6N squad - starting team

[Mikey Brown]

Kinghorn at 10, Smith at 15, or shift Jones back and bring in Harris/Redpath.

Agree with the other changes. Not keen to see Bhattenberg on the bench again.

Just listened to a podcast with Johnnie Beattie agonising over our complete failure to attack the Irish lineout while VDF was throwing in for 40 minutes. Not sure if that falls on Jonny, Cummings, Ritchie or all of them, but it was not good.

[Donny osmond]

If there is any doubt on Russell's knee then there is little point risking him. It is not a year to be messing around with a knee injury.

One last attempt at convincing Fin Smith and Tom Roebuck? Joking aside and if those three are out, I think I would go with a team of:
Schoeman
Turner
Fagerson
Skinner
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson/Crosbie
Fagerson, although Dempsey was good yesterday.
White
Kinghorn
Duhan
Huwipolotu
Steyn
Maitland

Ashman. Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Healy, Harris I suppose

Brave to select a 14 man team, Italy are getting better all the time!

[BaldiePete]

Hogg and Russell confirmed out. Savala and Bayliss added (presumably to hold tackle bags).

[Donny osmond]

I feel that Ritchie's captaincy was exposed yesterday. He's quite the WUM which can be amusing but I'm not sure how much leadership it provides.

The injuries are interesting, they all need rest I would say, agree fully that now isn't the time to throw them in to an end of championship match that really isn't going to prove anything. I guess Kinghorn is the back up 10, I'd like to see Jones stay at 13 as that is a partnership that is growing nicely so someone else in at 15... surely Maitland is too much of a throwback now tho?

[Cameo]

Big test now. I suppose it makes the game on Saturday more interesting.

I would go Kinghorn at 10 and Smith at 15. Let's not muck up the centres.

I'm open to whatever they do in the backrow. It seems to be horses for course and they got it right on Sunday.

New replacement props, and ideally hooker. Horne on the bench. Skinner in - maybe to start.

[Mikey Brown]

I feel that Ritchie's captaincy was exposed yesterday. He's quite the WUM which can be amusing but I'm not sure how much leadership it provides.

The injuries are interesting, they all need rest I would say, agree fully that now isn't the time to throw them in to an end of championship match that really isn't going to prove anything. I guess Kinghorn is the back up 10, I'd like to see Jones stay at 13 as that is a partnership that is growing nicely so someone else in at 15... surely Maitland is too much of a throwback now tho?

I’m torn. On one hand I agree, but talking about making great strides as a team, falling short in the crunch games and then putting out a change side that loses to Italy would be a really bad look.

There’s a handful of players I’d like to see more of, and some that have been cruising a little bit, but realistically that’ll come down to how battered and bruised they are.

I’d love to see if Redpath can perform a similar role to Tuipulotu as backup 12 for instance, as he has truly sewn the shirt up. One of our best performers so far.

I know what you mean about Ritchie, and he does need to reign it in, but I think we should persevere with him through the World Cup. That edge is part of what makes him good too, but if he doesn’t learn from those mistakes in how he speaks to refs soon then maybe he’s a risk.

[Big D]

If there is any doubt on Russell's knee then there is little point risking him. It is not a year to be messing around with a knee injury.

One last attempt at convincing Fin Smith and Tom Roebuck? Joking aside and if those three are out, I think I would go with a team of:
Schoeman
Turner
Fagerson
Skinner
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson/Crosbie
Fagerson, although Dempsey was good yesterday.
White
Kinghorn
Duhan
Huwipolotu
Steyn
Maitland

Ashman. Sutherland, Sebastian, Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Healy, Harris I suppose

Brave to select a 14 man team, Italy are getting better all the time!

Huwipolotu is two men operating in harmony as one centre partnership.

[Big D]

I feel that Ritchie's captaincy was exposed yesterday. He's quite the WUM which can be amusing but I'm not sure how much leadership it provides.

The injuries are interesting, they all need rest I would say, agree fully that now isn't the time to throw them in to an end of championship match that really isn't going to prove anything. I guess Kinghorn is the back up 10, I'd like to see Jones stay at 13 as that is a partnership that is growing nicely so someone else in at 15... surely Maitland is too much of a throwback now tho?

Maitland is steady, good under the high ball and solid in defence. The last part being important given the two wings defensive frailties at times. Steyn has made a whopping 56% of tackles in this 6N. Wouldn't be against Smith, or Healy at 10 and BK at 15.

Agree on Ritchie not having a good day, it is a fine line when you play on the edge and are also captain. Regardless of deserved or not, he's been marched 10 twice in four games as captain. Although the most worrying thing for me was lack of leadership in defensive line outs. Not a great outing for a skipper learning how to captain on the big stage. He is a leader though.

[Cameo]

On a related note to the lineouts, Septic said last week how good our second row options are now. I agree...to an extent.

My issue is that while we have five very solid operators in R Gray, Gilchrist, J Gray, Cummings and Skinner, at least on recent form only R Gray and Cummings go above solid (Gray for his lineouts and mobility and Cummings for his pace and lines). The other hit rucks, make tackles and carry a bit but don't have a massive point of difference. Not everyone can have locks like France but ours just seem a little old school.

When Ireland had to reshuffle their lineout we were crying out for someone dominant in that area but you'd back O'Mahony to beat any of our jumpers once R Gray was off. J Gray and Cummings are not bad in the lineout but I see them as doing their job and no more.

I appreciate O'Mahony is very good so it's not straightforward, but I'm just looking at areas we can improve if we are to go to the next level. For me we start R Gray and Cummings where possible because of that higher ceiling.

[septic 9]

Hogg and Russell both returned to clubs for rehab, both out for Italy game. Big Richie still being assessed, decision Wed at lastest - but of he popped a rib can't see him being ready or it sensible to play him

[Big D]

Kinghorn apparently struggling too. Healy looking like getting a debut.

[Mikey Brown]

Kinghorn apparently struggling too. Healy looking like getting a debut.

That is so cruel. Banging the door down all tournament, both 10 and 15 get injured but he might not be fit either.

[septic 9]

Maitland is steady, good under the high ball and solid in defence. The last part being important given the two wings defensive frailties at times. Steyn has made a whopping 56% of tackles in this 6N. Wouldn't be against Smith, or Healy at 10 and BK at 15.

Italy don't kick nearly as much as others, so the need for Maitland at 15 is much less next week.
I'd also say that if we worry about the wingers defensive frailties, you don't pick Kinghorn at 15 hoping he will make up for them.

Are a lot of Steyn's misses not down to being the kick chase go to guy? Very difficult to nail a one on one at full tilt, point is to hope to do that but as much to slow him into the next tackler
Duhan bit in too early twice this week, but he has been pretty good usually since the Lions tour where his defence came on leaps and bounds

[Big D]

Maitland is steady, good under the high ball and solid in defence. The last part being important given the two wings defensive frailties at times. Steyn has made a whopping 56% of tackles in this 6N. Wouldn't be against Smith, or Healy at 10 and BK at 15.

Italy don't kick nearly as much as others, so the need for Maitland at 15 is much less next week.
I'd also say that if we worry about the wingers defensive frailties, you don't pick Kinghorn at 15 hoping he will make up for them.

Are a lot of Steyn's misses not down to being the kick chase go to guy? Very difficult to nail a one on one at full tilt, point is to hope to do that but as much to slow him into the next tackler
Duhan bit in too early twice this week, but he has been pretty good usually since the Lions tour where his defence came on leaps and bounds

Steyn has fallen off a few in open play too. 56% across four games even giving some allowances for missing the type of tackle you describe and the sample size being only 25tackles or so, is still very low.

Aye, Kinghorn wouldn't be 15 to shore up the defence, I am not against that as he is the next man up based on performances.

Looks like Kinghorn may be struggling to make Saturday too so might be one of the least experienced backlines we've put out in 6N games. Could be as little as 101 caps before Saturdays game.
White (13)
Healy (0)
Duhan (27)
Tuipulotu (15)
Jones (35)
Steyn (9)
Smith (2)/Maitland (53)

[Mikey Brown]

I had Steyn down as super reliable, though a bit unexciting, but he's been almost the opposite for me. Some fantastic little moments but I think he's been lucky to keep his spot to be honest. Kinghorn is either injured or needed elsewhere now so I guess he gets to finish the tournament.

Where is this news of Kinghorn (possibly) being out coming from?

[Mikey Brown]

Also is it worth getting Horne back in as a backup goal kicker? I've never seen Healy so struggle with the idea of plonking some random Irish Munster player in to the team, but maybe he's good.

[septic 9]

Healey is an excellent goal kicker with a huge boot. He doesn't play as flat as Russell ( who does) but he is a big lad with a very decent break

[Big D]

I had Steyn down as super reliable, though a bit unexciting, but he's been almost the opposite for me. Some fantastic little moments but I think he's been lucky to keep his spot to be honest. Kinghorn is either injured or needed elsewhere now so I guess he gets to finish the tournament.

Where is this news of Kinghorn (possibly) being out coming from?

Been mentioned in articles that he's needing a fitness test or being monitored.

[Cameo]

That would be gutting if Kinghorn's out.

If Kinghorn is out, Healy starts. If Kinghorn is fit, he starts for me, but that is probably as much because I would be more exciting to see him and Smith than Healy and Kinghorn. I'm fine with Healy being in the squad but don't feel particularly invested in him. As Mikey says, he just seems like some random Munster bloke to me.

[switchskier]

This Italy game is going to be an odd one. The Italians have looked good when sides let them play a bit but have struggled with the more direct stuff. I worry that we could get sucked into a throw it around 12 try sort of a game. While I haven't seen much, I can see the logic of a more pragmatic approach with Healy at the helm and building a score early on.

Part of me does just want both sides to let rip though and have a bit of fun.

[BaldiePete]

There was a short clip of Scotland training at Oriam on Reporting Scotland. Kinghorn could be seen in it. Presuming it’s not an old clip, it looks like he’s fit.

[BaldiePete]

Kinghorn at 10, Smith at 15. Healy on bench. This team should be expected to get a BP win over Italy. It’s a strong bench. The front row will be fairly handy when they come on.

[Mikey Brown]

I really like that actually. Good stuff.

Fagerson doesn't need 'dropping' per se, but he's been working pretty relentlessly and gives Dempsey/Watson a chance to start.

I really like that bench. Great to see Sutherland is actually fit. Ashman and Nel balance eachother out a bit.

[Big D]

Some good changes with the bench still looking very strong by our standards. Dempsey over Fagerson is debateable but Dempsey was very good on Sunday. I do wonder whether they decided Nel couldn't go twice in 6 days so prioritised this one for him?

Feel like there is a bit of teflon about Jonny Gray. High tackle count with few dominant hits and doesn't carry as well as Cummings. Still not sure what Watson and Price have done to be ahead of Crosbie and Horne. Those two certainly aren't form picks.

Good squad all being said given the four that are missing. No excuses on Saturday.

[Cameo]

Yeah, I like that. Suspect Fagerson and Cummings are more to keep things fresh rather than droppings - certainly hope so in Faherson's case.

Against Italy, I think the key is to realise they are not the Italy of old but they will still give you chances. By that I mean that they will have spells in the game where their attack will cut you open, but you just need to keep going (and scramble in defence) as their all round game still isn't there.

Hopefully a fun game and a good test for Kinghorn and Healy.