6N 2019: France v Scotland

First topic message reminder :

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.

Can anyone advocatng Horne at 10 please just not!

Thanks

PS, I've found a RDWs profile picture

tigertattie wrote:Can anyone advocatng Horne at 10,OR ANY OTHER OPINION ON ANY OTHER MATTER WHICH MIGHT IN ANY WAY CHALLENGE MY LIMITED WORLD VIEW please just not!

Thanks

Fixed that for you Tattie.

The pragmatic approach would be to start Furra Linee with smiling Sam at 12. Mainly because Furra is a good enough player to win MOM on Friday playing in his second choice position. Furra would give us a competent, steady performance. As a 10 he is way short of Dancer's lofty standards, but runs the ball better than Meatball.

The risky approach would be Hastings. He is inexperienced and can seem brittle under pressure. BUT, Haircut 100 is a natural 10, as opposed to a 12 playing at 10, and has pace and an eye for an opening.

Bearing in mind that Toonie is a big disciple of John Wooden and one of Wooden's maxims is that good coaches have faith in the way their teams play and never compromise that because they are scared of the opposition: hastings to start and Horne covering 10/12 on the bench.

Sorry Jimbo but Einstein outranks even you in the list of wise old men

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Horne has shown time and time again that he is just not an international quality 10. Some (like me) would argue that he's not even an international quality 12.

Horne is a very good club player, he's a far better rugby player than I ever was and it's not his fault that he gets put into the national side but he's just not good enough.

Is Hastings better? Could Hastings be better one day? It's debateable, but at least there's a prospect.

Just so we're not confused, Tattie, Hastings is a much more natural 10. Even as I typed that I had to think "What, if anything does that mean?". I think I'm trying to say that in any position there are moments in the game when you have to make decisions instinctively and some people make the right decision almost every time while some people take a split second to weigh up their options. At international level that split second hesitation usually means that whatever you decide to do it's too late anyway.

Hastings is a natural 10. Is he ready for Paris on Saturday?
Furra Linee is a very, very good 12. He is also an acceptable back up 10. Better than acceptable at club level and "mostly" good enough at international. But at the level Scotland want to play he is not the long term solution.


I think Toonie will start Hastings.

I also think Furra Linee will either start in the centres OR bench, as insurance.


p.s. This is Toonie we're trying to second guess: King Blarehorn on the wing, Hastings at 15 and Furra Linee at 10 I wouldn't be surprised. The Tombola shall have the last word.

Has Horne really played all that much for Scotland at 10? I remember one appearance off the bench against Samoa where he did OK, but generally he's been at 12, either starting or off the bench, with Russell tending to play the full 80.

Having said that, I think it's fair to say Horne is primarily a 12 who can cover 10, while Hastings is definitely a 10. Hastings also needs all the international experience he can get IMO, so if Russell doesn't recover I'd go with him, with Horne covering from the bench.

A few months ago, I would have definitely said Hastings. However, he has had a pretty substantial drop in form for Glasgow, and was even 'rested' (read: dropped?) for Brandon Thomson a few matches ago, and hasn't played much since due to the international break.

I would really not normally advocate Horne starting, but given the current situation, I think he is the man for the weekend. He is by no means the future at 10 (or even 12), but I think we need his experience in what will be a very raw midfield.

EST wrote:A few months ago, I would have definitely said Hastings. However, he has had a pretty substantial drop in form for Glasgow, and was even 'rested' (read: dropped?) for Brandon Thomson a few matches ago, and hasn't played much since due to the international break.

I would really not normally advocate Horne starting, but given the current situation, I think he is the man for the weekend. He is by no means the future at 10 (or even 12), but I think we need his experience in what will be a very raw midfield.

This is a key point - Hastings has no real form to speak of coming into this game, and hasn't played much lately either.

Additions to the squad;

Fagerson Z, Turner, Fife, Johnstone and Duncy Weir and Bradbury

Looks like JJ has played himself into contention. Duncy could come into the equation if Finn is out, he has been playing well and regularly for Worcester this season.

McDowell, with an injured ankle and Horne G drop out of the squad, though GH did say in an interview over the weekend that he should be fit to play for Glasgow this weekend against Connacht.

Any comments from Toonie re Russell?

Fagerson, Turner and Bradbury all expected. Johnstone also unsurprising given injury to Jones and that he's bang in form.

Fife is pretty uninspiring, but with L. Jones injured he's probably next cab off the rank. Only other options are McGuigan and Hughes, and they've both only just come back from injury too. Don't expect him to be involved in any case.

Weir into the squad might be a sign that they don't expect Russell to recover, or it might just be them trying to cover all bases.

Shame about McDowell's injury, he might just have been in contention for the OC spot otherwise. Horne heading back to Glasgow makes sense. That niggly ankle injury he's been carrying means he hasn't played for a few weeks, so game time is needed if he does recover for the week-end. Price is playing well in any case.

Fife is a weird one, but Maitland maybe has a niggle - he didn't play at the weekend for Sarries (and could have done with the run out).

They're probably needed for numbers at training as much as anything!

Regarding Fiin, they said that he is subject to return to play protocols.

It is a tight schedule for him to get back, I fancy that they won't take the risk, there is no point, might as well prepare without him.

Now that the squad has been announced, here is my attempt at the thankless task of predicting the Tombola:

Dell
McInally
Berghan
Gray
Gilchrist
Bradbury
Ritchie
Strauss

Laidlaw
Horne
Maitland
Johnson
Johnstone
Seymour
Kinghorn

Bhatti
Brown
Fagerson
Toolis
Hardie
Price
Hastings
Graham

In other news if you could all give the new 606 Twitter account a follow and a few likes and retweets - you can see from the below hilariously witty tweet that I'm moving into Glove's territory of top quality banter

https://twitter.com/606v2R/status/1097234610923163651?s=19

Screw him - he's far too important to come visit anymore!

(   )

Followed

RDW wrote:In other news if you could all give the new 606 Twitter account a follow and a few likes and retweets - you can see from the below hilariously witty tweet that I'm moving into Glove's territory of top quality banter

https://twitter.com/606v2R/status/1097234610923163651?s=19

Screw him - he's far too important to come visit anymore!

(   )

I've almost mastered the quote function and now you want me to learn to speak twitter?

Confirmed that Finn failed his HIA. He could yet play though, as he has to be symptom free for 6 days, and apparently he wasn't showing any signs of it today (Monday), so come sat he'd be fine to play, under the return to play protocol.

I still think he probably should be left out for his own health, but I have 100% faith in Dr Robson MBE so if he deems Russell fit to play then fair enough.

jimbopip wrote:

RDW wrote:In other news if you could all give the new 606 Twitter account a follow and a few likes and retweets - you can see from the below hilariously witty tweet that I'm moving into Glove's territory of top quality banter

https://twitter.com/606v2R/status/1097234610923163651?s=19

Screw him - he's far too important to come visit anymore!

(   )

I've almost mastered the quote function and now you want me to learn to speak twitter?

Anyone else got images of Jimbo with one of those wee whistle things chirping away thinking he's speaking to folk on social media?

I'm so beyond that Tattie, I've been learning the words to "I taught I saw a puddie cat a cweeping up on me".

jimbopip wrote:I'm so beyond that Tattie, I've been learning the words to "I taught I saw a puddie cat a cweeping up on me".

You did, you did saw a puddie cat

Mind you, we'll all be seeing that feccin puddie tat before we see Dancer on Saturday afternoon.

So, 10? Haircut 100? Furra Linee or Frodo The Ponderous?

I think Frodo must play. My guess is he'll start 9 and can go 10 if we need him to steady things.

1. Dell Bhatti
2. Rambo Turner after Saturday's showing he deserves it
3. Nel Ragnar The Pretty, Berghan if Nel is still on a sickie
4. Surfer Dude
5. GG Ickle Jonny, if his big brother is fit he should start, familiarity with the French way and a greater dynamism around the park.
6. Bradbury
7. Ritchie
8. Bluto Arthur Ashe, I just think if the game has opened up then he has the pace to attack the French
9. Frodo Aldi Price
10 Haircut 100 Furra Linee
11.Seymour
12. Smiling Sam
13. That would be an ecumenical matter, Ted.... Grigg, definitely....Or Jimmy Johnstone. Not Harris...but maybe.
14. No Maits
15. King Blarehorn Graham, the wee one not the big nasty flanker one.

tigertattie wrote:

jimbopip wrote:I'm so beyond that Tattie, I've been learning the words to "I taught I saw a puddie cat a cweeping up on me".

You did, you did saw a puddie cat

You win the internet today.

RDW wrote:In other news if you could all give the new 606 Twitter account a follow and a few likes and retweets - you can see from the below hilariously witty tweet that I'm moving into Glove's territory of top quality banter

https://twitter.com/606v2R/status/1097234610923163651?s=19

Screw him - he's far too important to come visit anymore!

(   )

Thanks for all the follows.

I have enjoyed trying to play guess who is who but most don't have profile pictures, and one is apparently a Dr so that rules out all you lot!

(p.s. you are under absolutely no obligation to reveal your true identity on here. If batman doesn't have to, you don't have to!)

Can I live in a cave then? And hang around with a boy-wonder who wears tights?....oh. er on second thoughts...right y'are Ted. Better not.

P.p.s. Batman isn't a member of this forum (or is he?)

I'm a Dr, of the useless sort

Not on Twitter though, otherwise I'd spend even more of the day procrastinating at work than I already do...

EST wrote:A few months ago, I would have definitely said Hastings. However, he has had a pretty substantial drop in form for Glasgow, and was even 'rested' (read: dropped?) for Brandon Thomson a few matches ago, and hasn't played much since due to the international break.

I would really not normally advocate Horne starting, but given the current situation, I think he is the man for the weekend. He is by no means the future at 10 (or even 12), but I think we need his experience in what will be a very raw midfield.

Back on.

In an ideal world Hastings would have continued his early season form and it would be a like for like replacement but unfortunately he hasn't.

It would be a big gamble for Toonie to go with him, especially with an inexperienced centre combination in a must win game away from home.

Did Grigg & Bradbury both play themselves into the team?

It is probably me who is the dr. Comes of hanging around in universities for far too long, but I do have a real job now.

Just looked at the follower list - and no I'm not Dr. Sanchez

Pas Russell pas jouer

reallybored wrote:

EST wrote:A few months ago, I would have definitely said Hastings. However, he has had a pretty substantial drop in form for Glasgow, and was even 'rested' (read: dropped?) for Brandon Thomson a few matches ago, and hasn't played much since due to the international break.

I would really not normally advocate Horne starting, but given the current situation, I think he is the man for the weekend. He is by no means the future at 10 (or even 12), but I think we need his experience in what will be a very raw midfield.

Back on.

In an ideal world Hastings would have continued his early season form and it would be a like for like replacement but unfortunately he hasn't.

It would be a big gamble for Toonie to go with him, especially with an inexperienced centre combination in a must win game away from home.

Did Grigg & Bradbury both play themselves into the team?

Bradbury was motm and deservedly so - he put in a hugely powerful performance.

Grigg was good in attack and put in a few good hits, but also made a few defensive lapses.

I’m sure we have more than one medic here. I have definitely chatted about work related bits here albeit a looong time back. Anyway convinced Hastings will start if Finn not ready and greeeeig to steady the ship by moving up +1 if all hell breaks loose and good Godman style intercepts start getting chucked about..

I think France will win this

It won’t be pretty, but I agree with yappy. France by 10 or so.

It's decided then.

France for the win in a borefest.

Sorry Scots fans.

I think French pack will run riot

Positive noises coming out the Scotland camp in the papers this morning about Russell - he's symptom free so far.

Less positive on Nel who is yet to return to training.

RDW wrote:Positive noises coming out the Scotland camp in the papers this morning about Russell - he's symptom free so far.

Less positive on Nel who is yet to return to training.

Finn is from Stirlingshire. How will we tell if he's concussed or not?

In terms of World Cup prep having a look at Hastings or Horne at 10 might not be a bad thing. We do have to look after Russell, even if Racing won't.

My nerve levels ahead of the France game have not reduced as a result of Weir joining the squad!

RDW wrote:Positive noises coming out the Scotland camp in the papers this morning about Russell - he's symptom free so far.

Less positive on Nel who is yet to return to training.

How did Fagerson get on at the weekend? I saw he played 50 minutes or so, but was he World Class?

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW wrote:Positive noises coming out the Scotland camp in the papers this morning about Russell - he's symptom free so far.

Less positive on Nel who is yet to return to training.

How did Fagerson get on at the weekend? I saw he played 50 minutes or so, but was he World Class?

He was fine without overlay standing out. I think Berghan has to start if Nel isn't fit - it would be a huge ask for Fagerson to start.

Fagerson did perfectly well, scrum was fine and he made a few good carries, but he didn't stand out in the way Bradbury and Turner did. Agree with RDW that I'd start with Berghan with Fagerson on the bench.

As for Finn, surely the way to tell if he's concussed is to talk to him: if you can understand a word he says then that's a bad sign.

funnyExiledScot wrote:In terms of World Cup prep having a look at Hastings or Horne at 10 might not be a bad thing. We do have to look after Russell, even if Racing won't.

My nerve levels ahead of the France game have not reduced as a result of Weir joining the squad!

#PrayForTheMeatball

France team is out, they're starting Dupont and Ntamack at half back which could be fun, and an actual full back. Fickou back in the centres too

15. Ramos ; 14. Huget, 13. Bastareaud, 12. Fickou, 11. Penaud ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont 7. Iturria, 8. Picamoles, 6. Lauret; 5. Lambey, 4. Vahaamahina ; 3. Bamba, 2. Guirado (cap.), 1. Poirot.

Replacements : Chat, Falgoux, Aldegheri, Willemse, Alldritt, Serin, Belleau, Médard.

Players being picked in their actual positions? Knew they'd chose the Scotland game to finally start doing that!

Yup! A full back at full back, a wing and (ok probably a centre) at wing, two actual centres, and the best 9 they have is starting

At least they haven't gone full crazy and started their best flankers too

BamBam wrote:France team is out, they're starting Dupont and Ntamack at half back which could be fun, and an actual full back. Fickou back in the centres too

15. Ramos ; 14. Huget, 13. Bastareaud, 12. Fickou, 11. Penaud ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont  7. Iturria, 8. Picamoles, 6. Lauret; 5. Lambey, 4. Vahaamahina ; 3. Bamba, 2. Guirado (cap.), 1. Poirot.

Replacements : Chat, Falgoux, Aldegheri, Willemse, Alldritt, Serin, Belleau, Médard.

They're slowly getting there! I'd rather see Doumayrou at 12 and Fickou at 13 in absence of Fofana. Or potentially Medard to start and Penaud into the centres. Can't understand why Camara isn't in the 23 either. But otherwise I like their team.

BamBam wrote:France team is out, they're starting Dupont and Ntamack at half back which could be fun, and an actual full back. Fickou back in the centres too

15. Ramos ; 14. Huget, 13. Bastareaud, 12. Fickou, 11. Penaud ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont  7. Iturria, 8. Picamoles, 6. Lauret; 5. Lambey, 4. Vahaamahina ; 3. Bamba, 2. Guirado (cap.), 1. Poirot.

Replacements : Chat, Falgoux, Aldegheri, Willemse, Alldritt, Serin, Belleau, Médard.

Looks a better team than last time, if a bit youthful.

Come on France.

But a ballsy half back selection at last! Maybe his hand forced after Parra's comments.

Looks like Parra's complaints about the coaching set-up has seen him axed. Lopez gone too, possibly for the same reasons. Is Ntamack really a 10? I thought he was more of a 12 who covered 10 than the other way around. France do have a real issue with home grown 10s, so many foreign players there in the Top 14.

Rest of the team looks decent enough. Centres are direct and physical, so you do wonder how much ball the back 3 will see.

Pretty sure Ntamack was at 10 for the U20s, I thought that was his main position and he'd just been playing a bit of 12 at senior level