Super Saturday, Game 2: Scotland v Ireland

by **George Carlin** Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:42 am

First topic message reminder :

SCOTLAND v IRELAND
Saturday 21 March 2015
KO: 14:30
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
AR1: Pascal Gauzere (FFR)
AR2: Federico Anselmi (UAR)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

***********************

A. Teams

SCOTLAND
Super Saturday, Game 2: Scotland v Ireland - Page 3 Glasgo10

Super Saturday, Game 2: Scotland v Ireland - Page 3 Glasgo10

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby)
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors)
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors)
09 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester)

01 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors)
02 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
03 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors)
04 Jim Hamilton (Saracens)
05 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
06 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors)
07 Blair Cowan (London Irish)
08 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)

16 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Geoff Cross (London Irish)
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors)
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby)
22 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby)
23 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)

IRELAND
Super Saturday, Game 2: Scotland v Ireland - Page 3 Father10

Super Saturday, Game 2: Scotland v Ireland - Page 3 Father10

15 Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13 Jared Payne (Ulster)
12 Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11 Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
10 Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro)
09 Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

01 Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
02 Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
03 Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
04 Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
05 Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) captain
06 Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
07 Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
08 Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)

16 Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
18 Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19 Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
20 Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
22 Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
23 Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)

B. Head to Head

119 Played 119

58 Wins 56

56 Losses 58

5 Draws 5

187 Tries 200

96 Conversions 102

128 Penalties 104

32 Drop Goals 15

1,234 Points 1,301

by R!skysports Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:14 pm

I recon we are going to get thumped - nothing over the last year has shown that we have really improved. We have had about 40 mins (In total) of ok rugby this 6 nations and the rest has been fairly dire

We are in such a bad place, that we cling onto small scraps and project that into an every increasing sense of optimistic doom that in the minds of the fans, we will lose and win in equal measure at the same time, and we grab onto the false economy of 'could have should have' that yields little or no return

Ireland by 15

by **rodders** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:15 pm

Ireland need to forget about the points difference and get back to basics. Use the high ball and defence to put pressure on the scots.

I don't think Ireland have the capacity to score many tries and our best bet for acruing a decent points difference is to just chip away at the scoreboard and rely on our discipline and workrate in defence to keep the score low for Scotland.

If we finish up with a > 10-12 point gap I'd be delighted but this is a very dangerous game for Ireland and to lose it, which is very plausible, would be a disaster way to finish the tournament.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:16 pm

ME-109 wrote:
Nachos Jones_1 wrote:To be fair Fly, I am getting a little tired of this forum. I like our discussions but its becoming a joke, maybe I should just be a yes man, say everything is going fine and worship Notch if I am going to enjoy my time on here

Not only the team are now being coached as such the posters on here follow the same regime....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXa9tXcMhXQ

Clearly Zebo has not been assimilated enough (or maybe too much - damned if you do and damned if you dont)

Oh much prefer this as My Adulation Song to Starship Trooper Joe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Tkx6BgRFE

by Nachos Jones_1 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:18 pm

ME-109 wrote:

Clearly Zebo has not been assimilated enough (or maybe too much - damned if you do and damned if you dont)

People will see that Zebo has not had a good 6N but how much ball has he had to perform and the tactics are not defined for him to perform so he will be cast aside...

Repeating again but the main player issues are at 7,8 and 15 not with Zebo. I cant believe that Schmidt, the assumed tactical genius, is blind to see this.

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:18 pm

Judicious use of the high ball would be good, but we should be trying to be a bit more explosive with our ball carrying around the fringes and move the ball away from the point of contact much faster

I suppose if Henderson isn't coming in for Toner thats a sign we still rate the lineout and maul over dangerous carries in phase play.

by ME-109 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:24 pm

Nachos Jones_1 wrote:
ME-109 wrote:

Clearly Zebo has not been assimilated enough (or maybe too much - damned if you do and damned if you dont)

People will see that Zebo has not had a good 6N but how much ball has he had to perform and the tactics are not defined for him to perform so he will be cast aside...

Repeating again but the main player issues are at 7,8 and 15 not with Zebo. I cant believe that Schmidt, the assumed tactical genius, is blind to see this.

So we will have a backline of the non tackling, non passing kearndog, an oc who plays FB at his club, an IC who plays OC and a wing who has most recently played OC. I cant wait to see the backline moves on Sat.

I am not surprised Zebo might be dropped because its Joe (maybe it was him disguised as both Bowe and Heaslip for the Welsh try). Maybe its because I'm a Londoner...

Just to add maybe we should put POC as OC given he was responsible for two of the three linebreaks we made last weekend. Makes sense no?

by **RDW** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:27 pm

I suppose Zebo falls into the Visser category - very good if your game plan is to actually use his strengths, a bit of a waste of space (maybe a bit harsh) if it isn't.

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:28 pm

Zebo has neither been bad enough that I can endorse the decision to drop him (IF the report is accurate) nor good enough for me to object to it.

It's a big meh all round. Fitzgerald will do roughly the same job, roughly as well. I do hope he remains in the squad though, at least on the bench as our outside back replacement.

by ME-109 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:29 pm

Maybe RDW but he has been following the coaching ticket and resourcing rucks as expected, defending well etc. Not much good having your arse in the air for most of the game as a winger but hey there you go.

Not sure McGrath deserves to be dropped either for a non-functioning healy (at least not fully fit). Given Cronin and Henderson made the most impact last Sat when they came on he seems to have got added to the coattails of that cabal

by Scottish White Line Fever Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:31 pm

Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:32 pm

Scottish White Line Fever wrote:Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

That'll be the one. And we'll be looking to get a few catch and drives going should you concede penalties in your own half.

by Scottish White Line Fever Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:32 pm

Scottish White Line Fever wrote:Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown and win this match comfortably, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

by **rodders** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:32 pm

Notch wrote:I suppose if Henderson isn't coming in for Toner thats a sign we still rate the lineout and maul over dangerous carries in phase play.

I'd say its also in line with the idea that it will be very tight for the first 60-70 min and Joe will be banking on the impact from the bench to up the ante in the last 20.

Harsh on Zebo but I think it makes sense to have a look at Fitzgerald with the RWC in mind.

by Nachos Jones_1 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:33 pm

ME-109 wrote:

So we will have a backline of the non tackling, non passing kearndog, an oc who plays FB at his club, an IC who plays OC and a wing who has most recently played OC. I cant wait to see the backline moves on Sat.

I am not surprised Zebo might be dropped because its Joe (maybe it was him disguised as both Bowe and Heaslip for the Welsh try). Maybe its because I'm a Londoner...

Just to add maybe we should put POC as OC given he was responsible for two of the three linebreaks we made last weekend. Makes sense no?

You know, I am not against Henshaw playing 12 myself, think he has done a very good job there. Also not against Payne at 13 but he would have to start playing there for Ulster or move him to 15 for Ireland as well.

I will be accused of Munster bias again but just what else does Earls have to do to get a look in at 13, the form 13 in Irish rugby right now.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:33 pm

Notch wrote:
Scottish White Line Fever wrote:Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

That'll be the one. And we'll be looking to get a few catch and drives going should you concede penalties in your own half.

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

by Scottish White Line Fever Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:35 pm

Notch wrote:
Scottish White Line Fever wrote:Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

That'll be the one. And we'll be looking to get a few catch and drives going should you concede penalties in your own half.

Absolutely, for some reason Scotland don't challenge line outs in our own 22, despite being unable to deal with mauls and neither do we stand off the line out and just sack the carrier at the back of the maul. Personally, I think it's worth trying to challenge for the ball, because we've won a few opposition line outs this tournament - it's probably one of the few things we've been good at!

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:35 pm

Jimpy wrote:
Notch wrote:
Scottish White Line Fever wrote:Ireland can exploit Scotland's frailties at the breakdown, simply by pinning us back into our own half with clever kicks and forcing us into making mistakes. Our game management has been pretty poor, as we've either constantly kicked the ball away or just tried to play too much rugby in our own half and given away penalties as a result.

That'll be the one. And we'll be looking to get a few catch and drives going should you concede penalties in your own half.

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

Cool

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:39 pm

Jimpy wrote:

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

You certainly hope so., Jimpy. And who can fault you for hoping.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:42 pm

SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

You certainly hope so., Jimpy. And who can fault you for hoping.

Hope?

Scotland are due a win, if only to save face, and Scotland seem to know how to do alright against Ireland... I dunno... Anyway, even if Ireland win, it wont be by enough I suspect. A close game is on the cards at Murrayfield.

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:43 pm

Nachos Jones_1 wrote:
ME-109 wrote:

So we will have a backline of the non tackling, non passing kearndog, an oc who plays FB at his club, an IC who plays OC and a wing who has most recently played OC. I cant wait to see the backline moves on Sat.

I am not surprised Zebo might be dropped because its Joe (maybe it was him disguised as both Bowe and Heaslip for the Welsh try). Maybe its because I'm a Londoner...

Just to add maybe we should put POC as OC given he was responsible for two of the three linebreaks we made last weekend. Makes sense no?

You know, I am not against Henshaw playing 12 myself, think he has done a very good job there. Also not against Payne at 13 but he would have to start playing there for Ulster or move him to 15 for Ireland as well.

I will be accused of Munster bias again but just what else does Earls have to do to get a look in at 13, the form 13 in Irish rugby right now.

Hmmm, Payne has only played two games at 15 all season for Ulster, and those were both down to injuries meaning he needed to move there. Other that he's played exclusively at 13 for Ulster since the summer.

As for what Earls needs to do, probably needs someone to pick up an injury. Schmidt doesn't really care too much about Pro12 form, preferring to base selection on training sessions, and he is also adverse to breaking up combinations in the middle of a championship. So when you're back at your province it's easier to play yourself out of the Ireland squad than into it. Ripping it up in the Pro12 means naught at test level and it's no longer enough to get you into the team on it's own.

I agree with the bit about combinations, if you criticise Ireland for a lack of fluency in the back line a centre combination that has never played together before probably isn't the answer. I do think you could apply the same logic to Fitzgerald coming in, although unlike Earls and Henshaw he does have experience playing with Kearney and Bowe. I don't think Fitzgerald will make an difference to Zebo being in, but on the other hand it's good to see a range of players getting chances before the World Cup.

I'd be staggered if we don't see Earls tried at some point in the World Cup warm-up games although I still think he has more to offer on the wing.

by Majestic83 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:45 pm

Scotland team is

R Grant
R Ford
E Murray
J Hamilton
J Gray
A Ashe
B Cowan
D Denton
G Laidlaw
F Russell
T Seymour
M Scott
M Bennett
D Fife
S Hogg

Subs
F Brown
A Dickinson
G Cross
T Swinson
R Harley
SHC
G Tonks
T Visser

by **RDW** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:48 pm

Really not sure about Ashe at 6 - we need someone like Harley - but other than that team is as to be expected.

Dickinson and Harley won't be happy being dropped, so hopefully they'll make a real impact off the bench.

by Majestic83 Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:51 pm

Yeah I think it would have been better with Harley at 6 and Ashe having impact of the bench. I wouldn't say Harley is an impact player off the bench that can help to change a game. I would say he is a better player to start and cause a menace. I can understand why they have made a change as Harley has been off form but would have thought the back row bench spot may have gone to someone else.
Otherwise the team is what I thought it would be with Maitland still not being fully fit. Dickinson can feel a little hard done by I think as he hasn't really done anything wrong and showed up well in the scrum against England.

by **RDW** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:54 pm

Scotland team to play Ireland at BT Murrayfield this Saturday
RBS 6 Nations (21 March, kick-off 2.30pm)

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); 31 caps, 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby); 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors); 6 tries, 2 tries, 10 points
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); 16 caps, 6 tries, 30 points
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); 8 caps, 1 con, 2 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester); 38 caps, 3 tries, 40 cons, 80 pens, 335 points

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors); 21 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby); 84 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); 65 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens); 60 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors); 4 caps
7 Blair Cowan (London Irish); 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps

Substitutes
16 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors); 7 caps
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby); 43 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Geoff Cross (London Irish); 39 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors); 11 caps
20 Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors); 14 caps, 1 try, 5 points
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby); 4 caps
22 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby); 3 caps
23 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby); 17 caps, 7 tries, 35 points

by MacKnocked-on Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:57 pm

Toolis is unlucky not to be on the bench I would say, he's got more potential than Swinson to be an international standard player.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:58 pm

Jimpy wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

You certainly hope so., Jimpy. And who can fault you for hoping.

Hope?

Scotland are due a win, if only to save face, and Scotland seem to know how to do alright against Ireland... I dunno... Anyway, even if Ireland win, it wont be by enough I suspect. A close game is on the cards at Murrayfield.

Nobody is due a win. You have to play for it.
Fill out your theory of where they'll win it? Not saying you're wrong of course as 'nobody is due a win' (Ireland lost a game you remember? - so in their heads they're due a win too) or 'has a right to one'. But from the theory, you might like to outline some of the things that Ireland will do wrong and Scotland right on the day?

by Scottish White Line Fever Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:59 pm

In an attacking sense, Denton and Ashe together offer more of a carrying threat than Harley and Denton, which is probably necessary given the absence of Richie. Defensively, Harley gets through a lot of work so I guess Ashe will be told to get through as much as he can for 50 minutes and then bring Harley on for the last 30 minutes. The Irish will likely try to boost their points difference as much as possible in the last 30 minutes, so it won't be a bad thing to bring Harley on to tackle himself into the ground for those last 30 minutes.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:04 pm

It's a great clash though. Cotter and Schmidt meet again - Two allies at Clermont. Two enemies when Schmidt moved to Leinster. And now back facing each other again at International. All in quite a brief period actually.

by GLove39 Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:07 pm

~~fun~~ depressing fact, we haven't won at home in the 6Nations since the Ireland match in 2013

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:11 pm

SecretFly wrote:It's a great clash though. Cotter and Schmidt meet again - Two allies at Clermont. Two enemies when Schmidt moved to Leinster. And now back facing each other again at International. All in quite a brief period actually.

Two allies in the future All Blacks set-up (but this time Schmidt will be the master and Cotter will be the apprentice).

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:12 pm

SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:

I'm still thinking Ireland are going to come undone in this match.

You certainly hope so., Jimpy. And who can fault you for hoping.

Hope?

Scotland are due a win, if only to save face, and Scotland seem to know how to do alright against Ireland... I dunno... Anyway, even if Ireland win, it wont be by enough I suspect. A close game is on the cards at Murrayfield.

Nobody is due a win. You have to play for it.
Fill out your theory of where they'll win it? Not saying you're wrong of course as 'nobody is due a win' (Ireland lost a game you remember? - so in their heads they're due a win too) or 'has a right to one'. But from the theory, you might like to outline some of the things that Ireland will do wrong and Scotland right on the day?

Getting awfully excited that someone has dared to suggest a Scottish win aren't you?

Worried?

by **George Carlin** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:13 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Scotland team to play Ireland at BT Murrayfield this Saturday
RBS 6 Nations (21 March, kick-off 2.30pm)

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); 31 caps, 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby); 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors); 6 tries, 2 tries, 10 points
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); 16 caps, 6 tries, 30 points
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); 8 caps, 1 con, 2 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester); 38 caps, 3 tries, 40 cons, 80 pens, 335 points

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors); 21 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby); 84 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); 65 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens); 60 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors); 4 caps
7 Blair Cowan (London Irish); 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps

Substitutes
16 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors); 7 caps
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby); 43 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Geoff Cross (London Irish); 39 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors); 11 caps
20 Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors); 14 caps, 1 try, 5 points
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby); 4 caps
22 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby); 3 caps
23 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby); 17 caps, 7 tries, 35 points

Well, I suppose it's not bad, really.

- Still hate seeing Fife there, although he is fairly good under the high ball, which is just as well. Sean Maitland, move your arse.
- I am Harley's biggest fan, but he has looked exhausted in recent weeks and I have no problem seeing what Ashe can do. Hopefully the kid keeps the heid and gets stuck in. He should be well rested, at least.
- Thank Oprah that Denton wasn't dropped.
- Thank her again that Matt Scott-12/23 is also all right.
- No justification at all for having Swinson in there, other than it ticks some sort of 'gave him a fair shake' box in Vern's mighty baldy heed.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:19 pm

Notch wrote:
SecretFly wrote:It's a great clash though. Cotter and Schmidt meet again - Two allies at Clermont. Two enemies when Schmidt moved to Leinster. And now back facing each other again at International. All in quite a brief period actually.

Two allies in the future All Blacks set-up (but this time Schmidt will be the master and Cotter will be the apprentice).

I've heard that rumbled. But there you go. Their coaches do spells in Europe and not a surprise can be dropped on them when they return home and face the teams they've already coached Wink

They've coached both sides (of the NH/SH divide) to be the sides they are. They coach the NH sides to be boring and predictable, and then go home and tell their new recruits just how to unzip the parcel to score a bunch of tries.

Sometimes I have a feeling the SH boys are all sleeper agents - working for the Men in Black even when doing their damn best to beat them with a handful of boring players and some cumulonimbus kicks Wink

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:19 pm

Every time the Irish players are asked about Scotland they tend to wax lyrical about the great spine of Glasgow players the team has, and how dangerous the Glasgow backs are and how they'll need to keep an eye on those quality Glasgow players etc. etc.

Nobody cares about the Edinburgh lads Smile

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:20 pm

It's not a bad team setup. I'll be at the match and bozing in Edinburgh from 11h30 ish.

Talk of this being a close match are wrong. Ireland play a brilliant kicking game and every team that has kicked the ball to us has been rewarded in some way.

If both teams play as they have been playing Ireland will run riot.

Still...... guinness

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:22 pm

Jimpy wrote:

Getting awfully excited that someone has dared to suggest a Scottish win aren't you?

Worried?

Not excited at all. Enter the discussion, Jimpy. Discuss your hunch. Where are Scotland going to catch Ireland out? Add to the comment is all I'm requesting Wink

Why defensive? Outline the proposal.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:28 pm

SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:

Getting awfully excited that someone has dared to suggest a Scottish win aren't you?

Worried?

Not excited at all. Enter the discussion, Jimpy. Discuss your hunch. Where are Scotland going to catch Ireland out? Add to the comment is all I'm requesting

Why defensive? Outline the proposal.

That's all it is, a hunch. It doesn't need explanation that you would seek to shoot down in your state of nervous tension....

I also had a hunch Wales would beat Ireland.

Just saying.

by **RDW** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:29 pm

MacKnocked-on wrote:Toolis is unlucky not to be on the bench I would say, he's got more potential than Swinson to be an international standard player.

Agree 100% - Toolis can do things Swinson never will be able to, but his time will come - he's only just burst onto the scene. The world cup might be too soon for him, especially when Gilchrist comes into the reckoning.

He's one for the future certainly, and I'm sure he's desperate to have another chance after what happened during his first cap!

by R!skysports Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:33 pm

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); 31 caps, 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points - No brainer - playing well and his defense has stepped up as well
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby); 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points - nervous but no other options. Hopefully he will continue to improve as I think he could be a good squad player to have
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors); 6 tries, 2 tries, 10 points - Again no brainer - playing mostly well
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps, 3 tries, 15 points - Please find your form -AND STOP JUMPING OUT THE LINE
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); 16 caps, 6 tries, 30 points - Please re-discover your form from the start - not looked the same after the injury
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); 8 caps, 1 con, 2 points - needs to continue on the positives and reduce the brain farts
9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester); 38 caps, 3 tries, 40 cons, 80 pens, 335 points - URGH...please be the Wee Grey v2 - with go fater stripes

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors); 21 caps - coming back into form - lets hope he is up to it
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby); 84 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - does he still run with the ball anymore - basic solid though, which is a good thing
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); 65 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - Grrrrrrr - focus and be one with the grumpy rev
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens); 60 caps, 1 try, 5 points - grunt but always nervous of a dump
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points - Seems to be a shodow of himself - is he burning out - still a good player
6 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors); 4 caps - well - intertesting -
7 Blair Cowan (London Irish); 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points - more of the good steals version - less of the roll around on the wrong side
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps - fair play - not his biggest fan, but was one of our better players last week - more of the same

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:34 pm

Jimpy wrote:

I also had a hunch Wales would beat Ireland.

Just saying.

Good. Why so edgy about it? Don't like hunches being questioned? Are you concerned you'll need us to lose because of a slim margin elsewhere?

All part of the fun of the day, jimpy. If we lose, we lose and not a thing we'll be able to do about it. That's what the day is all about. Taking your chances or falling down trying.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:36 pm

SecretFly wrote:
Jimpy wrote:

I also had a hunch Wales would beat Ireland.

Just saying.

Good. Why so edgy about it? Don't like hunches being questioned? Are you concerned you'll need us to lose because of a slim margin elsewhere?

All part of the fun of the day, jimpy. If we lose, we lose and not a thing we'll be able to do about it. That's what the day is all about. Taking your chances or falling down trying.

Not at all. But I do think that regardless, if Ireland win, the points margin will be too small to make a difference.

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:37 pm

Riskysports wrote:15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); 31 caps, 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points - No brainer - playing well and his defense has stepped up as well
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby); 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points - nervous but no other options. Hopefully he will continue to improve as I think he could be a good squad player to have
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors); 6 tries, 2 tries, 10 points - Again no brainer - playing mostly well
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps, 3 tries, 15 points - Please find your form -AND STOP JUMPING OUT THE LINE
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); 16 caps, 6 tries, 30 points - Please re-discover your form from the start - not looked the same after the injury
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); 8 caps, 1 con, 2 points - needs to continue on the positives and reduce the brain farts
9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester); 38 caps, 3 tries, 40 cons, 80 pens, 335 points - URGH...please be the Wee Grey v2 - with go fater stripes

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors); 21 caps - coming back into form - lets hope he is up to it
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby); 84 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - does he still run with the ball anymore - basic solid though, which is a good thing
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); 65 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - Grrrrrrr - focus and be one with the grumpy rev
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens); 60 caps, 1 try, 5 points - grunt but always nervous of a dump
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points - Seems to be a shodow of himself - is he burning out - still a good player
6 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors); 4 caps - well - intertesting -
7 Blair Cowan (London Irish); 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points - more of the good steals version - less of the roll around on the wrong side
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps - fair play - not his biggest fan, but was one of our better players last week - more of the same

I can never understand the Denton haters..... (risky Wink

)

I understand the Visser haters, because unless he is given the ball a lot he doesn't offer much at all. However compare Denton's contributions last week to Beattie's contributions throughout the tournament. It's brilliant to see Dozer back in Navy Blue.

Ok he isn't going to win any points or score an amazing offload or skin 3 defenders, but he is a great carrier and isn't afraid to smash into contact which is exactly what out pack needs in the absence of Gray Snr.

by R!skysports Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:41 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); 31 caps, 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points - No brainer - playing well and his defense has stepped up as well
14 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby); 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points - nervous but no other options. Hopefully he will continue to improve as I think he could be a good squad player to have
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors); 6 tries, 2 tries, 10 points - Again no brainer - playing mostly well
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps, 3 tries, 15 points - Please find your form -AND STOP JUMPING OUT THE LINE
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); 16 caps, 6 tries, 30 points - Please re-discover your form from the start - not looked the same after the injury
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); 8 caps, 1 con, 2 points - needs to continue on the positives and reduce the brain farts
9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester); 38 caps, 3 tries, 40 cons, 80 pens, 335 points - URGH...please be the Wee Grey v2 - with go fater stripes

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors); 21 caps - coming back into form - lets hope he is up to it
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby); 84 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - does he still run with the ball anymore - basic solid though, which is a good thing
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); 65 caps, 2 tries, 10 points - Grrrrrrr - focus and be one with the grumpy rev
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens); 60 caps, 1 try, 5 points - grunt but always nervous of a dump
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points - Seems to be a shodow of himself - is he burning out - still a good player
6 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors); 4 caps - well - intertesting -
7 Blair Cowan (London Irish); 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points - more of the good steals version - less of the roll around on the wrong side
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby); 24 caps - fair play - not his biggest fan, but was one of our better players last week - more of the same

I can never understand the Denton haters..... (risky )

I understand the Visser haters, because unless he is given the ball a lot he doesn't offer much at all. However compare Denton's contributions last week to Beattie's contributions throughout the tournament. It's brilliant to see Dozer back in Navy Blue.

Ok he isn't going to win any points or score an amazing offload or skin 3 defenders, but he is a great carrier and isn't afraid to smash into contact which is exactly what out pack needs in the absence of Gray Snr.

Not a hater - just frustrated at some areas that I think he is weak at-

Totally agree he is a much better option than Beattie and he is pulling his weight now - which I am not always sure he was

Do I wish he could off load better - yes

Do I think he deserves the starting slot - Yes

by **George Carlin** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:42 pm

Irish team not out for another hour.

Jaysus - you boys certainly can't be accused of rushing yourself. guinness

by **BigGee** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:44 pm

Its probably about the best team we can put out at the moment.

Toolis is probably judged just to inexperienced (and he is), definitely one for the future, but probably not going to feature in this WC once Gray and Gilchrist get back. Swinson has been round the block a few times and will leave nothing out there, he may struggle to make the WC squad as well though. Big Jim actually had a decent enough game last week before going off a lot earlier than he would otherwise have if not injured. He does make a difference in the tight plays, which is why he is picked.

Ashe and Grant are marginal picks, but I guess if a team keeps losing you do eventually have to make a few changes and neither Harley nor Dickinson set the heather alight last weekend. Lets see what the two of them can do. Beattie has been drinking in the last chance saloon for far to long, so it is no surprise to see him gone. With Strauss qualifying, De Preez not far behind and Bradbury up and coming, he may well have played his last game for Scotland. A career than never quite lived up to its promise.

by SecretFly Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:46 pm

Jimpy wrote:

Not at all. But I do think that regardless, if Ireland win, the points margin will be too small to make a difference.

If we win then I might be inclined to agree with you, as Schmidt is a very cautious coach and the return to winning ways will I think be more important to him than risking too much to chase a scoreline.
And of course Scotland will have a say in how much we can chase anyway (if we're already winning, that is).
Wales have the easiest game on paper but most to do on the scoreline, so it's a double edged sword for them

I still feel though that if Ireland are in a different mood (one we haven't seen from them this season) then they could make England's job later on more edgy and exciting.

by **Notch** Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:51 pm

Last year Ireland beat Scotland by 22 points and they didn't play very much attacking rugby at all. It's possible to set a decent target for England without going all-out attack so long as we are clinical in their and can stop them from getting into double-figures.

by bsando Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:51 pm

Denton is a solid ball carrier and gets over the gain line, but he throws some shocking passes at times. I mentioned this before the England match and he managed to throw a wild pass in that game, fortunately it didn't result in anything too bad. I'm a fan but when he finds himself playing SH.. Nooo!!

Good selections I think, visser on bench with Tonks (big tick) grant starting again (tick) I like that players who have been out are getting a chance to play again and get back to their old form. Can't stand it when a coach refuses to select a player because they have been out for a while and then they end up being thrown in the deep end when an injury occurs. Bench one/two game, start the next if all is looking good.

by Jimpy Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:57 pm

Notch wrote:Last year Ireland beat Scotland by 22 points and they didn't play very much attacking rugby at all. It's possible to set a decent target for England without going all-out attack so long as we are clinical in their and can stop them from getting into double-figures.

Last 6N Scotland were really bad though. I know they haven't won anything so far this year, but you've got to admit, they're a much better team (bar the finishing) than last year. I just feel that their finishing will come and it could well be this weekend. If they do get it together in this department, then they'll win.

by cakeordeath Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:59 pm

Not too unhappy with that team, given the injuries. Still would have preferred to see Sutherland on the bench

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