France v The last Scots Standing - 2019 6N round 3.

[Mikey Brown]

I just don’t see Grigg as a viable option. I know, I know, Shane Williams was small too, but you just can’t concede that much ground so regularly in defence in midfield. If are even nearly as poor at keeping hold of the ball on Saturday that’s going to be a massive problem.

In my mind, we’ve already seen that he’s not going to be good enough at his level.

Harris doesn’t look like a superstar to me either, but he’s at least a good all rounder, got some pace, can crash it up, good defender. Then again, I don’t remember that Wales game very well where Harris started outside Jones and the whole thing was a mess.

I was happy to go with Johnson/Harris outside Russell but I’m not sure how that changes depending if Hastings/Horne/Weir get the nod at 10.

[whatisthejava]

I presume our team will be named tomorrow. To me the real question is who starts 13. I'd just about say Grigg. Aye, I dont think he's really top international level but I'd say the same about Harris and at least Grigg has an undoubted spark as well as a decent connection with the likely 10/12. More than ever this weekend I see our way to win as being to run them off their feet.

I dont think Johnstone is international class but he has dealt with Basterado , alternativly i think Griggs aggresion in defence and attack might help but Harries is the most experianced at this level

Either way if we cant beat this shower we need to have a look at the mentality of that team

[General Zod]

France do not deserve to win a game this year. Putting out fat cunts that haven't been coached is unacceptable. I hope you pump them.

You have just insulted my entire rugby career.

[Big D]

Strauss has lost has passport.

Couldn't write this shit.

[Mikey Brown]

Is that a joke? I’m feeling far too fragile to tell. The tournament goes out the window with this game.

[Mikey Brown]

Right. Seen the story now. Shit.

Seems like right about now that Adam Ashe would suffer a mysterious leg break.

[Cameo]

I presume our team will be named tomorrow. To me the real question is who starts 13. I'd just about say Grigg. Aye, I dont think he's really top international level but I'd say the same about Harris and at least Grigg has an undoubted spark as well as a decent connection with the likely 10/12. More than ever this weekend I see our way to win as being to run them off their feet.

I dont think Johnstone is international class but he has dealt with Basterado , alternativly i think Griggs aggresion in defence and attack might help but Harries is the most experianced at this level

Either way if we cant beat this shower we need to have a look at the mentality of that team

Haha France did almost beat Wales two weeks ago. Is Harris really that experienced? Only one season in Europe and a few caps, mainly off the bench.

Grigg's defence is hit or miss but I don't think it is a question of consistently losing ground

[Mikey Brown]

Well the misses certainly are.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Johnstone though.

[Big D]

Either way if we cant beat this shower we need to have a look at the mentality of that team

Normally I would agree but:
1. We are likely to be starting a 10 who is suffering 2nd season blues, a centre or WFD. Our whole game can fail on them regardless of how the other 14 play.
2. Our 12 has 2 caps to his name.
3. God knows what is going to happen at 13.
4. Kinghorn still has less than 10 caps.
5. We have up to 8 starters missing (depending how you view RGray) with probably up to 10 missing from a best 23 we could put out.
6. Some of our guys who we will need to make an impact on Saturday have had 1 game since injury, 2 of them at PR0 14 level against the shags of a welsh side (Brown, Fagerson and Bradbury).
7. This French side are nowhere near as bad as people are saying. Should have beaten Wales in week 1 and have some great potential in that team.

Losing, unless complete capitulation will likely not tell us anything we didn't know already. Winning with a very scratch/inexperienced back line would be a pretty good accomplishment IMO.

[OptimisticJock]

I'd start JJ but can see the reasoning behind starting Grigg with SJ. I prefer either over Harris, possibly hard on him but my knowledge of him is limited to Scotland matches and Newcastle Embra games, none of which he has really stood out.

[Mikey Brown]

Strauss is able to travel.

[francoisfou]

Strauss is able to travel.

Good. The Scots should waltz to victory!

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. All is well again. 40 point win I reckon.

[morepork]

Pump


Them.

Especially the fat ones.

[whatisthejava]

Ive upgraded my broadband so that I can download the whole of bastetrado on screen t the same time

[switchskier]

So, having thought about it I'm now concerned. Option A is to play like Glasgow at their best but we are now missing the creative flyhalf that makes it all tick, the nippy scrumhalf and hard running outside centre who can cut a line.

The second plan ought to be to play like Edinburgh. However we miss the scrummaging loosehead and ball carrying backrow that makes it all work, so that's not really an option ever.

So what's left? Bring in wfd and use our wingers ability to chase kicks and high balls? That won't tire out a big french pack.

The lesson appears to be not to think about it.

[OptimisticJock]

Weir been released apparently.

[ARM]

Weir been released apparently.

I still remember a few years ago at Murrayfield when we were pumping France (without the scoreboard reflecting it as per) and we had a three man overlap 5m out from the French line.

Duncy I-think-I’m-a-ballplayer Weir throws a ridiculous miss pass; French interception and French win.

Good lad but neither an athlete nor with sufficiently strong distribution to break a Test defence.

[Puja]

Pump


Them.

Especially the fat ones.

Do we need to get the porn spambots back again for you?

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I don’t even remember that. I guess we throw winnable games so routinely that I literally can’t recall that one bit.

I really like Weir. But I agree.

Also wondering how much the panic is a worry for Hastings. We were all pretty pleased with him 6 months ago, he’ll quite obviously have got the message that he’s slipped a bit and we need to be patient, but does he need a bit of confidence boost and commitment from the coaches? Or does he just have to ride out this second season syndrome?

In the long run I think we’d do better going through the World Cup with Hastings at 10 than Horne/Weir, but it’s hard to justify picking him right now.

[OptimisticJock]

I like Weir. I dont remember that but do remember him doing turning the odd game as well as for Embra. Not flashy but solid.

[sharvey44]

Weir been released apparently.

I still remember a few years ago at Murrayfield when we were pumping France (without the scoreboard reflecting it as per) and we had a three man overlap 5m out from the French line.

Duncy I-think-I’m-a-ballplayer Weir throws a ridiculous miss pass; French interception and French win.

Good lad but neither an athlete nor with sufficiently strong distribution to break a Test defence.

2014. that was a shocker.



2016 and Finn went off after 5 mins. Pete Horne took over at 10, we all panicked. He had a great game and we stormed it.

[Big D]

[Mikey Brown]

Well I’m glad about the backrow, was worried he was going to do something idiotic there. Hope Bradbury is up the pace and Ritchie/Strauss continue their form.

If Grigg can run some of his magic lines then fair enough. As above, Horne is very capable of having a great game at 10, I just wouldn’t like to bet on it.

I wonder how much of Graham we’re likely to see?

[Mikey Brown]

Weir been released apparently.

I still remember a few years ago at Murrayfield when we were pumping France (without the scoreboard reflecting it as per) and we had a three man overlap 5m out from the French line.

Duncy I-think-I’m-a-ballplayer Weir throws a ridiculous miss pass; French interception and French win.

Good lad but neither an athlete nor with sufficiently strong distribution to break a Test defence.

2014. that was a shocker.



2016 and Finn went off after 5 mins. Pete Horne took over at 10, we all panicked. He had a great game and we stormed it.

Aha. Yes. Now I remember. One of those where you think if you put this much air on it surely somebody will catch it and score, but it’s not really aimed at anyone in particular.

I guess he was right though.

It feels like about 10 years ago we had the Scott/Dunbar combo. I’m amazed it was that recent.