Scotland 6N lookahead

First topic message reminder :

 

Scotland 45 – Japan 10

Hardie, Bennett (2), Seymour, Russell

Scotland 39 – USA 16

Visser, Maitland, Nel, Scott, Weir

South Africa 34 – Scotland 16

Seymour

Samoa 33 – Scotland 36

Seymour, Hardie, Laidlaw

Australia 35 – Scotland 34

Horne, Seymour, Bennett


Tries this world cup:

Seymour – 4
Bennett – 3
Hardie – 2
Russell, Visser, Maitland, Nel, Scott, Weir, Laidlaw, Horne – 1


6 Nations fixtures:
Scotland V England
Wales V Scotland

Italy V Scotland

Scotland V France
Ireland V Scotland

I have that eerie feeling that there are not very many of us in work at the moment!

I am unfortunately!

Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

RDW_Scotland wrote:I am unfortunately!

I see the bridge is to open tomorrow ahead of schedule. 

takethelongroad wrote:Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

Um, should you not be saving people's lives instead of being on here??

takethelongroad wrote:Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

Jaysus, LongRoad - that's quite a calling - no wonder you've only had the chance to make 40 posts between clearing impacted bowels and emptying Asbo's colostemy bag.

Be honest - is it like Scrubs in any respect?

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I am unfortunately!

I see the bridge is to open tomorrow ahead of schedule. 

Strangely, a William Hill very close to RDW's house took a bet on the bridge re-opening on that day. Co-incidence, surely?

Managed a quick read between clinics (3 today each overunning into the start time of the next). ASBO is a bit 'mature' for my skill set, am training in children's surgery.

Scrubs always seemed very familiar, although for absolute accuracy I would have to say that Green Wing nailed it .

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I am unfortunately!

I see the bridge is to open tomorrow ahead of schedule. 

Thought I'd speed things up after all the abuse I got

takethelongroad wrote:Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

Staff nurse here. Working a long shift on xmas day

TJ wrote:

takethelongroad wrote:Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

Staff nurse here.  Working a long shift on xmas day

I always assumed you were a bloke.....

Bob Harley is ruled out of the 6N with a thumb injury, which is a shame.

I suspect he wouldn't have been involved given Cotter doesn't rate him, but I'd have him as my first choice 6 when he's on form - especially if there is a balanced back row around him.

I suspect we'll see Cowan at 6 then, or maybe Strauss for the England game.

I think Harley could have made the bench covering (lock and 6) but I don't see him being ahead of Cowan or Strauss at 6, or ahead of either of the Grays at lock.

Still, on the plus side it means Edinburgh face Ryan Wilson instead. So very average.

Shame for big bad bob and Scotland for the six Nations he may not be current first choice but we can ill afford to lose any of our options in any position, also awful time to lose the use of your thumb, hope its no his drinking hand?

funnyExiledScot wrote:

TJ wrote:

takethelongroad wrote:Also here, am a junior doctor so Xmas is a mythical beast for many of us too!

Staff nurse here.  Working a long shift on xmas day

I always assumed you were a bloke.....

Oh no you didn't

Thinking ahead to the six nations, how are our exiles doing? As I don't see much of them,

With heathcote getting regular starts and Jackson getting regular game time are either of these likely to be ahead of russell? Or bench

I see Taylor's name alot at Saracens, is he pushing for a spot on the bench or a start?

How is visser going? I see he is scoring a few but how is his defence and interest going

Is gray getting game time in france?

Is Laidlaw continuing his form?

And has Denton settled down in bath

Saw Maitland got a start for Irish at the weekend, how are him and Cowan getting on

Thanks for the info about these guys as really don't get to see much rugby recently, today's game was the first in a long time

The only players I've seen much of are Jackson, visser and Taylor.

I think Jackson will really push for at least the bench spot. Been great for Wasps, particularly vs Toulon.

Visser will start in the 6N, he seems to have recovered his form. On defence, he is still not as good as he probably be but he's getting stuck on in attack.

Taylor is playing very well. Was key in saracens' two tries vs wasps and is now first choice in the centre it would appear. I think Scott offers slightly more though.

I've also heard Murray Low is doing very well coming off the bench as an impact player.

Jackson has lost his place to Gopparth and has spent the last 3 or 4 games on the bench.

Taylor is one of the form 13s in the AP just now and scored a superb individual try at the weekend. He's certainly putting pressure on Bennett!

Thanks for the updates, appreciated,

Good to see some genuine competition for places in the Scotland squad,

Can't wait for the six nations to start this year.. first one I'm home for in a few years and only seen the odd game on the past few

RDW_Scotland wrote:Jackson has lost his place to Gopparth and has spent the last 3 or 4 games on the bench.

Taylor is one of the form 13s in the AP just now and scored a superb individual try at the weekend. He's certainly putting pressure on Bennett!

Given Gopperth's efforts at the weekend I'm sure Jackson will get a chance to reclaim the starting place.
Although Taylor is playing well at 13 I think he must have a good chance of pushing for the 12 shirt for the 6N if Dunbar isn't fit. I can't really see Taylor being ahead of Bennett in Cotter's thoughts but Taylor does play 12 for Sarries on occasion and I think at international level his game is possibly better suited to inside centre. He probably edges Scott defensively.

As far as I'm concerned, the team for the England game is looking fairly certain (not down in ink, but heavy pencil IMO):

Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gray, Gray, (Watson), Hardie, (Denton); Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, Scott, Bennett, Visser, Hogg

I think what is uncertain is the bench, with matchups like:

Reid- Grant - Sutherland
McInally- Brown
Low - Welsh
Gilchrist* - Toolis
Strauss - Barclay - Cowan
Pyrgos* - SHC - Kennedy
Jackson - Tonks - Weir - Heathcote
Taylor - Dunbar* - Horne
Brown - Maitland - Lamont

There's at least another few years left on the older players and the younger ones can only get better.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Jackson has lost his place to Gopparth and has spent the last 3 or 4 games on the bench.

Taylor is one of the form 13s in the AP just now and scored a superb individual try at the weekend. He's certainly putting pressure on Bennett!

Taylor plays 12 or 13 equally well, has also played on the wing. He is certainly going to be pushing hard for a place, personally I think Bennett is the only one nailed in at the moment, with Scott/Taylor/Dunbar vying for the other spot.

The bench option will be interesting as Horne is the only centre who also plays 10. He would probably be behind all the others purely on the basis of being picked as a centre though. If we don't put him on the bench, then surely Weir or Jacko have to be there.

Does anyone know when Cotter is due to pick his initial 6N training squad?

MacKnocked-on wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Jackson has lost his place to Gopparth and has spent the last 3 or 4 games on the bench.

Taylor is one of the form 13s in the AP just now and scored a superb individual try at the weekend. He's certainly putting pressure on Bennett!

Given Gopperth's efforts at the weekend I'm sure Jackson will get a chance to reclaim the starting place.
Although Taylor is playing well at 13 I think he must have a good chance of pushing for the 12 shirt for the 6N if Dunbar isn't fit. I can't really see Taylor being ahead of Bennett in Cotter's thoughts but Taylor does play 12 for Sarries on occasion and I think at international level his game is possibly better suited to inside centre. He Turnstile Tim McMisser probably edges Scott defensively at the moment.

Fixed that for you

We've got competition for places in some positions but we're lacking depth or form in others.

Behind the Edinburgh front row it's not great. Grant has regained some form but that's only from pure mince to rank average. Brown will hopefully come good a few games back from injury and the least said about backup tighthead the better. I prefer Reid to Grant and I thought Sutherland played well on Sunday - they could be in the mix.

Behind the Grays there's a big step down but if Toolis can regain last season's form now he's back from injury then that will help somewhat and he'll give a good impact off the bench. The thought of Swinson going up against Launchbury and Lawes is terrifying! Beyond that we have t'other Toolis or, um, McKenzie if he comes back from injury...

Back row we have options but the only player who is currently at the top of his game is hardie, with Cowan also doing well at Irish. Strauss is a bit meh just now, Ashe was completely anonymous on Sunday (and looked underpowered as feared) and Denton, although getting game time for bath, certainly hasn't been at his barnstorming best for them. I'm not even considering Wilson as a viable option.

Scrum half is Laidlaw, and hidalgo-clyne went on to have an assured game on Sunday after a few dodgy early box kicks. Hopefully Pyrgos is back in time.

As always we have concerns at 10 - Russell's form is fairly hit or miss just now and his two main rivals - weir and Jackson - aren't getting any game time. Hopefully Russell will come good come 6N time.

Centre is actually our strongest position and I'd generally be happy with any combination of Dunbar, Scott, Bennett, Taylor and Horne (except not Horne and Bennett).

Back 3 the only player on any kind of form is Visser. Seymour and Hogg are also in the 'meh' camp and Maitland has only just recently come back. Tom Brown has had a great season but I doubt he'll figure, and I'm not sure he's an international class wing.

So all in all we really could do with a lot of players' form improving over the next 3 weeks!

Btw does anyone know how Geoff Cross is playing - haven't noticed him on team lineups for Irish?

Anyone think that Maitland could be the starting 15 over Hogg? Or has hogg done enough to keep it for now

I haven't seen Maitland on the teamsheet recently but heard he did well at the weekend, was he out with an injury?

Cross has been loaned to London Scottish, Maitland has had his injury issues.

Hogg really should have been given time off around the time of his baby been born - unfortunately he couldn't because of injuries.

poddy89, I can't see Maitland starting at FB. He would have needed to be a regular starter, get a few MoM's and be up there on the Premiership try-scoring table to knock Hogg out of the jersey. I rate Maitland and feel he's a bit more dependable (when he's playing well) than Hogg, however, I think Hogg owns the 15 shirt for a good few years to come, regardless as to whether his form is average (now) or decent (6N '15).

Just seen that Bath have signed the Japanese number 8 Mafi until the end of the season (which I'm sure will be extended).

With Falateau also signing for next season I wonder if Denton is regretting his move!

I'd take him back at Edinburgh...

I agree with your thoughts regarding fullback, you just sometimes feel you should be seeing a bit more from hogg in some club games,

I do think the squad is the most settled it has been for a long time so hopefully we can learn to control games and still use our attacking side we have started

I agree with your thoughts regarding fullback, you just sometimes feel you should be seeing a bit more from hogg in some club games,

I do think the squad is the most settled it has been for a long time so hopefully we can learn to control games and still use our attacking side we have started

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just seen that Bath have signed the Japanese number 8 Mafi until the end of the season (which I'm sure will be extended).

With Falateau also signing for next season I wonder if Denton is regretting his move!

I'd take him back at Edinburgh...

Hopefully Denton will rise to the challenge and improve further as a player given the added competition, I've often felt that Faletau is somewhat overrated so Denton shouldn't feel he is at the bottom of the pecking order. And I'm sure he isn't regretting the move financially...

The lack of tighthead options is a huge worry? Im hoping Moray Low's premiership experience is going to push him on a little? as per usual the scottish system of two clubs has failed the young talent coming through in that position as Tightheads wont be at their best till their late 20's its cheaper to bring them in than to pay there contract's through there early 20's.

Hoping one or two of Fagerson, Cosgrove, Rae or Sheldon will be encouraged to reach their potential and become the number one tighthead at Edinburgh or Glasgow?

It wont be a good sign if a couple of 24 year old southern hemisphear guys arrive in the summer to be part of a residency program (becoming scottish qualified at 28).

Tim Visser is out for 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the start of the 6N.

Surely shlong won't be making an appearance this 6N??

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tim Visser is out for 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the start of the 6N.

Surely shlong won't be making an appearance this 6N??

I am sure he would be willing, I don't think he will ever officially retire!

However we really do need to be looking past him now. Assuming no more injuries, we have still got the decent line up of Hogg, Seymour and Maitland to start. After that, I guess I would go with Brown and Hoyland as backups. Taylor could cover the wing at a pinch though not ideally as a starter.

I watched that game and he really did not seem that bad when he came off, maybe he will get back a bit sooner

Hamstring is a bad injury for a winger who is required to run at full pace a pot and it always plays on your mind when you just come back from an injury.

Happy hogmanay to all here. Radio silence from me over the past 3 weeks as I was mopping up after 2 toddlers high on Christmas candy and 2 in-laws high on liqueur chocolates and festive yahoo. It's a relief to be back at work, frankly.

Well done to Edinburgh for being robust enough to take both games but I was pretty disappointed with the standard of play in these two matches generally and this 6 Nations is very difficult to predict for us. What I think has changed is that previously I believed that Glasgow was playing better in its competitions than Scotland was in theirs whereas now I believe that the Scotland team is a better unit than Glasgow and the players' mix of clubs and their recent successes falls very much in our favour.

I didn't watch the Irish franchises much but I have to say that the quality of rugby in the Welsh derbies was much better than the effluvia which plopped out of 2 trips to the Library. We can only go so far in blaming the weather for this. We have a lot of players out of form although the better performing units now ironically seem to be in areas where we were weaker before (loose forwards and midfield), so perhaps it's not as bad as all that.

A lot of the more pertinent stuff has been said by the intelligent and handsome posters above but my squirts of disappointed vitriol are as follows:

- Terrible shame that Visser is injured because Hogg is running on fumes and reputation and the moment and would not be in my starting 23. I suppose that 11 Seymour 14 Maitland 15 Hogg is fair enough, but none of these guys is playing well.

- I don't think that it's as simple as saying that Jackson has lost his place to Gopperth. I think that Rhubarb has had some injury niggles and needed resting. He has done a huge amount for his reputation by starring in all of Wasps' biggest recent European victories.

- There is a desperation to Duncan Weir's play now which is sad to see. One of the reasons he became known as the intercept provider is because I think he feels the need to force everything to be seen to be as creative as Russell. That is never going to happen and I agree that he needs to move on to try and find a club which plays the sort of game that he can support. He is good enough to find a Jeff club although is unlikely to be old, expensive, sexy and SANZAR enough to get a gig in the Top 14.

- I think if we're honest, a lot of us have been waiting for Cornel du Preez to become SQ for some time. When is is interested and focussed, he brings a physical ferocity and intensity that very few NH players are able to provide. I have never seen him manhandled by any opposition and I suspect that the step-up to international level won't be much of a reach for him. The idea of 6 Du Preez 7 Hardie 8 Denton 20 Strauss is a veritable dreamland compared to the budgie's cage scrapings of a few years ago. Let's just enjoy it.

- On the issue of whether he should be selected, this has been thrashed to a twitching corpse and I have no intention of getting into it again, but I would say that I cannot shake the feeling the Peter Wrights of the world would be happier with things if Cornel du Preez had been named Hamish St John Bumfertie McTeuchter and happened to have red hair and blue eyes. Every other aspect of his life could be as it is now. Cannot avoid the feeling that a lot the naysayers care more about what things look like than what they actually are. Not that role models aren't important. But that's another thing. Stop writing. Stop writing now.

Good to have you back GC - you've got a lot of match threads waiting to be done!

The joys of Scottish people needing two holidays to recover from hogmanay - I'm off today!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good to have you back GC - you've got a lot of match threads waiting to be done!

:
https://www.606v2.com/t61723-edinburgh-rugby-v-benetton-treviso-8-january
https://www.606v2.com/t61722-champions-cup-pool-3-racing-92-v-glasgow-warriors-9-january

It's not like you'll be doing any work on the first day back anyway!

Does anyone know when Cotter is due to pick his initial training squad, must be soon I would think?

MacKnocked-on wrote:Does anyone know when Cotter is due to pick his initial training squad, must be soon I would think?

Dunno, Happy new year though guys.

George Carlin wrote:- There is a desperation to Duncan Weir's play now which is sad to see. One of the reasons he became known as the intercept provider is because I think he feels the need to force everything to be seen to be as creative as Russell. That is never going to happen and I agree that he needs to move on to try and find a club which plays the sort of game that he can support. He is good enough to find a Jeff club although is unlikely to be old, expensive, sexy and SANZAR enough to get a gig in the Top 14.

Weir just needs a Delorian, a flux capacitor and the digits required to take him back to Frank Hadden's Scotland side. He'd have a whole bunch of caps had he been born 10 years earlier.

Happy New Year all!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:- There is a desperation to Duncan Weir's play now which is sad to see. One of the reasons he became known as the intercept provider is because I think he feels the need to force everything to be seen to be as creative as Russell. That is never going to happen and I agree that he needs to move on to try and find a club which plays the sort of game that he can support. He is good enough to find a Jeff club although is unlikely to be old, expensive, sexy and SANZAR enough to get a gig in the Top 14.

Weir just needs a Delorian, a flux capacitor and the digits required to take him back to Frank Hadden's Scotland side. He'd have a whole bunch of caps had he been born 10 years earlier.

Happy New Year all!

Not to sure about his hair either. I'm a big red dwarf fan, so I'll quote the Cat.

Rimmer : Would it hurt you to have a hair cut like mine?
Cat : I do have hair like that, just not on my head.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:- There is a desperation to Duncan Weir's play now which is sad to see. One of the reasons he became known as the intercept provider is because I think he feels the need to force everything to be seen to be as creative as Russell. That is never going to happen and I agree that he needs to move on to try and find a club which plays the sort of game that he can support. He is good enough to find a Jeff club although is unlikely to be old, expensive, sexy and SANZAR enough to get a gig in the Top 14.

Weir just needs a Delorian, a flux capacitor and the digits required to take him back to Frank Hadden's Scotland side. He'd have a whole bunch of caps had he been born 10 years earlier.

Happy New Year all!

Not to sure about his hair either. I'm a big red dwarf fan, so I'll quote the Cat.

Rimmer : Would it hurt you to have a hair cut like mine?
Cat : I do have hair like that, just not on my head.

Loved the Cat.

Best line:

I'm so gorgeous, there's a six month waiting list for birds to suddenly appear, every time I am near.

I missed the whole Red Dwarf craze, always thought it was a bit too nerdy for my tastes. I was more of a Panorama/Newsnight sort of kid.....

Back to topic

I really am worried about this 6 nations and see us fighting out with Italy again - I think the Ozzies game was the one chance we had of actually getting above the rest and without that I think we will find it tough again to beat any of the other 6 natios teams


I know I am a optimist :-) but apart from a couple of decent halfs, we really did not play that well in the World cup, and scraped out out group by our finger tips

I have not seen anything to raise my level of expectations from wooden spoon to even dark horses

I'm with you Risky - I've spelt out enough times exactly how hard the 6N is and how desperately bad we have been over the years. In the World Cup we had months together, players were fresh and on form and we managed to put in a one off special performance against Australia.

For this 6N our players are looking weary already and we're still only a few injuries away from having to play some inadequate players.

2 wins would be a great achievement for this group of players and 3 would be utterly remarkable. As it stands I think we'll just beat Italy and hopefully put in some decent performances.

We do have the ability to do better but it would our biggest achievement in 6N history!