Scotland Autumn Fixtures

by bsando Sat 06 Apr 2024, 1:18 pm

First topic message reminder :

Scotland Autumn 2024 Fixtures

Moving on from the Summer development tour, here are this years AI fixtures which will include a Scotland A vs Chile fixture on the final weekend. Plenty to be excited about as the new club season begins this weekend and depth is steadily improving.

Week 1
Scotland v Fiji
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday 2nd November 2024
Kick-off: 5:40pm

Week 2
Scotland v South Africa
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Sunday 10th November 2024
Kick-off: 4:10pm

Week 3
Scotland v Portugal
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday 16th November 2024
Kick-off: 3:10pm

Week 4
Scotland A vs Chile
Hive Stadium Edinburgh
Saturday 23rd November 2024
Kick-off: 6:00pm

Scotland v Australia
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Sunday 24th November 2024
Kick-off: 1:40pm

by tigertattie Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:20 pm

This is grim. I know this isn’t the full team but many of these lads are first choice with some new lads getting a run.

This is feckin poor. You don’t need established combos to chuck a ball straight at a lineout. You don’t need established combos not to pass a ball to an Uruguayan on our own 5m line. Ashman has been poor but Healy is feckin dire. How he gets a game for Scotland is beyond me

by tigertattie Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:22 pm

And just like that the South Americans draw level with a conversion to come

by **BigGee** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:23 pm

Well Uruguay score again and you can't say it was not deserved!

Luckily their kicker is not on point

19 all

by **BigGee** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:27 pm

Well another line out drive over takes us back into the lead

It would be nice to see something creative before the end of this game

26-19 Scotland

by **BigGee** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:30 pm

That is better now

Not for the first time on this tour, Dobie makes such a difference with his speed of pass

32-19 Scotland

by tigertattie Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:30 pm

Hastings to the rescue again

by **BigGee** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:46 pm

Kyle Steyn, who has made some impact, scores

Then it gets knocked off for obstruction, pretty dubiously, it has to be said.

by **BigGee** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:53 pm

That's that then

In truth probably a game to many for this season for some of these players, who looked pretty tired.

Toonie may have learnt a bit more about who is not a test player than who is!

Luckily we had some quality on the bench. Schoeman, Dobie, Hastings and Steyn all showed they have got what it takes. Not something that could be said about everyone.

Everyone needs a good summer holiday now and we re-load next season.

by jimbopip Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:55 pm

Pass marks tonight; Fagerson, House Elf, Mbawza, Harrison, Darge, Haircut, Shug, Banjo, Seaman.
OK(ish) Brown, Willianson, Crosbie.

Father Dougal Award for being ever so slightly behind the conversation....Ben Healey.

by bsando Sat 27 Jul 2024, 9:58 pm

Frantic end to that one! Got the win, lots of game time for young players and shug wins his 50th cap.

All in all it’s been a great development tour. Pretty ugly at times but that’s not important.

Come November when the serious tests arrive there’ll be new players in the frame to compete for places. Then come the six nations you’d hope to see a changing of the guard in some positions.

by **RDW** Sat 27 Jul 2024, 10:49 pm

Sounds like a bit of a slog at the end of a long season. We're the only team still playing this late on - maybe was.one game too far.

Hopefully Toonie learnt something from it all.

by Hazel Sapling Sun 28 Jul 2024, 10:13 pm

Watched the last half hour and the difference in Scotland when the reinforcements came on was very noticeable. Not idea if we started well and just fell asleep but felt Schoeman, Harrison, Johnson, Ritchie, Dobie and Hastings came on to great effect. Walker less so.

Made an effort to watch Dobie's passing and it was superb. Only six starts at SH last year (and similar number the previous two seasons) and clearly needs to be getting more opportunities.

Whilst the tour was not challenging for the most part, one of our big challenges is we are not as big a commercial draw as France, England or Ireland to get tours of NZ and SA. It was getting problematic that we are not getting chances against NZ (3 matches in the last decade vs 7 for Wales and 8 for England) and SA (3 matches in the last decade outside of the RWC vs 14 for Wales and 8 for England), however the World Rugby Nations Championship starting in 2026 should guarantee us one game a year against each of the SANZAAR nations.

by bsando Mon 29 Jul 2024, 5:02 am

Yeah the new system is going to be a lot better. It’s a joke that Scotland’s last test in NZ was over two decades ago. Plus giving more exposure to tier two/three sides is going to make a big difference.

There’s been a real mix of feeling from fans about this tour. It was definitely a long season for many of these players, however I probably agree with Toonie on the value of exposing so many uncapped players to test rugby in a tour environment. It was particularly beneficial for the pack where we know Scotland often lack depth.

Once the URC begins again I’ll certainly be tracking many of these players progress. As well Richardson and Johnson.

by Highland Shaun Mon 29 Jul 2024, 11:35 pm

So how do you guys think the many new caps that got debuts during this tour got on and who do you see making a push for getting into the squad for Autumn Series and 6Ns Smile

?

I would certainly say Gus Warr, Arron Reed and Paddy Harrison Very Happy

by bsando Tue 30 Jul 2024, 9:07 am

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland-americas-tour-opinion/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEVfZJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXZY2Pf8J31rEmula3gsM7c0YFEfJPnyDCiYAXmnZnXeMDQvTPiijm3t_g_aem_kw5SZSILWN2gOO0aIBN6cA

A fun read this one!

To answer your question Shaun, I think Richardson impressed me the most. I’d expect him to play in the autumn as well as Warr who you mentioned.

by Hazel Sapling Tue 30 Jul 2024, 10:15 am

I don't think we will see any new LH's, backrows or centres on the back of this tour, but reckon there has been a reshuffle at the other spots. It is tough to say due to the quality of competition and club form/injury in September/October but as of right now.

With Turner in Japan and presumably unavailable, I assume the HKs will be Ashman, Matthews and Richardson. I think Hiddleston or Smith are next up. Harrison needs to get some club games under his belt.

TH has been disappointing. Millar-Mills is likely locked in as one of the options behind Zander. I don't think Sebastian has done enough so Walker or Hurd will get the third spot as the young gun to build experience.

LKs should be the Grays, Cummings, Williamson and I would have Johnson as the fifth. Think Johnson looked the part more than Craig. Henderson may not be fit and firing in time to break in and Hunter-Hill has not had a look in so far are other alternatives. That is ignoring Sykes and Hodgson who are also around.

One of Warr and Dobie will be in the squad competing with White and G Horne. Suspect it will be Warr.

Hastings has overtaken everyone for backing up Fin. Third spot is up for grabs as Healy struggled, Thompson looks like he will get a shot at Edinburgh and Jordan qualifies for Scotland. I think Jordan takes the spot.

Back three, we have a shortage of options. Graham (when fit), DVDM and Steyn are a good triumvirate albeit ageing. Kinghorn is the starting full back. I would say Rowe is the next winger up at the moment with Patterson taking Ollie Smith's position backing up Kinghorn.

by jimbopip Tue 30 Jul 2024, 12:29 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:I don't think we will see any new LH's, backrows or centres on the back of this tour, but reckon there has been a reshuffle at the other spots. It is tough to say due to the quality of competition and club form/injury in September/October but as of right now.

With Turner in Japan and presumably unavailable, I assume the HKs will be Ashman, Matthews and Richardson. I think Hiddleston or Smith are next up. Harrison needs to get some club games under his belt. It'd be difficult to argue with this...but tigertattie may well try.

TH has been disappointing. Millar-Mills is likely locked in as one of the options behind Zander. I don't think Sebastian has done enough so Walker or Hurd will get the third spot as the young gun to build experience. No mention of Looseheads; I think Nathan Macbethh is the coming man.

LKs should be the Grays, Cummings, Williamson and I would have Johnson as the fifth. Think Johnson looked the part more than Craig. Henderson may not be fit and firing in time to break in and Hunter-Hill has not had a look in so far are other alternatives. That is ignoring Sykes and Hodgson who are also around. Don't rule out Alex Samuels who is spoken of very highly by the staff at The Home Of The Champions. He missed the end of the season because of injury but he does look a real prospect.

One of Warr and Dobie will be in the squad competing with White and G Horne. Suspect it will be Warr.Be serious. Warr looked pedestrian and every time I see The House Elf at 9 I remember Marv Levy, Buffalo Bills coach, describing QB Jim Kelly's passing action as "The smoothest motion since Glen Miller's slide trombone." Dobie will be a great Scotland player, probably much sooner than we think.

Hastings has overtaken everyone for backing up Fin. Third spot is up for grabs as Healy struggled, Thompson looks like he will get a shot at Edinburgh and Jordan qualifies for Scotland. I think Jordan takes the spot.Haircut is still...well, Haircut. He has all the skills but somehow fails to convince. To use another NFL analogy, Bill Purcells said of his QB Phil Simms, "He's the kind of guy you'd want next to you if you were in a fox hole." Meaning that he was the sort of man people would follow into battle. I wouldn't follow Haircut into a pub on Byres Road. Jordan would be a good shout for third spot but as much as he is Franco's ideal 10 is he Toonies?"

Back three, we have a shortage of options. Graham (when fit), DVDM and Steyn are a good triumvirate albeit ageing. Kinghorn is the starting full back. I would say Rowe is the next winger up at the moment with Patterson taking Ollie Smith's position backing up Kinghorn.ADHD-Blarehorn-Duhan...Rowe-Smith-Seaman...Speedy McReedy-Banjo-Dobie ... with Dobie-Stafford-Shug as an emergency back up. This is as deep a pool of good back three players as I can remember.

by bsando Tue 30 Jul 2024, 5:14 pm

Dobie really needs to start a test match like Ben White did vs England. He’s got a good skillset but hasn’t been dropped in at SH vs a top side. Until he starts and impresses vs likes of Australia, SA or Ireland etc it’s hard to see where he fits in.

by Tramptastic Wed 31 Jul 2024, 2:29 pm

Agree with all the above, Paterson in particular has really pushed himself forward in Smiths absence.

Happy for Smith to have to work hard to get back in, his performance against Ireland in the RWC still rankles.

by **RDW** Fri 02 Aug 2024, 9:44 am

https://x.com/Scotlandteam/status/1819282487652098122?t=ykROonmJVK-2UcY4Otv8BA&s=19

Well this is pretty bowfing

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 02 Aug 2024, 10:02 am

RDW wrote:https://x.com/Scotlandteam/status/1819282487652098122?t=ykROonmJVK-2UcY4Otv8BA&s=19

Well this is pretty bowfing

Next summer tour is to benidorm

by **RDW** Fri 02 Aug 2024, 10:07 am

Scotland Autumn Fixtures - Page 6 Img-2011

The claymore theme is so random and tacky too.

Wtf is that.

by bsando Fri 02 Aug 2024, 4:35 pm

No way in hell would I buy that!

It's more like a skintight, ten pin bowling shirt than a rugby top.

Actually who will buy this? And the turquoise green around the collar and sleeves.. shocker!

by **George Carlin** Sat 03 Aug 2024, 12:19 pm

NeilyBroon wrote:
RDW wrote:https://x.com/Scotlandteam/status/1819282487652098122?t=ykROonmJVK-2UcY4Otv8BA&s=19

Well this is pretty bowfing

Next summer tour is to benidorm

Good lord. I presume Tampax or Cialis passed on this gig.

The tackiest car company, with the largest standard grade art school project logo in the cheapest looking shirt. Expect every well dressed ned to be wearing these with their Kappa pop-in trackies outside their local Gregg's in a year's time once they reach the bargain bin in Graves Sport.

Shame because I've just bought my training clothes from the new national team line and they're really good. I was hoping it might be Vodaphone as they seem to be sponsoring both Ireland and Wales now. I suppose if the Welsh had Brains Beer stapled to their nipples than we have to suffer the indignity of this.

by **NeilyBroon** Sat 03 Aug 2024, 9:01 pm

Just make the kit orange, blue and white with Irn Bru slapped across the chest and get the boys to hold a girder for the press shots.

New Zealand just did a classic kit that was really positively received. I get we have to change things but also... if it ain't broke... We're lucky our country colours are navy, white and a wee bit of purple here and there. How can you balls that up??

It's like when we did those weird red shirts supposed to be representing the lion rampant. Even those were better. Even the lilac change kit was better!

by formerly known as Sam Sat 03 Aug 2024, 9:14 pm

by formerly known as Sam Sat 03 Aug 2024, 9:17 pm

It does look like a retro football shirt. The sleeves are hideous, the overall design isn't bad and the collar is very in (see the latest AB offering, Argentina love a traditional collar as well). The weird Claymore thing reminds me of when England tried to crowbar the VC into the shirt design. Didn't work then and doesn't work now. Shame they couldn't do something a bit more classy as the retro shirt designs tend to look good.

by **NeilyBroon** Sun 04 Aug 2024, 9:04 am

To be honest I liked the 1998 home kit, we've not had that much purple in the kit for a long time - some kind of variation on that with classic shirt style with a white collar could potentially look really good and is different enough that it's not just the same shirt every year. We've not had the white hoops in a good number of years either.

I just hope this new kit only hangs around for a season when they realise no-one will buy it unless it's under a fiver.

by bsando Sun 04 Aug 2024, 11:18 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145682019926?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=145682019926&targetid=2271253371306&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007345&poi=&campaignid=21393315357&mkgroupid=162440466646&rlsatarget=pla-2271253371306&abcId=9448316&merchantid=109826360&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1eGPIOovczdyIRqrJadyYbP6&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzby1BhCQARIsAJ_0t5PPuG_rtP_-A7wFuO-HJvbEdRrSZ7MbwHa-l-JQiUAvskGJH_EEQw0aAqXSEALw_wcB

Always liked this one, I have a short sleeved one in a box somewhere from my last days of boyhood.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 09 Aug 2024, 9:10 am

Well the away kit looks marginally less horrendous. Take away the sponsor logo, the alba gu brath on the sleeve cuffs and the saltire on the front of the collar and I'd almost say it's quite nice.

As it stands it still looks like something you'd buy from the tat shops on the Royal Mile.

by jimbopip Thu 15 Aug 2024, 6:10 pm

Evening gentlepeeps, it appears that Caz The Quiet Bok and myself will be at Murrayfield for the Boks match. Bru is also hitch hiking up from the Toon. Hagia Sophia will be making marmalade sandwiches to sustain him on the journey.
Maybe see some of you for a small refreshment?

by **George Carlin** Sat 07 Sep 2024, 10:11 am

Very good performance from the ladies:

by Collapse2005 Thu 12 Sep 2024, 6:23 pm

What on earth is going on with Stuart Hogg, has the man completely lost the plot?

by **BigGee** Thu 12 Sep 2024, 6:34 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:What on earth is going on with Stuart Hogg, has the man completely lost the plot?

The answer to that is yes and probably some time ago!

If I were him I would be asking for a refund for the therapy fees!

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 18 Sep 2024, 11:47 pm

Any strong views on John Jeffrey?

The online reaction seems to fall roughly into two camps. There's bemusement or outrage that members of the SRU would not back a Scottish candidate to head World Rugby, as it would give a boost to Scotland's status in the sport. Then there's relief among others that Jeffrey is no longer in the running, as some of his actions with the SRU suggest he is not suited to the top job.

by **BigGee** Thu 19 Sep 2024, 8:55 pm

He was possibly my favorite player from that 1990 vintage of players. The Great White Shark and he looks much the same today.

In terms of his life in rugby admin, it seems a lot harder to tell. He seems to have slowly and steadily worked his way up the hierarchy and then been stabbed in the back by his own union.

We will probably never know the full ins and ours of it, but it just seems embarrassing for the SRU not to be able to get behind its own candidate.

Surely if they were not going to support him, that should have been cleared at the begining of the process.

The only thing that is clear from this is that the governance of Scottish rugby is still a mess.

by TJ Sun 22 Sep 2024, 3:14 pm

I think Jeffries is too much of his own man rightly or wrongly for the SRU

by bsando Fri 27 Sep 2024, 6:25 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/27/fergus-burke-owen-farrell-was-awesome-but-ive-got-to-be-my-own-player

A first sit down with Burke at Saracens who seems pretty settled.

Main takeaways.. He is keen to play international rugby! (obviously) but very coy on who he would like to represent. We can't rule out a return to NZ in the future but from the vague hints in the interview it seems fairly likely he will be aiming for international honours over here.

Given Russell is king and Kinghorn is first choice fullback now, Healy, Hastings, Thompson and Jordan (when eligible) will be his main competition at Scotland. He is also more likely to be given a call up if he is remotely capable at Saracens given the lack of depth. Toonie could quite easily call him up this Autumn, have him starting against Portugal and then perhaps even benching against Australia if he showed promise.

My main thoughts are.. Will Borthwick be interested in getting this promising player involved with England? Or is he settled on his current options? If yes, will Borthwick snatch at the chance to call him up this Autumn? (Regardless of form).

Would Burke feel more comfortable getting games under his belt at Saracens before entertaining the idea of a call up this Autumn for either nation? Or is he simply happy to get stuck in?

by doctor_grey Sat 28 Sep 2024, 11:58 am

BigGee wrote:He was possibly my favorite player from that 1990 vintage of players. The Great White Shark and he looks much the same today.

In terms of his life in rugby admin, it seems a lot harder to tell. He seems to have slowly and steadily worked his way up the hierarchy and then been stabbed in the back by his own union.

We will probably never know the full ins and ours of it, but it just seems embarrassing for the SRU not to be able to get behind its own candidate.

Surely if they were not going to support him, that should have been cleared at the begining of the process.

The only thing that is clear from this is that the governance of Scottish rugby is still a mess.

The only real memory I have of John Jeffries is that when playing he had very nice hair. All I know is that since then he had worked in various SRU roles and some thought he was going in the right direction and others not so much. What do you guys who know better think?

by Mcsweens Sun 29 Sep 2024, 1:10 pm

He did have excellent hair. I met him when I was about 8. My mini rugby team was named after him "The ___ Sharks" and in return he came to take a training session.

I don't think anyone without a degree in Kremlinology could comment on the labyrinthine goings on in the Murray field offices. JJ has a reputation for being highly intelligent and a straight shooter, so it's maybe little wonder he fell foul of the SRU eventually.

by Highland Shaun Mon 30 Sep 2024, 12:57 am

I see on The Offside Line and Scotsman that Sione and Mosese are trying to sell Scotland to younger bro Ottavio :O. He is a hooker but would be behind Ashman, Richardson and Matthews so unlikely he'll be in the Autumn series squad

.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/sione-tuipulotu-ottavio-mosese-scotland/

by bsando Fri 04 Oct 2024, 6:28 am

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cwylpd9dz79o

This attitude is damaging to the game. While Scottish rugby can’t seem to get any sort of test match series in NZ (last game played at Eden Park in year 2000) France feel that it’s totally fine to rest Top 14 international players involved in the Top 14 final for their Summer tour to NZ.

by Highland Shaun Mon 07 Oct 2024, 1:58 am

I presume the squad will be announced next week sometime

I have seen some on Facebook groups say that Tom Jordan isn't eligible until AFTER the November tests, I thought he WAS eligible for at least part of the series??

by bsando Sat 12 Oct 2024, 4:28 pm

Scottish women in action vs Aus. Had thought it would be close but aus look a lot sharper so far. Lots of unforced errors from Scotland allowed Aus opportunities and they’ve taken them very well.

by bsando Sat 12 Oct 2024, 5:31 pm

After going 21-0 down Scotland have come roaring back via their set piece and it’s 21-17. A poor start it would seem because they’ve been the better team for a good chunk of this game. Sadly Orr sent off for a high tackle may be their undoing.

by bsando Sat 12 Oct 2024, 5:59 pm

Well the wallabies deserved winners against a faltering Scotland. Too many mistakes, one red and a yellow meant finishing with 13 women on the park. The fast start killed Scotland but they made life very hard for themselves. Despite coming back to make it 22-21 they’ll rue the ill discipline in their game today.

by **RDW** Sun 13 Oct 2024, 11:34 am

The Orr red was harsh IMO - it was very much a rugby incident - yellow because it was head on head but don't agree it was reckless or high degree of danger.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 13 Oct 2024, 12:34 pm

Is Townsend looking at Dan Lancaster, as some media reports suggest? Playing in France, there's no option for England, so he'd be an easy player to capture. There's just the minor issue of whether he's any good.

by **BigGee** Sun 13 Oct 2024, 12:58 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:Is Townsend looking at Dan Lancaster, as some media reports suggest? Playing in France, there's no option for England, so he'd be an easy player to capture. There's just the minor issue of whether he's any good.

Dan Lancaster has been mentioned before and he seems to be playing regularly for Racing now, though as you suggest, that maybe purely because his dad is picking him.

Fortunately our FH situation is not at all bad atm.

Russell remains our first pick at FH.

After him comes Hastings, soon to be joined by Tom Jordan when he qualifies this November.

Healey has had a woefully start to the season and has even been dropped by Edinburgh for now, so hard to see him making the current squad.

Thompson looks a steady option but has not set the Heather on fire yet but probably above Healey on current form.

Then there is Fergus Burke, who is rumored to have choosen Scotland as his international preference. I will put him into the bolsters category and add Lancaster as well.

by **BigGee** Sun 13 Oct 2024, 5:47 pm

Andy Onyeama -Christie unfortunately took a bad injury in the Quins-Sarries game this afternoon

That will definitely be him out if the AIs and could easily be a season ender for him unfortunately. He has been playing really well this season as well and would have been a real contender to start.

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