AI Squad & general match thread

[Mikey Brown]

Not to mention we haven't seen anything like this since Rory Lamont.

[Big D]

He's been playing very well and demanding a spot (playing 6 as well as 7). Being heavily involved in their forwards doing Montpellier over in Europe was a big highlight. Just regarding the 3 you mention he does the hard stuff a lot better from what I can see, and is probably the only person who rivals Wilson for niggly, annoying bastard sort of flanker work. If we were to try and play around SA then Ritchie is probably a bit more rounded? Graham has some gas though.

I haven't seen a lot of him, this is just the impression I've got.

I know I may have a blind spot for him but does he really do this? He makes an average amount of tackles and gives away an above average amount of idiotic penalties. He is niggly, but in the sense of "get fucked" rather than performance impacting.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hilarious.

His interview doesn't surprise me - wouldn't we all say the same had we just realised we were a pawn in Eddie's game? I hope he feels embarrassed with himself. Time to move on and good work by Toony, Johnson & Co to continue expanding the player base. In injury crises like this, he's obviously a useful guy to have around.

[Mikey Brown]

He's been playing very well and demanding a spot (playing 6 as well as 7). Being heavily involved in their forwards doing Montpellier over in Europe was a big highlight. Just regarding the 3 you mention he does the hard stuff a lot better from what I can see, and is probably the only person who rivals Wilson for niggly, annoying bastard sort of flanker work. If we were to try and play around SA then Ritchie is probably a bit more rounded? Graham has some gas though.

I haven't seen a lot of him, this is just the impression I've got.

I know I may have a blind spot for him but does he really do this? He makes an average amount of tackles and gives away an above average amount of idiotic penalties. He is niggly, but in the sense of "get fucked" rather than performance impacting.

I don’t disagree. Wilson (mostly) makes up for very patchy areas of his game by being a real nuisance to play against, consistently slowing ball and generally just getting in peoples faces around the ruck, but I see all that only as a bonus if you can do the core stuff well.

He’s very useful fielding the ball at the back and controlling a retreating scrum, but in terms of dominating the gainline he doesn’t do enough for a top class 6/8. Graham might be able to, not really sure.

[Big D]

So team for SA?
Dell, Rambo, Nel
Gray, GG
Ritchie, Watson, Strauss
Laidlaw,
Russell,
Seymour
Horne
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown, Allan, Berghan, Skinner, Graham, Horne, Hastings, Kinghorn

I think the Emgland game showed you can get around SA so someone (who should be) able to distribute at 12 should help this. Jones because he is a better 13 than Dunbar. Ritchie and Strauss deserves to keep a spot in the team after last week.

Skinner needs a chance to show he can back up last week and we may as well have a look at Graham if he is up to speed.

I think it is important that this close to the RWC that Toony rewards good performance, particularly guys like Ritchie so he knows he can break the apparentl established order.

If Jones was rested or dropped for a poor defensive performance then the same can happen to Dunbar and Wilson. If he wasn't they can still be rested.

[OptimisticJock]

Seymour getting himself about a bit there D.

Would like to see Scott start at 12 assuming he's fit.

[Big D]

Seymour getting himself about a bit there D.

Would like to see Scott start at 12 assuming he's fit.

Ach Seymour/Maitland wingers just look good after the forwards do the hard bit.

[Mikey Brown]

I like that Maitland got himself into the game a bit closer in as it went on.

[Cameo]

I'd like to see Scott start but this is the toughest game of the lot and I think a new completely new centre not in the loop isnt the best option. Would start him next week instead

[hugh_woatmeigh]

It's worth remembering how ridiculous this whole thing was.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... h-Dad.html

[Chunks Baws]

Aggressive with a chip on his shoulder, I've grown to like him. I hope he succeeds with us.

[Stones of granite]

It's worth remembering how ridiculous this whole thing was.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... h-Dad.html

Normal banter. The problem is that it gets blown out of proportion when it's reported in the press, who have their own agenda.
The banter in my house is not dissimilar, especially since my (English) wife announced she is representing England at the World Senior Curling Championships next April in Norway. I'm planning a cycling holiday in Spain....

[Mikey Brown]

It's worth remembering how ridiculous this whole thing was.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... h-Dad.html

Ridiculous is the word. That all sounds even more pantomime than I’d previously thought. But you now, shame on me for clicking a daily mail link.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

It's worth remembering how ridiculous this whole thing was.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... h-Dad.html

Ridiculous is the word. That all sounds even more pantomime than I’d previously thought. But you now, shame on me for clicking a daily mail link.

The whole conversation was as if he'd been named in the starting line up and it was all set in stone. Comical.

In another era I don't think Graham would have been welcomed into the squad at all.

[Cameo]

It's worth remembering how ridiculous this whole thing was.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... h-Dad.html

Ridiculous is the word. That all sounds even more pantomime than I’d previously thought. But you now, shame on me for clicking a daily mail link.

The whole conversation was as if he'd been named in the starting line up and it was all set in stone. Comical.

In another era I don't think Graham would have been welcomed into the squad at all.

He sounds like a bit of an idiot but dont mind him coming into the squad. As usual with these ones though, I wouldnt fast track a cap for him just to tie him. Treat him just like he was only Scottish qualified and if he is good enough and shows enough in training then he can play.

[Chunks Baws]

It's definitely going to take him a while to live it down. I'm sure his initiation will be interesting.

[Big D]

It's definitely going to take him a while to live it down. I'm sure his initiation will be interesting.

I was fortunate enough to see the "official" initiation of Byron McGuigan after the NZ game last year. They get up in sing to the Presidents suite. They might make Graham sing swing low sweet chariot

[Big D]

Reid
Rambo
Nel
Toolis
Gray
Skinner
Watson
Wilson
Captain Laidlaw
Russell
Maitland
Horne
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown
Dell
Berghan
Ritchie
Strauss
Price
Hastings
Harris

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Besides the Chris Harris call and probably Gilchrist over Toolis... I really don't have any complaints. Some serious competition for places right now.

If we keep the heads for 80 mins this is do-able.

Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont - captain); Gordon Reid (London Irish), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs),Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Josh Strauss (Sales Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons).

[Big D]

Looks like a mobile line up.

Reid going from nowhere/English Championship rugby to playing SA is a big step up.
Would like to have seen GG and Gray lining up in this one.
Glad to see Ritchie and Strauss retained in some form even if would have referred Strauss over Wilson.
Backline is potentially 1st choice. Presumably Kinghorn isn't seen as a bench option at the moment, it seems Harris is preferred because he covers 13.

[Mikey Brown]

What a Toony selection that is.

[Mikey Brown]

When did Wilson last earn a cap with his form?

[Cameo]

Does anyone know if Skinner plays much in the back row for exeter? I suppose we have a lot of mobility with the other two

[Cameo]

Incidentally, I watched the France SA game from the weekend last night. Funny game as neither looked that organised in attack but SA looked like they would cause us some problems in the rucks but there was scope to get at them with moves out wide. Their wingers are rapid too!

[Big D]

Does anyone know if Skinner plays much in the back row for exeter? I suppose we have a lot of mobility with the other two

No idea but 6ft 5 and under 17.5st is sort of Jerome Kaino sized. So 6 may suit him better.