Scotland vs All Blacks @ 2.30pm Sunday 11 Nov Murrayfield

Kyle Traynor has a wallabies scalp under his belt. Its a good trade Laurie. Honest.

Aah I see whats going on here, youre just trying to condition me for a price rise, next thing I know you'll be wanting 2 Terry's chocolate oranges.

The other sgian dubh legend is that whenever it is drawn by its owner it must take blood, the notion being that you should only draw it if you're serious. The number of times I've forgotten and had to nick my own palm!

Asbo - I thought that applied only to kukris, the Gurkha knife?

There's only one way to settle this.

If you think Asbo is right, call 0141 .....

Some interesting info gained from the Glasgow team selection - Hall, Dunbar and Murchie starting (suggests they might not be in the 22 for the ABs) and Barcllay on the bench (suggests Rennie will still get the nod).

Also, Jackson not in the squad so likely to be in the Scotland 22!

The good thing about Terry's Chocolate orange is once they get hit hard, they splinter into 15 pieces. So we could have around 30 players on the pitch after the first scrum.

The bad thing is that they are yummy, so likely to be eaten at half time, meaning we will be down to 14 players after half time

Hmm, this is a little bit of a tricky situation

So from the team selections for Glasgow and Edinburgh will we see something like this

1 Grant
2 Ford
3 Cross
4 Gray
5 Hamilton
6 Strokosch
7 Rennie
8 Brown
9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg

16 Lawson
17 Terry's Chocolate Orange
18 Shiells
19 Kellock
20 Barclay/Denton
21 Pyrgos
22 Jackson
23 ??

I'd be very surprised if he didn't pick Denton. You need his extra athleticism and dynamism against the ABs.

Denton over Strokosch? Drop Barclay from the bench for one of them? Strokosch really only covers 6, Denton can do 6 and 8, as can Brown but he's obviously starting, Barclay can cover all 3. It's a tough decision.

I'd definitely argue the claim that Barclay can cover 6 and 8 at international level!

Strokosh on the bench and Brown can cover 7.

I agree with your starting 15 completely. I have tweaked your bench a bit though.

1 Grant
2 Ford
3 Cross
4 Gray
5 Hamilton
6 Strokosch / Brown
7 Rennie
8 Brown / Denton
9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg

16 Lawson
17 Jacobsen
18 Traynor
19 Kellock
20 Barclay / Denton
21 Lawson
22 Jackson
23 S Lamont (I think Brown offers more flexibility)

I think Scot Abroad might be onto something there for the backrow - Denton hasn't quite shown the form of last season, whereas Stroks was a star on the SH summer tour and has been immense since arriving at Perpignan, so I could see him getting the nod at 6, KB as captain then shifts to 8, Rennie gets a chance after last season at 7, with Barclay on the bench over Denton as more of an all-rounder. Wouldn't go that way myself, but reckon that's what Robinson will plump for.

It's clear that Grant and Cross will have play for the full 80mins too. I suspect that R Lawson will get the nod ahead of Pyrgos tho, with Horne as the extrA utility back

Denton had a stormer against the Scarlets and Robinson even said so.

Has anyone actually seen all of Strokosh's games for Perpignan? Someone said somewhere in the press that he is now a bit of a cult hero and now everyone is saying how amazing he has been playing!

Can anyone actually confirm it!

It'd be a big mistake chosing Strokosh over Denton IMO. An even bigger mistake chosing Barclay over Denton on the bench!

Having played so well in the summer and continued that form (supposedly) into the top14 it'd be unfair to pick Denton, whose form has been wobbly recently, over Stroks. Denton certainly adds more mobility to the backling and offers another option when carrying, but Stroks will hit and tackle all day long. Something that is going to be vital against the ABs because we're not going to see a lot of the ball. It's then a choice of who benches, Barclay or Denton? The one thing in Barclays favour is he's a 7, who can play 8. With Denton there we only have one real 7 in the squad, but 3 guys who can play 6. I think Barclay brings more balance to the backrow if I'm honest. It may not be the right choice but that's what happens when you have a wealth of riches, someone gets left out.

One the plus side the average age of the training squad was 26.5 years old

Fair enough Scot Abroad - but I think Brown could do a much better job at 7 than Barclay could do at 6 or 8. He's just not big enough to play there, whereas Brown has the speed, athleticism and skills to play 7 if needed.

I don't know why most of you would shift Kelly Brown out of the 6 shirt when he's the captain. That's the position he's been excelling in this season.

We're talking about bench contingencies beshocked - of course Brown will start at 6!

RDW Scotland two people nickj and scot abroad don't want to start KB at 6.

I think it would be strange for Andy to pick KB as his captain then play him out of position. Yes he can cover 8 and pretty well but it's not his primary position.

I'm in agreement with you - Brown at 6, Denton 8, Strokosh bench. Job done!

Rennie gets injured, Brown moves to 7 Strokosh to 6 - team not weakened

If Barclay is on the bench, then if Brown/Strokosh gets injured there's be an out of balanced backrow with either 2 no 7s and a no8 or 2 no 7s and a no 6.

If that makes sense!

Basically I think Barclay should not be used as 6 and 8 cover, whereas Brown could easily slot in at 7

beshocked, we're trying to second guess Robinson (in which case Brown should really be at 14 wit h S Hogg at 2!)

Scot Abroad wrote:So from the team selections for Glasgow and Edinburgh will we see something like this

1 Grant Warriors
2 Ford Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
3 Cross Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
4 Gray Sale
5 Hamilton Gloucester
6 Strokosch Perpignan
7 Rennie Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
8 Brown Saracens
9 Blair Brive
10 Laidlaw Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
11 Visser Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
12 Scott Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
13 De Luca Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
14 Evans Castres
15 Hogg Warriors

16 Lawson Not sure Take it is the hooker ?
17 Terry's Chocolate Orange ex- Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
18 Shiells Newcastle
19 Kellock Warriors
20 Barclay/Denton Warriors / Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
21 Pyrgos Warriors
22 Jackson Warriors
23 ??

Thanks to GC and Jimbopip and apologies to Scot Abroad

lol - The Robinson 15


1 Lawson
2 Jackson
3 Terry's Chocolate Orange
4 Brown
5 Visser
6 Scott
7 Evans
8 Gray
9 Blair Witch
10 Hogg
11 Hamilton
12 Strokosch
13 Barclay and Denton
14 Jacobsen
15 Laidlaw
15.5 De Luca


I think this has a great balance, pace and guile, with an additional brain fart to confuse the All Blacks - I defy anyone to make a better team than this one

Riskysports wrote:lol - The Robinson 15


1 Lawson
2 Jackson
3 Terry's Chocolate Orange
4 Brown
5 Visser
6 Scott
7 Evans
8 Gray
9 Blair Witch
10 Hogg
11 Hamilton
12 Strokosch
13 Barclay and Denton
14 Jacobsen
15 Laidlaw
15.5 De Luca


I think this has a great balance, pace and guile, with an additional brain fart to confuse the All Blacks - I defy anyone to make a better team than this one

No way in hell is Chunk a winger, he's best used as a crash ball 12.

I'm sure the ABs will be cacking their kecks !

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

Scot Abroad wrote:So from the team selections for Glasgow and Edinburgh will we see something like this

1 Grant Warriors
2 Ford Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
3 Cross Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
4 Gray Sale
5 Hamilton Gloucester
6 Strokosch Perpignan
7 Rennie Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
8 Brown Saracens
9 Blair Brive
10 Laidlaw Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
11 Visser Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
12 Scott Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
13 De Luca Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
14 Evans Castres
15 Hogg Warriors

16 Lawson Not sure Take it is the hooker ?
17 Terry's Chocolate Orange ex- Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
18 Shiells Newcastle
19 Kellock Warriors
20 Barclay/Denton Warriors / Metrosexual Festival Luvvies
21 Pyrgos Warriors
22 Jackson Warriors
23 ??

Thanks to GC and Jimbopip and apologies to Scot Abroad

C21st, absolutely brilliant, sir - an highlights that there are far too many MFLs in the feicing team - jeebus, we're phooked

Asbo, other than at an Ann Summer's party when can you ever have too many MFLs? Seriously they are playing keech at the moment and this should be reflected in the team selected. Sadly,I think that Scot Abroad probably has it and that means one Warrior behind the scrum. Also Big Al and J Barclay not starting, really? From what I've seen this season the MFL 3/4 line couldn't defend their honour in a convent so why put them in against the ABs? It's the 10-12-13 axis which worries me. Laidlaw will be picked on the back of the summer tour and not this season's form and if he's picked then Robbo goes with Scott and DeLuca. It has been misfiring all season and despite occasional flakiness Jackson is a natural 10 which Laidlaw is not. To quote the Scottish play, "Be bold, be brave, be resolute"
10 Jackson
12 Dunbar
13 Hogg
15 Horne
Yes we all know how the Scottish play turned out... but it was entertaining.

jimbopip wrote:Asbo, other than at an Ann Summer's party when can you ever have too many MFLs? Seriously they are playing keech at the moment and this should be reflected in the team selected. Sadly,I think that Scot Abroad probably has it and that means one Warrior behind the scrum. Also Big Al and J Barclay not starting, really? From what I've seen this season the MFL 3/4 line couldn't defend their honour in a convent so why put them in against the ABs? It's the 10-12-13 axis which worries me. Laidlaw will be picked on the back of the summer tour and not this season's form and if he's picked then Robbo goes with Scott and DeLuca. It has been misfiring all season and despite occasional flakiness Jackson is a natural 10 which Laidlaw is not. To quote the Scottish play, "Be bold, be brave, be resolute"
10 Jackson
12 Dunbar
13 Hogg
15 Horne
Yes we all know how the Scottish play turned out... but it was entertaining.

Wasn't it a depressing and introspective piece on the nature of guilt and despair and how power corrupts?

ChequeredJersey wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Asbo, other than at an Ann Summer's party when can you ever have too many MFLs? Seriously they are playing keech at the moment and this should be reflected in the team selected. Sadly,I think that Scot Abroad probably has it and that means one Warrior behind the scrum. Also Big Al and J Barclay not starting, really? From what I've seen this season the MFL 3/4 line couldn't defend their honour in a convent so why put them in against the ABs? It's the 10-12-13 axis which worries me. Laidlaw will be picked on the back of the summer tour and not this season's form and if he's picked then Robbo goes with Scott and DeLuca. It has been misfiring all season and despite occasional flakiness Jackson is a natural 10 which Laidlaw is not. To quote the Scottish play, "Be bold, be brave, be resolute"
10 Jackson
12 Dunbar
13 Hogg
15 Horne
Yes we all know how the Scottish play turned out... but it was entertaining.

Wasn't it a depressing and introspective piece on the nature of guilt and despair and how power corrupts?

Indeed - no finer analogy for the inner workings of the SRU.

George Carlin wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Asbo, other than at an Ann Summer's party when can you ever have too many MFLs? Seriously they are playing keech at the moment and this should be reflected in the team selected. Sadly,I think that Scot Abroad probably has it and that means one Warrior behind the scrum. Also Big Al and J Barclay not starting, really? From what I've seen this season the MFL 3/4 line couldn't defend their honour in a convent so why put them in against the ABs? It's the 10-12-13 axis which worries me. Laidlaw will be picked on the back of the summer tour and not this season's form and if he's picked then Robbo goes with Scott and DeLuca. It has been misfiring all season and despite occasional flakiness Jackson is a natural 10 which Laidlaw is not. To quote the Scottish play, "Be bold, be brave, be resolute"
10 Jackson
12 Dunbar
13 Hogg
15 Horne
Yes we all know how the Scottish play turned out... but it was entertaining.

Wasn't it a depressing and introspective piece on the nature of guilt and despair and how power corrupts?

Indeed - no finer analogy for the inner workings of the SRU.

So from the player's who have and haven't been released we can relatively work out a 23 for Scotland then...

1. Grant
2. Ford
3. Cross
4. Gray
5. Kellock
6. Brown (c)
7. Barclay
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson
11. Visser
12. Scott
13. DeLuca
14. Lamont
15. Hogg

16. Hall
17. Jacobsen
18. Shiells
19. Hamilton
20. Strokosch
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Evans

Kellock, simply as I feel Al has been in the best form of his life and deserves to start. Harsh on Hamilton but one of the tightest calls
Brown, Barclay, Denton. Reminds me of the Killer B's. Power, guile and hard work in spades...
Jackson is the only proper 10 about and Laidlaw can easily take the kicking duties off him.
Scott and DeLuca as the best Glasgow midfielders have been released......
Strokosch is a demon to bring off the bench.
Evans covers wing/centre, Horne covers 10/12/15, Pyrgos deserves his chance.

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:So from the player's who have and haven't been released we can relatively work out a 23 for Scotland then...

1. Grant
2. Ford
3. Cross
4. Gray
5. Kellock
6. Brown (c)
7. Barclay
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson
11. Visser
12. Scott
13. DeLuca
14. Lamont
15. Hogg

16. Hall
17. Jacobsen
18. Shiells
19. Hamilton
20. Strokosch
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Evans

Kellock, simply as I feel Al has been in the best form of his life and deserves to start. Harsh on Hamilton but one of the tightest calls
Brown, Barclay, Denton. Reminds me of the Killer B's. Power, guile and hard work in spades...
Jackson is the only proper 10 about and Laidlaw can easily take the kicking duties off him.
Scott and DeLuca as the best Glasgow midfielders have been released......
Strokosch is a demon to bring off the bench.
Evans covers wing/centre, Horne covers 10/12/15, Pyrgos deserves his chance.

I am sure Robinson said earlier this week that no player involved for Glasgow or Edinburgh this weekend will be starting against the All Blacks, that I would think would rule Barclay out of starting as he is playing tonight.

Barcs is on the bench... So maybe he only meant starting? Still can he really mean to have Blair starting with Laidlaw, and Jacko and Pyrgos on the bench??? Seriously???

Personally can't see Pyrgos on the bench for the NZ game ahead of Rory Lawson. I think Pyrgos may not feature until the Tonga game if at all.

yeah think you're right mac-knocked-on, do you know how Lawson's form has been lately?

Just assuming that because Newcastle are going well then Lawson can't be playing too badly. Was he not the scrumhalf and captain when we beat some of the big teams in previous autumn matches?

Richie Gray didn't play tonight and Sale say he won't be fit for another week or two.

Shame about Gray but at least both Hamilton and Kellock are in good form.

I think the back-row is a straight shoot out between Strokosch and Denton, with Brown at 8 and Rennie at 7. So either you pick the guys that'll chop down trees all day or the guy who can run through them, personally I'd prefer Denton because we need a big ball carrier if Gray is injured.

I'd pick Denton as Brown can chop all day too and Denton can play 8 and Brown at 6

I can't see Brown being put at 8

bet ya a pint it'll be 6. Brown 7. Strockosh 8. Denton on the starting lineup vs NZ.

The reason I reckon it'll be Strockosh at 7 instead of Rennie is because I think AR will be looking for the defensive effort we displayed against Australia in Newcastle.

By the way, who's going to NZ game? I'm flying up from Cardiff for the weekend to see it. If anyones up for a pre or post match I'd be keen!

I'm working at all three matches so I will be there! Can't wait!

And I can't see Robbo going for such a defensive set up especially after seeing how close Ireland came by picking a setup that challenged NZ at the breakdown. Harass their quick ball and they struggle!

Read in the hootsman that gray is definitely injured and Hamilton might be struggling.

That's a bit worrying, because a Ryder-kellock combo is fairly under powered and it would be gilchrist's first cap if he started.

Will it be Ryder or Swinson? Can't see Gilchrist coming straight in. He's too much like Al, a lineout man.

Need a bit of bulk and Swinson is probably the bigger man. But then again Tom Ryder was unlucky to not get more time in the summer.

Tough without the two first choice locks but not like its first choice anywhere else bar back row!?

Gilchrist a lineout man?? He's a number 4 through and through - big lump to push in the scrums and carry ball

UIG Swinson isn't in the squad and unless his accent is an affectation I think he has the slight handicap of being English. Or is he fortunate enough to qualify on the usual spurious grounds? There 5 locks in the squad and if you eliminate Richie and Big Jim that leaves the Ruck Inspector and Ryder/Gilchrist. I think all three will play some part in the match.The shocking thing is that with Richie a non-runner from day one we have had no viable replacement to call up. I am fairly ambivalent/ schizophrenic about the upcoming matches: it's like the bottom side at your club constantly juggling names and praying for a fat boy to turn up at the last minute, but then we have talent to burn in certain positions and potentially the best back line in a long time! Her's tae us' who's like us? indeed.

Swinson is Scots qualified. Mum's mum was a Weegie, hence why he was signed for Glasgow as a replacement for Richie.

I had always thought of Gilchrist as a lineout forward, not the enforcer type...

Still at least Big Al is in good form... One of the few saving graces.

ChequeredJersey wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Asbo, other than at an Ann Summer's party when can you ever have too many MFLs? Seriously they are playing keech at the moment and this should be reflected in the team selected. Sadly,I think that Scot Abroad probably has it and that means one Warrior behind the scrum. Also Big Al and J Barclay not starting, really? From what I've seen this season the MFL 3/4 line couldn't defend their honour in a convent so why put them in against the ABs? It's the 10-12-13 axis which worries me. Laidlaw will be picked on the back of the summer tour and not this season's form and if he's picked then Robbo goes with Scott and DeLuca. It has been misfiring all season and despite occasional flakiness Jackson is a natural 10 which Laidlaw is not. To quote the Scottish play, "Be bold, be brave, be resolute"
10 Jackson
12 Dunbar
13 Hogg
15 Horne
Yes we all know how the Scottish play turned out... but it was entertaining.

Wasn't it a depressing and introspective piece on the nature of guilt and despair and how power corrupts?

Indeed - no finer analogy for the inner workings of the SRU.

You keep setting them up Chequered and I'll keep knocking them to the boundary.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:beshocked, we're trying to second guess Robinson (in which case Brown should really be at 14 wit h S Hogg at 2!)

He will play all the big tackling defensive players and none of the fast flair players

Game week!

Anyone bumped into an All Black then? I've seen a few pictures on Facebook - one guy with Richie McCaw and Andrew Hore, and another one with Dan Carter in a nightclub!

Have to say my missus is scanning social media like a hawk to try and find out where she can 'bump' into Dan Carter...!