Six Nations round 4 Scotland vs Wales

First topic message reminder :

Sat, 9 Mar, 14:15
Murrayfield Stadium

Scotland.

Kinghorn, Seymour, Grigg, Graham, Horne, Russell, Price; Dell, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Bradbury, Strauss, Ritchie.

Reps: Brown, Reid, Berghan, Toolis, Watson, Laidlaw, Hastings, McGuigan



Wales.

Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans., Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.



Referee Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Scotland v Wales is on BBC One

I am hoping Darcy Graham gets a start.  Maitland is out as is Harris.  Kinghorn will be FB and Seymour on one wing so surely Darcy ( what sort of a name is that for a scots rugby player?) will get a start.  He has been on fire recently

TJ wrote:I am hoping Darcy Graham gets a start.  Maitland is out as is Harris.  Kinghorn will be FB and Seymour on one wing so surely Darcy ( what sort of a name is that for a scots rugby player?) will get a start.  He has been on fire recently

Soon our backline will be more surnames than first names. Stafford, D'Arcy, Blair... We'll have a teamlist that looks like stage names.

Fairly certain D'Arcy will start. He's had a couple of media pieces done and Toonie singled him out as a standout in France. It's surely his time to shine.

It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. We'd almost be better off sticking someone like Hughes there who is solid and probably would achieve about as much as Seymour on current form. McGuigan I'm not sold on. I think he's too hot and cold, like a less effective Visser.  

I think it would be good to give someone like Nairn a shot on the wing, he's coming along nicely and has had some gametime for Glasgow.

NeilyBroon wrote:
It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. W

Seymour has been wildly mediocre at best, and frankly that's being generous. With Maitland out if we do drop Seymour we lose a bit more experience from our backline. There is no doubt he is playing like a lb* of mince just now though

*454g for the younger folks here.

I was really looking forward to this game, before the WRU went and pressed the self destruct button mid competition and in a WC year.

We were building beautifully for this years WC, and on course for a GS. Now it's all gone up in smoke.

AAAaaaaarrrrrghhhhhh........

cakeordeath wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:
It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. W

Seymour has been wildly mediocre at best, and frankly that's being generous. With Maitland out if we do drop Seymour we lose a bit more experience from our backline. There is no doubt he is playing like a lb* of mince just now though

*454g for the younger folks here.

I think if this tournament has shown anything, "experience" has not been the difference. Our standout players have all been inexperienced, with the more "experienced" players our worst (with the exception of a few - McInally, Hogg, Gilchrist and Russell spring to mind). As we will have two of those four at least on the pitch on Saturday, I don't see any reason for disregarding form for the sake of number of caps.

NeilyBroon wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:
It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. W

Seymour has been wildly mediocre at best, and frankly that's being generous. With Maitland out if we do drop Seymour we lose a bit more experience from our backline. There is no doubt he is playing like a lb* of mince just now though

*454g for the younger folks here.

I think if this tournament has shown anything, "experience" has not been the difference. Our standout players have all been inexperienced, with the more "experienced" players our worst (with the exception of a few - McInally, Hogg, Gilchrist and Russell spring to mind). As we will have two of those four at least on the pitch on Saturday, I don't see any reason for disregarding form for the sake of number of caps.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, I am not advocating he is selected. I think he should be dropped like a stone*. Also I thought Hogg was still out injured?

*Not the imperial weight.

cakeordeath wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:
It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. W

Seymour has been wildly mediocre at best, and frankly that's being generous. With Maitland out if we do drop Seymour we lose a bit more experience from our backline. There is no doubt he is playing like a lb* of mince just now though

*454g for the younger folks here.

I think if this tournament has shown anything, "experience" has not been the difference. Our standout players have all been inexperienced, with the more "experienced" players our worst (with the exception of a few - McInally, Hogg, Gilchrist and Russell spring to mind). As we will have two of those four at least on the pitch on Saturday, I don't see any reason for disregarding form for the sake of number of caps.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, I am not advocating he is selected. I think he should be dropped like a stone*. Also I thought Hogg was still out injured?

*Not the imperial weight.

*In his time on the pitch he has proven one of the better experienced players I should put!

Sense has prevailed (for now) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47461662

Hopefully the boys can concentrate on this game and I cant think of a better response to all this ballaches than winning both remaining games and taking another Grand Slam.

C'mon WALES !!!!

NeilyBroon wrote:

TJ wrote:I am hoping Darcy Graham gets a start.  Maitland is out as is Harris.  Kinghorn will be FB and Seymour on one wing so surely Darcy ( what sort of a name is that for a scots rugby player?) will get a start.  He has been on fire recently

Soon our backline will be more surnames than first names. Stafford, D'Arcy, Blair... We'll have a teamlist that looks like stage names.

Fairly certain D'Arcy will start. He's had a couple of media pieces done and Toonie singled him out as a standout in France. It's surely his time to shine.

It's frustrating with Seymour as I really think he's becoming a liability, he's that off form. He really needs to be dropped to have some time to think. We'd almost be better off sticking someone like Hughes there who is solid and probably would achieve about as much as Seymour on current form. McGuigan I'm not sold on. I think he's too hot and cold, like a less effective Visser.  

I think it would be good to give someone like Nairn a shot on the wing, he's coming along nicely and has had some gametime for Glasgow.

Darcy Graham is named Darcy (like Bussell the prima ballerina) and not D'Arcy (like Gordon the Irish Centre)

Thats by the by

With NoMaits getting injured I can see Tennessee Tam getting to keep his place as not to chuck out too many new caps at one time. If this is right or not is another debate!

Excited to see Graham get a start, form scottish winger imo and should have played against Italy.

So frustrating that we're missing Jones, Bennett, Taylor, Dunbar & Scott at 13, five players injured in one position.  I like Grigg but he's yet to convert his excellent club form to the international stage.

McDowall looks like he could be quality a top quality 12 and I'd love to see him push on be involved in the RWC but a risk to throw him in against Jon Davies at 13.  Johnson has played 13 for Glasgow on a few occasions?

Probably got to stick with Laidlaw for now but if definitely want Price on early if it's not working.

Big selections at 5 and 8.

Personally I'd stick with Gray and give Bradbury a crack at 8.

Dell, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury
Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, McDowall, Johnson, Graham, Kinghorn
Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Skinner, Fagerson, Price, Hastings, McGuigan

Right Spoons what have your inside sources told you about the team selection??

Expecting an exciting/intriguing selection for this one.

All the chat seems to be Laidlaw is getting benched.

I am hoping for another Scotland/Wales classic. So far across the entire tournament the tension and the intensity has been high but the thrills and spills a little less so.

So come on guys give us a really good game.

LondonTiger wrote:I am hoping for another Scotland/Wales classic. So far across the entire tournament the tension and the intensity has been high but the thrills and spills a little less so.

So come on guys give us a really good game.

2010 v2 ?

munkian wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:I am hoping for another Scotland/Wales classic. So far across the entire tournament the tension and the intensity has been high but the thrills and spills a little less so.

So come on guys give us a really good game.

2010 v2 ?  

Hopefully without a near death injury (and for selfish reasons without the comeback succeeding, a draw woudl be fun)

LondonTiger wrote:

munkian wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:I am hoping for another Scotland/Wales classic. So far across the entire tournament the tension and the intensity has been high but the thrills and spills a little less so.

So come on guys give us a really good game.

2010 v2 ?  

Hopefully without a near death injury (and for selfish reasons without the comeback succeeding, a draw woudl be fun)

The Scottish lads have learnt to tackle since

No true rugby fan wants a draw

RDW wrote:All the chat wishful thinking seems to be Laidlaw is getting benched.

Fixed that for you

reallybored wrote:
Dell, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury
Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, McDowall, Johnson, Graham, Kinghorn
Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Skinner, Fagerson, Price, Hastings, McGuigan

Mr Bored, that selection, while not without its merits, is as predictable as the English media telling us they are favourites for the World Cup on the back of this weeks demolition of Italy. If Toonie ever plays it that safe expect to see Theresa may turn up at PMQ's sporting a Mohican and giving her answers in her best P-Diddy rapping styleee!


Adele-Rambo-WP  Shrek-Brown-Ragnar The Pretty

GG-Toolis Principal

Ritchie-Fagerson Minor-Hamish  Graham (macro), to come on and start another rammy, please

Aldi Price-Dancer Frodo-haircut)

Furra Linee-Smiling Sam Lord Stafford Of McDowell

Seymour- King Blairhorn- Graham (micro)

jimbopip wrote:

RDW wrote:All the chat wishful thinking seems to be Laidlaw is getting benched Tattie getting a date with Anne Lundon.

Fixed that for you

and I've fixed that for you sir!

Really hope Graham starts, which I think he will. I had years of watching the Squashed Goblin (Shane Williams) score almost at will against us and the prospect of fielding someone who could make exactly that sort of game breaking impact in a blue shirt is a breath of fresh air.

I see the Welsh team is as predicted:
Williams (Saracens); North (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), Parkes (Scarlets), Adams (Worcester); Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Davies (Scarlets); Evans (Scarlets), Owens (Scarlets), Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Beard (Ospreys), Jones (Ospreys, capt), Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Tipuric (Ospreys), Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Dee (Dragons), Smith (Ospreys), Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Ball (Scarlets), Wainwright (Dragons), Davies (Ospreys), Biggar (Northampton), Watkin (Ospreys).

jimbopip wrote:

reallybored wrote:
Dell, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury
Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, McDowall, Johnson, Graham, Kinghorn
Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Skinner, Fagerson, Price, Hastings, McGuigan

Mr Bored, that selection, while not without its merits, is as predictable as the English media telling us they are favourites for the World Cup on the back of this weeks demolition of Italy. If Toonie ever plays it that safe expect to see Theresa may turn up at PMQ's sporting a Mohican and giving her answers in her best P-Diddy rapping styleee!


Adele-Rambo-WP  Shrek-Brown-Ragnar The Pretty

GG-Toolis Principal

Ritchie-Fagerson Minor-Hamish  Graham (macro), to come on and start another rammy, please

Aldi Price-Dancer Frodo-haircut)

Furra Linee-Smiling Sam Lord Stafford Of McDowell

Seymour- King Blairhorn- Graham (micro)

I'd go with that except Bradbury over Micro-Fagerson.

If you haven’t already, check out the Scottish rugby podcast with Jim Hamilton, very funny. He also reveals exactly what we probably all moaned about a lot when he was playing in a Scotland shirt, his inability to refrain from giving away dumb penalties.

RDW wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

reallybored wrote:
Dell, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury
Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, McDowall, Johnson, Graham, Kinghorn
Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Skinner, Fagerson, Price, Hastings, McGuigan

Mr Bored, that selection, while not without its merits, is as predictable as the English media telling us they are favourites for the World Cup on the back of this weeks demolition of Italy. If Toonie ever plays it that safe expect to see Theresa may turn up at PMQ's sporting a Mohican and giving her answers in her best P-Diddy rapping styleee!


Adele-Rambo-WP  Shrek-Brown-Ragnar The Pretty

GG-Toolis Principal

Ritchie-Fagerson Minor-Hamish  Graham (macro), to come on and start another rammy, please

Aldi Price-Dancer Frodo-haircut)

Furra Linee-Smiling Sam Lord Stafford Of McDowell

Seymour- King Blairhorn- Graham (micro)

I'd go with that except Bradbury over Micro-Fagerson.

Agree if Ritchie is starting on blindside we need more bulk. Graham to bench at least I think.

My stab at the team sheet today

Dell
McInally
Nel
Gilchrist
Gray
Ritchie
Watson
Strauss
Price
Russell
D Graham
P Horne
N Grigg
Seymour
Kinghorn

Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Toolis, Graham, Laidlaw, Hastings, McGuigan

Shouldn't the official one be out yet or are they still checking for South Africans who like Irn Bru ?

1pm today

RDW wrote:1pm today

Ta

Darcy Graham is apparently 176cm, or just over 5' 9". Which is short, no doubt, for modern rugby...but it's not Shane short. Is it a case of the stats being bumped up to make him look bigger and better on paper?

Shane Short - is this an official unit of measurement in Wales?

5ft 9 is probably about right, which is tiny, but there are several players who have been bumped by him this season so he certainly packs a punch! He is just an absolute explosion of energy when he gets the ball, and regularly makes ground that he has no right to make.

He's a very different player from Shane who was a stepper - Darcy is very direct and explosive.

bsando wrote:My stab at the team sheet today

Dell
McInally
Nel
Gilchrist
Gray
Ritchie
Watson
Strauss
Price
Russell
D Graham
P Horne
N Grigg
Seymour
Kinghorn

Brown, Bhatti, Fagerson, Toolis, Graham, Laidlaw, Hastings, McGuigan

Not inspiring but I reckon that sounds about right, maybe a curveball thrown in on the bench or backrow. I don't think he'll drop Johnson completely as he's done a decent job at centre and is settling well. Also not sure he'll pick McGuigan on bench, he'll either be in the starting XV or not at all imo.

Centre is hard to call, I just don’t think he’ll try and play someone out of position when there’s Grigg available. Since Horne setup the try Vs France and Johnson went off early in 2nd half perhaps GT will move Horne to 12 for this one and retain Grigg at 13 instead of trying to play Johnson there. Think that’s the conservative option. McDowall and Johnson at 12/13 would be exciting but possibly a risky one. So hard to know what Toonie is gonna go with.

If not McGuigan at 23 who else could cover there with no Hogg or Maitland? Trying to remember who is in the squad still.

Also, forgot about Skinner! He may well be involved in some way.

bsando wrote:Centre is hard to call, I just don’t think he’ll try and play someone out of position when there’s Grigg available. Since Horne setup the try Vs France and Johnson went off early in 2nd half perhaps GT will move Horne to 12 for this one and retain Grigg at 13 instead of trying to play Johnson there. Think that’s the conservative option. McDowall and Johnson at 12/13 would be exciting but possibly a risky one. So hard to know what Toonie is gonna go with.

If not McGuigan at 23 who else could cover there with no Hogg or Maitland? Trying to remember who is in the squad still.

Also, forgot about Skinner! He may well be involved in some way.

Hm that's a fair point. Seymour covers 15 sometimes. Isn't Fife still in the squad too? Or was he released?

Also I could be barking up the wrong tree but did Stafford play 15 at one point?

Ahh yes, he can apparently. That may well be a possibility then.

As we discuss the possibility of Horne and Grigg, meanwhile, in England.. T’eo and Tuilagi.. oof!

Playing Horne is a bit redundant at this point in the campaign - what more are we going to learn from starting him?

*sigh* I dream of a time when we had an on form and uninjured Dunbar, Bennett and Scott as options in the Centres I just think a Horne-Grigg centre partnership is so much less inspiring

Scotland to be up by 5 tries, 10 minutes left followed 2 red cards, 2 shredded kidneys, 1 punctured lung and WP Nel having to cover wing, Lee Byrne to miraculously appear on the pitch and snap 2 spines later - Wales to to win by 74 points

Worth a punt I'd say

Tramptastic wrote:Playing Horne is a bit redundant at this point in the campaign - what more are we going to learn from starting him?

*sigh* I dream of a time when we had an on form and uninjured Dunbar, Bennett and Scott as options in the Centres I just think a Horne-Grigg centre partnership is so much less inspiring

Scotland to be up by 5 tries, 10 minutes left followed 2 red cards, 2 shredded kidneys, 1 punctured lung and WP Nel having to cover wing, Lee Byrne to miraculously appear on the pitch and snap 2 spines later - Wales to to win by 74 points

Worth a punt I'd say

The only redemption for me is when we come out the other side of this injury-tornado we might actually have a few more options. Let's say for the sake of argument, Scott, Bennett, Taylor and Jones return and are back to form or close to their top form (I've ruled Dunbar out as I'm pretty sure there will be medical journals on him at this point, though taylor isn't far off). Add some new talent Johnson (who has played well), McDowall (who will play extraordinarily well), Hutchinson (potentially see what he can do in the warm-ups), Dean and Johnstone (if we ever get to see their talents on the international stage), the future doesn't look so bad at all at centre.

Even at fly half, with Hastings looking like he's returning to form, Meatball as back-up back-up on good form, VDW qualifying next year and Russell on fire with Racing, we're looking a lot better than we have in my memory.

When Fagerson and Bradbury come of age, provided we have some big boys coming through we could have a fantastic squad in the 2020 6Ns (injury accepted)

NeilyBroon wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:Playing Horne is a bit redundant at this point in the campaign - what more are we going to learn from starting him?

*sigh* I dream of a time when we had an on form and uninjured Dunbar, Bennett and Scott as options in the Centres I just think a Horne-Grigg centre partnership is so much less inspiring

Scotland to be up by 5 tries, 10 minutes left followed 2 red cards, 2 shredded kidneys, 1 punctured lung and WP Nel having to cover wing, Lee Byrne to miraculously appear on the pitch and snap 2 spines later - Wales to to win by 74 points

Worth a punt I'd say

The only redemption for me is when we come out the other side of this injury-tornado we might actually have a few more options. Let's say for the sake of argument, Scott, Bennett, Taylor and Jones return and are back to form or close to their top form (I've ruled Dunbar out as I'm pretty sure there will be medical journals on him at this point, though taylor isn't far off). Add some new talent Johnson (who has played well), McDowall (who will play extraordinarily well), Hutchinson (potentially see what he can do in the warm-ups), Dean and Johnstone (if we ever get to see their talents on the international stage), the future doesn't look so bad at all at centre.

Even at fly half, with Hastings looking like he's returning to form, Meatball as back-up back-up on good form, VDW qualifying next year and Russell on fire with Racing, we're looking a lot better than we have in my memory.

When Fagerson and Bradbury come of age, provided we have some big boys coming through we could have a fantastic squad in the 2020 6Ns (injury accepted)

When you look at it like that its not so bad - maybe its because our midfield choices are not that sizeable? Like theres not a huge amount of solidity there?

Hutchinson looks like a good prospect, he's getting a fair bit of game time with Northampton Saints, coached by Chris Boyd who knows rugby talent when he sees it, so he must be fairly good!

Maybe one day I'll get to see a midfield of Stafford and Johnstone so Scotlands midfield is made of entirely of players from Dumfries & Galloway

Tramptastic wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:Playing Horne is a bit redundant at this point in the campaign - what more are we going to learn from starting him?

*sigh* I dream of a time when we had an on form and uninjured Dunbar, Bennett and Scott as options in the Centres I just think a Horne-Grigg centre partnership is so much less inspiring

Scotland to be up by 5 tries, 10 minutes left followed 2 red cards, 2 shredded kidneys, 1 punctured lung and WP Nel having to cover wing, Lee Byrne to miraculously appear on the pitch and snap 2 spines later - Wales to to win by 74 points

Worth a punt I'd say

The only redemption for me is when we come out the other side of this injury-tornado we might actually have a few more options. Let's say for the sake of argument, Scott, Bennett, Taylor and Jones return and are back to form or close to their top form (I've ruled Dunbar out as I'm pretty sure there will be medical journals on him at this point, though taylor isn't far off). Add some new talent Johnson (who has played well), McDowall (who will play extraordinarily well), Hutchinson (potentially see what he can do in the warm-ups), Dean and Johnstone (if we ever get to see their talents on the international stage), the future doesn't look so bad at all at centre.

Even at fly half, with Hastings looking like he's returning to form, Meatball as back-up back-up on good form, VDW qualifying next year and Russell on fire with Racing, we're looking a lot better than we have in my memory.

When Fagerson and Bradbury come of age, provided we have some big boys coming through we could have a fantastic squad in the 2020 6Ns (injury accepted)

When you look at it like that its not so bad - maybe its because our midfield choices are not that sizeable? Like theres not a huge amount of solidity there?

Hutchinson looks like a good prospect, he's getting a fair bit of game time with Northampton Saints, coached by Chris Boyd who knows rugby talent when he sees it, so he must be fairly good!

Maybe one day I'll get to see a midfield of Stafford and Johnstone so Scotlands midfield is made of entirely of players from Dumfries & Galloway

Stafford is a big chunk of a lad, Scott beefed up a few years ago, Taylor isn't exactly small give it a year and I reckon we'll be back to strong depth in centre. I am concerned about Taylor though and would be amazed if he made it another season when he returns to playing, much like Dunbar.

tigertattie wrote:Shane Short - is this an official unit of measurement in Wales?

He's this guy's comic book nemesis/step brother.

Scotland team to play Wales at BT Murrayfield Stadium
Saturday 9 March (kick-off 2.15pm) – live on BBC

15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 10 caps

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 49 caps
13. Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
12. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 40 caps
11. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 2 caps

10. Finn Russell VICE CAPTAIN (Racing 92) - 42 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps

1. Allan Dell (Edinburgh) – 20 caps
2. Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 27 caps
4. Grant Gilchrist VICE CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 31 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 49 caps
6. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 5 caps
7. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 9 caps
8. Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks) – 20 caps

Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 40 caps
17. Gordon Reid (London Irish) – 33 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 17 caps
19. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 16 caps
20. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 23 caps
21. Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne) – 69 caps
22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
23. Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks) – 6 caps

Good to see Graham get a start, I think Gary Graham can feel aggrieved to be honest as Strauss didn't exactly set the heather alight vs France and Bradbury is still returning from injury. Laidlaw on bench as expected.

Pleased to see McInally in the captains seat, not sure about Russell taking up captaincy if him and Gilcho go off. The last time he wore the armband (albeit after significant subbing) it was like a cat herding cats.

Well think that’s the closest I’ve ever come to getting a team sheet right. Watson to bench is probably a good idea, he could make a real impact at 7 and Ritchie swapping to 6. Plus Bradbury can swap to 8 if Strauss gets injured or tires out a bit. I think this is a sensible side for Wales and it’s great to have Finn back. Can’t wait!

As long as we have to persist with that centre partnership, we'll get nowhere. And we haven't got the pack to rumble route 1 all day.

Our injuries are bloody frustrating.

Pooh Ali Price...! You guys mean business. Great player.

That’s a good team by all accounts.

Agree with Nelly that Gary Graham can feel a bit aggrieved after a good showing off the bench against France. Also feel it's harsh on Johnson, who admittedly wasn't great in that one, but has had a decent start to his international career nonetheless, to miss out entirely.

Pleased to see Price given a start, he's been in very good form the last few months, and I don't think Laidlaw's been that great this 6N.

Russell being captain is an amusing prospect (though Gilchrist may well play full 80, so may not happen). He'll need an interpreter when communicating with the ref.

A bit concerned about what happens if Grigg gets injured. Hastings-Russell-Horne as a midfield? Or one of Seymour, McGuigan or Kinghorn to play OC? I know you can't necessarily cover all eventualities, but Johnson instead of Hastings on the bench might have made sense for this one.

Well gentlemen, the Tombola has spun.


Shrek on the bench? probably a good thing, he will keep up the abrasiveness when he comes on.

Bluto continuing at 8? Not as mobile or dynamic as Fagerson, Toonie going for the Claymore as opposed to the rapier.

Ickle Jonny playing at all? He really looked cream crackered at times in Paris, although I think he may well feel he has a point to prove to Gats. Let's hope he proves it: if he does we win, because it'll mean he puts AWJ in the shade and if that happens Wales lose. This is as big a compliment as I can pay AWJ. The corollary is that if Jonny comes off second best then he really needs to consider whether his game needs to be dismantled and reconstructed rather like a golfer learning a new swing.

Barry McGuigan to cover centre and back three? I'd rather have taken a punt on Lord Stafford, who could also cover the back row. And prop.

I think 6/4 in Wales' favour now.

NeilyBroon wrote:
not sure about Russell taking up captaincy . The last time he wore the armband (albeit after significant subbing) it was like a cat herding cats.

Reminds me of the time I mentioned to William McIlvanney that he taught a colleague of mine, " I mind her, aye, teaching her was like trying to pick up mercury wi' a fork."

I’m guessing they’d bring Hastings on if Russell or any of the centres get injured. Horne would probably be best to cover 13 I’d imagine with Russell to 12 and Hastings at 10. Assuming no injuries Horne may well sub off for Hastings in second half so they can play that combo.

jimbopip wrote:Well gentlemen, the Tombola has spun.


Shrek on the bench? probably a good thing, he will keep up the abrasiveness when he comes on.

Bluto continuing at 8? Not as mobile or dynamic as Fagerson, Toonie going for the Claymore as opposed to the rapier.

Ickle Jonny playing at all? He really looked cream crackered at times in Paris, although I think he may well feel he has a point to prove to Gats. Let's hope he proves it: if he does we win, because it'll mean he puts AWJ in the shade and if that happens Wales lose. This is as big a compliment as I can pay AWJ. The corollary is that if Jonny comes off second best then he really needs to consider whether his game needs to be dismantled and reconstructed rather like a golfer learning a new swing.

Barry McGuigan to cover centre and back three? I'd rather have taken a punt on Lord Stafford, who could also cover the back row. And prop.

I think 6/4 in Wales' favour now.

To be fair I think Richie V has that one as he covers the starting 15 and the bench simultaneously. God I'd love to see a battle between Prof Vernon Emeritus of speed and Lord Stafford of the universe.

Obviously Stafford would win but I'd like to think it'd be a hard fought affair.