Team v Ireland

[Edinburgh in Exile]

I'm still optimistic. Weir has been in great form and Swinson must know that if he has serious international ambitions then opportunities are limited - he must put down a marker on the weekend.

PS am I reading that right? Edinburgh are contributing just 5 players to the match day 23 and they're all in the front row? A truly sad state of affairs.

I know that VC should pick the best man possible every single match but I really do not understand some of these 50/50 selections considering Glasgow have a game this weekend and Edinburgh don't.

I don't really understand your incredulity about Glasgow making up nearly all of the team, it's always been lopsided one way or the other. We have two pro teams, one of them doesn't use their backs, thisi S the result.

Also... International rugby trumps club games, all day, every day. There should be absolutely no consideration taken about either Glasgow or Embra with regard toScotland actual.

Also, thank fuck Embra have a front row...

[Mikey Brown]

Whilst it may have been comforting too see Toolis bulk up the second row, Cotter has seen a fair old number of big bastards in his time in France, Hines et al.
Let`s hope that his faith in Swinson is justified, he usually plays above his weight grade..

But he's only 5'9"! The shortest lock in Scotland.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Whilst it may have been comforting too see Toolis bulk up the second row, Cotter has seen a fair old number of big bastards in his time in France, Hines et al.
Let`s hope that his faith in Swinson is justified, he usually plays above his weight grade..

But he's only 5'9"! The shortest lock in Scotland.

He probably is the shortest -professional- lock in Scotland.

[Adder]

any lives for the under 20's game?

[Tobylerone]

26-18 to Ireland..
France stuffed England..

[switchskier]

Tackle stats for the 6N so far:

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Swinson has a big job to step up.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Tackle stats for the 6N so far:

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Swinson has a big job to step up.

Is this a bad time for me to point out that B Toolis is consistently one of the top 2/3 tacklers for Edinburgh when he plays? Everyone on the board knows I am not a fan of what Edinburgh have been doing this season but Toolis is a far, far superior replacement in this scenario.

Hope Swinson goes well anyway.

[OptimisticJock]

Tackle stats for the 6N so far:

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Swinson has a big job to step up.

Is this a bad time for me to point out that B Toolis is consistently one of the top 2/3 tacklers for Edinburgh when he plays? Everyone on the board knows I am not a fan of what Edinburgh have been doing this season but Toolis is a far, far superior replacement in this scenario.

Hope Swinson goes well anyway.

The fact that Embra (Solomons) are so frustrating and there are players like Toolis, Watson, Kinghorn, Berghan still putting in good performances, to me, shows the individual quality these guys have.

[switchskier]

Tackle stats for the 6N so far:

Jonny Gray (Scotland) 59
Taulupe Faletau (Wales) 56
John Hardie (Scotland) 51
Francesco Minto (Italy) 51
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) 50
George Kruis (England) 48
James Haskell (England) 48

Swinson has a big job to step up.

Is this a bad time for me to point out that B Toolis is consistently one of the top 2/3 tacklers for Edinburgh when he plays? Everyone on the board knows I am not a fan of what Edinburgh have been doing this season but Toolis is a far, far superior replacement in this scenario.

Hope Swinson goes well anyway.

The fact that Embra (Solomons) are so frustrating and there are players like Toolis, Watson, Kinghorn, Berghan still putting in good performances, to me, shows the individual quality these guys have.

To be fair any lock should be able to shine playing the way that we do, they get all the opportunites to do so. That said I've been really pleased with the way that Toolis has developed and if his brother does the same we're well set at lock next season. Possibly Ben is still a little naive for an international in Dublin though.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Is this a bad time for me to point out that B Toolis is consistently one of the top 2/3 tacklers for Edinburgh when he plays? Everyone on the board knows I am not a fan of what Edinburgh have been doing this season but Toolis is a far, far superior replacement in this scenario.

Hope Swinson goes well anyway.

The fact that Embra (Solomons) are so frustrating and there are players like Toolis, Watson, Kinghorn, Berghan still putting in good performances, to me, shows the individual quality these guys have.

To be fair any lock should be able to shine playing the way that we do, they get all the opportunites to do so. That said I've been really pleased with the way that Toolis has developed and if his brother does the same we're well set at lock next season. Possibly Ben is still a little naive for an international in Dublin though.

Naive? Compared to Swinson who thought it a perfectly good idea to punch someone in the face in front of the ref with his side winning 15-12 with 76 mins on the clock?

If we were comparing to an experienced international, I'd take your point.

[Big D]

Not at the races. We're gifting them a headstart.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Not at the races. We're gifting them a headstart.

Don't we do that in most games? Surprised Sexton missed that! Won't complain.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hardie falls off another tackle and Nel impedes the scrum half quite blatantly. We're asleep.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Interesting 'pass' from Swinson... I know, I know... I'm going to be looking out for any mistakes this game.

[Billyfish]

Woken up at last.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Is that 5 penalties in 15 minutes? Ireland are going to bury us by simply chipping away at the scoreboard if we don't get on top of this.

[Chunks Baws]

This ref is fuckin rank.

[Big D]

I didn't think the last pen for Scotland and last one for Ireland were pens at all.

[Big D]

That is magnificent.

[UKHamlet]

Hogg you beauty

[Billyfish]

Magic. Sheer f##king magic.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hogg is absolutely on fire this year. Have we ever had a player this rapid?

[Mikey Brown]

Beautiful.

[Big D]

On a side note. Timble was miles offside from the kick. When are ref's and touch judges going to start picking up on that? The Wales first try should never have happened if the officials did their job.

[Big D]

Hogg is absolutely on fire this year. Have we ever had a player this rapid?

If by rapid you mean quick then yes. Thom Evans was quicker.