6N 2019: France v Scotland

Saturday 23rd Feb 2019
Stade de France
KO 14:15

France


Scotland


After two opening losses for France and a home loss for Scotland, both teams are looking to get their tournament back on track. Expect a response or implosion from France at home but also expect the same from Scotland.

This could be interesting.

Will very likely bet yesterday game earnings on a Scotland win - the margin of the French defeat will solely depend on how many players out of position JB will select.
Scotland literally just have to turn up and then :
- kick behind France back 3
- watch French player make a mess of the ball
- pick up the ball and score a try
- repeat

whocares wrote:Will very likely bet yesterday game earnings on a Scotland win - the margin of the French defeat will solely depend on how many players out of position JB will select.
Scotland literally just have to turn up and then :
- kick behind France back 3
- watch French player make a mess of the ball
- pick up the ball and score a try
- repeat

20 years since a Scotland win in France, don't underestimate the doom psychee of Scotland!

Probably our best chance for an away win but it's also France's best chance to redeem themselves. If anyone can make France look alright at the moment, it's Scotland! The first half against Wales showed what they're capable of, especially at home.

I don't know. I really just don't know.

Its the old saying "Which France will turn up" but now we also need to say "Which Scotland will turn up"

If France play like they did in the first half vs Wales and we play like we did in the 2nd half of either game, we'll be on a hiding. If France play like they did against the Engurlunders and we play like we did in the 1t half of either of our games, we'll spank them.

Given the likelyhood of both teams rocking up and playing inconsitantly, I can see this being a close encounter and quite possibly the highest combined score in any 6Ns game.

Finn knows the French players and I can see him having a field day. Spotting the wingers being too high and Big-Bastardau up flat and he (should) chip the ball over them all day long. If the wingers are deep and Big-Bastardau is too far back, he (should) run at the space and put a wee pass in for someone cutting a line to put them through.

Our defence has also been rocky and with even more players being injued, I can see us continuing in that vein.

France 47
Scotland 49

Lets see if he calls any more players back into the squad either this week or after the club games next weekend. It might be a week or so to soon for some of them, but we can hope.

This is certainly going to test our depth and things are better now than they used to be. It is not going to be an easy game over there though. Those French players will be getting an absolute pasting in the press over there, they did not hold back last week, so god knows what they will say this time.

If they lose to us as well, then some of them might be booking a one way ticket to St Helena!

Wilson’s gone for the rest of the tournament. Big opportunity for someone

bsando wrote:Wilson’s gone for the rest of the tournament. Big opportunity for someone

but who though? Everyone who needs the oppertunity is gubbed!

The only one that this will benefit in any way is Gary Graham who I was starting to think was capped jsut to keep him away form England (why cap him then drop him the next week and have Rob Harley as the replacement)

For France we'll surely be seeing

6. Graham
7. Ritchie
8. Strauss

Probably Harley on the bench?

Or Toonie may start with Harley at 6 with Graham on the bench, but Harley is imo too slow to be a back row for Scotland now and is very much a lock these days.

I believe that headcase Hardie is also out injured again so he wont feature.

And noooooooooo, do not put Fraser Brown in as a backrower, he's a hooker and we need him there!

I still think Crosbie is in with a shout for a bench spot. Any news on Blade Thomson or is it a long term thing for him?

A lot will depend on whether we get any of our injured back row players back.

Skinner was meant to be a few weeks, same for Watson. They may not make this round, but will at least hopefully be back by the next one.

The other longer term injuries, i would expect to have a club run first. keep an eye on the team sheets for this weekend.

Get hugh blake on a plane? We'll be seeing Blair Cowan back at this rate!

It doesn't give me any pleasure to appear to dance on the grave of a nation with such a rich rugby history, but the "performance" that the French gave yesterday was the worst by a supposedly top-flight international team that I have seen in more than 45 years of watching the game. Are there really no full-backs in France or no centres that aren't five stone overweight? That was an absolute betrayal of more than half a century of French rugby excellence.

Let's not beat about the bush here; if the error-strewn second half Scots of Saturday had been playing the French side of any moment you like on Sunday, the Scots would still have won in a canter. Doesn't bear thinking about what the first-half Scottish team that played Ireland would have done to les bleus.

The French are a disorganised rabble right now, to be kind. They're not without talent, of course, but strategy, direction, leadership and basic rugby nous are simply non-existent. I know that Scotland's record in Paris isn't a thing of beauty but they have to be the bet to rectify that partially in a couple of weeks, particularly if the bookies make the French favourites. Right now, the French shouldn't be favourites to beat anyone, at home or anywhere else, as Fiji and Japan would probably confirm.

Root and branch clean-out of the French blazers and the grey-haired coaching 'gurus' is essential. Until that day comes, I'll be happy enough backing almost any half-decent side against them. Injuries and all, the Scots are more than that, and they should be furious with themselves if they don't prove the point in a couple of weeks.

captain carrantuohil wrote:It doesn't give me any pleasure to appear to dance on the grave of a nation with such a rich rugby history, but the "performance" that the French gave yesterday was the worst by a supposedly top-flight international team that I have seen in more than 45 years of watching the game. Are there really no full-backs in France or no centres that aren't five stone overweight? That was an absolute betrayal of more than half a century of French rugby excellence.

Let's not beat about the bush here; if the error-strewn second half Scots of Saturday had been playing the French side of any moment you like on Sunday, the Scots would still have won in a canter. Doesn't bear thinking about what the first-half Scottish team that played Ireland would have done to les bleus.

The French are a disorganised rabble right now, to be kind. They're not without talent, of course, but strategy, direction, leadership and basic rugby nous are simply non-existent. I know that Scotland's record in Paris isn't a thing of beauty but they have to be the bet to rectify that partially in a couple of weeks, particularly if the bookies make the French favourites. Right now, the French shouldn't be favourites to beat anyone, at home or anywhere else, as Fiji and Japan would probably confirm.

Root and branch clean-out of the French blazers and the grey-haired coaching 'gurus' is essential. Until that day comes, I'll be happy enough backing almost any half-decent side against them. Injuries and all, the Scots are more than that, and they should be furious with themselves if they don't prove the point in a couple of weeks.

Much as I agree the French were dog awful against England, they put in a decent half against Wales, and have shown flashes of what they can do.

As Scotland have also proven this tournament, they're very much masters of their own fate. Yes Italy scored 3 good tries, but they were relatively easy run-ins, especially when you consider the amount of difficulty they had the rest of the game, Scotland screwed up, Italy capitalised. Same with Ireland, you could argue they forced errors through pressure, but how many errors did Scotland make without the pressure? Opportunity was there for Scotland on several occassions, they didn't capitalise and against a better team, that's an comfortable loss.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see the France of the first 40mins of this 6 nations surface at some point during the match against Scotland. Equally they could completely give up, it just seems the French way when it comes to the rugby. I think if they get given opportunities like Scotland gave Ireland and Italy it could galvanise them back into action.

You do feel like there should be so much more from France. The side they can put out and the talent they have, it's ridiculous they can be so poor.

They need a gameplan and then consistency in selection, no doubt. I think it's time for them to give some of their younger players their heads. What could go wrong?

Bamba, Lambey, Camara, Dupont, Ntamack, Penaud, Ramos. Get them in their strongest positions and change the way you play. Drop anyone overweight or not fit enough for the modern game.

Yeah let’s be honest, Scotland are apprentices to France in the headless chicken stakes quite often.

"Scotland favourites In Paris. Shock"

Aye that would be the headline.

It looks like this game may be the one that is just too Rumsfeldty. Too full of known unknowns.

However, things we do know;

if Scotland go in trailing by 16 points at the break, then they won't win.
if Scotland go in trailing by 1 point at the break, then they won't win.
If France go all out to avenge their besmirched honour and attack from everywhere then Scotland will probably win.
If France go into their shell and defend as if they play their home matches at the Alamo then Scotland will find a way to lose.

Much as I believe Cap'n Carferry's prediction that it will be a massively high scoring match, I also truly believe it is just as likely to be a nervy, error strewn 9-6 affair.

Usually, I prefer to watch televised games on my own or with one or two rugby mates who know better than to make small talk while the game is under way: for this match I would happily cram a symposium of psychoanalysts into my living room. The team which does not suffer a collective mental breakdown should avoid defeat. I don't think either side have it in them to actually win this game but one or t'other may hold it together long enough to avoid defeat.

With Scotland playing a fast paced, keep the ball live game, surely we suit playing with two 7s.

So if we can get him fit (but for crying out loud don’t rush him) the Watson starting with Ritchie at 6 could well be the best thing that could happen for us.

Strauss playing at 8 then gives us the bulk and so far he seems to be fitting in well.

Ryan who we could soon be saying (although I do still agree that he’s actually played a bit better in the last two games)

At this rate it will really depend on who Scotland have left. If Strauss gets injured then we're scraping the barrel. Does Johnnie Beattie still play somewhere?

Scotland will run France ragged. Three or four intercepts will just be the icing. Tempting fate, but for now that looks the worst French side in years... and that's saying something. They just look clueless in how to sustain professional concentration to the end. Some of them want to be systematic, others want to do it all freeform and erratic. The number of wry smiles on the faces of some French players during the English game said it all. They have no faith in what they're doing...... I suppose the big and continuous warning from high level professional club rugby v International. - They don't even seem to want two masters now... it's been going on now for too long to be merely yet another bad coaching choice. I doubt if even a gifted SH coach could make many inroads on the minds of these players.
They'll kill lreland now after the heavy Scottish defeat of course, just to get back at me!

To be fair if Fofana and Medard had been available they would both have started and Les Blues would been much better in attack and defense than the shambles that appeared on Sunday. The thing about the French psyche is that they cat get horsed away from home one week and come back home and play a blinder the next, in a way that almost no other nation could do.

Having said that some of the players really looked like they couldn't give a monkeys after the first half.

France have so many excellent players and Brunel has been brave with some of his selections: Itturai moving to the back row, Ntamack,Lamby, Jallibert (fly half last season, suffered horrendous injury in Ireland match), Du Pont, Penaud, Bamba, Alldroit etc.. However he has stuck with some past it or never were it players like Atonio, Basteraud and Poirot.

He has also had to endure crucial injuries: Lopez, Jallibert, and Fofana for last season's 6N's.

There are still excellent young players that could strengthen the squad: Paul Jedrasiak now fully firing for Clermont after a bad knee injury, a great mobile,skilful and physical lock would be a much better bet than Willemse for the bench.

Its not all doom and gloom for France but choosing  Toulouse's third choice full back (behind Medard and Ramos) was never going to end well at Twickers.
Brunel has to stop obsessing about choosing players who can play more than one position and pick specialist for crucial defensive positions like fullback.

France almost beat Wales (in France) which makes me think that, despite being poor against a rampant England, they could/should beat Scotland on their own turf. Probably a 50/50 game based on the showings so far.

France are still, despite their short-comings, a step above Italy.

Cockerill mentioning in the build up to this weekends game that Watson will definitely not be fit for Wales, but that Magnus Bradbury is likely to play some part this weekend.

It's definitely not a sensible idea to call him up for this game, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him involved off the bench.

The French players predictably getting some stick in the French press. Midi Olympic had a banner headline 'Waterloo' and then lambasted them.

Para was openly criticising JB in an interview he gave and others have done so under the cloak of anonymity. I think it is fair to say that using some football parlance, Brunel has lost the dressing room. He would now be the third French coach in a row that has happened to.

That may actually make them more, not less dangerous. I think in the WC in New Zealand, they pretty much stopped listening to the coach and made up their own tactics and game plan, getting all the way to the final!

Lets hope they don't do that against Scotland!

How can they listen to the coaches? He changed them all a year ago, and has no consistency in his player selection. There's no possibility to have a structure in place.

This crap from French players that it's always the coach wears thin after a few telling. Are these men so timid as to accept shoddy training year after year and not make their opinions very bluntly to admin people behind the scenes? More influential players over the years didn't give opinions behind the scenes about the kinds of coaches they want before each coaching ticket is selected. BeeGee already alluded to the fact that they're no wilting flowers when they feel it's necessary. But why wait until a WC?
For me, a lot of the players just turn up, know they are being badly coached but mostly it's never too big a deal with them until they come to contests they are actually interested in - and evidence seems to suggest they've lost interest in 6N. Laughing and smiling as you are being humiliated isn't the right message to younger players or fans. I'll say again, at least Italy always look like they are trying - French players, not always so. They're entitled to their own overview and no other NH side can sneer the French record at WCs.... but always using the coach as eternal fall guy won't work. Parra looked as clueless as everyone else out there. Where was his leadership?

Poor performance against Ireland with Scotland committing silly mistakes and failing to break them down in their 22. Ireland basically waited us out and took advantage of mistakes. Thankfully France appear to have an obsession with size without dominating the set piece and struggle to defend with anything unexpected...Scotland will probably play conventionally for once to try and double bluff them.

It will be key to get back Nel to ensure we don't have a repeat of Ireland abusing our scrum. Berghan is fine and is a good second option, but I am not sure he is more than an average international TH. If Fagerson is about this weekend, he needs to show that he is able to scrum at the same level as the start of the season, not last season.

The leadership of France is broken and guys like Basta, Parra and Picamoles are part of that. They remind me of McClaren-era England football. It was never the players, always the coach. They are arguably the most talented side in the Six Nations and could do with hiring a Vern Cotter-type and clearing out the old guard. Might as well start now and get the youngsters into the World Cup now to show them where they need to get to.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Poor performance against Ireland with Scotland committing silly mistakes and failing to break them down in their 22. Ireland basically waited us out and took advantage of mistakes. Thankfully France appear to have an obsession with size without dominating the set piece and struggle to defend with anything unexpected...Scotland will probably play conventionally for once to try and double bluff them.

It will be key to get back Nel to ensure we don't have a repeat of Ireland abusing our scrum. Berghan is fine and is a good second option, but I am not sure he is more than an average international TH. If Fagerson is about this weekend, he needs to show that he is able to scrum at the same level as the start of the season, not last season.

The leadership of France is broken and guys like Basta, Parra and Picamoles are part of that. They remind me of McClaren-era England football. It was never the players, always the coach. They are arguably the most talented side in the Six Nations and could do with hiring a Vern Cotter-type and clearing out the old guard. Might as well start now and get the youngsters into the World Cup now to show them where they need to get to.

Wouldn't be surprised if Vern took on the role eventually. He's the kind of antidote France need. Culturally they'd have to accept a non-French coach which I think has limited them, especially when you consider the foreign coaching talent available in the top14.

As for Scotland, the inconsistency has gone on far too long for me. Injury has a large part to play but the last few performances have been some of the most frustrating. The argument doesn't rub that this is still a young team, they're all experienced international campaigners. They just need to learn better control.

This being said, the defence against Ireland looked better. Those three tries were all off the back of errors that shouldn't have happened. I think passing drills are a must.

Hopefully Zander can perform this weekend and get back on the bench for Scotland, that'd be a big boost. I'd be tempted to put Ashe on the bench and move Gary Graham to the starting line-up. Although Crosbie has previously made a case for inclusion that is worth noting.

Centres - Johnson has really cemented his place. I think Grigg outside him would make sense as it is a centre pairing that are used to each other, and to be honest, will be no worse than Huw Jones on his current form. No it won't be spectacular, but with FR on good form, Blair Kinghorn playing well (minus dropped balls on Saturday) that may not be such a big factor. I'd want to see Graham come in on the bench and if Horne Jr plays and plays well this weekend, him in for Price.

If Richie is going well for Toulouse, I'd wager he'll get a call-up to the squad. Toolis has been great but I'd take an on-form RG anyday. It'd be great to see him return to the bench, if not for France but against Wales or England. A player of his experience and stature is invaluable. I doubt, bar any more injuries, we'll see that happen.

So based on all that:

1 Dell
2 McInally
3 Berghan
4 GG
5 J Gray
6 Graham
7 Ritchie
8 Strauss

9 Laidlaw
10 Russell

11 Maitland
12 Johnson
13 Grigg
14 Seymour (if Graham comes on and completely outshines him, drop to the bench for Wales)
15 Kinghorn (assuming Hogg is crocked)

Subs
16 Brown
17 Bhatti
18 Fagerson
19 Toolis/R Gray
20 Ashe
21 Horne Jr
22 Horne Sr
23 D Graham

Scotland made too many individual footballing/handling errors against Ire to seriously threaten the game. If they can work on this then they'll have France on toast. As for which France will turn up - easy, the carp one, as usual.

Hogg is apparently going to miss the 6N and be in a race against time to be fit for the world cup.

Baaaaaaaaaaws!!!!!!!!!

RDW wrote:Hogg is apparently going to miss the 6N and be in a race against time to be fit for the world cup.

Baaaaaaaaaaws!!!!!!!!!

That’s awful news.

Worth saying my source is a tweet from the daily fail so may be Love sacks (please please please please)

RDW wrote:Hogg is apparently going to miss the 6N and be in a race against time to be fit for the world cup.

Baaaaaaaaaaws!!!!!!!!!

That is sad news for Hogg. 

And still no citing of Peter O'marni, For a NO arm's tackle and a deliberate trip leading to Hogg's injurie.

Luck of the Irish i guess.

Ahh FFS - this is going from bad to worse.

What is it with Munster players taking Hoggy out of major rugby events (granted Murray's was a total accident)!

Well let's hope he's back in time for the WC warmups.

It's no bad thing that Kinghorn is now going to get more exposure, albeit enforced.

If we can get 3 wins to match last year, great. I think this is now going to be about developing depth (not that it hasn't been from the start!). The 6Ns is a different kettle of fish to the autumn internationals so to get that kind of exposure can only be good for the younger players.

Maybe it'll be the push some of the fringe guys need to take them to the next level, it could also prove the end of a lot of international careers. If we can uncover even just 2 players in vital positions before the world cup that'd be great.

Ritchie has been a revelation this tournament, genuine tough competition for Watson, Strauss actually looks like he wants to play which will be good when we get Fagerson Jr back, Kinghorn is an able deputy to Hogg, and will surely reach similar heights in his game and Johnson has been fantastic at 12. Thinking about players returning from injury such as Bennett, Fagerson Sr, Magnus etc we could be in a quite good position come the RWC, with at least solid cover in most positions.

I think we can definitely win our game against France, although who knows which version of each team will rock up in Paris.

The big game for me will be against Wales, we haven't turned up for our last two games against them and we should target actually performing in that game - three wins is still a possibility, but will be a huge ask given how soft we look.

EST wrote:I think we can definitely win our game against France, although who knows which version of each team will rock up in Paris.

The big game for me will be against Wales, we haven't turned up for our last two games against them and we should target actually performing in that game - three wins is still a possibility, but will be a huge ask given how soft we look.

Agree on form it's a big ask, but given our development over the last 4 years it should be a minimum goal. If we want to dine at the top table we have to show continuous improvement, as much for the psychological boost it gives. Ireland got to where they are now by grinding up over about 15 years with maybe a couple of inconsistent patches. Scotland need to start showing stable progression otherwise we'll be doomed to be the Fiji of the northern hemisphere. Talented and bonkers but about as consistent as a toddler picking ice cream.

EST wrote:I think we can definitely win our game against France, although who knows which version of each team will rock up in Paris.

The big game for me will be against Wales, we haven't turned up for our last two games against them and we should target actually performing in that game - three wins is still a possibility, but will be a huge ask given how soft we look.

I’m kind of hoping that you aren’t quite settled when you play wales but really turn up for the Calcutta cup..!

Back to back wins over England would be a great result going in to a RWC year.

maestegmafia wrote:

EST wrote:I think we can definitely win our game against France, although who knows which version of each team will rock up in Paris.

The big game for me will be against Wales, we haven't turned up for our last two games against them and we should target actually performing in that game - three wins is still a possibility, but will be a huge ask given how soft we look.

I’m kind of hoping that you aren’t quite settled when you play wales but really turn up for the Calcutta cup..!

Back to back wins over England would be a great result going in to a RWC year.

With all these injuries mounting up, it will be a big ask to beat a very settled looking Welsh team - it would be without them!  I'm hoping first and foremost for a performance, we have been absolutely rubbish in our last two games against your lads.

I am going to go against some folk and say lets put Maitland at FB. Kinghorn did not seem to want to put himself into a couple of tackles a la Hogg of a few years ago and Maitland will offer more defensive solidity as long as Seymour does not hurl the ball above his head from 3 yards away

I think we will end of seeing Harris at 13, but if Dunbar is fit he could return to the squad and give us another go forward option if the forward pack are struggling in the narrow channels. Would like the look of a Graham - Ritchie - Strauss with Ashe/Bradbury on the bench. The question is whether Toonie can get over Harley at BS.

Hazel Sapling wrote:I am going to go against some folk and say lets put Maitland at FB. Kinghorn did not seem to want to put himself into a couple of tackles a la Hogg of a few years ago and Maitland will offer more defensive solidity as long as Seymour does not hurl the ball above his head from 3 yards away

I think we will end of seeing Harris at 13, but if Dunbar is fit he could return to the squad and give us another go forward option if the forward pack are struggling in the narrow channels. Would like the look of a Graham - Ritchie - Strauss with Ashe/Bradbury on the bench. The question is whether Toonie can get over Harley at BS.

That's not a bad shout, although I'm not sure Maitland would add that much more, and Blair's defensive frailties are still exposed out wide. As bad as it sounds, I think they need the opportunity to make these mistakes to learn from them. He's already considerably better defensively than he was a year ago, I think rather than switching them, the team needs to ensure that it's not left to the last defender so frequently.

I'm still not sold on Dunbar at the moment. For me his goose is cooked unless he gets together a string of games and form (and stays fit obviously!) until then he's the back of the queue. I'd rather see Scott back in, though the signs aren't good if he's still out with concussion. Johnson has earned his starting spot though, and it's very much his to lose, though if Scott comes back from injury before the end of the tournament, he could potentially fill in at 13.

For France I'd like to see Grigg in at 13 as that is a midfield combo with some familiarity and solidity to it.

Agree on the backrow, should be Graham Ritchie and Strauss starting, that would make the most sense. I expect Ashe may get the nod over Bradbury, depending on how well the latter plays this weekend, but I think most of us would agree that Bradbury has been on more consistent form and has a greater longevity in the shirt. Harley had a pretty poor game against Ireland, he made very little impact and didn't knock Ireland back like I think he was supposed to. I'd imagine we'll see another different bench.

I really want Toonie to put faith in D'Arcy Graham and put him on the bench at least for this game. It may take a try-scoring showing for Edinburgh this weekend but with two fullbacks on the pitch in Maitland and Kinghorn, it gives us a space in the 23 that Graham can fill. I think Seymour needs to be given a kick up the backside and that could well be the way of doing it.

Dunbar is nowhere near the team at the moment and won't be unless he finds some fitness and form, unfortunately not much sign of that yet. I would say McDowell is further ahead of him in the queue currently and if you were looking for a real left field pick from Toonie, that would be it.

It is still much more likely to be Harris though!

I fear you may be right regarding harris.

A part of me feels I'm maybe too critical of him and that he just needs more time. I remember when bennett started he had knock on fever for a few games then it all suddenly clicked into place. Maybe harris will have an absolute stormer and prove us all wrong. Though at the moment it feels like when we had max evans and nick de luca to choose from...

Fully agree that Seymour needs a boot in the bahhookie and dropping him may well be the way to do that.

Fully dissagree on selecting Grigg at 13 has his defence is utterly Visseresque. Big Bastareaud running over Nick Grigg at will just wouldnt make for a fun afternoon for anyone other than Bastareaud and his French team and fans.

In other news, I know it's wrong to base an act on it's outcome but surely to goodness POM needs to be cited for his "tackle" on Hogg.

I always thought the citing reviews were done on the Tuesday so it looks like he's getting awya with this which is really quite staggering!

Citings are only for red card offence - I think POM ‘tackle’ was only a border line yellow in my eyes. Just so frustrating that a piece of cynical play has ended his tournament, he is a delight to watch and has had no luck with injuries since the Lions.

Hardie is back in camp training I saw, wouldn’t be surprised to see him drop in at 7 with Ritchie at 6 for the next one with either Harley or Graham on the bench maybe. Ritchie, Hardie, Strauss would be a nice backrow I think for France.

Unfortunately PoM won't get cited and he probably should not either, as EST said it was a yellow at best and probably just a penalty. Hoggy was unfortunate with the way he fell. It does stick in the throat though that it came off foul play.

Still, not going to do much for ongoing Glasgow-Munster relationships!

Would be nice to see the hard horse back. Likelihood of it happening though? I think unless forced, toonie wouldn't select hardie.

I am not convinced Hardie is the same player as before, the injuries have caught up with him and he can't seem to string any games together. He would be a big risk going into a small WC squad. The way Ritchie has been playing at OS, we should probably just let him carry on with it.

At some stage we do need to have a look at Gary Graham and see what he is really like at this level. Surely this is the occasion.

BigGee wrote:I am not convinced Hardie is the same player as before, the injuries have caught up with him and he can't seem to string any games together. He would be a big risk going into a small WC squad. The way Ritchie has been playing at OS, we should probably just let him carry on with it.

At some stage we do need to have a look at Gary Graham and see what he is really like at this level. Surely this is the occasion.

He's consistently being selected ahead of Gary Graham at Newcastle pretty much since joining. He may be worth another look, although perhaps broadening the net would be wise.

BR now becomes hugely problematic, we just don't have anybody left to fill in at 6 who I would say is international quality.

I would personally leave Ritchie at 7 (who has had a real coming of age tournament) with Strauss staying at 8, who has  cemented that position going forward.  At six, there is a toss up between Graham, Harley and Ashe.  I think we can all agree that Bob shouldn't really ever be considered for the BR at this level anymore - he is way off the pace.  Which leaves a toss up between Ashe and Graham - I think I would go for Ashe, purely because Graham could cover the whole BR from the bench.  Toonie wildcard could be Skinner coming back from injury, Hardie playing at 6 or Bradbury being chucked straight back into the fold.  

The other position of concern is 13, again we don't have any particularly attractive options left - what are we, down to 4 choice after Jones, Bennett and Scott? I'm not sure it matters if we go for either Grigg or Harris, both have their issues at this level - if forced, I would probably go Grigg due to his familiarity with Johnson

EST wrote:BR now becomes hugely problematic, we just don't have anybody left to fill in at 6 who I would say is international quality.

I would personally leave Ritchie at 7 (who has had a real coming of age tournament) with Strauss staying at 8, who has  cemented that position going forward.  At six, there is a toss up between Graham, Harley and Ashe.  I think we can all agree that Bob shouldn't really ever be considered for the BR at this level anymore - he is way off the pace.  Which leaves a toss up between Ashe and Graham - I think I would go for Ashe, purely because Graham could cover the whole BR from the bench.  Toonie wildcard could be Skinner coming back from injury, Hardie playing at 6 or Bradbury being chucked straight back into the fold.  

The other position of concern is 13, again we don't have any particularly attractive options left - what are we, down to 4 choice after Jones, Bennett and Scott?
 

McDowall can play at outside centre and cover the backrow