Scotland World Cup campaign

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Dunno if I can bring myself to watch that. Is it just he usual shit?

Tom English basically called him out on this crap and Toony didn't have a response.

[Cameo]

Pack got destroyed there.

Backs weren't the problem but thought Laidlaw was poor for the usual reasons plus his box kicking just doesn't go high or far enough; Russel, Maitland and Johnson were okay; Taylor was poor and we've boxed ourselves into playing Harris - I still don't get giving up on having any spark at 13; Seymour was average and needs to be behind Graham; Hogg was very good.

I can't be bothered with fixing the grammar.

Overall systems we just aren't as good as Ireland. Kick chase and shepherding chasers is just one example.

There were some comments earlier that Taylor was good, which I didn't see myself. He's not quick enough off the mark for international rugby at 13. Tend to think it's unfair to judge outside backs too harshly in that sort of game though so postponing judgement.

What I would say is that we pick two hard running, direct centres and proceeded to play with no depth. Ireland's line speed was phenomenal but you'd still expect to see them hit the line at speed at least once.

He was responsible for two turnovers (I don’t think there were many more Scottish turnovers in the game) and looked to be sharper than most on the pitch when a ball went loose.

I just don't see it. I think he reputation has been massively inflated by being injured. He's not a bad player but he is picked over more exciting options because he is solid and always makes the right decision then flings a ball straight into touch, drops another and looks painfully slow to get going in attack and defence.

Also, you lot get very easily wound up by very standard interviews. Townsend is clearly pissed off but he do you want him to say we won't learn from it because it's all hopeless? It's the same way this fastest rugby in the world thing keeps being brought up. I don't think I've heard him say it for years now

[Big D]

Looking at the stats, Barclay 40% less tackles than the next starting forward. Not what is needed from a blindside.

[Cameo]

Looking at the stats, Barclay 40% less tackles than the next starting forward. Not what is needed from a blindside.

He looked off the pace. Ireland were very impressive up front but the lack of impact from any of our forwards was frightening. Together with the warm up has really made me question how many are any good.

[Cameo]

Looking forward the selection plans need to be thrown out of the window a bit. There is no point keeping "first choice" players rested if they aren't any good. Equally, let's not kid ourselves that just because a player wasn't starting yesterday that they are automatically better. It needs to be made really clear that performances over the next two games are key for selection.

For Somoa I would pick:

Reid (don't actually think Dell was the worst)
McInally (bad game but still our best hooker)
Berghan (Mel is not doing enough)
Cummings
Gray/Gilchrist (probably Gray as he has a bit more excuse coming back to fitness and still think he's just better than Toolis)
Bradbury (presume he is in for Watson)
Ritchie
Thompson
Price
Russell
Maitland
Johnson
Harris
Graham
Hogg

Fagerson
Brown
Dell
Toolis
Wilson
Taylor
G Horne
Hastings/Kinghorn

Is that an overreaction?

[General Zod]

Dunno if I can bring myself to watch that. Is it just he usual shit?

Yes. Jamie Ritchie fit for next game if Watson isn’t.

[General Zod]

Is that an overreaction?

Not really. I was thinking more along the lines of sacking every single one of the coaches and half of the SRU, including every one of the nodding dogs that voted for the stronger but fewer strategy, as there will soon be even fewer players coming through from our recently-relegated under 20s. We effectively imported about a third of that team today. The whole thing is fucked. Why not try to reach out to more underrepresented communities? Although it’s going to be hard to recruit young players when your flagship team is shit.

Went off on a tangent there, but is it an overreaction?

[Mikey Brown]

I assume for Ritchie and Bradbury to play would need confirmation of Watson being out for the tournament?

[Mikey Brown]

I don’t know why I even care. It’s not going to solve our issues.

[Cameo]

I assume for Ritchie and Bradbury to play would need confirmation of Watson being out for the tournament?

Yeah for Bradbury. He is there already though so should be fairly seamless.

Edit: logistically - Watson is pretty irreplaceable

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Looking at the stats, Barclay 40% less tackles than the next starting forward. Not what is needed from a blindside.

He looked off the pace. Ireland were very impressive up front but the lack of impact from any of our forwards was frightening. Together with the warm up has really made me question how many are any good.

I saw Barclay apparently vomiting early on. Either he wasn't fit enough, or he was ill, or he was concussed. He is normally so prominent.

[ARM]

Looking at the stats, Barclay 40% less tackles than the next starting forward. Not what is needed from a blindside.

He looked off the pace. Ireland were very impressive up front but the lack of impact from any of our forwards was frightening. Together with the warm up has really made me question how many are any good.

I saw Barclay apparently vomiting early on. Either he wasn't fit enough, or he was ill, or he was concussed. He is normally so prominent.

Ah...all makes sense now.

An Irish Susie

[Big D]

Watson confirmed as gone.

[General Zod]

Don’t worry folks, it’s not all bad news. I’ve heard the SRU booked with Thomas Cook.

[whatisthejava]

My team for Samoa which is based on 8 guys mtfu.

Reid
Mcinally
Nel
Gg
Cummings
Bradbury
Barclay
Thompson
Horne
Russell
Graham
Horne
Johnson
Maitland
Hogg

And a wee word in mcinally eat that if he wants to stay captain he needs to make sure the team has the energy levels.

And a wee word in Barclays ear that if he isn’t fit enough he can go home

I can’t blame the backs for Ireland , you can’t win a game if your forwards are not putting you into any position to do anything

[General Zod]

Have just seen this again on another forum...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ECrwNbhXsAAHNs8.jpg

[sharvey44]

Don’t worry folks, it’s not all bad news. I’ve heard the SRU booked with Thomas Cook.

You mean the SRU travel partner Thomas Cook.. Another fantastic decision by the SRU

[Mikey Brown]

My team for Samoa which is based on 8 guys mtfu.

Reid
Mcinally
Nel
Gg
Cummings
Bradbury
Barclay
Thompson
Horne
Russell
Graham
Horne
Johnson
Maitland
Hogg

And a wee word in mcinally eat that if he wants to stay captain he needs to make sure the team has the energy levels.

And a wee word in Barclays ear that if he isn’t fit enough he can go home

I can’t blame the backs for Ireland , you can’t win a game if your forwards are not putting you into any position to do anything

What exactly is Barclay going to do when you tell him that?

[normanski]

Well you were badly caught out by Ireland with a pack who were so far off the pace at times that they might have still been in the dressing room.

Out of this adversity could come strength. You’ve had one shit game and it’s out of the system. Now is the time for the squad to pick themselves up, draw closer together, ignore the coaches and play like furies as you did second half at Twickenham.

There’s a a quarter final place to be won. Go for it!

[Big D]

My team for Samoa which is based on 8 guys mtfu.

Reid
Mcinally
Nel
Gg
Cummings
Bradbury
Barclay
Thompson
Horne
Russell
Graham
Horne
Johnson
Maitland
Hogg

And a wee word in mcinally eat that if he wants to stay captain he needs to make sure the team has the energy levels.

And a wee word in Barclays ear that if he isn’t fit enough he can go home

I can’t blame the backs for Ireland , you can’t win a game if your forwards are not putting you into any position to do anything

Not sure what Rambo can do if they just aren't as fit as they should be (which is what it looks like).

I suspect he will play a largely unchanged side as he hasn't really been one for binning his guys. But Cummings, Ritchie, Bradbury and/or Blade, Price or Horne, and Graham should all start.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Whoever said Nel isn't doing enough should look at the stats. On paper one of our most reliable players.

3 carries for 2m and topped the tackle count with 18 and none missed. He conceded two pens but one of them was nonsense so not going to hold it against him. As a TH prop I don't think we could have asked for much more from him.

[Big D]

Price on crutches?

[Mikey Brown]

Sure looks like it.

[General Zod]

Adam Hastings looks like he’s really enjoying himself.

[Big D]

https://www.threeredkings.com/the-wally ... s-irevsco/

Worth a read.