Scotland 2020 Internationals

by bsando Sun 23 Aug 2020, 4:02 pm

First topic message reminder :

With club rugby in Europe back up and running I thought it might be time to begin a new International thread.

Scotland's Upcoming 2020 International Fixtures

Warm Up

Scotland vs Georgia 23rd October BT Murrayfield (KO TBC)

6 Nations

Wales vs Scotland 31st October 2.15pm KO (venue TBC)

Eight Nations Tournament pool games

Italy vs Scotland November 14th November 12.45pm KO (Venue TBC)

Scotland vs France 22nd November 3pm KO BT Murrayfield

Scotland vs Fiji 28th November 1.45pm KO BT Murrayfield

December 5th Eight Nations play-off matches (1st vs 1st, 2nd vs 2nd, 3rd vs 3rd, 4th vs 4th)

by **NeilyBroon** Tue 13 Oct 2020, 7:59 am

bsando wrote:https://twitter.com/Harlequins/status/1315659065683595264?s=20

Steele was hoping for a call-up for a long time and by his own admission he thinks it'll be tough to get game time with the competition but I'm sure he'll get at least a first cap in one of these games. Probably just feels great to be involved after working hard.

Cowan is actually a pretty decent barber. Perhaps his call-up was to make sure everyone got a good trim and fade before the games commence?

If Aldi price gets any more of a fade he'll look like a coconut.

by TJ Tue 13 Oct 2020, 9:52 am

So if Cowen is in as squad barber what reasons for some of the others?

Rob Harley ran around SRU HQ tackling everything including the west stand at Murrayfield and it was decided that it was less dangerous to let him play?

Nick Grigg threatened to bite Toonies ankles unless he got a go and Toonie is afraid of rabies?

by Hazel Sapling Tue 13 Oct 2020, 10:22 am

Disappointed by selection. I can only assume that this is for the first two weeks for Georgia and Wales with some to be called up for the November internationals. Still

- If we are going to pick a flanker who is not going to play, why not Gary Graham who is only 28?
- Why is Scott not in the squad? We are short at inside centre and he has been playing consistently at Leicester.
- If I squint hard enough, Steele has been playing well for Quins and SHC is missing the first two weeks so maybe SHC joins the squad after the Wales game?

Cowan and Harley look like experienced fringe squad members to help set standards in training. CHH would get in over Harley for me but he is about to go play in the Championship for a year and Harley has played well at lock (at BS, he does not carry enough to give us balance). CHH might be next summer or autumn's call up.

by tigertattie Tue 13 Oct 2020, 1:16 pm

No idea about Scott. He and SHC are probably the most obvious ommissions and the logic is that Sam HC is missing with being involved in the euro and english finals and could come in later. Ickle Jonny and his Hoggness are also involved in those finals but they are much more established players.

Scott though................... Possibly a case of out of sight out of mind.

by TJ Tue 13 Oct 2020, 1:49 pm

I am not too disappointed with the selection and nice to see Meatball getting in. Personally i would have him 2nd to Russell. I think Hastings runs up too many blind alleys and throws to many risky passes. Meatball has been really good out of the spotlight down south

by Highland Shaun Tue 13 Oct 2020, 3:17 pm

Isn't it possible that Callum Hunter-Hill, and others, could still be added to the squad or come in for injured players or is there enough depth in the squad?

I got my wisgh of DVDM getting in so all I need now is a first call up for CHH (whenever that is) and I'll be ecstatic :-).

by **LondonTiger** Tue 13 Oct 2020, 3:26 pm

tigertattie wrote:No idea about Scott. He and SHC are probably the most obvious ommissions and the logic is that Sam HC is missing with being involved in the euro and english finals and could come in later. Ickle Jonny and his Hoggness are also involved in those finals but they are much more established players.

Scott though................... Possibly a case of out of sight out of mind.

Scott's form has been nothing to write home about as he has tried to settle in a struggling Tigers lineup.

by 123456789. Tue 13 Oct 2020, 3:33 pm

Quite an unusual selection, although I can't say I've been keeping up with the rugby as much as I normally do these last few months so I can't really comment on the ins and outs of it. One selection that very much surprises me is Blair Cowan. At 34 he is very unlikely to make the next world cup squad. As a general rule, I think players should be picked with the four-year cycle in mind unless they're very special or there's nobody else. The caveat is that Cowan has played a lot of his rugby in the championship and maybe has a few more miles on the clock. It seems a massive squad and it seems a case of more who is not in the squad than who is in it. I am not sure why SHC is not in it. He has been class for Harlequins. I think he is by some distance our most talented scrum-half. Apparently he has an attitude problem, I'm told Jim Hamilton said about it but not having the time or desire to wade through all the sh!t that him and Goode spout to find out the exact line means I can't be more specific. I am very excited to see Van Der Merwe in the squad. I know Hutchinson is not in the squad but I have felt since the world cup that him at 12 and Russell at 10 could be the way forward, especially if VDM is coming off the wing. Both Racing and Northampton seem to have a lot of moves with their wingers coming off 10 and 12 which VDM would be perfect for. I'd like to know why Grigg keeps making the squad, he is a workmanlike club centre, he simply is not big enough or good enough on the international stage.

by tigertattie Wed 14 Oct 2020, 10:00 am

Bennett is surely a better option than Grigg at 13?

I know injury has seriously curtailed his tragectory as a pro, but come on. Grigg over Bennett? really?

by jimbopip Wed 14 Oct 2020, 10:14 am

Actually tiger, Bennett was deemed surplus to requirements by Toonie in order to make way for Uncle Squiggsy. So Toonie is at least consistent in that respect.

by **RDW** Wed 14 Oct 2020, 11:57 am

I'm pretty confident if Bennett had a better backs coach and higher calibre players around him we'd see similar results to 2015. He's looking in good shape these days.

by jimbopip Wed 14 Oct 2020, 12:02 pm

RDW wrote:I'm pretty confident if Bennett had a better backs coach and higher calibre players around him we'd see similar results to 2015. He's looking in good shape these days.

Well yes, obviously. But could he babysit Batman's kids?

by bsando Thu 15 Oct 2020, 7:25 am

Personally I think Bennett was unlucky to miss out. He's a very good kicker too (little inside info I got a few years back from a Glasgow Warriors employee). Shame he fell back and out of the squad post RWC2015, I remember an article about how he had sort of lost motivation for a while. He looks back to his old self now.

by TJ Thu 15 Oct 2020, 10:45 am

I had not spotted Bennet was missing - that seems a poor decision. He made a kick for Edinburgh while VDW was yellow carded

by Old Man Thu 15 Oct 2020, 7:52 pm

BigGee wrote:

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named a 40-man squad for the forthcoming autumn international matches, which include the conclusion of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and newly launched Autumn Nations Cup.

The squad features three uncapped players in Glasgow Warriors prop Oli Kebble, Edinburgh winger Duhan van der Merwe and Harlequins scrum-half, Scott Steele.

In the 23 forwards there are five players who did not feature in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations earlier in the year, with Glasgow Warriors trio Richie Gray (lock), Rob Harley (back-row/lock) and Kebble selected alongside London Irish flanker Blair Cowan, who won his last Scotland cap in 2016 and earns his first call up under Townsend.

Scarlets’ Blade Thompson (back-row) also re-joins the squad having last featured at Rugby World Cup 2019.

In the 17 backs selected there are returns for Harlequins centre James Lang, who last featured in the national side during the summer of 2018, as well as Glasgow Warriors centre Nick Grigg and Edinburgh winger Damien Hoyland, alongside squad debutants van der Merwe and scrum-half Steele.

Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell also joins the squad, with an opportunity to earn his 50th Scotland cap during the campaign.

Gregor Townsend said: “We are very much looking forward to coming back together as a coaching and playing group after such an unprecedented and challenging period in our sport and across society in general.

“There was a strong feeling that we were growing as a team during the Six Nations earlier this year, making progress from game-to-game as well as building closer bonds within the squad. Our aim is to keep this momentum going as we take on Georgia and Wales before competing in the Autumn Nations Cup in November.

“The squad we have selected is formed by the majority of the players we worked with in the Six Nations alongside players who have grabbed their opportunity in the past few weeks and have been in form for their respective teams.

“Given the lack of games since March, there will be opportunities for players out-with the squad to break into our group over the next few weeks, but for now the focus is on this group that will be in camp from tomorrow. It will be great to see some familiar faces, welcome a few back into our squad and also introduce some new players to Test match rugby."

Scotland begin their autumn test matches at BT Murrayfield against Georgia on Friday 23 October before facing Wales in Llanelli on 31 October in the rescheduled 2020 Guinness Six Nations fixture.

The newly formed Autumn Nations Cup begins in November with Scotland in Pool B alongside France and Fiji who they will play at BT Murrayfield as well as an away test match against Italy.

FORWARDS (23)

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 17 caps
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
Cornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors) – 7 caps
Matt Fagerson – (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps
Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 57 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 65 caps
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 3 caps
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) - uncapped
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 37 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 38 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 7 caps
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 5 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 32 caps

BACKS (17)

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 11 caps
Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 18 caps
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) CAPTAIN – 76 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 21 caps
James Lang (Harlequins) – 2 caps
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 49 caps
Scott Steele (Harlequins) - uncapped
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – uncapped
Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 28 caps

Hmm, four South Africans. McKebble, McMwerwe, McNel and McDuPreez.

by bsando Fri 16 Oct 2020, 7:39 am

Do you reckon the Boks would be disappointed not to have capped a few of those players? Nel in 2015 was arguably the best tighthead at the RWC but he has had mixed form since then. DVDM has yet to prove himself as well as Kebble. Du Preez's story is brilliant, what a feat to come back from that horrific throat injury. I'd like top see him have one brilliant game at international level but he's been a bit mixed for Scotland. A solid carrier and defender but probably lacking the same impact as Denton had for Scotland.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 7:47 am

bsando wrote:Do you reckon the Boks would be disappointed not to have capped a few of those players? Nel in 2015 was arguably the best tighthead at the RWC but he has had mixed form since then. DVDM has yet to prove himself as well as Kebble. Du Preez's story is brilliant, what a feat to come back from that horrific throat injury. I'd like top see him have one brilliant game at international level but he's been a bit mixed for Scotland. A solid carrier and defender but probably lacking the same impact as Denton had for Scotland.

My thoughts exactly. It's not as if these players were on the fringe of a boks call up. VdM thought his career was over before arriving at Edinburgh. Kebble may not even end up being first choice given Sutherland's recent international form. DuPreez is a club man who is there because we have a lack of/no depth at 8 and probably wouldn't make any of the other home nations squads. If they've moved to Scotland for the chance of a career that includes international rugby then good for them if they make it. Of those picked it's only likely VdM and Kebble are in the match day 23.

Old man, as I said before I empathize with the club issues in SA but that's very little to do with the Scotland selection. It's not as if SA are struggling internationally, and if they do join the pro14 they'll probably get more revenue plus potentially win it.

by **RDW** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 7:47 am

None of these guys were anywhere near Bok selection when they moved to Scotland. VDM in particular was pretty much a nobody before he came to Edinburgh - due to injury and competition he barely played at Montpelier. He even failed his fitness test when signing for Edinburgh but they took a punt on him and paid for his rehab. What a punt it turned out to be! Nel was a decent pro for the Cheetahs but still had a lot to prove that he had what it takes at international level.

Schoeman is probably the player who was the most surprising to leave SA - the press certainly weren't happy when he left and saw him as a future springbok, which based on how he's played over the last few years could definitely have happened. Still, there's loads of competition to become a Springbok so you can understand why so many move overseas.

by **RDW** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 7:48 am

Me and Nelly basically saying the same thing!

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 7:49 am

RDW wrote:Me and Nelly basically saying the same thing!

Great minds and all that!

by bsando Fri 16 Oct 2020, 8:39 am

NeilyBroon wrote:
RDW wrote:Me and Nelly basically saying the same thing!

Great minds and all that!

Yeah I'm with you too

by **RDW** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 8:57 am

It's a three way agreement!

(I'm deliberately setting someone up here - can thank me later)

by Old Man Fri 16 Oct 2020, 9:10 am

bsando wrote:Do you reckon the Boks would be disappointed not to have capped a few of those players? Nel in 2015 was arguably the best tighthead at the RWC but he has had mixed form since then. DVDM has yet to prove himself as well as Kebble. Du Preez's story is brilliant, what a feat to come back from that horrific throat injury. I'd like top see him have one brilliant game at international level but he's been a bit mixed for Scotland. A solid carrier and defender but probably lacking the same impact as Denton had for Scotland.

To be honest I don’t know who would gave been on the radar for Springbok call up, the problem when players leave after a few years you forget whether they were average, or good, it is only the real stabd out players you remember.

As for being called up to represent Scotland, well, on the one hand it kinda like bragging rights, sitting in a bar and bragging with the Ozzies, Welsh, Irish etc about how many South Africans are in other trams.

The one thing I cannot stand though is when players give a million excuses why they left SA.

If you wanna go, go, just shut the Frak up.

by bsando Fri 16 Oct 2020, 9:33 am

Yeah fair enough, as you say, once you jump ship that's it. I'm sure it is not impossible for a player to carve out a career in SA that leads to the Springboks. The temptation of Europe must be strong for a lot of players, even early in their careers. It's a pretty tumultuous time for pro rugby union at the moment. God know's what it'll be like in 4-5 years time. I think having the SA teams in the Pro14 will force SA to start selecting players from European clubs as well as SA clubs. That may help the Boks capture and retain players who would have previously been seen as lost to Scotland, Wales, England etc.

Schoeman seemed pretty committed when he left Bulls. I remember reading at the time that he was talking about playing for Scotland in five years before he had even played a match for Edinburgh! In contrast to that, Josh Strauss seemed undecided when he first left Lions but he eventually went on to play for Scotland after serving his time with Glasgow.

by **RDW** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 12:03 pm

Um, Maitland has been named in the Barbarians squad to play England next weekend...

by jimbopip Fri 16 Oct 2020, 1:06 pm

RDW wrote:Um, Maitland has been named in the Barbarians squad to play England next weekend...

Obviously Meatball at 15. oh yeah

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 1:24 pm

jimbopip wrote:
RDW wrote:Um, Maitland has been named in the Barbarians squad to play England next weekend...

Obviously Meatball at 15.

I expect us to win 10 dropgoals to none.

by Hazel Sapling Fri 16 Oct 2020, 2:20 pm

Bit of a wild choice from Maitland but he is getting on and he might not get many more chances. Playing under Cotter at least so knows what he is in for.

Does this mean Huw Jones or Kinghorn at 15 for Georgia?

by Highland Shaun Fri 16 Oct 2020, 2:56 pm

I was thinking, does that mean debut from the start for Van der Merwe :-D :-D?

by **RDW** Fri 16 Oct 2020, 11:54 pm

Maybe Townsend was always planning on playing a less experienced back 3 and this gives Maitland a chance to stay match sharp. Makes sense.

by **BigGee** Sat 17 Oct 2020, 9:29 am

I am sure Maitland would not have done this without Toonie;s blessing, especially as he has been training with Scotland all week.

It's a Barbarians cap at the end of the day, something most players would like at some stage and most British and Irish International players get few chances these days. It also lets Toonie try out VDM as well in a less pressured game, so win win I would say.

Also spotted training with Scotland this week were VDW and Tom Gordon. VDW is not quite qualified yet but they are clearly getting him up to speed and Gordon is probably the cab off the rank if we have any back row injuries, he must have been pretty close to a call up before Toonie went for Cowan's experience.

by **RDW** Sun 18 Oct 2020, 10:42 pm

Been pretty quiet on here over the weekend! Anyone watch the final?

Sounds like SHC was the pick of the bunch with his Championship defending turnover! (legal 0r not)

Hogg was pretty quiet, but the way Exeter played he was going to be relying on scraps. Jonny was Jonny.

Finn, well, a lot of good but was involved in some real howlers too. Not helped by his 9 having a performance to rival Bergamasco granted, but pundits and punters have been quick to bring the knives out for him.

by **NeilyBroon** Mon 19 Oct 2020, 6:45 am

I think certain punters just wait for his bad games though... any excuse!

But I'm glad we now have Hastings as a very decent option. Means we can hook Finn if he's having a bad day at the office, when we would be solely depending on him before.

SHC being the pick would be great if Toonie actually picked him! I don't know why it is Scottish players seem to go nuts in pressure games even outside of Scotland, it sounds as if none of ours had a good game really. Was Skinner at least good?

by **BigGee** Mon 19 Oct 2020, 8:40 am

I thought SHC was very solid when he came on and had a good game despite the turnover (which was marginal in the extreme!), he does the basics very well and definitely seemed to put some pace onto the Exeter attack during the last 15 mins.

I have not always been his biggest fan, but I could well see him coming back into the squad after the Premiership final next weekend.

by **BigGee** Mon 19 Oct 2020, 8:59 am

https://www.606v2.com/t69791-scotland-v-georgia-friday-24th-october#3930944

by **RDW** Thu 22 Oct 2020, 10:16 pm

So 12 Barbarians player thought it would be a good idea to go out for dinner last night, and violation of the strict Covid participation agreement they all signed. The game is now in doubt.

Tabloids are alleging that Maitland was one of them, if which true was really freaking stupid of him and could even put his selection against Wales in doubt (depending on how strict the Covid bubbles are).

Idiots, idiots, idiots.

by demosthenes Fri 23 Oct 2020, 4:34 pm

RDW wrote:So 12 Barbarians player thought it would be a good idea to go out for dinner last night, and violation of the strict Covid participation agreement they all signed. The game is now in doubt.

Tabloids are alleging that Maitland was one of them, if which true was really freaking stupid of him and could even put his selection against Wales in doubt (depending on how strict the Covid bubbles are).

Idiots, idiots, idiots.

Covidiots all. And has Maitland now played his last game for Scotland? I suspect so. If, as rumoured, there is a RFU enquiry, and talk of legal action (due to the costs incurred) then I cant see the SRU just turning round and rewarding him with more caps, match bonuses, etc. A pity, a stupid, stupid way to go out, if this is the case.

by Hazel Sapling Fri 23 Oct 2020, 4:48 pm

Don't think the SRU are not going to pick Maitland for going to a Sarries-heavy dinner with a number of senior Baa-Baa players.

We are not overly blessed with back three players and Hoyland picked up an injury. Steyn is injured and a centre anyway. Not sure if Mcguigan is also injured. Without Maitland, that leaves Tagive, an out of position Harris/H Jones or trying to coax Seymour out of retirement if we pick up any further wing injuries over 6 games in 7 weeks.

It is stupid and might rule him out of the Wales game as he is out of the bubble but fully expect him back for the France game. It is not an alleged Class A drug offence or a punch up with a team mate. It is going to dinner at the wrong time with a number of consenting adults.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Oct 2020, 1:57 am

Whatever the exact rules I don't think it would be a good idea to pick him for the Wales game - it's not likely we desperately need him and would serve too much of a distraction. Townsend has had enough of that lately! Really he probably shouldn't train with the squad this week either - I can't imagine anyone wants to be taking risks just now as cancelled 6N/8N games would be a disaster.

It's funny how things work out - he may never play for Scotland again if the new generation shows he isn't missed in his absence! Would be a sad end to his international career though.

Bet he wishes he wasn't released to the Babas now...

(Or more accurately bet he wishes he didn't leave the hotel in search of spaghetti)

by bsando Sat 24 Oct 2020, 1:41 pm

All seems a bit harsh to me. They made a mistake but if any team was going to do that it was the Baa Baa's. A bunch of legends of the game thrown together for what is traditionally a boozey run in to a big game. It had the potential for something like this to happen. After a few tame nights they obviously cracked and felt safer as a larger group rather than say 4-5 of them doing it.

It's also a difficult time for anyone to restrain ones self and do the right thing as the constant restrictions and changes to the rules are getting everyone fairly fatigued. We are lucky to live in a country where our freedoms are rarely inhibited and to get that freedom taken away from us for large parts of this year has and will eventually result in more offenders.

They made a big mistake and I suppose the Barbarians need to lay down the punishment or perhaps world rugby need to step in?

As for the SRU, why should they not play Maitland? Does he have covid? Wasn't he going to travel down and travel back anyway? If anything he just needs a test before reentering the Scotland setup and that should be that. It's not the SRU's job to punish him or make an example of him for something he did with another organisation. I highly doubt his Scotland career is jeopardy and he'll be lining up this autumn at some point. He'd be in my matchday XXIII that's for sure.

by 123456789. Sat 24 Oct 2020, 2:51 pm

Maitland has breached Covid regulations twice now, maybe three times if he was on both Baabaas nights out. We have Kinghorn, Hogg, Graham and Van Der Merwe in place. I would be tempted to leave him out. Bring him back in for the Six Nations.
With a view to next week, I am not sure last night told us much we did not know. Georgia were rubbish. It was not a hugely different performance from the ones against Samoa, Georgia and Italy. In itself that is a step forward as 5-10 years ago these were the teams we were scrapping with. Our defence is good enough that they don't really worry us.
I think Townsend's paid lip service to the idea that Hastings played really well in the Six Nations by starting him last night. Russell should start next week, preferably with Horne. I'd have Johnson back at 12 if he comes through unscathed. I think Harris has the 13 shirt to himself these days but I'd still prefer Jones. Hogg should be back at 15 with Graham and VDM on the wings. I'd keep the pack pretty much the same but with Gray and Skinner coming in.

by **BigGee** Sat 24 Oct 2020, 4:20 pm

I suppose it is worth asking the question what kind of shape do we think Hoggy and JG will be in next week, having just come off two of the biggest club games of their lives, they may need to have a bit of a recharge. mentally as much as physically. They most likely won't be able even to train until midweek if they are battered (probably more likely in JGs case)

There is a decent case for leaving both of them out next week, or maybe benching them as he did for Finn this week, Toolis and Cummings certainly put out a pretty convincing case for starting next week in any case.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 24 Oct 2020, 4:28 pm

BigGee wrote:I suppose it is worth asking the question what kind of shape do we think Hoggy and JG will be in next week, having just come off two of the biggest club games of their lives, they may need to have a bit of a recharge. mentally as much as physically. They most likely won't be able even to train until midweek if they are battered (probably more likely in JGs case)

There is a decent case for leaving both of them out next week, or maybe benching them as he did for Finn this week, Toolis and Cummings certainly put out a pretty convincing case for starting next week in any case.

JG not so fussed if he has a game from the bench or off, Hogg hopefully should be okay as I don't want another week of Kinghorn trying to go it alone with 3 players running futile support lines. When they play the 6Ns it's intense test matches every week, so I expect we'll see Hogg starting but maybe JG will bench being more in the frontline.

by Anglobraveheart Sat 24 Oct 2020, 4:58 pm

JG benching for Exeter today, but I still think he should be on the bench v Wales.

by tigertattie Sat 24 Oct 2020, 8:47 pm

Wales looking a bit flat in defence.

France are looking very very good in attack though. They’d be up by more if they didn’t give away penalties with gay aband

Mind you, forward passes are helping them

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 24 Oct 2020, 9:41 pm

Well I think we should beware a bounce back in performance from Wales next week but I really do think this is our best opportunity to get the away win we desperately need to move forward. I think we have the clout to rattle them up front, and with finn starting, Johnson back in the centres (and maybe even Huw Jones back in the 23... Come on Toonie, this is getting ridiculous!) Then we stand a really good chance. It'll cheer me up knowing we did alright this year!

by funnyExiledScot Sat 24 Oct 2020, 9:55 pm

Yes, Wales were not good tonight, and we should watch out for a response for them. Some top notch Welsh players went missing tonight.

What is critical for us is Russell starting at 10. The Welsh defence is not what it was, and whilst I rate Hastings highly, he just isn't in the same class as Russell.

by bsando Sat 24 Oct 2020, 10:11 pm

I’d still have Wales as favourites until we actually beat them away and then at home in consecutive years. They will expect to win next weekend and feel they need to after some poor defensive displays. And they just had a fierce and competitive test match against France while Scotland pushed aside Georgia who didn’t fire too many shots. I’m certain it’ll be a good game though, I’d just like to see Scotland step up and be clinical away from home for once.

by **RDW** Sat 24 Oct 2020, 11:12 pm

Skinner wasn't great and Gray made a big impact off the bench apparently. Hogg didn't have much involvement given the awful conditions.

There's no way Hogg will want to be left out next week! Gray might be benched as has been said.

by Guest Sat 24 Oct 2020, 11:14 pm

I thought Skinner was very good. Played well in the lineout.

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