Italy v Scotland, 22 August

by **George Carlin** Sun 16 Aug 2015, 8:52 am

First topic message reminder :

Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Italy_10

ITALY v SCOTLAND
22 August 2015
KO: 19:00 BST
Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin

Live on BT Sport

Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant Referees: [TBC]
TMO: [TBC]

A. Head to Head

23 Played 23
8 Won 15
0 Drawn 0
15 Lost 8
416 Points 524

B. Recent Form

28 February 2015
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
19 – 22 to Italy

22 February 2014
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
20 – 21 to Scotland

22 June 2013
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa
30 – 29 to Scotland

9 February 2013
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
34 – 10 to Scotland

17 March 2012
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
13 – 6 to Italy

20 August 2011
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
23 – 12 to Scotland

19 March 2011
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
21 – 8 to Scotland

C. Teams

ITALY
Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Cateri12

Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Cateri12

15 Andrea Masi
14 Leonardo Sarti
13 Tommaso Benvenuti
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Giovambattista Venditti
10 Tommaso Allan
9 Guglielmo Palazzani

8 Samuela Vunisa
7 Alessandro Zanni
6 Francesco Minto
5 Valerio Bernabó
4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c)
3 Lorenzo Cittadini
2 Davide Giazzon
1 Matias Aguero

16 Leonardo Ghiraldini
17 Michele Rizzo
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Marco Bortolami
20 Mauro Bergamasco
21 Marcello Violi
22 Carlo Canna
23 Luke McLean

SCOTLAND
Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Kirsty10

Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Kirsty10

15 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 94 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
13 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 26 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps; 1 try, 5 cons, 6 pens, 1 drop
09 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 6 caps

01 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
02 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
03 Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
04 Richie Gray (Castres) – 44 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
05 Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps, 1 try, 5 points
06 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
07 John Hardie (unattached) – uncapped
08 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 86 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
19 Jim Hamilton (Saracens) – 62 caps; 1 try, 5 points
20 Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen 10 points
23 Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped

by nickj Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:40 am

No real complaints there. You're right about SHC and Weir being a bit chalk and cheese, but it looks like Weir's being given a chance to prove us wrong. Its a pain that both Ryan Wilson and Josh Strauss are unavailable for these games. It would have been good to see them get some game time.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:41 am

Since we're on a new page I'll 're post it

Scotland team (sponsor BT) to play Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, Turin, this Saturday 22 August (kick-off 7pm BST) – live on BT Sport.

15 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps

14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 94 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
13 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 26 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped

10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps; 1 try, 5 cons, 6 pens, 1 drop
9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 6 caps

1 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
2 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
3 Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
4 Richie Gray (Castres) – 44 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
5 Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
7 John Hardie (unattached) – uncapped
8 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps

Substitutes
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 86 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
19 Jim Hamilton (Saracens) – 62 caps; 1 try, 5 points
20 Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen 10 points
23 Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped

by Weegie Wizard Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:44 am

With the exception of Stroker and Hughes (although he could still prove me wrong) I quite like this team.

Hopefully Scott will last the full 80 meaning we can see Horne at 10 which would fit that backline much better than Weir.

I think Hardie might prove a great addition. Really liked the look of him in Super Rugby.

by jimbopip Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:48 am

Hmmm.

Hardie to 6 when Watson comes on.

Hoyland on for Schlong.

Meatball either shows he can play the running game Vern wants or Horne is on sharpish.

GG either shows some grunt or Hagrid gets another last chance.

Matt Scott12 runs the defence properly or he's out, and then we're really in trouble.

Should be very interesting.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:50 am

Probably fair to say that we're likely to see near as dammit our first XV next week - Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gray jnr, Laidlaw (sigh), Russell, Bennett and Hogg are all yet to get a start / make an appearance.

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:55 am

A hot mess.

One of the strongest benches I have ever seen but as RDW says, some of these combinations are a real shotgun wedding of styles.

1. Delighted to see McInally start. I hope for his sake that he plays to his considerable potential. Huge talent and well worth a first cap. Hopefully the penny will drop with Ford that he may not be an automatic first choice any more. I really want both McInally and Hardie to vindicate themselves.

2. Cusack starting, which is amazeballs. Never thought we would see the day at one point. Let's see how we get on against an always good Italian scrum. The entire Edinburgh front row is available to come on if any manshaming is on the horizon.

3. Gray and Gilchrist is both a mahoosive and athletic lock combination. We certainly shouldn't be losing any line outs. Wonder who is calling them?

4. Our fastest and best footballing scrum half paired with our slowest and worst footballing fly half. This is the last chance saloon for Weir. He has to do enough to last a full 80 minutes because if he starts to suck, then both Horne and Tonks could replace him at any time. What news for his Scotland prospects ever again if he does not make the RWC plane to Tyneside?

5. The best that can be said about Al 'glacial cracks move faster' Strokosch is that he is playing in his usual specialist position. WTF is he really doing there? However, there cannot be a single Scottish fan out there who wouldn't want to see Watson, Hardie and Ashe on the field at the same time. Now that is a fast breakaway trio who would give nothing up at the breakdown.

6. The bench is very exciting. Surely Nelly the Elephant will make his bow when Large Mike starts to blow out of his considerable arse. Hamilton and Watson will both add a lot in terms of size and specialist competence. Hoyland and Horne will add gas and smarts. Would be delighted to see Hoyland on the field in particular.

7. What does Schlong starting 2 games in a row really mean? Who really knows?

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:57 am

Richie Gray isn't a lineout caller - Gilchrist will run the show

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 11:58 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Probably fair to say that we're likely to see near as dammit our first XV next week - Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gray jnr, Laidlaw (sigh), Russell, Bennett and Hogg are all yet to get a start / make an appearance.

Yes, that would be depressingly predictable. What I am hoping is that SHC has a blinder and Cotter needs to think twice about this.

What a shame he is paired with Weir.

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:00 pm

Holy crap. I have just seen that Hughes is starting! What an afternoon for him.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:00 pm

Absolutely - really want Hidalgo-Clyne to play with as much zip and swagger as he has done for Edinburgh and to prove once and for all that modern international teams really need a 9 with a spark about them.

by highland_scot Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:11 pm

We'll have issues if Ashe pulls up injured - only one (except for RV!!) in the squad who can remotely play 8. Back row of 2 7s and a crap 6? Scott Johnson would be pulling his hair out at that - not that him doing so would be a bad thing at all!

Would like to see SHC at 9 with Jacko, Horne or Russell at 10 so we can see his running game. Hopefully Weir can pull his finger out and play flat enough, keep up with play, and run. Otherwise it'll be a frustrating day for Sam and he'll need Tonks/Scott to come in at first receiver a fair bit to get some go-forward.

Imagine the impact though of emptying the bench - having Dickinson, Nel, Watson, Horne and Hoyland coming on against tired legs. Very much an all action bench! Had we had Hamilton and Pyrgos starting with Gray and SHC also coming off the bench then I could think of few better (Scottish) benches for impact.

by Majestic83 Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:21 pm

highland_scot wrote:We'll have issues if Ashe pulls up injured - only one (except for RV!!) in the squad who can remotely play 8. Back row of 2 7s and a crap 6? Scott Johnson would be pulling his hair out at that - not that him doing so would be a bad thing at all!

Would like to see SHC at 9 with Jacko, Horne or Russell at 10 so we can see his running game. Hopefully Weir can pull his finger out and play flat enough, keep up with play, and run. Otherwise it'll be a frustrating day for Sam and he'll need Tonks/Scott to come in at first receiver a fair bit to get some go-forward.

Imagine the impact though of emptying the bench - having Dickinson, Nel, Watson, Horne and Hoyland coming on against tired legs. Very much an all action bench! Had we had Hamilton and Pyrgos starting with Gray and SHC also coming off the bench then I could think of few better (Scottish) benches for impact.

Been saying it for years, Sean Lamont to No8. Would suit him down to a tee!

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:26 pm

Yes, an injury to Ashe would be a bit of a poo in the salad. I can only assume then it would be Vernon to 8, with a familiar 12 Scott 13 Horne midfield.

Jaysus - there's no way we can leave Vernon out of this world cup squad!

by cp10 Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:28 pm

You also have McInally if they're short

by EWT Spoons Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:37 pm

Yeah I would say McInally to 8 would be the most sensible move if something happened to Ashe, given he's played in that position more recently than the other cover options (and did very well incidentally)

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:42 pm

Forgot about McInally's previous life. Would be such a shame to remove him from the front row given how long he's waited to get there!

To say nothing of the fact it would let Monsieur LeChinhook onto the field.

by Prothero Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:46 pm

Scott Johnson will be Happy then three 8s, Ashe, Mcinally and Vernon, the master plan is becoming clear.

by EWT Spoons Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:49 pm

I wonder if because Barclay has been playing 8 that's why he's getting a shot (not in this game obviously)

by Prothero Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:50 pm

Roddy Grant should have a bash at 8 for Edinburgh see what happens? Scotty J loves 8s

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 12:53 pm

The omission of Barclay is very interesting.

Do we think he will get a start next week, in that case?

by JonnyEdinburgh Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:13 pm

Gonna stick my neck on the line and say I reckon Barclay won't make the cut. Last week's token gesture meant Cotter technically gave him a chance, to try and quieten down public outcry at his rejection!

I reckon Maitland, fit or not, is going to be cut too when the time comes. Cotter having a good look at other "utility" options in Jackson and Tonks. I'm sure Maitland fell out of favour during the 6 nations as well, so Cotter isn't exactly smitten with him.

by Prothero Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:22 pm

Im beginning to doubt its going to happen for him to be honest, allot of people here have Barclay pinned on as our starting seven but I'm sure Cotter is sweet on Cowan, Blake and Hardie which politically isn't the smoothest move with them all being New Zealanders but Big Vern is going to do it anyway and that's probably why he has been successful in the past he is his own man.

If we were relaying on scottish born and bred 7s we would be Barclay, Fusaro, Watson (English Born Exile) Personally Im not sure there is such a huge jump in class between the two groups but there is a jump in physicality.

by Weegie Wizard Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:34 pm

I'm one who would have Barclay miles ahead of the rest but I also think he will miss out. He may get the Italy home game but he will need a blinder to stand a decent chance. That's a real shame as I think a back row of Strauss, Barclay and Denton would be amazeballs.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:40 pm

My only concern with a Strauss-Barclay-Denton back row is that it is pretty slow. Not one to play against Japan I don't think!

by tigertattie Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:41 pm

"Amazeballs" is a 'word' that should never been used in a rugby forum!

by R!skysports Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:47 pm

Weegie Wizard wrote:I'm one who would have Barclay miles ahead of the rest but I also think he will miss out. He may get the Italy home game but he will need a blinder to stand a decent chance. That's a real shame as I think a back row of Strauss, Barclay and Denton would be amazeballs.

Still to be convinced. The longer he is away, the better he gets - should not be used in World Cup year :-)

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:51 pm

tigertattie wrote:"Amazeballs" is a 'word' that should never been used in a rugby forum!

But what if something is amazeballs?

Those crazy Italians are up:
Italy v Scotland, 22 August - Page 4 Italia10

Our favourite Judas Iscariot figure is starting at 10.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 1:53 pm

George Carlin wrote:
tigertattie wrote:"Amazeballs" is a 'word' that should never been used in a rugby forum!
But what if something is amazeballs?

Those crazy Italians are up:

Our favourite Judas Iscariot figure is starting at 10.

The Twitter address instead of their actual names is very annoying.

Still, with that team out (i.e. no Parisee) we really need to be winning this.

by R!skysports Thu 20 Aug 2015, 2:06 pm

With 4 warm up games, (VC felt too many), i would expect the NEXT two to start to bring the real teams together - so the first 2 may not actually show us much (Unless people have a stinker - I am looking at you StrokTosh)

by Weegie Wizard Thu 20 Aug 2015, 2:15 pm

I don't think there is another word (or even another 2 words mixed together) for that back row. So I'm sticking with amazeballs

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 2:28 pm

Weegie Wizard wrote:I don't think there is another word (or even another 2 words mixed together) for that back row. So I'm sticking with amazeballs

by IanBru Thu 20 Aug 2015, 2:41 pm

'Amazeballs' could often be used to describe the radical non-rugby chat on the Edinburgh-Glasgow banter threads.

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:00 pm

I am also amazed by the balls spoken on that thread.

by Weegie Wizard Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:13 pm

Not like this one, eh?

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:14 pm

Would anyone with some patience and 10 minutes spare please be able to decipher the Twitter gibberish and ascertain what the Italy team actually is?

by nickj Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:30 pm

Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Valerio Bernabó, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Marcello Violi, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Luke McLean

by IanBru Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:38 pm

Ah, that's a relief. I was sure I'd seen @RustyRockets in the pack somewhere. No one should have to suffer that sh!te.

by R!skysports Thu 20 Aug 2015, 3:48 pm

15 @Tonkiewonkie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
14 @BigSLong (Glasgow Warriors) – 94 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
13 @WeeVern (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
12 @OochMyshoulder (Edinburgh Rugby) – 26 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 @RoryMcwhos (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
10 @DuncanDonut (Mightbe Copywrite) (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps; 1 try, 5 cons, 6 pens, 1 drop
09 @ItalianSam (Edinburgh Rugby) – 6 caps

01 @Readieabookie (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
02 @NotthefootballerMcInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
03 @MybigCusack (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
04 @Mopheedonastick (Castres) – 44 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
05 @GGchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps, 1 try, 5 points
06 @StrokTosh (Perpignan) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
07 @Hardliehere (unattached) – uncapped
08 @AdamAshecooperish (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps

16 @dartsareoptional (Edinburgh Rugby) – 86 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 @thenewmellowheed (Edinburgh Rugby) – 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 @DoIsNel (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
19 @cardcollector (Saracens) – 62 caps; 1 try, 5 points
20 @Hamishfromtheglen (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
21 @Firestarter (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
22 @WeeHorne (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen 10 points
23 @Hoylandbatman (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 4:04 pm

by jimbopip Thu 20 Aug 2015, 4:11 pm

I'm looking forward to the second half when we bring on the new front row and Hagrid against a tiring scrum. Then have Hardie, Ashe and Watson putting pace on the loose play. Add Horne at 10 and it should be rapid.

I'm also keen to see the Shrek-Notford-Coo front row start the game.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 20 Aug 2015, 8:01 pm

I like the front five selection and it's great to see Matt Scott starting again at 12 for Scotland. I'm also pleased for Rory Hughes. I've talked him up a fair bit on these boards and I think he'll be an important player for Glasgow next season, despite the influx of Fijians.

Really important game for Duncan Weir. Tonks and Jackson both went well last week. Weir needs a big game. I wonder who will kick, Hidalgo-Clyne or Weir?

by alive555 Thu 20 Aug 2015, 8:31 pm

Is this game and next weeks on the box ?

by sensisball Thu 20 Aug 2015, 8:37 pm

only on BT, i think. Highlights? not sure if BBc or Sky are bothering.

by **RDW** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 8:49 pm

BT Sport usually put the full match on YouTube soon after.

by **George Carlin** Thu 20 Aug 2015, 10:16 pm

nickj wrote:Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Valerio Bernabó, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Marcello Violi, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Luke McLean

thanks Nick

by **RDW** Fri 21 Aug 2015, 7:38 am

Ryan Grant is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks, meaning he'll be fit for the world cup. He won't have had any further game time though.

Good news!

by jimbopip Fri 21 Aug 2015, 8:30 am

So,basically it's a long rest with plenty of upper body work in the gym and no risk of injury in friendlies. That'll do for me.

by **George Carlin** Fri 21 Aug 2015, 10:32 am

He can keep his hand in by squishing the Japanese front row. V good news.

by IanBru Fri 21 Aug 2015, 11:08 am

Sorry, am I the only one who's worried about facing the Japanese scrum? Maybe it's a bit like Malaya in 1942, but their reputation does rather precede them.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 21 Aug 2015, 11:25 am

If we're genuinely worried about facing Japan then we have big problems! We have the forwards to take the game away from them, and if the team selection is right we shouldn't fear their backs either.

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