Scotland player ratings

First topic message reminder :

Grant - 6

Back on form, with a big shift but we need more from him just now.

Lawson - 8

Absolutely justified his selection, and should be our first choice hooker going forward. Perfect lineout and big shift in the loose.

Low - 4

A day to forget. Fair play to Johnson fir subbing him off early.

Gray - 8

Why was he ever dropped? Monstrous performance.

Hamilton - 7

Fair play to big Jim, the lineout went from a calamity to a pillar of strength. I don't think he even gave away any penalties!

Wilson - 6

Much better, but he's still not the answer at 6

Fusaro - 6

Turnover aside he had a quiet game, and still think he's underpowered at this level

Beattie - 7

Barnstorming game - becoming a real leader too

Laidlaw - 6

His position is becoming untenable - far to slow at ruck time and was caught napping on several occasions

Weir - 7

Would have been a 6 if not for that wonderful drop goal. Not the best game overall but an outstanding drop goal.

Lamont - 8

My motm - he may be slow but he always gets over the gainline. Such a physical presence.

Scott - 7

Much sharper this game, and straightened up the line perfectly for Dunbar's first try

Dunbar - 8

Two great tries, need to keep him and Scott together for the foreseeable future.

Seymour - 6

Quiet game

Hogg - 6

Some booming kicks, but guilty of forcing things in attack.


Subs

Dickinson - 7

Positive impact coming on. Putting pressure on grant.

Cross - 7

Gave great stability in the scrum, and put a big shift in the loose. Should start against France.

Denton - 7

Did what he does best, buy god he needs to work on his passing

Cusiter - 8

Turned the game when he came on - deserves the starting shirt

Taylor - 6

Not much involvement

Evans - 7

Big impact when he came on - best I've seen him in a long time

seriously, folk get paid for ocming up with this shoite?

the guardian would have been better off printing some of ASBO's comments on here instead! Would have been cheaper and would have made more sense (not much more, but a little - it is ASBO afterall)

Think the scores was a little to high

Laidlaw was very poor

Weir - looks panicked and how many times does he run sideways and then shove a ball in a panic in the general direction someone - reminds me of school boy rugby


I would stick with him to see if he improves, but he is giving me the 'NDLoonies' feeling

Risky - watch the game again and actually watch what Weir did. i understand you saying this and its a bit how it looked but at a second careful look he looked much better - and really put himself about in defense as well - tackling and rucking

He got a couple of hospital passes and managed to retain possession from them

tigertattie wrote: I don't want to pish on the parade but I really hope this win does not paper over the cracks!

I've got a funny feeling they'll be unpapered again shortly, it will be typically French for them to turn up at Murrayfield and blow us away even with some key players missing

See Dunbar clocked up 33.8km/h in his first try - the fastest speed by a Scotland player since the GPS units were first used in 2010. Bear in mind Hogg's had some blistering runs... Dunbar for wing?!

Nematode wrote:See Dunbar clocked up 33.8km/h in his first try - the fastest speed by a Scotland player since the GPS units were first used in 2010. Bear in mind Hogg's had some blistering runs... Dunbar for wing?!

Ritchie Veron would smash that record!

Dunbar started out as a winger as it happens, but I doubt he'd beat Sean Maitland over any significant distance. Still, moving Dunbar to 14 would allow the next Lions captain into the 13 jersey he was only recently born to fill  

funnyExiledScot wrote:Dunbar started out as a winger as it happens, but I doubt he'd beat Sean Maitland over any significant distance. Still, moving Dunbar to 14 would allow the next Lions captain into the 13 jersey he was only recently born to fill  

   

TJ wrote:Risky - watch the game again and actually watch what Weir did.  i understand you saying this and its a bit how it looked but at a second careful look he looked much better - and really put himself about in defense as well - tackling and rucking

He got a couple of hospital passes and managed to retain possession from them

It was also Dunky Weir's work on the ground where he stole the ball at a ruck that led to Dunbar's first try

Delighted with Scott and Dunbar in the centre, both big athletic guys with good mix of skills.  Very encouraging with the likes of Bennett, Horne, Taylor and Fife all coming through.

Thought big Jim and Gray had storming performances, seeing Gray carrying again was good.  Again very encouraging with Gray Jnr, Gilchrist and Swinson in reserve.

Still to be convinced by either Wilson or Fusaro but Beattie had a very good game and showed his class.  Think how much better it could be with Rennie, Brown, Barclay, Harley or Strokosch.

Fantastic composure from Weir, thought he had a decent game but screwed up a great opportunity. Have to stick with him, still very young and will only improve with experience plus he's got the tool kit to make us hard to beat.

Laidlaw didn't have a great day but Cusiter added more zip, has done enough to merit a start but who would be captain?

If Laidlaw is dropped, I think S Lamont should be made captain. Experienced player, leads by example, and it would almost certainly mean that he'd be dropped for the Wales game.....

Scotland look very good. Weir Scott Dunbar are the future, and Gray proves he should never have been dropped

I'd prefer someone younger: Grant? Hogg?

Looking at 9, that's one area I'd be concerned about ahead of RWC.  With only two International class 9s in Laidlaw and Cusiter, the cupboard is looking a little threadbare.  Don't think Prygos is good enough, Kennedy probably won't get enough game-time and don't know much about Hart.  

If I was Vern Cotter I'd wait and see how the back-up options develop but make sure I had Mike Blair's mobile.  Will be 34 by time RWC but playing well in Aviva and has plenty experience, would feel far more assured if he was in the squad as back-up.

reallybored wrote:I'd prefer someone younger: Grant? Hogg?

Looking at 9, that's one area I'd be concerned about ahead of RWC.  With only two International class 9s in Laidlaw and Cusiter, the cupboard is looking a little threadbare.  Don't think Prygos is good enough, Kennedy probably won't get enough game-time and don't know much about Hart.  

If I was Vern Cotter I'd wait and see how the back-up options develop but make sure I had Mike Blair's mobile.  Will be 34 by time RWC but playing well in Aviva and has plenty experience, would feel far more assured if he was in the squad as back-up.

Hogg at Captain? Bad Idea.

The captain is a second ref these days. IMO it has to be someone who is involved at the breakdown since that is the area where refs often get it wrong or can be influenced.

McCaw, Warburton, O'Connell, Robshaw, Dusatoir (when fit), Parisse all guys who will be involved at the breakdown. Laidlaw still works because he is the one that has to go digging for the ball. Cus would be a sound choice too but I wouldn't drop another Captain.

Kelly Brown would still be my choice as Captain or Barclay.

Although SJ doesnt seem to rate them or pick them.

Fool.

I woud have Brown at captain and build a team around a core of guys like Gray, Weir, Scott and of course Brown. We have a good choice at 9 hence not including them in that list

Beattie jnr as captain?

I'd have Brown as he is clearly a leader and will never give less than his all. He may not be the very best player - but in a Scotland shirt he stands 10 ft tall. Beattie - dunno. Is he a team man / leader?

reallybored wrote:I'd prefer someone younger: Grant? Hogg?

Looking at 9, that's one area I'd be concerned about ahead of RWC.  With only two International class 9s in Laidlaw and Cusiter, the cupboard is looking a little threadbare.  Don't think Prygos is good enough, Kennedy probably won't get enough game-time and don't know much about Hart.  

If I was Vern Cotter I'd wait and see how the back-up options develop but make sure I had Mike Blair's mobile.  Will be 34 by time RWC but playing well in Aviva and has plenty experience, would feel far more assured if he was in the squad as back-up.

You forgot to mention Sam Hidalgo-Clyne. What he doesn't know about personal grooming isn't worth knowing.

He's the future I reckon, mark my words.

I like the look of Kennedy personally, nothing too flashy but zippy service and plays with tempo. Aaron Smith esque.

Obviously i'd prefer Brown as captain right now but he's obviously annoyed Johnson.

Long-term; Jonny Gray?

Certainly from the impact he's had at Glasgow this season I can see J Gray captaining Scotland before too long

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Certainly from the impact he's had at Glasgow this season I can see J Gray captaining Scotland before too long

True dat.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Certainly from the impact he's had at Glasgow this season I can see J Gray captaining Scotland before too long

One for the future no doubt, but I don't think he will be captain this side of the world cup. Johnny Beattie may be a good left field pick at the moment thought, poacher turned game keeper and all that. He seems to be in the mood to nail down the no.8 shirt (which is the first requirement of any captain and rules many candidates out), something he should probably have done a long time ago. He captained Montpellier in the HK and seemed to do a pretty good job.

It would be helpful to have the spine of the side nailed down - 2,5,8,9,10,15 - reckon if we can pick the same right players in those that would be a real start on the journey to RWC15

The only worry for Beattie is that he'll have Strauss to compete with for 8, not to mention Denton and Du Preez in a few years.

But certainly right now I like the thought of Denton, Rennie/Barclay, Beattie.

I think we need a captain for now and for the run up to the world cup. Strauss may or may not get into the squad but he will hardly play any games before then. I think he is a better 6 than 8 anyway, that's where he usually packs down for Glasgow, with Wilson at 8 when they are at full strength. Him coming on board would not necessarily effect Beattie being captain. Beattie has that ball playing capability that none of the others quite possess and for me marks him out as the best 8.

This is probably part of SJ thinking in not wanting to play KB at blindside, players like Strauss and Du Preez can do things there that KB unfortunately cannot. He just does not have the sheer brute physicality that modern international 6's require. Wilson may or may not be able to be turned into such a player, he certainly has the athleticism and some skill but currently lacks a touch of the physicality. Denton on the other hand does have the physicality, but lacks a bit of the required finesse.

If neither make it their position, then he knows that these other big brutes are coming up quickly behind him and from what we have seen they will slot into international rugby fairly seamlessly. We need a squad as well, more than one good player in each position. Pretty soon I would imagine that we are going to be in a position of some strength there.

Don't think Denton is the answer at 6. He could be but he isn't at the moment. He is too hungry with the ball in hand to be a 6, at least the way we need a 6.

Mind you POM for Ireland is a 6 who carries like an 8. and poaches like a 7. He has been player of the tournament so far for me.

Thing is I'm not opposed to Dozer at 6, but I feel we have better 6s who do what we need them to do in the form of Stroks and Brown.

If Denton was given time at 6 for Burgh and developed his game a backrow of Denton, Rennie/Barclay and Beattie could be very strong indeed.

I'd prefer Denton at 6 to Wilson, but I'd prefer Strokosch, Harley or Brown at 6 to Denton.

Ultimately Strauss and Du Preez are going to offer us two excellent options in that position.

Happy with Beattie, Denton and Wilson to slug it out for the 8 jersey.

Truth is as it stands, Beattie fits the profile of a 6 better than Denton. He gets through more unseen work and still has the occasional big carry.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:It would be helpful to have the spine of the side nailed down - 2,5,8,9,10,15 - reckon if we can pick the same right players in those that would be a real start on the journey to RWC15

Here you go:

2.McInally
5.Gilchrist
8.Denton
9.Hidalgo-Clyne
10.Leonard
15.Tonks

  

Cusiter, Seymour, Swinson, J Gray and MacArthur all starting for Glasgow tomorrow. Jackson back at 10, Russell at 12.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:It would be helpful to have the spine of the side nailed down - 2,5,8,9,10,15 - reckon if we can pick the same right players in those that would be a real start on the journey to RWC15

Here you go:

2.McInally
5.Gilchrist
8.Denton
9.Hidalgo-Clyne
10.Leonard
15.Tonks

  

No, no, fES, this is an exercise to be completed with both eyes open

Captain_Sensible wrote:Cusiter, Seymour, Swinson, J Gray and MacArthur all starting for Glasgow tomorrow. Jackson back at 10, Russell at 12.

Pleased with that - I want all players involved next weekend to be battle hardened. A Jackson/Russell combination is quite exciting, and hopefully it means good ball for the outside backs to work with.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd prefer Denton at 6 to Wilson, but I'd prefer Strokosch, Harley or Brown at 6 to Denton.

Ultimately Strauss and Du Preez are going to offer us two excellent options in that position.

Happy with Beattie, Denton and Wilson to slug it out for the 8 jersey.

i though both strauss and du preez were no 8s ? can they play6 or 7 ? if so how well ?

at 6 we need rennie back then hes a shoe in there no ? whens he back ?

Both Strauss and Du Preez can play both 6 and 8, and in my view play both to an equally high standard. For their clubs I see the optimal back rows being:

Soap Dodgers: 6.Strauss 7.Fusaro 8.Wilson
Mighty Edinburgh: 6.Du Preez 7.Rennie 8.Denton

Rennie is a specialist 7, no question about that.

So RWC best options is smthg like ?

8. Beattie
7. Rennie
6. Strauss

Those three with Denton on the bench would be a pretty useful trio. Put the Gray brothers together at lock (with Gilchrist or Swinson on the bench), add in Nel, Cusack, Grant, Dickinson and (hopefully, assuming he develops as planned) McInally, and we could have a pretty physical and dynamic looking pack to the RWC.

Quite a lot of new players to integrate in a short space of time though. Lucky we have a coaching legend like Scott Johnson on board. Fingers crossed that Cotter adds a much needed degree of competence!

funnyExiledScot wrote:Those three with Denton on the bench would be a pretty useful trio. Put the Gray brothers together at lock (with Gilchrist or Swinson on the bench), add in Nel, Cusack, Grant, Dickinson and (hopefully, assuming he develops as planned) McInally, and we could have a pretty physical and dynamic looking pack to the RWC.

Quite a lot of new players to integrate in a short space of time though. Lucky we have a coaching legend like Scott Johnson on board. Fingers crossed that Cotter adds a much needed degree of competence!

Imagine having a backrow squad all training together of Brown, Stroks, Harley, Strauss, du Preez, Barclay, Rennie, Fusaro, Beattie, Denton & Wilson - if that lot cannot push each either to a higher level, then feic knows what can

funnyExiledScot wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:It would be helpful to have the spine of the side nailed down - 2,5,8,9,10,15 - reckon if we can pick the same right players in those that would be a real start on the journey to RWC15

Here you go:

2.McInally
5.Gilchrist
8.Denton
9.Hidalgo-Clyne
10.Leonard
15.Tonks

  

Just checking, this is a joke, right?

Indeed, along with many of fES's utterances these days

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Those three with Denton on the bench would be a pretty useful trio. Put the Gray brothers together at lock (with Gilchrist or Swinson on the bench), add in Nel, Cusack, Grant, Dickinson and (hopefully, assuming he develops as planned) McInally, and we could have a pretty physical and dynamic looking pack to the RWC.

Quite a lot of new players to integrate in a short space of time though. Lucky we have a coaching legend like Scott Johnson on board. Fingers crossed that Cotter adds a much needed degree of competence!

Imagine having a backrow squad all training together of Brown, Stroks, Harley, Strauss, du Preez, Barclay, Rennie, Fusaro, Beattie, Denton & Wilson - if that lot cannot push each either to a higher level, then feic knows what can

RWC could be

1. Grant
2. Lawson
3. Cusack
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Strauss
7. Rennie
8. Beattie
9. Cus
10. Russell
11. No Maits
12 Scott
13. Dunbar
14 Visser
15 Hogg

bench Denton, Mcarthur,   , Brown, Swinston, Nel, Seymour, Horne , Laidlaw,

ach come one! you'll get FES blowing his top with that selection!

Russell playing in the world cup and we've no even capped him yet?

FES explosion imminent

I'd worry about who on that bench is going to cover LH or hooker... My money on Weir at loosie and Denton at hooker; possibly the only person whose darts would likely be worse than Ford's. Rather than throwing the lineout in, he'd keep hold of the ball and dive into the nearest opposition forward to be penalised for holding on.

No place for Peter Horne Alive ? He is back training and would be a dynamic bench i/c

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:No place for Peter Horne Alive ?  He is back training and would be a dynamic bench i/c

updated

i/c fb and fly half

Hornee furra lineeee !