Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad

by 123456789 Sat 21 Mar 2015, 4:19 pm

First topic message reminder :

A. WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCHES:

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Irelan10

15 August 2015:Ireland v Scotland, Dublin.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Italy_10

22 August 2015: Italy v Scotland, Turin.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Scot_f10

29 August 2015: Scotland v Italy, Edinburgh

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 France10

05 September 2015: France v Scotland, Paris

B. WORLD CUP POOL MATCHES

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Scot_f10

23 September 2015: Scotland V Japan, Kingsholm - Gloucester.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Scot_f10

27 September 2015: Scotland v USA, Elland Road - Leeds.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Scot_f10

03 October 2015: Scotland v South Africa, St James Park - Newcastle.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Scot_f10

10 October 2015: Scotland v Samoa, St James Park - Newcastle.

C. EXTENDED SCOTLAND SQUAD

- FORWARDS (25) -

Prop (7):
Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 44 caps; 4 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 4 caps

Hooker (3):
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 85 caps; 8 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped

Second-row (6):
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Richie Gray (Castres) – 44 caps
Jim Hamilton (Saracens) – 61 caps; 6 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps
Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

Back-row (9):
Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps
John Barclay (Scarlets) – 43 caps; 4 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Hugh Blake (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 11 caps
David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps
Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 44 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap

- BACKS (21) -

Scrum-half (4):
Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks) – 70 caps; 6 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 39 caps
Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

Stand-off (3):
Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps) – 25 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)
Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps

Centre (6):
Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 12 caps
Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 3 RWC appearances (2011)

Back-three (8):
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 93 caps; 8 RWC appearances (2007 and 2011)
Sean Maitland (London Irish) – 15 caps
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps
Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 18 caps

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:19 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Laidlaw is getting a lot of stick here. It's fair enough, I suppose.

It is quite hard to criticize though when his forwards are going backwards. We got destroyed up front. A lot of the blame has to be carried by the tight 5 who were drivel in every scrum and the backrow who were dominated at every breakdown.

I hear that argument, but what a difference Hidalgo-Clyne has made whenever he's come on. I know a 9 coming off the bench always looks better, but his speed of pass is staggering, his sniping kept the defence honest and he doesn't go to a ruck, stand up, take a couple of steps then pass it.

I have been one of the biggest voices of support of Laidlaw over the past few years, but his position really is untenable.

I agree, however why does he look so good for Glaws? Answers on a postcard.

The problem is we seem to have no "steel" in the pack. We have been bullied up front in every game. Our forwards are basically a bunch of jessies.

Our lineout worked well but everything else our forwards did was bad. Our scrum looked flakey, our breakdown work was either sloppy, illegal, slow or all of the above. Untill Denton came back we had no impetus with the ball in hand (we missed Richie Gray badly).

It makes me a bit angry when guys like Schiz come on lambasting players and leaving out guys like Harley who did nothing all tournament.

I'mm left wondering what might have happened if we had Kelly Brown and Barclay in the playing camp.

The article above states it best when you have leaders like POC, Heaslip, Best and O'Mahony and we give the captains duties to a 21 year old in his 2nd pro season. picard

I keep hearing how brilliant cotter is or can be. We cannot ignore the fact that 2 of our best and most experienced players played no part in this 6N.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Mon 23 Mar 2015, 12:38 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Laidlaw is getting a lot of stick here. It's fair enough, I suppose.

It is quite hard to criticize though when his forwards are going backwards. We got destroyed up front. A lot of the blame has to be carried by the tight 5 who were drivel in every scrum and the backrow who were dominated at every breakdown.

I hear that argument, but what a difference Hidalgo-Clyne has made whenever he's come on. I know a 9 coming off the bench always looks better, but his speed of pass is staggering, his sniping kept the defence honest and he doesn't go to a ruck, stand up, take a couple of steps then pass it.

I have been one of the biggest voices of support of Laidlaw over the past few years, but his position really is untenable.

The problems with Laidlaw aren't entirely down to the pack, although they certainly weren't helping him. There were times when we've been camped on the oppositions line for phase after phase and he continually took the wrong option. We were retaining the ball, we just weren't doing anything with it. That for me is a fundamental lack of vision. Even if we sort the forwards out, he just doesn't offer the unpredictability to keep the fringe defenders guessing, and he hasn't been doing a good enough job of bossing his forwards either. Look at the impact Rhys Webb has had for Wales, and the number of times he's got in behind the defensive line and given Wales a platform to attack from. We can do that, SHC does it for Edinburgh. He needs to be given a proper chance.

Its a shame as I used to be a big Laidlaw fan, but now I honestly believe he's one of the biggest problems in the team setup currently.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 23 Mar 2015, 12:44 pm

Despite this 6 Nations I don't think my World Cup squad will have changed.

Nel and Strauss will bring some new blood into the pack, and hopefully one or both of Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist will return, which will greatly help the boiler room.

The back row will be interesting. At the moment it looks to me like Strauss will come straight in at 6, with 8 being contested by Denton and Ashe. Harley needs to rapidly rediscover his mojo otherwise I can see him missing out from the squad - remarkable given his performances earlier in the season. I'd like to see Cowan challenged by Barclay and Watson, but I think Cowan is very much Cotter's 7 and pack leader, so I don't think he'll budge. To be fair to Cowan he has put in some really good work in this 6 Nations, albeit he has a tendency to let himself down here and there (indiscipline plus loss of concentration for the SOB try).

The backline will be boosted by Sean Maitland returning, and assuming Dunbar is out for the World Cup I hope that Duncan Taylor gets fit at Sarries and back into the reckoning. Weir will hopefully come back to form to offer another option at 10. I really like Russell and would stick with him, but whether he's the right man for a tense last 20 minutes of a Test match, I'm not so sure. A bold move would be to have Hidalgo-Clyne and Russell starting games, but to use Laidlaw and Weir to finish them, perhaps with Duncan Taylor coming off the bench to bring his defensive clout in the closing stages.

My 23 for the World Cup openner (I am assuming Dunbar is out):

1.Reid 2.Brown 3.Nel 4.R Gray 5.J Gray 6.Strauss 7.Cowan 8.Denton 9.H-C 10.Russell 11.Seymour 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg (c)

16.Dickinson 17.Ford 18.Murray 19.Gilchrist 20.Harley 21.Laidlaw 22.Weir 23.Taylor

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 12:49 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Despite this 6 Nations I don't think my World Cup squad will have changed.

Nel and Strauss will bring some new blood into the pack, and hopefully one or both of Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist will return, which will greatly help the boiler room.

The back row will be interesting. At the moment it looks to me like Strauss will come straight in at 6, with 8 being contested by Denton and Ashe. Harley needs to rapidly rediscover his mojo otherwise I can see him missing out from the squad - remarkable given his performances earlier in the season. I'd like to see Cowan challenged by Barclay and Watson, but I think Cowan is very much Cotter's 7 and pack leader, so I don't think he'll budge. To be fair to Cowan he has put in some really good work in this 6 Nations, albeit he has a tendency to let himself down here and there (indiscipline plus loss of concentration for the SOB try).

The backline will be boosted by Sean Maitland returning, and assuming Dunbar is out for the World Cup I hope that Duncan Taylor gets fit at Sarries and back into the reckoning. Weir will hopefully come back to form to offer another option at 10. I really like Russell and would stick with him, but whether he's the right man for a tense last 20 minutes of a Test match, I'm not so sure. A bold move would be to have Hidalgo-Clyne and Russell starting games, but to use Laidlaw and Weir to finish them, perhaps with Duncan Taylor coming off the bench to bring his defensive clout in the closing stages.

My 23 for the World Cup openner (I am assuming Dunbar is out):

1.Reid 2.Brown 3.Nel 4.R Gray 5.J Gray 6.Strauss 7.Cowan 8.Denton 9.H-C 10.Russell 11.Seymour 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg (c)

16.Dickinson 17.Ford 18.Murray 19.Gilchrist 20.Harley 21.Laidlaw 22.Weir 23.Taylor

You see, herein lies the problem. That team has got me thinking we'll be strong/competative.

I need to see proven results before I commit to any positivity. However the pack in particular doesn't look like one that could be so easily bullied.

Hogg as captain, brave call.

by cakeordeath Mon 23 Mar 2015, 1:02 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:Despite this 6 Nations I don't think my World Cup squad will have changed.

Nel and Strauss will bring some new blood into the pack, and hopefully one or both of Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist will return, which will greatly help the boiler room.

The back row will be interesting. At the moment it looks to me like Strauss will come straight in at 6, with 8 being contested by Denton and Ashe. Harley needs to rapidly rediscover his mojo otherwise I can see him missing out from the squad - remarkable given his performances earlier in the season. I'd like to see Cowan challenged by Barclay and Watson, but I think Cowan is very much Cotter's 7 and pack leader, so I don't think he'll budge. To be fair to Cowan he has put in some really good work in this 6 Nations, albeit he has a tendency to let himself down here and there (indiscipline plus loss of concentration for the SOB try).

The backline will be boosted by Sean Maitland returning, and assuming Dunbar is out for the World Cup I hope that Duncan Taylor gets fit at Sarries and back into the reckoning. Weir will hopefully come back to form to offer another option at 10. I really like Russell and would stick with him, but whether he's the right man for a tense last 20 minutes of a Test match, I'm not so sure. A bold move would be to have Hidalgo-Clyne and Russell starting games, but to use Laidlaw and Weir to finish them, perhaps with Duncan Taylor coming off the bench to bring his defensive clout in the closing stages.

My 23 for the World Cup openner (I am assuming Dunbar is out):

1.Reid 2.Brown 3.Nel 4.R Gray 5.J Gray 6.Strauss 7.Cowan 8.Denton 9.H-C 10.Russell 11.Seymour 12.Scott 13.Bennett 14.Maitland 15.Hogg (c)

16.Dickinson 17.Ford 18.Murray 19.Gilchrist 20.Harley 21.Laidlaw 22.Weir 23.Taylor

You see, herein lies the problem. That team has got me thinking we'll be strong/competative.

I need to see proven results before I commit to any positivity. However the pack in particular doesn't look like one that could be so easily bullied.

Hogg as captain, brave call.

Cotter said in the press conference that Dunbar's op had went well and he would be looking to return to playing 5-5.5 months

by funnyExiledScot Mon 23 Mar 2015, 6:02 pm

That's great news, regardless of whether he reaches form/fitness in time for the World Cup. We have far too small a playing pool to tolerate the likes of Scott and Dunbar being injured all the time.

I personally think making Hogg captain is a no brainer.

by **BigGee** Mon 23 Mar 2015, 6:36 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:That's great news, regardless of whether he reaches form/fitness in time for the World Cup. We have far too small a playing pool to tolerate the likes of Scott and Dunbar being injured all the time.

I personally think making Hogg captain is a no brainer.

Hoggy is certainly putting his hand up for the captaincy, my what a difference a year has made, the boy certainly seems to be growing up.

Unfortunately it won't solve our problem of lack of leadership elsewhere, particularly in the pack. A captain at FB is always going to need very strong pack leadership for it to work. JG will get there, we just forget how inexperienced he actually is. Those who were talking about his form dropping this tournament obviously did not see his tackle stats for the tournament, he only missed one in 5 games and topped the table of all countries. As said though, we should not expect him to lead the world at 21. JS, a natural leader if ever there was one, will help when he comes on board but others need to step up as well. Just who the others are going to be is not entirely clear.

by 123456789 Mon 23 Mar 2015, 9:42 pm

My one fear for Hogg as captain is that this Six Nations we seemed to lack a savvy presence with the ref, one thing Warburton, Parisse, Dusatoir, Robshaw and O'Connell do very well is "talk" to referees, for all of his qualities I get the impression that Young Stuart is not a great orator when his temper flares. Kelly Brown could do it, we all saw that, Ford couldn't, I imagine Barclay could, Jonny Gray is young enough that he could be overawed by the likes of Nigel Owens who is a rather famous figure in rugby these days.
I can't stand the way playing the referee has come into rugby but let's be honest, like project players, it is here to stay and we need to get better at it.

by sportform Mon 23 Mar 2015, 10:49 pm

It will be interesting to see how Scotland get on in the World Cup against Japan (World Cup hosts in 2019) and the USA (possible hosts in 2023). Japan are only ranked one place below Scotland in the latest IRB rankings and have beat Italy, Samoa and Canada in the last year. The United States lost 24-6 to Scotland last summer but their rugby league counterparts produced a few shocks in that World Cup in 2013.

by jimbopip Tue 24 Mar 2015, 7:51 am

Fes, I like your ideas about the World Cup squad. I just don't think you go far enough with Frodo. I would have Henners Piecrust or Cooseater in the 23 rather than him. Also, I think Harley was rushed back too soon. He will play himself back into form and should be the starting 6. Bluto can be 7 or 8. Richie Gray and Bluto would change that pack considerably, giving grunt, bulk and ball carrying options.
Frodo seems to be Cotter's man ( as to a slightly lesser extent is Cowan) but his performances have not justified his place in the team. If Cotter sticks by him then it will be another disappointing tournament.
It is worth noting that Weir and Jackson could both be vying for the 10 jersey, so hopefully the nonsense of playing Frodo because he can kick and fill in at 10 will cease.
12 is our real problem. Against Ireland we began the game defending really narrow: I think this was to protect Scott and prevent the sort of start we had at Twickenham. Unfortunately Schmidt had predicted this and the Irish went wide from the off and destroyed us down Fife's wing. Realistically the game was lost after two minutes. So, we need a 12 who can actually defend. Scott, Horne, Tonks, Taylor? I think Taylor has been playing 13. Tonks is back up (at best) 10/15 not a 12. Horne-Bennett play together and defend well at Glasgow. So we could actually go into the World Cup without Scott or Dunbar at 12. Doh

Mind you, it's all academic if Cotter persists in playing Frodo and being tactically inflexible and predictable.

by **George Carlin** Tue 24 Mar 2015, 7:59 am

sportform wrote:It will be interesting to see how Scotland get on in the World Cup against Japan (World Cup hosts in 2019) and the USA (possible hosts in 2023). Japan are only ranked one place below Scotland in the latest IRB rankings and have beat Italy, Samoa and Canada in the last year. The United States lost 24-6 to Scotland last summer but their rugby league counterparts produced a few shocks in that World Cup in 2013.

Good question sportform.

Scotland currently has 17,055 registered adult players (so says that SRU website).
Japan currently has 122,598 registered adult players (according to the Japan rugby website).

Oh smeg. Shocked

by **RDW** Tue 24 Mar 2015, 8:38 am

Scotland gave Japan a bit of a doing when we played them a couple of seasons ago, and we also had a decent win over the USA last summer tour, but we certainly can't take them lightly in a world cup.

Remember Romania and Georgia? picard

by tigertattie Tue 24 Mar 2015, 11:12 am

123456789 wrote:I imagine Barclay could, Jonny Gray is young enough that he could be overawed by the likes of Nigel Owens who is a rather famous figure in rugby these days.

I don't think any scottish player, past or present could stand up to Owens!

On Sat when Robshaw was speaking to him, he'd just say "Thats enough Chris" and Robshaw would trott off!

When Robshaw when to complain near the end of the game to ask for the video ref to be consulted, Owens jsut gave him a dirty look and said "Christopher" - Sunday name shaming!

Robshaw just walked away like a schoolboygetting a row off his teacher!

by SecretFly Tue 24 Mar 2015, 11:17 am

Good man Nige. That's one for the Pro12 noticeboard. 1 - Nil.

by **George Carlin** Tue 24 Mar 2015, 11:23 am

tigertattie wrote:
123456789 wrote:I imagine Barclay could, Jonny Gray is young enough that he could be overawed by the likes of Nigel Owens who is a rather famous figure in rugby these days.

I don't think any scottish player, past or present could stand up to Owens!

On Sat when Robshaw was speaking to him, he'd just say "Thats enough Chris" and Robshaw would trott off!

When Robshaw when to complain near the end of the game to ask for the video ref to be consulted, Owens just gave him a dirty look and said "Christopher" - Sunday name shaming!

Robshaw just walked away like a schoolboygetting a row off his teacher!

For those of you who haven't seen this, you should - it's brilliant:

by SecretFly Tue 24 Mar 2015, 11:28 am

Thanks for watching me getting a bollocking from Nige. Make sure you subscribe to the channel.

Oh them Six Nation organisers are cute hoors. They never told Robshaw what clip he'd be attached to.

by R!skysports Tue 24 Mar 2015, 5:04 pm

Well - that is my tickets up on the re-sale site - fingers crossed they sell and I keep my cash....

by jimbopip Tue 24 Mar 2015, 5:33 pm

Without wishing to sound repetitive: what have we learned from the 6N's about fringe players?
Did we play anyone who might make the squad if there were injuries / loss of form to the two or three ahead of him? Say we lost Dunbar and Scott lost form to pluck one unlikely scenario out of thin air. Who are the third and fourth choice 12's?
Or, God forbid, both Grays are unavailable, which alternative pairing did we try out?
Also, we know angel

is nailed on at 13, probably with Taylor as back up but who else did we look at?
As for playing Cowan at 7 every match.... picard

So other than fecc all what have we learned?

by Heuer27 Tue 24 Mar 2015, 7:40 pm

I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up. Sad

by **RDW** Tue 24 Mar 2015, 8:56 pm

Heuer27 wrote:I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up.

Source?

by Heuer27 Tue 24 Mar 2015, 9:27 pm

Employee of SRU hq. Usually been correct with anything else they confide.

by jimbopip Tue 24 Mar 2015, 10:36 pm

Heuer27 wrote:I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up.

So we have learned that barring injuries our World Cup back row will be Harley, Denton, Cowan. picard

We know that Harley is superb at what he does but does not really offer much of a threat with ball in hand. Denton doesn't make enough yards going forward to make up for Harley and certainly doesn't link backs and forwards the way Parisse or Harinordoquy would. Cowan is not at the races when put against SOB, Dusattoir, Warburton etc. That isn't a well balanced back row, and I know we have plenty of options to argue over, but we have learned that that is Cotter's preferred option. picard

So we have learned that barring injuries our World Cup scrum half will be Frodo the Pedestrian. picard

There's nothing to say there, really nothing.

by GLove39 Tue 24 Mar 2015, 10:56 pm

Heuer27 wrote:I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Tumblr_m26nvnNG5o1qkk10ro1_500

by GLove39 Tue 24 Mar 2015, 10:58 pm

Riskysports wrote:Well - that is my tickets up on the re-sale site - fingers crossed they sell and I keep my cash....

What tickets you putting up?
I've avoided telling my mates about the resale! We're going and that's it!

by cakeordeath Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:32 am

Heuer27 wrote:I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up.

Is this real life, or am I in some rugby equivalent of the Matrix, and our overlords are trying to grind us down.

by tigertattie Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:35 am

Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide. Escape from reality.........................

by **George Carlin** Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:37 am

cakeordeath wrote:
Heuer27 wrote:I learned today that Cotter doesn't rate Strauss and prefers Denton.
Thought that might cheer everyone up.

Is this real life, or am I in some rugby equivalent of the Matrix, and our overlords are trying to grind us down.

It is just not possible to prefer Denton to Strauss.

Unless we're opining on which player looks most like a labradoodle.

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Denton10

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Denton10

Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad - Page 3 Denton11

by highland_scot Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:46 am

GLove39 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:Well - that is my tickets up on the re-sale site - fingers crossed they sell and I keep my cash....

What tickets you putting up?
I've avoided telling my mates about the resale! We're going and that's it!

Absolutely.

I bought tickets wanting to go and support my team, and enjoy the atmosphere of a Rugby World Cup. It's not often you get a chance to go to one...

Plus, the hotel is non-refundable and I have no desire to go along to Newcastle to NOT see the rugby!

Yes, Scotland are god-awful, but at the end of the day I will keep supporting. I may consider a bit more before buying tickets at Murrayfield in future - together with buying tickets for family I have spent the thick end of £700 on tickets this 6N, plus all the matchday shizz. The alternative of a nice holiday looks more and more attractive in comparison to 80mins of watching Laidlaw & co hoof the ball up in the air when in attack, and underpowered forwards trying to bosh it up from our 22, in the rain. Only good thing about the Ireland game was I was hammered, the Irish were good chat, and it was sunny!

I would still go to games, just be a bit more selective. I had been looking at possibly making a trip to Rome next year but that might be on hold now...

I really don't think Cotter realised just what a crock of shoite we are, and what he was getting himself into. At least he knows now, having had time to get to know the players and their limitations. He does not seem like a quitter and a return to the club game would be admission of defeat so it looks like he is in for the long run.

Still can't forgive the SRU for not negotiating his early release - we could have had this bedding in and getting to know the players stage a year earlier.

by R!skysports Wed 25 Mar 2015, 10:17 am

GLove39 wrote:
Riskysports wrote:Well - that is my tickets up on the re-sale site - fingers crossed they sell and I keep my cash....

What tickets you putting up?
I've avoided telling my mates about the resale! We're going and that's it!

In fairness it is the Australia vs Fiji match - so not Scotland (Could not get any)

But I am so disillusioned with rugby - I do not want to spend lots of cash on the World Cup (tickets, travel etc) when it is not my team - although I would be very tempted to sell Scotland tickets if I had them

I will be using the money to have a rugby party at home and lots of booze - friends and hopefully more joy than this 6 nations

by Majestic83 Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:18 am

Reports in French press this morning that Bordeaux are chasing hard after cotter as it looks as if ibanez is definitely getting the French job with joe Worley becoming assistant coach for france!

by sensisball Fri 27 Mar 2015, 9:54 am

If Cotter has any sense he will take the Bordeaux job as this 6 N's has put paid to any chance of a job with the AB's coaching staff.
Without Dunbar and with Frodo as leader and a pack that cannot get the best of Italy at home we have almost zero chance of beating a fired up and talented Samoan team, hence we wont be going to the big show, which for us would be a QF slot!

PS. If Shade Munro has just been let go at Glasgow because he fell out with an SRU big wig, then this will be an all time nadir of SRU employee management. if, however, he is being brought into the Scotland set up to replace the totally underwhelming Jonathan Humphreys as forwards coach it will have been a master stroke. I know which option my money would be on.

by Heuer27 Fri 27 Mar 2015, 1:48 pm

The issue is that the Glasgow forwards ain't all that and haven't been for a while. My understanding is that there was a feeling that Shade had taken them as far as he could and it was time for a fresh approach.
That being the case I can't see him being considered for a Scotland job. I may be wrong though.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 27 Mar 2015, 4:09 pm

I must say there's no lack of ruthlessness with Glasgow regarding the coaches. First Lineen out on his ear and now Shade, and neither doing a particularly bad job. If the same criteria were used at Edinburgh and Scotland, things would look very different!!

I still think Scotland will defeat Samoa and progress through to the QF. I've got tickets for that Samoa game in Newcastle and it is clearly going to be a crunch game for us. Already the key for me is going to be to keep the pressure on them, don't let up and look to open things up in the final 20 when their structures will start to unravel. Samoa will be extremely physical but discipline will be key, particularly with the running threat we can now pose to teams. Playing shooting out of the line to shoulder charge opponents will be punished by players like Russell and Scott, who will put players through the space left open.

Have faith, we got a beating from both England and Ireland but those teams are better and pose a different challenge to Samoa.

by Heuer27 Fri 27 Mar 2015, 5:43 pm

Yeh I still fancy us to put away Samoa. This team still has the makings of a good one. They are still very young and will only get better. Look how Hogg has matured into a fearsome international fullback. It has taken him three years but he's still only 22.

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 30 Mar 2015, 10:27 am

I still don't get the Denton bashing. He was excellent when he played in the 6N and was great against the Scarlets.

I like Strauss, but it has never sat right with me parachuting him into the world cup in front of guys like Denton and Ashe.

by R!skysports Mon 30 Mar 2015, 10:35 am

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I still don't get the Denton bashing. He was excellent when he played in the 6N and was great against the Scarlets.

I like Strauss, but I has never sat right with me parachuting him into the world cup in front of guys like Denton and Ashe.

I think Denton played well but he is a little limited and can be one dimensional - I think he still deserves his place though

I think Him, Ashe and Strauss will make for a great battle for the place and the one that earns it should play

But knowing Scotland, we are actually more likely to find all 3 injured and playing Laidlaw at No 8

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 30 Mar 2015, 10:43 am

I'm not really fussed what happens between Ashe, Strauss and Denton. All would be better than Beattie who IMO doesn't get his hands on the ball enough to warrant inclusion.

McInally was a revelation at hooker on Saturday too. Very strong game and showed up well in the loose.

As well as Cowan played in the 6N too I feel Watson was superb against the Scarlets.

The main inclusion has to be SHC. He was electric and the fact that Laidlaw is a "great" kicker shouldn't deter Cotter from giving the nod to SHC in the World cup. His kicking was flawless against Llanelli.

by tigertattie Mon 30 Mar 2015, 12:26 pm

S-H-C is a good kicker too!

We cannot persist with Laidlaw at 9 if we want to play this face paced game!

If you want a fast paced game, you need speedy service from the 9.

Currently Cotter is hedging his bets! Wants the fast paced game, but wants laidlaw in in case things aren't working so we can rely on hid boot for points!

by **George Carlin** Mon 30 Mar 2015, 12:32 pm

Yes, McInally has got to feature somewhere. A smart, dynamic player.

by fa0019 Mon 30 Mar 2015, 12:39 pm

I would take no pride in nicking a win over Samoa, a team who has obvious talent but never gets its players together bar 1 or 2 times a year.

We always seem to go through this "blame the coach thing" but the truth of the matter unfortunately surrounds the quality of the playing staff... its simply not up to scratch and whilst they look better than they were 5 years ago... so have its peers and therefore they look to have somehow gone backwards.

There is no way of getting around it not without a serious project similar to AUS post the 76 Olympics and that will take 20 years to sort out.

Sad times.

by Weegie Wizard Mon 30 Mar 2015, 1:09 pm

I think we have a pool of high enough quality to give a decent showing in a quarter final. It needs to be remembered that the only time we have gone further was with the grand slam team.

Assuming everyone is fit and healthy, my pick would be (I think there are 30 allowed):

Ford, Brown, McInally,
Dickinson, Nel, Reid, Cross, Grant,
Gray, Gray, Toolis, Gilchrist,
Strauss, Denton, Barclay, Harley, Brown,

Sam H-C, Laidlaw, Cusiter,
Russell, Tonks,
Dunbar, Bennett, Scott, Horne,
Seymour, Maitland, Hogg & Visser.

I've put my starters first for each category. Now there are obviously a few who that is harsh on. Cowan, Watson, Pyrgos, etc. Even with 2 or 3 changes to suit your own preferences that should be plenty to beat Japan & USA. We won't beat SA - that much is clear I think.

We should beat Samoa. We have better players in most positions and guys who know each other well. Playing at St James' is basically a home game.

We need to be realistic in admitting that a 1/4 final defeat of around 10 points would be a decent world cup for us at the moment but also we need to avoid the pessimism resulting from another poor 6N.

In 2011 we were knocked out by Argentina because they were probably a better team that we were. By any similar measure, we are probably better than Samoa. Front row is probably the only area in which they are stronger.

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 30 Mar 2015, 1:31 pm

The issue we have with our world cup group is physicality.

I would say we have one of the most physical groups in the tournament.

Samoa and South Africa pride themselves on being extremely physical and as we know our team is a few injuries to key positions away from being even more dross than we think.

Expect an injury in each of these games. In addition Japan do not shy away from the contact area up front either.

Also our next match out of the group will be either the Ozzies, England or Wales.

by Weegie Wizard Mon 30 Mar 2015, 1:53 pm

That is definitely true I think. I don't see Cotter as the type who would do it, but I would treat the Boks game the way we did the ABs a couple of world cups ago. Rest our key players and take the beating.

I know that is not is the spirit of the game etc but I don't care enough to change my mind.

A pack of Grant, Brown, Cross, Gray Jnr, Gilchrist, Denton, Brown and Strauss would be a physical match for Samoa. The key would be picking a backline who could move it away from contact quickly enough so we don't get caught in a slugfest.

I personally would be tempted to leave Laidlaw out altogether for this reason but I've put him in as I recognise there is no chance of that happening.

by R!skysports Mon 30 Mar 2015, 2:17 pm

Weegie Wizard wrote:I think we have a pool of high enough quality to give a decent showing in a quarter final. It needs to be remembered that the only time we have gone further was with the grand slam team.

Assuming everyone is fit and healthy, my pick would be (I think there are 30 allowed):

Ford, Brown, McInally,
Dickinson, Nel, Reid, Cross, Grant,
Gray, Gray, Toolis, Gilchrist,
Strauss, Denton, Barclay, Harley, Brown,

Sam H-C, Laidlaw, Cusiter,
Russell, Tonks,
Dunbar, Bennett, Scott, Horne,
Seymour, Maitland, Hogg & Visser.

I've put my starters first for each category. Now there are obviously a few who that is harsh on. Cowan, Watson, Pyrgos, etc. Even with 2 or 3 changes to suit your own preferences that should be plenty to beat Japan & USA. We won't beat SA - that much is clear I think.

We should beat Samoa. We have better players in most positions and guys who know each other well. Playing at St James' is basically a home game.

We need to be realistic in admitting that a 1/4 final defeat of around 10 points would be a decent world cup for us at the moment but also we need to avoid the pessimism resulting from another poor 6N.

In 2011 we were knocked out by Argentina because they were probably a better team that we were. By any similar measure, we are probably better than Samoa. Front row is probably the only area in which they are stronger.

Not a bad team

I would seriously consider Richie Vernon in the centre now - every time I see him I am impressed - at the moment he would be ahead of Dunbar (As injured) and Scott (loss of form)

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 30 Mar 2015, 2:25 pm

Rambo making a name for himself at hooker and Vernon reinvented as an inside centre?

Who'd have thunk it?

by Weegie Wizard Mon 30 Mar 2015, 2:49 pm

Scott Johnson

by highland_scot Mon 30 Mar 2015, 3:11 pm

Weegie Wizard wrote:Scott Johnson

The man is a genius. Quick, make him director of rugby!

Oh...

by **BigGee** Mon 30 Mar 2015, 4:19 pm

Whether RV gets into the squad may depend on how much game time he gets for Glasgow between now and the end of the season. Will Toonie let him play at 12 over Horne when the 2 FH's are fit again. He does seem to be getting better as he plays more but it may be that this WC comes too soon. The fact that we are now considering him as a contender does suggest that his move to centre can be considered a success.

Barclay did not standout on Saturday, nothing there to suggest that he is the answer to our problems. The standout OS was the Welsh guy, with Watson not far behind him. Both unfortunately may be deemed to small for international rugby.

I think we will only take 1 OS in the WC squad and the smart money would be on Cowan. Strauss, Denton and Ashe will all go as well with Harley making up the numbers due to his versatility.

by tigertattie Mon 30 Mar 2015, 4:40 pm

BigGee wrote:Whether RV gets into the squad may depend on how much game time he gets for Glasgow between now and the end of the season. Will Toonie let him play at 12 over Horne when the 2 FH's are fit again. He does seem to be getting better as he plays more but it may be that this WC comes too soon. The fact that we are now considering him as a contender does suggest that his move to centre can be considered a success.

Barclay did not standout on Saturday, nothing there to suggest that he is the answer to our problems. The standout OS was the Welsh guy, with Watson not far behind him. Both unfortunately may be deemed to small for international rugby.

I think we will only take 1 OS in the WC squad and the smart money would be on Cowan. Strauss, Denton and Ashe will all go as well with Harley making up the numbers due to his versatility.

Care to expand on that? I've heard rumours that he can play in the 2nd row but Brown, for example, can play anywhere in the back row!

Harley is a good old fashioned chopper! Unfortuantly he is not on form at the moment and that chopping roll is starting to go from the game!

by MacKnocked-on Mon 30 Mar 2015, 4:43 pm

BigGee wrote:Whether RV gets into the squad may depend on how much game time he gets for Glasgow between now and the end of the season. Will Toonie let him play at 12 over Horne when the 2 FH's are fit again. He does seem to be getting better as he plays more but it may be that this WC comes too soon. The fact that we are now considering him as a contender does suggest that his move to centre can be considered a success.

Barclay did not standout on Saturday, nothing there to suggest that he is the answer to our problems. The standout OS was the Welsh guy, with Watson not far behind him. Both unfortunately may be deemed to small for international rugby.

I think we will only take 1 OS in the WC squad and the smart money would be on Cowan. Strauss, Denton and Ashe will all go as well with Harley making up the numbers due to his versatility.

Barring injury Cowan is a dead cert for the squad, he played well throughout the 6Ns. I feel he attracts some unwarranted flak, possibly due to being a 'kilted kiwi' but with Watson looking better than Barclay on Saturday surely Cowan deserves his place. The idea of utility players in the World Cup squad has a lot of merit so Fraser Brown (who had a blinder at 7 against Bath) and McInally may well push out a specialist backrower from the squad. By the same token Vernon must have a serious shot as well, due to being able to play in the backs and the forwards.

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