The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[dkm57]

Really need a team of sports psychologists on board ASAP. We have the players, both current and coming through, it's the attitude and mental fragility that's the huge problem.

[Northern Lights]

We need the crims as they are our bunnies. Don’t fancy France or Ireland.

Japan will probably be ok too, think they were so up for their home rwc they should be beatable at the next one

[dkm57]

We need the crims as they are our bunnies. Don’t fancy France or Ireland.

Japan will probably be ok too, think they were so up for their home rwc they should be beatable at the next one

agree

[Northern Lights]

Oh and pretty please the taffs from pot 1 or England as a backup.

[dkm57]

Oh and pretty please the taffs from pot 1 or England as a backup.

Giving the taffs a proper kicking is long overdue but we keep shitting the bed.

England we blow hot and cold it's either a tight hard fought match or an embarrassing collective clusterf#ck

NZ we're gallant losers

SA we limp off battered and bleeding

[Northern Lights]

Oh and pretty please the taffs from pot 1 or England as a backup.

Giving the taffs a proper kicking is long overdue but we keep shitting the bed.

England we blow hot and cold it's either a tight hard fought match or an embarrassing collective clusterf#ck

NZ we're gallant losers

SA we limp off battered and bleeding

Yep, can’t disagree with any of that

[Slick]

I dunno, we’ve got a pretty decent recent record against France and SA

[Northern Lights]

I dunno, we’ve got a pretty decent recent record against France and SA

When was the last time we beat France in France? Or SA at a World Cup?

[Slick]

I dunno, we’ve got a pretty decent recent record against France and SA

When was the last time we beat France in France? Or SA at a World Cup?

Picky.

[Northern Lights]

I dunno, we’ve got a pretty decent recent record against France and SA

When was the last time we beat France in France? Or SA at a World Cup?

Picky.

Yeah, sorry.

Tbf our record against England and Wales of late isn’t great but I just think we have a better shot against them than France or the boks

[Biffer]

Ah, the joy of turning on the rugby just in time to see a Scottish ref sending Peter O'Mahoney off for being a dirty bastard.

[Slick]

Ah, the joy of turning on the rugby just in time to see a Scottish ref sending Peter O'Mahoney off for being a dirty bastard.

[Slick]

Glasgow have to win this.

Brown and Hastings having good games and Jones doing OK at full back, the rest need a bit of a kick up the arse

[Tichtheid]

Glasgow have to win this.

Brown and Hastings having good games and Jones doing OK at full back, the rest need a bit of a kick up the arse

Jones has cut Connacht open with quick hands a couple of times, but it has been fumbled.

They look the more likely side to click

[Slick]

Hastings needs to stop kicking possession away FFS

[Yr Alban]

Really not looking good from Edinburgh right now. 13 points down and missed two penalties.

[Jock42]

Theres always next season

[Yr Alban]

Theres always next season

One game in and that’s the prevailing feeling. Both of those games would have been won last season. Seems there’s nothing that Covid can’t ruin.

I see Bradbury and Crosbie both went off injured as well.

[Begbie]

Away to Munster next too

Any word on how serious the injuries are?

[dkm57]

Disappointing day's rugby.

[Begbie]

Fraser Dingwall has been named in the England training squad.

[robmatic]

Really not looking good from Edinburgh right now. 13 points down and missed two penalties.

It wasn't great. I'm generally a fan of Jaco, but he had a bit of a nightmare on Saturday and Edinburgh have a problem if they won't even put Chamberlain on in those circumstances.

[Tichtheid]

Fraser Dingwall has been named in the England training squad.

I misread that as the Edinburgh squad.


I switched the game off on Saturday night after about ten minutes, I just had that feeling about the game. I still can't bring myself to read any of the reports about it.
Since the first game against the Weedge in August we've been poor, but at least it's only Munster at Thomond next up.

[Slick]

Fraser Dingwall has been named in the England training squad.

I misread that as the Edinburgh squad.


I switched the game off on Saturday night after about ten minutes, I just had that feeling about the game. I still can't bring myself to read any of the reports about it.
Since the first game against the Weedge in August we've been poor, but at least it's only Munster at Thomond next up.

I didn't see any of the game but read the report in the Sunday Times yesterday and it was beyond damning. They will be back though.

[KingBlairhorn]

Fraser Dingwall has been named in the England training squad.

I misread that as the Edinburgh squad.


I switched the game off on Saturday night after about ten minutes, I just had that feeling about the game. I still can't bring myself to read any of the reports about it.
Since the first game against the Weedge in August we've been poor, but at least it's only Munster at Thomond next up.

Ewen Ashman was the 'rising star' profiled in the Rugby Paper over the weekend. He talked about how much he likes playing for Scotland and that he feels Scottish, but chucked in that he also qualifies for England and is keeping his options open.

[KingBlairhorn]

For refererence.

[Tichtheid]

Fraser Dingwall has been named in the England training squad.

I misread that as the Edinburgh squad.


I switched the game off on Saturday night after about ten minutes, I just had that feeling about the game. I still can't bring myself to read any of the reports about it.
Since the first game against the Weedge in August we've been poor, but at least it's only Munster at Thomond next up.

Ewen Ashman was the 'rising star' profiled in the Rugby Paper over the weekend. He talked about how much he likes playing for Scotland and that he feels Scottish, but chucked in that he also qualifies for England and is keeping his options open.

I hope Toonie is talking to him and brings him into the squad for next month

[clydecloggie]

I misread that as the Edinburgh squad.


I switched the game off on Saturday night after about ten minutes, I just had that feeling about the game. I still can't bring myself to read any of the reports about it.
Since the first game against the Weedge in August we've been poor, but at least it's only Munster at Thomond next up.

Ewen Ashman was the 'rising star' profiled in the Rugby Paper over the weekend. He talked about how much he likes playing for Scotland and that he feels Scottish, but chucked in that he also qualifies for England and is keeping his options open.

I hope Toonie is talking to him and brings him into the squad for next month

Clever play by Ashman, putting the pressure on Toonie. We're well-stocked at hooker just now, but Ashman seems a real prospect and the most likely one to take over when McInally and Brown fade/retire. Definitely get him capped (that's what Georgia games are for) and end the discussion.

[Big D]

Ewen Ashman was the 'rising star' profiled in the Rugby Paper over the weekend. He talked about how much he likes playing for Scotland and that he feels Scottish, but chucked in that he also qualifies for England and is keeping his options open.

I hope Toonie is talking to him and brings him into the squad for next month

Clever play by Ashman, putting the pressure on Toonie. We're well-stocked at hooker just now, but Ashman seems a real prospect and the most likely one to take over when McInally and Brown fade/retire. Definitely get him capped (that's what Georgia games are for) and end the discussion.

I am not sure we are that well stocked. Rambo and Brown both have their ups and downs and Turner is very up and down. Given the world cup seedings are already determined I don't think there is much to lose by giving young prospects a run in bigger games.

An injury or two and we are into Kerr and Cherry who are ok but if Ashman has the potential then give him a shot.

I would imagine Townsend has probably spoken to Redpath and Vellacott again too.

[clydecloggie]

I hope Toonie is talking to him and brings him into the squad for next month

Clever play by Ashman, putting the pressure on Toonie. We're well-stocked at hooker just now, but Ashman seems a real prospect and the most likely one to take over when McInally and Brown fade/retire. Definitely get him capped (that's what Georgia games are for) and end the discussion.

I am not sure we are that well stocked. Rambo and Brown both have their ups and downs and Turner is very up and down. Given the world cup seedings are already determined I don't think there is much to lose by giving young prospects a run in bigger games.

An injury or two and we are into Kerr and Cherry who are ok but if Ashman has the potential then give him a shot.

I would imagine Townsend has probably spoken to Redpath and Vellacott again too.

We have two hookers that are in the Lions conversation (not that either of them will actually go, but at least they're being mentioned), and in Turner a guy who tends to hold his own whenever he's called upon. For Scottish standards, that's pretty well stocked.

But whenever I've seen Ashman, he has something special. Admittedly, most of that was in a rank U20 side where he stood out a mile.

[Big D]

Clever play by Ashman, putting the pressure on Toonie. We're well-stocked at hooker just now, but Ashman seems a real prospect and the most likely one to take over when McInally and Brown fade/retire. Definitely get him capped (that's what Georgia games are for) and end the discussion.

I am not sure we are that well stocked. Rambo and Brown both have their ups and downs and Turner is very up and down. Given the world cup seedings are already determined I don't think there is much to lose by giving young prospects a run in bigger games.

An injury or two and we are into Kerr and Cherry who are ok but if Ashman has the potential then give him a shot.

I would imagine Townsend has probably spoken to Redpath and Vellacott again too.

We have two hookers that are in the Lions conversation (not that either of them will actually go, but at least they're being mentioned), and in Turner a guy who tends to hold his own whenever he's called upon. For Scottish standards, that's pretty well stocked.

But whenever I've seen Ashman, he has something special. Admittedly, most of that was in a rank U20 side where he stood out a mile.

They are being mentioned because other than George (IMO) the other options aren't that strong. But in any case, it is an injury away from relying on Turner who just about holds his own. To me that isn't a reason to wait on someone we think may surpass some of them in reasonably quick order (18 months or so if he gets the game time).

Sometimes even at international level you need to take a bit of a punt, even if just for the bench. If Rambo, Brown and Turner were all consistently at their best for Scotland I'd be a bit more reluctant but it has been a while since they were consistently good IMO. And some of them love an injury.

It was the same as how I felt with Hutchison, give them a chance. Especially when these autumn games don't mean a great deal in the big scheme of things except those chasing Lions honours.

[Tichtheid]

It was the same as how I felt with Hutchison, give them a chance. Especially when these autumn games don't mean a great deal in the big scheme of things except those chasing Lions honours.

Agreed, these upcoming matches mean nothing in the bigger picture - the world cup tiers have been allocated so they are just games for their own sakes. This is precisely the time we should be looking at options such as Ashman. I was hoping Crosbie and Shiel would get some time on the park, but they both picked up injuries on Saturday.

[Slick]

I look forward to us all agreeing it means nothing when Wales pump isn’t in a couple of weeks!

[clydecloggie]

I look forward to us all agreeing it means nothing when Wales pump isn’t in a couple of weeks!

Par for the course, nothing to see here.

Wales are shite now, we really should start beating them. Etc.

[Slick]

I look forward to us all agreeing it means nothing when Wales pump isn’t in a couple of weeks!

Par for the course, nothing to see here.

Wales are shite now, we really should start beating them. Etc.

[KingBlairhorn]

It was the same as how I felt with Hutchison, give them a chance. Especially when these autumn games don't mean a great deal in the big scheme of things except those chasing Lions honours.

Agreed, these upcoming matches mean nothing in the bigger picture - the world cup tiers have been allocated so they are just games for their own sakes. This is precisely the time we should be looking at options such as Ashman. I was hoping Crosbie and Shiel would get some time on the park, but they both picked up injuries on Saturday.

In the test against Georgia I suppose you could argue for Ashman on the bench and giving him 20 minutes but I'm not really convinced, other than that I'm afraid I don't agree with giving him any game time at all. He has one pro start to his name as far as I know, that's not enough for a full cap. I would definitely have him up training with the squad as an apprentice though, assuming that doesn't stop him getting actual Prem gametime which it might.

Is Crobie's injury bad? I haven't seen an update. He walked off the pitch and I had heard it was a light hamstring injury (around a month out), so he should be back for the tournament, at least the later games. Given this is Scotland, we'll have lost so many to injury by that point he's bound to get some time on the pitch!

I wouldn't be putting Shiel into an international either, he is too green and has yet to establish himself against some less than stellar opposition at Edinburgh. Horne, Price and one other - for me that will be Sam H-C. I'd have Dobie in as another apprentice, although pro-team commitments might make that difficult for him too.

[Tichtheid]

In the test against Georgia I suppose you could argue for Ashman on the bench and giving him 20 minutes but I'm not really convinced, other than that I'm afraid I don't agree with giving him any game time at all. He has one pro start to his name as far as I know, that's not enough for a full cap. I would definitely have him up training with the squad as an apprentice though, assuming that doesn't stop him getting actual Prem gametime which it might.

Is Crobie's injury bad? I haven't seen an update. He walked off the pitch and I had heard it was a light hamstring injury (around a month out), so he should be back for the tournament, at least the later games. Given this is Scotland, we'll have lost so many to injury by that point he's bound to get some time on the pitch!

I wouldn't be putting Shiel into an international either, he is too green and has yet to establish himself against some less than stellar opposition at Edinburgh. Horne, Price and one other - for me that will be Sam H-C. I'd have Dobie in as another apprentice, although pro-team commitments might make that difficult for him too.

This was in TOL - 'Cockerill added. “Luke has a Grade Two hamstring and he will be out for four to six weeks. Jamie is Covid-free and available to play.”'

Worst case from that would mean Crosbie missing the Georgia game but being fit thereafter.


I think Shiel is ready for some minutes at the end of what is effectively bounce games, but I can see the argument against his inclusion, imo he offers more than his competition at Edinburgh, even if he is not getting picked as the first choice starter.

I feel that sometimes you have to take a chance on players, and these games offer a perfect opportunity to do so.

[KingBlairhorn]

My (38 man, 21/17 split) squad would be (assuming all are fit):

Forwards:
Fagerson, Nel, Berghan
Sutherland, Kebble, Bhatti/Rae
Brown, McInally, Turner
Gray (J), Cummings, Gilchrist, Toolis, Hunter-Hill
Crosbie, Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson, Bradbury, Skinner (lock/back-row), Thomson

Backs:
Price, Horne, Sam H-C
Russell, Hastings, Jaco VdW
Harris, Johnson, Taylor, Hutchinson, Jones, Matt Scott
Graham, Duhan, Maitland, Kinghorn
Hogg

[Tichtheid]

I only really half watched the Scarlets game last week, is Thomson on form atm?

[KingBlairhorn]

I only really half watched the Scarlets game last week, is Thomson on form atm?

I didn't see the game myself but I read he was playing well, particularly in the loose. There were a few clips circulating of him through the week stepping his man twice in the same move.