Scotland end of season summary and awards

by **RDW** Mon 25 Jun 2018, 9:09 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland season 2017-2018

Summer tour

Argentina 15 - 44 Scotland
USA 30 - 29 Scotland
Canada 10 - 48 Scotland

6 Nations

Italy 27 - 29 Scotland
Ireland 28 - 8 Scotland
Scotland 25 - 13 England
Scotland 32 - 26 France
Wales 34 - 7 Scotland

AIs

Scotland 53 - 24 Australia
Scotland 17 - 22 New Zealand
Scotland 44 - 38 Samoa

Points for - 336

Points against - 262

Summary

Well it is probably fair to say this has been one of the most memorable seasons in recent times! Some stand out wins (England, France, Australia), some incredible performances (those three plus NZ), combined with a harrowing defeat (Wales) and an embarrassing lesson that you can’t put a bunch of kids out in international rugby and expect to win (USA).

All in all we have seen a lot of attacking rugby, some great tries, although some dodgy defence at times. Scotland have a reputation for bad defence, which has been true at times, but this season we scored 74 points more than we conceded – as long we keep that up we should be OK….

Townsend will have learnt a hell of a lot from his first season in charge. Personally I would like to see us tighten up our defence, even if that means limiting our attacking ambitions slightly (but only slightly). There’s lots fo look forward to next season with a world cup carrot at the end of the stick.

End of season awards

Player of the season
Forward of the season
Back of the season
Young player of the season
Debut of the season
‘Must do better’ award

by Hazel Sapling Wed 01 Aug 2018, 1:59 pm

Think Gray is with Cotter in Montpellier

Would like a new defense coach at Glasgow, but doubt we are going to get Gray from south of France. Wilson or Taylor could help out. Would someone like Grant view it as proving himself away from Cockerill and Lineen who are considered to be good with forwards? Is Hamilton doing an internship in the forwards at Edinburgh? Would Andy Robinson come back north?

Taylor could be hanging around until after the World Cup. If Rennie fails this season, there could be an opening....

Maybe Blair would be interested in becoming an attacking coach at Edinburgh. Otherwise, any suggestions on that side?

by TJ Wed 01 Aug 2018, 5:03 pm

the SRU would have to do some grovelling to get Ritchie Gray the coach back would they not? Did he not go off in a huff at the way he was treated?

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 02 Aug 2018, 9:22 am

In fairness if I had a pound for every Scottish coach the SRU has treated badly I'd actually be able to afford furniture in my new place, it kind of blurs into one.

My understanding was he came in on a consultative basis and that was it, 6 months working in the world cup (or 6Ns, I can't remember) then back out for contract after. I can't remember him going in a huff but I do remember feeling irritated they didn't keep him on whilst Humphrys basically just gets a free ride for being Scott Johnson's mate.

by **RDW** Thu 02 Aug 2018, 9:25 am

it does seem strange that we have a home grown world renewed and respected specialist coach that isn't used by his home union. Especially since are game relies on quick rucks and that is his specialism.

by IanBru Thu 02 Aug 2018, 9:31 am

I'm still reeling from the hiring of Dean Ryan on the basis, it would seem, of him being really good with a touch-screen on Sky Sports.

It beggers belief how he managed to utterly destroy one of the strongest aspects of the Scottish game, the breakdown and general strength in contact.

Call me a traditionalist, but I always thought coaches were meant to make things... better?

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 02 Aug 2018, 9:38 am

Yeah the Dean Ryan experiment went a bit wrong. Such an obscure appointment.

I, for one, would love to see Craig Chalmers back. If not for anything else but the entertainment factor. Could you imagine him verbally sparring with Eddie Jones?

There at least seem to be a few ex Scotland players now getting involved in coaching roles in the club set-up which can only be a positive thing. I can imagine Roddy Grant will be a good coach in a few years' time, especially learning from Cockers, and he will feel he has a point to prove.

by jimbopip Thu 02 Aug 2018, 11:44 am

Roddy Grant won't e able to coach the Scotland forwards until John Barclay has retired. Barcs will be smirking at him with "Welcome to my private dungeon" written all over his face.
Mind you when Barcs stops playing the SRU will want to give him a coaching job. Mr Grant may want to consider plying his trade overseas.

by **RDW** Thu 02 Aug 2018, 11:50 am

Other than the fact Barclay wants to be a defence coach and Grant is a forwards coach thumbsup

by jimbopip Thu 02 Aug 2018, 2:23 pm

Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.

by IanBru Thu 02 Aug 2018, 2:25 pm

jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.

It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

by **RDW** Thu 02 Aug 2018, 2:28 pm

Ah I forgot that Glasgow and Scotland are renowned for their defence under Townsend! picard

My comment was in reply to you saying Grant will lose his job when Barclay retires - one would be forward coach, one would be a defence coach.

by jimbopip Thu 02 Aug 2018, 2:39 pm

IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

I make that three rules. Erm

I only have one rule; everyone counts. Very Happy

by IanBru Thu 02 Aug 2018, 3:07 pm

jimbopip wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

I make that three rules.

I only have one rule; everyone counts.

To be fair, Rico was missing an arm, so his ability to count had been reduced by 50%. Damned bugs.

by tigertattie Thu 02 Aug 2018, 5:22 pm

IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

Rico's Roughnecks

Terrible film though!

by tigertattie Thu 02 Aug 2018, 5:25 pm

IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

I make that three rules.

I only have one rule; everyone counts.
To be fair, Rico was missing an arm, so his ability to count had been reduced by 50%. Damned bugs.

PS, Rico wasn't missing an arm! Twas Michael Ironside's character that was less than handy!

by funnyExiledScot Fri 03 Aug 2018, 8:14 am

What a great film that is!

by IanBru Fri 03 Aug 2018, 9:48 am

tigertattie wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

I make that three rules.

I only have one rule; everyone counts.
To be fair, Rico was missing an arm, so his ability to count had been reduced by 50%. Damned bugs.

PS, Rico wasn't missing an arm! Twas Michael Ironside's character that was less than handy!

Of course! It was bloody ‎Rasczak.

Great film, though the book is even better, since its an allegory for McCarthyism.

by **RDW** Fri 03 Aug 2018, 10:55 am

IanBru wrote:
tigertattie wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:
IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote:Ah! I see what you did there. You are applying Luvvie logic to grown up rugby: at the Library forwards don't defend but with the Blessed Toonie Of The Tombola for Scotland EVERYBODY defends.
It's a while since I've quoted Starship Troopers, but Jim just became Lt Rico:

"I only have one rule: everyone fights, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Welcome to the Roughnecks."

I make that three rules.

I only have one rule; everyone counts.
To be fair, Rico was missing an arm, so his ability to count had been reduced by 50%. Damned bugs.

PS, Rico wasn't missing an arm! Twas Michael Ironside's character that was less than handy!
Of course! It was bloody ‎Rasczak.

Great film, though the book is even better, since its an allegory for McCarthyism.

Not gonna lie - I had to Google these two words.

by TJ Sat 04 Aug 2018, 5:28 am

Irnbbru - is it? I don't think its an allegory for McCarthyism having read much of his output. Its more a flirtation with fascism. Harrrison likes a bit of facism.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 04 Aug 2018, 7:36 am

Genuinely one of my favourite books, Heinlein was a fantastic writer.

I think TJ is right that it contained elements of fascism, which Heinlein later moved away from with books like Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which were considerably more liberal.

... Should we be starting a book club thread? Cool

by jimbopip Sat 04 Aug 2018, 11:55 am

I must say I was surprised when the Bruster said Starship troopers was an allegory on McCarthyism. I hadn't seen that in the movie at all.

However, Bru is about to plight his troth and will be responsible for the upkeep of the Hagia Sophia for the rest of his life so he probably has his mind on more pecuniary matters.

A book club thread ? So Admin Boy can tell us about his favourite edition of Spirit Level monthly? FES can wax lyrical over this year's Debretts? TigerTattie can drool over 50 Things To Do With A White Pudding?

You know it could be good. chin

by **RDW** Sat 04 Aug 2018, 12:05 pm

I'm currently on the 6th book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series - it is absolutely mad but an epic read

by Tramptastic Sat 04 Aug 2018, 12:09 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm currently on the 6th book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series - it is absolutely mad but an epic read

No spoilers here but that series of books has the most devastating end to a series of books ever. Let us know how you feel when you read the end!

by **RDW** Sat 04 Aug 2018, 12:11 pm

That current title goes to the end of The Dark Materials series so if it's worse than that I'll be a broken man!

by Tramptastic Sat 04 Aug 2018, 12:17 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:Genuinely one of my favourite books, Heinlein was a fantastic writer.

I think TJ is right that it contained elements of fascism, which Heinlein later moved away from with books like Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which were considerably more liberal.

... Should we be starting a book club thread?

I think TJ is correct on this one, the book is definitely an advocate for an Aryan form of facism - everything in the book is militarised, everyone is white, everyone is for the government and exterminating the "alien foe", propoganda suggesting the alien is is not in any way to be sympathised with etc, all akin to the graphic novel then movie "300" which goes off on an "idealised white man" thread rather than being a purely pro-facist piece of fiction.

The Movie on the other hand is a satirical take on the book, over-exaggerating all of the books pro-facist points - the military is ridiculously macho, the propoganda is over the top, you end up sympathising with the bugs when they are being tortured by Neil Patrick Harris, the queen bug is pathetic at the end of the movie etc.

Same story but two VERY different takes on it, unlike 300 which was the same story in two different mediums because Zack Snyder also has a raging-semi for muscular manly white guys doing muscular manly things.

by funnyExiledScot Sun 05 Aug 2018, 9:29 am

A book club thread? How many Weegies can actually read??

I'm reading mainly autobiographies this summer for some reason.

by **George Carlin** Sun 05 Aug 2018, 1:55 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:A book club thread? How many Weegies can actually read??

All of them. But only bailiffs' letters.

by Tramptastic Sun 05 Aug 2018, 2:26 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:That current title goes to the end of The Dark Materials series so if it's worse than that I'll be a broken man!

Prepare to be broken

good luck Hug

by **George Carlin** Sun 05 Aug 2018, 5:58 pm

Tramptastic wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm currently on the 6th book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series - it is absolutely mad but an epic read

No spoilers here but that series of books has the most devastating end to a series of books ever. Let us know how you feel when you read the end!

You expect me to read all of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-King-Tower-Collection-Books/dp/B008XXC144/ref=pd_sbs_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008XXC144&pd_rd_r=596b64f1-98d0-11e8-8198-e3b3d41f0336&pd_rd_w=qYKjF&pd_rd_wg=Op4dH&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=0389ad0c-7fcd-4e25-806e-9b8cc37d7329&pf_rd_r=7M87M6CJB8A0EHF1D67G&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=7M87M6CJB8A0EHF1D67G

by **RDW** Sun 05 Aug 2018, 6:00 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Tramptastic wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm currently on the 6th book of Stephen King's Dark Tower series - it is absolutely mad but an epic read

No spoilers here but that series of books has the most devastating end to a series of books ever. Let us know how you feel when you read the end!
You expect me to read all of these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-King-Tower-Collection-Books/dp/B008XXC144/ref=pd_sbs_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008XXC144&pd_rd_r=596b64f1-98d0-11e8-8198-e3b3d41f0336&pd_rd_w=qYKjF&pd_rd_wg=Op4dH&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=0389ad0c-7fcd-4e25-806e-9b8cc37d7329&pf_rd_r=7M87M6CJB8A0EHF1D67G&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=7M87M6CJB8A0EHF1D67G

It is a big undertaking - I don't think I'll be reading them again for a while!

by **George Carlin** Sun 05 Aug 2018, 6:49 pm

I don't really read fiction - I haven't in a long time. I just can't be arsed. I just drift away. I get to page 4 and find myself asking 'who the fork is David?' and have to turn pack 2 pages to remind myself.

For non-fiction, I can recommend Jordan B Peterson's 12 Rules For Life, Steve Biddulph's Manhood and anything Clive James has ever written.

by Hazel Sapling Sun 05 Aug 2018, 9:09 pm

If anyone wants an easy read (shut off for 3 hours and stop thinking), Lee Child's Jack Reacher series is good (main character is meant to be similar in dimensions to the Rock in WWE and they cast...Tom Cruise)

For something with a bit more continuity, the Aubrey-Maturin series is a bit more believable (Master and Commander with Crowe and Bettany is an amalgamation of some of them).

I really rate Flowers for Algernon by Keyes. Almost had me crying.

by **RDW** Sun 05 Aug 2018, 9:50 pm

Chris Brookmyre is my personal favourite - he's got a wide variety of genres but they're all written with the same satire, poitical commentary and the odd dig at the Catholic church for good measure. He's excellent at creating very well written every day normal characters, particularly Scottish people.

My less known recommendation would be the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Similar writing style to Brookmyre, it's about a London cop who discovers that magic and magical beings are real, and that there's a secret unit of the Met that tries to keep them under control. He becomes a magical apprentice with them and many adventures ensue! It's all set around greater London and is based on London's rivers and history. Really entertaining books and I hope someone else on here has read them!

by **George Carlin** Mon 06 Aug 2018, 6:46 am

Good recommendations.

Must be hard to pitch a book to modern publishers:

Aspiring Writer: So that's it. I think it will be great.
Publisher: But there's no magic in it?
Aspiring Writer: No.
Publisher: A wizard?
Aspiring Writer: Well. No.
Publisher: What about spells?
Aspiring Writer: Well, not if there's no magic, no.
Publisher: Just a little spell?
Aspiring Writer: I'm not sure that's quite appropriate.
Publisher: Why not? It's what the public want.
Aspiring Writer: Well, my book's really about Rwandan genocide.
Publisher: So we could still have Hogwarts?
Aspiring Writer: I'll show myself out.
Publisher: Hogwarts Farm?

by **RDW** Mon 06 Aug 2018, 7:22 am

To be fair there isn't a wand in sight in Rivers of London!

by **NeilyBroon** Mon 06 Aug 2018, 7:30 am

Tramptastic wrote:
NeilyBroon wrote:Genuinely one of my favourite books, Heinlein was a fantastic writer.

I think TJ is right that it contained elements of fascism, which Heinlein later moved away from with books like Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which were considerably more liberal.

... Should we be starting a book club thread?

I think TJ is correct on this one, the book is definitely an advocate for an Aryan form of facism - everything in the book is militarised, everyone is white, everyone is for the government and exterminating the "alien foe", propoganda suggesting the alien is is not in any way to be sympathised with etc, all akin to the graphic novel then movie "300" which goes off on an "idealised white man" thread rather than being a purely pro-facist piece of fiction.

The Movie on the other hand is a satirical take on the book, over-exaggerating all of the books pro-facist points - the military is ridiculously macho, the propoganda is over the top, you end up sympathising with the bugs when they are being tortured by Neil Patrick Harris, the queen bug is pathetic at the end of the movie etc.

Same story but two VERY different takes on it, unlike 300 which was the same story in two different mediums because Zack Snyder also has a raging-semi for muscular manly white guys doing muscular manly things.

Rico is Filipino in the book...

by TJ Mon 06 Aug 2018, 10:12 pm

Books - now we are talking. as an SF geek ( never sci fi- thats for the dweebs only) I could bore on for hours. I own a thousand or two0 SF novels and anthrologies with a bias towards hard SF adn never sword and scorcery stuff.

current favourites Elizabeth Moon trading in danger series.

Big fan of Ian M Banks

and who can top the lensman series by EE "doc" smith

by Tramptastic Tue 07 Aug 2018, 9:45 am

NeilyBroon wrote:
Tramptastic wrote:
NeilyBroon wrote:Genuinely one of my favourite books, Heinlein was a fantastic writer.

I think TJ is right that it contained elements of fascism, which Heinlein later moved away from with books like Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which were considerably more liberal.

... Should we be starting a book club thread?

I think TJ is correct on this one, the book is definitely an advocate for an Aryan form of facism - everything in the book is militarised, everyone is white, everyone is for the government and exterminating the "alien foe", propoganda suggesting the alien is is not in any way to be sympathised with etc, all akin to the graphic novel then movie "300" which goes off on an "idealised white man" thread rather than being a purely pro-facist piece of fiction.

The Movie on the other hand is a satirical take on the book, over-exaggerating all of the books pro-facist points - the military is ridiculously macho, the propoganda is over the top, you end up sympathising with the bugs when they are being tortured by Neil Patrick Harris, the queen bug is pathetic at the end of the movie etc.

Same story but two VERY different takes on it, unlike 300 which was the same story in two different mediums because Zack Snyder also has a raging-semi for muscular manly white guys doing muscular manly things.

Rico is Filipino in the book...

You can prove anything with facts Doh

by tigertattie Tue 07 Aug 2018, 9:06 pm

Tell you what guys. I may move to the dark side and support the unwashed. At a comedy show at the festival and by god Edinburgh is full of pretentious wanks at this time of year.

by demosthenes Tue 07 Aug 2018, 9:34 pm

TJ wrote:Books - now we are talking. as an SF geek ( never sci fi- thats for the dweebs only) I could bore on for hours. I own a thousand or two0 SF novels and anthrologies with a bias towards hard SF adn never sword and scorcery stuff.

current favourites Elizabeth Moon trading in danger series.

Big fan of Ian M Banks

and who can top the lensman series by EE "doc" smith

Don't read much SF any more, but I have enjoyed, amongst others :

Most by Larry Niven - although some of his politics, especially in the collaborations with Jerry Pournelle, are a bit 'right-wing'!

Haldeman's 'Forever War' series.

Greg Bear's 'The Way' ('Eon' and sequels;) and one of the most frightening horror stories I have read - 'Psychlone'

by **NeilyBroon** Wed 08 Aug 2018, 8:48 am

demosthenes wrote:
TJ wrote:Books - now we are talking. as an SF geek ( never sci fi- thats for the dweebs only) I could bore on for hours. I own a thousand or two0 SF novels and anthrologies with a bias towards hard SF adn never sword and scorcery stuff.

current favourites Elizabeth Moon trading in danger series.

Big fan of Ian M Banks

and who can top the lensman series by EE "doc" smith

Don't read much SF any more, but I have enjoyed, amongst others :

Most by Larry Niven - although some of his politics, especially in the collaborations with Jerry Pournelle, are a bit 'right-wing'!

Haldeman's 'Forever War' series.

Greg Bear's 'The Way' ('Eon' and sequels;) and one of the most frightening horror stories I have read - 'Psychlone'

The cannibal island in 'Consider Phlebas' still haunts me.

by jimbopip Wed 08 Aug 2018, 9:09 am

tigertattie wrote:Tell you what guys. I may move to the dark side and support the unwashed. At a comedy show at the festival and by god Edinburgh is full of pretentious wanks at this time of year.

Were you up to your oxsters in Metrosexual Festival Luvvies perchance? king

by IanBru Fri 10 Aug 2018, 3:19 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:Genuinely one of my favourite books, Heinlein was a fantastic writer.

I think TJ is right that it contained elements of fascism, which Heinlein later moved away from with books like Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which were considerably more liberal.

TJ wrote:Ianbru - is it? I don't think its an allegory for McCarthyism having read much of his output. Its more a flirtation with fascism. Harrrison likes a bit of facism.

Perhaps 'allegory' is too strong, more that it should be viewed as a response to McCarthyism, i.e. that it's possible to maintain a non-communist society whilst maintaining individual liberties. For me, the overriding theme is that of individualism versus collectivism, i.e. the varying personalities of the humans (and how they respond to the war in different ways) vs the hive-coordinated warfare of the bugs. In that sense, Heinlein's writing comes across as more libertarian than fascist.

I've just finished Tom English's 'The Grudge' for the fifth time. Anyone on this board who hasn't read it simply has to! I've heard that someone has bought the film rights, which got me thinking of which actors could be lined up:

Jim Telfer - Gary Lewis
Brian Moore - Stephen Graham
Will Carling - Benedict Crackerdong
John Jeffrey - Tilda Swinton
Jeremy Guscott - Ore Oduba
Scott Hastings - A bowl of Aldi bran flakes
Margaret Thatcher - JimboPip

by jimbopip Fri 10 Aug 2018, 3:46 pm

Have I done something to upset you, young Bruster?

Is it the single end in Leith I've booked for the Sarf Effrika game?

Is it the fact that you and Caz are sharing the bateau d'amour while I rough it on the swan down divan?

You have cut me to the quick. It will take a lot of beer to ameliorate and soothe my lacerated emotions.

A lot. A hell of a lot.

by IanBru Fri 10 Aug 2018, 3:55 pm

jimbopip wrote: Have I done something to upset you, young Bruster?

Is it the single end in Leith I've booked for the Sarf Effrika game?

Is it the fact that you and Caz are sharing the bateau d'amour while I rough it on the swan down divan?

You have cut me to the quick. It will take a lot of beer to ameliorate and soothe my lacerated emotions.

A lot. A hell of a lot.

Sorry Jim, it's just my first day back at my desk after a nice holiday in the Hebrides. Even the charms of the Toon pale next to Tobermory Main Street.

by jimbopip Fri 10 Aug 2018, 4:14 pm

You're still under canvas with the quiet bookie.

I'm hoping the Magic Tombola spins for the other two games but the "possibles" are left out and we see a proper test.

1-3 Luvvies front row
4-5 Gray + Gray
6-8 Batman-Ashe -Hamish
9 The Broncos Kid
10 Le danceur cosmopolitan
12-13 Dunbar+Jones
Back three Kinghorne +Hogg + Seymore

by tigertattie Sat 11 Aug 2018, 11:25 am

jimbopip wrote:You're still under canvas with the quiet bookie.

I'm hoping the Magic Tombola spins for the other two games but the "possibles" are left out and we see a proper test.

1-3 Luvvies front row
4-5 Gray + Gray
6-8 Batman-Ashe -Hamish
9 The Broncos Kid
10 Le danceur cosmopolitan
12-13 Dunbar+Jones
Back three Kinghorne +Hogg + Seymore

no happening son!

Ashe won't be near the match day squad and Batman could find himself out in the cold (or sitting on the bench). The great unwashed have had a mare of things in the tail end of the season with their front and back rows.

by jimbopip Sat 11 Aug 2018, 4:17 pm

Ah! Steady Tiger! As Bet Lynch used to say.

Listening to Dave Rennie is somewhat like being a Cold War Kremlinologist. However, if you pay close attention you'll have heard, "We skooshed the league in first half of the season and I thought playing the same fifteen for the remaining fixtures was the right thing to do. I was wrong. Flying halfway around the world to run the Cheetahs ragged at altitude was pretty neat. Flying halfway around the world for a day at home and then travelling the length of the country to play the English champions with the same players....not so clever."

There will be a lot more rotation this season and if Arthur Ashe avoids injury Toonie will play him over the AI's. With Keeble and The Nuke fit at the start of the season Bhatti and Zander should not get flogged quite so much either.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 11 Aug 2018, 6:57 pm

I'd really like to see Ashe have a good season - he looks the part when he's on good form and fit. He could be a great option for Scotland. M Fagerson is still very green, at least Ashe has some experience.

Hopefully Rennie has learnt his lessons from last season, and now he's more open-minded about squad rotation he'll give others exposure who haven't had a chance yet, which can only be good for Scotland.

by **George Carlin** Sun 12 Aug 2018, 7:04 am

IanBru wrote:
jimbopip wrote: Have I done something to upset you, young Bruster?

Is it the single end in Leith I've booked for the Sarf Effrika game?

Is it the fact that you and Caz are sharing the bateau d'amour while I rough it on the swan down divan?

You have cut me to the quick. It will take a lot of beer to ameliorate and soothe my lacerated emotions.

A lot. A hell of a lot.
Sorry Jim, it's just my first day back at my desk after a nice holiday in the Hebrides. Even the charms of the Toon pale next to Tobermory Main Street.

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