Scotland 2017 6N debrief and Lions/Summer Tour lookahead

by **RDW** Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:02 pm

First topic message reminder :

Results

Scotland 27 - Ireland 22 Yahoo

France 22 - Scotland 16 Crying or Very sad

Scotland 29 - Wales 13 Yahoo

England 61 - Scotland 21 Shocked

Scotland 29 - Italy 0 Yahoo

Some stats:

- First time with 3 wins since 2006
- First opening round win and win over Wales in over a decade
- 14 tries scored - our best ever
- Our highest points tally (in 2014 we scored 45 points Shocked

)
- Up to 5th in the World Rankings

Verdict
Bar Twickenham this was a fantastic 6N where we won our games playing great rugby. It was a huge monkey off our back to beat Wales and the Ireland game was a huge result for us. The Twickenham game was a complete embarrassment but I'd like to think that was a freak result for this team as opposed to a sign that our wins over Wales and Ireland were 'lucky'. It should keep the players grounded going forward, which is no bad thing.

All in all I'll give our 6N a 8/10

Lions hopefuls?

Pr - can't see any travelling
H Fraser Brown stands an outside chance, and could be injury cover
L - Jonny or Richie Gray stand a chance in the most competitive position
BR - I don't see any of our backrows going
SH - Laidlaw is down the list in terms of ability at 9 but may be picked as a good tourist/leader for the squad
FH - Finn Russell certainly divides opinion but personally I don't think he will travel
C - Dunbar and Jones are outside bets in what isn't actually a great position of depth for the Lions, but again may find themselves as injury cover
FR - Hogg is a near certainty and I can see another winger getting picked, probably Seymour

My prediction:

J Gray, Hogg, Seymour in the squad, Brown, Laidlaw and Jones as first choice injury cover.

by EST Tue May 23, 2017 12:27 am

demosthenes wrote:Gray & Hidalgo-Clyne out of tour; Kennedy in :

http://thescotlandteam.com/2017/05/22/gray-and-hidalgo-clyne-ruled-out-of-scotland-tour/

In the long run, maybe not such a bad thing for Richie - he will have a good break over the summer to recuperate. Slightly concerning that he has presumably been playing through a back injury for a couple of months, and a further warning to our players before they go chasing the money in France.

Disappointing for SHC, although there isn't much between him and Kennedy just now, albeit I think SHC can become a better player.

by funnyExiledScot Tue May 23, 2017 12:53 am

That's a real blow for SH-C, although I suspect Ali Price was always going to be the starting 9. Hopefully SH-C can focus on recovery and be ready to make a splash next season.

Agree with Tattie, time for Ben Toolis to make his mark.

by **RDW** Tue May 23, 2017 2:15 am

Interesting that Gilchrist hasn't been called up to replace him and they're sticking with the 3 locks plus Harley cover.

by **BigGee** Tue May 23, 2017 2:30 am

The message to Gilchrist seems pretty clear, get yourself fit and firing over the summer and then we will have a look at you. Probably ok to go out there with 3 locks plus Harley, who is not that likely to get picked in the back row in any case. There is also Carmichael floating around in Perth to call on if they do need someone in a hurry. We will be a little bit light on bulk and experience if JG gets a Lions call though, even if that seems unlikely, with Launchbury surely ahead in the pecking order.

Good that Toolis will get a proper chance now, he certainly deserves it.

by funnyExiledScot Tue May 23, 2017 2:53 am

BigGee wrote:The message to Gilchrist seems pretty clear, get yourself fit and firing over the summer and then we will have a look at you. Probably ok to go out there with 3 locks plus Harley, who is not that likely to get picked in the back row in any case. There is also Carmichael floating around in Perth to call on if they do need someone in a hurry. We will be a little bit light on bulk and experience if JG gets a Lions call though, even if that seems unlikely, with Launchbury surely ahead in the pecking order.

Good that Toolis will get a proper chance now, he certainly deserves it.

Jake Ball and Luke Charteris will probably be ahead of him as well.....

As an Edinburgh fan I'm pleased that Gilchrist is being given a chance to get himself properly fit over the summer. I know he's had a fairly good run last season but he still looks like he needs a proper pre-season.

by tigertattie Wed May 24, 2017 7:38 pm

Would a pre season benefit someone more than an international tour?

by **RDW** Wed May 24, 2017 7:55 pm

Depends on the player and what the overall aim is I suppose - for long term health benefit every player would benefit from 5 weeks off then a full pre-season. It is common knowledge that players make their biggest gains in pre-season that set them up for the season ahead in terms of fitness and injury prevention.

If players go on a summer tour then their pre-season is compromised, or they end up missing the start of the season.

For fit and on form players who have been looked after an international tour is a good thing to elevate their play to the next level. For the likes of Blair Kinghorn, Grant Gilchrist etc they really could have done with the summer off to do a full pre-season to build up fitness and confidence.

by tigertattie Wed May 24, 2017 8:49 pm

ahhhhhhhhh

so thats why I was knickers at the game! I never used to do preseason

by **RDW** Wed May 24, 2017 8:56 pm

Rugby is far more enjoyable when you're fit. Unfortunately getting fit is bloody hard work!

by nickj Thu May 25, 2017 12:18 am

Anyone know if the U20's RWC is on the telly? I can't find anything here http://www.worldrugby.org/u20. I think Sky and BT have had it on in the past???

by IanBru Thu May 25, 2017 12:23 am

Nick, it seems that ITV now have the rights (http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/218620?lang=en) but it's not clear whether they'll show full matches or highlights, or even anything at all.

by nickj Thu May 25, 2017 1:39 am

Cheers mate. I hope they do. Looking forward to seeing how our boys do. Apparently the Irish are suffering a bit injury wise, and we face the Baby Blacks first up.

Particularly interested to see how the guys who've made the step up to being attached to, or given contracts by, the pro teams do.

Guys like Adam Nicol, Hunter Hill, Fergus Bradbury and Matt Fagerson etc look great.

Our back three looks exciting too - Robbie Nairn, Darcy Graham, Josh Henderson, Kinghorn etc

Plus exiles like Connor Eastgate at Wasps sound interesting.

by tigertattie Thu May 25, 2017 3:01 am

why on earth would someone buy the rights to something and then decide not to bother airing it?

If it's not aired then the SRU should be allowed to stream the matches

by nickj Thu May 25, 2017 3:07 am

I've tweeted them to ask exactly that

by tigertattie Thu May 25, 2017 3:19 am

I feel a campaign coming on

by **RDW** Thu May 25, 2017 11:43 pm

WP Nel is playing for the Ba Bas against England and Ulster - a great chance to get some match fitness before the tour.

If he gets through these unscathed it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a Lions callup at some point when the first tighthead goes down.

by jimbopip Fri May 26, 2017 12:14 am

You're right there Admin Boy, Gats is renowned for looking for any excuse to pick a Scottish tight head.

by tigertattie Fri May 26, 2017 12:20 am

jimbopip wrote:You're right there Admin Boy, Gats is renowned for looking for any excuse to pick a Scottish tight head.

I'd actually rather he was left alone to get back up to speed nice and slowly.

by jimbopip Mon May 29, 2017 8:15 pm

This may have been asked before, but are the matches being shown on the tellybox?

by **George Carlin** Tue May 30, 2017 12:17 am

https://www.606v2.com/t65786-italy-v-scotland-10-june

Oh yes. I went there.

by nickj Tue May 30, 2017 11:05 pm

Hooray. It looks like the U20's is being streamed on World Rugby.

ITV is only showing the semis and final.

http://www.worldrugby.org/u20/tournament-info/watch

by **RDW** Tue May 30, 2017 11:23 pm

Head Coach John Dalziel has named the Scotland U20 side to take on their New Zealand counterparts in the opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship tomorrow (Wednesday 31 May, kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi, Georgia – live-stream available on worldrugby.org.

Tom Gordon will make his Scotland U20 debut against New Zealand U20

Lock Callum Hunter-Hill will continue as captain after leading the side throughout the recent Six Nations campaign.

Thomas Gordon is set to make his debut for the senior age-grade side as he is named on the openside flank, while prop Ross Dunbar will also make his first appearance for Scotland U20 if called upon from the bench.

Head Coach, Dalziel, said: “We’ve named an exciting side for the tournament opener and we’re hoping they’ll go out and express themselves from the offset.

“We’ll look to play an attacking and fluid style of rugby, but there’s also going to be a need for great physicality in the contact if we are to win and retain possession for long periods of the match.

“There’s no playing down the enormity of the challenge we face in going up against New Zealand first-up. A good core of their squad will have played to a very high standard domestically and they’re likely to bring that experience into tomorrow’s game.

“They’ll play with real tempo, great physicality and an astuteness across all aspects of the game. We need to front-up physically and mentally to compete.

“The boys face a big task, but there’s a good vibe around camp and we’re all looking forward to getting things underway with a strong performance.”

Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn is named at full-back, with Darcy Graham and Ross McCann starting on the wings.

Ayr’s Stafford McDowall forms the centre partnership alongside Lewis Berg, while Charlie Shiel and Connor Eastgate are named as the half-back duo.

George Thornton and Fergus Bradbury will start in the front-row, either side of hooker Fraser Renwick.

Hunter-Hill packs down in the boiler-room with Alex Craig.

Gordon and Luke Crosbie occupy the flanks, with Matt Fagerson set to don the number eight shirt.

Scotland U20 team to New Zealand U20 at AIA Arena, Kutaisi, in the World Rugby U20 Championship, tomorrow (Wednesday 31 May, kick-off 1pm local/10am BST) – livestream available on worldrugby.org

15. Blair Kinghorn

14. Darcy Graham
13. Lewis Berg
12. Stafford McDowall**
11. Ross McCann**

10. Connor Eastgate
9. Charlie Shiel**

1. George Thornton
2. Fraser Renwick**
3. Fergus Bradbury*
4. Alex Craig
5. Callum Hunter-Hill CAPTAIN
6. Luke Crosbie**
7. Thomas Gordon**
8. Matt Fagerson**

Replacements

16. Robbie Smith**
17. Ross Dunbar**
18. Adam Nicol**
19. Bruce Flockhart**
20. Tom Dodd
21. Ruaridh Dawson
22. Josh Henderson**
23. Robbie Nairn**

Good to see 2 players from my former school and club in the starting 15!

by **BigGee** Wed May 31, 2017 7:53 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40091042

Just before we all go accusing the SRU of selling the sevens team down the river with the proposed Team GB merger. Tom English is suggesting it is not such a done deal.

Good job to, some more joined up thinking from the SRU. There seems to have been quite a bit of that recently.

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 7:57 pm

BigGee wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40091042

Just before we all go accusing the SRU of selling the sevens team down the river with the proposed Team GB merger. Tom English is suggesting it is not such a done deal.

Good job to, some more joined up thinking from the SRU. There seems to have been quite a bit of that recently.

Scotland 2017 6N debrief and Lions/Summer Tour lookahead - Page 11 Scott_Johnson_2094129b

by IanBru Wed May 31, 2017 7:57 pm

For those of you with computer screens facing away from colleagues:
http://www.worldrugby.org/video/252170

by nickj Wed May 31, 2017 7:59 pm

One of the joys of running my own thing...

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:05 pm

This could be a long 80 minutes

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Wed May 31, 2017 8:11 pm

IanBru wrote:For those of you with computer screens facing away from colleagues:
http://www.worldrugby.org/video/252170

Bru you've just made my day!

by highland_scot Wed May 31, 2017 8:12 pm

Damn open plan office! As the newest one in, I get the rubbish desk with my back to everyone so my screen is seemingly for public viewing.

Moved jobs so am now "in house" - great that I don't have to simultaneously work for 10 different clients but less freedom to organise my own time and work from home...

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:14 pm

Scotland pack doing well with driving mauls - NZ giving away lots of penalties.

Really need to get some points from this.

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:14 pm

Great driving maul!

by highland_scot Wed May 31, 2017 8:18 pm

NZ hooker very at home on the wing

by nickj Wed May 31, 2017 8:24 pm

Darcy Graham! Cracker

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:24 pm

Another great try set up from the driving maul - what is Kinghorn doing getting involved in the mauls??

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:25 pm

If only Kinghorn could kick.

by Hazel Sapling Wed May 31, 2017 8:25 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Another great try set up from the driving maul - what is Kinghorn doing getting involved in the mauls??

Judging by his kicking, he thinks he is a forward!

by highland_scot Wed May 31, 2017 8:26 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Another great try set up from the driving maul - what is Kinghorn doing getting involved in the mauls??

Judging by his kicking, he thinks he is a forward!

Maybe we can put him on the Gray family diet and move him to lock...

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:29 pm

We're getting annihilated in the scrum

Knocked on off the NZ elbow!

by tigertattie Wed May 31, 2017 8:33 pm

some of these NZ "boys" look a lot older!

and that try was simple simple rugby and we failed to defend!

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:40 pm

Kinghorn is such an infuriating player - great high ball take then a poor pass to put the winger away

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 8:51 pm

Great first half from Scotland - some real endeavor but also just hanging in there in some aspects. 19-10 NZ

by EST Wed May 31, 2017 8:57 pm

Kinghorn really hasn't pushed on as we might have hoped - his kicking has been poor and he hasn't attacked with any conviction. Fagerson looks a great player, and Eastgate seems very composed.

by **BigGee** Wed May 31, 2017 8:57 pm

That was quite promising from Scotland, apart from one or two scrums where we got mullered, we have held our own on the physicality stakes.

We are definitely putting out sides that are bigger and stronger these days, you would imagine due to the academy structures showing some benefits. Adam Nicol apparently is 129kg! That is simply huge for a 19 year old. Craig and Hunter-Hill are also giving nothing away in the second row.

In years gone by, we would gave had an absolute shellacking in a game like this. I don't see us winning as the NZ backs are a class beyond us and will score tries, but we are seriously competitive and this will stand us in good stead for the other games, where we should have a real chance.

by Hazel Sapling Wed May 31, 2017 9:00 pm

NZ should win this. Scotland need to be more clinical with ball in hand but the forwards are fronting up and the half backs (especially Shiel) are doing what we need. If they can go get another try and lose by less than 20, that shows how far we have come in the last few years.

Kinghorn for me is the most disappointing player as he has missed a couple of tackles and passes that pros should not be missing.

Also Nicol (the replacement TH) is 129kg.

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 9:02 pm

Hopefully the ref hasn't forgotten all the penalties NZ gave away in teh first half

by nickj Wed May 31, 2017 9:03 pm

Agreed. The Blacks look a lot older than 20, but our boys are looking physical too. Like you say, Craig and Hunter Hill aren't giving much away, but neither are Bradbury, Crosbie or Fagerson. Shiel, Eastgate, McDowall and McCann also look good in the backs and Graham really has got that X factor.

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 9:07 pm

Terrible tackling from Hunter-Hill - he shouldn't be bumped 5m from his line

by tigertattie Wed May 31, 2017 9:11 pm

Kinghorn isn't exactly covering himself in glory here!

really hope he can get out of this slump in time for next season!

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 9:13 pm

We're being undone by basic errors now

by **RDW** Wed May 31, 2017 9:22 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Hopefully the ref hasn't forgotten all the penalties NZ gave away in teh first half

Looks like he has!

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