Italy v Scotland, 22 February

Italy  v Scotland 

Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday 22 February 2014
KO 14:30

Referee: Steve Walsh (ARU)
First Assistant: Jérôme Garces (FFR)
Second Assistant: Luke Pearce (RFU)
TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

A. Squads

1. Italy

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni (Toulon/FRA), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Marco Bortolami (Zebre), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Robert Barbieri (Treviso), Mauro Bergamasco (Zebre), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Joshua Furno (Biarritz/FRA), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)

Backs: Tobias Botes (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Tommaso Allan (Perpignan/FRA), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Perpignan/FRA), Michele Campagnaro (Treviso), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Mirco Bergamasco (Rovigo), Angelo Esposito (Treviso), Tommaso Iannone (Zebre), Luke McLean (Treviso), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre), Leonardo Sarto (Zebre)

2. Scotland

Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
 
B. Previous Form

9 February 2013: Scotland 34-10 Italy

17 March 2012: Italy 13-6 Scotland

19 March 2011: Scotland 21-8 Italy

C. Teams

1. Italy

15 Luke MCLEAN (Benetton Treviso, 54 caps)
14 Angelo ESPOSITO (Benetton Treviso, 1 cap)
13 Michele CAMPAGNARO (Benetton Treviso, 4 caps)
12 Gonzalo GARCIA (Zebre Rugby, 30 caps)
11 Leonardo SARTO (Zebre Rugby, 4 caps)
10 Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 5 caps)
9 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Treviso, 31 caps)

8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 103 caps)(c)
7 Robert BARBIERI (Benetton Treviso, 32 caps)
6 Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton Treviso, 82 caps)
5 Joshua FURNO (Biarritz Olympique, 15 caps)
4 Quintin GELDENHUYS (Zebre Rugby, 43 caps)
3 Martin CASTROGIOVANNI (Toulon RC, 103 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Benetton Treviso, 61 caps)
1 Alberto DE MARCHI (Benetton Treviso, 14 caps)

Substitutes:

16 Davide GIAZZON (Zebre Rugby, 17 caps)
17 Matias AGUERO (Zebre Rugby, 22 caps)
18 Lorenzo CITTADINI (Benetton Treviso, 29 caps)
19 Marco BORTOLAMI (Zebre Rugby, 101 caps)
20 Paul DERBYSHIRE (Benetton Treviso, 20 caps)
21 Tobias Weitz BOTES (Benetton Treviso, 21 caps)
22 Luciano ORQUERA (Zebre Rugby, 38 caps)
23 Tommaso IANNONE (Zebre, 8 caps)

2. Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors)
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors)
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) capitano

8 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier)
7 Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier)
4 Richie Gray (Castres)
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors)
2 Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons)
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors
20 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 

22 Duncan Taylor (Saracens)
23 Max Evans (Castres)

 

Humour in adversity!

could Simon Cowell get Scotland back on track?



You need to invoke the spirit of days gone past. 'Harem Scarem' at its finest!!

I'm going to sum up my likely emotions during this game:

  



  

 

 

 

You have to say that Italy are better placed to avoid the wooden spoon than Scotland. Scotland have shown nothing that should worry the Italians, although I do expect them to finally cross the try line. I just think Italy have shown more promise, giving Wales a good scare and keeping France at bay for 40 minutes. I doubt they'll be scoring three tries in the first fifteen minutes, but three tries over the 80 is entirely possible.

Jimpy - you're right and I think that one of two things will happen:

1. SJ will pick a similarly unbalanced and flawed side and tell them to stick to the same appalling gameplan. If he does, they will slip into depression and take a thorough beating.

2. SJ will bow to pressure, drop the players that need to be dropped, reinstate players who stand a chance of rectifying the set piece and tell them to play what's in front of them instead of booting the ball away at every possession. If they do that, Scotland are likely to win.

Unfortunately, with a loose bowel and a heavy heart, I bet all of the money in my pocket that 1. is the most likely scenario.

OK, here's the team that I want Johnson to pick, as sadly, it's fairly clear that neither he nor Humphries have been dealt with appropriately by the SRU (ie fired):

More happy thoughts   more happy thoughts  

The side to take the game to Italy and secure the win:

Front row: Grant, MacArthur, Low - Grant is struggling with the new scrum laws, no question and has not been the player of last season, but Dickinson is not as good a scrummager and the Italians have been performing well in the scrums; Low gets another run out in the shirt, having not covered himself in glory, but neither disgraced himself; time to see what MacArthur has got from the start
Locks: Gray jnr, Gilchrist - both with decent ballast, young Gray to run the lineout, reasonably athletic, let's see how they go
Back row: Harley, Denton, Fusaro - Harley is going to tackle himself to a stand still and wee Chris is going to jackle his heart out; and Dozer is going to spend the next fortnight practising offloading, and I mean everything - if he picks up his teddy in the morning, offload it to his roomie; if he picks his cereal bowl up of the breakfast table, offload it to the poor sod sat next to him; you get the idea
Halfbacks: Cusiter (c), Weir - Cus has to get his chance, wee Greig has looked under par, and I'd like to see how Weir goes behind a pack that might actually be on the front foot for some of the game
Midfield: Scott, Bennett - it's the centre partnership I've been telling you all about since turned 14
Back three: Lamont, Hogg, Seymour - Lamont stays for his experience in an otherwise v young side, his passion and leadership will be important

Subs: Lawson, Dickinson, Welsh, Gray snr, Beattie, Laidlaw, Jackson, Dunbar



Sadly, this won't happen, and I've no doubt we'll get the usual handful of selection shockers, but I've already written this 6Ns off and am now pinning all my hopes on Uncle Vern

I just hope score a feckin try! If we don’t then the pressure will really be on for our last two games – which will be just as tough as our first two – and it wouldn’t surprise me if we went through the whole tournament without scoring a try. I’m assuming that would be the first time that has ever happened, and would be a complete embarrassment.

SJ is in an uncomfortable position. It'll be a good playing surface and probably good conditions for attacking rugby so no excuses there. And if he picks the same side and game plan (so Scotland will be dire) there can be no excuse for taking a pounding against Italy who are equal in talent to us and all eyes would be on him.

Anyone got any thoughts about what Bennett would be like at 10?

Nearly got a 60m penalty vs connacht, highlights are on the pro12 YouTube page.

Oh, Fusaro has signed a 2 yr deal with Glasgow for those interested.

Feic me those photo's are funny George.....nearly did a wee jobby in ma pants laughing out loud.

Asbo - not a bad team....only changes from your mob I'd like to see would be:

Welsh for Low
Swinson for Gilchrist
Barclay for Fusaro (wouldn't be too bothered if Beattie came in for Denton)
Dunbar in for Bennett
Might be worth a punt sticking Fife in there somewhere too.

What I'd also really like to see is someone taking Bergamasco and 'persuading' him to stop acting the hard man by starting fights every 10 minutes. The guy's a clown.

Also as indicated in the prediction game, I reckon it will be a Celts win across the board and can see Scotland grinding out a dull affair here with 2-3 tries being scored.

Firstly, see, told ya George does the Match threads  

secondly, SUBOOOOOOOO 

Thirdly, I'm not making any socre predictions until the mullet has named his side.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Feic me those photo's are funny George.....nearly did a wee jobby in ma pants laughing out loud.

Asbo - not a bad team....only changes from your mob I'd like to see would be:

Welsh for Low
Swinson for Gilchrist
Barclay for Fusaro (wouldn't be too bothered if Beattie came in for Denton)
Dunbar in for Bennett
Might be worth a punt sticking Fife in there somewhere too.

What I'd also really like to see is someone taking Bergamasco and 'persuading' him to stop acting the hard man by starting fights every 10 minutes. The guy's a clown.

Also as indicated in the prediction game, I reckon it will be a Celts win across the board and can see Scotland grinding out a dull affair here with 2-3 tries being scored.

If Scotland scored 2-3 tries that would be far from a dull affair!

Will be interesting to see how Tommy Allan gets on against us. I think he’s done OK so far, especially considering his lack of pro experience. His restarts are also excellence – lots of height – unlikes Weir’s restarts which go long and low meaning our guys have no chance of getting anywhere near the ball. Wouldn’t surprise me if that was a tactic however.

Well I suppose the normal tactic for kicking long is for a successful chase to put pressure on the receiver who then has to kick for touch, or pass to someone who can kick for touch. Wham bam, thank you territory mam.

Doesn't work for Scotland though. Lamont has only just reached the halfway line 10 minutes later.

There are various things that SJ would need to do in order to rectify our problems:

1. Choose a lineout specialist as a lock - Richie Gray is the obvious call.

2. Get us quick ball - this would involve dropping Laidlaw for Cusiter at a minimum.

3. Choose a backrow with balance - reinstating Brown as a minimum.

4. Choose a hooker who is competent and confident - either Hall or MacArthur.

I have no confidence whatsoever that he will do any of these, despite the fact he has come in for more criticism this past week from prominent individuals (Geech, Telfer, Calder, Hastings, etc) than I have ever seen a Scotland coach take. The team that he should choose is:

01. Grant
02. MacArthur
03. Low
04. Swinson
05. R. Gray
06. Brown
07. Fusaro
08. Beattie

09. Cusiter
10. Weir
11. Lamont
12. Scott
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

16. Hall
17. Dickinson
18. Welsh
19. J. Gray
20. Denton
21. Laidlaw
22. Jackson
23. Bennett,

but there's no way on this earth it's going to look anything like that, sadly.

Good team George!

Mullet man won't pick that team though!

bring back Nathan Hines from retirement. sorted.

Very difficult to know where this one is going to go.  Scotland look completely deflated (no confidence left in their coach) and were put through a mental meat grinder against England.  
But - because that was such a tough game mentally as well as conditioning-wise (I say that because I'm not so sure it was a physically tough battle but more an incessant runaround battle)
Anyway, because of the toughness of England, Scotland might feel a lot lighter mentally against Italy.  I mean they'll truly sense a less pressure game and it might renew their self-belief somewhat.

Italy - well, they're all huff and puff so far and they tend to keep battling away but..............is it just all a ruse with very little backing it up?  They were cooked pretty easily in the end by France and all it needed was about 10 minutes of real gametime from France in the second half.

If you mess around with Italy too much, well, then they're more than ready and able to mess around with you.  But if you stop messing around with them in the middle of the park and go for their jugular they can look paper thin.  I say Scotland will have more time to think in this game but they shouldn't take it.  They should psyche themselves up and almost prepare themselves mentally for another 'England' game.  Sometimes Itlay can drain the killer juices from their opponents.  No matter how good they might be, teams sometimes aren't mentally prepared for a team which has been such a frequent wooden spooner.  Scottish players should think 'England' and almost use this as a vengence game.  Make poor Italy suffer the pain of the English game.  Don't get bogged down in a Castrogiovanni game.

A picture paints 1000 words, so here is my thoughts

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (munchies)
  
  
  
  
  (Italians)
  
  
  (SJ)  
  
  

   

Excellent analysis. I agree 100%...although I think you're leaning a little too much on   

My team

Pack

   
  
    

Backs
  
   
  
    
   
   

I presume that Sean Lamont is ? You've got one too many in the backs as well

No Weir

Lamont is the old man

9 - 15 seems about the right amount to me

My bad

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:My team to Play Italy

1. Dickinson
2. Macarthur
3. Welsh
4. J Gray
5. R Gray
6. Brown (c)
7. Fusaro
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Weir
11. Fife
12. Scott
13. Dunbar
14. Seymore
15. Hogg

16. Brown
17.Grant
18.Cross
19. Swinson
20. Beattie
21. Cusiter
22. Taylor
23. Evans

No place for Ford (who needs a break), Hamilton (who needs to retire), Lamont (who also needs to retire).

I would send that pack out with a remit to carry hard, smash every ruck to pieces and make the Italians dread the breakdown conflict.

Someone said on another thread no gym work, no CV, no other kind of training except lineout drills and breakdown work. Cash bonuses to every member of the squad who breaks/wrecks/damages any training equipment in the run up to the game.

The backs will work on defensive shape and work out moves to capitalize on the quick ball afforded by the forwards. Scott/Hogg/Dunbar/Fife/Seymore given free reign to move out of position to support the forwards on the break and work to put the same guys in as much space as possible.

Let the Gray bros, Dickinson, MacArthur and Dozer do the bulk of the carrying with Fusaro and Brown reverting to the chopper and jackal roles they excell in.

I can dream can't I?

I expect :

1. Grant
2. Ford
3. Lowe
4. Swinson
5. Hamilton
6. Beattie
7. Fusaro
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Hogg
11. Lamont (C)
12. Scott
13. Dunbar
14. Seymore
15. Cuthbert

lasy post but my input from another thread.

Surely the backline is:
9.   
10.   
11.       
12.   
13.   
14.   
15.  

I think the tumbleweed is an accurate reflection of speed of pass!

anyone with the technology able to make a missed tackle and a knock on emoticon?

While ASBO and Risky are discussing their heady social whirl on the other post can I mention we got a btw mention by Alastair Reid in today's Herald sport. He was on about social media and the effect it may have on the SRU. A guy in the Borders (Ross Forsyth) has set up a Facebook page dolling it out to the SRU and Johnson. We got a mention when Reid wrote about independent forum's going viral in their vitriolic attacks on Johnson and of course the SRU. Also of interest a guy replying to Massie's piece in the Hootsman that ASBO quoted in full in turn quoted Ally McLeod, the wendyball manager guy, when he spoke about fans can slag off the manager and he will survive but when they turn on the Chair and Board the manager gets canned. So we all know what to do then !     

You got any links 21st?

Don't want the press giving V2 a bad name...

It's true though....we're monster ravin' lunatic dogs here..... but still the jounalists read us to see what they should be thinking

RDW_Scotland wrote:You got any links 21st?

Don't want the press giving V2 a bad name...

Anything but - he was praising the effect we can /do have. I get a hard copy Herald so an actual newspaper. Believe The Herald is a pay per view website though.

The piece that c21st refers to from the Herald:

SRU can no longer ignore social media

by Alasdair Reid

Almost nine years ago, at a time when his imminent appointment as Scotland rugby coach was the worst-kept secret in the game, Frank Hadden was asked to comment on the fact that contributors to various online message boards had been fiercely critical of his suitability to the job.

Hadden shrugged. "The internet is the toilet wall of the 21st century," he replied.

Maybe so, but it is the biggest and busiest toilet the world has ever known. And while much that appears there is ephemeral, ill-considered and factually suspect, it is still a pretty good barometer of the public mood. Which is not good news for the Scotland team, the Scottish Rugby Union or national coach Scott Johnson.

Time was when the Murrayfield establishment could dismiss media criticism of the performance of their team or their stewardship of the wider game as the dyspeptic grumblings of a handful of wizened hacks. Not any more (even if there is still some truth in the charge). Over the past few days they have taken a fair kicking in the press - but they have also been given a savaging by a Scottish rugby public who are as tuned in to social media as they are turned off by the efforts of their national team.

The outpouring of anger after Saturday's abject performance against England, which resulted in a 20-0 defeat, was both swift and ferocious. On Twitter and Facebook and various independent forums, supporters have vented their anger and dismay at a performance and a result that flattened the spirits of everyone who cares for the game in these parts.

Some responses have been staggering. Paul Hayward, the Daily Telegraph's hugely respected chief sportswriter, penned an article that savaged the Scotland team, the Murrayfield atmosphere, the pitch and just about anything else that strayed into his line of fire. He also suggested that Scotland should start taking the Six Nations seriously or risk being kicked out of the tournament. At the time of writing, Hayward's piece has received almost 1100 readers' comments - and this on a site that sits behind a subscriber-only paywall.

However, by far the most interesting development has been the establishment of a Facebook page entitled Change for Scottish Rugby. It sprang up in the immediate aftermath of the Calcutta Cup defeat, but it has tapped into the zeitgeist with a wide-ranging call for sweeping changes to the way rugby is run in Scotland, for the establishment of another professional team, for a more focused player development system and for the rejection of the policy of importing players to plug gaps or as 'projects' who might eventually become Scotland internationalists.

The page was set up by Ross Forsyth, a 25-year-old Borderer, as a way of venting his frustration over the way Scotland have been playing and how the game as a whole is being run. Within a few days, it has attracted more than 3000 likes. As that number, still growing rapidly, would be a decent attendance at an Edinburgh game, the SRU would be well advised not to rubbish it.

"I could see on Facebook and Twitter the amount of people sharing articles calling for change," Forsyth explained. "So I thought I should do something and remove the feeling of powerlessness. People care about rugby in Scotland more than we give ourselves credit for. From the comments on this page, it is abundantly clear that the majority of the Scottish rugby public agree.

"We do not question the commitment of the players on the pitch; they can only play with the hand they are dealt and the SRU are dealing them a bad hand. We want to change the whole mindset and plan of the SRU. With public backing they will have no choice but to listen."

Last night, the fledgling movement announced plans to produce a manifesto. "Stopping the awful governance of the SRU is the overall objective," their statement explained. "But our primary goals are, to increase in the number of professional teams, radically improve the youth development structure and scrap 'international scouting' or 'project players'. We plan to highlight how we can achieve these goals and what these goals actually entail."

Spleens were being vented on tournament sponsors RBS's Scottish Rugby Page as well. "Sorry guys but that was a pathetic display today . . . something has to change," was one of the milder contributions. "What a total and utter embarrassment! Every last player a disgrace to the shirt," said another poster. "Get Scott Johnson out now!" thundered another.

The SRU, to their credit, have take the line that social media has to be embraced, not battled against. "We see social media as part of our commitment to supporters to keep them informed and engage directly with them," said Dominic McKay, the Union's head of Public Affairs. "It is a powerful and positive tool and we actively encourage our players to be role models and interact with supporters - so that they can hear their views directly.

"Social media is an overwhelmingly positive tool for engaging with supporters and enhancing their interest in Scottish Rugby. As an example, our Twitter feed covers every facet of the game in Scotland - from results in club and school matches to the international game. We recognise, of course, that it [also] enables supporters and others to offer their views on all manner of rugby topics and we of course welcome this."

Wonder if it is worth trying to reach Ross Forsyth and see if he wants to tie in with us at all and vice versa?

Might have to check with the powers that be on V2 as to what we are allowed to do...

I see Alasdair also refers to 21st Century himself!

"the toilet wall of the 21st century"


Hmmmm...not too nice about him though. 

The SRU, to their credit, have take the line that social media has to be embraced, not battled against. "We see social media as part of our commitment to supporters to keep them informed and engage directly with them," said Dominic McKay, the Union's head of Public Affairs. "It is a powerful and positive tool and we actively encourage our players to be role models and interact with supporters - so that they can hear their views directly.

"Social media is an overwhelmingly positive tool for engaging with supporters and enhancing their interest in Scottish Rugby. As an example, our Twitter feed covers every facet of the game in Scotland - from results in club and school matches to the international game. We recognise, of course, that it [also] enables supporters and others to offer their views on all manner of rugby topics and we of course welcome this."

'to their credit' my erse. McKay is polishing a turd there - they don't and won't act upon the feedback. It'll be a case of "my my, the supporters aren't happy one jot! Never mind, more Veuve Cliquot Gordon?"

Surely the ideal backline is

  
 


 
 
  

Surely we can at least get #lackingclue onto the new facebook page?

Italy will be targetting this game 100% as their best chance of a win. Scotland will find it hard to get any belief they can win. I suspect Italy win win and win well - the wooden spirtle for scotloand

The nightmare scenario for next weekend, it's a tied game, we're heading into the last few minutes. Italy punt the ball down field, it rolls into touch just on our 22. We man sausage up the resulting lineout handing possession back. As the clock ticks away the Italian forwards creep forwards inch by inch. Until with full time almost up, the ball is fed back to Tommy Allan who fires over the winning drop goal...   

I honestly think we'll win this one....Scotland always produce at least one shock in the 6N.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I honestly think we'll win this one....Scotland always produce at least one shock in the 6N.

despite how mince we were in the last two games, us beating italy would not be a shock I'd say. If they beat us I'd not class it as a shock either.

We have the players, we just need to pick the right ones in the right places and pull our fingers out and we can win this.

Wales lost to Ireland by the same points that we did. That would indicate that we are on a par with Wales and wales managed to beat italy! (totally fuzzy logic I know)

For me the nightmare scenario is that we yet again fail to score a try. We absolutely have to cross the whitewash in the next 80 minutes - it's not acceptable to have 6 points from 160 minutes of rugby. With all the chat about systems and repeat sets etc., you sometimes wonder if the whole point of the game, to score more points than the opposition, is lost on modern players.

There's absolutely no joy in Scotland's attacking play at the moment, and it's all play by numbers. We kick away too much possession (both Laidlaw and Weir share the blame for this) and there's no variety in our game. We seem to always attack the opposition at their point of strength, and I can only think of one or two moments against Ireland and England where we actually attacked space and found a chink or two in their defence.

That just isn't good enough. Yes, the problems stem from the forwards and the quality of possession being delivered to the backs, but even when we have briefly had a decent platform, we just seem to crab sideways with no runners offering to straighten the line.

I do believe we have better players than Italy, and regardless of home advantage, I do believe we should win this game. Those are my expectations. Italy will probably have more possession, but as we showed last year, we have good counterattacking players and should be aggressive in attack with turnover ball. In our case attack is the best form of defence, I don't see us winning these by simply absorbing the Italy pick and drive game and then hoofing the ball away whenever we get our hands on it. The Italians are vulnerable to the counter-attack, when their defence isn't rigidly formed, and we should be prepared to attack from everywhere accordingly.

With Bennett, MacArthur and Harley starting for Glasgow this weekend, and Cus, Welsh and Johnny Gray on the bench, I reckon my hopeful XXIII for Scotland versus Italy is shot to sh1te!

Oh well

Ford has been named on the bench for Edinburgh. Suspect is isn't more than Edinburgh struggling for fit hookers than anything else.

Well Bennett needs the gametime frankly, he's not had a lot of pro rugby this calendar year, so even if he were to start against Italy, I'd want him involved this weekend. I'd put Cusiter in a similar bracket. He had a long lay off previously, and the more he plays the better.

MacArthur seems to have done something to upset SJ and Humphreys.

funnyExiledScot wrote:For me the nightmare scenario is that we yet again fail to score a try. We absolutely have to cross the whitewash in the next 80 minutes - it's not acceptable to have 6 points from 160 minutes of rugby.

If you add in the Oz & Bok games, that's 0 tries in 320 minutes of rugby! But on a happier note 21 points in 4 games is better than 6 from 2...

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I honestly think we'll win this one....Scotland always produce at least one shock in the 6N.

Yeah but it's usually for the fans though

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ford has been named on the bench for Edinburgh.  Suspect is isn't more than Edinburgh struggling for fit hookers than anything else.

So whats scotlands excuse for picking him?

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ford has been named on the bench for Edinburgh.  Suspect is isn't more than Edinburgh struggling for fit hookers than anything else.

So whats scotlands excuse for picking him?

SJ is a Frak idiot