Scotland Fans' 2014 6N of hell Post-mortem

First topic message reminder :

EDIT March 18th post-Scotland's capitulation to Wales

So, it's the end of the six nations. I have to say the intention of this early prediction thread was to calm all suppositions that Scotland might be anywhere near a threat this year. I have maintained that things look better with Cotter coming in (and hopefully not having to resort to 5th/6th choice wings, though that couldn't have been predicted).

Someone pointed out that in this last game if Wales had received the red card the scoreline would not have been the same in reverse. In fact I would be very worried that we still would have lost. To me it feels like it was an excuse to put the heads down/give Johnson the farewell he deserves.

Personally, I am lost for words. Not really sure where to go from here.

Anyone?

***

EDIT March 8th post-Scotland's capitulation to France.

Come hither one and all and we shall drink our sorrows away...

***
EDIT February 8th post-Scotland's capitulation to England & Ireland

I was right all along.

***

I got this in early because I did not want to see anybody from any nation suggest for any minute that Scotland has a chance of doing anything other than :

a) Cleaning their dirties in a smeg [White Wash]
b) Making lots of soup this winter [wooden spoon]
c) Scraping a win against Italy , in the dying seconds after a urine poor performance , which still might result in "b)" anyway.

No they did not beat Ireland.  
No they did not beat England.
No they did not beat France.  
No they did not beat Wales.  

They might *look* like they are going to win to any outsiders no privy to the Scotland set up, but I guarantee you no sensible Scottish fan will be expecting anything but a, b & c this season.

Why?

• We have an interim coach (for over a year!!!)who is more worried about what he says on camera than apparently coaching a sensible game plan
  
• Our breakdown is awful
  
• We have the psychological hardness of my nan - you don't know my nan but that's not good
  
• Our best players are either never played in position, not allowed to play in the XXIII at all, or are just awful at the moment. Not making the injury excuse because frankly it doesn't apply with exception of 2 key players that might be back in time. Happens in every squad
  
• etc, etc (feel free to add to this list)
  

So look, when we are compiling our 6N predictions this year, can we just for once all agree on something?

1. AN Other
2. AN Other
3. AN Other
4. AN Other
5. Maybe Scotland
6. Probably Scotland

Anyone mentions "dark horses" and "Scotland" in the same sentence without a negation clause in there somewhere (and you KNOW what I mean) I am getting our the knuckle dusters    

Rennie is a class player, no doubt, but just in the same way I said Warburton should not have been picked for the lions on reputation, Rennie should not be picked for Scotland on reputation!

Having said that. It's only a training squad. If Rennie does get back to playing and looks good then why not play him!

Wee Roddy can rightfully feel agreived though! Not getting a place in the sqaud but the man he has replaced at edinburgh does!!!

MacKnocked-on wrote:I would have chosen Barclay before Fusaro personally, it's not as if Barclay is over the hill, he's only three years older than Fusaro so has got plenty playing life left in him beyond the World Cup. Think it's now ten years since Barclay was first selected for the Scotland squad whilst still a school boy.  
Fusaro also seems to be at risk of losing his Glasgow place to Holmes who will probably make the A squad.

When you put it like that we've actually got a fair few options; but whether that means any of those options turn out to be good enough is another matter. I'm slightly surprised Grant didn't make the squad, but for me Rennie is a better player and has more chance of turning out to be our long term man in the 7 shirt. Fusaro has been on the fringes for longer than Roddy and deserves his chance. I just hope SJ picks one of them, rather than Kelly at 7. I'm pretty happy with the rest of the squad.

I'm starting to get over Kelly being played at 7. He's playing there for his club mostly and while he is not a "natural" openside he seems to do well enough.

I'd still prefer him at 6 with Rennie/Barclay/Fusaro/Grant at 7

Still hoping one day for a killer B's reunion. Interesting to see how they would do with none of them playing at Glasgow any longer!

De Luca - FFS !!!!!!

I think it's important to remember that the presence of Brown/Rennie/Fusaro/Barclay/Grant in the 7 shirt matters less than our general approach to the breakdown. They're all talented backrow players, and will win turnovers and disrupt a team's momentum if asked to do so. Last year, we didn't challenge at the breakdown at all, and got blown away for our troubles. If Johnson has managed to get this approach sorted out, I'd be happy with Brown at 7. I'd prefer Rennie, but I won't be heartbroken.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:De Luca - FFS !!!!!!

Who else do you suggest?

Captain_Sensible wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:De Luca - FFS !!!!!!

Who else do you suggest?

  , then Grove, then Vernon , then me!

Despite my silly talk about using the 6N to begin bringing through players for WC15 I think SJ will be looking for a win on Saturday which would take a lot of pressure off.
So I think he'll go with
1. Grant
2. Ford although I'd rather see a hooker
3. Low
4. Hamilton
5. R Gray
6. Beattie
7.Kellybrows capt
8. Dozer Although if SJ decides Rennie is fit put him at 7 and Kelybrows6 at 6
9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson seems to be SJ's preferred 10
11. Lamont
12. Scott
13 Dunbar
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16.Dickinson
17. McArthur
18. Cross
19. Swinson
20. Beattie
21 Cusiter
22. Weir
23 Tonks

I think that's pretty close to our best XV at the moment and could put in a pretty good performance against our Celtic cousins.

Pip - I suspect that team will be pretty close to what he picks.

Can't help but think there'll be a big surprise though!

jimbopip wrote:

Captain_Sensible wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:De Luca - FFS !!!!!!

Who else do you suggest?

  , then Grove, then Vernon , then me!

Is that Taylor guy not a centre - he looked alright - way better than FFS De Luca - again !

Taylor is in the squad already.

I usually defend NDL on the basis that his club form usually puts him clearly ahead, however he was pretty poor against Perpignan, one of the few Edinburgh players not to play well. I'm not just talking about the dropped pass, but also that silly kick in the second half when the pack had done a great job of turning over possession, and he never made any impact with ball in hand.

I feel sorry for Alex Grove. No idea why he signed an extension with Worcester.

I think if they are both fit then Scott and Dunbar play in the centres. Don't think to many would disagree with that. The only worrying thing here is that Scott has not played in a while, would be good to see him get some game time this weekend.

If he is not fit then they are plenty of other permutations, but none are as good.

jimbopip wrote:Despite my silly talk about using the 6N to begin bringing through players for WC15 I think SJ will be looking for a win on Saturday which would take a lot of pressure off.
So I think he'll go with
1. Grant
2. Ford although I'd rather see a hooker
3. Low
4. Hamilton
5. R Gray
6. Beattie
7.Kellybrows capt
8. Dozer  Although if SJ decides Rennie is fit put him at 7 and Kelybrows6 at 6
9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson seems to be SJ's preferred 10
11. Lamont
12. Scott
13 Dunbar
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16.Dickinson
17. McArthur
18. Cross
19. Swinson
20. Beattie
21 Cusiter
22. Weir
23 Tonks

I think that's pretty close to our best XV at the moment and could put in a pretty good performance against our Celtic cousins.

  

Well it looks as if Kelly Brown is officially no longer a 6 and is only going to be considered as a 7. So no longer competing with Dents and Beattie but with Rennie and Fusaro.

He clearly feels that to compete we need ball carrying supercharged athletes in the backrow that can really take the game to the opposition in the way that they usually bring it to us. For all his strengths, KB does not really give us that and he needs to become a ball winning turnover specialist.

Well at least he is clear in what he wants and expects, no mixed messages. A few questions still to answer though, not least of all the captaincy!

Wouldn't it be worth picking a captain with an eye on RWC 2015?

On balance, probably slightly disappointed by 3 selections.

Welsh - arguably 1st choice TH at Glasgow ahead of Low and Cross has played very little rugby this season.  

Barclay - 2nd best 7 in my opinion, plenty of experience and performing well for Scarlets. Just don't see Fusaro having a big impact at Test level, while Low is 6th choice lock and 4th choice blindside.

Bennett - ok, injury has meant he's played little recently and his form had tailed off a bit before but he's the    for christs sake.

Good to see Fife in the squad, plus Seymour has been playing well and Tonks is in good form.

I'm expecting;

1 - Grant
2 - Ford
3 - Low
4 - Swinson
5 - Gray
6 - Brown (c)
7 - Rennie
8 - Beattie
9 - Laidlaw
10 - Jackson
11 - Seymour
12 - Scott
13 - Dunbar
14 - Maitland
15 - Hogg

16 - MacArthur
17 - Dickinson
18 - Cross
19 - Hamilton
20 - Denton
21 - Cusiter
22 - Weir
23 - Lamont

Would prefer Weir but that's a good team.

reallybored wrote:On balance, probably slightly disappointed by 3 selections.

Welsh - arguably 1st choice TH at Glasgow ahead of Low and Cross has played very little rugby this season.  

Barclay - 2nd best 7 in my opinion, plenty of experience and performing well for Scarlets. Just don't see Fusaro having a big impact at Test level, while Low is 6th choice lock and 4th choice blindside.

Bennett - ok, injury has meant he's played little recently and his form had tailed off a bit before but he's the    for christs sake.

Good to see Fife in the squad, plus Seymour has been playing well and Tonks is in good form.

I'm expecting;

1 - Grant
2 - Ford
3 - Low
4 - Swinson
5 - Gray
6 - Brown (c)
7 - Rennie
8 - Beattie
9 - Laidlaw
10 - Jackson
11 - Seymour
12 - Scott
13 - Dunbar
14 - Maitland
15 - Hogg

16 - MacArthur
17 - Dickinson
18 - Cross
19 - Hamilton
20 - Denton
21 - Cusiter
22 - Weir
23 - Lamont

Would prefer Weir but that's a good team.

Well SJ has told us that KB won't be playing as a 6 now and he will only be captain if he can nail down the 7 shirt. Beattie and Dents are going to be the 6 & 8 and I get the impression that he like the look of Kieran Low who may be on the bench. Harley and Stroks are similar players to KB at the end of the day so you may as well play KB as play them.

Looks like the only question in the back row is who will play 7, oh and who will be captain?

I would be extremely surprised if KB doesn't start at 7 and captain - SJ has got to say all these things to keep competition up, but he knows Kelly will start.

What are people's thoughts on Cus vs Laidlaw? Does Laidlaw shade it due to his kicking? Being blinkered, I would prefer Cus to start but not sure how that would fly if Jacko had to kick.

On another note, and in keeping with the depressingly realistic tone of the OP, I get the feeling that Matt Scott is going to be a crushing disappointment on his return. Glasgow supporters have been accused of all too quickly pointing to the absence of Horne for our inability to click and I reckon the same might be said of Scott in a Scotland context. Will be happy to be proved wrong when he tears the Irish a new one.

As others have said, not much we can do about KB being a 7. Would be good to see Rennie back. Not bothered who starts at 8 out of Beattie or Denton. I'd like to see Denton smash some people, sometimes he appears to go too high - can Edinburgh fans provide a more accurate appraisal?

Not bothered about the 6Ns at this juncture especially without a fulltime coach, but I know full well come match day I'll still be just as excited and full of hope as usual. FFS...

ghad wrote:What are people's thoughts on Cus vs Laidlaw? Does Laidlaw shade it due to his kicking? Being blinkered, I would prefer Cus to start but not sure how that would fly if Jacko had to kick.

On another note, and in keeping with the depressingly realistic tone of the OP, I get the feeling that Matt Scott is going to be a crushing disappointment  on his return. Glasgow supporters have been accused of all too quickly pointing to the absence of Horne for our inability to click and I reckon the same might be said of Scott in a Scotland context. Will be happy to be proved wrong when he tears the Irish a new one.

As others have said, not much we can do about KB being a 7. Would be good to see Rennie back. Not bothered who starts at 8 out of Beattie or Denton. I'd like to see Denton smash some people, sometimes he appears to go too high - can Edinburgh fans provide a more accurate appraisal?

Not bothered about the 6Ns at this juncture especially without a fulltime coach, but I know full well come match day I'll still be just as excited and full of hope as usual. FFS...

I think he'll go with Laidlaw, and probably rightly so. Neither have been on top form this season but Laidlaw has at least had consistent gametime, and his goal kicking is up there with the best in the competition. There's no way we can go into the 6N with Jackson as goal kicker - I shudder to even think about it! Weir is a decent kicker but I think it's got to be Laidlaw. Plus, Cusiter is more of an impact player than Laidlaw.

On Denton, if anything he often goes into contact too low! He has a very low body position which is great, but often it makes him unstable and if people get him round hte ankles he will go straight down. Still, he's an absolute rampaging ball carrier and a real asset to the team, if the balance of the backrow is right.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I would be extremely surprised if KB doesn't start at 7 and captain - SJ has got to say all these things to keep competition up, but he knows Kelly will start.

Correct, its K Brown - 7 and fES better get used to it. From today's Indie:

Six Nations 2014: Kelly Brown's future as Scotland captain put under threat

The Six Nations mind games have started - with the Scotland coach, Scott Johnson, never slow to play the psychology card, singling out his own captain, the Saracens flanker Kelly Brown, for special attention.

Johnson selected the Glasgow open-side specialist Chris Fusaro, uncapped but very much in form, in a 36-man training squad ahead of the meeting with Ireland in Dublin on 2 February and then indicated that Brown's position was far from secure.

"I've told Kelly to his face – and there's no use in running away from it – that if he's good enough to get in the starting XV he'll lead the team, and that if he's not we'll look for someone else," said Johnson, who will hand over to Vern Cotter, currently coaching at the crack French club Clermont Auvergne and a fellow Antipodean, at the end of the season.

"We are viewing Kelly as a No 7: we will leave the remaining back-row roles to other people because we have some good athletes coming through in those positions and we need to compete athletically against the bigger nations," added Johnson. "Kelly fits a different mould. He's done really well for Saracens at No 7 over the last five or six weeks so moving down the path, that will be his spot."

Brown, now 31, has performed the breakaway duties for the Premiership leaders in the absence of the Namibian forward Jacques Burger and the highly-regarded English prospect Will Fraser. Whether he is equipped to hold off Fusaro and the talented Edinburgh flanker Ross Rennie for the duration of the Six Nations remains to be seen.

Johnson is certainly taken with Fusaro, describing him as "an interesting one" who has shown "great resolve" in improving on specific areas of his game since failing to feature in last year's competition.

As an Edinburgh fan I'd still pick Beattie over Denton. Until Denton learns to pass then he just doesnt cut it for me!

As mentioned, the way Denton runs means if you chop his legs he goes down. And you can chop his legs as you don't need to worry about an offload so you dont need to wrap the ball up.

Beattie is a far more rounded player for my money

OK, my team for the opener:

Hogg - picks himself
Maitland - ditto
Taylor - anyone but NDL, and has been doing well for Sarries at 13
Scott
Lamont - heart
Weir - control, play the game where we want to
Laidlaw - kicker

Grant - needs a right kick up his arse about his scrummaging tho which has gone from strength to weakness
Ford - in for his bulk and decent form at Edinbokke, incl improved darts (credit where its due)
Low - Cross hasn't had enough game time
Gray snr - coming back into form with Castres (Swinson pushing hard tho)
Hamilton - grunt (Gilchrist also pushing hard)
Harley - extremely secure lineout option, and tackles everything, so happy to overlook lack of carrying deficiency
Rennie - top 7 in Scotland on form
Denton - ball carrying

Dickinson - MacArthur - Cross - one of Swinson/Gilchrist/J Gray - Brown - Cusiter - Jackson - Evans (covers most positions)

According to today's Scotsman SJ is considering Tonks for the 10 shirt, saying that he had been keen to see him play there. Given Weir's not so brilliant form currently and Jackson being Jackson then Tonks surely must have a real chance of playing at 10.

Except he's not in the squad?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Except he's not in the squad?

Tonks? Yes he is.

Captain_Sensible wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Except he's not in the squad?

Tonks? Yes he is.

burned   

MacKnocked-on wrote:According to today's Scotsman SJ is considering Tonks for the 10 shirt, saying that he had been keen to see him play there. Given Weir's not so brilliant form currently and Jackson being Jackson then Tonks surely must have a real chance of playing at 10.

Given that neither Jackson nor Weir seems to have given exactly what we need (and Heathcote is not in the squad due to his lack of game time), do we really have anything to lose by trying Tonks at 10?

Don't see that we do. Laidlaw will kick the goals, so no pressure there. I appreciate that we should be looking for a settled team in the run in to the RWC but it is daft to deny a potentially good option the chance to stake his claim because of some arbitrary line in the sand.

George Carlin wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:According to today's Scotsman SJ is considering Tonks for the 10 shirt, saying that he had been keen to see him play there. Given Weir's not so brilliant form currently and Jackson being Jackson then Tonks surely must have a real chance of playing at 10.

Given that neither Jackson nor Weir seems to have given exactly what we need (and Heathcote is not in the squad due to his lack of game time), do we really have anything to lose by trying Tonks at 10?

Don't see that we do. Laidlaw will kick the goals, so no pressure there. I appreciate that we should be looking for a settled team in the run in to the RWC but it is daft to deny a potentially good option the chance to stake his claim because of some arbitrary line in the sand.

  

You've changed your tune on tonks!

I suspect a strong performance against Munster might help his case a lot - at least for a bench spot.

A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

MacKnocked-on wrote:A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

Who is he??

RDW_Scotland wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

Who is he??

London Scottish winger, couldn't think of anyone else apart from McGuigan to be honest.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:According to today's Scotsman SJ is considering Tonks for the 10 shirt, saying that he had been keen to see him play there. Given Weir's not so brilliant form currently and Jackson being Jackson then Tonks surely must have a real chance of playing at 10.

Given that neither Jackson nor Weir seems to have given exactly what we need (and Heathcote is not in the squad due to his lack of game time), do we really have anything to lose by trying Tonks at 10?

Don't see that we do. Laidlaw will kick the goals, so no pressure there. I appreciate that we should be looking for a settled team in the run in to the RWC but it is daft to deny a potentially good option the chance to stake his claim because of some arbitrary line in the sand.

  

You've changed your tune on tonks!

I suspect a strong performance against Munster might help his case a lot - at least for a bench spot.

Not really, Mr Burns sir.

I still think that Heathcote is a better bet for the future but I think that the Scottish national team is better served by picking one guy and sticking with him. Cotter will have his own views about this but if we're going to try someone else, then that should be Tonks and it has to be now. We don't have any more time and it is abundantly clear that we are not going to stick with either the Rhubarb or Bombhead until the RWC. Not that this detracts from my overarching view that Duncan Weir has not been treated very well by the national team coaches. He really hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip.

MacKnocked-on wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

Who is he??

London Scottish winger, couldn't think of anyone else apart from McGuigan to be honest.

I would think Jamie Farndale a strong contender for the 'A' shirt. That boy knows his way to the try line.

As long as Lee Jones doesn't get anywhere near that squad I will be happy.

MacKnocked-on wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

Who is he??

London Scottish winger, couldn't think of anyone else apart from McGuigan to be honest.

Oh and I forgot Heathcote at 10, him and Miller instead of Russell at this stage.

George Carlin wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:A bit of lunchtime time wasting; trying to think of a possible A team for the upcoming games. Obviously some of the senior squad will drop down but I've tried to come up with a totally different group of players:
15. Cuthbert / McCall
14. Doneghan
13. Bennett
12. Grove
11. Brown
10. Miller /Russell
9. Pyrgos /Hart/S H-C/ Kennedy
8. Cowan
7. Grant /Holmes
6. Eddie /Newlands
5. Atkins
4. Ryder / Mckenzie
3. Welch
2. Hall
1. Reid /Shiells

Who is he??

London Scottish winger, couldn't think of anyone else apart from McGuigan to be honest.

I would think Jamie Farndale a strong contender for the 'A' shirt. That boy knows his way to the try line.

As long as Lee Jones doesn't get anywhere near that squad I will be happy.

Yes, good shout although Farndale's already in the U20s I think. Ian Morrison mentioned wing/centre Dante Mama (real name) of London Scottish as one to watch this year, maybe he knows something we don't?

We're forgetting Barry!

tigertattie wrote:

Captain_Sensible wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Except he's not in the squad?

Tonks? Yes he is.

burned   

Apologies, Sensible, my mistake - managed to omit him from my squad breakdown by position before too (now edited)

PS Do grow up, tatter

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

Captain_Sensible wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Except he's not in the squad?

Tonks? Yes he is.

burned   

Apologies, Sensible, my mistake - managed to omit him from my squad breakdown by position before too (now edited)

PS  Do grow up, tatter

No attention to detail. Typical Nat.   

Since 13 is still a problem position, it's heartening to see Richie Vernon named as number 23 ie backline cover for the Glasgow - Toulon game..!

On the Brown at 7 question, given he's been playing there recently for Sarries (and Rennie won't be match fit), I think it's probably the right call. Both Beattie and Denton are playing well at the moment, and a back row of Beattie, Brown and Denton should provide plenty front foot ball (perhaps with a specialist like Rennie coming off the bench in the last 20, with Brown moving to 6).

If Rennie, Barclay or Fusaro had been tearing down trees I'd think differently, but Brown has been playing regular rugby at 7 and to a high standard, so I'm not surprised SJ wants him there.

My 23 for Dublin:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Low 4.Swinson 5.Gray 6.Beattie 7.Brown(c) 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Weir 11.S Lamont 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.Gilchrist 20.Rennie 21.Cusiter 22.Tonks 23.Evans

funnyExiledScot wrote:On the Brown at 7 question, given he's been playing there recently for Sarries (and Rennie won't be match fit), I think it's probably the right call. Both Beattie and Denton are playing well at the moment, and a back row of Beattie, Brown and Denton should provide plenty front foot ball (perhaps with a specialist like Rennie coming off the bench in the last 20, with Brown moving to 6).

If Rennie, Barclay or Fusaro had been tearing down trees I'd think differently, but Brown has been playing regular rugby at 7 and to a high standard, so I'm not surprised SJ wants him there.

My 23 for Dublin:

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Low 4.Swinson 5.Gray 6.Beattie 7.Brown(c) 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Weir 11.S Lamont 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Dickinson 17.MacArthur 18.Cross 19.Gilchrist 20.Rennie 21.Cusiter 22.Tonks 23.Evans

I don't think I would change much from that. Maybe Hamilton or Gray J on the bench and probably not Evans either. Why not take a punt with Fife on the bench, or if not him then Seymour, both know their way to the try line. There are enough midfield options with Hogg and Tonks to need Maxy, he would not be in as a centre or a winger in his own right and has only warmed the bench recently because he is versatile.

I'd be delighted to see Fife on the bench, but I can't see SJ going for it. Evans has more experience and has been a handy impact sub for us on occassion.

The Goblin has been in decent form for Castres tho, just saying!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:The Goblin has been in decent form for Castres tho, just saying!

He has been a good player for Scotland but I still think he has probably had his time. I think there are newer and better options now. When did he last score a try in an international, that is my idea of impact from a winger?

To be fair to SG, he's not exactly alone in the low scoring charts at International level in the Scotland backs - I'd hate to see what our try record is like in the starting backline.

trivia time

From the training squad selected for this years 6Ns, name the Scotland player with the most tries to his name. Bonus points if you can tell me how many tries he has

(no googling or going on any SRU/Rugbyplanet/ESPN/etc websites)

Sean Lamont - 12

tigertattie wrote:trivia time

From the training squad selected for this years 6Ns, name the Scotland player with the most tries to his name. Bonus points if you can tell me how many tries he has

(no googling or going on any SRU/Rugbyplanet/ESPN/etc websites)

Sean Lamont, 12 tries is it?

In 80+ internationals. For shame.