6 Nations 2020

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Could a couple of the recent retirements be due to coaching conflicts?

I don't think so. Barclay's body was done & Laidlaw was hardly built for the fastest rugby in the world. Seymour - possibly to some degree .. but he's been pretty vocal about the strain international rugby had on his young family.

[General Zod]

Could a couple of the recent retirements be due to coaching conflicts?

I don't think so. Barclay's body was done & Laidlaw was hardly built for the fastest rugby in the world. Seymour - possibly to some degree .. but he's been pretty vocal about the strain international rugby had on his young family.

If you read that Aristotle Armstrong chap, he hints heavily that at least one of them is someone who could maybe have held on at least a season, but didn’t want to be near the current set-up. Dunno if we’ll see more after this championship.

[Big D]

Could a couple of the recent retirements be due to coaching conflicts?

I don't think so. Barclay's body was done & Laidlaw was hardly built for the fastest rugby in the world. Seymour - possibly to some degree .. but he's been pretty vocal about the strain international rugby had on his young family.

If you read that Aristotle Armstrong chap, he hints heavily that at least one of them is someone who could maybe have held on at least a season, but didn’t want to be near the current set-up. Dunno if we’ll see more after this championship.

Can only be Seymour if that is the case. Barclay sadly just doesn't have it at the level he once did and at 34 years old it really didn't serve much of a purpose for Laidlaw to stay on. Yes they have leadership and experience but the new crop need to find their own way now even if it gets rough.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I don't think so. Barclay's body was done & Laidlaw was hardly built for the fastest rugby in the world. Seymour - possibly to some degree .. but he's been pretty vocal about the strain international rugby had on his young family.

If you read that Aristotle Armstrong chap, he hints heavily that at least one of them is someone who could maybe have held on at least a season, but didn’t want to be near the current set-up. Dunno if we’ll see more after this championship.

Can only be Seymour if that is the case. Barclay sadly just doesn't have it at the level he once did and at 34 years old it really didn't serve much of a purpose for Laidlaw to stay on. Yes theybhave leadership and experience but the new crop need to find theor own way now even if it gets rough.

Seymour is the only one, agreed. That's the only retirement that genuinely took me by surprise.

[Cameo]

From the various follow up articles with more information, I now have little hope that Finn will be back before the third game at the very earliest but more likely the Autumn. He now seems to be in Dubai - hopefully as a clear the head mission before returning to camp but I'm dubious.

I struggle to see this as Townsend's fault. Morrison wrote a, for once, decent article on some coaches making the atmosphere too intense and not letting players lead but, in this case, it was the players who told Russell to stop drinking.

Fine, have a few the night before what would presumably be a light day of training but you can't get to the point where you don't turn up.

In terms of Townsend's future, I don't think it has really changed. Win one and it will be a disappointing Six Nations (though not a shocking underachievement as that is probably par for Scotland). If they win three, that will be a very good outcome (though hopefully with competitive performances in the others). Two wins and it all depends on the performances in those and the other games. We can't have the blowouts that have happened too often under Cotter and Townsend.

[Chunks Baws]

From the various follow up articles with more information, I now have little hope that Finn will be back before the third game at the very earliest but more likely the Autumn. He now seems to be in Dubai - hopefully as a clear the head mission before returning to camp but I'm dubious.

I struggle to see this as Townsend's fault. Morrison wrote a, for once, decent article on some coaches making the atmosphere too intense and not letting players lead but, in this case, it was the players who told Russell to stop drinking.

Fine, have a few the night before what would presumably be a light day of training but you can't get to the point where you don't turn up.

In terms of Townsend's future, I don't think it has really changed. Win one and it will be a disappointing Six Nations (though not a shocking underachievement as that is probably par for Scotland). If they win three, that will be a very good outcome (though hopefully with competitive performances in the others). Two wins and it all depends on the performances in those and the other games. We can't have the blowouts that have happened too often under Cotter and Townsend.

This Offside Line article suggests some of the players are not impressed with Finn. Chuck in the likes of Price "liking" tweets in support of Finn, mainly from that fud Zebo, are we looking at a split dressing room?

https://www.theoffsideline.com/we-just- ... ser-brown/

[General Zod]

From the various follow up articles with more information, I now have little hope that Finn will be back before the third game at the very earliest but more likely the Autumn. He now seems to be in Dubai - hopefully as a clear the head mission before returning to camp but I'm dubious.

I struggle to see this as Townsend's fault. Morrison wrote a, for once, decent article on some coaches making the atmosphere too intense and not letting players lead but, in this case, it was the players who told Russell to stop drinking.


Fine, have a few the night before what would presumably be a light day of training but you can't get to the point where you don't turn up.

In terms of Townsend's future, I don't think it has really changed. Win one and it will be a disappointing Six Nations (though not a shocking underachievement as that is probably par for Scotland). If they win three, that will be a very good outcome (though hopefully with competitive performances in the others). Two wins and it all depends on the performances in those and the other games. We can't have the blowouts that have happened too often under Cotter and Townsend.

This Offside Line article suggests some of the players are not impressed with Finn. Chuck in the likes of Price "liking" tweets in support of Finn, mainly from that fud Zebo, are we looking at a split dressing room?

https://www.theoffsideline.com/we-just- ... ser-brown/

I saw some of that social media fuddery from Price. I had expected him to start, but if Horne does, I am more than happy. He’s a decent bet for top Scotland scorer if he does!

[Mikey Brown]

You want Horne to start because Price 'liked' a stupid tweet?

[General Zod]

You want Horne to start because Price 'liked' a stupid tweet?

No! Not really sure what I was trying to say, tbh. Just worried that players are getting drawn into 2 camps.

I think price has earned his spot in the last few weeks, but happy if Horne starts as well.

[whatisthejava]

I really don’t think Dcotland is that far off a top team. The question is

Can toony get the team there. He needs forwards that will mtfu and a defense which isn’t nicely described as porus. If he can generate quick ball from the forwards then he can get the backs going forward.

Up till now he has trusted the wrong players and some key injuries but apart from LH he has options at every position in the pack but he has to pick the right ones and make sure the right mentality is there from kick off.

I still don’t think Toony will turn it around though.


We also have the man management question over him that needs to be addressed.

[General Zod]

Just listening to the bbc rugby podcast (I know). They mentioned that reports from the camp are that some things have changed and the players have responded well. Can’t remember much more detail than that.

[switchskier]

From the various follow up articles with more information, I now have little hope that Finn will be back before the third game at the very earliest but more likely the Autumn. He now seems to be in Dubai - hopefully as a clear the head mission before returning to camp but I'm dubious.

I struggle to see this as Townsend's fault. Morrison wrote a, for once, decent article on some coaches making the atmosphere too intense and not letting players lead but, in this case, it was the players who told Russell to stop drinking.

Fine, have a few the night before what would presumably be a light day of training but you can't get to the point where you don't turn up.

In terms of Townsend's future, I don't think it has really changed. Win one and it will be a disappointing Six Nations (though not a shocking underachievement as that is probably par for Scotland). If they win three, that will be a very good outcome (though hopefully with competitive performances in the others). Two wins and it all depends on the performances in those and the other games. We can't have the blowouts that have happened too often under Cotter and Townsend.

This Offside Line article suggests some of the players are not impressed with Finn. Chuck in the likes of Price "liking" tweets in support of Finn, mainly from that fud Zebo, are we looking at a split dressing room?

https://www.theoffsideline.com/we-just- ... ser-brown/

Probably reading too much into what Brown is saying but that has me worried. Structure is good and helps to make you a good team. However great teams have room for some flexibility. Not everyone responds well to being told to conform. Make the rules too stringent and you limit any teams potential (not just in rugby). It all just sounds a bit England 2015 to me.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

From the various follow up articles with more information, I now have little hope that Finn will be back before the third game at the very earliest but more likely the Autumn. He now seems to be in Dubai - hopefully as a clear the head mission before returning to camp but I'm dubious.

I struggle to see this as Townsend's fault. Morrison wrote a, for once, decent article on some coaches making the atmosphere too intense and not letting players lead but, in this case, it was the players who told Russell to stop drinking.

Fine, have a few the night before what would presumably be a light day of training but you can't get to the point where you don't turn up.

In terms of Townsend's future, I don't think it has really changed. Win one and it will be a disappointing Six Nations (though not a shocking underachievement as that is probably par for Scotland). If they win three, that will be a very good outcome (though hopefully with competitive performances in the others). Two wins and it all depends on the performances in those and the other games. We can't have the blowouts that have happened too often under Cotter and Townsend.

This Offside Line article suggests some of the players are not impressed with Finn. Chuck in the likes of Price "liking" tweets in support of Finn, mainly from that fud Zebo, are we looking at a split dressing room?

https://www.theoffsideline.com/we-just- ... ser-brown/

For all his merits as a rugby player, Price is a dickhead as well.

As most know, I am very anti-toony but I don't blame him one bit for this. I cannot believe how arrogant Russell has been.

Hogg had a wee phase like this but he was a 21/22 year old.

[Mikey Brown]

Are you saying Price is a dickhead just in general, because of this tweet or is there some incident I missed?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Are you saying Price is a dickhead just in general, because of this tweet or is there some incident I missed?

Ali Price, the person, is a dickhead.

[ARM]

Team's oot.

[Big D]

We should be so lucky to have a winger the calibre of WFD...

[General Zod]

Surprised at front row, but no problem with the backs!

[Mikey Brown]

I was shocked for a moment.

Then I laughed.

Then I went and checked the SRU twitter feed, just in case.

[af73]

I was shocked for a moment.

Then I laughed.

Then I went and checked the SRU twitter feed, just in case.

Same... same.... & same!
Weir aside though would anyone be surprised if Jones. Hutchinson & Scott fell victim to the Toony cringe cometh the hour?

[Mikey Brown]

Nope.

Thinking about it now; 12. Weir 13. Harris could be our 12. Gateau 13. Mortlock.

[AL.]

Team's oot.

Coffee came out my nose then.

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51289567

"Dave has pushed me to work on a lot of areas of my game," he says. "I've always been quite confident in myself and backed my ability but I've worked on areas that I probably haven't worked on before.

"One of the main things is my handling under pressure. Nowadays defences are putting a lot more pressure on with a lot more line speed so being able to get the ball in and out of your hands quickly under pressure, especially in the wide channels is important.

"On the defensive side, I think contrary to what many people believe I've always been a good defender. I get in good positions and the main issue I've had is tackle selection.

"I've maybe not stayed in the fight long enough or gone too high and I've been working on that. With [new Scotland defence coach] Steve Tandy coming in I really like his defensive system, I feel like it suits me."

Obviously any player will always try to put a positive spin on these things but he seems quite honest in this article and there are some promising bits. The defensive alignment thing is an interesting one. I remember him getting absolutely caned for (what seemed like) a bunch of defensive errors against Wales (I think) a couple of years back.

That rugby nerd/blogger guy thedeadballarea did a really good piece following that on how his positioning was actually great but the defensive system had holes that Wales exploited. Truth is without watching most games a couple of times or simply following one player at a time it can be very hard to get an accurate picture of their contribution

[Chunks Baws]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51289567

"Dave has pushed me to work on a lot of areas of my game," he says. "I've always been quite confident in myself and backed my ability but I've worked on areas that I probably haven't worked on before.

"One of the main things is my handling under pressure. Nowadays defences are putting a lot more pressure on with a lot more line speed so being able to get the ball in and out of your hands quickly under pressure, especially in the wide channels is important.

"On the defensive side, I think contrary to what many people believe I've always been a good defender. I get in good positions and the main issue I've had is tackle selection.

"I've maybe not stayed in the fight long enough or gone too high and I've been working on that. With [new Scotland defence coach] Steve Tandy coming in I really like his defensive system, I feel like it suits me."

Obviously any player will always try to put a positive spin on these things but he seems quite honest in this article and there are some promising bits. The defensive alignment thing is an interesting one. I remember him getting absolutely caned for (what seemed like) a bunch of defensive errors against Wales (I think) a couple of years back.

That rugby nerd/blogger guy thedeadballarea did a really good piece following that on how his positioning was actually great but the defensive system had holes that Wales exploited. Truth is without watching most games a couple of times or simply following one player at a time it can be very hard to get an accurate picture of their contribution

That was a really good article. That was when I went from thinking that Taylor was a bit shit to thinking he was a completely useless fud. I think that was the article that highlighted we used no "sweeper". Other teams would have the scrum half sweep behind to cover the back pitch in case the first line was beaten, we didn't. It made us look like fucking amateurs.

[Mikey Brown]

Is there actually any expectation that the team is announced today? Since seeing that team sheet this morning I've been checking the SRU page pretty incessantly and just realised it might not even be out today.