Laidlaw... gooooooooooooone

[hugh_woatmeigh]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50841774

With this many senior leaders retiring from international rugby the SRU better be damn sure that Toony is the one to build up a young squad.

[Big D]

Good career and like Barclay can be proud.

Right time to hang them up though.

[General Zod]

Agree with both posts. Guess we’ll find out whether his “game management skills” have been the difference between just being defeated regularly or getting thumped.

Edit to say my post above was a wee bit harsh. Cheers for the memories, Grieg, and digging us out the shit a few times.

Particularly enjoyed this one...

[switchskier]

It's not as if his game ever relied on pace but he's had a good international career and deserves to try extend that time getting paid in France.

Someone now needs to step up for Scotland. There's no like for like replacement style wise if we assume that pyrgos isnt coming back. There's a chance for someone to step up.

[Chunks Baws]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50841774

With this many senior leaders retiring from international rugby the SRU better be damn sure that Toony is the one to build up a young squad.

I was discussing this with mates last night. It is 100% the right time for Greeg and Barlcay to retire but who the hell steps up to lead us? The Rob Roberston article about Rambo is concerning, it reads to me like he basically couldn't handle the pressure of the captaincy. I look at our forwards and I don't see a leader anywhere, the backs are no better. Juts to add, this isn't a criticism of Rambo, his mental health is the most important thing here.

link to the Rob Robertson tweet, can't find a link for the online article, sorry:

[Mikey Brown]

Fuck. It’s going to be Wilson isn’t it.

[Chunks Baws]

Fuck. It’s going to be Wilson isn’t it.

[Digby]

I'm pretty sure Radio 4 announced the resignation of Craig Laidlaw earlier, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and I wasn't giving the radio my complete focus.

It has been an excellent career to have played so many times, to have led so many times, and to have so many games structured around what he brings. It hasn't perhaps always been the right think to structure the game around Laidlaw, or to ask Laidlaw to deliver something that isn't his game, but on balance it's still bloody impressive.

[laribold]

[quote="Chunks Baws"] I look at our forwards and I don't see a leader anywhere, the backs are no better. /quote]

Jamie Ritchie.

He'll play and play and sets the kind of tone that we won't take a backward step.

Or for a more cerebral younger option, I think Cummings has captaincy experience at age-grade?

[Chunks Baws]

I look at our forwards and I don't see a leader anywhere, the backs are no better. /quote]

Jamie Ritchie.

He'll play and play and sets the kind of tone that we won't take a backward step.

Or for a more cerebral younger option, I think Cummings has captaincy experience at age-grade?

Yeah, I did think of Ritchie and the more I think about it, the more I like it.

[septic 9]

I look at our forwards and I don't see a leader anywhere, the backs are no better. /quote]

Jamie Ritchie.

He'll play and play and sets the kind of tone that we won't take a backward step.

Or for a more cerebral younger option, I think Cummings has captaincy experience at age-grade?

Yeah, I did think of Ritchie and the more I think about it, the more I like it.

captained every age grade. And lots of knowledgeable folk think he should be appointed sooner rather than later. The problem is Watson and Edinburgh. Scotland captain cannot be playing second fiddle at club or country. And no, he is best at 7, lets not do the "he can fill in at 6" stupidity.

[Mikey Brown]

Gilchrist is the only other option I can remember people really talking about his leadership qualities. He had a good patch of performances after finally being injury free but with Skinner and Cummings pushing on it looks unlikely he'll be demanding a starting spot for long, if at all.

It's a weird one with Ritchie. I think he's fantastic, just not quite a 6 and not quite willing to replace Watson.

[Big D]

I look at our forwards and I don't see a leader anywhere, the backs are no better. /quote]

Jamie Ritchie.

He'll play and play and sets the kind of tone that we won't take a backward step.

Or for a more cerebral younger option, I think Cummings has captaincy experience at age-grade?

Ritchie is only marginally older than Cummings.

[Big D]

The other part of this is Hogg has been a VC for a wee bit now and is our star player.

If you trust someone to be the VC should he not be getting the gig in the eyes of the coach?

[Mikey Brown]

Just seems weird having a fullback as captain.

[Big D]

Just seems weird having a fullback as captain.

I sort of agree. But naming him as VC suggests GT isn't bothered.

[septic 9]

Gilchrist is the only other option I can remember people really talking about his leadership qualities. He had a good patch of performances after finally being injury free but with Skinner and Cummings pushing on it looks unlikely he'll be demanding a starting spot for long, if at all.

It's a weird one with Ritchie. I think he's fantastic, just not quite a 6 and not quite willing to replace Watson.

at lock on form Cummings should be the only certainty at the moment; but a lot can change in a few weeks. Gilco was the coming man years back, he has some very good games but post his injuries I do not think he has ever reached his early heights, certainly not fulfilled his promise. Also has a tendency to go missing in action in games, not exactly what you want on a captain - and has become a real dopey penalty magnet at Edinburgh. Toolis is another who flits from sublime to where is he. Both need loads more consistency, and may - should - struggle to keep their place at Edinburgh if Cockerill can see past favourites (his huge weakness a Tigers) and promote Carmichael.

Richie is the future, Watson can back him up. Think SA 1995, captained by a man who was far from their best back row, Richie and Watson much closer whichever is your preference. Different players but only one is a leader

[Mikey Brown]

Fair enough. I honestly wasn’t aware of Ritchie having any leadership experience or his name being in the mix until this thread. He might have a good balance of nous and aggression/competitiveness though.

[francoisfou]

Laidlaw's contract with Clermont terminates at the end of this season, and having signed Sébastien Bézy from Toulouse on a 3-year contract, Clermont still have Morgan Parra on the books (although there's been a rumour that he may be heading to Toulouse) so aren't short of scrum halves. If Parra stays then wee Greig may be looking for a new club.

[francoisfou]

Laidlaw's contract with Clermont terminates at the end of this season, and having signed Sébastien Bézy from Toulouse on a 3-year contract, Clermont still have Morgan Parra on the books (although there's been a rumour that he may be heading to Toulouse) so aren't short of scrum halves. If Parra stays then wee Greig may be looking for a new club.

[Big D]

The other part of this is Hogg has been a VC for a wee bit now and is our star player.

If you trust someone to be the VC should he not be getting the gig in the eyes of the coach?

And Hogg it is.

[AL.]

And when he is inevitably injured in the first 20 minutes of the first match of the tournament, who takes over then?

Townsend played under a Captain that was a full back, maybe he is convinced he can make it work this time round? If his game plan is do everything through Hogg again, we are boned, lets wait and see.....

[Cameo]

Think there was a real lack of options tbh. I liked the idea of Ritchie but he isn't a guaranteed starter. Watson is still a better 7 (and I'd say our third best player) and some games having them both in the team might make the back row too lightweight - although they can both carry so I'd see them as a good 6/7 combo.