Scotland v Italy 6N Championship Saturday 20th March 2021

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Scotland v Italy
6N Championship
Saturday 20th March 2021
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Edinburgh
KO 14.15


Well not quite the wooden spoon game, Italy will get that eve if they were to win, but the chance to salvage some pride for both sides.

Italy have had a poor 6N no doubt and have not even managed to be competitive in any of their matches. Even those of us who love their involvement in the tournament and are hoping for them to come good have been struggling a bit with that this year. Will they have anything left in the tank for one last heave against Scotland, the match they always fancy they have a chance in?

Scotland have been their usual frustrating selves this year, but maybe with a difference as their performances do suggest they should be competitive with the top sides in the tournament and yet they have not taken their chances when they have presented themselves and look set for 5th place again, better than Italy but tantalising short of the other sides. Beating Italy well and then having a good crack at France also offers them some shot at a redemption. We would have taken 3 wins at the beginning of the tournament and it is still a possibility, albeit a long shot now.

Scotland, in all likelihood, face two quick turnaround matches now if they game against France goes ahead on the following Friday as is being currently predicted. They also took a battering against Ireland and a few injuries, all of which points to a changed team and some rotation for the Italy game. I would expect some squad reinforcements announced today and a different looking team for next week. maybe something along these lines:


1. Sutherland - hopefully will get subbed off early
2. Cherry - deserves a start and Turner deserves a rest
3. Nel - again, hopefully a shortish stint
4. Gilchrist
5. Skinner
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Fagerson M
9. Steele - Price definitely needs a rest
10. VDW - hard to see any other option really
11. Maitland
12. Johnson
13. Jones H - he really deserves a start
14. VDM
15. Hogg

Subs

Keeble/Bhatti (Bhatti actually did ok on sunday)
Ashman - excellent opportunity to get him capped
Berghan
Craig - debut off the bench
Baylis - if fit or Haining if not
Dobie
Harris
Graham

4 tries in 18 mins!.....

Duhan is just strong. Scary strong

Jones gave away a penalty, that's Toonie not selecting him for another 2 years then.

VdM is so good to watch, I really hope he gets a chance with the Lions.

As bonkers as I expected. Highly entertaining

Mind you...
At 17-10 the Italian's had a good attacking position, we scored from a turnover. 24-10 is a world away from, potentially, 17-17. Again if they score from that final lineout 24-17 would be a close game.
What I think I'm trying to say is we should be out of sight but we aren't...yet.
The Hardest Working Man And the Pedestrian Saffer will up the tempo and rip it up in the second half.

Hardest working man and the pedestrian saffer??? What does that even mean??

You're right Jimbo, can't switch off. Only two converted Italian tries to be level again. I'm looking forward to Kebble coming on and Turner too, both big ball carriers. The yardage Scotland are making in the carry seems massive after last weekends match where 1m felt like good gains.

As the ref was discussing the yellow with Italy Scotland scored under the post.

bsando wrote:Hardest working man and the pedestrian saffer??? What does that even mean??

That’s Chris Harris and Jaco VDW to you and me bsando!

Steele has done well to finish that from there, poor Italian defence again letting him over from that position though. Bet he’s enjoying the chance to play at 9 rather than back row!

Great try for Steele! He's done very well with his chance today.

Taking Maitland off is an, er, interesting call. He’s been excellent today. Sleepy Sean didn’t look too impressed either

So Scotland front row is now next season's third choice for Glasgow. Hmm

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Taking Maitland off is an, er, interesting call. He’s been excellent today. Sleepy Sean didn’t look too impressed either

28 points up. You want to get jaco some game time. Could have taken Darcy off as he’s been clattered a few times but that’s about it.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:VdM is so good to watch, I really hope he gets a chance with the Lions.

VDM has done nothing since England game. Tour player but not a test starter for me.

tigertattie wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Taking Maitland off is an, er, interesting call. He’s been excellent today. Sleepy Sean didn’t look too impressed either

28 points up. You want to get jaco some game time. Could have taken Darcy off as he’s been clattered a few times but that’s about it.

Exactly what I would’ve done. So watch him score a late hat-trick now

Who'd be the Italian coach?

Good strength.

Italy really are poor. Very poor. Simple simple things they are getting wrong

Scary pass from VDW there

What a pass there from Price.

What a kick from Price there

Toonie for gods sake, give Jaco some game time and dont risk any injuries to Hogg

It’s all gone a bit flat

Good win, job done. Hard to draw too many conclusions given the quality of the opposition but was particularly impressed with Maitland and Cherry, and thought Steele took his chance well

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Taking Maitland off is an, er, interesting call. He’s been excellent today. Sleepy Sean didn’t look too impressed either

28 points up. You want to get jaco some game time. Could have taken Darcy off as he’s been clattered a few times but that’s about it.

Exactly what I would’ve done. So watch him score a late hat-trick now

Just realised he was saving him for next weekend against France. Toonie rates Maitland a lot so I imagine that is why he was off so early.

And it was great to have an attacking threat at 13 again!

Not quite sure what to make if that. I’d say we played well but a lot of that was down to how poor Italy were.

They’ll be calls for relegation again after that game

It must be pass marks all round. Cherry seems to epitomize "capable, hard working solid professional ".

bsando wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Taking Maitland off is an, er, interesting call. He’s been excellent today. Sleepy Sean didn’t look too impressed either

28 points up. You want to get jaco some game time. Could have taken Darcy off as he’s been clattered a few times but that’s about it.

Exactly what I would’ve done. So watch him score a late hat-trick now

Just realised he was saving him for next weekend against France. Toonie rates Maitland a lot so I imagine that is why he was off so early.

Yeah I was a bit slow at realising this too. Forgot we have a ludicrous game against France that kicks off about 4 minutes after this match ends. Right call actually, soz Gregor.

It must be pass marks all round. Cherry seems to epitomize "capable, hard working solid professional ".

Well according to the BBC the offer to release players has been rejected by the prl. A bit of a mess by the organisers and wholly unfair on Scotland and potentially Wales now.

Yeah I bet the 6N didn't want to foot the bill to compensate English clubs which I had noticed was mentioned by numerous English clubs prior

It should be the French footing the bill. Just makes a mockery of the tournament.

DVDM bagged me 162 points on fantasy rugby. Hogg was my captain and he got 161.8 after his score of 80.9 was doubled Huw Jones bagged me 121, Watson 84.2. Nearly as good as my team total during the round France vs Scotland was postponed

32 straight losses for Italy now in the Six Nations. There used to be a period where they usually got at least one win per tournament, now they're just getting smashed in nearly every encounter. Don't think playing in a tournament where they're hopelessly outmatched will do much for the growth of the game in their country.

Well that must allow the SRU to insist on the win. Seriously though, Paris is in lockdown so why is tonight's game going ahead?

I think, Jimbo, that both squads have been in isolation (not with each other, but the individual squads have been isolating). Where France messed up last time was going walkabout in Rome for coffees and culture and ended up catching some Covid. But they’ve isolated since and are tested daily, along with Wales, so as long as they all come back clear then they’re good to play. Scotland were just unfortunately that France decided to do some sightseeing!

I understand all that Mr O, but it's not just the time spent on the pitch it's the time spent in airports hotels coaches etc. It's like our Criminally Incompetent PM said about schools, the schools themselves are perfectly safe, it's all the mixing that goes on around them!

Well, I’m far from a Covid expert. But if they’re all tested every day.... isn’t that ok???

PRL players now being released for Friday .

Well I'm pleased with that result - absolutely pumped them, no apparent injuries and players were able to be taken off early. We didn't really have to get out of second gear.

Worth saying how awful Italy were - I think that's one of their worst performances against us of the 6N era.

Standouts for me were Watson, Jones and Duhan, with good performances from Z Fagerson, Cherry and Hogg.

The biggest talking point pre-game was Hogg at 10, but the way the game was it didn't make.much difference to our play as he's a key playmaker for us anyway. It did however mean he wasn't often in the wider channels, which is where he's most dangerous.

On that point, I did like how we worked out wide - it wasn't just a case of 'give it to Duhan'. We made sure we manufactured an opportunity first before releasing him, with the Price break being case on point. Duhan was outstanding though, albeit very forgiving defence. The outside backs also worked hard to run support lines off him, which worked well. Hopefully these lessons can be taken into the big games.

Yeah a match full of positives by the end. Italy really allowed Scotland to play. It was a similar game to Scotland vs Samoa in the World Cup. Fast and free flowing.

For France I’m sure we’ll see a much tighter game and hopefully a low penalty count. France may not be so fresh on Friday after that belter of a test match yesterday. They’ll be down Willemse as well who is a monstrous carrier. Quite excited for this match, I think Scotland will make it entertaining.