Italy v Scotland

[Cameo]

Okay new thread again to get away from the Finn Russell chat. I'm as guilty as anyone but let's just have a chat about the squad available.

I don't think the England game shows us a whole load so, subject to Skinner (if fit and firing) for JG I'd keep the same team. I might tweak the bench though if some people are now fit. Would love to see M Fagerson come in and R Gray (no idea if he has been fit and playing) would be an upgrade on Toolis otherwise I'd be tempted to give Craig a go. I'm not as down on Toolis as it sounds but I just don't see the point.

The other change I'd be most tempted by is Horne for Price but I think it is worth giving Price a run. He has a fair few caps but his Scotland career seems to have been a bit stop start. Happy for Horne to come on early though.

[Big D]

Price box kicked into the wind with about 35s left down 7. I am sure there'll be some defend him, or mention bonus points but in a calcutta cup game that is pretty poor. I wouldn't be too worried at all if Horne starts ahead of him.

[af73]

Hard to say what will happen with the current backdrop (back drop not drop the backs!)

GT could go all change to demonstrate how not rigid, inflexible or unaware of player feedback he is. Or he could stick to his guns (pea shooter given recent run of results).

I tend toward the former but with what some might see as predictably target missing consequences. Jones hasn't scored hat-tricks in both games so clearly is off form. We haven't conceded as many as usual but never mind, the itchy finger is on the Harris trigger for defensive solidity.

Horne might start but will be replaced after 45 instead of Price getting the customary 10 George has been afforded.

Gray jnr is gone.....Gilchrist.

Steyn or Tagive might appear on the bench which will grab the headlines, or attempt to , from everything else....which will probably mean either gets injured on Friday against Zebre.

You might detect a hint of sarcasm and fed-up-ness in the above.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Price box kicked into the wind with about 35s left down 7. I am sure there'll be some defend him, or mention bonus points but in a calcutta cup game that is pretty poor. I wouldn't be too worried at all if Horne starts ahead of him.

You get a handful of braindead errors that really, really cost the team EVERY pressure game we have. I don't understand how some people overlook it so easily. Horne is a much better player... greener yes... but better.

[Cameo]

Price box kicked into the wind with about 35s left down 7. I am sure there'll be some defend him, or mention bonus points but in a calcutta cup game that is pretty poor. I wouldn't be too worried at all if Horne starts ahead of him.

You get a handful of braindead errors that really, really cost the team EVERY pressure game we have. I don't understand how some people overlook it so easily. Horne is a much better player... greener yes... but better.

My one reservation on Horne, though I generally agree, is that I don't think his pass is as good as Price's. That's a fairly big reservation but, as a minimum, he needs to start getting more game time off the bench.

[Mikey Brown]

Needs to improve his pass and needs to learn those gaps don’t just appear for him in the same way at this level, but definitely needs more game time.

I’m unsure exactly how to manage Price at the moment. We were terrible at keeping the ball but he had some really shaky moments.

[oxymoron]

Hi guys, new poster/long time lurker here.

On the Italy selection - we were ok against Ireland and can't read into that England game too much. Fringe defence aside, we seem to have improved our physicality since the WC but our support play and clearing out at the ruck is still pathetically bad.

Given the apparent improvement against Ireland I'd make minimal changes for Italy and see where we are. I'm heading to Cardiff for the last weekend so really hoping we can pick up two wins before heading down there (it's hope, not expectation)!

Finally, our back row had a lot of praise in the build up to this 6N. They seriously need to step up now as they've been dominated twice.

[septic 9]

Price box kicked into the wind with about 35s left down 7. I am sure there'll be some defend him, or mention bonus points but in a calcutta cup game that is pretty poor. I wouldn't be too worried at all if Horne starts ahead of him.

You get a handful of braindead errors that really, really cost the team EVERY pressure game we have. I don't understand how some people overlook it so easily. Horne is a much better player... greener yes... but better.

My one reservation on Horne, though I generally agree, is that I don't think his pass is as good as Price's. That's a fairly big reservation but, as a minimum, he needs to start getting more game time off the bench.

if Horne's pass and game management were close to Price's he'd be a shoe in for any side in the world. He is a fantastic player in broken play and running support lines, and gets to more breakdowns quicker than just about any 9 I can remember. But the usual braindead fanboy stuff based on he scored a spectacular try so should start every game is nonsense. Cue How Jones

[septic 9]

Finally, our back row had a lot of praise in the build up to this 6N. They seriously need to step up now as they've been dominated twice.

they were ok against Ireland. They were well beaten against England. Little point in picking 2 opensides if they don't disrupt and pilfer and get to the breakdown first. TBF not just a back row problem, but it really is their bread and butter

[whatisthejava]

Sutherland
Brown
Fagerson
Gilchrist
Cummings
Richie
Mish
Bradbury

Price
Hastings
Graham
Scott
Hutchinson
Maitland
Hogg

Its difficult as we need to win but also i think we need to know if Hutchinson can do more

[Mikey Brown]

I’d like to see that but no way Johnson is getting dropped.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hutchinson for Jones maybe & Horne for Price.

Argument for Haining over Bradbury.

[Cameo]

Hutchinson for Jones maybe & Horne for Price.

Argument for Haining over Bradbury.

Based on the first two games Haining would have a shout for that but I'd prefer we show a bit of faith in Bradbury at this stage.

Skinner and Fagerson both playing this week so will probs come into contention

[septic 9]

Hutchinson for Jones maybe & Horne for Price.

Argument for Haining over Bradbury.

Based on the first two games Haining would have a shout for that but I'd prefer we show a bit of faith in Bradbury at this stage.

Skinner and Fagerson both playing this week so will probs come into contention

Bradbury played like his reputation. Disappeared. Very good in the previous Calcutta Cup, no show this time. He doesn't deserve to have faith shown, he has been pulled up for this before, rewarding lack of focus isn't the way for me. Haining was much better v Ireland and deserves a start - arguably did not deserve to lose the starting shirt, although everyone including me would have selected Bradbury. He let us down

[Big D]

Haining starting for Edinburgh tomorrow.

All likely Scotland starters rested.

[Mikey Brown]

For someone who didn’t manage to catch any rugby at all this weekend, anyone do anything likely to cause any stir in selection? Not sure how likely it ever was anyway.

[Mikey Brown]

[Cameo]

That's good news. Didn't see the Exeter game but Fagerson (alongside Horne) was good for Glasgow

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. Was in very good form before the ban too. I’m just not sure if the USA game is still haunting GT.



10 defenders beaten is quite a haul regardless of who you’re playing.

[General Zod]

Travel advice for a home going. Not seen this before! Watch out for pickpockets.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/trav ... inst-italy

[Cameo]

Anyone know if Darcy Graham is fit? I can't find anything online

[Big D]

Anyone know if Darcy Graham is fit? I can't find anything online

I think he's back training.

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. Has to be back in if he’s 100%. Who loses out? Maitland and Kinghorn have both underwhelmed in slightly different ways.

[Cameo]

I'd prefer to keep Kinghorn. I'm just a bit bored of Maitland in attack

[Chunks Baws]

Rumour has it Harris is starting with Jones dropping out completely and Skinner in for JG.