Scotland v Italy, 29 August

      
SCOTLAND v ITALY
29 August 2015
KO: 15:15 BST
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Live on BT Sport

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referees: [TBC]
TMO: [TBC]

A. Head to Head

24 Played 24
16 Won 8
0 Drawn 0
8 Lost 8
540 Points 428

B. Recent Form

22 August 2015
Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin
12–16 to Scotland

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

SCOTLAND

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps; 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points
14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 95 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps, 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points
11 Tim Visser (Harlequins); 19 caps; 7 tries, 35 points
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps; 1 try, 1 con, 7 points
09 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 39 caps; 3 tries, 41 cons, 81 pens, 340 points

01 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 45 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
02 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 87 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
03 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
04 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps, 1 try, 5 points
05 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps; 1 try, 5 points
06 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
07 John Barclay (Scarlets) – 44 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
08 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 26 caps

16 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
17 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps
18 Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps; 1 try
19 Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps; 1 try, 5 points
20 Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 12 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
22 Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps) – 26 caps; 4 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 20 points
23 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 27 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

ITALY

15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani; 1 Matias Aguero, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Joshua Furno, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Francesco Minto, 8 Samuela Vunisa.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Marcello Violi, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Andrea Masi.

Still no Sharleen ?

Sharleen for the France match - promise.

She can face-off against FES favourite, Eva Green.

Would be unfair to displace current team rep, Katie Leung, at this late stage. Her agent will call me and it will be chaos.

Wait, is that Cho Chang?? She really irritated me in Harry potter.

George Carlin wrote:

She can face-off against FES favourite, Eva Green.

I would love to face-off against Eva.

Here's the team we put out in this same fixture 4 years ago. My how things change...

15. Rory Lamont
14. Squashed Goblin
13. De Luca
12. Morrison
11. Danielli
10. Desperate Dan
9. Blair

1. Dickinson
2. The match assassin
3. Low
4. Hines
5. Ruck Inspector
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Vernon


Replacements :
16. Dougie Hall
17. The Rev
18. Richie Gray
19. Ross Rennie
20. Cusiter
21. Jackson
22. Niki Walker

So who still needs to get a start then:

Dickinson
Dell
Ford
Bryce
Nel
Gray Jnr
Toolis
Wilson
Watson
Barclay
Laidlaw
Russell
Dunbar (crocked)
Bennett (hopefully fit)
Hoyland
Maitland (crocked)
Hogg

Wouldn't be surprised if the team was along those lines, maybe with Denton and Matt Scott in to give some balance (especially if Dunbar is not fit)

I'd be surprised to see Dell play - unless we're trying to protect players it would be a bit of a non-selection. Saying that, with Grant currently injured he is potentially next in line!

Russell at 10 with Scott at 12. My only request Mr Cotter.....

GLove39 wrote:Here's the team we put out in this same fixture 4 years ago. My how things change...

15. Rory Lamont
14. Squashed Goblin
13. De Luca
12. Morrison
11. Danielli
10. Desperate Dan
9. Blair

1. Dickinson
2. The match assassin
3. Low
4. Hines
5. Ruck Inspector
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Vernon


Replacements :
16. Dougie Hall
17. The Rev
18. Richie Gray
19. Ross Rennie
20. Cusiter
21. Jackson
22. Niki Walker

interesting that team should have beaten england to reach the quarter finals in auckland in 2011. Very unlucky not to.

So that begs question whether that was a better team than the one today ?

Most people would think so.

Im now not so sure given our losing results and continued repeated dross standard of performances.

that team could actually play a bit ! especially the forwards and even dan parks ffs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkDpnj_3t1I

I honestly don't believe that 2011 side is better than   the current one. It was exactly the sort of team you wanted for a tight, territorial game in a p!ssing wet Auckland in winter but even if you compare a couple of players to their current colleagues: R Lamont, Morrison, De Luca and Parks to Hogg, Dunbar, Bennett and Russell - the difference is thankfully night and day.

George Carlin wrote:I honestly don't believe that 2011 side is better than   the current one. It was exactly the sort of team you wanted for a tight, territorial game in a p!ssing wet Auckland in winter but even if you compare a couple of players to their current colleagues: R Lamont, Morrison, De Luca and Parks to Hogg, Dunbar, Bennett and Russell - the difference is thankfully night and day.

so that leads me to think the forwards back then were a lot better. this lot are clearly not performing. and andy robinson appears to have got more out of that lot then cotter is getting out of the current lot

who is the forwards coach ?

heres my take ;

2015 pack

1. scrum 3/10 expect some improvement with nel
2. maul 2/10 expect us to get mullered
3. turnovers 2/10 no idea why we cant compete, absolutely hammered every game
4. defence 7/10 seems ok
5. lineout 8/10 seems quite good

2011 pack

1. scrum 7/10
2. maul 5/10
3. turnovers 6/10
4. defence 7/10
5. lineout 7/10

we are going backwards in the forwards

I would certainly like the solidity of a peak Nathan Hines in the pack. Like Hamilton, but with more natural power, better skullduggery judgement and greater match intelligence.

Andy Robinson was, and is, a superb forwards coach and I think also in 2011 the forwards had more responsibility on their shoulders as they knew that there was no other way we were going to win games.

The other thing that's noteworthy from the 2011 side is that specialists are playing in their positions. What on earth is it about our international rugby coaches that they feel this rule is almost entirely elastic?

Finally, take the urine if you will, but when I watched that match footage again, Kellock really did look like a captain out there in a way that Frodo the Ponderous never will. Maybe a captain really does have to be a forward.

In other words, I still think that our current crop of players is better, but we are much, much less settled as an overall team unit than we were then. I think if you were to play my first choice pack* against their 2011 equivalents, I am fairly confident that 2015 would win.

*
01 Dickinson
02 Ford
03 Nel
04 R Gray
05 J Gray
06 Strauss
07 Watson/Hardie
08 Denton

Physicality is certainly a worry - we were lucky to even come 2nd best at some points against Italy, and that is even with us putting out a fairly meaty pack.

If we're struggling against Italy things aren't looking good for south Africa and Samoa!

Hopefully the presence of the Edinburgh front row, Gray, Strauss and Denton will help that.

Jonny Gray will also give some go-forward and a solid defence. I am tired of all of this fannying around with Gilchrist. When are we going to see a solid and consistent 80 minutes from him?

To be fair to Gilchrist, there's not a massive amount he could do about coming down with a bad case of the shhits!

It does leave Vern in an awkward situation though - I'm assuming Gilchrist was meant to get the first two games then play others before squad announcement time. Will he give him more game time at the expense of others?

Contenders currently in the frame as lock are Gray, Gray, Hamilton, Gilchrist, Toolis and apparently also Harley. Assuming a 17-14 forwards/back split with 6 front row players, then I would think we are looking at 4 locks, with at least one able to cover the back row.

I think thats the Grays plus Harley, which means it's a shoot out for the final place.

Toolis doesn't have the game time, so it's really a call between Hamilton and Gilchrist. Are we really going to throw Hamilton's experience away and the fact that he offers at least a basic tactical skillset for the lock position?

Gilchrist just seems like a Slightly Different Version of the Grays. Am I being unfair?

I think there must be something in Gilchrist that VC likes - as he keeps selecting him as captain.

Hopefully if we put a full squad out, we can see all the players playing like they can

I always worry on these warm up games as they are made up of so many different pods, that the ability of players are affected by the ability of the team

i.e. - A weak front row, meaning the second row looks bad

A weak 10 makes the 12 and 13 look bad

George Carlin wrote:

Gilchrist just seems like a Slightly Different Version of the Grays. Am I being unfair?

Is that not a good thing?? We want our locks to be big, physical, athletic and skilful – things that both Gray’s have in abundance – so is it really a bad thing if another player is like that too?

You use certain words to describe Hamilton, but I’d also say off the pace, slow, lumbering, penalty magnet – we really can do better than that. Especially if Cotter wants to play the high tempo we saw against Ireland, and not the slow slugfest we saw against Italy.

All fair comment, but I think that we cannot pay lip service to having at least one very experienced lock - particularly given the very young remainder of the pack.

It's fine to list a player's physical attributes - that all looks great on paper. However, the practical and cold reality is we may need to close out a desperately tight game on a soggy Gloucester or Newcastle evening in the autumn. I'm not talking down what Gilchrist brings - just that there is a danger is accepting received wisdom that Gilchrist is in some way 'automatically' better than Hamilton.

He would be a better choice for some styles of game and times in a match, but not for others.

As for experience, Richie Gray now has 44 caps, a lions test series and French Top 14 championship to his name - he's certainly no spring chicken any more!

I know what you mean, but do we select Hamilton just in case the weather is really bad for one of the games or one of the games becomes a slug fest?

George Carlin wrote:All fair comment, but I think that we cannot pay lip service to having at least one very experienced lock - particularly given the very young remainder of the pack.

It's fine to list a player's physical attributes - that all looks great on paper. However, the practical and cold reality is we may need to close out a desperately tight game on a soggy Gloucester or Newcastle evening in the autumn. I'm not talking down what Gilchrist brings - just that there is a danger is accepting received wisdom that Gilchrist is in some way 'automatically' better than Hamilton.

He would be a better choice for some styles of game and times in a match, but not for others.

HOWEVER - when has any of our old players ever done that

We are perpetual loses, and these are the players that have been around during this losing time

They do not have any magic ability or experience to help us win - as if they did - they would have used it before

Couldn't agree more Risky. When the Welsh or whoever else talk about picking experienced players it is because they have been there and done well in the past. What do Hamilton et al know about success for Scotland that we want them to pass on to Gray Jnr and the rest? What have they done? All they have learned in the last decade is how to lose for Scotland. Not always their indiviual fault but that's the situation.

When we talk of their experience, what we mean is that if we are 10pts down to SA at half time, they have been there many times before. What are their previous outcomes? Have they ever ended up with a positive result from that position?

Drop him and take Gilchrist & Toolis with the Grays. Drop Stroker and take Wilson or Ashe.

I thought that Hagrid was able to cast spells.
Let me check Pottermore.

RDW_Scotland wrote:As for experience, Richie Gray now has 44 caps, a lions test series and French Top 14 championship to his name - he's certainly no spring chicken any more!

I know what you mean, but do we select Hamilton just in case the weather is really bad for one of the games or one of the games becomes a slug fest?

I will obviously have to defer to other posters who have seen Gilchrist much more often than me.

I certainly hope he goes on to have a great tournament, because if not, it seems that quite a few people on these boards will be disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Gilchrist is the new messiah that will make the difference at the world cup, I just think he’s a better option than Hamilton. I also think Toolis is a better player, but is likely to miss out due to lack of experience.

The last good game Hamilton had for Scotland was when he was MOTM when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago (the one where O’Gara did that ridiculous kick). He was a right pain in the arse that day (to the opposition for once) and dismantled their lineout. Every other time I’ve seen him he’s just looked slow and laboured, and given away a lot of penalties.

I just don’t think he’s built for the modern international game anymore.

But is Gilchrist built for the modern game?
Lets look some of the useful facets of a modern second row:
Able to carry the ball dynamically into contact, taking the collision on his terms (more often than not)- not a strong point for GG. He generally crumples in contact and may make a yard but the ball coming back is slow.

Able to blast defenders away at a ruck. - GG usually loses his footing, ending up lying on the floor and often coming in on an angle.

Strong mauler, able to disrupt opposition drives - GG is usually found hanging about the edge of the maul and throws himself awkwardly into it at the last moment to little effect.
Able to read and steal opposition lineout ball - not seem much evidence of this vital skill from GG in Scotland shirt.

Has pace and can frighten defenders when he comes into the line- GG often ends up as a dummy jogger, lying far too flat and travelling far to slowly to fool anyone that he is going to get the ball.
Able to execute powerful one on one tackles on backs and forwards. - GG is a liability when isolated against any back (missed 3 of his first 4 one on one tackles against Ireland).
You may be right that Hamilton has little place in the modern game but I would argue that Gilchrist has even less of a place than big Jim.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Gilchrist is the new messiah that will make the difference at the world cup, I just think he’s a better option than Hamilton. I also think Toolis is a  better player, but is likely to miss out due to lack of experience.

The last good game Hamilton had for Scotland was when he was MOTM when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago (the one where O’Gara did that ridiculous kick). He was a right pain in the arse that day (to the opposition for once) and dismantled their lineout. Every other time I’ve seen him he’s just looked slow and laboured, and given away a lot of penalties.

I just don’t think he’s built for the modern international game anymore.

I understand. Alan Solomons is a massively experienced coach and he seems to agree with Cotter that GG is in some way special. That has to be respected and must be based on something.

I just don't ever recall seeing any meaningful evidence of it. That is not a WUM in any respect - just that for such strong word of mouth, I have been expecting an Eben Eztebeth character to emerge for a while now. All I see is a large, fluffy labrador holding cardboard placards advertising BT Murrayfield ticket offers. I don't see a Martin Johnson, is all I am saying.

So, Italy II

Front Row Dickinson-Ford-Nel then Shrek-McInally-Coo this looks like our first six going into the tournament.

Boilerhouse Gray Snr-Gilchrist with Harley as sub. We need to see what GG and Harley can bring to the squad.

That would be an ecumenical matter So many unresolved issues 6. seems still up for grabs, as does 7.
Wilson-Barclay-Hardie, this might give us some presence at the breakdown, then Watson.

The coming Man Henners then Samwise.

Dancer's position Jackson, Tonks lost out in the battle to be back up 15 so let's see Jackson a back up 10. Although it might be good man management to let Hornee Furra slay a ghost or two.

Waiting For Dungodot Family Sized Meatball- Bennett it's time to find out.

Back Three Hughes-Maitland- McMisser

It means that a couple of players won't get any game time before the squad is announced but either they are certanties (Dancer, Hogg) or they haven't shown up well enough in training.

We should be looking to kick on from Turin and impose our game on the Italians. Henners could be the key to that with a 10 who will run the game by running the ball.

Having watched the majority of GG's games since he started at Edinburgh I'd say that assessment of him is incredibly harsh. His ball carrying was good  against Ireland - something many people on here noted.

Of course this is just our own opinions of him and based on very little fact - to further add to my point, as has been said before - both Alan Solomons and Vern Cotter rate him very highly. I'm assuming it's not because they've got the hots for him! If veteran professional coaches rate him then he's obviously doing something right.

Then again, Hamilton is a regular starter for one of the top club teams in Europe - maybe my opinion of him isn't correct! (my answer to that being Sarries play a style that suits him, Scotland don't)

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Gilchrist is the new messiah that will make the difference at the world cup, I just think he’s a better option than Hamilton. I also think Toolis is a  better player, but is likely to miss out due to lack of experience.

The last good game Hamilton had for Scotland was when he was MOTM when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago (the one where O’Gara did that ridiculous kick). He was a right pain in the arse that day (to the opposition for once) and dismantled their lineout. Every other time I’ve seen him he’s just looked slow and laboured, and given away a lot of penalties.

I just don’t think he’s built for the modern international game anymore.

I understand. Alan Solomons is a massively experienced coach and he seems to agree with Cotter that GG is in some way special. That has to be respected and must be based on something.

I just don't ever recall seeing any meaningful evidence of it. That is not a WUM in any respect - just that for such strong word of mouth, I have been expecting an Eben Eztebeth character to emerge for a while now. All I see is a large, fluffy labrador holding cardboard placards advertising BT Murrayfield ticket offers. I don't see a Martin Johnson, is all I am saying.

To be fair, we’re not looking for Martin Johnson or Etzebeth – we’re looking for ‘better than Jim Hamilton’!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Gilchrist is the new messiah that will make the difference at the world cup, I just think he’s a better option than Hamilton. I also think Toolis is a  better player, but is likely to miss out due to lack of experience.

The last good game Hamilton had for Scotland was when he was MOTM when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago (the one where O’Gara did that ridiculous kick). He was a right pain in the arse that day (to the opposition for once) and dismantled their lineout. Every other time I’ve seen him he’s just looked slow and laboured, and given away a lot of penalties.

I just don’t think he’s built for the modern international game anymore.

I understand. Alan Solomons is a massively experienced coach and he seems to agree with Cotter that GG is in some way special. That has to be respected and must be based on something.

I just don't ever recall seeing any meaningful evidence of it. That is not a WUM in any respect - just that for such strong word of mouth, I have been expecting an Eben Eztebeth character to emerge for a while now. All I see is a large, fluffy labrador holding cardboard placards advertising BT Murrayfield ticket offers. I don't see a Martin Johnson, is all I am saying.

To be fair, we’re not looking for Martin Johnson or Etzebeth – we’re looking for ‘better than Jim Hamilton’!

I know someone who is 'better than Jim Hamilton' and of almost identical sensibilities and temperament:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Gilchrist is the new messiah that will make the difference at the world cup, I just think he’s a better option than Hamilton. I also think Toolis is a  better player, but is likely to miss out due to lack of experience.

The last good game Hamilton had for Scotland was when he was MOTM when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago (the one where O’Gara did that ridiculous kick). He was a right pain in the arse that day (to the opposition for once) and dismantled their lineout. Every other time I’ve seen him he’s just looked slow and laboured, and given away a lot of penalties.

I just don’t think he’s built for the modern international game anymore.

I understand. Alan Solomons is a massively experienced coach and he seems to agree with Cotter that GG is in some way special. That has to be respected and must be based on something.

I just don't ever recall seeing any meaningful evidence of it. That is not a WUM in any respect - just that for such strong word of mouth, I have been expecting an Eben Eztebeth character to emerge for a while now. All I see is a large, fluffy labrador holding cardboard placards advertising BT Murrayfield ticket offers. I don't see a Martin Johnson, is all I am saying.

To be fair, we’re not looking for Martin Johnson or Etzebeth – we’re looking for ‘better than Jim Hamilton’!

@slowlumbmoving - Jim Hamilton

@betterthanJim - Grant Gilchrist

jimbopip wrote:So, Italy II

Front Row  Dickinson-Ford-Nel   then   Shrek-McInally-Coo this looks like our first six going into the tournament.

Boilerhouse Gray Snr-Gilchrist  with Harley as sub. We need to see what GG and Harley can bring to the squad.

That would be an ecumenical matter So many unresolved issues 6. seems still up for grabs, as does 7.
  Wilson-Barclay-Hardie, this might give us some presence at the breakdown, then Watson.

The coming Man Henners then Samwise.

Dancer's position Jackson, Tonks lost out in the battle to be back up 15 so let's see Jackson a back up 10. Although it might be good man management to let Hornee Furra slay a ghost or two.

Waiting For Dungodot Family Sized Meatball- Bennett it's time to find out.

Back Three  Hughes-Maitland- McMisser

It means that a couple of players won't get any game time before the squad is announced but either they are certanties (Dancer, Hogg) or they haven't shown up well enough in training.

We should be looking to kick on from Turin and impose our game on the Italians. Henners could be the key to that with a 10 who will run the game by running the ball.

I agree with everything I was able to decipher so I'm going to assume I agree with the other 60%. The Hootsman said earlier that Bennett & Gray Jnr will play this time so hopefully we look a bit better with a stronger line up. Does anyone actually know if Maitland has been training and is now fit?

Ecumenical matter?? What on earth have I missed?

Wiz, I'm sure Rowdy McGilp aka Brubro will provide the appropriate vidoelinkexcerpt but there is an episode of father Ted where the Church Inspectors come to give Craggy Island the once over. Ted instructs Dougall that if anyone asks him a difficult question just to nod sagely and say "Ah that would be an ecumenical matter."

The bishops think Dougal is a very wise young man indeed.

So is this the first team selection that we're actually going to like?

George Carlin wrote:So is this the first team selection that we're actually going to like?

Ah, that would be an ecumenical matter.

George Carlin wrote:So is this the first team selection that we're actually going to like?

When was the last time we liked a selection?!

I think we are likely to get something like big verns first team out now. All the fringe players and those who needed gametime have had a go.


Front row - I don't understand those hairy beasts
Locks - Ickle Jonny, Gilcrest
Back row - cotters best idea of the right combo Who knows. I'd like to see Harley start and maybe go into the second row later on. Watson deserves a start as well I think

Laidlaw
Dancer
bennet and scott
Hogg McVisser and ?

Get some of the subs on early if you can to give more guys gametime

cp10 wrote:

Scottish Rugby Twitter wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Seven players released from the extended Scotland squad for Rugby World Cup

Scottish Rugby Twitter wrote:
@GlasgowWarriors' Cusack and Hughes; and @EdinburghRugby's Dell, Fife, Hoyland Toolis and will rejoin their clubs.

Shame for Toolis to be released before he even gets a chance!

So we now only have 2 tightheads? Risky...

Must be confident Maitland will be fit to have released 3 wingers!

So I just bought 4 tickets for me, a friend and our wee ones. Stunningly un-interesting news but I did notice that there was extremely limited availability. It's not a sell out but it's not that far off it.

The mighty Coo must be choked. Doubtless he'll be on standby.
That would seem to suggest that Bane will be fit though

Hamish Watson too. Harsh!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

cp10 wrote:

Scottish Rugby Twitter wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: Seven players released from the extended Scotland squad for Rugby World Cup

Scottish Rugby Twitter wrote:
@GlasgowWarriors' Cusack and Hughes; and @EdinburghRugby's Dell, Fife, Hoyland Toolis and will rejoin their clubs.

Shame for Toolis to be released before he even gets a chance!

So we now only have 2 tightheads? Risky...

Must be confident Maitland will be fit to have released 3 wingers!

Yes?

Surprised at Watson being released, he made a big impact against Italy and thought he might be given another shot this weekend. Saying that some very good quality players at openside to choose from.
The others are less surprising, Cusack was very poor on Saturday and got fairly well beaten in the scrum. He doesn't offer anything else in the loose so if he cant do the main role he was brought in for than he deserves to go.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Hamish Watson too. Harsh!

I'm raging about that, totally the wrong call!

Now if only Watson had been born in New Zealand...

Please tell me Hugh Blake isn't still in the squad?

des wrote:So I just bought 4 tickets for me, a friend and our wee ones.  Stunningly un-interesting news but I did notice that there was extremely limited availability.  It's not a sell out but it's not that far off it.

Hopefully, although there was an offer to get 1 fee kids ticket for every adult one purchased. And wouldn't be surprised if a few people like me went for that knowing that if more mates got time off work we could just upgrade those tickets.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Please tell me Hugh Blake isn't still in the squad?

Looks like he is!

Not the best endorsement for Cusak that VC would rather play Dickinson or Grant at tighthead than him...