Scotland's 2018 Summer Tour: Darien Scheme 2.0

12345678910 wrote:Argentina are genuinely woeful, for the first time in living memory it would be plausible to say they're position as the dominant Rugby force in the Americas is under threat. Hopefully, the USA's victory over us will be the catalyst Rugby needs in the country. Especially with Pro Rugby finally taking off over there.

With Scotland in mind, I don't think the Tour told us much at all, two of the teams were utterly dreadful. The biggest loser from the tour is Ali Price, in my mind now he's third choice but his issue is that at Glasgow he may well have slipped behind Horne too, and as a similar player to Horne himself he may find it difficult to get ahead of Pyrgos who offers something different. Hidalgo-Clyne is coming back to form and it may be that his move to Scarlets is enough to take him back to and even above his previous best. In effect Ali Price needs to fix himself up or risk missing the world cup (something unthinkable twelve months ago).

Hastings hasn't done enough to cement himself as second choice but he's certainly on his way there. With regard to our centres there is a massive drop off from our first choices and the squad players, I do think the prospect of Taylor and Jones playing in the centre with an in form Russell and Hogg is frightening. Horne I am still not convinced about defensively. Grigg I think has struggled when playing in Internationals, the Champions Cup and play-offs. If Bennett gets back to his best I think ideally we'd take Taylor, Jones, Horne, Dunbar and Bennett to the World Cup.

Again I'm not sure that over the last 12 months Seymour has been at his best and I think it's him, not Maitland, that should be worried about his place. That said he'll get a break this summer which should rejuvenate him.

I don't think much has changed in terms of our forwards. Denton perhaps being the major beneficiary, although I think his difficulty in getting picked for Scotland may be not his form but the type of player he is. His hands simply aren't good enough however he provides a bit of grunt that we have been lacking at points.

As things stand and if all were fit and firing this would be the team I'd be taking looking into next year and beyond

1. Dell
2. MacInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Bradbury (Barclay when he's fit)
7. Watson
8. Denton
9. Horne
10. Russell
11. Kinghorn
12. Taylor
13. Jones
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. Marfo
17. Brown
18. Berghan
19. Gilchrist
20. Wilson
21. Laidlaw
22. Hastings
23. Seymour

Scottish rugby wrote:Scottish Rugby has signed Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane as a new High Performance Coach.

Wane, who won three Super League Grand Finals with Wigan Warriors, two as Head Coach, also played over 140 times with the Super League side, winning numerous league titles and silverware over his career.

He brings an unrivalled wealth of rugby league expertise to Scottish Rugby’s high performance programmes and the former Great Britain international will work closely with current Scottish elite coaches, at all levels of the game, on a consultancy basis.

His areas of focus will prioritise defensive technique and understanding, handling and agility skills for front five forwards and mindset, especially for players in the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy.

There will also be mentoring support for existing National and Age-Grade coaches across all Scottish Rugby programmes as well as practical skills and analysis feedback both in, and out, of team camps.

Shaun Wane said: “I see this as a fantastic opportunity to not only impart what I have learnt over my career in rugby league as a player and coach, but also to learn myself from Union and look to support the excellent work already being done in Scotland.

“The Scottish way of playing the game is fast, highly skilled and positive and that is something I want to contribute to, and help develop further.

“It is a fresh challenge for me, but the chance to work across all the teams and age-grades, with the BT Sport Academy players, both male and female, was an opportunity I am excited to take.”

Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson said: “There is now a well-established practice of sharing information and expertise between league and union and we wanted to add a new dimension to our coaching set-up.

“Having someone of Shaun’s experience spend time with our players and coaches can only benefit Scottish rugby and help us to identify and develop skill sets we will need to keep our teams progressing forward and competing at the highest levels.”

Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend said: “There is a lot we can learn from Shaun in both the technical side of the game as well as wider aspects of coaching. The range of skills now needed across the pitch in rugby union, aligned with the style of play we are developing means that all our players have to be able to pass accurately and deploy effective lines of running that will either hold defenders or find space. What Shaun brings from rugby league is immediately transferrable and will add real value.”

Wane will begin working with Scottish Rugby when his commitments at Wigan are concluded

jimbopip wrote:Shaun Wane? He begins all his training sessions with dietary and mobility advice, "Get off your horse and drink your milk".


On a related note... I notice a number of posters including Clare Baldwin in their likely World Cup 23.


Is this the blockbusting no8 who had six carries for a total of 0 metres gained versus the Trumpettes?


I haven't seen the figures for the Pumas match but to my, untutored, eyes he seems to take the ball and run straight into the nearest defender and set up the ruck. Ryan Wilson can do that AND pass the ball AND off-load AND catch the ball.
I'm obviously missing something Like "unseen work" or "leadership qualities".

jimbopip wrote:Shaun Wane? He begins all his training sessions with dietary and mobility advice, "Get off your horse and drink your milk".


On a related note... I notice a number of posters including Clare Baldwin in their likely World Cup 23.


Is this the blockbusting no8 who had six carries for a total of 0 metres gained versus the Trumpettes?


I haven't seen the figures for the Pumas match but to my, untutored, eyes he seems to take the ball and run straight into the nearest defender and set up the ruck. Ryan Wilson can do that AND pass the ball AND off-load AND catch the ball.
I'm obviously missing something Like "unseen work" or "leadership qualities".