Scotland v Ireland - 9 February 2019

[Big D]

More concerning than the player errors is the game plans.

It is widely known that a missed tackle in our defensive system is extremely punishing. We continue to miss >10% of tackles per game. Why hasn't this been rectified? Two of their tries came from defensive errors in the middle third of the field. If they can't tackle why not build in a bit of protection? Is Laidlaw too slow to sweep?

In attack, we are so inventive and play at speed until we get close to the line then in becomes slow and turgid with seemingly little attempt to play quicker? Why? How often do we score from slowing it down and passing to a forward to hit it up that close to the line?

[General Zod]

More concerning than the player errors is the game plans.

It is widely known that a missed tackle in our defensive system is extremely punishing. We continue to miss >10% of tackles per game. Why hasn't this been rectified? Two of their tries came from defensive errors in the middle third of the field. If they can't tackle why not build in a bit of protection? Is Laidlaw too slow to sweep?

In attack, we are so inventive and play at speed until we get close to the line then in becomes slow and turgid with seemingly little attempt to play quicker? Why? How often do we score from slowing it down and passing to a forward to hit it up that close to the line?

Maybe they should just imagine the try-line is ten metres further on?

[Big D]

More concerning than the player errors is the game plans.

It is widely known that a missed tackle in our defensive system is extremely punishing. We continue to miss >10% of tackles per game. Why hasn't this been rectified? Two of their tries came from defensive errors in the middle third of the field. If they can't tackle why not build in a bit of protection? Is Laidlaw too slow to sweep?

In attack, we are so inventive and play at speed until we get close to the line then in becomes slow and turgid with seemingly little attempt to play quicker? Why? How often do we score from slowing it down and passing to a forward to hit it up that close to the line?

Maybe they should just imagine the try-line is ten metres further on?

With the depth of the MF in goals maybe they should

[Big D]

I wonder if Richie Gray should be invited over for training. He's not match ready, but is possibly our best second row so keeping him involved is maybe wise.

[OptimisticJock]

I think it's probably better allowing him to train and play in France. He knows he'll be involved if fit so let him get back to peak.

[Big D]

I think it's probably better allowing him to train and play in France. He knows he'll be involved if fit so let him get back to peak.

Equally fair. I just had it in my head he hasn't been involved in many of Townsends squads. He has only played once for Scotland under Townsend.

[OptimisticJock]

I hadn't realised that. Has he been injured that much?

[Big D]

I hadn't realised that. Has he been injured that much?

I think it has been the timing of the injuries that has been the issue.

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson out.

This could potentially be interesting. Surely GT is going to have to take a punt on someone with a slightly higher ceiling than Harley? I don't know if Skinner will be back by then though. I've rambled on enough about having a look at Ashe.

I found this comment and some of the responses quite interesting. You'd be hard-pushed to argue we don't currently lack active, vocal leaders. Maybe this plays more of a role than we have thought? It's just been very hard to see his standout attributes for a while now. He's not even particularly reliable in making routine tackles.

[Mikey Brown]

I was looking for some injury updates and there's still question marks over Nel, Skinner, Wilson, Jones and Hogg.

Let's say the worst happens with all of those. Who do you go for? One thing I don't think I want to see is Johnson shifted out to get Horne in at 12, but have a feeling GT might.

I feel like all these pending injuries might make for some very strange Edinburgh/Glasgow teams at the weekend.

[OptimisticJock]

I think stating Scotland were better with Wilson playing (and in fairness he has been decent) doesn't necessarily point to Wilson being the reason when Harley is the replacement.

[Mikey Brown]

Valid, but I'm at the point I'm wondering what the something is that makes GT so insistent Wilson must be in the team.

[af73]

I was looking for some injury updates and there's still question marks over Nel, Skinner, Wilson, Jones and Hogg.

Let's say the worst happens with all of those. Who do you go for? One thing I don't think I want to see is Johnson shifted out to get Horne in at 12, but have a feeling GT might.

Likely as not I think.
In the same category would be Harris and McGuigan (never in the conversation on various boards but would you really be surprised?) instead of say D.Graham and possibly Dean or Grigg.

There comes a tipping point where drip-feeding inexperience into a temporarily faltering team becomes harmful in a malfunctioning one. Not denying that the gradual introduction of a lot of newcomers has gone well, almost seamlessly, in an ever improving team over the last few years. Present circumstances are beyond that though due to sheer numbers of injuries and loss of form..

So, the question is;
Experienced but playing poorly (Laidlaw, Seymour, Gray) or inexperienced but inform and unfettered by the accepted norms of 6N games - D.Graham, Sam Johnson, Ritchie etc?

There might be something to be said for an injection of confidence that comes from a new group being introduced en masse. Raising the low level of performance instead of pandering to it.

[Cameo]

My main change would be to get G Horne in if fit. I still just think Laidlaw slows our game down too much. Horne's cover tackling could be very handy too.

Otherwise the main new one that I would like to see get minutes is Darcy Graham (though I like our back three options).

Most other positions injuries have meant most options have had a go. I suppose Ashe counts as new considering how long he's been away. Him and Strauss isnt the perfect balance but what options do we have?

[Mikey Brown]

I see what you mean about Strauss and Ashe together. Two decent carriers in the pack may well be quite baffling but not sure either are renowned for the their work around the ruck. I'd happily have them rotating at the 55/60 mark. Though I was very impressed at the work Strauss was still putting in late in the game. Consistency and work rate hasn't always been his strong-point either.

Paired with flankers like Ritchie and/or Hardie who get through a ton of work (Graham does too at club level but not seen it for Scotland) it might be quite good?

I'd like to see more of Horne, but it seems futile at the moment to even think about it. For all GT spouts about playing fast he just won't look past Laidlaw. With the Italy game out the way I think it's injury or nothing in that regard.

[Tobylerone]

Bradbury restored to working order..
Back for Embrugh this week...

[Chunks Baws]

Magnus Bradbury is back for Edinburgh this weekend. He must be in with a shout.

[Mikey Brown]

That's an interesting one. I can't recall what is was or how long he's been out. Feels like a while but if he's back up to speed I'd be interested. I'd love to see if he can match the French fatties physically.

[Mikey Brown]

An interesting comment here, from an Irish guy no less.

It's time-stamped if you hit play.

[Stones of granite]

An interesting comment here, from an Irish guy no less.

It's time-stamped if you hit play.

The days of "other forwards sorting it out" are passed. We rely on the referee doing his job now.

[Mikey Brown]

I was more focussed on the Laidlaw bit to be honest.

[Stones of granite]

I was more focussed on the Laidlaw bit to be honest.

Yeah, it's curious. Supporters from other countries moan about him yapping at the ref all the time, but here he is completely passive. I don't really know what to think.

[Donny osmond]

I was more focussed on the Laidlaw bit to be honest.

Yeah, it's curious. Supporters from other countries moan about him yapping at the ref all the time, but here he is completely passive. I don't really know what to think.

The guys in that vid nailed it tho, other captains are 'playing' the ref with ease just by talking to him on a professional level. Laidlaw either yaps like a spoiled brat and you can almost see the hairs on the refs neck rising, or doesnt speak to him at all.

I think Scotland have had an issue in this area for a good long while now. We seem to lose the ref all to easily by demanding the ref does what we want then getting frustrated if that doesnt happen, which just pisses off the ref. If the captain from the other team is keeping it calm and professional then obv the ref is going to he more sympathetic to him/them.

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[Mikey Brown]

Yeah. I feel it was quite noticeable when Barclay became captain. He is on the edge because of the way he plays, so he can certainly get on the wrong side of the ref in that regard, but I think McInally is good here. I wouldn't mind Gilchrist either.

[Big D]

I am aware I have long been a critic of Laidlaw so I have tried to strip it back a bit lately. I understand what he brings to the table but I think Russell is now beginning to try and control games better so is he as needed? Is that because of Laidlaw being a steadying influence or because Finn has finally clicked and knows he is in control? Laidlaw doesn't sweep defensively (game plan or game plan due to his lack of speed?) and it hurts us defensively and he offers no break from 9. So if we accept his limitations the rest of his game needs to be on point including captaincy. Are we getting that?

I think I'd give Horne or Price a go in France or Wales, or wait for it even Pyrgos v France (best box kicker we have and the French struggled). But I am of the opinion better to die trying than dying wondering. I understand why people would be reluctant to try someone other than Laidlaw but Townsends job is safe and lets see how the others go under pressure.

On the coaching, I had one of those time hop thingmys today from 7 years ago:
"The one thing I was disappointed today with was not the 2 sin bins but our inability from the start to handle the Welsh blitz defence. Why didn't Townsend spot this in tapes of the Welsh".

He really needs to show he has learned something from previous games and I think that leads to our away performances in the 6N, if plan A fails where is plans B, C and D? The France and Wales games will be telling, France are beatable and Wales do the same thing in defence and we in the last two games couldn't beat it. Townsend has been involved in the Scotland set up for more 6Ns than he gets credit for and should have been able to learn lessons from before to use now. This is what his 5th or 6th 6N involved in a national position? In those championships against teams not Italy we have 1 away win in Ireland and none elsewhere.