The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

Highlights up:

Thoughts from a Canadian perspective?

I haven't really paid attention to our men's program in a while, but that was really disappointing to see. Even if you're amateur and haven't played much together (can't speak to the latter point, but aren't these lads basically all semi-pros in the US?), there's a basic principle of defence being forgotten on most of the tries. Move forward! So many are sat on their heels. In a few other cases, someone shoots up without teammates - 'together' being another part of that principle - and gives an easy outlet.

I ran into a club president of a BC Prem club recently and he - holder of a few caps in Canada's last decent era - said the lack of skill/ability is sadly apparent across the board. Teams doing well have either hoovered up all the local talent (no club loyalty anymore) or have brought in a lot of ringers. Even the lower clubs do it to keep pace... while not putting as much effort into youth development. One club here in Victoria has more than a handful of Kenyan 7s players in the men's 1sts, but don't have a strong youth program at all. The club of the man I was speaking to recongized they used to be like this in their hey-day and now have a booming youth program, but it'll be a generation before it shows... and even then, the competition factor needs to improve across the board. BC has a handful of schools that take it seriously, but they tend to show their limitations when playing touring sides because until that point they've not really been challenged and shown how much extra work even they need.

And it's this type of player that feeds into our 'elite' systems, which never seem to spend much time together or themselves regularly play quality fixtures that show/test/challenge how good they have to be. (And long-term forumers will know I've been banging on about this poor grassroots development factor for AGES! ). Would like to know more about what Georgia's doing though, as they remain competitive and have vastly improved at U20s.

Georgia have mainly had a billionaire pumping money into the system and bankrolling a fully professional league. That is not a criticism.

[Biffer]

Another big win for the U20s today, 101-0 against Hong Kong. Big game against Japan is next up.

[Yr Alban]

TBH I have no idea why England, Wales and Ireland are all playing major SH opposition and we are playing Canada and the USA. Again. When did we last get invited to do a proper tour?

NZ but called off due to covid iirc.

Apparently it's the SRUs choice. This summer it probably isn't a bad thing as we need to blood players.

I think this Tour is a good idea! After a RWC and then a busy season a lot of our top players need a rest, the Weegies must be knackered after their cup run, ditto Kinghorn, Russell, etc. Both Fagersons have been immense for Glasgow playing 80mins in almost every game recently and needs a month or two off rugby. It doesn't make much sense touring a top team when you need to rest almost all of your top players, we dont really have the depth in the squad like some of the bigger countries. The current tour is designed to cap a number of newcomers, get some guys back playing after long term injuries, embed some fringe players into the team and have a look again at some younger guys. A Tour is a great way to help new guys create relationships, learn what is expected of them when in International duty and hopefully have some fun playing rugby for your country. It is a bit difficult doing that when getting battered by SA. I do worry about some players in some countries are now playing/training almost 12 months a year without any real rest periods.

I don’t actually disagree that this is a good tour for Scotland to be doing just now. It just seems like ages since we had a ‘proper’ multi-Test tour against one of the SH heavyweights, rather than a single match. Despite the fact that our world ranking would merit it. The likes of Wales don’t seem to have any trouble getting them. This may be the SRU though, of course.

[GrahamWa]

I just don't think we are a big audience draw, as with everything World Rugby its all about the dollah.

[KingBlairhorn]

Another big win for the U20s today, 101-0 against Hong Kong. Big game against Japan is next up.

Friday is a big match. The Japanese have equally scored big in their two game (albeit not quite as big as Scotland). Japan also appear to have heavily rotated for the two games.

It does make me wonder if World Rugby should look to find a way to expand the Championship - Japan and Scotland are obviously much too good for this level to the point it is a bit ridiculous. No team should be scoring 19 and 15 tries in consecutive matches at any level. Spain and Georgia appear to have given a decent account of themselves in the main tournament, Fiji not quite so much. Finding a way to retain at least one of those plus adding in Scotland and Japan would seem sensible if your goal is to continue to grow the game.

Of course we may find that the level of difference between trophy and championship is so massive that Scotland find they get smashed every game if/when they go back up I suppose.

My own thoughts at the moment are that the slump in our U20s may have been a hump rather than something systematic. This crop look to have skills as well as being big, fast and powerful.

[topofthemoon]

Dylan Richardson made both more carries (21) and more tackles (17) than any player on the pitch from either side. His combined tally of 38 was 17 more than anyone else in the Scotland lineup.

More stats from Canada v Scotland:

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/analy ... ng-canada/

[Biffer]

Team's oot

[dkm57]

Looks like quite a strong team.

[clydecloggie]

Two captains and two vice captains. Maybe just nominate one guy as the Baldrick, who under no circumstances will be allowed to speak, and assume the other 14 are 'leaders', captains on the field, co-vice deputy sergeants or whatever.

Should be an utter thrashing anyway.

[Tichtheid]

Should be an utter thrashing anyway.

Yeah I was looking forward to a late nighter on Friday with a bit of jeopardy in the game, seeing some young and inexperienced players take their first steps into international rugby.

Instead, if it's not a total battering it will be a lose for us.

[Big D]

Two captains and two vice captains. Maybe just nominate one guy as the Baldrick, who under no circumstances will be allowed to speak, and assume the other 14 are 'leaders', captains on the field, co-vice deputy sergeants or whatever.

Should be an utter thrashing anyway.

I don't get why it annoys me so much but having co-captains and co-vice captains really annoys me.

[Biffer]

This is the strongest opposition we'll face, probably, which says a lot about this tour. So it was always going to be the strongest team put out.

[Yr Alban]

That’s as close to full noise as we can get from the tour party, I reckon. Interesting that Hastings preferred over Healy. Not sure Healy has been the player we all hoped he would be.

[clydecloggie]

This is the strongest opposition we'll face, probably, which says a lot about this tour. So it was always going to be the strongest team put out.

Not sure Uruguay (nor Chile) would agree with that.

USA lost to Romania last week. They're nowhere near the RWC-qualified force they once were.

[Slick]

This is the strongest opposition we'll face, probably, which says a lot about this tour. So it was always going to be the strongest team put out.

Not sure Uruguay (nor Chile) would agree with that.

USA lost to Romania last week. They're nowhere near the RWC-qualified force they once were.

Yeah, I had assumed the two games further South would be a bit more of a test

[I like neeps]

That’s as close to full noise as we can get from the tour party, I reckon. Interesting that Hastings preferred over Healy. Not sure Healy has been the player we all hoped he would be.

Is he fit? Being overlooked for Hastings is one thing, being overlooked for Thompson is quite another.

[SaintK]

This is the strongest opposition we'll face, probably, which says a lot about this tour. So it was always going to be the strongest team put out.

Not sure Uruguay (nor Chile) would agree with that.

USA lost to Romania last week. They're nowhere near the RWC-qualified force they once were.

Yeah, I had assumed the two games further South would be a bit more of a test

-Why didn't the SRU go for the traditional SH tour rather than matches against tier 2 countries?

[Biffer]

Not sure Uruguay (nor Chile) would agree with that.

USA lost to Romania last week. They're nowhere near the RWC-qualified force they once were.

Yeah, I had assumed the two games further South would be a bit more of a test

-Why didn't the SRU go for the traditional SH tour rather than matches against tier 2 countries?

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

[KingBlairhorn]

This is the strongest opposition we'll face, probably, which says a lot about this tour. So it was always going to be the strongest team put out.

Not sure Uruguay (nor Chile) would agree with that.

USA lost to Romania last week. They're nowhere near the RWC-qualified force they once were.

Yeah, I had assumed the two games further South would be a bit more of a test

I agree.

[KingBlairhorn]

Two captains and two vice captains. Maybe just nominate one guy as the Baldrick, who under no circumstances will be allowed to speak, and assume the other 14 are 'leaders', captains on the field, co-vice deputy sergeants or whatever.

Should be an utter thrashing anyway.

I don't get why it annoys me so much but having co-captains and co-vice captains really annoys me.

Because you are getting as old and grumpy as the rest of us?

[SaintK]

Yeah, I had assumed the two games further South would be a bit more of a test

-Why didn't the SRU go for the traditional SH tour rather than matches against tier 2 countries?

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

So have all the other NH tier I countries. I just find it odd the SRU went for "easy" matches rather than sterner tests, particularly when a strong squad was selected. Almost pointless really.

[Slick]

-Why didn't the SRU go for the traditional SH tour rather than matches against tier 2 countries?

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

So have all the other NH tier I countries. I just find it odd the SRU went for "easy" matches rather than sterner tests, particularly when a strong squad was selected. Almost pointless really.

It's good practice for England in the 6N

[Big D]

-Why didn't the SRU go for the traditional SH tour rather than matches against tier 2 countries?

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

So have all the other NH tier I countries. I just find it odd the SRU went for "easy" matches rather than sterner tests, particularly when a strong squad was selected. Almost pointless really.

Biffer, we had a 2 test tour v SA with a test in NZ tacked on in 20 which was cancelled.

SaintK, this is an odd summer for Scotland in so much as it is transitional and we don't have the strength in depth to go to NZ or SA with a mixed bag of a team. The squad still has some strong players around it but there is plenty missing. The likes of Nel and Turner have or have effectively retired, GG and Gray in their twilight and ZFagerson, Russell and Kinghorn needing a rest. This tour allows senior players to probably play two low stress games while providing the youngsters with some senior presence.

I think the SH teams have been keen to get back to 3 test series too IIRC. So England and Ireland become the draws for the SH teams.

[Biffer]

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

So have all the other NH tier I countries. I just find it odd the SRU went for "easy" matches rather than sterner tests, particularly when a strong squad was selected. Almost pointless really.

Biffer, we had a 2 test tour v SA with a test in NZ tacked on in 20 which was cancelled.

SaintK, this is an odd summer for Scotland in so much as it is transitional and we don't have the strength in depth to go to NZ or SA with a mixed bag of a team. The squad still has some strong players around it but there is plenty missing. The likes of Nel and Turner have or have effectively retired, GG and Gray in their twilight and ZFagerson, Russell and Kinghorn needing a rest. This tour allows senior players to probably play two low stress games while providing the youngsters with some senior presence.

I think the SH teams have been keen to get back to 3 test series too IIRC. So England and Ireland become the draws for the SH teams.

Yep, would have been our first tour to New Zealand since 2020. Last time we played a series in South Africa was 2006. Australia 2004.

But there will be no more proper summer test series for any of the four home nations. Summers will be Lions -Nations Cup - World Cup warmups - Nations Cup from now on. So the only summer series will be France in Lions years. Fucking spivs.

[SaintK]

We've been doing that for at least 15 years now

So have all the other NH tier I countries. I just find it odd the SRU went for "easy" matches rather than sterner tests, particularly when a strong squad was selected. Almost pointless really.

Biffer, we had a 2 test tour v SA with a test in NZ tacked on in 20 which was cancelled.

SaintK, this is an odd summer for Scotland in so much as it is transitional and we don't have the strength in depth to go to NZ or SA with a mixed bag of a team. The squad still has some strong players around it but there is plenty missing. The likes of Nel and Turner have or have effectively retired, GG and Gray in their twilight and ZFagerson, Russell and Kinghorn needing a rest. This tour allows senior players to probably play two low stress games while providing the youngsters with some senior presence.

I think the SH teams have been keen to get back to 3 test series too IIRC. So England and Ireland become the draws for the SH teams.

Thanks
I get it.

[I like neeps]

https://www.the42.ie/humphreys-front-ro ... =shortlink

Ireland to block all NIQ front row signings...

[Yr Alban]

https://www.the42.ie/humphreys-front-ro ... =shortlink

Ireland to block all NIQ front row signings...

Must feel secure enough with what they currently have. Which is nice, I expect.

[I like neeps]

https://www.the42.ie/humphreys-front-ro ... =shortlink

Ireland to block all NIQ front row signings...

Must feel secure enough with what they currently have. Which is nice, I expect.

No it's the opposite, they aren't happy with the pipeline and pathway and so the blocking of NIQs. Focus minds on developing props and being brave. It'll never catch on.

[topofthemoon]

The Scotland starting XV for the game against USA have scored 88 Test tries.

At one try for every 4.5 caps that makes this the most potent scoring lineup selected during the Townsend era.

More stats and analysis ahead of USA v Scotland:

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/analy ... d-battles/

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Euro cup fixtures out now

Sale (h) Sat 7 Dec 2000
Toulon (a) Sun 15 Dec 1300
Racing (h) Fri 10 Jan 2000
Quins (a) Sat 18 Jan 2000

No Trip away to Paris - Boo

[GrahamWa]

Glasgow Euro cup fixtures out now

Sale (h) Sat 7 Dec 2000
Toulon (a) Sun 15 Dec 1300
Racing (h) Fri 10 Jan 2000
Quins (a) Sat 18 Jan 2000

No Trip away to Paris - Boo

I read the Quins game in against R92 is venue TBC as there is boxing at the defense arena. Quins with two trips to France as well, and two at home against URC teams (Stormers and Warriors)

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Euro cup fixtures out now

Sale (h) Sat 7 Dec 2000
Toulon (a) Sun 15 Dec 1300
Racing (h) Fri 10 Jan 2000
Quins (a) Sat 18 Jan 2000

No Trip away to Paris - Boo

I read the Quins game in against R92 is venue TBC as there is boxing at the defense arena. Quins with two trips to France as well, and two at home against URC teams (Stormers and Warriors)

I was under the impression - wrongly it seems , that the schedule was one home and one away match against the teams from each other league

[Big D]

Just switched on for the 20s game. Don't like being able to call a mark from a KO.

[Jock42]

Just switched on for the 20s game. Don't like being able to call a mark from a KO.

No but it's highly beneficial to scottish teams

Great break from McLean.

[Big D]

From the 1st 15min, Scotland should win this. Some silly penalties so far.

[SomersetJock]

The footwork for our second try was sublime !

[Big D]

The footwork for our second try was sublime !

Was lovely.

Japan kicking a penalty dead from 5 out 15 in was such a bad error there.

[SomersetJock]

[quote=SomersetJock post_id=361947 time=<a href="tel:1720811538">1720811538</a> user_id=2145]
The footwork for our second try was sublime !

Was lovely.

Japan kicking a penalty dead from 5 out 15 in was such a bad error there.
[/quote]

That was an absolute shocker, real coach killer

[tcc_dc]

Good luck Scotland tonight....leaving for the match in 15...

Hope they do something nice for Ritchie and his 50th cap...

As for the USA....probably the best report on us. Much stronger side than what they trotted out last week especially with David Ainu'u and Iscaro up front, still nothing compared to Scotland.

And will AJ play harder against Scotland than a Romania team...

https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/se ... e-scotland

As for ticket sales, my buddy said over 16,000 have been sold...20k capacity. Weather is a little iffy with thunderstorms around but should still be a good crowd.

At kickoff supposed to be around 25 Celsius but humid which has been the coolest day in the last 10 days here and the next 7 forecasted. So if you are Scotland at least you are not getting the 39 C and humidity in a couple days..

[Biffer]

Three tries in the first fifteen minutes of the second half for the u20s. Looking good.