansbro should be nailed as the 13's for the summer tour. There are some youngsters coming through but none of them have played any real 1st team rugby.

Sense, at long last.

On this board there are suggestions for Jackson, Leonard and Shingler to play 13. Seriously, are you all drinking oven cleaner??!!

Not since a particularly bad university exam when the offies hadn't opened yet.

by 123456789 Wed 21 Mar 2012, 5:59 pm

TBH I think it is stupid to refuse to pick a player ever under any circumstances but somebody has to have a long chat with him as well as that he isn't going to start playing well outside Morrison or Sean Lamont.
I do think we should bring in Bennet and find out if Clermont are considering bringing him into their first team for next season, if not why not give him a loan deal at Glasgow or Edinburgh. England brought in Wilkinson before he was playing regularly for Newcastle and with Rougerie and Fofana ahead of him I think he will struggle to start.

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Should deLuca ever play for Scotland again?