6 Nations 2020

[General Zod]

Obscenely early thread, but they’ve just announced the referees.

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2019/12 ... announced/

Personally, I think we should have Mike Adamson for all our games, but I’m not looking forward to the first two.

[francoisfou]

It seems a while since we’ve seen any Scottish refs in the 6N. Where’ve they all been in recent years?

[General Zod]

It seems a while since we’ve seen any Scottish refs in the 6N. Where’ve they all been in recent years?

Not strolling the corridors of power in Ireland, possibly due to their threatening levels of competence.

[General Zod]

Just looking at the Laidlaw retirement thread and a good point was raised - who will our new captain be?

Hoggy didn't last long last time he was captain, although I'd be open to giving him another shot. Wingers don't really captain anyone, our centres change a lot, possibly not Finn (!), and starting SH is not certain.

McInally has pretty much said he struggled with the additional burden, so would it be Fraser Brown if he starts? Back to JG? I like Cummings, but haven't seen enough to say he'd be a good captain and again, he's not a guaranteed starter. Skinner probably is as guaranteed a starter as we have if he picks up where he left off, but I have no idea if he's captained anyone. I'm probably overlooking a good couple of people, as I'm supposed to be devoting more energy to work (seriously, who gets any work done on the last Friday before Christmas?), but I can't say there's a name who jumps off the page.

So, my guess is Jamie Ritchie. He took his chance well in the RWC when Watson was injured, has captained at age grade and from what I can see has a very good 'rugby brain'. He is also from Dundee so is dead hard and pure teckle. I reckon it'll be him (can we get him and Watson in the same team when the latter is back?).

[switchskier]

Ritchie would be my choice too. Leads by example, always in the thick of it and young enough to grow into the role. He's also grounded to handle it well I think. However I suspect it will be back to Gray or Gilchrist.

[Chunks Baws]

Just looking at the Laidlaw retirement thread and a good point was raised - who will our new captain be?

Hoggy didn't last long last time he was captain, although I'd be open to giving him another shot. Wingers don't really captain anyone, our centres change a lot, possibly not Finn (!), and starting SH is not certain.

McInally has pretty much said he struggled with the additional burden, so would it be Fraser Brown if he starts? Back to JG? I like Cummings, but haven't seen enough to say he'd be a good captain and again, he's not a guaranteed starter. Skinner probably is as guaranteed a starter as we have if he picks up where he left off, but I have no idea if he's captained anyone. I'm probably overlooking a good couple of people, as I'm supposed to be devoting more energy to work (seriously, who gets any work done on the last Friday before Christmas?), but I can't say there's a name who jumps off the page.

So, my guess is Jamie Ritchie. He took his chance well in the RWC when Watson was injured, has captained at age grade and from what I can see has a very good 'rugby brain'. He is also from Dundee so is dead hard and pure teckle. I reckon it'll be him (can we get him and Watson in the same team when the latter is back?).

Ritchie was in my mind when I wrote the post over on the Laidlaw thread. He definitely seems like he has his head screwed on and busts his guts out on the pitch.

[septic 9]

Obscenely early thread, but they’ve just announced the referees.

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2019/12 ... announced/

Personally, I think we should have Mike Adamson for all our games, but I’m not looking forward to the first two.

you don't. You really really don't. Honest.

[Big D]

Mike Adamson isn't a good ref yet. He also shouldn't be in charge of Glasgow games but that is another matter.

[whatisthejava]

What is our starting team then ?

1 - either Reid or Dell and looking at trying to bring Bhattie in again
2 mcinally or Brown
3 Fagerson starts over Nell, been more impressed with his scrammaging
4 Cummings is first choice then JG
5 Skinner then Gilchrist then toolis
6 Bradbury then ritchie
7 watson then ritchie
8 thomson then ???

9 Horne then price
10 Russell then hastings
11 Darcy then Mcquiggon
12 Johnson then Taylor
13 Hutchingson then Huw then Harries
14 Maitland then ? Kinghorn
15 Hogg then Kinghorn


For me the biggest challenges for Toonie are the centers and 4 - 8 , if he picks the right back 5 of the scrum who will win enough ball i think we will be ok, if he picks guys that disapear then we are in trouble

Thats the reason why Wilson and JG and Toolis have dropped out of the reckoning for me

[Big D]

What is our starting team then ?

1 - either Reid or Dell and looking at trying to bring Bhattie in again
2 mcinally or Brown
3 Fagerson starts over Nell, been more impressed with his scrammaging
4 Cummings is first choice then JG
5 Skinner then Gilchrist then toolis
6 Bradbury then ritchie
7 watson then ritchie
8 thomson then ???

9 Horne then price
10 Russell then hastings
11 Darcy then Mcquiggon
12 Johnson then Taylor
13 Hutchingson then Huw then Harries
14 Maitland then ? Kinghorn
15 Hogg then Kinghorn


For me the biggest challenges for Toonie are the centers and 4 - 8 , if he picks the right back 5 of the scrum who will win enough ball i think we will be ok, if he picks guys that disapear then we are in trouble

Thats the reason why Wilson and JG and Toolis have dropped out of the reckoning for me

From what I have seen this season Scott and Bennett have played better than the Glasgow centres. However, whether early season club form is enough is a different matter and we know international selection isn't just based on club form. Hutchinson should be starting for sure.

I am not overjoyed with the idea of playing Ritchie at 6 as he is a 7 for now but I do think he makes a better international 6 that those behind Bradbury.

Skinner need to prove he is fit and show some form.

[Chunks Baws]

Apparently Lang is playing well for Quins, although I saw that on Twitter so could be bollocks.

[General Zod]

Obviously, there's a lot riding on the oldest representative match in world rugby ever, but I think Bennett will be in the squad, and on form, would expect Fagerson to start at prop.

I think Ritchie has the shirt at the moment - up to others to get it off him.

Didn't know Hogg was the VC - maybe it'll just be him who captains the squad.

[Mikey Brown]

What is our starting team then ?

1 - either Reid or Dell and looking at trying to bring Bhattie in again
2 mcinally or Brown
3 Fagerson starts over Nell, been more impressed with his scrammaging
4 Cummings is first choice then JG
5 Skinner then Gilchrist then toolis
6 Bradbury then ritchie
7 watson then ritchie
8 thomson then ???

9 Horne then price
10 Russell then hastings
11 Darcy then Mcquiggon
12 Johnson then Taylor
13 Hutchingson then Huw then Harries
14 Maitland then ? Kinghorn
15 Hogg then Kinghorn


For me the biggest challenges for Toonie are the centers and 4 - 8 , if he picks the right back 5 of the scrum who will win enough ball i think we will be ok, if he picks guys that disapear then we are in trouble

Thats the reason why Wilson and JG and Toolis have dropped out of the reckoning for me

Scott has been miles ahead at 12 this season, but I can understand sticking with Johnson who offers at least a similar hard-running threat but with far better hands. Taylor has shown nothing in a long time.

I'm gutted he's out of the game today as he needs to show it in big games against his direct competitors. He's managed to stay fit far more often so far this season but missing out on a game like this is a big blow. Anyone know what the injury is this time? You can imagine an international coach thinking he just isn't worth the investment with his injury record.

Fagerson has to be in the picture at 8, he's certainly shown more consistent form than Thomson. Though Thomson may still be the man for the short-term.

Skinner hasn't displaced JG for me, though would definitely look to have him in the 23 if he gets back to where he was after the injury.

3 looseheads who aren't starting for their clubs is concerning.

[septic 9]

Taylor has shown nothing in a long time.

you haven't watched any rugby this season have you?

Taylor has been very good, good enough that Edinburgh haven't missed Scott one iota(and Scott has been ok but not as good as you seem to think). As things stand neither will displace Johnson, but Taylor is an out there wild card whom I would not be surprised to see in the first wider training squad

[Mikey Brown]

Well I appreciate the condescension but I was talking about Duncan Taylor. My mistake perhaps. I do agree George Taylor looks a real handful though.

[septic 9]

Well I appreciate the condescension but I was talking about Duncan Taylor. My mistake perhaps. I do agree George Taylor looks a real handful though.

fair enough. I retract the comment. I agree about Duncan Taylor

[General Zod]

Some new coaches for the new year.

Matt Taylor off to help Australia concede around 4 tries per game, Steve Tandy (defence) and Pieter de Villiers (not that one, thankfully, and scrum) joining us.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/tayl ... -wallabies

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/scot ... akes-shape

[Mikey Brown]

Can’t say I know much about their records but we certainly need a change.

Both very handy players in their own right but that means very little. De Villiers at least seems to have quite a lot of experience.

[ARM]

Initial reaction: a bit underwhelmed by Steve Tandy as my recollection is that he ended his tenure at Ospreys under a bit of a cloud. However reading on, he is only 39, Ospreys were always competitive under his watch (even if squad was much better back then) and I like the fact that he has taken himself out of his comfort zone and headed to Soup Rugby to expand his horizons even if results have been a little mixed. Also good to see that the change is pre6N as we need a new voice in defence.

De Villiers looks like a very sensible hire. If he can take a re-energised Fagerson under his wing and squeeze another year or so out of Nel then all good. Problem of course is on other side of scrum - there are no SQ LH props getting any regular rugby. Dell has disappeared at LI, Glasgow’s best two LHs are nonSQ (until the autumn in case of Kebble) and Schoeman ain’t getting dropped by Cockerill.

[Big D]

Initial reaction: a bit underwhelmed by Steve Tandy as my recollection is that he ended his tenure at Ospreys under a bit of a cloud. However reading on, he is only 39, Ospreys were always competitive under his watch (even if squad was much better back then) and I like the fact that he has taken himself out of his comfort zone and headed to Soup Rugby to expand his horizons even if results have been a little mixed. Also good to see that the change is pre6N as we need a new voice in defence.

De Villiers looks like a very sensible hire. If he can take a re-energised Fagerson under his wing and squeeze another year or so out of Nel then all good. Problem of course is on other side of scrum - there are no SQ LH props getting any regular rugby. Dell has disappeared at LI, Glasgow’s best two LHs are nonSQ (until the autumn in case of Kebble) and Schoeman ain’t getting dropped by Cockerill.

OJ mentioned elsewhere that the waratahs defence conceded 19 then 13 tries the last 2 seasons (or something like that).

[septic 9]

OJ mentioned elsewhere that the waratahs defence conceded 19 then 13 tries the last 2 seasons (or something like that).

eh? They conceded 7 in just 2 game against Sunwolves, who were utter garbage. Tah's defence went from uber crap to just super crap - one of the worst in super 15

[septic 9]

Initial reaction: a bit underwhelmed by Steve Tandy as my recollection is that he ended his tenure at Ospreys under a bit of a cloud. However reading on, he is only 39, Ospreys were always competitive under his watch (even if squad was much better back then) and I like the fact that he has taken himself out of his comfort zone and headed to Soup Rugby to expand his horizons even if results have been a little mixed. Also good to see that the change is pre6N as we need a new voice in defence.

De Villiers looks like a very sensible hire. If he can take a re-energised Fagerson under his wing and squeeze another year or so out of Nel then all good. Problem of course is on other side of scrum - there are no SQ LH props getting any regular rugby. Dell has disappeared at LI, Glasgow’s best two LHs are nonSQ (until the autumn in case of Kebble) and Schoeman ain’t getting dropped by Cockerill.

Current Ospreys are Tandy's recruitment legacy.
De Villier's was sacked by Stade Francais, players lost faith in him
Fagerson was always energised, his scrumming seems to have stepped up - current scum coaches at Scotland (Wilson) and Glasgow (Du Plessis)

[Tobylerone]

OJ mentioned elsewhere that the waratahs defence conceded 19 then 13 tries the last 2 seasons (or something like that).

eh? They conceded 7 in just 2 game against Sunwolves, who were utter garbage. Tah's defence went from uber crap to just super crap - one of the worst in super 15

A little ray of sunshine to brighten the bleak midwinter.

[septic 9]

OJ mentioned elsewhere that the waratahs defence conceded 19 then 13 tries the last 2 seasons (or something like that).

eh? They conceded 7 in just 2 game against Sunwolves, who were utter garbage. Tah's defence went from uber crap to just super crap - one of the worst in super 15

A little ray of sunshine to brighten the bleak midwinter.

ok smart arse, which bit was wrong?

you may be happy to live in a make believe world, some of us aren't

[Tobylerone]

ok smart arse, which bit was wrong?

you may be happy to live in a make believe world, some of us aren't

Woo, you`re pretty sharp with the "smart arse" stuff. A little sensitive at the moment?
I was making an observation on future prospects, those stats. made less than cheery reading.

Looking forward to further bulletins from the real world.