Scotland 6N lookahead

by Highland Shaun Wed 28 Sep 2022, 22:54

First topic message reminder :

Results in aggregate this year for the national team were:

5 February 2022 - Scotland 20–17 England
12 February 2022 - Wales 20–17 Scotland
26 February 2022 - Scotland 17–36 France
12 March 2022 - Italy 22–33 Scotland
19 March 2022 - Ireland 26–5 Scotland
2 July 2022 - Argentina 26–18 Scotland
9 July 2022 - Argentina 6–29 Scotland
16 July 2022 - Argentina 34–31 Scotland
29 October 2022 - Scotland 15–16 Australia
5 November 2022 - Scotland 28–12 Fiji
13 November 2022 - Scotland 23–31 New Zealand
19 November 2022 - Scotland 52–29 Argentina

P 12 W 5 L 7
Erm

by jimbopip Wed 09 Nov 2022, 19:51

tigertattie wrote:All hail jimbo and his quote function failings lol

Did that just so GC would know I wasn't being too serious. Whistle

by **BigGee** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 20:05

I think that will be pretty close Jim

I would have White starting. A little bit torn about Hoggy, heart v head and all that. I also don't want that to be the story either.

Probably Hogg to start and gets subbed by Blairhorn if he is putting in another lacklustre performance. He does need to realise he is playing for his shirt now, Baxter had no qualms dropping him when he drifted off at Exeter and i would not blink if Toonie did the same.

by Heuer27 Wed 09 Nov 2022, 20:17

I would have white at 9 but if Dancer starts, then he will pick Price to minimise the disruption. They are best buddies and have played together for years . It sort of make sense, so clearly Hornito will start.

by jimbopip Wed 09 Nov 2022, 20:20

I'm not sure about drifting off Headscratch

Hogg, Price and Hamish all look tired; or are not performing at 100% consistently. It may be that they've played too much rugby and need a rest.
However, they are Test Match Animals to borrow from Ian McGeechan. Sunday will see a packed HQ and the team will all be "up for it" as the common people would say. Perhaps the three of them will rise to the occasion. However, I think Hoggy isn't happy in himself and that was what the rant about hair, teeth and mental health was really about. Would dropping him help him or would it be like replacing pritti Patel with Cruella Braverman. Who's inbox is now full of FES's "artistic" selfies.

Also, I just think that Fagerson-Boxer-Mbawza could be a very good unit: and the best back rows work as a unit. The AB's destroyed Wales with the speed of their recycling and we really need the back five of the pack to put a shift in there.

So, apart from the fact that four of our best players may not be starting, and we don't know who will be managing the game from 10 and we might have our third choice 15 starting .... I have a good feeling about Sunday.

by **RDW** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 20:28

Heuer27 wrote:I would have white at 9 but if Dancer starts, then he will pick Price to minimise the disruption. They are best buddies and have played together for years . It sort of make sense, so clearly Hornito will start.

by Heuer27 Wed 09 Nov 2022, 21:03

I am going to the game on Sunday with my beloved wife. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary, clearly I know how to treat a girl.

Just so she doesn’t spoil it though, I have bought her a ticket 5 rows behind me so I can’t hear her ”what’s happening now” questions. I’ll buy her a ref radio, I’m not heartless.
Win win. Last time I took her to a match, I believe Scotland turned over England to win the 5 nations.

Good omens.

by **RDW** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 21:08

Heuer27 wrote:I am going to the game on Sunday with my beloved wife. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary, clearly I know how to treat a girl.

Just so she doesn’t spoil it though, I have bought her a ticket 5 rows behind me so I can’t hear her ”what’s happening now” questions. I’ll buy her a ref radio, I’m not heartless.
Win win. Last time I took her to a match, I believe Scotland turned over England to win the 5 nations.

Good omens.

Ha congratulations Heuer! You definitely know how to treat a lady

I hear Doddie is making an appearance too - should be a great atmosphere. Shame it's a daytime kickoff as it's always better against the ABs at night.

by **NeilyBroon** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 21:34

I'd put Bennett on the bench over Shona but that's squad is definitely a good look!

by **RDW** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 21:36

NeilyBroon wrote:I'd put Bennett on the bench over Shona but that's squad is definitely a good look!

TBF to Shona he's probably been one of our better players this series. Pretty limited at this level but he carried it enthusiasm angina Aus and made a bit of an impact off the bench against Fiji.

by **BigGee** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 21:54

RDW wrote:
NeilyBroon wrote:I'd put Bennett on the bench over Shona but that's squad is definitely a good look!

TBF to Shona he's probably been one of our better players this series. Pretty limited at this level but he carried it enthusiasm angina Aus and made a bit of an impact off the bench against Fiji.

Enthusiasm Angina sounds like a sexual deviance gone wrong for a slightly older gentleman

Gotta love auto correct Very Happy

by **RDW** Wed 09 Nov 2022, 22:14

BigGee wrote:
Enthusiasm Angina sounds like a sexual deviance gone wrong for a slightly older gentleman

My typing really is terrible on my phone.

I'm not even going to abuse my mod powers and correct that! Everyone needs a laugh

by **George Carlin** Thu 10 Nov 2022, 05:55

jimbopip wrote:
tigertattie wrote:All hail jimbo and his quote function failings lol

Did that just so GC would know I wasn't being too serious.

No manbun for my greying locks James, I was just approximating what my 10 year old daughter would probably say at the moment. Rolling Eyes

by **George Carlin** Thu 10 Nov 2022, 05:57

Heuer27 wrote:I am going to the game on Sunday with my beloved wife. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary, clearly I know how to treat a girl.

Just so she doesn’t spoil it though, I have bought her a ticket 5 rows behind me so I can’t hear her ”what’s happening now” questions. I’ll buy her a ref radio, I’m not heartless.
Win win. Last time I took her to a match, I believe Scotland turned over England to win the 5 nations.

Good omens.

Post of the day, Heuer. Laugh

Congratulations. She's probably a lot like my wife - a very patient woman...

by **BigGee** Thu 10 Nov 2022, 13:21

Bayliss and Redpath both back with Bath this weekend, so not playing agsinst NZ

Is he really going to play a Russell/Kinghorn 10/12 combo?

by jimbopip Thu 10 Nov 2022, 13:35

Russell-Shona-Harris with Blairhorn covering back three from the bench, seems more likely given Shona's experience of playing Super Rugby.

by demosthenes Thu 10 Nov 2022, 14:00

If Toonie goes fully tombola / experimental and wins, he's a genius, and if we lose 'we have learned a lot for the 6N and WC'.

by Tramptastic Thu 10 Nov 2022, 14:28

Shona and Harris in midfield? against the all blacks? the team you need to score points against

F*ck being a scotland supporter, like, knowing you have genuine creative options in the centre like Redpath, Hutchinson, Bennett and it looks like he's gone for Shona "want pass, cant catch" and Harris "Cant pass but that doesnt matter at 13"

Can you honestly say that any of the other six nations coaches would pick that centre partnership given the options?

Eurgh, I'll be overjoyed when they both have a stormer in attack against the blackness and we win for the 1st time ever but don't expect me to be happy about it

Edit: If he chucks blairhorn at 12 against the all blacks we'll have gone full circle to the Hadden days where Southwell was punted in to midfield to no aplomb.

by bsando Thu 10 Nov 2022, 16:09

BigGee wrote:Bayliss and Redpath both back with Bath this weekend, so not playing agsinst NZ

Is he really going to play a Russell/Kinghorn 10/12 combo?

Oh boy

by bsando Thu 10 Nov 2022, 16:31

It seemed like a pretty straight forward selection this week apart from maybe 10 based on autumn so far. What are they playing at?

by jimbopip Thu 10 Nov 2022, 16:38

The pictures on FB today show a training match with dark blue tops V highviz off white bibs. Richie G, Shona, Matt afgerson and Hogg were in the dark blue (who were attacking and thus were the "positive players" facing the camera, as opposed to the chopped liver who weren't captured quite so photogenically). Of the manbun there was no sign. Hoggy's chops were closed tighter than a Morningside matron's thighs so the pearly gnashers were absent too. As they aften are in Morningside, if FES is to be believed. I'm inclined to believe him because how else did he get those scars?
Obviously Toonie has been talking to Hogg about blending in with his peers.

So, Richie at 4, Shona at 12 and Hoggy at 10 Matt F at 15.

by Heuer27 Thu 10 Nov 2022, 17:28

Shona is the poor man’s Vatacawa. Poor as in homeless with a shopping trolley full of plastic bags.
Toonie is trying to get a back line similar to Racings by the look of it. He should really have Bennett outside Shona though to add some sparkle. But that would mean no ball for the wingers from can’t pass won’t pass Bennett. Better stick with never been able to pass Harris. At least he is solid defensively and I’ve got a sneaky feeling that Scotland will be defending quite a bit.

by tigertattie Thu 10 Nov 2022, 17:49

Ya know, I might actually not bother watching this game at this rate!

by EST Thu 10 Nov 2022, 17:51

I have no idea what Townsend is playing at here. It's hard not to come to the conclusion that he has run out of road as the Scotland coach, he probably had done after the 2019 WC. His decision making, along with the game plan, is increasingly all over the shop. I can't understand why you would jettison Redpath after one game, it's just terrible man management.

by Highland Shaun Thu 10 Nov 2022, 19:03

Something tells me that Gregor is trying to use all the players he announced in his original squad a couple of weeks ago so I expect to see George Horne sometime in the next 2 matches.

I also have a feeling we could see Andt Christie play on Sunday.

by jimbopip Fri 11 Nov 2022, 07:35

The team should be announced sometime today. All the controversies will be settled. What shall we talk about then?

by Tramptastic Fri 11 Nov 2022, 07:43

jimbopip wrote:The team should be announced sometime today. All the controversies will be settled. What shall we talk about then?

Something less toxic than Scottish rugby for sure...

Eddie Jones' England side? Alun wyn Jones is too old for test rugby, as is sexton? Why can Shannon frizell and sevu reece play for the all blacks despite being convicted (or certainly accused) of assaulting women?

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 07:45

I don't know! I feel lost when Toonie actually makes a ~~good~~ normal selection.

If it's Shona and Harris then I think we'll be depending on Nel to run the ball 50 metres. If it's Kinghorn we'll all talk about how he's also not a centre. It's like Chris Paterson V2 except Chris could kick.

Imagine if Thompson was on the bench instead of Russell. That'd be comically bad.

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 08:36

Mark Pslmer has tweeted that he has heard that Russell starts.

Nothing on who plays around him though

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 08:45

So we're in lose-lose scenario 2 for Toonie. He'd better hope Russell doesn't have his sensible hat on and has a stinker to justify his exclusion.

Even if Russell plays well I still don't think he'll solve our problems in attack. I think dropping Redpath is massively shooting ourselves in the foot unnecessarily.

by jimbopip Fri 11 Nov 2022, 08:59

So, looking at the squad his options for 12 seem to be; Shona, Blairhorn or Lord Stafford. Erm

Shona...probably better at 13. Solid defence. Used to playing against SH teams.
Blairhorn...probably better at ??? Could act as second distributor. Used to playing at Murrayfield.
Stafford...probably better in a few years time. Could surprise us all. Used to holding tackle bags.

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:14

It's all teasers at the moment

Tom English saying Tuipolotu at 12 and BK on the bench.

Also a surprise up front, but he won't spoil it for us.

I would imagine that would be Christie or Crosbie in for Watson

by EST Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:25

It's going to have to be Sione, or the curve ball of Finn at 12 - which would be the worst decision of the autumn.

I don't think Sione is a bad player, but likewise I don't see what has caused his rapid elevation. He has also shown to be a much better 13. I guess the reasoning is they think they need a more physical option in the centre, given Harris doesn't have an outside break.

by **George Carlin** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:26

My money is on 10. Russell 12. Tuipulotu 13. Harris with Blarehorn as supersub.

Cannot believe they sent the only distributing inside centre we have back to Bath.

by bsando Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:29

I wonder why they dropped redpath? Looked great for Bath. Fiji hardly a good indicator for form because everyone played a bit poorly in that one. If it’s Russell-Tuipilotu-Harris that’s going to be pretty blunt. Unless Graham and VDM look for work they’ll be getting next to nothing on the fringes through the hands. Russell will definitely utilise the cross field kick though which was missing in previous two matches.

by Heuer27 Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:35

Do you think they might start with Murphy Walker?
That would be a surprise

by jimbopip Fri 11 Nov 2022, 11:36

Or it could be that Hamish is rested.

by jimbopip Fri 11 Nov 2022, 11:38

jimbopip wrote:
BigGee wrote:I just wonder if he will start Finn at FH and Blairhorn at FB

To be fair Hoggy has not been playing well and if he wasn't Hoggy, would likely be struggling for his place in any case.

Or maybe Toonie might be wary of rocking the boat any further!

Interestingly, if he was the kind of coach who selected on form then both Jason Orange and Hamish would be benching on Sunday. They both look slightly jaded and in need of a rest. Aldi Price is beginning to look like the chap who puts the name cards round the Cabinet table in Downing Street; he runs and runs but he's always just behind events.

Big Ritchie was the pick of the forwards and I thought GG had a very quiet game. Grayx2 in the second row?

1. Shooey
2. Ashman
3. Ragnar
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Fagerson
7. Mbawza
8. Boxer
9. Price
10 DANCER
11. Duhan
12. Redpath The Toonster threw us all a curveball there. Still, I don't think this'll be too far off.
13 Harris
14 ADHD Kid
15 Smith is on better form than Mr Orange. Blairhorn could do a job. He and Dancer could interchange at 1st receiver. I don't know who I would pick. HOGG.

16. Chuckles. Better form than Turner. Better at the breakdown than Cherry
17 Sutherland
18 Walker. Didn't come until late against Fiji, chances are he'll come on once th game is lost anyway. So why not?
19. GG
20 Hamish
20 White. Though he may start.
21 Shona
22. Blairhorn has to be in the 23. If he starts, I wouldn't be surprised if the manbun is in Exeter by kick off time.. Smith to bench.

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 11:40

All Blacks team out

Finlay Christie to start against the nation of his birth!

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 12:00

BigGee wrote:All Blacks team out

Finlay Christie to start against the nation of his birth!

Bit of gamesmanship there I reckon.

Think it could be a long old afternoon for us... Anything less than a dominant win will bring back calls for Foster's head.

by **George Carlin** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 12:00

Tom English has already said publicly that Finn will start, although no team posted yet.

by Hazel Sapling Fri 11 Nov 2022, 12:06

NZ team

De Groot - Taukei'aho - Laulala (Bower - Taylor - Newell)
Whitelock - S Barrett (Vaa'i)
A Ionea - Savea - Papali'i (Frizell)

Christie - B Barrett (Perenara - Perofeta)
Havili - Lienert-Brown (R Ioane)
Clarke - J Barrett - Telea

by **George Carlin** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 12:23

Hazel Sapling wrote:NZ team

De Groot - Taukei'aho - Laulala (Bower - Taylor - Newell)
Whitelock - S Barrett (Vaa'i)
A Ionea - Savea - Papali'i (Frizell)

Christie - B Barrett (Perenara - Perofeta)
Havili - Lienert-Brown (R Ioane)
Clarke - J Barrett - Telea

Looks rubbish. Run

by bsando Fri 11 Nov 2022, 12:51

Regardless of selection, last time out there was a clear plan. This time it feels a bit confused. Saying that, we have more firepower available than last time.

2017 XV

15-Stuart Hogg; 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Alex Dunbar, 11-Lee Jones; 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price; 1-Darryl Marfo, 2-Stuart McInally, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Ben Toolis, 5-Jonny Gray, 6-John Barclay (captain), 7-Hamish Watson, 8-Cornell du Preez.

Marfo held up okay but Sutherland and Schoemann offer more. Fagerson is more experienced now, Walker shows promise and Nel is reliable despite his age.

Overal I think up front our side is looking much better then 2017. The backline is where it gets a bit tricky.

Dunbar/Jones was a stable partnership for many years but at the moment it’s really up in the air without Johnson available.

Graham is a phenomenal winger but he’s going to up against Clarke, arguably more destructive than VDM. That’ll be a big challenge for him but Clarke hasn’t been at his best since coming back from injury.

Match up of White vs Christie will be a really good one (assuming white gets picked). Two relatively new 9’s at same stage in their careers.

Hopefully our pack can help Scotland keep in touch and our defence will be a lot better than recent showings.

by EST Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:02

SRU really dragging this announcement out...

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:40

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 94 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 31 caps
13. Chris Harris – Vice Captain – (Gloucester Rugby) 37 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 21 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) 63 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 56 caps

1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 14 caps
2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 55 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 52 caps
4. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 68 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist – Vice Captain – (Edinburgh Rugby) 57 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie – Captain – (Edinburgh Rugby) 34 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 53 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 26 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 5 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 21 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 49 caps
19. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 70 caps
20. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps
21. Ben White (London Irish) 7 caps
22. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 36 caps
23. Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby) 28 caps

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:42

Am a little uninspired by that to be honest.

3 out of form picks and am assuming the Brown is the surprise call in the forwards (hardly a surprise).

He has gone with his tried and tested who have not really delivered recently, nothing much to suggest that they will this time around either.

by **BigGee** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:45

I suppose the one positive is that with Ashman, White, BK, Dempsey and Bennett to come off the bench, there is the chance to up the pace if we can stay in the game, that is a big if though.

I would expect to see Price, Brown, Watson and maybe Hoggy to get subbed off early in the second half.

Hopefully we will see the team mixed up a lot more for the last game against Argentina.

by EST Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:49

Well, it's a middling team. You are right BigGee, safety first and very conservative.

My main issue is with the back 5 of the scrum, seriously lacking in dynamism and in some cases form, and likely to get blown away by their opposite men.

by **George Carlin** Fri 11 Nov 2022, 14:50

It's as we thought. All we can do is hope that everyone has a better game then they did last week. It's that simple, really.

What is true is that if you cannot get up for the All Blacks at home, then you probably need to give the sport up and stay home to crack one off instead.

by bsando Fri 11 Nov 2022, 15:15

Has brown played much this season? Other than that if there was chart for players with most game time under their belts perhaps that would be close to the starting XV. I’m a bit surprised J Gray isn’t starting, is Gilchrist really a better option than him? J Gray will add an impact but he’s a full 80 player really.

Hard to see this side winning but good luck to them!

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