Scotland WC Chat

by **RDW** Mon Mar 18, 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 EST Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:55 pm

I'd say that Horne is still probably the more likely to go and provide that ten cover from midfield, he has a lot of credit in the bank, but Hutchinson really was in sparkling form over the latter half of the season - not many people with his ball playing and running skills out there.

by tigertattie Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:03 pm

EWT Spoons wrote: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.

They have no chance as even Toonie doesnt know what he is thinking yet!

by jimbopip Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:39 pm

I think that three of the places are pretty much decided. However, the big caveats are surely (a_ taylor's fitness and (b) whether Jones has upped the defensive side of his game.

It appears that it is; Johnson, Taylor, Jones and one other.

If Johnson and Taylor are the 12's then it's either Hutch or Harris as Horne isn't a 13. Ever. My monet would be on Hutch if for no other reason than he and Taylor would give Toonie the sort of flexibility that he dreams of.

If either Taylor or Johnson pull up in the warm ups then Horne is the most likely 12.

It's all so different, so very different, from the days of Parks-G-Dog- Schlong. Shocked

by **BigGee** Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:55 pm

It might depend on who he sees as the third FH as well.

I originally had it as a choice between Horne P and GL

Hutchy seems to have wandered into that conversation now as well though!

by jimbopip Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:14 pm

Frodo seems pretty certain to go, and although his stand off play is almost as glacial as his 9 play he does kick his penalties and conversions. Horne is a much better playmaker than him, but possibly (understatement of the day) not really an international standard 10. But, if Toonie takes three scrum halves then Frodo is there then the pressure of picking a 12 who can cover 9 is lessened. In which case Hutchie as a 12/13 who can cover 10 offers more versatility.

However, an injury to Taylor will blow all of this out of the water, and then some.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:40 pm

The last point is a very good one, and sadly a very realistic possibility. All it would take is one bad head knock at the weekend to all but rule Taylor out. Then we'd likely see peter horne go as he is the only other 12 in the squad, and potentially hutch as back up or first choice 13 depending on shug. Injury to two and we're faced with the grim prospect of having Harris on the plane, I actually think richie v was a better option in 2015.... he could at least slot in at any position across the 15.

by **RDW** Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:17 pm

Italy currently pumping Russia. We definitely should be able to rest our top players for that game and still win comfortably.

by **BigGee** Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:40 am

https://www.606v2.com/t69013-georgia-double-header-scotlands-last-warm-up-games-31st-august-and-6th-september#3835327

by **NeilyBroon** Sat Sep 07, 2019 10:27 am

It'll be interesting to see how Aus get on vs Samoa. They're a team who are very similar to us and have the same bipolar nature so we can see how samoa play it.

NZ utterly destroyed Tonga. Still a scary prospect for potential QF but SA aren't exactly great either!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 07, 2019 10:59 am

So the phony war is over and the real thing starts in 2 weeks. How ready are we for the Ireland game?

I still have my concerns!

Front row

Dell-McInally-Nel - easy one.

Reserve spot should be Brown but he has zero gametime. Will be a huge ask for him to make an impact against Ireland. Turner had an enthusiastic game last night but lacks the class of Brown.

Berghan will back up Nel very well but I'm worried about Reid - the less we have to use him in the big games the better.

Lock

Cummings has been our best performer and may even have cemented a starting spot, but I like the impact he can bring off the bench. Huge worry for me is that Gray has only had 40 minutes and the Ireland game is going to be ferocious. Can he get up to speed so quickly?

Back row

Probably going to be Barclay-Watson-Thomson. Barclay has slowly but surely been getting better and if he's not fit now he never will be! My biggest worry is Thomson - he's had a grand total of a match and half of international rugby and will be going up against a brutal Irish back row. He has looked fine without really standing out. A top class 8 is the missing link in the pack so we desperately need him to step up.

Half backs

Laidlaw-Russell.

Laidlaw has looked sharp and the other two haven't done enough to usurp him. I would go with Horne off the bench - I think he gives greater impact

Russell I think is the most important player we have. Hastings just doesn't fully cut it just now but should do the job against Russia. We are a very different team with Russell.

Centre

Probably Johnson-Taylor but Harris could feasibly start too.

Once again my worry is lack of gametime together. SJ looks class but his combo with Taylor has a grand total of 60 minutes together. Taylor has looked solid but lacking cutting edge in attack. Maybe that's what Townsend is looking for - solid midfield and let the back 3 be the attacking threat.

Back 3

Maitland and Hogg definite and I think we have to go with Graham. Seymour has experience and class but hasn't played as well as he used to for quite a while now. Graham is electric and bang on on form and offers a point of difference to our attack. Kinghorn can provide very capable cover.

Summary

So for me it's very concerning to be going into the Ireland game with such an untested back row and centre group, especially given that's where Ireland are strongest. We need to get up to speed and very quickly!

by jimbopip Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:22 am

RDW wrote:So the phony war is over and the real thing starts in 2 weeks. How ready are we for the Ireland game?

I still have my concerns!

Front row

Dell-McInally-Nel - easy one.

Reserve spot should be Brown but he has zero gametime. Will be a huge ask for him to make an impact against Ireland. Turner had an enthusiastic game last night but lacks the class of Brown. I wouldn't rule out Grant Stewart, Turner wasn't totally convincing and we've still to see Chuckles.

Berghan will back up Nel very well but I'm worried about Reid - the less we have to use him in the big games the better.The striking thing for me last night was that both Dell and Berghan looked very trim for props: Shrek looked like the kind of old school fat boys I used to hook between. I do wonder if he could cope with Toonie's "fastest rugby in the universe" in the heat and humidity of Japan.

Lock

Cummings has been our best performer and may even have cemented a starting spot, but I like the impact he can bring off the bench. Huge worry for me is that Gray has only had 40 minutes and the Ireland game is going to be ferocious. Can he get up to speed so quickly? There was a lot of hyperbole at Scotstoun around Cummings when he first broke through. However, he actually seems to be living up to it. The lines he runs, for a second row, are unbelievable. At the moment he and GG are our only fit second rows.

Back row

Probably going to be Barclay-Watson-Thomson. Barclay has slowly but surely been getting better and if he's not fit now he never will be! My biggest worry is Thomson - he's had a grand total of a match and half of international rugby and will be going up against a brutal Irish back row. He has looked fine without really standing out. A top class 8 is the missing link in the pack so we desperately need him to step up. Hamish is, next to Dancer the most nailed on starter. If Mbawsa has been brutally unlucky and sustained a fracture then Toonie should pull up another 8 rather than 7. Bradbury or Fagerson? Bradbury is more destructive and will smash holes in most defences: Fagerson brings more energy around the pitch, but still punches holes. Either one would be fine for me.

Half backs

Laidlaw-Russell.

Laidlaw has looked sharp and the other two haven't done enough to usurp him. I would go with Horne off the bench - I think he gives greater impact I think Frodo is working very hard to play the game Toonie wants. But 0 carries for 0 yards against France isn't what we want. His part in Toolis' try against Georgia was exactly what we want. So, if we are the new France, is Frodo le petit General De Gaul; intransigent, unmoving but supremely inspiring?

Russell I think is the most important player we have. Hastings just doesn't fully cut it just now but should do the job against Russia. We are a very different team with Russell.

Centre

Probably Johnson-Taylor but Harris could feasibly start too. I think Mr Safehands went a long way to vindicating Toonie last night. Furra Linee, a little way. It's Johnson -Taylor starting against Ireland.

Once again my worry is lack of gametime together. SJ looks class but his combo with Taylor has a grand total of 60 minutes together. Taylor has looked solid but lacking cutting edge in attack. Maybe that's what Townsend is looking for - solid midfield and let the back 3 be the attacking threat.

Back 3

Maitland and Hogg definite and I think we have to go with Graham. Seymour has experience and class but hasn't played as well as he used to for quite a while now. Graham is electric and bang on on form and offers a point of difference to our attack. Kinghorn can provide very capable cover. Seymour started very slowly, but improved as the game went on. Graham is in the form of his life. I think it could be Blarehorn and Seymour fighting for the bench slot.

Summary

So for me it's very concerning to be going into the Ireland game with such an untested back row and centre group, especially given that's where Ireland are strongest. We need to get up to speed and very quickly!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:35 am

Stewart isn't in the squad Jimbo

by **BigGee** Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:50 am

Yes, i tend to agree with RDW

There are only a few areas of contention for the stsrting team now

Second row, assuming JG fit, it is Cummjngs form and potential v Gilchrist experience. Toonie so fsr on this WC seems to havd gone for the experiece option, which against Ireland may be wise. Cummings may play himself into the starting team over the course of the tournsment though.

Wings, Graham v Seymour. Again form v experience. Graham has gotten a bit more ecperience than the second row options so fsncy he might get the nod this time. Seymour may even struggle to bench as Blairhorn probably offers better options in back three cover.

Back row, hard to see past Watson and Barclay, though you would say that Ritchie would be the form pick, assuming he is fit. Thompson seems to be our only no.8 and Wilson will likely bench if Ritchie not fit.

by jimbopip Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:51 am

RDW wrote:Stewart isn't in the squad Jimbo

I know Stewart isn't in the squad , and neither is Bradbury, but they both played last night. We have a hooker in the squad, Chuckles, who still hasn't played. Another who still seems to have learnt his throwing from Ross Ford on a bad day.
Stewart and Bradbury played last night for a reason: the squad is thin in their position. Thompson's hamstring may mean that we need another 8. Chuckles may be fit by the Ireland game, or not, and Turner has a history of concussions. I know Stewart isn't in the squad. I just don't feel 100% sure that he won't be.

Which I think my original comment made pretty clear. I wouldn't rule out Grant Stewart, Turner wasn't totally convincing and we've still to see Chuckles.

by **RDW** Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:58 am

Stewart can only be called up as a permanent replacement and with Brown in the squad they're obviously confident he'll be fit to play his part.

I'm assuming hangers on can't travel with the squad just in case. Maybe Stewart and Bradbury could go for a 'holiday'!

by **RDW** Sat Sep 07, 2019 1:40 pm

So a mixed Australia team Samoa 34-15 and it wasn't overly convincing. Not sure we'll learn much that we didn't already know - Samoa are going to be awkward but we should still beat them!

by 123456789. Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:38 pm

Can’t say I’m overly enamoured with the idea of undercooked back rows and centres going up against Ireland. If the front five battle is trench warfare then centres and back-rows are the artillery guns. I think our game relies on a threat in the centre otherwise defences just drift off of Russell and close up the space out wide. The upside being that last night showed both Johnson and Taylor taking the ball to the line and distributing. I’m not convinced Jones could throw the pass Taylor did for Graham’s try. I like the look of Thomson but he’ll have to be on it. Barclay I’m not worried about, we need street smart, street fighters against Ireland and cool wily heads against Japan. Barclay ticks both those boxes. I’m confident we could field our third choice against Japan and have the more talented group but playing in what will likely be their biggest ever game will need managed. I’d stick with Seymour for Ireland certainly. His and Maitland’s proficiency in the air goes someway to making up for a relative deficiency in Hogg’s game. Laidlaw doesn’t suit the game but no one’s been able to get the shirt decisively off of him as of yet. I think again his experience will be an asset against Ireland. I’d probably go with Gray and Cummings with Gilchrist on the bench to replace Gray around the 60 mark to ease Gray in slowly.
So a team against Ireland of:
1. Dell
2. MacInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Cummings
6. Barclay
7. Watson
8. Thomson
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Johnson
13. Taylor
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. Reid
17. Brown
18. Berghan
19. Gilchrist
20. Ritchie
21. Price
22. Hastings
23. Harris

by 123456789. Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:41 pm

When Oli Kebble returns gets his Mac License next year it’ll be very handy indeed, we’re a bit bare at loosehead.

by **RDW** Sun Sep 08, 2019 9:32 am

Russia were humped by Connacht yesterday - we really shouldn't find any challenge from them!

by **BigGee** Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:44 am

So it seems Ritchie has a fracture of his cheek bone and so won't fly out tomorrow with the rest of the squad.

Bradbury going to fly out, but not formally replacing him yet, a decesion will be made on that following further medical assessment this week.

Would be really tough on JR if he does miss out, he has earned his place.

by **RDW** Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:02 am

Real shame for Ritchie. If he's not likely to be fit for the Russia game I think the decision needs to be made not to take him. With such a short turnaround after we need all the squad available.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:03 am

Will be a great shame if Ritchie has to pull out, mind you its also going to be pretty rough on Bradbury if he flies out there and doesn’t get to be involved now!

by jimbopip Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:32 am

Really bad news for Mbawsa. Crying or Very sad

I think numbers wins the prize for the first one of us to put up a team which is definitely impossible to be selected... and were still a fortnight away from the Ireland game.

According to the post match stats Bradbury made 0 carries and 5 tackles in 40 minutes. Headscratch

If he wants to play against Ireland he'll need to be putting more effort into training.

Numbers' bench has Harder Worker Than Pony covering centre and back three with Haircut covering 10. This means no room at the inn for Graham. Might we see Furra covering 10/12 and Graham covering the back three?

by **NeilyBroon** Sun Sep 08, 2019 1:33 pm

Fagerson can feel hard done by. That would have been a more like-for-like replacement. I'd have brought Bradbury in if we were down a second row.

We do know what bradbury can do however, so lets hope he gets a chance to and shows it when it's important.

Against Ireland I reckon we should have:
Dell
Mcinally (c)
Nel
Cummings
Gray (GG to come on as impact sub)
Barclay
Watson
Thomson (Bradbury if injured)

Laidlaw
Russell

Maitland
Johnson
Taylor (mainly for continuity in the partnership. It pains me to admit this but I'd say that Harris actually looks better at the moment, and not just because of the hair)
Graham (we need an unknown quantity against Ireland who has the x factor, young player of the year nominee for sure)
Hogg (kinghorn played well and seems to be learning but he's still not the same level as hogg. He's earnt a bench spot though and could be the difference in impact we need)

Subs
Brown (assuming he's fit, turner was that awful I'd rather trust a returning player)
Reid
Berghan
Gilchrist
Wilson
Horne Jr (offers a different game to both price and laidlaw and more impact. Could be the difference in winning if a try is needed)
The trench digger (Hastings will get a run out but he needs to have an easier ride than Ireland. Furra has the advantage of mostly playing centre so offers versatility and experience)
Kinghorn (I'd have opted for Harris or Seymour but i think against Ireland we need brave choices on the bench that could be the difference for winning a game.)

So a reasonable mixture of experience and youth, particularly on the bench. Despite at times looking like an utter omnishambles of a side, I think this is our best chance to beat Ireland. As with every tournament start off well and we should have a good one. Whatever happens we have to stay within touching distance as bonus points could make or break us.

by **RDW** Mon Sep 09, 2019 8:46 am

So there's a good chance Ritchie's injury wasn't as bad as originally feared and he may even be fit for the Ireland game. Sounds like they're needing to let the swelling go down to assess how bad it is.

Bradbury may have a quick return flight home, although it is probably worth hanging around given I can't imagine we'll get through the whole tournament with no back row injuries! I'm assuming once the squad deadline passes he can't even hang around the team? You could easily take advantage of bringing several players as 'back room' staff if not.

by bsando Mon Sep 09, 2019 9:04 am

Saw a good chunk of the Wales vs Ireland game on Saturday and Ireland looked their old selves again. Their driving maul wasn't as effective as it once was though but their backline looked much improved from the England game and Aki seems to have found form again. Kearney and Earls also had great games.

Scotland are going to have to drastically reduce the error count or otherwise build some scoreboard pressure early on. Despite a lot of good attacking moments from Wales and Ireland, no one was pulling off the magic we know Russell can conjure so we really need him to have a good game to make up for the inevitable mistakes from Scotland.

The final Georgia game was a funny one because we scored 26 unanswered points in the 2nd half, yet it felt so loose and error strewn that at the end I thought Scotland didn't play particularly well. Yet the Scoreboard is all that matters so I'd be happy for something similar against Ireland if it results in a win. Very nice to see Taylor linking up well with Harris who then threw a lovely flat pass to Graham for his try. Seems they're gelling well in attack now and Taylor looked a lot better than his previous games.

by **RDW** Mon Sep 09, 2019 9:07 am

Yeah the Ireland performance concerned me - they're looking back towards their intense best. Their defence was ferocious and there was huge physicaility in the back row and midfield - the areas we're most concerned about.

It's going to be the standard Irish test - they will attempt to suffocate us and the outcome of the game will depend on how well they do it. I think our best chance is to try and get an early lead and make them chase the game, which they're not so comfortable with - easier said than done!

We should relentlessly target their lineout too but we've not been to great at that lately either.

by SecretFly Mon Sep 09, 2019 9:32 am

It appears to be the same as always. Spread us wide early and do it fast, fast fast. First 15 minutes of absolute endless strike running, rapid offloading and system-churning kick and chasing. Spook the bejaysus out of us, and if a few players succumb to the mental pressure and believe this is going to last the full 80.... then we implode. Guaranteed. Because the old heads can't calm the meltdown of the tender chicks, no matter how they try.

Only caution even with that technique though is that Ireland kinda now know that's the very method many sides have used on us already...Argentina, England Wales. So despite it happening repeatedly, the more times it happens the more the team get less shocked by it, roll with it, and insert the tools necessary to stall it.

I think Wales came with the intent of blitzing us early again and getting us nice and rattled. But although nervous through the first section of the game, the body language of the Irish suggested they were ready for early pressure and comfortable repulsing it.

So perhaps teams should just go for retiming a 15 minute all out 'panic' blitz... allow Ireland the belief that they've overcome the starter phase and just give it to them later when least expected.

We do implode better than most sides if the chink is found and panic sets in.

by tigertattie Mon Sep 09, 2019 3:00 pm

Comes down to which team is imposing the game plan onto the other!

Warren Gatland said it (ironically) at the weekend. Ireland try to suffocate teams they play. They just tackle tackle tackle and hit ruck after ruck until their opponents make a mistake. Ireland, quite sensibility, only want to play rugby in their opponent’s half. If they have the ball in their half, the ball is booted up and a quick press follows this to try and make the opposition have to play from their own half. Once Ireland get the ball back, they then start their attacking phase of rugby.

Scotland will need to impose our own game if we want to win. And that’s our so called fasted brand of rugby known to man! We need to spread Ireland across the pitch and let Finn and Co work their attacking magic to keep Ireland spread wide and get some scores in. If we let Ireland keep our attacks to the middle of the park and we just truck it up all day then Ireland will soak the pressure and we’ll not get anywhere.

Even with my super optimistic heart my head says that Ireland are still 70% to win with us only on 30% to win!

It should be a close game though.

by **RDW** Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:53 am

Jamie Ritchie has been passed fit and will join up with the squad - good news.

Bradbury staying out there as cover but I'm not sure about the practicalities of that given that he's not in the squad.

by **BigGee** Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:02 am

I think the deadlind for squads being finalised is the 14th so they will likely keep him around until then at least in case someone else goes down injured.

After that not so sure, maybe they just tell him to go on holiday in Japan for a week, at least until after the Ireland game

by carpet baboon Wed Sep 11, 2019 11:26 am

BigGee wrote:I think the deadlind for squads being finalised is the 14th so they will likely keep him around until then at least in case someone else goes down injured.

After that not so sure, maybe they just tell him to go on holiday in Japan for a week, at least until after the Ireland game

Under the world cup rules he can't be in the host country after the 14th.
So a nice hotel in South Korea will be fine

by tigertattie Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:26 pm

carpet baboon wrote:
BigGee wrote:I think the deadlind for squads being finalised is the 14th so they will likely keep him around until then at least in case someone else goes down injured.

After that not so sure, maybe they just tell him to go on holiday in Japan for a week, at least until after the Ireland game

Under the world cup rules he can't be in the host country after the 14th.
So a nice hotel in South Korea will be fine

Just do a Bluto and say you've forgotten your passport so cant leave the country!

With breix and all and the goverment on shut down, it would take until halloween for him to get a new one to get back!

by **RDW** Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:45 am

Loving watching all the social media chat just now - Greig Laidlaw appears to be a major celebrity and is absolutely mobbed by locals and media wherever he goes. Ryan Wilson obviously enjoying it very much!

by **BigGee** Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:58 am

The SRU have actually done a good amount of groundwork in Nagasaki prior to the squad arriving.

My mum was there on a cruise earlier this year and was amazed to see SRU logos up and around in the town.

They have done work with local schools and dignitaries prior to arriving and it looks like it is paying off

by **RDW** Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:00 am

Just a shame we're not actually playing any games there!

by tigertattie Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:10 am

Wonder if we've done the same in the cites we are playing in? Would be great to get Japan to support us in games not involving Japan. Although would they support us given we are realistically thier rivals for progression to the QF???

by TJ Sun Sep 15, 2019 8:25 am

off the wall suggestion:

Given we lack a big ball carrier in the back row and have too many back row options and given the loss of form / injuries in our centres could Watson play in the centre? He is smaller than Taylor !

by jimbopip Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:09 am

TJ wrote:off the wall suggestion:

Given we lack a big ball carrier in the back row and have too many back row options and given the loss of form / injuries in our centres could Watson play in the centre? He is smaller than Taylor !

Is he Richie Vernon?

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:22 am

TJ wrote:off the wall suggestion:

Given we lack a big ball carrier in the back row and have too many back row options and given the loss of form / injuries in our centres could Watson play in the centre? He is smaller than Taylor !

Good god(man), next we’ll be talking about Hoggy playing 10 and things are going to get really out of hand!

by jimbopip Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:38 am

Right you are Llama, so it's Hoggy to 13 (he has the pace, see) Harris to 15, Shrek can fill in on the wing.

It won't be this funny this time next week.

by Old Man Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:56 am

Off topic

My brother just came back from holiday in Scotland, Spent time on the East coast, Edinburgh, and some of the lakes/fords.

He reckons you guys have the most amazing hills, valleys and nature, also said Edinburgh is most beautiful with the Gothic style buildings.

They visited a town (can’t remember the name) where the youngest building was built in the 1600’s

Of course he loves your Whiskey, went to some famous place where the walls are lined with all the different whiskeys on offer.

You guys should be proud of such beauty.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:35 am

jimbopip wrote:
Right you are Llama, so it's Hoggy to 13 (he has the pace, see) Harris to 15, Shrek can fill in on the wing.

It won't be this funny this time next week.

I’ll certainly be laughing Jimbo.... because I’ll be out in Japan this time next week Very Happy

by **BigGee** Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:45 am

Old Man wrote:

Of course he loves your Whiskey, went to some famous place where the walls are lined with all the different whiskeys on offer.

.

If it was Whiskey he liked, he may well have been on the other side of the Irish Sea, also very beautiful, so I have heard!

But seriously we are very blessed in Scotland, living in England for most of my life, it never fails to stun me every time I come back.

If it was a WC of scenery, we would undoubtedly be one of the favourites

by **RDW** Sun Sep 15, 2019 7:45 pm

https://rugbyonslaught.com/scotland-have-found-their-very-own-billy-vunipola-in-magnus-bradbury-nuclear-compilation/

Long video but I really wish we had him at our disposal next weekend! It's the missing link in the team. Such a shame he picked up the injury that prevented him playing in the earlier warmup games to prove himself.

by **NeilyBroon** Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:04 pm

No doubt he'll be in when blade inevitably injures himself against Ireland. I'm 90 percent certain he'll end up featuring so i wouldn't worry!

by Hazel Sapling Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:33 pm

Bradbury and Skinner are going to be needed in this RWC as well as H Jones. I think we can safely assume that the injury bug is going to strike at some point. The first two would have made the squad with good health.

It is weird to think that some injuries may strengthen Scotland. I assume some other countries are in the same boat. L McGrath for me is worse than Marmion and Cooney.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:55 am

NeilyBroon wrote:No doubt he'll be in when blade inevitably injures himself against Ireland. I'm 90 percent certain he'll end up featuring so i wouldn't worry!

Not WC news, but as you are discussing someone with concussion history thought I would mention that The Times is reporting that Dave Denton has had to retire.

by **NeilyBroon** Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:34 am

Sad news but good for him and family. I hope he can make a good life for himself outside of rugby.

by **BigGee** Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:02 am

I think we were all expecting that and by the sound of things from the BBC article, so was he. It is surely the best option for him now.

Worth remembering as well thst the last WC was his high water mark as a Scotland player. He had a great tournament and was quite possibly our best player.

by Sponsored content