The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

We've actually got a decent little pool of wingers developing now. Not all match winners but will not disgrace themselves at international level. Behind the 4 I picked there's McGuigan, Steyn and Tagive with a few excellent young players hopefully stepping up to pro level this year too.

I think Hoyland has been playing well in the last few games if we're talking about the fringe wingers.

[Tichtheid]

FORWARDS (23)

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 17 caps
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
Cornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors) – 7 caps
Matt Fagerson – (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps
Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 57 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 65 caps
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 3 caps
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) - uncapped
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 37 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 38 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 7 caps
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 5 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 32 caps

BACKS (17)

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 11 caps
Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 18 caps
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) CAPTAIN – 76 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 21 caps
James Lang (Harlequins) – 2 caps
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 49 caps
Scott Steele (Harlequins) - uncapped
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – uncapped
Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 28 caps

[Jock42]

I've not seen how Scott has been playing, be must be rank rotten if a guy who is injured is in in front of him. Glad to see Weir and Hoyland in. How has CdP been playing?

What is the status with Steele? Was he one of those on the fence about his allegiance?

[Tichtheid]

I've not seen how Scott has been playing, be must be rank rotten if a guy who is injured is in in front of him. Glad to see Weir and Hoyland in. How has CdP been playing?

I think he suffers from playing in a piss poor team, tbh. They must expect Johnson to be close to coming back - it's a bit disappointing about Hutchinson, he must still be crocked, same with Duncan Taylor

[Margin__Walker]

I've not seen how Scott has been playing, be must be rank rotten if a guy who is injured is in in front of him. Glad to see Weir and Hoyland in. How has CdP been playing?

What is the status with Steele? Was he one of those on the fence about his allegiance?

Steele's never been on the fence other than it being convenient being EQP.

Always proudly Scottish etc.

Edit - Chuffed for Cowan. He's been awesome this year and finishing with another cap or two would be a nice touch.

[Begbie]

Maybe just me, but the centres don't exactly excite me.

Cowan and Steele obviously the surprises. Haven't seen him play since his last game for Scotland but keep hearing about Cowan's form, so nice to see him rewarded. Would he have been in if Crosbie was fit?

[Yr Alban]

What I would really like to know is what the squad would have looked like if everyone eligible were fit and had made themselves available.

Blair Cowan is a bit of a surprise, but not as much as James Lang. Honestly can’t see the logic there. With three 10s in the squad, he must have been picked as a centre, but he has been miles out of the picture in recent times. I don’t know what Scott did to Toony, but it must have been bad. Would also have expected McDowall to be next cab off the rank.

Some players are notable by their absence. Scott is one, SHC is another. I’d say the latter is unlucky as he has been playing very well. I might even have started him.

There were a lot of rumours about Vellacott and/or Redpath. Given the surprising inclusions of Steele and Lang, should we assume both players are permanently lost to us now?

[Begbie]

What I would really like to know is what the squad would have looked like if everyone eligible were fit and had made themselves available.

Blair Cowan is a bit of a surprise, but not as much as James Lang. Honestly can’t see the logic there. With three 10s in the squad, he must have been picked as a centre, but he has been miles out of the picture in recent times. I don’t know what Scott did to Toony, but it must have been bad. Would also have expected McDowall to be next cab off the rank.

Some players are notable by their absence. Scott is one, SHC is another. I’d say the latter is unlucky as he has been playing very well. I might even have started him.

There were a lot of rumours about Vellacott and/or Redpath. Given the surprising inclusions of Steele and Lang, should we assume both players are permanently lost to us now?

He sees himself as a centre, so I'm assuming that's where Toony see's him as well - "I see myself as a centre, 12 or 13, I enjoy playing both, and can play 10 and 15 if needs be. I played full-back a few times growing up and have had a couple of games with Quins where I’ve had to go there. I’m comfortable under the high ball and in my kicking game. But I want to focus on the centres, because I feel that’s my best position and where I can push forward".

[I like neeps]

What I would really like to know is what the squad would have looked like if everyone eligible were fit and had made themselves available.

Blair Cowan is a bit of a surprise, but not as much as James Lang. Honestly can’t see the logic there. With three 10s in the squad, he must have been picked as a centre, but he has been miles out of the picture in recent times. I don’t know what Scott did to Toony, but it must have been bad. Would also have expected McDowall to be next cab off the rank.

Some players are notable by their absence. Scott is one, SHC is another. I’d say the latter is unlucky as he has been playing very well. I might even have started him.

There were a lot of rumours about Vellacott and/or Redpath. Given the surprising inclusions of Steele and Lang, should we assume both players are permanently lost to us now?

Redpath is but can't see why Vellacott gets in the England team.

Steele is such a strange selection. As is 34 year old Blair Cowan. Rob Harley again?

Boring squad.

[westport]

Not surprised S H-C is not picked he playing too well for Toony

[KingBlairhorn]

Plenty to unpick in that squad.

Surprised they've missed out:
Hunter-Hill (playing for a team that is still one of the best in Europe, regularly)
Jaco VdW
Sam H-C
Hutchinson
Matt Scott

Injured?:
Crosbie
Bradbury
Taylor

Fair enough:
Nick Haining
Duncan Weir (apparently J WdW only qualifies late November)


Slightly surprised:
Cornell du Preez (although he was a pick in the 6N)
Richie Gray (barely played for Glasgow)
Rob Harley (although he has been playing well)
Nick Grigg (better options available)
Damien Hoyland (better options available)
James Lang (better options available)
Scott Steele (better options available)
Bennett (playing well again)
Byron McGuigan

WTF?:
Blair Cowan

[JM2K6]

Not surprised S H-C is not picked he playing too well for Toony

He's not, though. He frequently fucks up his kicking when he comes on for Exeter.

James Lang: He's a decent Henry Slade style 13, and like Slade gets worse the closer he gets to 10. I think he's a pretty good tbh and can offer something there, but I don't know if he's international standard.

Scott Steele: his basics are dreadful but he has a great attitude. Big bloke who loves a snipe and is good over the ball, but really not good at anything else. Miles off international standard. Weird call.

[Tichtheid]

Plenty to unpick in that squad.

Surprised they've missed out:
Hunter-Hill (playing for a team that is still one of the best in Europe, regularly)
Jaco VdW
Sam H-C
Hutchinson
Matt Scott

Injured?:
Crosbie
Bradbury
Taylor

Fair enough:
Nick Haining
Duncan Weir (apparently J WdW only qualifies late November)


Slightly surprised:
Cornell du Preez (although he was a pick in the 6N)
Richie Gray (barely played for Glasgow)
Rob Harley (although he has been playing well)
Nick Grigg (better options available)
Damien Hoyland (better options available)
James Lang (better options available)
Scott Steele (better options available)
Bennett (playing well again)
Byron McGuigan

WTF?:
Blair Cowan

Crosbie, Taylor, Bradbury and Hutchinson are all injured according to TOL

Hunter-Hill and Sam H-C are very surprising omissions.

I don't like putting players down, but I'm surprised at a couple of players who are in there, Cowan has been good of late, though.

[Tichtheid]

Not surprised S H-C is not picked he playing too well for Toony

He's not, though. He frequently fucks up his kicking when he comes on for Exeter.

I'd say "frequently" is overstating it a bit, it's his pass that sometimes goes astray but I think a bit longer with Baxter and his team will do him the world of good - he's not long turned 27 so age-wise he still has time.

He's very quick, he was sharp enough to play on the wing for Edinburgh a few times as injury cover

[Slick]

I guess it does show that although we have strength in depth in a few positions, and a much better overall squad than in the last couple of decades, we still have to pick a few squad players that are not good enough for that level just to make up the numbers

[I like neeps]

Plenty to unpick in that squad.

Surprised they've missed out:
Hunter-Hill (playing for a team that is still one of the best in Europe, regularly)
Jaco VdW
Sam H-C
Hutchinson
Matt Scott

Injured?:
Crosbie
Bradbury
Taylor

Fair enough:
Nick Haining
Duncan Weir (apparently J WdW only qualifies late November)


Slightly surprised:
Cornell du Preez (although he was a pick in the 6N)
Richie Gray (barely played for Glasgow)
Rob Harley (although he has been playing well)
Nick Grigg (better options available)
Damien Hoyland (better options available)
James Lang (better options available)
Scott Steele (better options available)
Bennett (playing well again)
Byron McGuigan

WTF?:
Blair Cowan

Crosbie, Taylor, Bradbury and Hutchinson are all injured according to TOL

Hunter-Hill and Sam H-C are very surprising omissions.

I don't like putting players down, but I'm surprised at a couple of players who are in there, Cowan has been good of late, though.

Hunter-Hill who isn't getting in the Sarries team because of Tim Swinson is a surprising omission? I'd have been surprised if he got in

[Tichtheid]

Hunter-Hill who isn't getting in the Sarries team because of Tim Swinson is a surprising omission? I'd have been surprised if he got in

The word is that they really rate CHH at Sarries, but sometimes you want a gnarly old bastard like Swinson in the side. CHH has had a fair number of starts for them this season it and it would help his development to be training with the squad, even if he isn't going to play for Scotland in this tournament. As things stand he won't be playing any rugby until January

For me CHH has bags of potential, so yeah, I'd have him in this squad.

[I like neeps]

Hunter-Hill who isn't getting in the Sarries team because of Tim Swinson is a surprising omission? I'd have been surprised if he got in

The word is that they really rate CHH at Sarries, but sometimes you want a gnarly old bastard like Swinson in the side. CHH has had a fair number of starts for them this season it and it would help his development to be training with the squad, even if he isn't going to play for Scotland in this tournament. As things stand he won't be playing any rugby until January

For me CHH has bags of potential, so yeah, I'd have him in this squad.

I'd think in a champions cup quarter and semi final you'd pick your best players. I know Vs Racing CHH got on for two minutes when the game was gone. Hardly a show of faith or how highly they rate him. I like Swinson but come on now if he's playing 78 minutes ahead of you in a gigantic clash...

[Yr Alban]

Hunter-Hill who isn't getting in the Sarries team because of Tim Swinson is a surprising omission? I'd have been surprised if he got in

The word is that they really rate CHH at Sarries, but sometimes you want a gnarly old bastard like Swinson in the side. CHH has had a fair number of starts for them this season it and it would help his development to be training with the squad, even if he isn't going to play for Scotland in this tournament. As things stand he won't be playing any rugby until January

For me CHH has bags of potential, so yeah, I'd have him in this squad.

I'd think in a champions cup quarter and semi final you'd pick your best players. I know Vs Racing CHH got on for two minutes when the game was gone. Hardly a show of faith or how highly they rate him. I like Swinson but come on now if he's playing 78 minutes ahead of you in a gigantic clash...

You could hardly say that Swinson is part of the future though. He retired once, after all. I can see that in a SF you want the hard-bitten old guard more than you want inexperienced youngsters, even if the youngsters might be more talented.

[KingBlairhorn]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

[KingBlairhorn]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

I just remembered that Richie Gray, who apparently can’t get a start ahead of Bob Harley is in the squad

[Northern Lights]

Richie Gray is an interesting one, our pack and lineouts have been much poorer without him (I'm going over the last few seasons) and he was more deserving of inclusion when he was in France, now he is back and not playing much he gets in.

Always head scratchers with selections though

[westport]

Is the game against Georgia on telly somewhere, I have searched and can't find any details anywhere

[Slick]

Richie Gray is an interesting one, our pack and lineouts have been much poorer without him (I'm going over the last few seasons) and he was more deserving of inclusion when he was in France, now he is back and not playing much he gets in.

Always head scratchers with selections though

Wasn't it largely his decision not to be involved when he was in France? Plus injuries of course

[Northern Lights]

Richie Gray is an interesting one, our pack and lineouts have been much poorer without him (I'm going over the last few seasons) and he was more deserving of inclusion when he was in France, now he is back and not playing much he gets in.

Always head scratchers with selections though

Wasn't it largely his decision not to be involved when he was in France? Plus injuries of course

You could be right, think i remember he was having a kid or something which i get but to me wouldnt have been an insurmountable object to getting him on the field.

Just for me, we have been far weaker in the pack without him and although he may not have scaled the heights we all hoped for when he broke through he has been a big miss in the side.

[Jock42]

Richie Gray is an interesting one, our pack and lineouts have been much poorer without him (I'm going over the last few seasons) and he was more deserving of inclusion when he was in France, now he is back and not playing much he gets in.

Always head scratchers with selections though

Wasn't it largely his decision not to be involved when he was in France? Plus injuries of course

You could be right, think i remember he was having a kid or something which i get but to me wouldnt have been an insurmountable object to getting him on the field.

Just for me, we have been far weaker in the pack without him and although he may not have scaled the heights we all hoped for when he broke through he has been a big miss in the side.

Was that not in the build up to the world cup? Think he was also in the top 14 final and wasn't able to commit to the training squad which ruled him out.

[Slick]

Wasn't it largely his decision not to be involved when he was in France? Plus injuries of course

You could be right, think i remember he was having a kid or something which i get but to me wouldnt have been an insurmountable object to getting him on the field.

Just for me, we have been far weaker in the pack without him and although he may not have scaled the heights we all hoped for when he broke through he has been a big miss in the side.

Was that not in the build up to the world cup? Think he was also in the top 14 final and wasn't able to commit to the training squad which ruled him out.

I think at one stage he also felt he had to concentrate on his club having been out injured for so long. I'd love to see him back.

[westport]

He wasn't long recovered from hip surgery and then his wife had a kid in the May then he wanted to concentrate on his club to the T14 title

[Tichtheid]

Is the game against Georgia on telly somewhere, I have searched and can't find any details anywhere

The only thing I can find is TBC on the “where’s the match” site

[westport]

Is the game against Georgia on telly somewhere, I have searched and can't find any details anywhere

The only thing I can find is TBC on the “where’s the match” site

Thanks, thought it was just me

[I like neeps]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

Skinner who has performed very well for Scotland and Chiefs in the past.

CHH did nothing at Edinburgh, plays at Sarries so we presume he's good but he was signed by them with a year in the championship in mind. In big games Sarries simply don't play him not for Jonny Gray and Jonny Hill but for Tim Swinson! If we still do apprentices maybe he can do that.

[Slick]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

Skinner who has performed very well for Scotland and Chiefs in the past.

CHH did nothing at Edinburgh, plays at Sarries so we presume he's good but he was signed by them with a year in the championship in mind. In big games Sarries simply don't play him not for Jonny Gray and Jonny Hill but for Tim Swinson! If we still do apprentices maybe he can do that.

I'd really like Skinner to get a good run in the team. Don't really care what position just want him playing regularly as I think he will be brilliant for us for many years and really brings the mental side that we seem to lack a bit.

[I like neeps]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

Skinner who has performed very well for Scotland and Chiefs in the past.

CHH did nothing at Edinburgh, plays at Sarries so we presume he's good but he was signed by them with a year in the championship in mind. In big games Sarries simply don't play him not for Jonny Gray and Jonny Hill but for Tim Swinson! If we still do apprentices maybe he can do that.

I'd really like Skinner to get a good run in the team. Don't really care what position just want him playing regularly as I think he will be brilliant for us for many years and really brings the mental side that we seem to lack a bit.

Agreed. He speaks very well too, comes across as a future captain of Scotland.

Jonny Hill would also walk into the Scotland team. So it's not like Skinner is being kept out by an average player.

[KingBlairhorn]

CHH not getting a start for Sarries is a reason not to select him as 5th choice lock, but Skinner who isn’t getting a start for Chiefs is presumably okay as 3rd possibly 2nd choice?

CHH wouldn’t start for Scotland yet, but he’s one of our top young players and isn’t a poor choice to complete the squad IMO.

Skinner who has performed very well for Scotland and Chiefs in the past.

CHH did nothing at Edinburgh, plays at Sarries so we presume he's good but he was signed by them with a year in the championship in mind. In big games Sarries simply don't play him not for Jonny Gray and Jonny Hill but for Tim Swinson! If we still do apprentices maybe he can do that.

It's not an either or situation though - Skinner was picked and we are all happy with that decision. We are discussing who should be 6th choice lock in the squad and I used Skinner to illustrate the point that using CHH not getting a start at Sarries to justify him not being 6th choice is odd when we are happy our 2nd/3rd choice doesn't start at Chiefs. Candidates were Richie Gray (selected despite not getting in the Glasgow team over Bob Harley), Alex Craig (not getting much of a game in the prem), Hunter-Hill, Kiran McDonald (not getting a game at Glasgow), Davidson (4th choice at Edinburgh?). All I was saying was that CHH might have been good to have around the squad as he appears to be good enough to play at the top end of the prem with Sarries, regardless of whether they brought him in for the Champ season (they didn't, he signed on loan several months before they were relegated) or not.

[Jock42]

Is the game against Georgia on telly somewhere, I have searched and can't find any details anywhere

The only thing I can find is TBC on the “where’s the match” site

Thanks, thought it was just me

itv4 coverage starts at 1900

[KingBlairhorn]

The only thing I can find is TBC on the “where’s the match” site

Thanks, thought it was just me

itv4 coverage starts at 1900

Good news, I thought it might end up either untelevised or behind a paywall.

[westport]

The only thing I can find is TBC on the “where’s the match” site

Thanks, thought it was just me

itv4 coverage starts at 1900

Great, many thanks

[Jockaline]

For some reason I thought these games were going to be on Amazon Prime only. Is it just this one match on council telly?

Thanks, thought it was just me

itv4 coverage starts at 1900

Great, many thanks

[Jock42]

For some reason I thought these games were going to be on Amazon Prime only. Is it just this one match on council telly?

itv4 coverage starts at 1900

Great, many thanks

AFAIK its just this. Its a warm up prior to the 6N rather than the 8N

[Jockaline]

Thanks, no need to start my free Amazon Prime trial just yet then.