Way too early RWC Squad

[Big D]

So, 6N out the way what are the predictions for the world cup squad.

Assume 31 man as per last one.
17 forwards:
Hooker: Rambo, Brown, Turner
Props: Dell, Nel, Berghan, Reid, Fagerson (although they might go for someone who can play LHP too).
2nd row: GG, Toolis, JGray, Skinner (I do think RGray will force himself into the discussion)
Back row: Watson, Ritchie, Bradbury, Barclay, Wilson

14 Backs:
9: Price, Horne, Laidlaw
10: Finn, Hastings
Centre: Johnson, Jones, Horne, Taylor/Scott (depending on fitness)
Back 3: Mailtand, Graham, Hogg, Kinghorn (if fit), Seymour

[Adder]

So, 6N out the way what are the predictions for the world cup squad.

Assume 31 man as per last one.
17 forwards:
Hooker: Rambo, Brown, Turner
Props: Dell, Nel, Berghan, Reid, Fagerson (although they might go for someone who can play LHP too).
2nd row: GG, Toolis, JGray, Skinner (I do think RGray will force himself into the discussion)
Back row: Watson, Ritchie, Bradbury, Barclay, Wilson

14 Backs:
9: Price, Horne, Price
10: Finn, Hastings
Centre: Johnson, Jones, Horne, Taylor/Scott (depending on fitness)
Back 3: Mailtand, Graham, Hogg, Kinghorn (if fit), Seymour

Price, Horne, price?

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[Big D]

Changed to Laidlaw.

[Chunks Baws]

I wonder if Blade Thomson will recover and get enough games to impress. If he does we may see another Hardie 2015 situation with people losing their shit if he goes ahead of Bradbury or Wilson.

[Big D]

I wonder if Blade Thomson will recover and get enough games to impress. If he does we may see another Hardie 2015 situation with people losing their shit if he goes ahead of Bradbury or Wilson.

I think he is going to be capped in the warm ups with fit but going to be hard to dislodge Bradbury and Wilson based on them playing pretty well in the 6N.

I was pretty impressed with Bradbury off the base v England. Two or three times he picked and made good ground. We don't see that a lot from the others. Maybe it is because he is quicker than the others.

[Mikey Brown]

There’s perhaps more to be said of the effect of Wilson’s abscence than anything specific he does in the pitch. I like the idea of having him in the squad but still don’t think he’s really good enough. Strauss is in for me at the moment as Bradbury is the only other who can make those sort of dents.

I’d like Thomson to at least push Wilson/Strauss to have to show some real form to make it.

I don’t like to say but I don’t think Duncan Taylor is in the discussion. I’d be surprised to see him play again.

[switchskier]

I'm going to keep banging the Hutchinson drum for a centre slot as a bolter. Think that Taylor isn't in the conversation sadly.

Think Strauss is still in the mix too. Think he offers a point of difference that you don't get if all of Ritchie, Watson and Barclay travel.

[Tobylerone]

A NZ based scrum half in this mix...?

[Mikey Brown]

Also a shame GT has not bothered to look at Ashe at all. Guess that ship has sailed.

I think Hutchinson looks great. But GT has willingly persisted with Grigg/Harris while he’s been available and bang in form.

Can’t see the warmups being time to bed in any new players at all except perhaps a Kiwi saviour.

[Big D]

Also a shame GT has not bothered to look at Ashe at all. Guess that ship has sailed.

I think Hutchinson looks great. But GT has willingly persisted with Grigg/Harris while he’s been available and bang in form.

Can’t see the warmups being time to bed in any new players at all except perhaps a Kiwi saviour.

Hutchinson has only just started starting regularly though hasn't he?

He and McDowall are definite long shot bolters. Someone elsewhere mentioned Lang too who appears to be starting regularly.

[Big D]

A NZ based scrum half in this mix...?

Not sure. Townsend hasn't mentioned him at all IIRC.

[whatisthejava]

Problem with Ashe is he is a bit of a weathervane, if Glasgow is playing well Ashe does, when weeg turned to shit so did Ashe.

[Mikey Brown]

Also a shame GT has not bothered to look at Ashe at all. Guess that ship has sailed.

I think Hutchinson looks great. But GT has willingly persisted with Grigg/Harris while he’s been available and bang in form.

Can’t see the warmups being time to bed in any new players at all except perhaps a Kiwi saviour.

Hutchinson has only just started starting regularly though hasn't he?

He and McDowall are definite long shot bolters. Someone elsewhere mentioned Lang too who appears to be starting regularly.

Yeah I guess it's mostly coincided with the 6 nations, but he's been on the radar (presumably) for a little while. You'd think if GT was wanting to look at bolters at all he'd have taken the chance when Dunbar, Taylor, Scott, Jones were all out injured.

I know that realistically it's too soon but I would have loved to see McDowall get a run out.

I like that weathervane metaphor. Not heard that one before. Now you've said it, it sounds like it might be kind of fitting for Ashe. He's got something for sure but maybe it's not meant to be. I think we should have found out for certain a bit sooner, but his injuries made that pretty difficult.

[General Zod]

Does Oli Kebble qualify for the World Cup squad after the opening game? Just a thought...

[OptimisticJock]

Was there not something similar to this last time? Doesn't he have to be qualified to be picked in the initial squad?

[General Zod]

Was there not something similar to this last time? Doesn't he have to be qualified to be picked in the initial squad?

Hmmm. I want to say it was Josh Strauss, but don’t have time to check right now as I’m on the tee in about 20 minutes!

[Cameo]

That squad at the top is actually a very good squad. 31 seems small if you have everyone fit

[Chunks Baws]

Was there not something similar to this last time? Doesn't he have to be qualified to be picked in the initial squad?

Hmmm. I want to say it was Josh Strauss, but don’t have time to check right now as I’m on the tee in about 20 minutes!

Strauss qualified 3 days before our first pool game.

[General Zod]

Was there not something similar to this last time? Doesn't he have to be qualified to be picked in the initial squad?

Hmmm. I want to say it was Josh Strauss, but don’t have time to check right now as I’m on the tee in about 20 minutes!

Strauss qualified 3 days before our first pool game.

Cool. So Kebble could be named in the squad then? If my earlier assumption is correct!

[ARM]

Hmmm. I want to say it was Josh Strauss, but don’t have time to check right now as I’m on the tee in about 20 minutes!

Strauss qualified 3 days before our first pool game.

Cool. So Kebble could be named in the squad then? If my earlier assumption is correct!

Kebble didn’t pitch up until 2017 so you’re a year out I think.

[General Zod]

Ah. Getting my tournaments confused. I knew there was something like that in the pipeline tho. According to Wikipedia, he signed on 15/2/2017, which means he is available to make his debut in Rome on 22/2/20.

I’d imagine he’d be in the squad - lots of rugby between now and then, though.

[Big D]

Ah. Getting my tournaments confused. I knew there was something like that in the pipeline tho. According to Wikipedia, he signed on 15/2/2017, which means he is available to make his debut in Rome on 22/2/20.

I’d imagine he’d be in the squad - lots of rugby between now and then, though.

He didn't pitch up til summer 2017 iirc.

[Chunks Baws]

Having a peek on social media and Kyle Steyn looks to be the early tip for a WC bolter. Is he playing at 13 for Glasgow?

The Scotsman have done a piece on him too;

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-un ... -1-4895495

[whatisthejava]

Denton out for season with concusion

If he doesnt make the wc that would be 11 months out with concussion

WR really are dancing on a very dangerous ledge when they let high shots go unpunished

[Mikey Brown]

I hadn't realised that was the issue. Do you know for sure it was a high shot or are you talking more generally?