Scotland vs France World Cup Warm Up Match - Toonie Strikes Back! Saturday 24th August

by bsando Tue 20 Aug 2019, 2:25 pm

First topic message reminder :

Toonie Strikes Back!

Following on from the disastrous "New Hope" instalment last weekend all we can hope for is a no nonsense first team showing with the soul intention of righting some wrongs. France have named their side and it is full strength! They are clearly looking to win well at Murrayfield and consolidate some positions having already named their 31 man squad. Only Finnsanity can save the day...

Venue: BT Murrayfield 1:10pm KO

Teams

Scotland

1. Gordon Reid (Ayrshire Bulls) – 35 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 29 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
5. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 5 caps
6. Ryan Wilson VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 43 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
8. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – uncapped
9. Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Clermont Auvergne) – 71 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 44 caps
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 40 caps
12. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 8 caps
14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
15. Stuart Hogg VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 68 caps

Bench
16. Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
17. Allan Dell (London Irish) – 22 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh)– 20 caps
19. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 34 caps
20. John Barclay (Edinburgh) – 72 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps
22. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints) – 1 cap
23. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 12 caps

France

1.Poirot
2.Guirado
3.Slimani
4.Lambey
5.Vahaamahina
6.Iturria
7.Ollivon
8.Alldritt
9.Dupont
10.Lopez
11.Raka
12.Fofana
13.Fickou
14.Penaud
15.Ramos

Bench: Chat, Baille, Setiano, Taofifenua, Camara, Serin, Ntamack, Médard

by jimbopip Wed 21 Aug 2019, 3:23 pm

Four second rows, six back rows?

That is if he takes five props.

by bsando Wed 21 Aug 2019, 3:30 pm

RDW wrote:Blade is not only new to International rugby he's new to European rugby - his severe concussion against Edinburgh was right at the beginning of the season so he's barely played at all away from NZ.

I think he had a run of 10 games with Scarlets so he has had a few games in the Pro14, just been a long time between drinks for him unfortunately as you say.

by **RDW** Wed 21 Aug 2019, 3:34 pm

You're right it was November that he got injured - right before the AIs where he was due to get capped. I had remembered it as being much earlier for some reason.

Still a big ask for him to get up to speed with both his injury recovery and international level rugby.

by 123456789. Wed 21 Aug 2019, 4:23 pm

I'm not sure Hastings played "especially well" in the final. I seem to remember him butchering field position on occasion. That said, he is unquestionably a better fly-half than Horne is. Let's remember that Horne has played 10 twice for Scotland; one was a home defeat to Italy, the other an abysmal showing away to France. I don't think Hastings is the full package yet, if it wasn't for our utter lack of decent fly-halves (Russell aside obviously) it would be preferable to let him mature in the Champions Cup and Pro14. I do think it is a massive shame that Cruden wasn't brought into Glasgow. It could have done Hastings the power of good to have a guy who'd been there and done it to work with for a year. Perhaps even have a run out at 12 alongside him on occasion.
If Horne travels it has to be as a 12. I think he is up against it there though. Johnson was Scotland's breakthrough player and Taylor is obviously one of Townsend's favourites (he is also a very, very good rugby player but in normal circumstances would be much less assured after his injuries). Horne does have his moments of brilliance though. Glasgow noticeably improved when he came on against Leinster (it may be that Hastings is better with a second playmaker at the moment). I suspect his best chance would be if Taylor travels as a 12/13. I'd say none of Hutchinson, Jones or Harris is nailed on. Hutchinson having barely played international rugby, Jones having gone off the boil (although there were signs of his attacking threat last week, I haven't watched back to see if his defence was iffy) and Harris having been pretty gash. I think Harris might go, Townsend seems to love him. I'd probably go with Johnson, Taylor, Jones and either Hutchinson or Horne.

by EST Wed 21 Aug 2019, 4:41 pm

I thought Jones was solid last weekend, he didn't really do anything wrong...hugely difficult to look good when you are being pumped, as we were.

In that context, Hutch's second half cameo was really good - he was definitely a bright spark in attack. I'm quite happy that Harris is getting a good opportunity in this game. So far he had one abysmal game playing outside Jones against Wales and then a series of bit parts..at least now he gets a chance to show us why Toonie keeps picking him.

by **RDW** Wed 21 Aug 2019, 4:49 pm

Jones was gassed by the French back row at one point- looked like he was treading water by comparison when he was chasing him! He also looked pretty disinterested most of the game, not getting back into the line quickly etc - I can't imagine his GPS readings would have been overly impressive.

That could be a fitness issue, but not ideal.

by bsando Wed 21 Aug 2019, 5:28 pm

Numbers, you make a good point about having a second playmaker with Hastings. His decision making seems a bit erratic or hesitant at times and having Horne at 12 could help him out a bit when he is getting shut down by quick defences.

I looked back over the French try's and 2 came from 2 missed tackles by Strauss. The first one and the Dupont try. Actually if you watch the Dupont try everyone looks very tired. Pernaud basically cut back in and looked for a tired forward to step (Strauss/Fagerson) and that was that.

by jimbopip Wed 21 Aug 2019, 6:16 pm

Numbers, it isn't just the Pro14 final that should concern us. Both Scotland and Glasgow have been displaying a common systemic weakness. In plain speaking: if you don't take any risks against them, defend competently and be patient they will give you the ball and the game. DR put the blame on Haircut lacking patience and always looking for the miracle play. DR's remedy was to play Furra Linee at 10 till Haircut took the hint. Mind you a harsh analysis would say he blew a definite try, lost possession in their third two often and left Hogg exposed for the charge down try in the final.
Toonie has now said he is looking to give "most of the squad 2 to 2 1/2 games" in the warm ups. We may yet see Furra Linee start at 10, or play at 12 outside Haircut. I think the 10,12 slots may not be decided until after the second Georgia match.

by 123456789. Wed 21 Aug 2019, 7:27 pm

I don't disagree with that at all, but I think it's a leap to pin that on Hastings. I don't think he's necessarily ready for international rugby but I do think unfortunately he is our second best fly-half. Horne has shown he is not an international fly-half. If we are looking at a non-specialist fly-half to cover Russel and Hastings then it has to be Laidlaw. Again I don't think Laidlaw is a brilliant 10, and he has his issues in defence with his size and lack of pace. However he has produced in an international there. Every time I think of Horne at fly-half I think back to that Italy game in 2015 when we lost any modicum of composure and Horne managed to kick them back into the game. At no point in the intervening time has he done anything to suggest he can do better for Scotland in that position. The case in point being the France game this Six Nations, there was inarguably a leap forward when Hastings replaced Horne.
I do think that systemic weakness is the flip side of our strength. We are not a big team compared to the other tier one sides. It is therefore much harder for us to build and build pressure. We do, however, have a greater than average number of players who can make things happen on their own. If Hogg, Russell, Seymour, Jones, the Hornes, Taylor, Graham even Price get a bit of space or a bit of luck or are in the right mood then things happen. In our big wins and big performances over the last few years a sizeable number of our tries have come from individual moments or the miracle play. That's why it frustrates me a tad when pundits bemoan Russell's moments of apparent idiocy then applaud those of miraculous brilliance. They're two sides of the same coin. The England come back is case in point; first try came from a charge down, the third came from a speculative chip inside his own half from Price, the fourth from a clever backline move, the fifth from an interception and the sixth from a moment of magic between Johnson and Russell. Just one came from methodical build up play. In short we need the miracle play or the moments of magic to win games.

by **George Carlin** Wed 21 Aug 2019, 7:55 pm

Hello all - still in Lausanne with the family on my first holiday this year (3 weeks off) so have had no time to write. On the up side, I completely missed the utter pile of ferret excrement that comprised our collective effort in the first match. The roasting from Tom English on the BBC website was as ferocious as I've ever seen it - presumably emptying the swear jar whilst typing.

I think that pack will get absolutely mashed if I'm being completely Corporate Jones about it. How experimenting with Skinner and Cummings is a better idea than getting Richie Gray crucial game time is absolutely beyond me.

I also do not buy the line that Chris Harries is the secret baby of Phillipe Sella but let's see. He will have to be solid defensively because Mini Horne will surely cement his hard won reputation and get thrown around like a dog's chew toy.

Don't get me wrong - these games are disparate by nature but we really shouldn't be playing a loosehead who is currently in a semi professional team.

by jimbopip Wed 21 Aug 2019, 8:03 pm

GC, have you been hacked?

Richie Gray isn't in the squad so he wouldn't be getting game time regardless.

Mini Horne (George) is on the bench. Toonie may have seen the error of his ways and hooked Harris before unleashing the Human Cyclone on the French.

It's private Fraser who is the Eeyore in Walmington on Sea's finest.

Ayr Bulls are world class, semi pro or no. No Bull.

Hacked ? or just enjoying the gluwine?

by **RDW** Wed 21 Aug 2019, 8:13 pm

I think his point is Ritchie Gray should be in the squad. Which 99.9% of Scotland fans probably agree with!

by **George Carlin** Wed 21 Aug 2019, 8:41 pm

jimbopip wrote:GC, have you been hacked?

Richie Gray isn't in the squad so he wouldn't be getting game time regardless.

Mini Horne (George) is on the bench. Toonie may have seen the error of his ways and hooked Harris before unleashing the Human Cyclone on the French.

It's private Fraser who is the Eeyore in Walmington on Sea's finest.

Ayr Bulls are world class, semi pro or no. No Bull.

Hacked ? or just enjoying the gluwine?

I've had one or two glasses of Cote d'Roger Federer, I won't lie about it. I can't. I'm in Switzerland and they don't do that here.

Yes, I'm aware the blonde frog isn't in the squad - the point I was making again is that its inexplicable that he isn't.

Peter Horne is Mini Horne, Georgy boy is Micro Horne.

Presumably for the games which follow this, we just have to pick our first choice team and hope to feck they don't get injured.

by jimbopip Wed 21 Aug 2019, 9:18 pm

You have my sympathy, I hate it when MrsPip drags me off somewhere picturesque and forces me to neck the local Bel Air.
Possibly Big Richie was unable to produce a note from his osteopath declaring him hale and heart. Either that or he told Toonie "No tongues ".
Harris is a bit like Nigel Farage: no-one knows how he got where he is or what he actually is for but he keeps appearing in the pictures.
Furra Linee? Will give it his all. If the French back row have the liberty of the field like last week he'll be over run, just like Taylor was. If the back row earn their wages he'll be fine.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 21 Aug 2019, 10:55 pm

I just don't get Chris Harris. What is he good at? He's slow off the mark with average handling skills. So it's neither of those things. I've yet to see him kick a rugby ball so I'm guessing it's not that. All I can think of is his tackling, but not since G-Dog Morrison have we selected a centre purely for his tackling. Is there an offloading game going on?? I'm really struggling!

I'd far rather Alex Allan or Rory Sutherland at loosehead than Reid. At least they look like pro rugby players and both have youth on their side.

I really do think Toonie is making a bit of a mess.

by alive555 Thu 22 Aug 2019, 2:35 am

Apparently Richie Gray is the 6th best lock in Scotland

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 6:24 am

I guess we'll see on saturday. If it's another dog's dinner I reckon we're finished this world cup, as is toonie.

Harris baffles all, I think he's just one of those players coaches like, probably because he's solid but not talented enough to go against their authority.

I remain cautiously optimistic in the sense that, it really can't get much worse than last saturday... and it would appear we now have Kratos in our back row.

Scotland vs France World Cup Warm Up Match - Toonie Strikes Back! Saturday 24th August - Page 2 Kratos10

by **RDW** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 8:40 am

NeilyBroon wrote:I guess we'll see on saturday. If it's another dog's dinner I reckon we're finished this world cup, as is toonie.

Harris baffles all, I think he's just one of those players coaches like, probably because he's solid but not talented enough to go against their authority.

I remain cautiously optimistic in the sense that, it really can't get much worse than last saturday... and it would appear we now have Kratos in our back row.

Scotland vs France World Cup Warm Up Match - Toonie Strikes Back! Saturday 24th August - Page 2 Tenor

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 9:02 am

to my core

by EST Thu 22 Aug 2019, 9:14 am

RDW wrote:Jones was gassed by the French back row at one point- looked like he was treading water by comparison when he was chasing him! He also looked pretty disinterested most of the game, not getting back into the line quickly etc - I can't imagine his GPS readings would have been overly impressive.

That could be a fitness issue, but not ideal.

I didn't notice him being particularly much worse than anybody else, but maybe i'll need to have another look.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 9:18 am

Just looking through the stats from the last game - Jamie Ritchie made 25 tackles! 2nd place was Gilchrist on 18. Toolis made a respectable 15 in 57 minutes of action.

Imagine how bad it would have been if Ritchie wasn't there!

by bsando Thu 22 Aug 2019, 9:32 am

Guess we'll see how Harris gets on this weekend. I thought he did well against Fiji last year but he needs this start against France for Toonie to see what he can do against world class opposition. Huw Jones just needs to find his form as we all know he can be incredible.

The R Gray non selection is a disappointing one. Not only for his game but his experience. He's probably Scotland's most successful 2nd row of the professional era and he is by no means old. The fact he had come back from injury, had a small run of games culminating in the Top14 final win over Clermont adds further question marks. It provides more ammo for GT's critics as well.

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 10:09 am

To be fair I'd say grays non selection is a moot point in the evidence stacking up against toonie. Unless he has an exceptional world cup he's in trouble I feel.

by EWT Spoons Thu 22 Aug 2019, 10:26 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:I just don't get Chris Harris. What is he good at? He's slow off the mark with average handling skills. So it's neither of those things. I've yet to see him kick a rugby ball so I'm guessing it's not that. All I can think of is his tackling, but not since G-Dog Morrison have we selected a centre purely for his tackling. Is there an offloading game going on?? I'm really struggling!

I'd far rather Alex Allan or Rory Sutherland at loosehead than Reid. At least they look like pro rugby players and both have youth on their side.

I really do think Toonie is making a bit of a mess.

Find myself agreeing with FES on this one. Harris has done nothing to justify being picked other than being crap for Scotland on each occasion he’s been involved, and being part of a Newcastle side that got relegated. Not sure what Toonie has seen that makes him like the cut of his jib so much.

Agree on Reid as well, I know he apparently had offers from France (according to Reid) but chose to go semi pro, but he was playing in a weak division last year and has really gone to town now playing for a semi pro team. Again I don’t know what Toonie is seeing that makes him think that qualifies him to play in a WC.

I’m a huge fan of Sutherland, I have no idea why he’s so out the picture at Edinburgh, but even I probably wouldn’t select him at the moment. Allan possibly given he’s actually played a couple of times.

If we play anything like we did in Nice I expect we’ll get our bottoms handed to us in this game. The pack doesn’t particularly inspire confidence and the centre partnership is equally worrying.

Sorry that’s all really negative, but I’m beginning to have doubts about whether Toonie & his coaching team are the right people for the job.

by **BigGee** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 10:52 am

Crikey, I don't think I can ever remember such as pessimistic pre match thread, even by Scottish standards this one is a bit depressing. We all seem to have given up all hope!

I think and hope (especially as I am going) that we are going to be a lot better this weekend. They have not become bad players overnight and whatever went wrong last week can surely be improved upon

Toonie probably needs to be judged at the end of the whole tournament, not after the first warm up game!

by **RDW** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 10:55 am

I'm probably between Biggee and the doomsayers on this one - it is very early days and I'm pretty confident we're going to see a much better performance this weekend. Also, everyone will have forgotten about these games once the world cup gets going.

I am concerned by the stagnation/downward spiral of the team under Toonie's watch though - we had a mixed summer tour, average autumn and overall our 6N performance was probably a 5/10. Our defence in particular is a major issue that needs resolved ASAP.

by **BigGee** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 10:57 am

I am actually happy enough for Harris to get a start this week.

In truth, most of his caps have been off the bench, when he came on in a generally hopeless chase. I think he has only had one start.

Let him have his go this time, with the caveat that he really does need to perform, no excuses. Hutchy will be waiting in the wings if he does not produce the goods and it will put the debate to bed. Toonie and the coaches clearly do see something there and he was good for Newcastle when they were on song the previous season.

If he can't produce under the pressure of playing for a WC spot, then we will know the answer for sure.

by EWT Spoons Thu 22 Aug 2019, 11:00 am

BigGee wrote:I think and hope (especially as I am going) that we are going to be a lot better this weekend.

I'm taking my daughter to her first ever game (excluding an Edinburgh preseason game, which I'm not counting) so I too am hoping for a much better performance and win, as this is make or break time for me bringing her to other games. Huge pressure.

by EWT Spoons Thu 22 Aug 2019, 11:08 am

Also I think the negativity (for me at least) is down to us having probably the best group of players we've had in years, with something approaching actual depth, and yet we’re seemingly on a downward spiral. TE points out in his article that our results are declining under Tonnie’s watch and I’m not sure he’s got a plan beyond “throw the ball about like mad”, which is fine against some teams, but not if we’re up against it.

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 12:02 pm

On the positive side, this just shows how far we've come that most of us don't accept the current form. I think negativity wise it's because we've not been this poor since Scott Johnson and a lot of us feel any progress the team has made since then is being rapidly reversed.

That being said as I'm there on saturday I'm hoping for a good performance. Despite our poor run we can still pull stuff out of the bag. Doesn't negate the downward trend but will be good to cheer about something!

by **RDW** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 12:04 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:On the positive side, this just shows how far we've come that most of us don't accept the current form. I think negativity wise it's because we've not been this poor since Scott Johnson and a lot of us feel any progress the team has made since then is being rapidly reversed.

That being said as I'm there on saturday I'm hoping for a good performance. Despite our poor run we can still pull stuff out of the bag. Doesn't negate the downward trend but will be good to cheer about something!

You should go on the Scottish rugby fans Facebook page - it's a cardinal sin to say anything negative on there! Rolling Eyes

by **NeilyBroon** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 12:13 pm

I can't stand all that "stop complaining and get behind the team", "we have a small player pool" guff. Having stayed loyal and been to games during matt Williams, hadden and robinson I can safely say it's not nice when your team are crap. Thats why when you have a potentially excellent team who are playing badly you're very much in your rights to complain! Very Happy

by chickp Thu 22 Aug 2019, 1:19 pm

RDW wrote:I think his point is Ritchie Gray should be in the squad. Which 99.9% of Scotland fans probably agree with!

Afternoon all, I've just had a thought I would like to share, please feel free to give some constructive criticism. boxing

Toulouse have 2 games (both away) in the Top 14 before Toonie names his final squad. Is there a possibility he will reassess the Richie situation and name him in the final squad as a "bolter" due to finding his form/fitness/toonie sex tapes and announce it with great fanfare to the press.

Straws

Grasping

At

by EST Thu 22 Aug 2019, 1:25 pm

BigGee wrote:I am actually happy enough for Harris to get a start this week.

In truth, most of his caps have been off the bench, when he came on in a generally hopeless chase. I think he has only had one start.

Let him have his go this time, with the caveat that he really does need to perform, no excuses. Hutchy will be waiting in the wings if he does not produce the goods and it will put the debate to bed. Toonie and the coaches clearly do see something there and he was good for Newcastle when they were on song the previous season.

If he can't produce under the pressure of playing for a WC spot, then we will know the answer for sure.

This is my position on Harris, if he is as average as we (I) think he is, then he won't perform and won't go. I know there are quite a few factors that influence an individual performance, but his direct competitor (Hutch) did really well in a bad performance, and so that's what he is up against.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 1:47 pm

chickp wrote:
RDW wrote:I think his point is Ritchie Gray should be in the squad. Which 99.9% of Scotland fans probably agree with!

Afternoon all, I've just had a thought I would like to share, please feel free to give some constructive criticism.

Toulouse have 2 games (both away) in the Top 14 before Toonie names his final squad. Is there a possibility he will reassess the Richie situation and name him in the final squad as a "bolter" due to finding his form/fitness/toonie sex tapes and announce it with great fanfare to the press.

Straws

Grasping

At

That is quite the first post! Welcome to the forum

by bsando Thu 22 Aug 2019, 1:52 pm

chickp wrote:
RDW wrote:I think his point is Ritchie Gray should be in the squad. Which 99.9% of Scotland fans probably agree with!

Afternoon all, I've just had a thought I would like to share, please feel free to give some constructive criticism.

Toulouse have 2 games (both away) in the Top 14 before Toonie names his final squad. Is there a possibility he will reassess the Richie situation and name him in the final squad as a "bolter" due to finding his form/fitness/toonie sex tapes and announce it with great fanfare to the press.

Straws

Grasping

At

Welcome to the forum chickp! Nice first post Laugh

by jimbopip Thu 22 Aug 2019, 2:09 pm

chickp, welcome to the house of fun. thumbsup

Toonie's omission of Big Gray makes even less sense than Cockers' refusal to speak to anyone with double digits on the back of their jersey.

It can't be because he has had a long injury lay off: SuperDunc is in the squad.

It can't be because he has no recent form to speak of; Not A Pony is in the squad.

It can't be because he has developed a love for French cuisine and is now too pedestrian to play Toonie's "fastest rugby in the world" : Frodo the Ponderous is going.

There is a sensible and logical explanation, just as there is for every one of Toonie's selections: after all, Harris is in the squad.

by chickp Thu 22 Aug 2019, 2:19 pm

Yeah I'm bemused too. I think Richie left Glasgow when Toonie took over in 2012? Bear a grudge at all?

by **BigGee** Thu 22 Aug 2019, 2:35 pm

Not really, he has picked him before

I think he genuinely thinks a ball playing lock like Cummings, who to be fair was in stunning form at the end of the season, is a better fit for his game plan

I guess we will find out more about thst on saturday

by TJ Thu 22 Aug 2019, 6:51 pm

A few thoughts

Peter Horne. I think some of you re too down on him. I remember a game where Russell was subbed off injured early on and Horne did a decent job at 10 for 70mins or so. He seems to me to be one of those players who while seemingly not doing a lot himself seems to make others around him play better. I think he is the next best option we have after Russell and at the moment equal to Hastings or close behind him. Who else do we have ?

Shrek - not the best in the loose for sure but a steady and decent scummager. Holds up his side of the scrum well and has done Ok every time he plays. Obviously towards the end of his career but lets see how he does against the french pack who marmalised us last week

Second row - like most of us I find the omission of big Ritchie strange. Perhaps cummings is the better ball player and our lineout did well last week. Out of sight out of mind and is the injury risk too high for him? I ageree tho he could be a bolter if somone from the second row gets hurt.

Barclay. He fell out of favour I tought because he had a row ewith Lineen and then made it clear what he thought of Johnstone - who said he would never play for scotland again. I think Barclay is an important part of the brains we need.

Toonie - I think these warm up games have come in the wrong order for him. He has had to make do with what he has tho and has used these first two games to see how everyone in the squad does against a strong side and will pick his side after this game and use the remaining two games to hone them. Just a pity that experimenting against France could easily lead to two defeats.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 5:46 am

On an unrelated note, i hear that Jim malinder is going to become Scotland's new DoR.

He did a decent job at Northampton and could have some great contacts for future coaching staff. Could be a real coup for us.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 6:46 am

NeilyBroon wrote:On an unrelated note, i hear that Jim malinder is going to become Scotland's new DoR.

He did a decent job at Northampton and could have some great contacts for future coaching staff. Could be a real coup for us.

Just saw that. Last season he was working with the RFU academy so may also know some dual qualified youngsters. What will his responsibilities be?

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 7:04 am

I guess the same as SJs was, recruitment mainly with some oversight of the club game.

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 7:09 am

I think it is more than that, does the role not oversee the whole of the coaching structure as well as the acsdemy pathways

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 7:16 am

Probably a better and more accurate answer than mine!

Either way, a good catch.

by **BigGee** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 7:37 am

Agreed

by **RDW** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 7:40 am

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland-v-france-pete-horne/

Peter Horne speaks, and isn't too happy about how people perceive his abilities!

by **RDW** Fri 23 Aug 2019, 8:08 am

Interestingly he's been brought in as 'Performance Director' which to me isn't full DoR.

by tigertattie Fri 23 Aug 2019, 10:01 am

RDW wrote:https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland-v-france-pete-horne/

Peter Horne speaks, and isn't too happy about how people perceive his abilities!

Fair play to him. I always say I hope he plays well and puts us doubters in our place.

PS, "Space" where is Jimbo when you need a nickname explained?

by bsando Fri 23 Aug 2019, 2:07 pm

I think now I like him as a bench player as he adds a calm head when sometimes things are not going so well. More than once or twice he has come off the bench and done some really good stuff and he's also the unofficial king of the cheeky pick and go try, doing it against Aus in 2015 and Wales in 2018. I think in recent years, ie post RWC, he has been a bit hit and miss as a starting 12, ie Ireland 2018, France 2019. So as with Harris, lets see how they go tomorrow.

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