Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
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Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
First topic message reminder :
A. WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCHES:
15 August 2015:Ireland v Scotland, Dublin.
22 August 2015: Italy v Scotland, Turin.
29 August 2015: Scotland v Italy, Edinburgh
05 September 2015: France v Scotland, Paris
B. WORLD CUP POOL MATCHES
23 September 2015: Scotland V Japan, Kingsholm - Gloucester.
27 September 2015: Scotland v USA, Elland Road - Leeds.
03 October 2015: Scotland v South Africa, St James Park - Newcastle.
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
A. WORLD CUP WARM-UP MATCHES:
15 August 2015:Ireland v Scotland, Dublin.
22 August 2015: Italy v Scotland, Turin.
29 August 2015: Scotland v Italy, Edinburgh
05 September 2015: France v Scotland, Paris
B. WORLD CUP POOL MATCHES
23 September 2015: Scotland V Japan, Kingsholm - Gloucester.
27 September 2015: Scotland v USA, Elland Road - Leeds.
03 October 2015: Scotland v South Africa, St James Park - Newcastle.
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
123456789- Posts : 1841
Join date : 2011-11-13
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
GLove39 wrote:tigertattie wrote:GLove39 wrote:George Carlin wrote:Ah, here now. When have we ever run out of things to say?RDW_Scotland wrote:We've got 10 weeks until anything of note happens (other than injuries) - I wonder how much we can keep spinning this out!
Who is the most famous (non-rugby) person anyone here has ever met? I served Jane Fonda and media mogul Ted Turner drinks once. I was 21 and working a summer at a Vanderbilt mansion hotel in Newport, RI. I'll tell you something - she was gorgeous even then (15 years ago now).
Got invited down to the BBC 3 years ago & met, crisp flogger extraordinaire, Gary Lineker!
Really nice guy & surprisingly accommodating given my total lack of knowledge about football!
surprised he lowered himself to speaking to a ginger!
What's the procedure for reporting bullying on this forum?
Gingers don't get one.
Only joking Glove!
Tatie - you're a very naught boy!
RDW- Founder
- Posts : 33185
Join date : 2011-06-01
Location : Sydney
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RDW_Scotland wrote:GLove39 wrote:tigertattie wrote:GLove39 wrote:George Carlin wrote:Ah, here now. When have we ever run out of things to say?RDW_Scotland wrote:We've got 10 weeks until anything of note happens (other than injuries) - I wonder how much we can keep spinning this out!
Who is the most famous (non-rugby) person anyone here has ever met? I served Jane Fonda and media mogul Ted Turner drinks once. I was 21 and working a summer at a Vanderbilt mansion hotel in Newport, RI. I'll tell you something - she was gorgeous even then (15 years ago now).
Got invited down to the BBC 3 years ago & met, crisp flogger extraordinaire, Gary Lineker!
Really nice guy & surprisingly accommodating given my total lack of knowledge about football!
surprised he lowered himself to speaking to a ginger!
What's the procedure for reporting bullying on this forum?
Gingers don't get one.
Only joking Glove!
Tatie - you're a very naught boy!
That's better
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
On that note trust we'll all be signing this? https://www.change.org/p/apple-redheads-should-have-emoji-too
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
GLove39 wrote:On that note trust we'll all be signing this? https://www.change.org/p/apple-redheads-should-have-emoji-too
Shocking oversight. We should march on the capital in protest!!
funnyExiledScot- Posts : 17072
Join date : 2011-05-31
Age : 43
Location : Edinburgh
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RDW_Scotland wrote:GLove39 wrote:tigertattie wrote:GLove39 wrote:George Carlin wrote:Ah, here now. When have we ever run out of things to say?RDW_Scotland wrote:We've got 10 weeks until anything of note happens (other than injuries) - I wonder how much we can keep spinning this out!
Who is the most famous (non-rugby) person anyone here has ever met? I served Jane Fonda and media mogul Ted Turner drinks once. I was 21 and working a summer at a Vanderbilt mansion hotel in Newport, RI. I'll tell you something - she was gorgeous even then (15 years ago now).
Got invited down to the BBC 3 years ago & met, crisp flogger extraordinaire, Gary Lineker!
Really nice guy & surprisingly accommodating given my total lack of knowledge about football!
surprised he lowered himself to speaking to a ginger!
What's the procedure for reporting bullying on this forum?
Gingers don't get one.
Only joking Glove!
Tatie - you're a very naught boy!
I met Lawrence Fishburne outside a parking lot (oh look at me use American terms) in Santa Monica. Earlier that day I had sat beside Jean Reno in a coffee shop. I seen a rather suspiciously hung-over looking Robert Downey Jr in a coffee shop in downtown L.A, and met Rob Lowe in a steak house in Santa Barbara.
My personal favourite was bumping into (literally) the Dai Lama outside Wagamama in Glasgow. I also think I seen 21st C once. There was a guy walking down Hope Street covered in Warriors merchandise, it was a Tuesday afternoon.
cakeordeath- Posts : 1949
Join date : 2012-11-25
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
And to think that I used to wonder how you could afford to live in Stockbridge:funnyExiledScot wrote:George Carlin wrote:She did mention that you left this morning without saying goodbye though which was a bit rude and (to quote her) "certainly not what I pay him for".funnyExiledScot wrote:George Carlin wrote:The second time for the knighthood?funnyExiledScot wrote:George Carlin wrote:Ah, here now. When have we ever run out of things to say?RDW_Scotland wrote:We've got 10 weeks until anything of note happens (other than injuries) - I wonder how much we can keep spinning this out!
Who is the most famous (non-rugby) person anyone here has ever met? I served Jane Fonda and media mogul Ted Turner drinks once. I was 21 and working a summer at a Vanderbilt mansion hotel in Newport, RI. I'll tell you something - she was gorgeous even then (15 years ago now).
I've met the Queen - twice. True fact.
Only yo' momma calls me Lord fES....
Manners cost extra!
George Carlin- Admin
- Posts : 15804
Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
funnyExiledScot wrote:GLove39 wrote:On that note trust we'll all be signing this? https://www.change.org/p/apple-redheads-should-have-emoji-too
Shocking oversight. We should march on the capital in protest!!
Wouldn't be the first time!
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
On Weir. I think he is a player whos conbfidence was shot by poor coaching, whos injuries have spoilt two seasons for him and who at 24(?) simply has not played enough rugby to have developed as he should. How many pro starts at 10 has he had - not even a seasons worth I don't think. Its an issue withe way the game is in scotland now. I think he might well be better going to play for a smaller club where he can command the starting berth and get the game time he needs to develop. I fear he may never reach his potential now.
I think its a real shame the youngster who looked so good seems to have never developed into the mature player he could be - far better than parks and a 10 in the Chalmers style
Jackson is not the answer - we know who he is and what he can do and its not enough
I would go for Russell, Tonks, Weir.
I think its a real shame the youngster who looked so good seems to have never developed into the mature player he could be - far better than parks and a 10 in the Chalmers style
Jackson is not the answer - we know who he is and what he can do and its not enough
I would go for Russell, Tonks, Weir.
TJ- Posts : 8629
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Captain
again a real issue as identified above with no obvious candidate. Barclay I really don't think is the man for the job - compare his petulant response to missing the six nations compared to Browns diplomatic response. I don't think he is a leader.
Kelly Brown shoud be the captain for me
Otherwise - Jonny Gray is the man . Not Hogg - too hot headed and he doesn't need the pressure.
Outside bet - SHC?
again a real issue as identified above with no obvious candidate. Barclay I really don't think is the man for the job - compare his petulant response to missing the six nations compared to Browns diplomatic response. I don't think he is a leader.
Kelly Brown shoud be the captain for me
Otherwise - Jonny Gray is the man . Not Hogg - too hot headed and he doesn't need the pressure.
Outside bet - SHC?
TJ- Posts : 8629
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I was mascot for Scotland v South Africa in '98 (I was that young and small that even Bryan Redpath looked tall beside me) so got to meet a fair few rugby and non-rugby related famous people.
kilo-doug- Posts : 12
Join date : 2015-03-18
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
kilo-doug wrote:I was mascot for Scotland v South Africa in '98 (I was that young and small that even Bryan Redpath looked tall beside me) so got to meet a fair few rugby and non-rugby related famous people.
Great story!
funnyExiledScot- Posts : 17072
Join date : 2011-05-31
Age : 43
Location : Edinburgh
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I once followed Thom Evans through the streets for a good 25 minutes. We just happened to be going the same way. He had a really poncy fashion sense...
Imperialbigdave- Posts : 1353
Join date : 2011-03-05
Location : too far away
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I sat next to the outstanding Australian comedian Adam Hills on a flight last year - such a nice guy!
IanBru- Posts : 2909
Join date : 2011-04-30
Age : 36
Location : Newcastle
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
A few years ago while having friends over for dinner, one of them remarked that being from Glasgow Mrs Pip and I "simply must have met that Billy Connelly chap". I had to admit that as a sixteen year-old I worked as a junior in a hairdressers run by a woman whose husband managed quite a few acts and as such had shampooed Midge Ure and the Big Yin's hair. Both were very affable and patient with starstruck and hamfisted juniors, it must be said. However, I almost wet myself when I saw Midge Ure at Live Aid being all politically correct remembering his response when I complemented Slik's single, "The Boogiest Band In Town"..."Aye we've gone for a more soulful sound...We got these big darkie birds singing backing vocals. They sound brilliant." I kid you not.
Anyway, a few days after that dinner party Bigson was watching the Muppet's Treasure Island. On comes Billy Connelly as Blind Pew. Bigson looks at the screen, looks at me looks at the screen.
"Dad did you wash his hair?"
"I did son "
"You know someone who knows Kermit. COOL Dad!!"
That was probably the last time I impressed him.
Anyway, a few days after that dinner party Bigson was watching the Muppet's Treasure Island. On comes Billy Connelly as Blind Pew. Bigson looks at the screen, looks at me looks at the screen.
"Dad did you wash his hair?"
"I did son "
"You know someone who knows Kermit. COOL Dad!!"
That was probably the last time I impressed him.
jimbopip- Posts : 7329
Join date : 2012-10-14
Location : sunny Essex
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Aged 10 and at London's Hard Rock for a birthday treat we were parking our car when i saw a man get out of the back of a beautiful old convertible Rolls, he proceeded to swap hats with the chauffeur. When the chauffeur removed his hat it was none other than Sean Connery who duly signed one of my dad's cheques. He'd been driving his own chauffeur around in the car. I still have the cheque.
Gwlad- Posts : 4224
Join date : 2014-12-04
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I had Clive Woodward sitting next to me at a restaurant in Aviemore.
It wasn't long after the 2005 Lions tour : my other half had to restrain me from sticking a fork in his head.
It wasn't long after the 2005 Lions tour : my other half had to restrain me from sticking a fork in his head.
RDW- Founder
- Posts : 33185
Join date : 2011-06-01
Location : Sydney
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I know a lot of people on here (myself included) enjoy sneering at our Wendyball brothers, so in the interests of balance and fair play;
Once I was sitting in the main stand at Tynecastle watching Hearts lose to the mighty Partick Thistle when the Hearts fan behind me tapped me on the shoulder and very politely asked me if the Thistle right winger always played so far forward. When I said no and wondered why he was today he replied that the Hearts left back was a great tackler but a terrible one for ball watching and could be caught out by a winger playing on his shoulder. I realised at this point it was Donald Ford (Hearts legend and Scottish international) who was asking the questions. He asked a few more and was modest, polite and very knowledgeable about the game. A true gentleman in fact.
Oh yes Partick won 1-0 when our right winger snuck in on their left back's blind side to get on the end of a cross.
Once I was sitting in the main stand at Tynecastle watching Hearts lose to the mighty Partick Thistle when the Hearts fan behind me tapped me on the shoulder and very politely asked me if the Thistle right winger always played so far forward. When I said no and wondered why he was today he replied that the Hearts left back was a great tackler but a terrible one for ball watching and could be caught out by a winger playing on his shoulder. I realised at this point it was Donald Ford (Hearts legend and Scottish international) who was asking the questions. He asked a few more and was modest, polite and very knowledgeable about the game. A true gentleman in fact.
Oh yes Partick won 1-0 when our right winger snuck in on their left back's blind side to get on the end of a cross.
jimbopip- Posts : 7329
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Location : sunny Essex
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
In the village shop in Killearn I saw Robbie Coltrane - he used to live just down the road
TJ- Posts : 8629
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Iain Morrison tends to talk some pish, but there are a few points of note here (if you ignore the inaccuracies):
- He makes a fair point about the number of steps up in levels between the experience some of the uncapped players have and international rugby it really would be incredible if any of them made it.
- two captains are a real possibility, with the reasoning being the number of games in a short period of time (the captain can't play all of them)
- he's quoted VC saying it won't be Strauss
- He makes a fair point about the number of steps up in levels between the experience some of the uncapped players have and international rugby it really would be incredible if any of them made it.
- two captains are a real possibility, with the reasoning being the number of games in a short period of time (the captain can't play all of them)
- he's quoted VC saying it won't be Strauss
VERN COTTER casts his net wide but some of the fish he has landed may prove to be small fry come game time, writes Iain Morrison
I read somewhere that English rugby’s extensive league system is the biggest in any sport in any country where a club can climb all the way from the bottom (Eastern Counties Regional Division Four, since you ask) to the Aviva Premiership. With 12 separate levels of competition between the top of the tree and the tips of the grass roots game, it may even be true.
Like all sports, rugby is layered and, while some players move serenely up through the strata with relative ease, most need time to acclimatise at each level, a little like a mountaineer on Everest and, like our climber, the steps only get harder the higher you go.
Which is why Vern Cotter’s inclusion of numerous uncapped players in the World Cup squad was such a surprise. If the Scottish backs wrong-foot the opposition with the same skill that the Kiwi coach did to the pundits last week then Mark Dodson’s bold prediction of World Cup glory might just come good.
Of the seven uncapped players, the two South African projects are a case apart, because WP Nel has only just qualified for Scotland and Josh Strauss will do so just days before Scotland’s opener against Japan. They couldn’t have been capped before now.
The barrel-chested Mike Cusack is a one-off. He qualified for Scotland some time ago but a long illness kept him out of the game for the best part of two years and only this season has he been able to play a walk-on role in Glasgow Warriors’ season.
Cusack looks like an old-school prop from the amateur era and not in a good way. He never raised much of a gallop around the park but at his best he dropped anchor in the set scrum. He needs matches, lots of them, to return to full fitness but he has enjoyed just four starts all season for Glasgow, three in the league and one against Bath in Europe where he had his backside felt by England’s David Wilson. He is a long way off being the foundation stone he once was.
The other four uncapped players were an even bigger surprise, although Cotter has championed Hugh Blake from the start. These four are not only untried at Test level, they are uniformly unloved by their pro-teams. They have watched far more professional rugby than they have played this season, which is no kind of preparation for a Rugby World Cup.
Loosehead prop Alan Dell won one start for Edinburgh in the league and another one in the Challenge Cup. Winger Damien Hoyland has one Edinburgh start to his name to back up his experience with Scotland Sevens. Rory Hughes has earned one start for Glasgow all season (and three appearances off the bench) despite rival winger Sean Maitland missing a huge chunk of the season.
When quizzed about Hughes’ lack of game time, Cotter cited the winger’s performance for a combined Edinburgh/Glasgow side that took on the national Under-20s a few weeks back. I don’t know exactly where that “Glasburgh XV” comes in rugby’s pecking order but it isn’t within hailing distance of the summit.
That spot is occupied by the Rugby World Cup, with the Six Nations just below it, at least for Europe’s finest. Beneath that, because international rugby is far from uniform in quality or intensity, come the autumn Tests and behind them the summer tour. Below that is the European Champions Cup, although the best of its games are played at a higher intensity than a poor international match, and the play-offs sit above the pool games in intensity. Below the Champions Cup is the Guinness Pro12, in which the play-offs and various derby matches again rank one rung higher than the regular season fixtures.
Cotter has selected four players whose regular rugby is many, so many, steps below the World Cup intensity that they will have difficulty imagining the collisions come the Big Bang, never mind winning them. We normally worry about uncapped players being asked to step up to World Cup standards, now we are worrying about players almost uncapped at pro-team level being fed to the furnace. “We don’t have massive amounts of depth,” Cotter offered by way of explanation. “But these players have shown potential, and we really want to have a look at them.
“When it comes down to it and the dust has settled after those three pre-season [warm-up] games and we’ve done our preparation and explored and developed as best we can, we’ll make the best decisions for the best team.
“I’m not going to say those [uncapped] players are not going to make it now. They might be exceptional. And after two games against Ireland and Italy they might be the best players that have come through.
“What we’re hoping to do is get through our preparation, get through our four games with limited injuries. Now if we get injuries and those players are performing well and put their hands up, they will be players that could potentially become involved.”
Elsewhere, the Kiwi coach stated that he might be tempted to appoint not one but two World Cup captains, although exactly how it would work was not obvious and one of them is unlikely to be Strauss. He might make a decent fist of things but appointing Strauss as Scotland skipper would only highlight the controversial practice of “project players” all over again. Not that Cotter phased it quite like that: “He will have a leadership role within the group…but as an official captain, it may be a bit much.”
“Co-captaincy,” replied the coach when asked about the twin skippers. “There are various scenarios, there is either two in the team or one in the team or none in the team so, what we see as one of our challenges, the first two games have three days apart so how do we negotiate that and what is the best form of preparing and having the team prepared for those two games?”
It appears that two captains may be needed for twin squads during the four warm-up matches. One squad will be preparing for a game while the other is preparing for the World Cup.
Cotter also revealed that the Scots would train at altitude in the Alps ahead of the World Cup, working with the French special forces, something he used to do with Clermont.
“I got the idea off Julien Bonnaire who was with the French team in 2007 and he said it was the best thing that they had done, with the land-based [French forces]. And with Clermont we used the Navy Seal equivalents.
“They’ll have fun. They will, I promise you.”
You have to hope so. With four warm-up matches over four weeks quickly followed by a minimum of four, full-blooded World Cup games in just 24 days, it may be the last “fun” the players have for a while
RDW- Founder
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Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
That's the league I play in, you'll be surprised to hear. Actually I'm in the seconds, so I can't even get into that league. Actually I'm punching above my weight even there if truth be told.RDW_Scotland wrote:Iain Morrison tends to talk some pish, but there are a few points of note here (if you ignore the inaccuracies):VERN COTTER casts his net wide but some of the fish he has landed may prove to be small fry come game time, writes Iain Morrison
I read somewhere that English rugby’s extensive league system is the biggest in any sport in any country where a club can climb all the way from the bottom (Eastern Counties Regional Division Four, since you ask) to the Aviva Premiership. With 12 separate levels of competition between the top of the tree and the tips of the grass roots game, it may even be true.
L
Still, I can tackle better than Tim McMisser and have a wider range of passing options than Schlong.
jimbopip- Posts : 7329
Join date : 2012-10-14
Location : sunny Essex
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I would be happy if every one of the 4 warm up games had Nelly playing the first 40 and Cusack playing the last 40.
George Carlin- Admin
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Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
You are right, Morrison does talk some pish, when is he ever going to write a positive article about Scottish rugby. He was not much of a player and he certainly is not much of a writer!
BigGee- Admin
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Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Most of those uncapped players will not make the squad will they> Surely there for the experience, a morale boost and a chance for cotter to see more of them. The opposite of Robinson who would not blood new players
TJ- Posts : 8629
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:Ah, here now. When have we ever run out of things to say?
Who is the most famous (non-rugby) person anyone here has ever met? I served Jane Fonda and media mogul Ted Turner drinks once. I was 21 and working a summer at a Vanderbilt mansion hotel in Newport, RI. I'll tell you something - she was gorgeous even then (15 years ago now).
I met Jimmy Saville once.
on hindsight, I think it was a lucky escape!
tigertattie- Posts : 9581
Join date : 2011-07-11
Location : On the naughty step
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I ate dinner at Guy's in Glasgow at the table next to Andrew Marr.
When I was at school I met Prince Charles when he came to visit. Also, when Madonna got married to Guy Ritchie they drove past our school...
I was on holiday in Germany once and accidentally walked into a CDU rally where I ended up shaking hands with Angela Merkel. Apparently they hold political rallies at airports, who knew??!
Pretty sure I've met some other famous people but can't think of them right now.
When I was at school I met Prince Charles when he came to visit. Also, when Madonna got married to Guy Ritchie they drove past our school...
I was on holiday in Germany once and accidentally walked into a CDU rally where I ended up shaking hands with Angela Merkel. Apparently they hold political rallies at airports, who knew??!
Pretty sure I've met some other famous people but can't think of them right now.
highland_scot- Posts : 593
Join date : 2012-05-10
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I used to live on Haverstock Hill in London NW3, which is just around the corner from England's Lane which is the main thoroughfare leading to Primrose Hill which, if you haven't heard of it, is like Stockbridge, but considerably more so.
It wasn't until I lived there for a year that I realized:
- the bloke who looked a lot like Sir Derek Jacobi who liked eating at the same Italian restaurant just across the road from my flat in fact was Sir Derek Jacobi;
- the bloke whom I clumsily walked into outside Rymers on Hampstead High Street was actually Hugh Laurie;
- the people I saw who lived in the knocked-together terrace houses just around the corner on England's Lane and who trotted around the neighbourhood often weren't just a bit eccentric. They were Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton;
- my favourite local, The Steele's (live fiddle music on Sundays, standard issue 3 legged pub dog, great Guinness) had a number of regulars who were just as casual as you like - Chris Evans, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller.
I miss the London days. All except the Trustafarian fetuses who frequented The Hill, the faux-silk boothed bar just underneath my flat. I couldn't sleep at night for the sound of 50 spoiled public school kids patting each other on the back and comparing sports car keys.
It wasn't until I lived there for a year that I realized:
- the bloke who looked a lot like Sir Derek Jacobi who liked eating at the same Italian restaurant just across the road from my flat in fact was Sir Derek Jacobi;
- the bloke whom I clumsily walked into outside Rymers on Hampstead High Street was actually Hugh Laurie;
- the people I saw who lived in the knocked-together terrace houses just around the corner on England's Lane and who trotted around the neighbourhood often weren't just a bit eccentric. They were Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton;
- my favourite local, The Steele's (live fiddle music on Sundays, standard issue 3 legged pub dog, great Guinness) had a number of regulars who were just as casual as you like - Chris Evans, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller.
I miss the London days. All except the Trustafarian fetuses who frequented The Hill, the faux-silk boothed bar just underneath my flat. I couldn't sleep at night for the sound of 50 spoiled public school kids patting each other on the back and comparing sports car keys.
George Carlin- Admin
- Posts : 15804
Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:I used to live on Haverstock Hill in London NW3, which is just around the corner from England's Lane which is the main thoroughfare leading to Primrose Hill which, if you haven't heard of it, is like Stockbridge, but considerably more so.
It wasn't until I lived there for a year that I realized:
- the bloke who looked a lot like Sir Derek Jacobi who liked eating at the same Italian restaurant just across the road from my flat in fact was Sir Derek Jacobi;
- the bloke whom I clumsily walked into outside Rymers on Hampstead High Street was actually Hugh Laurie;
- the people I saw who lived in the knocked-together terrace houses just around the corner on England's Lane and who trotted around the neighbourhood often weren't just a bit eccentric. They were Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton;
- my favourite local, The Steele's (live fiddle music on Sundays, standard issue 3 legged pub dog, great Guinness) had a number of regulars who were just as casual as you like - Chris Evans, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller.
I miss the London days. All except the Trustafarian fetuses who frequented The Hill, the faux-silk boothed bar just underneath my flat. I couldn't sleep at night for the sound of 50 spoiled public school kids patting each other on the back and comparing sports car keys.
Sounds like heaven.
funnyExiledScot- Posts : 17072
Join date : 2011-05-31
Age : 43
Location : Edinburgh
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller.
And the real reason GC left London comes to light. A 4000 mile restraining order
cakeordeath- Posts : 1949
Join date : 2012-11-25
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Well if you stay in the sunny West End of Glasgow and perambulate down Byres Road and Hyndland Road you bump into loads of celebs and Glasgow rugby dudes. Right enough Ryan Wilson and Sean Lamont stay in Bearsden so that doesn't really count (Upper Drumchapel to the un-initiated!). Kelly MacDonald and Robert Carlisle stay around the corner from me as does Kevin Bridges and Sanjiv Kohli. You see them 'cutting aboot' quite a bit. Some boring ex- wendyball player stays next door to me but he is a bit of a throbber. Waitrose in Byres Road is a good place to bump into Pete Horne, Tim Swinson and Josh Strauss - healthy if expensive diets ! I wouldn't recommend bumping into 'Bluto' Strauss tbh. Really good guy though.
21st Century Schizoid Man- Posts : 3564
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Glasgow
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I always felt that was harsh. I mean, who is really to say whether 978 texts a month is "a lot"?cakeordeath wrote:George Carlin wrote:Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller.
And the real reason GC left London comes to light. A 4000 mile restraining order
George Carlin- Admin
- Posts : 15804
Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
21st Century Schizoid Man- Posts : 3564
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Glasgow
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
As in Juddith Ralston? AKA the Cougar?
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
As in Juddith Ralston? AKA the Cougar?
I wouldn't say no, but I'm more of a Cat Cubie fan! Born and raised in Edinburgh (one for next season's match threads)
RDW- Founder
- Posts : 33185
Join date : 2011-06-01
Location : Sydney
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
I dunno maybe it's the glasses, and the whole "strict teacher" look....
but I go a little weak at the knees when I see the cougar delivering the weather.
The mrs is totally onto me too. For those who are friends with me on face ache it can't have escaped your notice that when I am away with work and the cougar is doing the weather. Mrs Radge is always sure to post her picture up to let me know what I'm missing.
but I go a little weak at the knees when I see the cougar delivering the weather.
The mrs is totally onto me too. For those who are friends with me on face ache it can't have escaped your notice that when I am away with work and the cougar is doing the weather. Mrs Radge is always sure to post her picture up to let me know what I'm missing.
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Crikey Radge. And I thought that RDW was the one with the concussion.RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I dunno maybe it's the glasses, and the whole "strict teacher" look....
but I go a little weak at the knees when I see the cougar delivering the weather.
The mrs is totally onto me too. For those who are friends with me on face ache it can't have escaped your notice that when I am away with work and the cougar is doing the weather. Mrs Radge is always sure to post her picture up to let me know what I'm missing.
George Carlin- Admin
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Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:Crikey Radge. And I thought that RDW was the one with the concussion.RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I dunno maybe it's the glasses, and the whole "strict teacher" look....
but I go a little weak at the knees when I see the cougar delivering the weather.
The mrs is totally onto me too. For those who are friends with me on face ache it can't have escaped your notice that when I am away with work and the cougar is doing the weather. Mrs Radge is always sure to post her picture up to let me know what I'm missing.
I didn't say it was rational. I get the urine extracted a lot, but she has a lot of closet cougar fans...
https://www.facebook.com/judithralstonfans
To be fair all of the Scottish weather ladies are all pretty nice. Gillian Smart is pretty tidy, Juddith "the cougar" Ralston gets my blood up and the BBC Alba broadcaster... well I'll let you guys decide.
Kirsteen MacDonald :
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:Crikey Radge. And I thought that RDW was the one with the concussion.RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I dunno maybe it's the glasses, and the whole "strict teacher" look....
but I go a little weak at the knees when I see the cougar delivering the weather.
The mrs is totally onto me too. For those who are friends with me on face ache it can't have escaped your notice that when I am away with work and the cougar is doing the weather. Mrs Radge is always sure to post her picture up to let me know what I'm missing.
You'd change your mind if you saw her presenting. Imagine the weather presenting equivalent of Nigella Lawson stuffing a turkey.
And anyway, are cougars not your kind of generation now??
Last edited by RDW_Scotland on Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
RDW- Founder
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Join date : 2011-06-01
Location : Sydney
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Agreed all the bbc weather ladies are very nice. For me the one that trumps all the others listed is Anne Lundon who does the morning weather on occasions.
From one of the islands and has a very nice islands accent
From one of the islands and has a very nice islands accent
Majestic83- Posts : 1580
Join date : 2011-06-10
Location : East Lothian/Aberdeenshire
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
So you'll like the Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tina Fey look then Radge?:
Like the Cougar but funny.
When Scotland play the USA in the RWC I will make one of them and the Cougar team mascots.
Like the Cougar but funny.
When Scotland play the USA in the RWC I will make one of them and the Cougar team mascots.
George Carlin- Admin
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Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
Majestic83 wrote:Agreed all the bbc weather ladies are very nice. For me the one that trumps all the others listed is Anne Lundon who does the morning weather on occasions.
From one of the islands and has a very nice islands accent
Sky rocket in flight!
Tattie Scones RRN- Posts : 1803
Join date : 2011-05-24
Age : 48
Location : Scottish Rugby Purgatory
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
HUZZAH!!!! Cougars for all!
Evidently RDW has the same feelings for the cougar as me...
RDW_Scotland wrote:
You'd change your mind if you saw her presenting. Imagine the weather presenting equivalent of Nigella Lawson stuffing a turkey.
And anyway, are cougars not your kind of generation now??
Evidently RDW has the same feelings for the cougar as me...
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:HUZZAH!!!! Cougars for all!RDW_Scotland wrote:
You'd change your mind if you saw her presenting. Imagine the weather presenting equivalent of Nigella Lawson stuffing a turkey.
And anyway, are cougars not your kind of generation now??
Evidently RDW has the same feelings for the cougar as me...
Not quite as strong feelings, but know where you're coming from!
Cat Cubie though...
RDW- Founder
- Posts : 33185
Join date : 2011-06-01
Location : Sydney
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RDW_Scotland wrote:RuggerRadge2611 wrote:HUZZAH!!!! Cougars for all!RDW_Scotland wrote:
You'd change your mind if you saw her presenting. Imagine the weather presenting equivalent of Nigella Lawson stuffing a turkey.
And anyway, are cougars not your kind of generation now??
Evidently RDW has the same feelings for the cougar as me...
Not quite as strong feelings, but know where you're coming from!
Cat Cubie though...
Yeah she is pretty nice. The one on sky news is a beauty too, her name escapes me though.
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
You guys should watch the Lebanese nightly news.
I don't understand a word but I don't need to:
Her name is Mona Abou Hamze.
I don't understand a word but I don't need to:
Her name is Mona Abou Hamze.
George Carlin- Admin
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Join date : 2011-06-23
Location : KSA
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
As in Juddith Ralston? AKA the Cougar?
Yep. A fine looking woman in the, ah-hem, flesh as it were !
21st Century Schizoid Man- Posts : 3564
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Glasgow
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:RuggerRadge2611 wrote:21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
As in Juddith Ralston? AKA the Cougar?
Yep. A fine looking woman in the, ah-hem, flesh as it were !
Can I visit your fine establishment for post match pints in the weegie leg of the 1872 cup this year?
You can then introduce me as a sophisticated "East Coast" interloper and I can impress her with my rugged good looks and effortless eloquence.
RuggerRadge2611- Posts : 7194
Join date : 2011-03-04
Age : 39
Location : The North, The REAL North (Beyond the Wall)
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
You could never tell it is the off season, could you?
BigGee- Admin
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Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
There is another candidate, again seen more on bbc alba from the islands. Sarah Cruickshank
Majestic83- Posts : 1580
Join date : 2011-06-10
Location : East Lothian/Aberdeenshire
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:RuggerRadge2611 wrote:21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Oh yeah and the weather chick from the BBC Scotland stays round the corner too. She looks way better off screen than on it and is a rather lovely person and always chats away to me. I think she thinks I am someone else or feels sorry for me tbh
As in Juddith Ralston? AKA the Cougar?
Yep. A fine looking woman in the, ah-hem, flesh as it were !
Can I visit your fine establishment for post match pints in the weegie leg of the 1872 cup this year?
You can then introduce me as a sophisticated "East Coast" interloper and I can impress her with my rugged good looks and effortless eloquence.
Radge, be cautious there. I have met up with Schiz a few times to pay homage at Scotstoun and the only beauties we have bumped into, other than Lady Schiz- who seemed joined umbillically to Bru, are The Mighty Coo and Ed Kalman. Who rate quite highly in the pie-eating grizzly prop stakes but not so highly in the Cougar ratings.
jimbopip- Posts : 7329
Join date : 2012-10-14
Location : sunny Essex
Re: Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad
George Carlin wrote:You guys should watch the Lebanese nightly news.
I don't understand a word but I don't need to:
Her name is Mona Abou Hamze.
Does she have a hook for a hand?
highland_scot- Posts : 593
Join date : 2012-05-10
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