NPR

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:17 pm

SaintK wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 11:56 am

Tichtheid wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 10:58 am


What happened to Saints?
They had a relatively poor league season compared to their terrific cup run.

Lost a lot of core players at the end of last season particularly in the pack so were a bit lightweight and underpowered. Got better as the season went on and the youngsters in the pack gained more experience. Suffered a lot of injuries in the forwards as well.
Should be better next season even though they will lose Augustus to Ulster and the big Fijian second row is going home to play for Fiji Drua. Have signed Callum Chick from Falcons to replace Augustus and hopefully the 2 young locks Lockett and Prowse wil step up.
Just need more quick ball to feed the backline which on it's day is the best in England. Not that I'm biased at all

I’m slightly concerned that if we don’t start actually playing Rory Hutchinson, he might use the 3-year stand-down rule to make himself available for England.

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:17 pm

SaintK wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 11:56 am

Tichtheid wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 10:58 am


What happened to Saints?
They had a relatively poor league season compared to their terrific cup run.

Lost a lot of core players at the end of last season particularly in the pack so were a bit lightweight and underpowered. Got better as the season went on and the youngsters in the pack gained more experience. Suffered a lot of injuries in the forwards as well.
Should be better next season even though they will lose Augustus to Ulster and the big Fijian second row is going home to play for Fiji Drua. Have signed Callum Chick from Falcons to replace Augustus and hopefully the 2 young locks Lockett and Prowse wil step up.
Just need more quick ball to feed the backline which on it's day is the best in England. Not that I'm biased at all

I’m slightly concerned that if we don’t start actually playing Rory Hutchinson, he might use the 3-year stand-down rule to make himself available for England.

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 10:29 am Zander out of the tour. Poor bloke, he must be absolutely gutted.

Big D wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 10:29 am Zander out of the tour. Poor bloke, he must be absolutely gutted.

Yr Alban wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 3:53 pm Yeah, I just saw the news too. That is really really shite for the guy. He was the only Scot not to get a Test cap last time and was guaranteed to feature this time either as a starter or off the bench. Poor bloke.

topofthemoon wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 3:04 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:17 pm

SaintK wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 11:56 am
Lost a lot of core players at the end of last season particularly in the pack so were a bit lightweight and underpowered. Got better as the season went on and the youngsters in the pack gained more experience. Suffered a lot of injuries in the forwards as well.
Should be better next season even though they will lose Augustus to Ulster and the big Fijian second row is going home to play for Fiji Drua. Have signed Callum Chick from Falcons to replace Augustus and hopefully the 2 young locks Lockett and Prowse wil step up.
Just need more quick ball to feed the backline which on it's day is the best in England. Not that I'm biased at all

I’m slightly concerned that if we don’t start actually playing Rory Hutchinson, he might use the 3-year stand-down rule to make himself available for England.

He played in the Portgual game last Autumn so he is tied until at least November 2027, by which time he will be nearly 32 years old.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:13 am Tour squad announcement is today at some point, we can't afford any slip ups due to the RWC seedings being drawn at the end of the year, so I don't see this as a development tour. We have to take as strong a squad as we can.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:21 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:13 am Tour squad announcement is today at some point, we can't afford any slip ups due to the RWC seedings being drawn at the end of the year, so I don't see this as a development tour. We have to take as strong a squad as we can.

Not sure if we can catch England or Argentina tbh. 2 point gap and our only summer games are Fiji and Samoa. Need to beat the RGs in November, but then another two T2 sides and the ABs means it's a bit tough to catch up?

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:25 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:21 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:13 am Tour squad announcement is today at some point, we can't afford any slip ups due to the RWC seedings being drawn at the end of the year, so I don't see this as a development tour. We have to take as strong a squad as we can.

Not sure if we can catch England or Argentina tbh. 2 point gap and our only summer games are Fiji and Samoa. Need to beat the RGs in November, but then another two T2 sides and the ABs means it's a bit tough to catch up?

It's more about avoiding dropping down, losing to Samoa or Fiji would be a huge blow and open up the gap between us and those above us.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:35 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:25 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:21 am

Not sure if we can catch England or Argentina tbh. 2 point gap and our only summer games are Fiji and Samoa. Need to beat the RGs in November, but then another two T2 sides and the ABs means it's a bit tough to catch up?

It's more about avoiding dropping down, losing to Samoa or Fiji would be a huge blow and open up the gap between us and those above us.

I doubt we'll drop to 13th over that time - given 12 and 13 are Wales and Japan, and they're playing this summer it's difficult to see how they could both catch us.

World Cup is bigger this time remember, six groups of four.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:00 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:35 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:25 am


It's more about avoiding dropping down, losing to Samoa or Fiji would be a huge blow and open up the gap between us and those above us.

I doubt we'll drop to 13th over that time - given 12 and 13 are Wales and Japan, and they're playing this summer it's difficult to see how they could both catch us.

World Cup is bigger this time remember, six groups of four.

If the rankings are the same as today, we would overtake Argentina and close in on England if we beat Argentina 27 - 10. https://rawling.github.io/wr-calc/?s=mr ... 3Bt715v743


If we slip down any further it would be far more difficult to get into the top 6

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:14 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:00 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:35 am

I doubt we'll drop to 13th over that time - given 12 and 13 are Wales and Japan, and they're playing this summer it's difficult to see how they could both catch us.

World Cup is bigger this time remember, six groups of four.

If the rankings are the same as today, we would overtake Argentina and close in on England if we beat Argentina 27 - 10. https://rawling.github.io/wr-calc/?s=mr ... 3Bt715v743


If we slip down any further it would be far more difficult to get into the top 6

Fair enough, we may have a decent chance of catching them if we win all our T2 games, beat them at home and they take a doing in the rugby championship / don't beat the Lions / don't beat England i9n the summer or November. A lot of variables!

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:14 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:00 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:35 am

I doubt we'll drop to 13th over that time - given 12 and 13 are Wales and Japan, and they're playing this summer it's difficult to see how they could both catch us.

World Cup is bigger this time remember, six groups of four.

If the rankings are the same as today, we would overtake Argentina and close in on England if we beat Argentina 27 - 10. https://rawling.github.io/wr-calc/?s=mr ... 3Bt715v743


If we slip down any further it would be far more difficult to get into the top 6

Fair enough, we may have a decent chance of catching them if we win all our T2 games, beat them at home and they take a doing in the rugby championship / don't beat the Lions / don't beat England i9n the summer or November. A lot of variables!

topofthemoon wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:00 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:14 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:00 am


If the rankings are the same as today, we would overtake Argentina and close in on England if we beat Argentina 27 - 10. https://rawling.github.io/wr-calc/?s=mr ... 3Bt715v743


If we slip down any further it would be far more difficult to get into the top 6

Fair enough, we may have a decent chance of catching them if we win all our T2 games, beat them at home and they take a doing in the rugby championship / don't beat the Lions / don't beat England i9n the summer or November. A lot of variables!

Lions game won't count. Sadly we all have to be England fans this summer...

If Argentina win 3, lose 3 during the Rugby Championship they will be up a couple of ranking points. Ideally they win a maximum of 2 games, preferably fewer.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:09 pm

topofthemoon wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:00 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:14 am

Fair enough, we may have a decent chance of catching them if we win all our T2 games, beat them at home and they take a doing in the rugby championship / don't beat the Lions / don't beat England i9n the summer or November. A lot of variables!

Lions game won't count. Sadly we all have to be England fans this summer...

If Argentina win 3, lose 3 during the Rugby Championship they will be up a couple of ranking points. Ideally they win a maximum of 2 games, preferably fewer.

So the Aussies can't gain anything this summer either against the Lions. Wasn't aware of that.

KingBlairhorn wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:59 pm Surprised Harrison is in and Hiddleston isn't, similar appearance numbers, similar ages and I would say Hiddleston is marginally ahead but a good decision to have to make I suppose.

I thought Jare might make it for experience rather than necessarily playing time but perhaps a bit early for him and the squad isn't really a development squad.

Muncaster over Bradbury (and Mann) is another one that caught my eye, perhaps with an eye on the future but Maggie seems to be putting it all together these days.

Freddy presumably going with the 20s which is probably wise.

I was going to comment how surprised I was Williamson didn't make it until I realised the image above is cut-off and there are a bunch more names!

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:09 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:59 pm Surprised Harrison is in and Hiddleston isn't, similar appearance numbers, similar ages and I would say Hiddleston is marginally ahead but a good decision to have to make I suppose.

I thought Jare might make it for experience rather than necessarily playing time but perhaps a bit early for him and the squad isn't really a development squad.

Muncaster over Bradbury (and Mann) is another one that caught my eye, perhaps with an eye on the future but Maggie seems to be putting it all together these days.

Freddy presumably going with the 20s which is probably wise.

I was going to comment how surprised I was Williamson didn't make it until I realised the image above is cut-off and there are a bunch more names!

Yeah, I thought the same thing about Jamie Ritchie!

It's a fucking weird format, kind-of-alphabetical-order-but-not-quite. I'd prefer positions listed together tbh.

charltom wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 12:08 am

Biffer wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:09 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:59 pm Surprised Harrison is in and Hiddleston isn't, similar appearance numbers, similar ages and I would say Hiddleston is marginally ahead but a good decision to have to make I suppose.

I thought Jare might make it for experience rather than necessarily playing time but perhaps a bit early for him and the squad isn't really a development squad.

Muncaster over Bradbury (and Mann) is another one that caught my eye, perhaps with an eye on the future but Maggie seems to be putting it all together these days.

Freddy presumably going with the 20s which is probably wise.

I was going to comment how surprised I was Williamson didn't make it until I realised the image above is cut-off and there are a bunch more names!

Yeah, I thought the same thing about Jamie Ritchie!

It's a fucking weird format, kind-of-alphabetical-order-but-not-quite. I'd prefer positions listed together tbh.

Why's Jamie Ritchie listed right at the bottom?

Biffer wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 10:24 am Seems Fagerson picked up a new injury this week in the final phases of his recovery from the previous one

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wdjzgp413o

Doesn't look too serious if Townsend was hoping they'd still take him. Might have a shot if someone else gets injured later in the tour?

KingBlairhorn wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:48 am George Taylor (ex-Edinburgh) has an 'executive' personal trainer business; he's connected with me on linkedin. Given I have shown no hint of my love of rugby on Linkedin I can only assume he looked at my profile picture and though, that weedy bastard needs a personal trainer. I don't know if I'm pleased or put out!

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:01 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:48 am George Taylor (ex-Edinburgh) has an 'executive' personal trainer business; he's connected with me on linkedin. Given I have shown no hint of my love of rugby on Linkedin I can only assume he looked at my profile picture and though, that weedy bastard needs a personal trainer. I don't know if I'm pleased or put out!

Doesn't he run that with Mark Bennett?

Punter15 wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:43 pm Great win for the U20s. It’s only a warm up but lots to be pleased about.

KingBlairhorn wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:50 pm

Punter15 wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:43 pm Great win for the U20s. It’s only a warm up but lots to be pleased about.

I had no idea this was even happening. Was there coverage anywhere?

Edit: 48-29, wow!

Big D wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:37 pm Bradbury obviously paying for some former transgression.

No real issues with the squad although think no Hutch is odd. He's been playing well and can cover 15 too.

robmatic wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:12 pm

Big D wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:37 pm Bradbury obviously paying for some former transgression.

No real issues with the squad although think no Hutch is odd. He's been playing well and can cover 15 too.

I read this on Reddit so it could be nonsense, but Bradbury was apparently not available for selection.

Punter15 wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:43 pm Great win for the U20s. It’s only a warm up but lots to be pleased about.

Jock42 wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:23 pm

robmatic wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:12 pm

Big D wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:37 pm Bradbury obviously paying for some former transgression.

No real issues with the squad although think no Hutch is odd. He's been playing well and can cover 15 too.

I read this on Reddit so it could be nonsense, but Bradbury was apparently not available for selection.

On the BBC podcast Townsend it was "personal". Never said for who though

Slick wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 10:17 pm

Jock42 wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:23 pm

robmatic wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:12 pm

I read this on Reddit so it could be nonsense, but Bradbury was apparently not available for selection.

On the BBC podcast Townsend it was "personal". Never said for who though

I just thing he’s too flakey, nothing more

Good won for the U20’s