6 Nations

[Big D]

Squad must be due to be announced soon.

Who are you picking?
Dell, Nel, ZJRF, Reid, Allan, Welsh
Ford, Brown, Rambo
Gray squared, Swinson, Toolis
Barclay, Watson, Bradbury, Wilson, Strauss, CdP/Harley (we may as well cap CdP sooner or later)
Price, Pyrgos, Laidlaw
Russell, Jackson (well one back up needs to be in the squad)
Dunbar, Jones, Scott, Bennett, Jones, Taylor if fit.
Hogg, Seymour, Maitland, Visser

I noticed Kinghorn isn't in the 20's training squad as I assume he'll be with Edinburgh. I'd have him training with the senior squad too.

Dell, Ford, ZJRF
Grayx2
Barclay
Watson
Wilson
Laidlaw (only because I think Ireland would be a tough debut start for Price)
Russell
Seymour
Dunbar
Scott
Maitland
Hogg

Brown, Reid, Nel (match fitness just wont be there to start), Swinson, Bradbury (impact off the bench), Price, Jackson, Bennett

Jones can't be match fit, but important to have him in squad I think.

[Cameo]

Morrison is saying that Jones is fit again but pity we couldnt find a way somewhere to give him a game.

Think I agree with your whole post except maybe Wilson at 8. I'd prefer Strauss

[Cameo]

Might start Nel is he seems fit in training but you're probs right

[Mikey Brown]

I really think we should give Strauss a couple of games to see if he can take the shirt. Maybe I'm wrong, he hasn't been the star we hoped so far but it doesn't feel like he's ever been able to build any momentum with Scotland. Wilson is doing a good job of being Wilson, but I don't know if I trust him to keep translating that to Scotland. The pack really needs carriers too.

Interesting one on playing Scott outside Dunbar. I guess that's where they're playing most weeks but looks odd to me.

[OptimisticJock]

How many caps does Strauss have?

[whatisthejava]

Not sure about my training squad but my current team against Ireland

Reid
Brown
fagerson
Gray
Gray
Barclay
Watson
Strauss

Laidlaw
Russell
Seymore
Scott
Jones
Maitland
Hogg

Dell
Ford - although good vs Georgia think he needs to show he can bring it for 20 mins against the Irish
WP
Swinson
Wilson
Price
Jackson
Dunbar

[Adder]

Would like to see CDP involved at some point. He is still pretty solid IMO.

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[Mikey Brown]

Where's Hardie? Is he completely buggered or just been scared off by the might of Hamish Watson?

[Mikey Brown]

ESPN says 9, but that's not up to date is it? I mean, they also say he's 6'7"...

http://en.espn.co.uk/scotland/rugby/player/121177.html (Strauss)

http://en.espn.co.uk/scotland/rugby/player/122282.html (Wilson)

[Cameo]

Would like to see CDP involved at some point. He is still pretty solid IMO.

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Yeah, if he was in last season's form he'd be straight in for me but doesnt seem to have hit those heights yet (although not seen last few Edinburgh games)

[ARM]

The CDP that first came to Scotland would be in Scotland squads.

Unfortunately he suffered a horrific ankle injury (I saw it - twas minging). I'm sure I read somewhere that he struggles to train pain free. So it's testament that he's got back to a decent level but he's not the player he was.

With other options coming through I don't think we need him.

Interesting to see Scott starting for many. Morrison seems to think he might miss the squad (appreciate it's Morrison...). If fit, Dunbar and Jones remains first choice after the autumn. Just seems a nice blend. FWIW - I'd have Scott in the squad as he is scoring for fun. Possibly ahead of Bennett who remains inconsistent.

[ARM]

And I'd also like to see Welshy back in the squad.

Just for that line, break and chip.

[Big D]

Morrison is saying that Jones is fit again but pity we couldnt find a way somewhere to give him a game.

Think I agree with your whole post except maybe Wilson at 8. I'd prefer Strauss

In fairness to Wilson he has the shirt and played well.

I'm not sure Nel is totally match sharp so figure 20 hard mins off the bench still better than 55-60 mins of slowly running out of puff.

[Big D]

CdP is a funny one. I thought he came back well from the ankle injury but has taken some time getting back up to speed since his latest injury.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Of those of you not starting Swinson - how many of you have watched him this season? And this is coming from a bloke who has given him a load of stick the past 2-3 years on RR.

[OptimisticJock]

The CDP that first came to Scotland would be in Scotland squads.

Unfortunately he suffered a horrific ankle injury (I saw it - twas minging). I'm sure I read somewhere that he struggles to train pain free. So it's testament that he's got back to a decent level but he's not the player he was.

With other options coming through I don't think we need him.

Interesting to see Scott starting for many. Morrison seems to think he might miss the squad (appreciate it's Morrison...). If fit, Dunbar and Jones remains first choice after the autumn. Just seems a nice blend. FWIW - I'd have Scott in the squad as he is scoring for fun. Possibly ahead of Bennett who remains inconsistent.

He was scoring first fun before the autumn and ignored by VC so despite it being Morrison it's a sound prediction.

[Matt Ha]

I would like to see Hoyland squeezed in, if pos. Been playing very well this season, and scores tries.

[Cameo]

Of those of you not starting Swinson - how many of you have watched him this season? And this is coming from a bloke who has given him a load of stick the past 2-3 years on RR.

I understand your point but I think R Gray is one of our better players and is very consistent at international level. Would be disappointed if Swinson isnt on the bench though

[General Zod]

R Gray went through a wee dip in form a couple of years ago but played, I think, progressively well last year.

Swinson playing well is a good thing, but I would say the shirt is Richie's for now and up to Swinson to train well and take his opportunity when he gets it.

Agree re: Hoyland. Would be nice to see him get in. Still think he needs to bulk up a wee bit, but I'm a bit old-fashioned and yearn for the Danielli glory days...

[whatisthejava]

Considering its a lions year and we may well 3 - 5 of our top players (considering injury cover to substandard welsh players) I think we should try and keep a settled team as much as possible

Kinghorn, Bradbury, Toolis, Hoyland, Price will all get a decent amount of game time come the summer tour

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Announced today at lunch. Not sure why... As much as I like to know early on surely it could wait until Monday after the weekend matches are played?

[Big D]

Announced today at lunch. Not sure why... As much as I like to know early on surely it could wait until Monday after the weekend matches are played?

It makes logistical sense IMO. The players will probably be entering "training camp" on Monday and starting on Tuesday. The first game is 2 weeks on Saturday.

[Stones of granite]

Announced now

[Big D]

Fairly big squad but bloated by Scotland based players (Berghan, Gilchrist, maybe a couple of back rowers) so no real issues with that as the England based players will have to be released at some point.

Berghan in suggests concerns over Nel's fitness. Berghan has hardly been injury free either. Hardie must be close to returning too.

Good to see Scott back involved and Hoyland in there. Only complaint would be I'd like to have seen Kinghorn involved as there is a fair chance he'll be needed in the summer.

[Big D]

Oh hang on, where is Bradbury?