Changes v Italy

[Mikey Brown]

I'm assuming all our centres are still f**ked and Seymour is being monitored so little choice outside 10 to be honest.

Bring in Toolis to the bench, he seems like the next least crap option at lock.

Are either Strauss or Ashe playing half-decent? We need a physical option on the bench.

Literally anyone at 9. I just don't care, Laidlaw must surely cost us more points per game than the deficit between him and our next best goalkicker??? We CANNOT build a team around this guy. I know this is easy to say as it's guaranteed not to happen. SHC did a s**t pass at the end but we might actually stand a chance of using our backs if there is someone capable of getting it away quickly at 9.

Jackson surely in at 22 for Weir.

Assuming we can salvage a fit back-3 from Visser, Maitland, Seymour, Hogg it's just a matter of one of them (or a fit again Matt Scott) or Sean Lamont making the bench.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Can you really drop Taylor after that performance? It's a tough one. We really do need be rewarding good performances - there aren't enough of them. Maybe shift him to the wing if there is an injury crisis.

I think you have to keep one of Russell or Laidlaw at 10/9 respectively, a completely new halfback partnership is too risky halfway through the 6N.

[Big D]

I'd bring in Toolis and Ashe/Strauss (in that order) to the forwards bench. I thought despite looking pretty slow on that break Barclay had a bit more of a blindside type game. Made plenty of tackles etc.

In the backs, Laidlaw has to go. He had a really bright 10-15 minutes then reverted to type. Gut feeling is VC will keep 9/10 the same as it is the type of game experience may be crucial.

Visser should come in, probably for Lamont. He has been in good form this year prior to injury and he should get another run out for Quins. If Seymour and Hogg are fit then Maitland to bench, Maitland starts if not.

Jackson definitely showed enough to win the 23 shirt, I thought it was a reasonably mature performance in a position he has hardly played a lot of rugby in. That was a lot different from a RWCWU game.

Whilst Taylor did good things, and our starting centres touched the ball about 10 times between them so he didn't have much chance, I thought he was defensively poor. Yes he made that one spectacular chase down and tackle but on the bread and butter stuff I thought he looked a bit tentative and missed a couple. I'd stick Scott back in if fit who I thought was decent v England.

[Mikey Brown]

I feel we're agreeing yet the tone says otherwise. Scott/Taylor is 50/50 I don't mind much either way and Jackson as 22 covering 10/15. Russell deserves a game with a 9 who can pass.

I'm tempted to say give McInally a bash. He has so much more venom in contact and can link things.

[Chunks Baws]

I'd bring in Toolis and Ashe/Strauss (in that order) to the forwards bench. I thought despite looking pretty slow on that break Barclay had a bit more of a blindside type game. Made plenty of tackles etc.

In the backs, Laidlaw has to go. He had a really bright 10-15 minutes then reverted to type. Gut feeling is VC will keep 9/10 the same as it is the type of game experience may be crucial.

Visser should come in, probably for Lamont. He has been in good form this year prior to injury and he should get another run out for Quins. If Seymour and Hogg are fit then Maitland to bench, Maitland starts if not.

Jackson definitely showed enough to win the 23 shirt, I thought it was a reasonably mature performance in a position he has hardly played a lot of rugby in. That was a lot different from a RWCWU game.

Whilst Taylor did good things, and our starting centres touched the ball about 10 times between them so he didn't have much chance, I thought he was defensively poor. Yes he made that one spectacular chase down and tackle but on the bread and butter stuff I thought he looked a bit tentative and missed a couple. I'd stick Scott back in if fit who I thought was decent v England.

Andy Nicol has done some decent analysis of Taylors influence in the Daily Hate. The bit about him being more vocal and helping Russell is interesting. I've not watched the game on TV yet so it's hard to comment.
Scott is expected to be fit for Rome, as is Horne.

[Big D]

Andy Nicol has done some decent analysis of Taylors influence in the Daily Hate. The bit about him being more vocal and helping Russell is interesting. I've not watched the game on TV yet so it's hard to comment.
Scott is expected to be fit for Rome, as is Horne.

I'd be interested in what ways he specifically helped Finn tbh. Finn wasn't that great really and he was also defensively weaker than previously at international level. Considering Russells performance has some questioning his place makes me wonder how bad he would have been!

I am not against Taylor starting if that is the route VC goes but I didn't think he was as good enough to displace Scott based on their two respective performances thus far. I'd still have the centre pecking order of Dunbar (only after a run of games, I wouldn't parachute him in) > Scott > Taylor/Horne (horses for courses).

[Chunks Baws]

Andy Nicol has done some decent analysis of Taylors influence in the Daily Hate. The bit about him being more vocal and helping Russell is interesting. I've not watched the game on TV yet so it's hard to comment.
Scott is expected to be fit for Rome, as is Horne.

I'd be interested in what ways he specifically helped Finn tbh. Finn wasn't that great really and he was also defensively weaker than previously at international level. Considering Russells performance has some questioning his place makes me wonder how bad he would have been!

I am not against Taylor starting if that is the route VC goes but I didn't think he was as good enough to displace Scott based on their two respective performances thus far. I'd still have the centre pecking order of Dunbar (only after a run of games, I wouldn't parachute him in) > Scott > Taylor/Horne (horses for courses).

It was along the lines of the way Taylor was communicating with him, I'll try and get the link. I'd need to watch it on the box to be able to make a personal judgement. It's almost impossible to analyse a performance having only seen it live. It's interesting that you see it the opposite to Nicol. I really need to pluck up the will to watch the recording this afternoon and make my own mind up.

[Chunks Baws]

Here's the link

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ssell.html

[Big D]

It was along the lines of the way Taylor was communicating with him, I'll try and get the link. I'd need to watch it on the box to be able to make a personal judgement. It's almost impossible to analyse a performance having only seen it live. It's interesting that you see it the opposite to Nicol. I really need to pluck up the will to watch the recording this afternoon and make my own mind up.

I don't necessarily see it differently. Just interested to see exactly what Nicol pin pointed because Russell wasn't near his best and his best plays seemed to come "off the hoof" like his chip for the try.

Just found it:

Duncan Taylor had a stormer. He has been in great form for Saracens all season and he brought that form in to the international environment in a big way.

He brought real shape to Scotland's attack, cutting good lines, passing very effectively but what impressed me most was the influence he had on Finn Russell.

Taylor brought real leadership to the backline, offering verbal support and direction to Russell which seemed to work as the stand-off had a much more effective game compared to last week.

Taylor kept going to the very end and almost brought Scotland back into the game with his very well-taken try.
However, it was one effort in defence that stood out — a stunning try-saving tackle on Tom James. Scotland were looking dangerous with John Hardie carrying the ball into the Welsh 22 before he lost control. James picked the ball up and set off on the 70metres to the Scotland tryline.

When an international winger gets the ball in that situation, it is normally try time but Taylor had other ideas.

He showed great speed and dexterity to catch James just before the tryline in one of the best covering tackles you will ever see. It capped off a very good individual performance and one that will cement his place in the team for the rest of the Six Nations

Again, not a criticism of Taylor, he was decent bar a couple of missed tackles but I really didn't see "real leadership" or Russell being better for it. He took his try really well and it was some tackle of James but around those two important phases (which obviously are important) I wouldn't have said he was outstanding. Like Mikey Brown said, no real issues if he starts the next game.

I reckon his stats are a bit wonky though, surely he touched the ball more than 5 times (only twice running with the ball) all game?

[whatisthejava]

Interestingly the torygraph had in their team of the week

the welsh props ???
the scottish 6/7
the welsh 8
the scottish 9/10


Weird as feck

[Matt Ha]

I noticed Guscott included Laidlaw in his team of the week. Bit odd. He also says if a Lions team was picked tomorrow, none of the Scottish team would be in it. He didn't say who he would have at full back, though.

[Big D]

I noticed Guscott included Laidlaw in his team of the week. Bit odd. He also says if a Lions team was picked tomorrow, none of the Scottish team would be in it. He didn't say who he would have at full back, though.

He also included WP Nel after one of his quieter games.

If we picked a British and Irish Lions team today, I don't think any of the Scotland team would get in the starting XV

Realistically, I am not sure how many Scots would be in a matchday 23 never mind the XV. Maybe Nel, Gray Jnr and maybe Hogg but he has been no more than reasonable for Glasgow and has shown flashes in 100mins for Scotland.

[Big D]

Interestingly the torygraph had in their team of the week

the welsh props ???
the scottish 6/7
the welsh 8
the scottish 9/10


Weird as feck

Really? That is weird.

[Matt Ha]

If you just take the two games (or game and a half in Hogg's case) I would say Hogg would be one of the first on list, if it came to a Lions XV. He's been in fizzing form while the otherwise excellent Williams and Brown have hardly shone, and Karney would not get a mention is dispatches.

[Matt Ha]

Interestingly the torygraph had in their team of the week

the welsh props ???
the scottish 6/7
the welsh 8
the scottish 9/10


Weird as feck

It also included Seymour, which is the only one I wholeheartedly agree with.

[Chunks Baws]

Has Ryan Wilson been called up to the squad? Just saw some pics on twitter of the training session today and he's there. He's also not in the Glasgow squad this weekend.

[General Zod]

Taylor starts for me. He's got the shirt now and it's up to someone else to prove they're better.

[Mikey Brown]

Taylor starts for me. He's got the shirt now and it's up to someone else to prove they're better.

Probably fair enough. Even though I feel Scott has been good again recently.

[Mikey Brown]

I read Strauss had a stormer. Any views?

[switchskier]

McVisser looked quick for Quins. I'd happily have him back for Italy where we need to stretch the game, certainly ahead of Lamont. Between him and Maitland, though the later does give full-back cover allowing us to do a bit more with the bench.

[hp18]

I read Strauss had a stormer. Any views?

8/9 carries, 95 metres. I don't remember many/any kick returns in there. 14 tackles, highest in the team. Very vocal.

[Croft_No.5]

For me I see Vern going with (my preferences)

Hogg
Maitland (Seymour)
Bennett
Scott
Seymour (Visser)
Russell
Laidlaw
Denton (Strauss)
Hardie
Barclay
Gray
Gray
Nel
Ford
Dickinson

McInally
Reid
Fagarson
Swinson (Denton)
Wilson (Cowan)
SHC
Weir (Jackson)
Taylor

Would like to see Gilchrist back in the mix for the final two games rather than Swinson and as with everyone else SHC rather than Laidlaw (but will not happen). We need to be prepared to stretch the Italians as much as possible, keep as much ball early on making them tackle and then hopefully they will fall off the pace in the last 20 or so. I can't see Vern making too many changes at all though.

[Matt Ha]

There is even a case for Horne. Replacing Scott with Taylor is replacing with for like while Horne on the other hand brings different properties to the game such as being rather canny, his distribution and the plus of an extra kicking game. You could even ditch Weir and Jackson (bit of a bastard thing to do given he played well against Wales) and have Horne and Taylor on the bench.

[OptimisticJock]

Would be happy to see a bench or Horne and Maitland. Might be harsh on Weir as he had a good game.

Are Glasgow playing next week? If not would have price training with the squad.

[hp18]

Would be happy to see a bench or Horne and Maitland. Might be harsh on Weir as he had a good game.

Are Glasgow playing next week? If not would have price training with the squad.

Thursday v the drag queens.