Scotland 6N 2021 thread

[Highland Shaun]

First topic message reminder :

As requested by RDW in the Scotland 2020 thread, I have taken on the job of starting the 2021 6N thread as I want to contribute to the forum as much as I can .

First things first, here are the games and starting times for Scotland 6N 2021 matches :

Game 1: A daunting opener against reigning 6N and ANC champions, England (at a bogey round) on Feb 6th, KO: 1645hrs
Game 2: Our first home game of 6N 2021, against a team in transition or a rebuilding process, Wales on Feb 13th, KO: 1645hrs.
Game 3: Another daunting prospect, this time in the Stade De France, against the very entertaining French team, KO: 1500hrs on Feb 28th.
Game 4: Our second home match, this time against our bogey Celtic cousins Ireland on March 14th, KO: 1500hrs.
Game 5: We end our 2021 campaign at home against Italy, usually seen as a Wooden Spoon decider and one Italy always target as a winnable game, even though its been a few years since they have actually beaten us. This game is on March 20th with a KO time of 1415hrs.

I think most fans would be happy with 3 wins from 5 and Tbh, that is easily achievable if we play to our potential. I know that we have a poor record v Ireland but we know that records are breakable, we are at home so should be aiming for a win in that. I, as most Scotland fans no doubt, would LOVE a win at Twickenham to break the only never ending hoodoo left to beat but I think we all know how tough it will be. It may be good to get them first up but tbh, I don't see it make a difference unless England totally underestimate us or get massively hit by Covid etc.

I also think Gregor Townsend has to deliver positive results etc in order to win over the doubters (I am not one by the way, I am probably the only one on this forum that backs his new contract) once and for all, he will have a tough job picking his squad for the 6N, some players are and will, over the next few weeks, be putting up their hands regarding selection (Rory Hutchinson and Huw Jones fall into this category) and some will be hoping to retain their places on the back of good ANC performances (van der Walt and Duncy Weir for example).

So now comes the bit where you guys can contribute to the thread, who would you pick as the pool of players (is it 26 names?) for the 6N, have you got any left field choices that nobody would expect to see in it, Finlay Christie (as an example because I know a lot would love to see him in the Scotland blue) perhaps?

Hopefully this thread satisfies RDW .

[RDW]

Given that there's only likely to be one game between now and the England game, looks like there's all to play for in the 1872 game! Can't say there's been anyone demand selection from the recent Edinburgh/Glasgow performances.

I can't see Toonie going massively different from the Autumn Nations Cup. I'm sure Hutchinson will be involved now he's fit, but may have to settle for a bench option. Gary Graeme's form should warrant a callup too, and would be a better bench option than CDP IMO. If R Gray follows up his strong showing he might get a callup too, but may struggle for the 23 barring injuries.

Someone will need to fill in for Hogg for the first few weeks - Toonie will likely go with Kinghorn but Jones has been the more on form player. We may even see Maitland there for added security.

12 is still a big unknown - with no one else really putting their hand up he may stick with Lang. Johnson appears to be injured again.

Other than that I'd be fairly confident on him picking:

1 Sutherland
2 McInally
3 Fagerson
4 J Gray
5 Cummings
6 Ritchie
7 Watson
8 Fagerson

9 Price (although SHC is breathing down his neck)
10 Russell
11 VDM (traitor)
12 Lang
13 Harris
14 Graham
15 Kinghorn

Subs - Kebble, Turner, Berghan, Skinner, Graeme, SHC, Weir, Jones/Maitland/Hutch

[Hazel Sapling]

Agreed on the pack RDW as much as Berghan and Skinner are under threat on the bench.

SHC who has been playing well for Exeter and may even be their first choice at this point, should open for us. Price is likely to start though

At 12, it will depend on the severity of the injury to S Johnson. Lang and Hutch are playing well for their clubs, Taylor had a good half against Ireland and Scott has been playing for Leicester though probably not good enough to force his way into the picture. Turning into the no. 8 position with no one standing out

At 15, the news seems to be Hogg should be fit for England.

[RDW]

Forgot about Taylor! He might start but as we've discussed previously he won't have played a top flight game since the Ireland game. Big risk.

[BigGee]

Squad is out next wednesday apparently.

One question is, what size will it be?

England are talking about limiting theirs to 28 players and only subbing in and out for injuries not form, in order to try and keep a better Covid free bubble.

In many ways, that is niot such a bad idea and surely the Scottish club sides would be happy with that idea as well.

So for the sake of argument, who would you pick if you could only have 28 players in the squad?

Here is my stab:

TH Prop
Zander Fagerson WP Nel Simon Berghan

LH Prop
Rory Sutherland Olie Keeble

Hooker
George Turner Stuart McInally Ewan Ashman

Second Row
Johny Gray Stuart Cummings Sam Skinner

Back Row
Hamish Watson Jamie Ritchie Gary Graham Matt Fagerson

Scrum Half
Ali Price Sam Hidalgo-Clyne Scott Steele

Fly Half
Finn Russell Duncan Weir

Centre
Duncan Taylor Rory Hutchinson Huw Jones Chris Harris Mark Bennett

Wings
Duhan van de Merve Sean Maitland

Full Back
Stuart Hogg


In such a squad versatility will be a useful commodity.

Skinner can also cover the back row

Jones can cover FB and wing

Taylor and Hutch can play both centre positions

Simon Berghan has played LH and Ollie Keeble on the TH


It is incredibly tight to try and get it down to those numbers and some very deserving players would miss out.


All will be revealed on wednesday i guess.

[NeilyBroon]

I'm praying that the 6Ns will not fall victim to Covid. Looking forward to seeing if any lessons have been learnt, otherwise Toonie needs to be hooked, or at the very least given a very opinionated and quality deputy.

Same applies as before. Our attack has to be better and that means beyond Finn too. The only one I expect to be different in your squad biggee is VdW at FH over duncy.

[Hazel Sapling]

I think 28 will be too small but can see us doing 31 like at the RWC or maybe 32 to give us that little more leeway.

That would allow us to add a third LH to the squad (probably Dell as Bhatti will want to establish himself at Bath), a lock (R Gray), a back rower or two (any one of CDP, Thomson or Haining) and an extra winger (Graham or Kinghorn).

Going in with seven players for the back five just seems to be asking for trouble if anyone is injured or falls ill (non-Covid) the day before or of the game.

[BigGee]

I suspect you might be right Hazel, i really struggled to get it down to 28 and it does look a bit bare in parts.

If we go to 31, i eould adf another prop, Dell as you suggest. Another second row, Glen Young (Toonie wildcard) and another back three player, Darcy Graham.

If we hit 32, then another back row, though i am not sure we have another standout candidate, so msybe Cowan.

[BigGee]

Rumours on other sites that McInally's injury is worse than is being let on at the moment. A slipped (prolapsed) disc being talked about. Slightly worrying as I believe he has had neck problems before and that is not a good thing as a hooker.

Could be out for the whole tournament.

[bsando]

Ah what a shame! Hopefully it won't be as serious as Nels was a few years ago, not nice for him at all.

I'd hope that every nation has to adhere to the same rules on squads and we get a fair outcome. The 6N is going to be impacted in some way though, there are just too many cases across Europe now. I'm very much in the "we should cancel it" camp. I like rugby a lot and want to see games being played in the best possible conditions, not just to generate income, but I'll still watch of course.

I can't see the squad being much different from the Autumn, would there be anyone sneaking into contention? The only player I think I'd like to see back is Richie Gray. He surely has one more test to play alongside his brother, that was a very good combination only a few years ago.

[Anglobraveheart]

Rumours on other sites that McInally's injury is worse than is being let on at the moment. A slipped (prolapsed)  disc being talked about. Slightly worrying as I believe he has had neck problems before and that is not a good thing as a hooker.
Could be out for the whole tournament.

That's not good news for McInally or us. There is also Grant Stewart, but I suspect that Ashman will be the next in line.
Would Bradbury be in there before Haining? He has had more game time than Haining recently.
I think that a squad of 31 is likely.

[BigGee]

Haining has not played for a while, injured I believe, so hard to see him being in the squad. If we have room for another back row player, it would be CDP, Thompson or Cowan I would imagine.

[Highland Shaun]

Taylor got injured yesterday too , I saw a tweet from either Rob Robertson or Gav Harper.

[RDW]

Who is this Stuart Cummings bloke you list Biggee? Is that Scott's younger brother?

Haining was on the bench for Edinburgh, but agree that Bradbury has been the more regular pick.

[BigGee]

Well spotted boss!

Unless we have a normal size squad 35-40 players then i can't see Haining or Bradbury being in it.

There is a lot of sense cutting down the squad sizes and it won't do the pro teams any harm for them to hang onto a few more players.

[BigGee]

https://www.theoffsideline.com/stuart-mcinally-specialist-opinion/?v=79cba1185463


McInally update, sounds a bit worrying.

[RDW]

Bugger - that could be bad.

Just as we get our 10s back we then lose our hookers! 2, 8, 10 and 15 are meant to be the spine of the time. Looks like we could be going into another tournament without that being complete.

As for the squad numbers Biggee, I hope we don't just have 28 people as that would leave us very light at SR, BR and back 3. 32 is the minimum IMO.

[bsando]

Turner has been playing well so it's good we have him to step up. A great opportunity for him really and Cherry at Edinburgh is a solid bench option. Unproven at international level going into a 6N isn't ideal though.

I watched the first half of Racing vs Toulon last night, what a first 40 mins of Rugby! Ma'a Nonu is still an amazing player, Russell did well in defence against him but he defended Russell excellently too. Toulon look like a force now, their pack is ridiculous. One player who impressed was ex warrior Brian Alainu'uese. Shame he was injured for so long at Warriors because he looks in great form now.

As for Scotland, I hope we can just front up physically like we did in 2020 before covid arrived.

[funnyExiledScot]

Really disappointing having both hookers out, particularly in Lions year with both otherwise firmly in contention.

Turner is next in line, and Dave Cherry deserves a spot on the bench for me. I'm not concerned about either of them to be honest, but still a blow to be missing two cracking players.

With Turner in, I wonder whether that may tip the balance for Ritchie Gray to return. I though the Glasgow locks were terrific in tandem the other night, and the lineout (and scrum) went well.

Feels wrong advocating a Glasgow core to the Scotland pack though. Might need a rethink....

[NeilyBroon]

Any wildcards? I reckon Toonie might try to persuade Healy to join the squad in light of the failed Glasgow acquisition and Hastings injury.

[BigGee]

Any wildcards? I reckon Toonie might try to persuade Healy to join the squad in light of the failed Glasgow acquisition and Hastings injury.

That might have been a good call, but he is injured. If he was going to declare for Scotland, then surely would have signed for Glasgow.


You are right about expecting a left field pick from Toonie though. It is always exciting awaiting his squad.

I will go for Glen Young, who is tearing it up for Quins atm and will be heading back north for next season and the perineal hope that Cameron Redpath finally sees sense. There is a 12 shirt with his name on it if he was to do so!

[tigertattie]

Any wildcards? I reckon Toonie might try to persuade Healy to join the squad in light of the failed Glasgow acquisition and Hastings injury.

The Scotsman is touting Alun Walker of Ealing to get a call from Toonie for the hooker berth.

Scraping the barrel if we’re lining our hopes on a player not playing top flight rugby

[BigGee]

Any wildcards? I reckon Toonie might try to persuade Healy to join the squad in light of the failed Glasgow acquisition and Hastings injury.

The Scotsman is touting Alun Walker of Ealing to get a call from Toonie for the hooker berth.

Scraping the barrel if we’re lining our hopes on a player not playing top flight rugby

I'd probably go for Cherry, as he has played well enough when he has gotten the chance for Edinburgh this season. We are going to need three in the squad though, so I would bring Ashman in as the third. The others are all going to be around the 30 mark as are FB and SM and we will need to be looking to the future in these selections as well. None of our front line hookers might be playing come the next WC.

[jimbopip]

Gee! Perineal Hope???
I'm sure she worked in a "Gentleman's Club" tigertattie used to frequent.

[bsando]

Any wildcards? I reckon Toonie might try to persuade Healy to join the squad in light of the failed Glasgow acquisition and Hastings injury.

That might have been a good call, but he is injured. If he was going to declare for Scotland, then surely would have signed for Glasgow.


You are right about expecting a left field pick from Toonie though. It is always exciting awaiting his squad.

I will go for Glen Young, who is tearing it up for Quins atm and will be heading back north for next season and the perineal hope that Cameron Redpath finally sees sense. There is a 12 shirt with his name on it if he was to do so!

Hunter-Hill perhaps as well? He must be close to contention if likes of Maitland and Taylor are getting involved. It is exciting awaiting a Toonie squad.

I was just thinking about how we have a lot of depth in several positions now but a lack of players holding down a shirt. That is probably the hope for this tournament, that a few of those problem positions will become a bit more obvious. At the moment for me the obvious picks are the following...

1. Sutherland
2. ?
3. Fagerson
4. Cummings
5. Gray
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. ?
9. Price
10. Russell
11. VDM
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
15. Hogg

Graham, Kinghorn, and Maitland are all great players and could slot in at 14 but if I had to pick I'd got for Maitland. He's solid defensively and positionally, where as the young guys are still learning. The midfield is arguably set with Johnson/Harris but it seems to always be up for debate. Bennett has looked sharp at 13 for Edinburgh and Dean looked back to his best against Glasgow. I would be very tempted to add them into the equation. Then redpath? Hutchinson? So many options.
Then the forwards and the debate at eight which is starting to get a bit old now. Graham to start? Or someone like Thomson or Fagerson who have had more game time? The backrow as whole can be debated quite heavily. For a physical side like England should we have Skinner, Ritchie and Graham starting? Or keep Ritchie at 6 and Watson at 7? I think Toonie can change this to suit the opposition but perhaps he's looking for more continuity.

[BigGee]

Gee! Perineal Hope???
I'm sure she worked in a "Gentleman's Club" tigertattie used to frequent.

Yes, I should not really have gotten that one wrong with me being a nurse and my mum a midwife!

[tigertattie]

Gee! Perineal Hope???
I'm sure she worked in a "Gentleman's Club" tigertattie used to frequent.

Used to????

[BigGee]

Mark Palmer predicting that Cameron Redpath will be the joker in the pack from Toonie this time around.

That would be a very good move if it is so, a young talented 12 is just what we need going forward.

[No 7&1/2]

Mark Palmer predicting that Cameron Redpath will be the joker in the pack from Toonie this time around.

That would be a very good move if it is so, a young talented 12 is just what we need going forward.

And a touch disappointing from an england pov. Looks a really promising player.

[BigGee]

Mark Palmer predicting that Cameron Redpath will be the joker in the pack from Toonie this time around.

That would be a very good move if it is so, a young talented 12 is just what we need going forward.

And a touch disappointing from an england pov. Looks a really promising player.

So many options for England and if it had not been for an unfortunate injury a couple of years ago, he would maybe be one of them. It can be funny how fate can work sometimes. It would however always have been strange to see the son of a legendary Scotland captain playing for England.

[No 7&1/2]

Yeah. Its cropping up quite a lot these days. If he goes to scotland think he'll be great for you.

[Hazel Sapling]

Wouldn't be too upset 7.5, my favourite 12 in the English league right now is Ollie Devoto at Exeter. If Farrell is out, 12 becomes a problem spot for England. Tuilagi, with his injuries, is probably going to have to start considering if he is better off taking a big contract in France or Japan after his Sale contract ends rather than hoping to survive to the RWC2023. Not sure who the next cab off the rank would be. Maybe Joseph at 12?

If Redpath comes in to the Scotland fold, it would be between him and Hutchinson to start. Hutchinson has looked better at 12 than at 13, where I think he looks weaker defensively and less involved offensively, so we should see one of them pair with Harris. S Johnson would need to show something in training to keep them out

[No 7&1/2]

Not to take it too much to england we have some options. Think jones intends Lawrence there. I would shudder if redpath were to start in a couple of weeks like as hes bound to be motm!

[bsando]

“A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” - Jean de La Fontaine

[RDW]

“A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” - Jean de La Fontaine

Oh jeez you're gonna set Jimbo off with a post like that.

[Geordie]

Redpath is confirmed to Scotland...by Bath.

[BigGee]

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/2021-guinness-six-nations-squad-announced

Here it is!

Old Gray, Ashman, Gary Graham and Cherry as well as Alex Craig come in. No room for Ben Toolis.

Cameron Redpath is the big talking point in the backs, with no SHC (only 2 SHs), or Sam Johnson, McGuigan comes back in and no room for Hutch or Bennett (whose ship it seems may unfortunately have sailed).

Couple of surprises as ever and not a lot we can do about the hooker situation, but all in all a very decent looking squad.


I can't say how pleased I am about Redpath, who really could be our long term solution at 12.

[BigGee]

Rory Darge, Rufs Mclean and Jamie Dobie have all been asked to train with the squad as well, clearly being seen as future internationals.

Dobie could get called up this time around if he is not careful!

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

No SHC is really quite irritating. Not too much else to complain about although would've liked to have seen Bennett in there. For me Lang hasn't done anything at all to merit inclusion, but happy to see Redpath in there who could be a cracking option for us.

[NeilyBroon]

I reckon Toonie will have guaranteed redpath an inclusion to tempt him to the blue. Great coup nonetheless!

Like others surprised SHC isn't involved, probably harsh on Bennett too. Mcguigan is also surprising but I don't imagine he'll get much if any gametime.

[BigGee]

No SHC is really quite irritating. Not too much else to complain about although would've liked to have seen Bennett in there. For me Lang hasn't done anything at all to merit inclusion, but happy to see Redpath in there who could be a cracking option for us.

Bennett has been playing well and is most likely the unlucky one to miss out. Hutch was injured and Saints form has likely counted against him. Johnson as well, has just not been firing this season and is also injured again.

At 13, Harris has the shirt on his back and is Mr Consistent. It is not going to be easy to get it off him. The other 2 options at 13 Jones and Taylor, both have versatility on their side as does Redpath, who also plays 13 and occasionally 10. Looking at it that way, you can see why Bennett is not getting picked.

[BigGee]

Going in with only 2 SHs is surprising, so maybe SHC is injured, it does not make a lot of sense otherwise.

I guess McGuigan is the next cab off the rank for back three players, no-one else really putting in a shout, but hard to see him getting a game unless we take some casualties.

[Geordie]

Gary Graham deserves his spot. been on rampaging fire form this season.

[BigGee]

I reckon Toonie will have guaranteed redpath an inclusion to tempt him to the blue. Great coup nonetheless!

Like others surprised SHC isn't involved, probably harsh on Bennett too. Mcguigan is also surprising but I don't imagine he'll get much if any gametime.

I think Redpath will likely get an inclusion on his own merits. Maybe off the bench to begin with but Duncan Taylor seems unlikely to not get injured he could be starting soon. I feel he is a better option than Lang (who I do also rate, based on what I have seen for Quins). He may well cover 10/12 from the bench, we are not likely to sub Finn off unless he gets injured.

We could have a backs bench with Redpath, Jones and Graham, that would be some impact.

[Hazel Sapling]

Squad list by position

LH) Kebble, Sutherland, Dell
HK) Turner, Stewart, Cherry, Ashman (Ashman has covered back row for Sale)
TH) Z Fagerson, Nel, Berghan
LK) J Gray, Cummings, R Gray, Gilchrist, Craig
BR) Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson, Graham, Thomson

SH) Price, Steele
FH) Russell, VDW
Centres) Redpath, Lang, Taylor, Harris
Back 3) Hogg, DVDM, Maitland, Graham, Kinghorn, H Jones, McGuigan

[NeilyBroon]

Given how dry our attack has been the prospect of having any form of impact is exciting!

[demosthenes]

Squad list by position

LH) Kebble, Sutherland, Dell
HK) Turner, Stewart, Cherry, Ashman (Ashman has covered back row for Sale)
TH) Z Fagerson, Nel, Berghan
LK) J Gray, Cummings, R Gray, Gilchrist, Craig
BR) Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson, Graham, Thomson

SH) Price, Steele
FH) Russell, VDW
Centres) Redpath, Lang, Taylor, Harris
Back 3) Hogg, DVDM, Maitland, Graham, Kinghorn, H Jones

You missed out McGuigan.

So would I.

[bsando]

Good to see Craig back in the mix! He looks like he's been doing well at Gloucester so he could be an exciting addition to the pack if he gets his chance.

No Sam Johnson I see, perhaps he wasn't doing enough to stay in the frame. However, Dean and Bennett were both playing well recently and no look in for them either. Amazing news to see Redpath in the squad. I am guessing he is Toonies new inside centre to partner Harris at 13. Not a bad idea if you ask me he, seems seems a very talented player. The next generation of backs for Scotland are building nicely!

Team for England

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray
Gray
Ritchie
Watson
Graham
Price
Russell
VDM
Redpath
Harris
Maitland
Hogg

Cherry, Kebble, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Steele, VDW, Jones

[BigGee]

Good to see Craig back in the mix! He looks like he's been doing well at Gloucester so he could be an exciting addition to the pack if he gets his chance.

No Sam Johnson I see, perhaps he wasn't doing enough to stay in the frame. However, Dean and Bennett were both playing well recently and no look in for them either. Amazing news to see Redpath in the squad. I am guessing he is Toonies new inside centre to partner Harris at 13. Not a bad idea if you ask me he, seems seems a very talented player. The next generation of backs for Scotland are building nicely!

Team for England

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray
Gray
Ritchie
Watson
Graham
Price
Russell
VDM
Redpath
Harris
Maitland
Hogg

Cherry, Kebble, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Steele, VDW, Jones

I don't think that will be far away that team.

Can't see Cummings not starting though, though not clear which Gray he would start with. I think Taylor will start at 12 if he is fit, it would be a lot to expect Redpath to make his debut against England, might be better to ease him in off the bench.

[jimbopip]

Team for England
Kebble
Turner
Ragnar
Cummings
Old Gray
Batman Graham
Middle Fagerson
Mullett Hamish
Not a bad looking pack, though you do hope the flankers don't let anyone down.

Aldi Price
Dancer
VDM
Spacey
The Hardest Working Man In..
No Maits
Hogg

Stewart, Sutherland, Nel, Ickle Jonny, Mbawza, House Elf, VDW, H Jones, Graham.

I wouldn't have Blarehorn near the squad on current form. Toonie really rates hom though. So that's Harris, McGuigan and Blarehorn that Toonie really, really rates while their form baffles the rest of us.

[jimbopip]

“A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” - Jean de La Fontaine

Oh jeez you're gonna set Jimbo off with a post like that.

See how I control the feeble-minded misfits on this forum? I don't have to post high flown French intellectual quotes anymore; you do it for me. Nor do I have to think up a "humourous" rejoinder; that's been subcontacted overseas to Flounder.
Ha! My dominance is total.

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