Scotland's Summer Tests, 18 & 25 June

First topic message reminder :


Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

5 Played 5
0 Won 5
0 Drawn 0
5 Lost 0
55 Points 266 

B. Recent Form

23 September 2015
Scotland 45-10 Japan
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

09 Nov 2013
Scotland 42 - 17 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

13 Nov 2004
Scotland 100 - 8 Japan
McDiarmid Park, Perth

12 Oct 2003
Scotland 32 - 11 Japan
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

05 Oct 1991
Scotland 47 - 9 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

C. Teams

JAPAN 
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SCOTLAND 
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SCOTLAND 

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Scotland / Japan history:

2015: Scotland 45-10 Japan, Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester (RWC 2015)
2013: Scotland 42-17 Japan, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2010: Scotland XV 24-5 Japan Select, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh (uncapped match)
2004: Scotland 100-8 Japan, McDiarmid Park, Perth
2003: Japan 11-32 Scotland, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville (RWC 2003)
1991: Scotland 47-9 Japan, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh (RWC 1991)
1989: Japan 28-24 Scotland XV, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo (uncapped match)
1986: Scotland XV 33-18 Japan, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh (uncapped match)
1977: Japan 9-74 Scotland XV, Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (uncapped match)
1976: Scotland XV 34-9 Japan,  BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh (uncapped match)

Scotland Squad:

Scotland need 2 solid wins to start climbing back up the IRB rankings.
You wouldn't want to put too much of an experimental side out against Japan..as they have proven, they do the basics very well and can deal with the more physical approach.

Are these tests on TV?

Was that post so good you had to post it twice?

I'll say it again just in case

BBC 2

Ooops - cheers

Teams can be experimental but given the world cup pools are seeded in 12 months time its crucial you win as many games from now as you can.
For Scotland, they have to get into that 2nd pool. In 2016 they will face

Japan
Japan
Argentina
Georgia
Australia

They can win all of those games at a push and its smart scheduling by the SRU in my book. Experiment next summer once you've locked in your seeding.

http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings/mru

Scotland 9th in the world rankings. Make sense to face one of their nearest rivals, 11th placed Japan.

According to these rankings these are pretty much the groupings going by points:

Tier 1 -NZ
Tier 2 - Aus,Eng,SA
Tier 3 - Argentina,Wales,Ireland
Tier 4- France,Scotland,Fiji,Japan
Tier 5 - Georgia,Tonga,Italy,Samoa

Seems about right.

Things can change though.

Woah - presumably England could move to second if they give the Wallabies a wedgie in at least one of the two remaining tests?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/36540082

Apparently Japan are missing up to 9 players that beat SA. Should be an interesting side to face in transition with a new coaching set up, new club set up and player rotation.

Experiments next summer could be forced depending on who makes the Lions squad.

Good lord man, did you just try and make me voluntarily watch a video featuring John Beattie?! What have I ever done to deserve this?

Scotland team to play Japan at Toyota City Stadium
Saturday 18 June (kick-off 7.20pm BST, 11.20am BST) – live on BBC

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 43 caps; 11 tries, 3 pens, 64 points

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 27 caps; 13 tries, 65 points
13. Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 17 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
12. Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 34 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
11. Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap

10. Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins) – 28 caps; 4 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 20 points
9. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 51 caps; 4 tries, 64 cons, 120 pens, 508 points

1. Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 57 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps
3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 13 caps, 1 try, 5 points
4. Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 56 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6. John Barclay (Scarlets) – 50 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
7. John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 10 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps

Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
18. Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 32 caps
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
20. David Denton (Bath Rugby) – 34 caps
21. Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
22. Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps; 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 21 caps; 3 tries, 15 points

Unavailable through injury: Ross Ford (calf).

Exciting team there, with one or two surprises.

That's a very athletic pack and I suspect Wilson was selected for his mobility. Great to see McInally starting but I suspect we would have seen Ford's name there if he wasn't injured. I'm amazed Gray is starting - he's a fit lad but he's hardly had a break since the 6N and has had a 6 day turnaround including travel.

Great opportunity for Hoyland - that left wing slot is by no means nailed down so he's got a chance to lay down a marker. His defence will be a big question mark though. He's bang in form with loads of confidence from the 7s so let's see what he can do.

Same for Jackson - Russell's form of late for Scotland has been erratic at best so this is his chance to remind selectors that he's a genuine alternative.

Matt Scott is a little lucky but it perhaps shows that Horne is viewed as a backup 10 mainly. He was outstanding in Edinburgh's last two games so I'm hoping for a dominant performance.

Interesting team and just mixed up enough for me.

Good Things:

- Delighted to see the Mighty Rhubarb start again
- Barclay and Hardie on the flanks is amazing
- Henners on the bench is an excellent option if Laidlaw is having a Slow Day
- Lovely to see Rambo at 2
- Perfect chance for Hoyland to show his stuff
- Very good bench generally

Not So Good Things:
- Ryan 'are you looking at my kebab?' Wilson starting
- No Beard That Is Feared
- Presume Richie G will only be able to do a half at that pace and in that heat
- I was maybe hoping for Shuggy the Stormer to bench

Given the circumstances it's probably the strongest team we could put out. Obviously McVisser and the Jones boyin the backs and Bluto and Clare Baldwin ( is Dents the only rugby player ever to get a short back'n'sides and end up looking more like the woman he's nicknamed after?) should all come into next week's 23.
The upside of having such a small squad is that the competition for places must be brutal. If Rhuaridh Jackson doesn't put in two very good performances then we can expect to see him flying through the bat-wing doors never to enter the last chance saloon again. To a lesser extent, Matt Scott12 is on recent form my third choice behind Dunbar and Horne. I get the feeling that, post- injury, he was stalling at Embra and was "allowed" to move to try and resuscitate his career. This is a crying shame when you think back to the promise that the Dunbar-Scott partnership had in its early days. So at 10 & 12 we could have two young men who are both extremely talented (possibly gifted in Jackson's case) who are playing for their international futures. If we see
9. Henners
10. Frodo
12. Furra Linee
start next week then it could well be So Long And Thanks For All The Fish for one or both of them.

Mind you we could see Saturday's match ending with
9. Henners
10. Furra Linee
12. Taylor
13. Hogg
15. NoMaits

Now that could be very interesting.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Exciting team there, with one or two surprises.



Same for Jackson - Russell's form of late for Scotland has been erratic at best so this is his chance to remind selectors that he's a genuine alternative.

I understand exactly what you mean, RDW, and agree with it. But the idea of Ruaridh Jackson being seen as somehow less erratic than anyone in the history of the world is worth a chuckle or two.

jimbopip wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Exciting team there, with one or two surprises.



Same for Jackson - Russell's form of late for Scotland has been erratic at best so this is his chance to remind selectors that he's a genuine alternative.

I understand exactly what you mean, RDW, and agree with it. But the idea of Ruaridh Jackson being seen as somehow less erratic than anyone in the history of the world is worth a chuckle or two.

I think that is an outdated perception of what Jackson is now like as a player - he's definitely still more in the 'mercurial' category but is far more consistent now than he was earlier in his career. His performances for Wasps were testament to that.

If anything Russell's consistency has got worse this season!

Not totally surprised Ritchie is starting, the noises coming out the camp seemed to be if he could walk he would be playing.  Not sure it's the best of plans, but given we have so few option at lock on tour, (if only there were other options who could have been called up to provide a bit of depth.... ).

Will be interesting to see how Hoyland fares at International level, hopefully he makes a good impression.

Also I guess Huw's foot injury is still preventing him playing, otherwise I would have expected to see him on the bench at least.

Jackson -  I really hope he's able to kick on and provide a viable alternative to Finn, or even take his place as no.1

Absolutely delighted for Hoyland. He's a rough diamond in my opinion and if he had a decent coach (there's time yet), I reckon he could turn out to be a real gem.

Glad that Lamont is nowhere near the team. Perhaps finally, he can pursue his natural vocation in porn.

Japan missing a few top players and their replacements might be a bit unknown but I predict quite a comfortable win for us in both tests.

Happy with the team, very happy to see Jackson back on board - I think he will kick on, he's been around long enough to know how international selection works and in my opinion is a better out-and-out FH option than Heathcote or Weir. I reckon his move to Harlequins has a lot to do with the fact he's now being considered as a 10 again in the Scot camp.

Hoyland is a bold move for Cotter who seems to be mostly settled on a squad. Great chance for him though, lets hope he grabs it with both hands, Japan is a good chance for him to gain confidence in the 15 man set up as we won't be getting pasted (though I don't think it'll be as easy as everyone else seems to!).

Ryan Wilson has put in some decent shifts recently, I'm not too fussed about his name being on the teamsheet - although it does show we really have problems at 8, I'm still to be convinced by Strauss for Scotland - he's not bad but he's not exactly set the heather alight either which is disappointing. Barclay and Hardie always makes me happy and looking at our U20s I think we will be okay for flankers in future - which is reassuring.

Poor Richie will be blowing out of his a*se within the first half I think - give the lad a break!

Great to see Henners back, and Horne will be a great impact substitute. One telling stat on here... Pyrgos 4 tries with 17 caps, Laidlaw 4 tries with 51 caps. Now I know we're past criticising Laidlaw as he is our glorious leader who will inevitably lead us to world cup victory in 2019 but I think we'd benefit changing at SH over the next year, maybe phasing him out as we bring in Price, Fraser etc etc. Whilst I don't think stats tell the full story - and he is undoubtedly one of the finest Scottish goalkickers, if we want to carry on playing a faster game, options like Pyrgos should be put to the fore.

Sorry MFL, he had some useful information. It happens from time to time.

Would like to see Low start a test so that Cotter can get some faith that he can hold out 20 minutes in a 6 nations match when Nel is knackered
R Gray should have been left at home to rest but that has been beaten to death
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.
Happy to see Laidlaw/Jackson and Pyrgos/Horne. Pyrgos/Horne should be familiar with one another
Scott can be considered lucky Horne is considered a 10 and Bennett is off playing 7s. Would like to see Jones at some point
There is a shortage of wings. Fife has been kicked to the curb, Hughes and Jones not considered good enough. Hoyland has an open track to being a 3rd/4th choice wing that can pick up 30-40 caps. Let us hope he takes it.

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.

I wonder if VC is taking the view that big carriers such as Denton and Strauss are pretty much nullified by Japans’ tackling technique – they go so low and chop players round the ankles so big ball carriers don’t get anywhere as they showed against SA.

Strauss makes his hard yards by going high and relying on his bulk to burst through tackles, and that just won’t work if he’s chopped round the ankles. Denton carries low but that makes him unstable – again an easy target for low tackles.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.

I wonder if VC is taking the view that big carriers such as Denton and Strauss are pretty much nullified by Japans’ tackling technique – they go so low and chop players round the ankles so big ball carriers don’t get anywhere as they showed against SA.

Strauss makes his hard yards by going high and relying on his bulk to burst through tackles, and that just won’t work if he’s chopped round the ankles.  Denton carries low but that makes him unstable – again an easy target for low tackles.

Risky but guess they think the Gray's and McInally will act as the heavy artillery and be able to generate quick ball. Japan should not have a big enough pack to take advantage due to a big tight 5.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
Glad that Lamont is nowhere near the team. Perhaps finally, he can pursue his natural vocation in porn.

Quote of the year for me

Hazel Sapling wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.

I wonder if VC is taking the view that big carriers such as Denton and Strauss are pretty much nullified by Japans’ tackling technique – they go so low and chop players round the ankles so big ball carriers don’t get anywhere as they showed against SA.

Strauss makes his hard yards by going high and relying on his bulk to burst through tackles, and that just won’t work if he’s chopped round the ankles.  Denton carries low but that makes him unstable – again an easy target for low tackles.

Risky but guess they think the Gray's and McInally will act as the heavy artillery and be able to generate quick ball. Japan should not have a big enough pack to take advantage due to a big tight 5.

I know he's called Rambo but he does seem to spend more time avoiding contact than taking it. I'm not calling him soft, more that he's agile.

I think the team is excellent and from Cotter's squad, with one exception, is the team I would have selected.

The one exception is, of course, Ryan Wilson, but he's finished the season in decent form and I do prefer him at 8 than at 6. His athleticism will complement the style of play Japan are trying to adopt, which is a bonus. He isn't as good at rugby as Strauss or Denton, but perhaps Cotter wants to see how the pack gets on with a brain dead lightweight at 8 who just wants to get into fights.

des wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.

I wonder if VC is taking the view that big carriers such as Denton and Strauss are pretty much nullified by Japans’ tackling technique – they go so low and chop players round the ankles so big ball carriers don’t get anywhere as they showed against SA.

Strauss makes his hard yards by going high and relying on his bulk to burst through tackles, and that just won’t work if he’s chopped round the ankles.  Denton carries low but that makes him unstable – again an easy target for low tackles.

Risky but guess they think the Gray's and McInally will act as the heavy artillery and be able to generate quick ball. Japan should not have a big enough pack to take advantage due to a big tight 5.

I know he's called Rambo but he does seem to spend more time avoiding contact than taking it.  I'm not calling him soft, more that he's agile.

That's how I used to be as a player. Agile when it came to avoiding contact (not a major selling point for a lock).

McInally isn't a rumbler - he's very dynamic and (rightly so) carries into space and not straight into the defender

His ball carrying is one of his biggest strengths!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

des wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Rather settled team with no big carriers in the back row yet all of them can carry effectively. Highly mobile and all can poach.

I wonder if VC is taking the view that big carriers such as Denton and Strauss are pretty much nullified by Japans’ tackling technique – they go so low and chop players round the ankles so big ball carriers don’t get anywhere as they showed against SA.

Strauss makes his hard yards by going high and relying on his bulk to burst through tackles, and that just won’t work if he’s chopped round the ankles.  Denton carries low but that makes him unstable – again an easy target for low tackles.

Risky but guess they think the Gray's and McInally will act as the heavy artillery and be able to generate quick ball. Japan should not have a big enough pack to take advantage due to a big tight 5.

I know he's called Rambo but he does seem to spend more time avoiding contact than taking it.  I'm not calling him soft, more that he's agile.

That's how I used to be as a player. Agile when it came to avoiding contact (not a major selling point for a lock).

Oh I dunno.......Kellock did alright.

Ah, so that explains FES's vitriolic outpourings over Cap'n Kellocks inability/unwillingness to indulge in "shenanigans". The festering one is just offloading all the bile that was poured on him in his playing days. This also explains comments like, perhaps Cotter wants to see how the pack gets on with a brain dead lightweight at 8 who just wants to get into fights . All those big, nasty fighters getting picked ahead of him.
Mind you, Glad that Lamont is nowhere near the team. Perhaps finally, he can pursue his natural vocation in porn. tells us all far too much about Mr Scone's deepest insecurities.

Jimbo.....

Insecurity?

Absolutely not.

Jealousy?

Definitely.

jimbopip wrote:Ah, so that explains FES's vitriolic outpourings over Cap'n Kellocks inability/unwillingness to indulge in "shenanigans". The festering one is just offloading all the bile that was poured on him in his playing days. This also explains comments like, perhaps Cotter wants to see how the pack gets on with a brain dead lightweight at 8 who just wants to get into fights . All those big, nasty fighters getting picked ahead of him.

I played rugby for my school's 3rd XV. Not that many "big nasty fighters" to be fair!

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Jimbo.....

Insecurity?

Absolutely not.

Jealousy?

Definitely.

At, Tattie you're a silver tongued devil. Which I'm sure more than compensates.

Fes, the best of us spend/spent our best days in the thirds.

jimbopip wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Jimbo.....

Insecurity?

Absolutely not.

Jealousy?

Definitely.

At, Tattie you're a silver tongued devil. Which I'm sure more than compensates.

Fes, the best of us spend/spent our best days in the thirds.

Well the 1st and 2nd XVs imposed an alcohol ban the night before the game, which just didn't sit right with me. I'm a man of principle, if nothing else.

One second team I played for actively encouraged a half time can of Bow.

Back in the middle ages when I skippered our thirds I returned from a trip to France with a bottle of brandy which had cost about 97 pence.
I passed it round as part of the pre match warm up and instituted the rule that everyone had to bring something similar i.e. cheap and nasty and highly combustible (I was missing Glasgow) from their travels.
This worked surprisingly well until one lad returned from Sith Effrikka with a bottle of township hooch called M'Pau. It was unanimously agreed we had scraped the bottom of the bottom of the barrel and anything else would be a disappointment.

And no, none of us were ever tempted to drink it again.

jimbopip wrote:Back in the middle ages when I skippered our thirds I returned from a trip to France with a bottle of brandy which had cost about 97 pence.
I passed it round as part of the pre match warm up and instituted the rule that everyone had to bring something similar i.e. cheap and nasty and highly combustible (I was missing Glasgow) from their travels.
This worked surprisingly well until one lad returned from Sith Effrikka with a bottle of township hooch called M'Pau. It was unanimously agreed we had scraped the bottom of the bottom of the barrel and anything else would be a disappointment.

And no, none of us were ever tempted to drink it again.

That sounds grim. I once spent 18 hours on an overnight train in Thailand and the best my friends and I could procure for the journey was two bottles of "Black Cat" Thai whisky. Suffice to say we had a cracking evening, but the next day was as close to hell as I ever want to be.

I would also state that you should never drink Lizard tequila - and then draw straws as to who has to eat which part (I got the head which I shouldn't have chewed).

That's probably the closest I've got to knowing what it's like to be a cheap hoor charging £10 for an 'all the way' gam.

Tattie

You win the Al Swearinging Deadwood Picturesque Language Award today.

One Halloween, 20ish years ago (thankfully I have maintained my youthful good looks) I went out with a friend of mine, to Chicago Meatpackers, a rather downmarket Glasgow pub.

One of us, can't remember who, thought it would be a great idea to hammer down tequila. The night was going quite well, and I met a lovely girl who invited me back to her flat in Anderston. Unfortunately she failed to mention she lived with her father, who returned, *ahem* half way through. The night concluded with me running out of the flat, wearing only my boxer shorts, carrying my clothes. I spent the night sleeping in Victoria park. The next morning I got an early train home, I started to feel quite unwell and ended up throwing up in the middle of a busy carriage. I remember hating myself as I watched my sick (it was basically liquid) slowly flow down the aisle.

Haven't been able to drink tequila since then, don't think I ever will

We have a winner! ^



Was it someone on here that told the story of Alex Dunbar allegedly going home with a girl then getting kicked out by her dad and passing out drunk in the back garden, only for her little brother to take a selfie with him when he woke up? This was a few years ago now...I've definitely seen the picture!

Cake Or...
A mate of mine once picked up a young lady and took her home to her place In Wishaw. Actually it was her parent's place He discovered this when her father walked in on them.
"What happened?" We asked.
"He didn't say a word, just turned round and walked out the room. Next thing I heard was the cutlery drawer rattling. Then I was running down Wishaw High Street with my clothes under my arm." Was the shamefaced reply.

cakeordeath wrote:One Halloween, 20ish years ago (thankfully I have maintained my youthful good looks) I went out with a friend of mine, to Chicago Meatpackers, a rather downmarket Glasgow pub.

One of us, can't remember who, thought it would be a great idea to hammer down tequila. The night was going quite well, and I met a lovely girl who invited me back to her flat in Anderston. Unfortunately she failed to mention she lived with her father, who returned, *ahem* half way through. The night concluded with me running out of the flat, wearing only my boxer shorts, carrying my clothes. I spent the night sleeping in Victoria park. The next morning I got an early train home, I started to feel quite unwell and ended up throwing up in the middle of a busy carriage. I remember hating myself as I  watched my sick (it was basically liquid) slowly flow down the aisle.

Haven't been able to drink tequila since then, don't think I ever will

Sounds like one of my mates, apart from his run was down Byres rd away from the esteemed lady's boyfriend!

There's lots of 'mates' being mentioned here!

My mate said you'd all enjoy this video...
https://www.facebook.com/glove39/videos/1342243239124421/

What do the selectors see in Wilson?

He's always been utter mince! - Except one game in the 6Ns where he was "decent" but thats it!

one direction Denton or the bearded saffa would be a better option!

Oh please hurry up and qualify CDP!!!!!!!!

PS. We should utterly spank this Japanese team

tigertattie wrote:What do the selectors see in Wilson?

He's always been utter mince! - Except one game in the 6Ns where he was "decent" but thats it!

one direction Denton or the bearded saffa would be a better option!

Oh please hurry up and qualify CDP!!!!!!!!

PS. We should utterly spank this Japanese team

We're doooooomed!

My main concern is that we'll be lacking intensity from the get go - almost all the players have had several weeks off now and it sounds like training has been fairly leisurely since last Monday, with the odd physical session. We've also only been in Japan 5 and a bit days.

They could catch us cold!

Two predictions for today;
we'll be flying until half-time and then the jet-lag will kick in. (see what I did there?)
Maa'fi versus Batman will be interesting.

What do Scotland fans find so hard about singing in time with the music?

Anyone see our favourite South African ref bottling a YC against Robshaw in the Eng/Aus match?

Worrying that Dickinson off already!

Good try, all a bit too easy though!

Darn...

Jackson caught man and ball, turnover tap&go, straight to the line. 7-0 Japan.

And Jackson puts it out on the full from the restart. D'oh!!