6N Round 3: Scotland v Italy, 28 February

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SCOTLAND v ITALY
Saturday 28 February 2015
KO 14:30 (GMT)
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Live on BBC1

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
AR1: Romain Poite (FFR)
AR2: Leighton Hodges (WRU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

A. Teams:

1. SCOTLAND

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Mark Bennett
12 Alex Dunbar
11 Sean Lamont
10 Peter Horne
09 Greig Laidlaw (capt)

01 Alasdair Dickinson
02 Ross Ford
03 Euan Murray
04 Tim Swinson
05 Jonny Gray
06 Rob Harley
07 Blair Cowan
08 Johnnie Beattie

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ryan Grant
18 Geoff Cross
19 Ben Toolis
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Greig Tonks
23 Matt Scott

2. ITALY

15 Luke McLean
14 Michele Visentin
13 Luca Morisi
12 Enrico Bacchin
11 Giovambattista Venditti
10 Kelly Haimona
09 Edoardo Gori

01 Matias Aguero
02 Leonardo Ghiraldini
03 Dario Chistolini
04 George Fabio Biagi
05 Joshua Furno
06 Francesco Minto
07 Simone Favaro
08 Sergio Parisse (capt)

16 Andrea Manici
17 Alberto De Marchi
18 Lorenzo Cittadini
19 Marco Fuser
20 Samuela Vunisa
21 Guglielmo Palazzani
22 Tommaso Allan
23 Giulio Bisegni.

B. Form (last 4 games):

1. SCOTLAND

15/02/15 - Scotland 23 - 26 Wales

07/02/15 - France 15 - 8 Scotland

22/11/14 - Scotland 37 - 12 Tonga

15/11/14 - Scotland 16 - 24 New Zealand

2. ITALY

14/02/15 - England 47 - 17 Italy

07/02/15 - Italy 3 - 26 Ireland

22/11/14 - Italy 6–22 South Africa

14/11/14 - Italy 18–20 Argentina

C. Head to Head:

21 Played 21

14 Wins 7

7 Losses 14

0 Draws 0

40 Tries 28

30 Conversions 23

58 Penalties 50

5 Drop Goals 6

475 Points 365

I hope to hell it's Kelly Brown. Surely it is.

Knowing our luck, it will be Dan Parks and Graeme Morrison.

If Denton fit, am surprised he was not given a run out at the weekend.

Grant and Toolis did and more significantly both were pulled at half time, which you would imagine was pre-ordained. Both likely to be in the match day squad and I have no issue with either. Grant was looking much more like his old self on Saturday and is still probably one of our best two LH's.

I think both will start on the bench.

Scottish Rugby wrote:Scrum-half Chris Cusiter and prop Moray Low have been called up from English Premiership clubs Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs, along with Glasgow Warriors duo Adam Ashe (number 8) and Alex Allan (prop), and Edinburgh Rugby number 8 David Denton.

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/15/02/23/five-added-scotland-squad

Forgot about Ashe - when did he last play?

Wonder if this means Beattie will miss out, although it is a bit of a risk having 2 number 8s that aren't match fit.

Low, Allan and Cusiter are all pretty much injury replacements for Reid, Welsh and Pyrgos. Though Cus could have more of a case, as he would likely have been in the first place if he had been fit, He has also got a case for starting at SH due to Laidlaw's poor performance last week, though if ever there was a game to start S H-C then surely it will be this one.

Ashe and Beattie are in for the No.8 spot, though I suppose questions do need to be asked if they are fit enough to start. Maybe one to start and one to bench, which we could probably get away with against Italy. Beattie did not do enough in the past two games to keep his place.

It is going to make things even harder for Glasgow next weekend though!

If Beattie plays against Italy he's pretty lucky.

So Low and Allan are invited into the squad ahead of Ryan Grant? That kebab shop episode will be the bane of his life.

I see what you did there, but has Grant not already been added to the squad?

Neither Ashe or Denton can be anywhere near fit? hopefully if they get a half each against italy maybe they will be in a slightly better position for the last two games. Even as a Beattie fan i have to admit we need more go forward and physicality from 8

Cusiter 9, Laidlaw 10, against Italy? Technically Laidlaw is actually the most experienced international 10 in the squad?

Of course not Kelly Brown. How silly of me, although it does bode well for Harley's fitness.

Difficult to choose between Dozer and Ashe as neither will have any match sharpness, so you would have to go for Denton as the more experienced, larger and (potentially, if he stops worrying about his hair in that east-coast manner he has patented) more dynamic player.

Wouldn't really make sense to bump Samwise from the starting 9 shirt as he was clearly Laidlaw's understudy to date. Delighted to have a standby 9 as good as Cus - Sale fans I know have been fairly happy with his form, so am unsure where the Blackadder-esque uprisings from the bottom are coming from.

Sam H-C Is going to be the incumbent for the jersey in the next few years but this is a must win game, Italy are going to try and spoil and disrupt our attacking platforms as much as possible maybe the experience of Cusiter would be usefull to steady the ship? Mind you if Vern does go for Laidlaw at 10 and Sam at 9 it would show he thinks he is the real deal so that would be positive.

George Carlin wrote:Difficult to choose between Dozer and Ashe as neither will have any match sharpness, so you would have to go for Denton as the more experienced, larger and (potentially, if he stops worrying about his hair in that east-coast manner he has patented) more dynamic player.

So true. It does make you wonder how many tries he would have scored if he hadn't stopped mid-line-break to spray on more Elnett Volume Excess.

Cotter has a healthy disregard for experienced players so I can't imagine Cusiter getting in ahead of SH-C. I think we'll see Laidlaw and Tonks. Hopefully Laidlaw doesn't see this as a reason to take on all the game management decision and just box kick everything away and slow things down.

Tonks will be quite handy against that Italian 17 stone fly half now I come to think of it, Tonks is a very good one on one tackler, and Italy have been using that guy on the crash ball quite a bit and using Gori (who is superb) to get quick ball off him.

Have got myself tickets to this, and looking forward to it!

funnyExiledScot wrote:Cotter has a healthy disregard for experienced players so I can't imagine Cusiter getting in ahead of SH-C. I think we'll see Laidlaw and Tonks. Hopefully Laidlaw doesn't see this as a reason to take on all the game management decision and just box kick everything away and slow things down.

I'm really, really worried that this is what will happen.

Frodo has 'previous' in this regard and I don't think ever played at Edinburgh with the Tonkmeister at 10.

He certainly does - he did the same with Jackson outside him. He clearly didn't trust Jackson to kick the ball away, so he just did it himself. Fine with Morrison at 12, NDL at 13 and Lamont trundling away on the wings, but it is frankly criminal not to get Bennett and Hogg on the ball at every possible opportunity.

Hogg's stats this 6 Nations are exceptional, but he needs the ball to work his magic.

I should also add the Tonks isn't a bad player ball in hand, plus if Laidlaw wants to find distance with a kick, Tonks is your man. He has a ferocious left peg.

I don't think it is likely but I would love to see H-C and Tonks for this. It would be the most attacking option we have assuming Russell's ban stands.

I'm looking forward to this as well. I'm going with 2 mates who are new recruits to rugby and have given me a 2nd chance after their 1st game at Murrayfield - last season's Calcutta Cup

Can't be as bad a game as that

Magnus Bradbury seems to be highly thought of. The photo shows he's training with the first team squad.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/six-nations-scotland-call-up-five-for-italy-clash-1-3698728

Weegie Wizard wrote:I don't think it is likely but I would love to see H-C and Tonks for this. It would be the most attacking option we have assuming Russell's ban stands.

I'm looking forward to this as well. I'm going with 2 mates who are new recruits to rugby and have given me a 2nd chance after their 1st game at Murrayfield - last season's Calcutta Cup

Can't be as bad a game as that

kiss of death!

I'm taking my parents so need to temper the language from how I was at the Wales game!!

SHC and Tonks would be a very exciting partnership but think it would be too green for the coaches to consider. I imagine if Tonks starts then Laidlaw will, though I would make it very clear that if he kicks away with a good overlap twice, and doesn't keep the defence straight, he's off.

Suggestion of SHC 9 and Laidlaw 10 is interesting. I wouldn't, but it could keep the Italians guessing given either could show up at 9 or 10, and Hogg could show up at first receiver too. Lots of options.

The Times today thinks Swinson is in line to start, and Horne at 10. Don't read too much into that though... I would definitely take Toolis and Tonks.

George Carlin wrote:

Frodo has 'previous' in this regard and I don't think ever played at Edinburgh with the Tonkmeister at 10.

They played a lot together last season!

When the Scotman 'guesses' the team, then you know it's going to happen.

Anything associated with the fetid stench of Stephen Jones, the journalistic equivalent of an anal violation with a christmas tree, should be ignored and sunk in lead under the ocean.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Frodo has 'previous' in this regard and I don't think ever played at Edinburgh with the Tonkmeister at 10.

They played a lot together last season!

With Tonks at 10? Bugger me - I need to stop drinking spirits.

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Frodo has 'previous' in this regard and I don't think ever played at Edinburgh with the Tonkmeister at 10.

They played a lot together last season!

With Tonks at 10? Bugger me - I need to stop drinking spirits.

Yep - some decent wins too (yes, we did have some!)

I think we will see a few surprises for this one, to be honest we should beat Italy even with a bit of gentle tinkering and a few players probably deserve to get dropped after the last game.

Cotter is no respecters of reputations and probably would like to see a few more in action before the world cup. I think Tonks will start if Russell does not play, if not they would have given him a half for Edinburgh. I think S H-C will start as well, if not know then when and Toolis will bench.

There will be changes in the back row as well. I think Watson deserves a go, but Cowan played well, so it won't be in place of him, bench maybe, but he played the whole game for Edinburgh, which probably means that is less likely. The back row selection will be interesting!

Does anyone know when the Russell appeal result is due?

Would be a surprise if Swinson went straight into the team - partly because he's seriously lacking match fitness, and mainly because he's probably our 5th best lock just now!

Never been convinced he's big enough at this level.

Who is Cusiter covering for? Pyrgos or SHC - or is he just an extra player?

Think he's made the right call - I would like to see more Edinburgh forwards in the squad but you don't want to weaken Edinburgh given the likes of Low and Allan probably won't start.

I reckon we'll see Hamilton and Gray with Toolis on the bench.

Times said Hamilton is a doubt now. Again, read from that what you will.

I expect he'll [Hamilton] start, he's had 2 weeks to recover from anything.

Cusiter interview on SRU YouTube saying he doesn't know how long he'll be in the squad but wants to stick around for as long as possible. Doesn't sound like someone going to start.

If Laidlaw doesn't start (I think he will), who will take the kicks (if SHC or Cusiter is on, assuming Tonks starts at 10)? Hogg?

If Hamilton is injured he'll maybe go for Swinson over his relative 'experience'.

AS for goal kicks, if we're relying on Hogg then we'll need to make sure we score a lot of tries!

I can see Vern going for S H-C and Tonks as they will be familiar with each other playing 9 and 10!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31588224

Castro is out for Italy it appears

As much as I would like SHC to start, I can’t see it. With Russell out and it being Tonks first game, I would imagine Vern will want experience alongside him. Same situation if it’s horne. Also any word on how SHC’s concussion tests have been going?

If Hamilton is fit, I think he’ll start alongside Gray, he’s been on the bench for the last few games, it makes sense that he would step into the side and Toolis/Swinson takes his bench spot. I think Toolis would be a better option than Hamilton personally.

I wouldn't be happy with Swinson instead of Toolis - either starting or on the bench.
Don't really understand on what basis that's justifiable.

Agree, I'd much prefer Toolis. I just wonder if experience would play a part. Hopefully not.

Maybe he might see Toolis and Jonny as the same type of lock - i.e. the athletic lineout jumping number 5, and he needs an 'enforcer' in there instead to play at 4?

Given our shocking penalty record I think an enforcer is the last thing we need. Especially if it’s Hamilton. I know I’ve just said I expect him to be in the side, but he is a liability.

Although to be fair, given how bad Italy's goal kickers are it might not be that big a deal to give away so many penalties!

True. But considering how often we mess up try scoring opportunities by giving away cheap pens, it would be nice to not be in the situation where we plug away through several phases only for someone to get penalized.

What are people's expectations of the game?

I want to see an almost perfect performance from Scotland:

- Not giving away any silly or unneccesary penalties and trusting the defensive system (I'd rather Italy scored so we could see where the weaknesses were than give away a penalty).
- Good opportunities created and finished, be that from quick ball or set piece.
- The back-row imposing themselves.

Nematode wrote:Cusiter interview on SRU YouTube saying he doesn't know how long he'll be in the squad but wants to stick around for as long as possible. Doesn't sound like someone going to start.

If Laidlaw doesn't start (I think he will), who will take the kicks (if SHC or Cusiter is on, assuming Tonks starts at 10)? Hogg?

if Laidlaw isn't on and S H-C is, then Sam will likely take the kicks at goal!

If S H-C isn't on then Bennett or Hogg would be the next ones on the list!

Nematode wrote:What are people's expectations of the game?

I want to see an almost perfect performance from Scotland:

- Not giving away any silly or unneccesary penalties and trusting the defensive system (I'd rather Italy scored so we could see where the weaknesses were than give away a penalty).
- Good opportunities created and finished, be that from quick ball or set piece.
- The back-row imposing themselves.

For me this last bit is the most important. I think the main reason we have been giving away so many penalties is that our breakdown is not as good as it could be. I've always thought Ford's work at the breakdown is not great and although he has played OK, Cowan isnt as good as the other 7s in the 6N. If only we had another openside who was available...
Also, Beattie needs to sort himself out immediately or he will be missing another world cup.

I am just so so glad this fixture is at Murreyfield, Scotland having to go to Italy and get a result would be almost to much for me to handle after the France and Wales strain on my fragile emotions

Agree Prothero. What I can't take is another nail biter ending in disappointment. After Edinburgh vs Ulster I can't take it.

Perhaps we should start Cusiter, that we the game will be over after 6 minutes (21-0).

Honestly, we should win this well (10 - 15 points margin). We are the better side with the better pack and more attacking players out wide. Italy are physical but lack discipline, and whilst they did make Ireland and England work hard in patches, over 80 minutes both those sides won with some to spare. We just need to cut out the basic errors (missed kicks to touch and forced knock-ons), win our scrums and lineouts whilst putting them under pressure and getting the ball wide when it's on to Bennett and Hogg.

We shouldn't need to do anything spectacular to win this game.

Starting to wonder if Kelly Brown and John Barclay have sharing Vern's wife, there is literally no other explanation for their continued absence. The last five years have been characterised by players playing for Scotland who simply weren't good enough for any other nation excluding Italy and, thankfully, most of them have now moved on however how the likes of Lamont and Hamilton remain and Barclay and Brown, two of our genuinely quality players, can't get a sniff could be costly. Cowan works his balls off but he's not even half the player of the other two and is older than Barclay (who's coming into his prime age for a loose forward). The areas we seem most lost at at the moment is the breakdown and a lack of leadership so we have an ex-captain and a guy once thought of as a potential Lions captain who are excellent at the breakdown sitting twiddling their thumbs.

I also never thought I'd be desperate for Jackson or Weir to be fit, however it has posed an interesting question, if Jackson, Weir and Russell are fit for the world cup, and presumably we'll only take two 10s initially, who misses out?

Who misses out:

I'd initially say Jackson as he's been out for a long, long time, however, he is more like Russell in his style of play. But then Weir is a better goal kicker... Hard to tell.