AI Squad & general match thread

[Mikey Brown]

Seems pretty pointless to me. We need someone to really grab the 12 shirt. The idea of Hastings, Russell, Jones all running sideways in unison is dreadful.

Isn’t Kinghorn quite a good fit for that role anyway? He came through as a 10 as well didn’t he? Certainly must have been more recent than Russell at 12.

[Chunks Baws]

Having seen the team Edinburgh are putting out v Zebre I'd rather the wales game wasn't happening.

It is an absolute travesty. Glasgow are away to Munster as well which is going to be very tough indeed.

The thing that irks me the most is that none of the match/gate revenues are going to Doddie's charity - although there will be collection buckets (how lovely...)

From the looks it it we'll be rolling with;

Dell
McInnally
Nel
Gilchrist
Gray
Ritchie
Watson
Wilson

Price
Hastings
Jones
Scott
Jones
Seymour
Kinghorn

Brown
Rae/McCallum
Allan
Toolis
Fagerson
Horne
Horne
Dunbar...?


That leaves Glasgow insanely depleted.

Other than a dinner the night before the game, I'm yet to see any news of these "events" they mentioned that were supposed to take place in the days leading up to the game too. There was an option to donate when buying tickets but most of the twice a year chavvy Welsh fans that go to these games probably have no idea who Doddie is.

[Big D]

Alastair Reid in the Times putting forward suggestion of playing Hastings 10, Russell 12 v Fiji.

I like it.

Russell first came into the Weeg team at 12 and was pretty effective there.

Particularly as Kinghorn does not offer the second playmaker role that Hogg can from 15.

That idea puts the fear into me.

Whilst Russell isn't as weak defensively as some think, he needs to show he can be a consistently good international 10. Hastings is yet to prove he is a decent option at 10 at that level too.

There is a fairly substantial list of players I'd rather see at 12 than Russell TBH. I can think of a few I'd rather see there 1st.

Kinghorn can probably provide a play making option if he is asked to do it. He isn't asked to at Edinburgh.

[ARM]

Alastair Reid in the Times putting forward suggestion of playing Hastings 10, Russell 12 v Fiji.

I like it.

Russell first came into the Weeg team at 12 and was pretty effective there.

Particularly as Kinghorn does not offer the second playmaker role that Hogg can from 15.

That idea puts the fear into me.

Whilst Russell isn't as weak defensively as some think, he needs to show he can be a consistently good international 10. Hastings is yet to prove he is a decent option at 10 at that level too.

There is a fairly substantial list of players I'd rather see at 12 than Russell TBH. I can think of a few I'd rather see there 1st.

Kinghorn can probably provide a play making option if he is asked to do it. He isn't asked to at Edinburgh.

Its only Fiji. Bigger fish to fry...

Toony's gameplan (like many Test team) relies on the middle pod of forward taking it up the guts in midfield so I don't think you need a crashball centre. Distribution and great footwork are the ways to break down the modern defence.

Who starts at 12? Scott - prob front runner right now. Good direct running but has hands like feet. Dunbar I like and is prob my preference if fit but he's a bit of a permacrock with an ACL recon. Taylor is gubbed. Horne is a horses for courses type and Johnson has to prove he is Test level.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

With the Weeg team announced the only real question marks are who covers back row off the bench & who covers scrum half?

Given that 3 hookers have been retained as well as 3 back rows I have the fear that Brown is going to be covering back row.

It looks like McCallum will cover TH and a centre will wear 23 .

Dell, McInnally, Nel, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Wilson

Price, Russell, Jones, Scott, Jones, Seymour, Kinghorn

Turner, McCallum, Allan, Toolis, Brown, ??? Does Greig have permission, Hastings, Dunbar.

[Mikey Brown]

That’s a good shout, we couldn’t possibly have a whole 23 without anyone out of position.

Ritchie confirmed at 6 by Fagerson in Glasgow side I’m guessing?

I know I’m a Scott fanboy but hasn’t he got far better hands than Dunbar? Not a high bar at all I know, but has he been really dodgy this season?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

That’s a good shout, we couldn’t possibly have a whole 23 without anyone out of position.

Ritchie confirmed at 6 by Fagerson in Glasgow side I’m guessing?

I know I’m a Scott fanboy but hasn’t he got far better hands than Dunbar? Not a high bar at all I know, but has he been really dodgy this season?

Ritchie confirmed at 6 cause who else is there? Only 3 back rows have been retained - Ritchie, Watson and Wilson.

Matt Scott has dildos for hands.

[General Zod]

That’s a good shout, we couldn’t possibly have a whole 23 without anyone out of position.

Ritchie confirmed at 6 by Fagerson in Glasgow side I’m guessing?

I know I’m a Scott fanboy but hasn’t he got far better hands than Dunbar? Not a high bar at all I know, but has he been really dodgy this season?

Ritchie confirmed at 6 cause who else is there? Only 3 back rows have been retained - Ritchie, Watson and Wilson.

Matt Scott has dildos for hands.

Reminds me of a film I once watched about an unfortunate chap called Edward.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

That’s a good shout, we couldn’t possibly have a whole 23 without anyone out of position.

Ritchie confirmed at 6 by Fagerson in Glasgow side I’m guessing?

I know I’m a Scott fanboy but hasn’t he got far better hands than Dunbar? Not a high bar at all I know, but has he been really dodgy this season?

Ritchie confirmed at 6 cause who else is there? Only 3 back rows have been retained - Ritchie, Watson and Wilson.

Matt Scott has dildos for hands.

Reminds me of a film I once watched about an unfortunate chap called Edward.

Except Mr Scott's catching is more akin to having a single dildo per hand hence the difficulty.

[Big D]

Alastair Reid in the Times putting forward suggestion of playing Hastings 10, Russell 12 v Fiji.

I like it.

Russell first came into the Weeg team at 12 and was pretty effective there.

Particularly as Kinghorn does not offer the second playmaker role that Hogg can from 15.

That idea puts the fear into me.

Whilst Russell isn't as weak defensively as some think, he needs to show he can be a consistently good international 10. Hastings is yet to prove he is a decent option at 10 at that level too.

There is a fairly substantial list of players I'd rather see at 12 than Russell TBH. I can think of a few I'd rather see there 1st.

Kinghorn can probably provide a play making option if he is asked to do it. He isn't asked to at Edinburgh.

Its only Fiji. Bigger fish to fry...

Toony's gameplan (like many Test team) relies on the middle pod of forward taking it up the guts in midfield so I don't think you need a crashball centre. Distribution and great footwork are the ways to break down the modern defence.

Who starts at 12? Scott - prob front runner right now. Good direct running but has hands like feet. Dunbar I like and is prob my preference if fit but he's a bit of a permacrock with an ACL recon. Taylor is gubbed. Horne is a horses for courses type and Johnson has to prove he is Test level.

I didn't say we need a crash ball centre. Finn Russell has yet to consistently perform game after game after game at international level. With only 8 games that Finn is available for until the RWC piss abouts next summer I want him focusing soley on being the best 10 he can be. He was inconsistent in the 6N and missed the sunmer tour.

Hastings also needs time with the guys likely to be playing 12 at the RWC. Despite being club team mates he'd benefit from international game time with them.

8 games with (touch wood) the 1sts available. We should be making sure the 1sts and alternatives are given proper gametime in structured environments.

By all means go with Hastings/Russell in last 20 of a game but I don't think it should be a starting combo.

[Big D]

With the Weeg team announced the only real question marks are who covers back row off the bench & who covers scrum half?

Given that 3 hookers have been retained as well as 3 back rows I have the fear that Brown is going to be covering back row.

It looks like McCallum will cover TH and a centre will wear 23 .

Dell, McInnally, Nel, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Wilson

Price, Russell, Jones, Scott, Jones, Seymour, Kinghorn

Turner, McCallum, Allan, Toolis, Brown, ??? Does Greig have permission, Hastings, Dunbar.

Hastings at 10 unless Finn has his permission slip.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

With the Weeg team announced the only real question marks are who covers back row off the bench & who covers scrum half?

Given that 3 hookers have been retained as well as 3 back rows I have the fear that Brown is going to be covering back row.

It looks like McCallum will cover TH and a centre will wear 23 .

Dell, McInnally, Nel, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Wilson

Price, Russell, Jones, Scott, Jones, Seymour, Kinghorn

Turner, McCallum, Allan, Toolis, Brown, ??? Does Greig have permission, Hastings, Dunbar.

Hastings at 10 unless Finn has his permission slip.

Woops.

[ARM]

That idea puts the fear into me.

Whilst Russell isn't as weak defensively as some think, he needs to show he can be a consistently good international 10. Hastings is yet to prove he is a decent option at 10 at that level too.

There is a fairly substantial list of players I'd rather see at 12 than Russell TBH. I can think of a few I'd rather see there 1st.

Kinghorn can probably provide a play making option if he is asked to do it. He isn't asked to at Edinburgh.

Its only Fiji. Bigger fish to fry...

Toony's gameplan (like many Test team) relies on the middle pod of forward taking it up the guts in midfield so I don't think you need a crashball centre. Distribution and great footwork are the ways to break down the modern defence.

Who starts at 12? Scott - prob front runner right now. Good direct running but has hands like feet. Dunbar I like and is prob my preference if fit but he's a bit of a permacrock with an ACL recon. Taylor is gubbed. Horne is a horses for courses type and Johnson has to prove he is Test level.

I didn't say we need a crash ball centre. Finn Russell has yet to consistently perform game after game after game at international level. With only 8 games that Finn is available for until the RWC piss abouts next summer I want him focusing soley on being the best 10 he can be. He was inconsistent in the 6N and missed the sunmer tour.

Hastings also needs time with the guys likely to be playing 12 at the RWC. Despite being club team mates he'd benefit from international game time with them.

8 games with (touch wood) the 1sts available. We should be making sure the 1sts and alternatives are given proper gametime in structured environments.

By all means go with Hastings/Russell in last 20 of a game but I don't think it should be a starting combo.

That’s a fair point about getting some continuity with Russell in the 10 shirt. I’d just like to see the combo. Could be fun if Hastings can step up to Test level

[whatisthejava]

Johnson injures and Scott has concussion so James Lang called up

[whatisthejava]

Also Darcy graham upgraded to full squad member. Could get a sub spot against wales or Fiji

[Soapy]

Also Darcy graham upgraded to full squad member. Could get a sub spot against wales or Fiji

After his dismal effort on Friday, Fife will be lucky if he gets on the pitch for Edinburgh in the near future and should never be near the Scotland squad.
(The same goes for Ross "Walk into Contact" Ford - tragically and laughably Scotland's most capped player).

For the Wales game - Fb; Kinghorn; Wingers: Seymour & Jones with DG on the bench.

[Big D]

So team for the "lets use Doddie's name as an excuse for a money grab" cup in Cardiff?
Dell Rambo Nel
GG Gray
Richie, Watson, Wilson
Price
Hastings
Seymour
Dunbar
Jones
Jones
Kinghorn

Brown, Allan, McCallum, Toolis, Fagerson, Horne, Horne,
and Graham

[Cameo]

Is Dunbar fit? Any chance Lang will come onto the bench instead of Horne. Probably unlikely but Horne hasnt been good this year

[switchskier]

Is Dunbar fit? Any chance Lang will come onto the bench instead of Horne. Probably unlikely but Horne hasnt been good this year

Lang isn't available as it's outside of the IRB window.

I'm a little surprised Lang is in ahead of Grigg who I see as a toonie fav, evidently looking for a 12 type rather than a 13.

[whatisthejava]

So team for the "lets use Doddie's name as an excuse for a money grab" cup in Cardiff?
Dell Rambo Nel
GG Gray
Richie, Watson, Wilson
Price
Hastings
Seymour
Dunbar
Jones
Jones
Kinghorn

Brown, Allan, McCallum, Toolis, Fagerson, Horne, Horne,
and Graham

Id swop Richie for Wilson at 6 and have Fagerson at 8

Id probabbly prefer Toolis to start but for impact him coming on will have a bigger impact than JG

[Big D]

So team for the "lets use Doddie's name as an excuse for a money grab" cup in Cardiff?
Dell Rambo Nel
GG Gray
Richie, Watson, Wilson
Price
Hastings
Seymour
Dunbar
Jones
Jones
Kinghorn

Brown, Allan, McCallum, Toolis, Fagerson, Horne, Horne,
and Graham

Id swop Richie for Wilson at 6 and have Fagerson at 8

Id probabbly prefer Toolis to start but for impact him coming on will have a bigger impact than JG

I think back row is probably the area we will see most change in, particularly 6 + 8. Wouldn't be against Wilson on bench either.

If they held Ritchie back from Edinburgh and don't start him after releasing Fagerson for Weeg it would be a bit strange.

[Big D]

Is Dunbar fit? Any chance Lang will come onto the bench instead of Horne. Probably unlikely but Horne hasnt been good this year

Lang isn't available as it's outside of the IRB window.

I'm a little surprised Lang is in ahead of Grigg who I see as a toonie fav, evidently looking for a 12 type rather than a 13.

Lang could be important IMO. Whether Horne is consistently international quality is up for debate but for a WC squad he provides an important level of flexibility at 10/12. Lang is possibly that replacement should anything befall Horne.

Grigg is below the level required for international rugby and hopefully Toonie has realised that. I'd like to see Dean given a chance ahead of him now if it came to it. Grigg has had maybe 2 good appearances off the bench and that is about it.

[Mikey Brown]

Johnson injures and Scott has concussion so James Lang called up

Oh dear. He’s had a couple of good moments for Quins this year but not really been demanding a shirt. I’d love to have seen either of the other two really push for the 12 spot long-term. Lang is also a very different kind of player.

I’m glad it’s not Grigg though to be honest.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

They're dropping like flies. Crosbie, Denton and Bradbury are ruled out of the series.

[Cameo]

Bradbury is the big loss from that lot. Really hoped this was the series he would establish himself as an option