Scotland XV for Autumn Internationals

First topic message reminder :

Right let's get down to business shall we?!

9/11/13
Scotland vs Japan
KO - 2.30pm

17/11/13
Scotland vs South Africa
KO - 3pm

23/11/13
Scotland vs Australia
KO - 6pm

First of all, the schedule for these three matches is super. Unlike last few years, Scotland will play a less formidable team first before two tough matches against SA and Aus. SA are on a roll at the moment and will be a good, stern test for Scotland before Australia. Injuries may be an issue however as we saw in the summer.

If Scotland beat Australia that will make it 3 wins in a row vs the Wallabies which would be a fantastic achievement. But obviously wins over any of these three teams will be great.

Players

Backs M Bennett (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Glasgow), De Luca (Edinburgh), A Dunbar (Glasgow), M Evans (Castres), T Heathcote (Bath), R Jackson (Glasgow), S Lamont (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), S Maitland (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), T Seymour (Glasgow), D Taylor (Saracens), G Tonks (Edinburgh), T Visser (Edinburgh), D Weir (Glasgow).
Forwards J Barclay (Scarlets), J Beattie (Montpellier), K Brown (Saracens), B Cowan (London Irish), G Cross (Edinburgh), D Denton (Edinburgh), A Dickinson (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), C Fusaro (Glasgow), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh) R Grant (Glasgow), J Gray (Glasgow), R Gray (Castres), J Hamilton (Montpellier), R Harley (Glasgow), A Kellock (Glasgow), S Lawson (Newcastle), K Low (London Irish), M Low (Glasgow), P MacArthur (Glasgow), E Murray (Worcester), A Strokosch (Perpignan), T Swinson (Glasgow), J Welsh (Glasgow)

*Sorry for not updating this sooner. My girlfriend and I broke up a few weeks ago after four and a half years, three living together. I've been in a pretty bad place. However, I'm getting better and looking forward to these games so I'll continue to contribute when I can

Think I called out a few pages ago that brown would be at 7. Feeling suitability smug just now. Still don't agree with it, but it was always going to happen.

Only real issue is around the ruck inspector, i thought his time had passed at int level.

George Carlin wrote:

Ineffable wrote:Oh GO ON THEN, I've been lurking for years but BigGee has rumbled me and got me out of my hiding place. I prob won't post much and still lurk, but why not.

It's prob brainwashing from you lot or just because it makes sense, but:

1. Kellock - just no
2. NDL - Sensible actually. He's outside some good players now, no excuses.
3. Pyrgos - someone mentioned it was a goalkick change, which makes sense. I'd rather have seen Cusiter anyway; I'd like to think we would be aiming for tries anyway.
4. Brown at 7 - just no. He's nowhere near as good there, what's the point? Shoehorning don't work, why does it happen so often at Intl level?
5. S Lamont is no longer injured? I'm happy about that, he is one of my favourite players.

Welcome. Lurketh ye nae mair.

Welcome in Effie,
1. Yes and no; some might say that with Ryder fit and Nakawara finally able to find Scotstoun on his sat-nav the Ruck Inspector is now fifth in line to start for Glasgow but those same people have been commenting on the lack of leadership and nous when he is absent. I think the big man is in the twilight of his career (beginning of the end or end of the beginning?) but he wont go quietly. Gray the younger is a terrific prospect but needs to earn experience before he can be considered a certainty at international level, although he should be pencilled in for 2015. Neither Swinson nor Big Jim can run the lineout like Kellock and in time that will probably be the Elder Gray's job. Saturday could be Kellock's last chance to show that he has an international future but something tells me he he wont relinquish the jersey easily.
2. I concur with your astute analysis.
3. I think Henners gets a bad press, mainly through not being Niko or having been an extremely good Scotland scrum half years ago. He has improved markedly in his time at Glasgow but is still some way behind Laidlaw, or a fully fit Cooseater, but how often is he?
4. Barclay, Fozzie or Rennie but not Kellybrows.
5. His largest organ is his heart, if only everyone in a Scotland jersey could say the same.

'Knock-on Nick' De Luca   FFS is Johnson as feckin stupid as The Bath Bell End ?  

Schiz, economical with language and to the point as ever. 

Well surely he has enough chances. He is and always will be an utter dud at this level. I received this news as Mrs Schiz was oiling my steely pecs while I conducted my facial grooming regime - but even I could not have imagined the raw horror of NDL at 13. The phone will not ring - even for me ! Although young Jimbo I would keep your boots clean for the Boks game as NDL will make a rip -roaring erse of it as usual.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:'Knock-on Nick' De Luca   FFS is Johnson as feckin stupid as The Bath Bell End ?  

Look at it this way - he is playing against Japan, how much can he possibly damage Scotland? We lost to Tonga last November and it was hardly his fault!

Oh the images; your steely pecs and De Luca's riproaring erse!
But the point is: if he messes up then it has to be Taylor, Dunbar and  all the way to the next world cup. Assuming of course that Horne is at 12 as the MFL don't seem to have one.

Horne Dunbar and Bennett all do a good job and so do Scott and Dunbar. What is the point of putting Bennett in the squad and you don't give him a go v Japan. We know what we will get with De Luca - utter gash as per bleeding usual !

jimbopip wrote:Oh the images; your steely pecs and De Luca's riproaring erse!
But the point is: if he messes up then it has to be Taylor, Dunbar and  all the way to the next world cup. Assuming of course that Horne is at 12 as the MFL don't seem to have one.

 

Some articles in the papers this morning help explain some of the selections -

Hamilton, beattie and SG were all carrying injuries last week so didn't train much

Gray was involved with Castres at the weekend

Brown was picked out of 'loyalty'

jimbopip wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Ineffable wrote:Oh GO ON THEN, I've been lurking for years but BigGee has rumbled me and got me out of my hiding place. I prob won't post much and still lurk, but why not.

It's prob brainwashing from you lot or just because it makes sense, but:

1. Kellock - just no
2. NDL - Sensible actually. He's outside some good players now, no excuses.
3. Pyrgos - someone mentioned it was a goalkick change, which makes sense. I'd rather have seen Cusiter anyway; I'd like to think we would be aiming for tries anyway.
4. Brown at 7 - just no. He's nowhere near as good there, what's the point? Shoehorning don't work, why does it happen so often at Intl level?
5. S Lamont is no longer injured? I'm happy about that, he is one of my favourite players.

Welcome. Lurketh ye nae mair.

Welcome in Effie,
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...
4. ...
5. Lamont's largest organ is his heart, if only everyone in a Scotland jersey could say the same.

 
Am just snowblind with the smutty joke potential

Loyalty and past performances have a place - otherwise players will always feel under pressure which can then lead to mistakes.

However coaches can and do go on too long with certain players. I would argue that Brown's performances for Scotland last season means he deserves this chance still, but I guess there is the worry that he will be retained for too long (see England 2011 World Cup for an example).

So loyalty good, loyalty that over-rides everything else not good.

jimbopip wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Ineffable wrote:Oh GO ON THEN, I've been lurking for years but BigGee has rumbled me and got me out of my hiding place. I prob won't post much and still lurk, but why not.

It's prob brainwashing from you lot or just because it makes sense, but:

1. Kellock - just no
2. NDL - Sensible actually. He's outside some good players now, no excuses.
3. Pyrgos - someone mentioned it was a goalkick change, which makes sense. I'd rather have seen Cusiter anyway; I'd like to think we would be aiming for tries anyway.
4. Brown at 7 - just no. He's nowhere near as good there, what's the point? Shoehorning don't work, why does it happen so often at Intl level?
5. S Lamont is no longer injured? I'm happy about that, he is one of my favourite players.

Welcome. Lurketh ye nae mair.

Welcome in Effie,
1. Yes and no; some might say that with Ryder fit and Nakawara finally able to find Scotstoun on his sat-nav the Ruck Inspector is now fifth in line to start for Glasgow but those same people have been commenting on the lack of leadership and nous when he is absent. I think the big man is in the twilight of his career (beginning of the end or end of the beginning?) but he wont go quietly. Gray the younger is a terrific prospect but needs to earn experience before he can be considered a certainty at international level, although he should be pencilled in for 2015. Neither Swinson nor Big Jim can run the lineout like Kellock and in time that will probably be the Elder Gray's job.  Saturday could be Kellock's last chance to show that he has an international future but something tells me he he wont relinquish the jersey easily.
2. I concur with your astute analysis.
3. I think Henners gets a bad press, mainly through not being Niko or having been an extremely good Scotland scrum half years ago. He has improved markedly in his time at Glasgow but is still some way behind Laidlaw, or a fully fit Cooseater, but how often is he?
4. Barclay, Fozzie or Rennie but not Kellybrows.
5. His largest organ is his heart, if only everyone in a Scotland jersey could say the same.

Actually have to disagree. Big Jim is one of the main people that run the line out both for Scotland and also Glos. I have a chat with him at an awards dinner and he was quite scathing at how there were no others that could run a line out and particular that Gray did not at all (Kellock was not in that discussion)

Risky, tell me more tell me more...

RDW_Scotland wrote:Welcome ineffable!

You're not 'one of those' as well are you? (weegie)

Also, what does ineffable mean??

Ugh, I am really sorry but whilst I follow both, I support the weedge. Born in Glasgae as were me mae n pa although I'm actually by heritage only half Scot (don't worry, other half not from Britain) and not Glasg either (Peterhead would you believe it).

However as also an exile in London - I even have an Eng accent *shudder* - I follow Edinburgh with more support than the average Glasgow fan. I reckon they might do another shocker this season's Heino and hoping for 2 of ours in the QFs  

As for selection I think that as our *real* coach doesn't join us for another 9 months anyway, this is all kind of a dud. Let's just beat Japan and one of Oz or SA and get on with demonstrating our prowess in the league & Europe.

Also Ineffable means "indescribable". I couldn't think of anything so why not...

jimbopip wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Ineffable wrote:Oh GO ON THEN, I've been lurking for years but BigGee has rumbled me and got me out of my hiding place. I prob won't post much and still lurk, but why not.

It's prob brainwashing from you lot or just because it makes sense, but:

1. Kellock - just no
2. NDL - Sensible actually. He's outside some good players now, no excuses.
3. Pyrgos - someone mentioned it was a goalkick change, which makes sense. I'd rather have seen Cusiter anyway; I'd like to think we would be aiming for tries anyway.
4. Brown at 7 - just no. He's nowhere near as good there, what's the point? Shoehorning don't work, why does it happen so often at Intl level?
5. S Lamont is no longer injured? I'm happy about that, he is one of my favourite players.

Welcome. Lurketh ye nae mair.

Welcome in Effie,
1. Yes and no; some might say that with Ryder fit and Nakawara finally able to find Scotstoun on his sat-nav the Ruck Inspector is now fifth in line to start for Glasgow but those same people have been commenting on the lack of leadership and nous when he is absent. I think the big man is in the twilight of his career (beginning of the end or end of the beginning?) but he wont go quietly. Gray the younger is a terrific prospect but needs to earn experience before he can be considered a certainty at international level, although he should be pencilled in for 2015. Neither Swinson nor Big Jim can run the lineout like Kellock and in time that will probably be the Elder Gray's job.  Saturday could be Kellock's last chance to show that he has an international future but something tells me he he wont relinquish the jersey easily.
2. I concur with your astute analysis.
3. I think Henners gets a bad press, mainly through not being Niko or having been an extremely good Scotland scrum half years ago. He has improved markedly in his time at Glasgow but is still some way behind Laidlaw, or a fully fit Cooseater, but how often is he?
4. Barclay, Fozzie or Rennie but not Kellybrows.
5. His largest organ is his heart, if only everyone in a Scotland jersey could say the same.

It's funny I'm just about to start rugger training again and whilst i used to be lock my best position now I'm older and didn't beef up as much as they probably imagined I would in school would be wing or actually 12 and so , not joking , I use Lamont as a bit of an inspiration based on how he plays with his heart!

are any of these games on the telly ?

alive555 wrote:are any of these games on the telly ?

All on BBC Scotland I'm pretty sure?

Ineffable wrote:However as also an exile in London - I even have an Eng accent *shudder* - I follow Edinburgh with more support than the average Glasgow fan.

Firstly welcome on board.

Secondly, as you'll find out on here, most of the 606v2 Glasgow fans don't support Edinburgh (sorry, MFLs) at all so delighted to have a Weege on here supporting both of Scotland's pro sides.

Thirdly, nothing wrong with sporting an English accent. It just shows that you are adaptable!

Fes, I find that being in exile like Effie I also root for the MFL when they're not being trounced by the Weege. It's a bit of a no-brainer, support the Scottish side against anyone... but local rivalries over ride that.
Effie glad to hear you're getting your boots back on. There is a thread on Rugby Union headed Your Match you might be interested in, you can keep us up to date with your exploits.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Horne Dunbar and Bennett all do a good job and so do Scott and Dunbar.   What is the point of putting Bennett in the squad and you don't give him a go v Japan.   We know what we will get with De Luca - utter gash as per bleeding usual !

This seems like a typical southern hemisphere move. In a word "Ballsy".

He'll throw Bennet in against De Villiers with the parting comment of something along the lines of :

SJ (Thick Ozzie Accent) : Geeet eout theeer end show me whet yer mede ovve. Eef ye ken do the bizneess ageenst this lot, ye ken play ageenst enneone.

Or something like that. I expect Gray Jr and Bennet to recieve a baptism of fire next weekend against the Boks.

NDL is almost certainly last chance saloon. He will be playing a test match with capable players all around him. No G-Dogs, Lamonts at 12 or the Desperate Dan at 10. If he can't find a way to put this Japan side to the sword his international career is over. In short he has no excuses. He has powerful strike runners like Seymore and Maitland and the bruising option in Lamont if the Japanese require some "tenderising". I expect Swinson, Ford and Denton to be hitting the crash ball channel hard too, and leave Scott-12 a little more room.

I would be so bold to suggest less than 4 tries as a failure. We scored 4 against Italy who are a much more fearsome opponent in the 6N at home in the spring.

Ineffable wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Ineffable wrote:Oh GO ON THEN, I've been lurking for years but BigGee has rumbled me and got me out of my hiding place. I prob won't post much and still lurk, but why not.

It's prob brainwashing from you lot or just because it makes sense, but:

1. Kellock - just no
2. NDL - Sensible actually. He's outside some good players now, no excuses.
3. Pyrgos - someone mentioned it was a goalkick change, which makes sense. I'd rather have seen Cusiter anyway; I'd like to think we would be aiming for tries anyway.
4. Brown at 7 - just no. He's nowhere near as good there, what's the point? Shoehorning don't work, why does it happen so often at Intl level?
5. S Lamont is no longer injured? I'm happy about that, he is one of my favourite players.

Welcome. Lurketh ye nae mair.

Welcome in Effie,
1. Yes and no; some might say that with Ryder fit and Nakawara finally able to find Scotstoun on his sat-nav the Ruck Inspector is now fifth in line to start for Glasgow but those same people have been commenting on the lack of leadership and nous when he is absent. I think the big man is in the twilight of his career (beginning of the end or end of the beginning?) but he wont go quietly. Gray the younger is a terrific prospect but needs to earn experience before he can be considered a certainty at international level, although he should be pencilled in for 2015. Neither Swinson nor Big Jim can run the lineout like Kellock and in time that will probably be the Elder Gray's job.  Saturday could be Kellock's last chance to show that he has an international future but something tells me he he wont relinquish the jersey easily.
2. I concur with your astute analysis.
3. I think Henners gets a bad press, mainly through not being Niko or having been an extremely good Scotland scrum half years ago. He has improved markedly in his time at Glasgow but is still some way behind Laidlaw, or a fully fit Cooseater, but how often is he?
4. Barclay, Fozzie or Rennie but not Kellybrows.
5. His largest organ is his heart, if only everyone in a Scotland jersey could say the same.

It's funny I'm just about to start rugger training again and whilst i used to be lock my best position now I'm older and didn't beef up as much as they probably imagined I would in school would be wing or actually 12 and so , not joking , I use Lamont as a bit of an inspiration based on how he plays with his heart!

What club will you be playing for? Just interested in-case I happen to bump into when I'm being a show-pony playing.

You won't be able to pick me out for a Scot based on my accent either, having lived all over the UK and picked up little bits of an accent from where ever I have lived most people think I hail from the west country.

Solid 8, Effie, if either of you are ever playing out in the far east (Essex) let me know.

Gents, just to alert you that a number of esteemed posters including some well-known Scots in exile are meeting for drinks on Wed 20th Nov at the Kings Arms in Roupell Street, a mere stane's throw from Waterloo. Additional exiled Scots would be more than welcome as we pore over the details of another famous victory over the Bok in a maelstrom!

Looking forward to Saturday, although like countless others, can't believe my season passes haven't turned up yet  
If ever a song captured my current mood, this is it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg

jimbopip wrote:Solid 8, Effie, if either of you are ever playing out in the far east (Essex) let me know.

Sorry Jimbo, I rarely venture that far east. To be fair I'm surprised that there are rugby teams in Essex I was under the impression that the only sports people followed there were wendyball and dogging (in no particular order) 

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Gents, just to alert you that a number of esteemed posters including some well-known Scots in exile are meeting for drinks on Wed 20th Nov at the Kings Arms in Roupell Street, a mere stane's throw from Waterloo.  Additional exiled Scots would be more than welcome as we pore over the details of another famous victory over the Bok in a maelstrom!

Sounds like it could be fun. Will do my best to attend.

ASBO - who invited you?

GLove39 wrote:Looking forward to Saturday, although like countless others, can't believe my season passes haven't turned up yet  
If ever a song captured my current mood, this is it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg

I'm pleased you just said that - I was about to give the SRUseless a call.

 

Riskysports wrote:ASBO - who invited you?

Several leading pie manufacturers have asked me to put in an educational appearance so that I can properly brief on the true definition of what constitutes 'pie'

funnyExiledScot wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Looking forward to Saturday, although like countless others, can't believe my season passes haven't turned up yet  
If ever a song captured my current mood, this is it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg

I'm pleased you just said that - I was about to give the SRUseless a call.

 

Well as luck would have it my season passes turned up about an hour ago. Any luck at your end?

Just spotted Tom Hamilton at ESPN's interview with old Tommaso Allan

http://www.espn.co.uk/italy/rugby/story/205017.html

At least it gives his side of the story...

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Riskysports wrote:ASBO - who invited you?

Several leading pie manufacturers have asked me to put in an educational appearance so that I can properly brief on the true definition of what constitutes 'pie'

Any 18 year old black bush?

Riskysports wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Riskysports wrote:ASBO - who invited you?

Several leading pie manufacturers have asked me to put in an educational appearance so that I can properly brief on the true definition of what constitutes 'pie'

Any 18 year old black bush?

Not sure that sort of chat is allowed on here!

It's a pleasntly tasting cooking whiskEy

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Riskysports wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Riskysports wrote:ASBO - who invited you?

Several leading pie manufacturers have asked me to put in an educational appearance so that I can properly brief on the true definition of what constitutes 'pie'

Any 18 year old black bush?

Not sure that sort of chat is allowed on here!

FES - not sure where your mind is 

Solid8 wrote:

jimbopip wrote:Solid 8, Effie, if either of you are ever playing out in the far east (Essex) let me know.

Sorry Jimbo, I rarely venture that far east.  To be fair I'm surprised that there are rugby teams in Essex I was under the impression that the only sports people followed there were wendyball and dogging (in no particular order) 

I believe the correct attire is to wear one's Man united away shirt whilst dogging.

BigGee and Ineffable, welcome, brothers! You’ll find that the Scottish guys on here are, in fact, awesome in every way. Just don’t mention Mark Bennett, Tim Visser’s defence, Glaswegian hygiene, Andy Robinson (who I was a fan of…), or the benefits of a fully integrated transport network. I’m serious - steer clear of the trams.

It’s also great that you’re posting now too, and it makes me wonder how many other tortured geniuses there are on here, reluctant to speak up.

Come out, my children, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!

Anyway, on accents, I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and then deepest, darkest Surrey with very Scottish parents. I then moved to Glasgow last year, so I now sound like a mix of Gerard Butler, Will Carling and Raymond ‘Rainman’ Babbitt. Not good at all.

I’m a bit like you - certainly before I moved up here, I supported both Scottish teams pretty much equally. I probably preferred Glasgow (i.e. I’d support them in the 1872 Cup), but it was nothing serious. Since I’ve become an adopted Glaswegian, particularly as regular at Glasgow games, I’ve quickly felt much more involved in the club and its culture. Still, I remember crying like a little girl when Edinburgh beat Toulouse. Like a little blubbering girl.

Headline news on Scrum.com:

Parasites sucking life out of Scottish Grassroots
http://www.espn.co.uk/scotland/rugby/story/205009.html

Here was me thinking that the article would provide a damming critique of the SRU's upper management, but no it is merely pointing out that our turf will only be marginally better than that of the Welsh during the Autumn internationals.

I'm with ianBru here!

I think that’s what’s great about us Scots, and especially the people on this on this forum. Despite all the banter and slaggings we do genuinely want both teams to do well, just not against each other!

I was massively impressed by the number of Glasgow fans that came through to Murrayfield for the Toulouse QF. It was pretty much the best rugby experience I have had and our Western brethren contributed massively to the atmosphere and the occasion.  I haven’t forgotten that and if Glasgow get in a similar position, and I can afford it, I will be there with bells on!

So here’s to Scottish rugby, here’s to Glasgow – I hope you win every game and win something this year – I’ll probably be blubbing like a little baby (as per the Tolouse game) if you do!.  

Just not the 1872 cup….

What is all this 'Scottish' camaraderie going on here?     That will change in the run up to 26/12 and 1/1, I can assure our new chums on here !     

Saw a thing on the BBC site today from about the squad and saying that the second row and centres are because they play together at club level

Also that they plan to play everyone from there 41 man squad or at least most of them over the three games giving particular mention to Bennet and gray junior against either the boks or aus

Lovely to see new posters here. Why lurk when you can sledge in person?
 
Mind you, the Scots posters here already the funniest and best looking on these boards, so I'm not sure that it's really fair on everyone else for there to be any more of us.
 
PS - I support both the mighty Weedge and the Pimms-quaffing, weak chinned, Hacket wearing, tramless, uptight Edinburgh team also. 50:50 really.

George Carlin wrote:Lovely to see new posters here. Why lurk when you can sledge in person?
 
Mind you, the Scots posters here already the funniest and best looking on these boards, so I'm not sure that it's really fair on everyone else for there to be any more of us.
 
PS - I support both the mighty Weedge and the Pimms-quaffing, weak chinned, Hacket wearing, tramless, uptight Edinburgh team also. 50:50 really.

Apart from fES you mean, GC?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Lovely to see new posters here. Why lurk when you can sledge in person?
 
Mind you, the Scots posters here already the funniest and best looking on these boards, so I'm not sure that it's really fair on everyone else for there to be any more of us.
 
PS - I support both the mighty Weedge and the Pimms-quaffing, weak chinned, Hacket wearing, tramless, uptight Edinburgh team also. 50:50 really.

Apart from fES you mean, GC?

That's the funniest man in Stockbridge you're talking about.

And not just because of his mustard coloured chinos.

George Carlin wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Lovely to see new posters here. Why lurk when you can sledge in person?
 
Mind you, the Scots posters here already the funniest and best looking on these boards, so I'm not sure that it's really fair on everyone else for there to be any more of us.
 
PS - I support both the mighty Weedge and the Pimms-quaffing, weak chinned, Hacket wearing, tramless, uptight Edinburgh team also. 50:50 really.

Apart from fES you mean, GC?

That's the funniest man in Stockbridge you're talking about.

And not just because of his mustard coloured chinos. burgundy coloured corduroys

Fixed that for you

I should mention that my Kermit the Frog costume for Halloween involved some electric lime green chinos.

Which I already owned...

Read the Tommy Allan interview, fair enough from the lad if he feels Italian, best of luck to him.

Getting pretty excited about Saturday, obviously not at full strength but it's still a decent team and looking forward to seeing the new strip.

The front-five should be more than capable of providing a platform and dominating the set-piece.  With two grafters on the flanks, hopefully Denton will get the opportunity to carry plenty of ball.

Laidlaw and Jackson is a good combination, Laidlaw needs to dictate the territory and tempo to free Jackson up to play his natural game.  

Scott needs to be prominent, focal point in attack and provide momentum.  Seymour always looks lively, Lamomt will give 110% and Maitland is a classy player who'll hopefully get plenty of chances to counter.

Bare minimum is a win but obviously I'd be disappointed with anything less than 4 tries.

Saw a thing on the BBC site today from about the squad and saying that the second row and centres are because they play together at club level

Also that they plan to play everyone from there 41 man squad or at least most of them over the three games giving particular mention to Bennet and gray junior against either the boks or aus

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Lovely to see new posters here. Why lurk when you can sledge in person?
 
Mind you, the Scots posters here already the funniest and best looking on these boards, so I'm not sure that it's really fair on everyone else for there to be any more of us.
 
PS - I support both the mighty Weedge and the Pimms-quaffing, weak chinned, Hacket wearing, tramless, uptight Edinburgh team also. 50:50 really.

Apart from fES you mean, GC?

 

It's true, I've never quite managed to top that hilarious "Mark Bennett for Scotland" joke you told a few years ago.....