6N -4th

[Cameo]

I don't think you can say you hope a lesson was learned RE Wales when they did the same thing against Ireland (to a lesser extent) and against Italy (close to being as bad if not worse).

My issue is we seem to have gotten better throughout the tournament and then gotten rapidly worse again. A bell curve of performances if you will which concerns me greatly.

The win against England is the anomaly in those performances/results - not the bad performances which are far more common.

I agree about the Italy game but I just dont see how you can say the Wales and Ireland games were anything like the same (except the scores)

[Mikey Brown]

I don't think you can say you hope a lesson was learned RE Wales when they did the same thing against Ireland (to a lesser extent) and against Italy (close to being as bad if not worse).

Well we just disagree on what was happening in those games then, beyond just being bad.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

When did they travel for the Italy this match?

Thurs evening I think.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

We turned up in Ireland totally unprepared IMO. Maybe not as complacent as Cardiff/Rome but certainly unprepared.

You only throw hail mary plays on first phase ball if 1) you're under the cosh or 2) you think you're hot shit and you don't need to earn that right. I don't think Ireland put that much pressure on us early on in the game so that only really leaves one option if they weren't under the cosh...

[switchskier]

I actually think that you're all overestimating where we are as a team. We're a very good counter attacking side with the ability to open anyone up and score off loose kicks or turnover possession. We thrive when it's fast open and loose.

What we're not is a team that can dominate possession and control a game. We just don't have the players to do that. So we're always going to rely on taking our chances (Ireland) to stay competitive and are unlikely to really put teams away. 3rd is probably about right, even if it is a missed opportunity.

[switchskier]

Reading the English board and comments about Daly got me thinking about our wingers. They've not really gotten themselves that involved this 6N. Previously Seymour especially was a threat why he came off his wing and created an extra option in midfield but I don't remember him doing it once this 6N. Game plan or just a bit off form?

[Cameo]

We turned up in Ireland totally unprepared IMO. Maybe not as complacent as Cardiff/Rome but certainly unprepared.

You only throw hail mary plays on first phase ball if 1) you're under the cosh or 2) you think you're hot shit and you don't need to earn that right. I don't think Ireland put that much pressure on us early on in the game so that only really leaves one option if they weren't under the cosh...

Are you just referring to the Horne pass there? I've got a third option. A player made a mistake and picked the wrong pass.

I think third is about right. We beat France more comfortably than anyone else and beat England well but we had a nightmare against Wales and struggled more than anyone against Italy. Against Ireland we gave it a good shot but made too many mistakes and were beaten by a better team. Basically we can beat anyone but need to play very well or have some other things go our way to do so

[hugh_woatmeigh]

We turned up in Ireland totally unprepared IMO. Maybe not as complacent as Cardiff/Rome but certainly unprepared.

You only throw hail mary plays on first phase ball if 1) you're under the cosh or 2) you think you're hot shit and you don't need to earn that right. I don't think Ireland put that much pressure on us early on in the game so that only really leaves one option if they weren't under the cosh...

Are you just referring to the Horne pass there? I've got a third option. A player made a mistake and picked the wrong pass.

I think third is about right. We beat France more comfortably than anyone else and beat England well but we had a nightmare against Wales and struggled more than anyone against Italy. Against Ireland we gave it a good shot but made too many mistakes and were beaten by a better team. Basically we can beat anyone but need to play very well or have some other things go our way to do so

I'm referring to our play in general. We lack patience.

[Chunks Baws]

I actually think that you're all overestimating where we are as a team. We're a very good counter attacking side with the ability to open anyone up and score off loose kicks or turnover possession. We thrive when it's fast open and loose.

What we're not is a team that can dominate possession and control a game. We just don't have the players to do that. So we're always going to rely on taking our chances (Ireland) to stay competitive and are unlikely to really put teams away. 3rd is probably about right, even if it is a missed opportunity.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/r ... n-in-rome/

According to this journalist our Plan A of 'sexy rugby' was only evident for one hour of the entire tournament. I'm not sure if that means we need to abandon Plan A or just be grateful we have a Plan B that worked. Still, if someone told me we'd finish 3rd after the pish in Cardiff I'd have thought they were nuts.

[Stones of granite]

I actually think that you're all overestimating where we are as a team. We're a very good counter attacking side with the ability to open anyone up and score off loose kicks or turnover possession. We thrive when it's fast open and loose.

What we're not is a team that can dominate possession and control a game. We just don't have the players to do that. So we're always going to rely on taking our chances (Ireland) to stay competitive and are unlikely to really put teams away. 3rd is probably about right, even if it is a missed opportunity.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/r ... n-in-rome/

According to this journalist our Plan A of 'sexy rugby' was only evident for one hour of the entire tournament. I'm not sure if that means we need to abandon Plan A or just be grateful we have a Plan B that worked. Still, if someone told me we'd finish 3rd after the pish in Cardiff I'd have thought they were nuts.

Stevie Scott raises another question in that piece.

Russell remains an enigma, and unless he finds consistency in France with Racing – unlikely, you’d imagine – he’s going to be a liability or an inspiration at turns.

This has to be a major concern as we build for the World Cup. Plan A does seem to be built around Russell's qualities, and it is an open question how he is going to develop at Racing. I have a serious concern that he will not get the leeway there that he does at Glasgow, and regress rapidly along with his confidence. So, what's the backup plan?

[Chunks Baws]

I actually think that you're all overestimating where we are as a team. We're a very good counter attacking side with the ability to open anyone up and score off loose kicks or turnover possession. We thrive when it's fast open and loose.

What we're not is a team that can dominate possession and control a game. We just don't have the players to do that. So we're always going to rely on taking our chances (Ireland) to stay competitive and are unlikely to really put teams away. 3rd is probably about right, even if it is a missed opportunity.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/r ... n-in-rome/

According to this journalist our Plan A of 'sexy rugby' was only evident for one hour of the entire tournament. I'm not sure if that means we need to abandon Plan A or just be grateful we have a Plan B that worked. Still, if someone told me we'd finish 3rd after the pish in Cardiff I'd have thought they were nuts.

Stevie Scott raises another question in that piece.

Russell remains an enigma, and unless he finds consistency in France with Racing – unlikely, you’d imagine – he’s going to be a liability or an inspiration at turns.

This has to be a major concern as we build for the World Cup. Plan A does seem to be built around Russell's qualities, and it is an open question how he is going to develop at Racing. I have a serious concern that he will not get the leeway there that he does at Glasgow, and regress rapidly along with his confidence. So, what's the backup plan?

And who is the backup player? We desperately need a couple of guys putting pressure on Finn.

[Cameo]

I think Russels inconsistemcy is overstated. Yes, he had a mixed tournament but I'd say he is a remarkably consistent player considering his style.

I'd love to have better backup but if he stays fit I find it hard to imagine anyone starting ahead of him

[Mikey Brown]

I think Russels inconsistemcy is overstated. Yes, he had a mixed tournament but I'd say he is a remarkably consistent player considering his style.

I'd love to have better backup but if he stays fit I find it hard to imagine anyone starting ahead of him

Yeah. It's partly a perception thing. Farrell will make every single mistake, that Russell gets blasted for, in a game and nobody will even mention it. But I do think it's an issue we need to look at. Laidlaw/Horne at 10 is not the answer.

I was sort of hoping we'd put Hogg to 10 and Kinghorn at 15 at the weekend.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think Russels inconsistemcy is overstated. Yes, he had a mixed tournament but I'd say he is a remarkably consistent player considering his style.

I'd love to have better backup but if he stays fit I find it hard to imagine anyone starting ahead of him

Uh... I'd argue people underestimate it...

I suspect the back up FH will depend on how Glasgow approach next season. I cannot see them being allowed a non SQ fly half. They may opt with Hastings/Horne or they continue to be linked with Kiwi West who is still strongly rumoured to be SQ.

[Chunks Baws]

I think Russels inconsistemcy is overstated. Yes, he had a mixed tournament but I'd say he is a remarkably consistent player considering his style.

I'd love to have better backup but if he stays fit I find it hard to imagine anyone starting ahead of him

Uh... I'd argue people underestimate it...

I suspect the back up FH will depend on how Glasgow approach next season. I cannot see them being allowed a non SQ fly half. They may opt with Hastings/Horne or they continue to be linked with Kiwi West who is still strongly rumoured to be SQ.

Have Glasgow been linked with Ihaia West as a replacement for Finn?

[switchskier]

I think Russels inconsistemcy is overstated. Yes, he had a mixed tournament but I'd say he is a remarkably consistent player considering his style.

I'd love to have better backup but if he stays fit I find it hard to imagine anyone starting ahead of him

Yeah. It's partly a perception thing. Farrell will make every single mistake, that Russell gets blasted for, in a game and nobody will even mention it. But I do think it's an issue we need to look at. Laidlaw/Horne at 10 is not the answer.

I was sort of hoping we'd put Hogg to 10 and Kinghorn at 15 at the weekend.

I thought that Hogg spent most of the last ten minutes at ten anyways. Looked good there directing things.

We're not going to find anyone that plays the way Russel does so we shouldn't try force it. Pick whomever is in the best form and adjust accordingly.

[Chunks Baws]

When did they travel for the Italy this match?

Not sure what day they travelled but the captains run was definitely in Rome.

[whatisthejava]

Travelled on Thursday.

[Big D]

Interesting stat from a good poster on other sites:

topofthemoon wrote:

If you exclude Currie Cup / Vodacom Cup Huw Jones has only made 10 starts at top club level - less than his 16 starts for Scotland. Even if you include the lower tier of SA comps he's still only started 32 club games in his career so far. That's less than Kinghorn for example. He's a late developer which is why he's come through this route to us so he's not been getting drilled in Academy systems since he was 16/17. He's a lot to learn but it's all teachable - the instinctive attacking stuff he has already would be very difficult to develop just through coaching.

[Digby]

We leaked tries against the Irish and Welsh and we've actually scored 2 fewer tries than Italy. So I reckon 4th is about right just now. In fact finishing 5th wouldn't even be that much of a surprise. We need to thump Italy this weekend but I cant see it. It will probably be a narrow, nervy win.

Will this prove the most accurate forecast of the year?

It was a hell of a game btw, easily the best to watch from the weekend.

[Mikey Brown]

McInally, Gray, Watson, Jones and Hogg all make the opta based 6N XV. Interesting.

[Digby]

McInally was my player of the tournament, certainly when Vs what I expected. Good setpiece work, great around the park, even good passes when playing acting halfback, he's improved massively.

[no sleep]

McInally, Gray, Watson, Jones and Hogg all make the opta based 6N XV. Interesting.

Good for them, they all had good(ish) tournaments.

And with the possible exception of McInally, should all be rested for the summer tour

[hugh_woatmeigh]

https://www.analytics380.com/other-spor ... al-review/

Not massively interesting - all pretty much as expected. A couple of fixes would improve performance some way... we had the worst L/O in the tournament for example.

[Cameo]

Yeah, some quite simplistic conclusions from the author but lineouts are a worry. Tackle percentage is something we'll be thinking about too