Scotland WC Chat

by **RDW** Mon 18 Mar 2019, 8:39 am

First topic message reminder :

FORWARDS (23)

John Barclay (Edinburgh) – 71 caps; Rugby World Cup 2007 and 2011
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 19 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 42 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Allan Dell (Edinburgh) – 22 caps
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 33 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 2 caps
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 51 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 27 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 29 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Gordon Reid (London Irish) – 34 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 5 caps
Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks) – 22 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – uncapped
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 43 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015

BACKS (19)

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons) – 8 caps
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 67 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints) – uncapped
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 11 caps
Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne) – 71 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 40 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks) – 8 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps
Henry Pyrgos (Edinburgh) – 27 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 44 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps; Rugby World Cup 2015
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 21 caps

World Cup Warmups

France V Scotland
Scotland V France
Georgia V Scotland
Scotland V Georgia

World Cup Fixtures

Ireland v Scotland
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Sunday 22nd September 2019
Kick Off: 8:45am

Scotland v Samoa
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Monday 30th September 2019
Kick Off: 11:15am

Scotland v Russia
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka
Wednesday 9th October 2019
Kick Off: 8:15am

Japan v Scotland
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Sunday 13th October 2019
Kick Off: 11:45am

by **RDW** Sat 10 Aug 2019, 7:42 am

https://scrummagazine.com/townsend-explains-cutting-four/

Good updated from Townsend - they had a training game with Edinburgh on Tuesday which Taylor played in, so he is fit.

Brown may be back fit by the last warmup game which is positive.

Johnson injured his ankle but it's only minor.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 10 Aug 2019, 8:54 am

I must admit i sweated a little when I read Johnson had a tweak. Sounds pretty positive though, although he doesn't sound too convinced by Jones. DT seems to be a cert for nice. Would be interesting to see if he goes for hutch first on the bench...

by jimbopip Sat 10 Aug 2019, 9:28 am

NeilyBroon wrote:I must admit i sweated a little when I read Johnson had a tweak. DITTO Sounds pretty positive though, although he doesn't sound too convinced by Jones.Interesting that Toonie says Not A Pony has been being kept after school to work on his defence. He also, obliquely, says what a lot of people have been saying when he refers to Jones being almost back to where he was two years ago. Still I think he's got, at least one foot on the plane.

DT seems to be a cert for nice. Would be interesting to see if he goes for hutch first on the bench... If Smiling Sam is hors de combat then DT and Furra Linee will probably share the 12 jersey. Jones/ Harris at 13? Hutch to make his debut at Murrayfield in the return?

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 10 Aug 2019, 9:55 am

Also, watching samoa v Fiji, can't say samoa are worrying me too much. If we play our first team they should comfortably win provided we don't implode.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 10 Aug 2019, 1:31 pm

So NZ got trounced by oz. I think we could be facing south Africa in the qfs if we get through as runner up. Either way, these teams are reassuringly beatable! Let's hope ireland are generous with us in a few weeks time!

by 123456789. Sat 10 Aug 2019, 8:48 pm

BBC Sport wrote:Scotland will be "taking a real swing" at winning the World Cup in Japan, says Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson, with a quarter-final place the minimum target.

A fourth-place finish in 1991 is the only time Scotland have gone beyond the last eight in eight attempts.

Gregor Townsend's side begin against Ireland on 22 September and also face Japan, Samoa and Russia in Group A.

"We're assembling the most powerful squad we've ever sent," Dodson said.

"Our expectation would be that we are in a quarter-final. And in a quarter-final anything can happen."

Scotland reached that stage of the 2015 tournament in England and were within seconds of reaching the semi-finals.

However, a controversial 80th-minute Australia penalty denied Vern Cotter's team a last-four meeting with Argentina.

"Cast your mind back to 2015 and we all still get cold sweats about that moment we were almost in a semi-final," Dodson added.

"When you get through to the quarter-finals of any tournament you have a chance of winning it. I promise you we'll be taking a real swing at it."

Dodson also confirmed that Scottish Rugby is in "in the thick of negotiations" with unnamed investors over "transformational" investment in the game in Scotland.

And he said that the purchase of stakes in Washington DC-based franchise Old Glory DC and Nice in the French first tier were about making Scotland "a name on everyone's lips".

Hard to think what this could be. I suspect it's further dealings with CVC. Dodson shown with BT in the past his ability to maximise existing relations. Where the money goes is obviously the next question. If it's substantial I wonder if he'd use it to supercharge the Super 6 financially.

by **NeilyBroon** Sun 11 Aug 2019, 9:47 am

Considering net profit is down since 2011 we need more investment for sure, though I have every faith that Dodson can pull it off. It'd be nice if the super 6 could break even somehow. If there's enough quality players it may draw small crowds. If they could get some of the games televised, even better.

Either way looking forward to hearing about this latest investment deal.

by 123456789. Sun 11 Aug 2019, 12:13 pm

I'm not sure what has come over me, but I think the way New Zealand are playing at the moment, if we meet them in the quarters we'll beat them. Obviously a lot of rugby between now and then, and if they find there way out of the malaise we're back to the usual.

by **NeilyBroon** Sun 11 Aug 2019, 1:15 pm

To be fair they could be sandbagging as a lot of teams seem to do. Maybe that was our plan in the 6Ns, lull everyone into a false sense of security then drop the F bomb on the opening weekend, with a revitalised H Jones scoring a hattrick in the first 10 after some class A finnsanogenics.

by **RDW** Sun 11 Aug 2019, 2:53 pm

Mark Palmer tweeted a good articles in the Sunday times today, one with Jim Hamilton and one Matt Taylor.

Big Jim talking about Townsend needing to ensure everyone is bought into the plan for how to tackle the world cup and ensure we stick to the plan. He cites 2007 where he says we were so fixated on the last group game against Italy that once we won it then played Argentina in the QF the players didn't know what to do. Then in 2011 we paid the price for not having a settled captain and players in key positions. Al Kellock was made captain despite not being a guaranteed starter and was dropped after one game, then brought back in again. Rory Lawson captained against Argentina then was dropped for the England game. We had no consistency and clear plan on selection and captaincy.

We all know what happened to Jim in 2015 which still sounds really harsh, albeit we're only hearing his side of the story.

Matt Taylor interview was saying defence has taken more of a front seat this summer after a really poor 6N defence wise. As he said in the article - the best defensive side usually wins matches! He also raised the point about our kicking game - apparently the stats show when we lose the kicking game we lose the match.

by 123456789. Sun 11 Aug 2019, 4:01 pm

I have to say if there's one thing the SRU is good at is ensuring the build up coverage is as bland as possible. Every week a different coach is sent forward to spout platitudes. One week the forwards coach states that the forwards need to improve set piece and it's gonna be a tough call on selection. The next the defence coach demands defensive and kicking improvements. This isn't a criticism at all, it's much better than the Brown-Te'o bust-up. But for once it would be great to read something outrageous or new. Perhaps Finn Russell announcing he's hated Stuart Hogg for years and that's why he had to leave Glasgow. Or Huw Jones just announcing he's not always that fussed but if Townsend picks him he'll turn up in the semi-final and maybe against Ireland if he gets to be captain.

by **RDW** Mon 12 Aug 2019, 9:01 am

I hadn't realised Ireland have been shafted even more than we have in their world cup fixtures. They play Japan 6 days after they play us then have to follow it up against Russia 5 days after that. They then have a long break until their last game against Samoa.

It is a double edged sword - they play the 2 best teams in quick succession then also lose all momentum leading up to the QFs.

You never know Japan might turn them over!

by tigertattie Mon 12 Aug 2019, 9:28 am

Ireland werent really firing at the weekend either. Sure it was a mixed up squad but they still looked a bit, meh.

They could be doing a NZ and trying to go into the WC with folk thinking they arent all that good.

Really though, no side on the planet is going to be complacent against the blackness or the Father Ted XV so all this would do is make teams think "we actually have a chance here", not like how Scotland under Frank Hadden looked at NZ in the WC game at Murrayfield.

However, for all the meh-ness of those two, England and Aus seem to be building a head of steam. As are SA. Absolutely typical of those lot to start to peak when the World cup comes along!

by EST Mon 12 Aug 2019, 4:33 pm

I wonder what odds you would have got for Piers Francis to be heading to the WC with England when he left Edinburgh?

by **RDW** Mon 12 Aug 2019, 5:23 pm

Next we'll be seeing Jade Te Rure in the NZ squad.

To be fair to Piers, he wasn't bad he was just completely average!

by **BigGee** Mon 12 Aug 2019, 5:39 pm

Or maybe just Edinburgh did not allow him to show case his talents!

by **RDW** Mon 12 Aug 2019, 5:42 pm

This was in the Solomons era when he had the likes of Chris Leck at 9 and Joaquin Dominguez outside him...

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Mon 12 Aug 2019, 5:45 pm

In the same way you lot keep insisting there is a rugby player very well hidden under many layers of Glenn Bryce you mean? Aye, sure Whistle

by 123456789. Mon 12 Aug 2019, 6:04 pm

I've seen a fair bit of Piers Francis in England and he's still not very good. I think it's one of these Eddie Jones-isms whereby he follows a route nobody expected to seems like a genius with a higher level of rugby knowledge. Put it this way, he would not be in the Scotland squad ahead of Taylor, Johnson or Horne. Given he's a 10/12 and so is Farrell, I'd have taken Cipriani ahead of him on the basis that Farrell could cover 12 if a different approach is needed.

by **RDW** Tue 13 Aug 2019, 8:53 am

Lots of interviews with players saying they are board and are wanting a game. So am I!!!!

So are we actually bothered about the result this weekend or do we just want everyone to come through unscathed? Obviously would like us to win but as no one gets injured and we put together some decent play I'll be happy - it is just a first hit out.

by **BigGee** Tue 13 Aug 2019, 9:09 am

It will be like a pre season game, result not all that important, but seeing how individuals perform and come together as a team will be far more important.

What we should really hope to see is a step up in performance from game to game, so by the time we get to the georgia games, we are really firing.

I still think that this game will be the chance for a few of the outliers to chuck their names into the hat. If the do not show up, they may not get another chance for this world cup. If they do, then they may get another run out probably in the first Georgia game.

No-one is going to play their way into the squad in this match, but some may play their way out.

by EST Tue 13 Aug 2019, 10:08 am

The main thing i'm hoping for is to come away without any major injuries - we have been so unlucky during the last couple of years - it would be great to go into the tournament with a decent bill of health.

I noticed that Hoggy in the press saying he can't wait to get out and play...i'd be wrapping him and Finn in cotton wool for this one.

by Hazel Sapling Tue 13 Aug 2019, 10:39 am

We are going to lose one or two players to injuries. It is international rugby after a long break. As long as we avoid a list like the Six Nations this year we should be fine.

If we are going to play the big names, the first game should be it. A niggle now should heal in plenty of time for Ireland. The alternative is to experiment early and come together in the final game against Georgia with the firsts.

Injury vs building form - the eternal debate

by demosthenes Tue 13 Aug 2019, 12:07 pm

When do we expect the team to be announced?

by tigertattie Tue 13 Aug 2019, 12:10 pm

demosthenes wrote:When do we expect the team to be announced?

Toonie always leaves it late. As these are warm up games and not part of a tournament, I dare say there's even less of a timescale needed to nominate your squad so we could be looking at Friday befroe Toonie does this!

by **BigGee** Tue 13 Aug 2019, 12:18 pm

Surely they will fly to Nice on thursday and do captains run there on friday

I think we will see team on thursday lunchtime

by **NeilyBroon** Tue 13 Aug 2019, 12:54 pm

So toonie will still announce on Friday, with those not selected required to do a top gear challenge to get home.

by EST Tue 13 Aug 2019, 1:17 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:We are going to lose one or two players to injuries. It is international rugby after a long break. As long as we avoid a list like the Six Nations this year we should be fine.

If we are going to play the big names, the first game should be it. A niggle now should heal in plenty of time for Ireland. The alternative is to experiment early and come together in the final game against Georgia with the firsts.

Injury vs building form - the eternal debate

That's kind of what I mean - for the last few AI's and 6N we seem to have built up a huge injury list - we will definitely lose a few players before the tournament, but i'd love it if we can avoid any major losses.

I'd disagree with the second part - use these two games to give some of the wider squad the opportunity to impress and then bring in the big guns as we draw closer to the Ireland game, its horses for courses I suppose.

by Hazel Sapling Tue 13 Aug 2019, 2:22 pm

EST wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:We are going to lose one or two players to injuries. It is international rugby after a long break. As long as we avoid a list like the Six Nations this year we should be fine.

If we are going to play the big names, the first game should be it. A niggle now should heal in plenty of time for Ireland. The alternative is to experiment early and come together in the final game against Georgia with the firsts.

Injury vs building form - the eternal debate

That's kind of what I mean - for the last few AI's and 6N we seem to have built up a huge injury list - we will definitely lose a few players before the tournament, but i'd love it if we can avoid any major losses.

I'd disagree with the second part - use these two games to give some of the wider squad the opportunity to impress and then bring in the big guns as we draw closer to the Ireland game, its horses for courses I suppose.

It is horses for courses on the second point. If you want to make sure you are fully healthy going into the tournament, it is best to avoid playing key players right beforehand. Your form will be off and you risk injuring them by doing too much too soon is the downside. Reverse is you injure players before key games.

At least with Toonie there is never a boring moment. Are we sure Laidlaw or G Horne are not at risk of being dropped? Are we really convinced that P Horne and Harris won't make the squad? Could Barclay be burned? Team selection will be fascinating

by EST Tue 13 Aug 2019, 3:06 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:
EST wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:We are going to lose one or two players to injuries. It is international rugby after a long break. As long as we avoid a list like the Six Nations this year we should be fine.

If we are going to play the big names, the first game should be it. A niggle now should heal in plenty of time for Ireland. The alternative is to experiment early and come together in the final game against Georgia with the firsts.

Injury vs building form - the eternal debate

That's kind of what I mean - for the last few AI's and 6N we seem to have built up a huge injury list - we will definitely lose a few players before the tournament, but i'd love it if we can avoid any major losses.

I'd disagree with the second part - use these two games to give some of the wider squad the opportunity to impress and then bring in the big guns as we draw closer to the Ireland game, its horses for courses I suppose.

It is horses for courses on the second point. If you want to make sure you are fully healthy going into the tournament, it is best to avoid playing key players right beforehand. Your form will be off and you risk injuring them by doing too much too soon is the downside. Reverse is you injure players before key games.

At least with Toonie there is never a boring moment. Are we sure Laidlaw or G Horne are not at risk of being dropped? Are we really convinced that P Horne and Harris won't make the squad? Could Barclay be burned? Team selection will be fascinating

I was intrigued by Jones only taking two nines - it's a position that demands huge fitness levels, scrum halves must cover the most ground per game I would have thought? Seems like he is putting a lot of undue stress on a key position. I don't think there is any chance of Toonie going with two 9's....alas I can't say i'm as certain about Harris not going.

by jimbopip Tue 13 Aug 2019, 6:56 pm

Watching Ireland-Italy and England-Wales, it was difficult to be sure which teams actually took most from those matches.

Italy travelled to Dublin and lost. Plus ca change. they're in for a hard World Cup.

Ireland beat Italy but never really looked to be in top gear and Joey Carberry is out for at least six weeks.

I can't see that either side learned anything useful from that.

England started really well, looked as if they would blow the opposition away, ran out of momentum and relied on nine points from the boot to seal the win. That has pretty much been the template for most of their wins under EJ. Plus ca change as they say in leafy Richmond.

Wales, who have forgotten how to lose, played pretty much a first XV and lost. I suggest that will be the kick up the backside they needed to prevent them being complacent going to Japan. They will be fired up for the return match at home and even if they lose that we all know what the coaches and players will be saying; " The system works, we don't change it, we just need to work harder." That's the beauty of Gatlandball the solutions to problems whether insurmountable or petty are always the same: trust the system and work harder. Plus ca change, boyo. Tidy.

I think what I am trying to say is that it is far too late for coaches to be looking for new answers to long standing, deep seated, systemic problems.

So, against France?
No injuries. 80 minutes without doing the headless chicken waltz. One or two combinations given a run out; Taylor-Jones, Thompson-Fagerson-Richie, Cummings - Principal? Avoid the morale sapping 50 point drubbing.

Here's hoping.

by **NeilyBroon** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 6:32 am

All teams have looked beatable in their own ways. Unfortunately Scotland are masters at giving underperforming sides a lifeline, so definitely not taking anything for granted.

This being said, with the players we have there are a lot of games we SHOULD win. This weekend against an even more confusing French side is one of those "should" opportunities. The players need to take the opportunity to practice winning away, then keeping it going by winning at home next week. If it means grinding it out, even better. I couldn't think of more appropriate prep for ireland than a gritty win.
Japan is a great opportunity for us to beat Ireland on neutral ground. Hopefully having played there not too long ago and forging the relationships with Japan rugby will gain us neutral support in the stands, but we still need to break the duck of away wins if we're going to do well in the WC. A France away win would be great and signs of progress, a Georgia away win is a must.

by **RDW** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 8:11 am

Injury update in the Scotsman - SJ is ruled out for the first 2 games and Fraser Brown is back running and aiming to be fit for the Georgia games.

by **BigGee** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 8:29 am

That is about as good as we could have hoped for at this stage.

Lets hope the injury gods keep smilling on us during these games. It is a bit of a worry though, the French have certainly roughed us up in the past and Georgia are nothing if not physical.

by **RDW** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:03 am

Team announced at 11:30

by tigertattie Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:17 am

Yeah I wonder what we're learning from 4 games against two sides that rely on trying to mash you to a pulb.

I'd have played three games with one of them being someone like Canada/USA/Uruguay

Hey ho though.

by **RDW** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:19 am

I can see there being a lot of rotation - the front line players will likely only play 2 games or so which is the minimum you'd want to get them reasonably in shape. We can't wrap them in cotton wool or they'll be undercooked for the Ireland game.

by tigertattie Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:38 am

Oh I dont want them wrapped in cotton wool. I just dont see what we will learn from playing two teams twice. Its not like we can get spanked by France and then look to make wholesale changes to the systems for the next game.

I'd rather have warm ups against different teams who play different methods and not all of them against teams who want to pulverise you rather that get involved in open play.

by EWT Spoons Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:42 am

I realise this might not be a popular opinion as there a lot of fans of his here, but if Reid has only been able to secure a contract with a semi pro team, then maybe he shouldn't be considered for int. selection.

Does suggest he's possibly not good enough to be playing at the highest level.

In terms of the France game, no injuries is the biggest thing, but as a group Sco players need to start winning away from home (given Japan) so a win would be ideal as well. Shock news I know, no injuries and a win being important.

by Hazel Sapling Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:50 am

Has Reid not got a dual contract? Seems weird for him to drop off so rapidly, he played against England this Six Nations.

I am happy to go after two teams that are physical. These are the type of sides we struggle against; Big, powerful packs with great scrums. Beating Uruguay/Canada with P Horne and Harris looking good, and Z Fagerson mullering their scrum does not teach us anything.

by EWT Spoons Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:51 am

nope just super 6. If he hasn't managed a pro contract then I'm concerned about him lining up against (in theory) the best teams in the world.

by **BigGee** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 9:58 am

https://theoffsideline.com/pretty-in-pink-family-comes-first-as-gordon-reid-returns-home/

Seems like GR made a family based decision as his wife did not settle away from home.

Says he could have gone to France and had some discussions with Glasgow that did not quite work out.

Looking at life after rugby now.

I think it is fair to say that this will be his Scotland swansong.

by 123456789. Wed 14 Aug 2019, 10:17 am

The other option is that if his wife didn't want to settle outside of Scotland, France wasn't an option and Glasgow wasn't straightforward then Ayrshire Bulls was the next best thing. That sounds obvious. However simply put, if Glasgow get a run of injuries at loosehead I'm sure they won't hesitate to pick up the phone to GR and then he's just a few good games from a full time contract.

by jimbopip Wed 14 Aug 2019, 11:55 am

Shrek is on the bench on Saturday.

1. Bhatti
2. Rambo
3. Bergan
4. GG
5. Toolis
6. Barcs
7. Mbawsa
8. Bluto
9. Aldi Price
10. Haircut
11. Barry
12. SuperDunc
13. NotAPony
14. D'Arcy
15. Hogg

16. Turner
17. Shrek
18. Ragnar
19. Cummings
20. Ragnar's wee brother
21. Wee George
22. Hutchie
23. King Blarehorn

An "interesting" selection. It would appear that quite a few players are being kept in the safe place : with SJ out Toonie is not risking Furra, Seymour and No Maits are similarly being looked after. However, it looks like Taylor will be asked to play 80 minutes in order to address the elephant in the room. The bench has the look of being mainly "possibles" rather than "probables" but if they come on and stick it up the French then they could do themselves a lot of good. I agree with Gee that Saturday will most likely see people play themselves OUT of the squad rather than into it so Barry has to look very good on the wing otherwise he may have had his last game this summer. Actually the whole bench has that look. Shocked

I'm not at all sure that Barcs-Bluto-Mbawsa is our best back row.
Will Shrek-Turner-Ragnar stand up against a huge French front row? No matter who they play it will be huge.
Similarly, Scott Cummings will really be in at the deep end if he comes on after 60 minutes against a French side who are 25 points up and on the randan.
It may sound heretical, but if Blarehorn comes on at 15 and doesn't make a big impact then it's NoMaits as back up to Hogg in Japan. By big impact I think I mean make the smart choices when he has an overlap outside him and the French full back in front of him.
Wee George and Hutchie??? Either they come on and France are losing and in disarray Yahoo

OR they come on behind a retreating pack and look totally ineffectual. Sad

I think they could actually see their chances of travelling disappear without their actually doing much wrong. This assumes Toonie takes two 9's, which is not as unlikely as it may at first sound.

by **RDW** Wed 14 Aug 2019, 12:22 pm

https://www.606v2.com/t68976-france-v-scotland-world-cup-warm-up-match-saturday-17th-august#3831218

by **RDW** Fri 16 Aug 2019, 8:48 am

Townsend talking up Hutchinson's versatility - could mean bad news for Horne. He's played most of his pro rugby at 13 for Northampton but apparently sees himself as a 12. Apparently he sits at 12 in attack for Northampton, particularly from first phase due to his distribution. He can also be emergency 10 cover having played there earlier in his career, although it's a huge step up to individual rugby. Plus he can be emergency wing cover due to his pace!

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 16 Aug 2019, 9:13 am

The centre plot thickens!

Lets hope the level of competition lives up to the hype!

by EST Fri 16 Aug 2019, 10:17 am

I had a look at some of his highlights after reading that article, as I was sure most of his good stuff came in the outside channels - to be fair, a lot of his involvements seem to come at first or second receiver - there is a particular try against Clermont where he lines up at 10 of a line out, and puts he centre through a gap and then takes the return pass to score...i'd be getting a bit worried if I was Horne senior.

by tigertattie Fri 16 Aug 2019, 11:19 am

If Toonie is looking towards the future (like that very informative youtube video by thon fella suggests) then this World Cup is the palce to "try" the future out and Hutch very much is the future while Horne Snr is very much the past.

I've never rated Pete as an internationalist, he's terrible in at least half the games, average at best in 48% of them and half decent in only 2%. It's not his fault he has been picked so often, but by goodness he is rank!

Hutch has so uch potential and if he can transfer his club performances onto the intenrational pitch, we could be looking at a player who could do for Scotland what BOD did for Ireland (I'm not saying he'll be as good as BOD, just he could be the best 13 Scotland has ever had).

I also hope the laddie isnt lumped into the Mossy mould and is messed about from position to position.

by EWT Spoons Fri 16 Aug 2019, 12:33 pm

Doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but was listening to The Lineout* the other day and the presenter and the lad who writes for the offside line (David Barnes I think) both pretty much ignored the chances of Hutchinson going to the WC, instead just mentioned Jones, Johnson, Taylor and Horne. I don’t know if they are remotely in the know about what Toony is thinking, but I found it interesting that Hutchinson was completely ignored from their musings.

*Part of Rocksport Radio, from what I understand they talk about sport and play rock music, only aware of this as a podcast though.

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