Hammer of the Scots or Scots hammered?

[normanski]

Interesting game ahead. Two years ago we managed to turn a half time lead into a proud Scotland victory with some dithering play and their ability to fight back and take control of the match.

I can’t believe that Gatland and the team will let this happen again but we will have to be on song and do to Scotland what we did to France and then England.

Their injury situation is easing but they are still short of some key players while we seem to have fewer problems. Hill is a loss but we have Ball and Beard as cover. I can’t see Gatland changing the starting lineup apart from Ball, for his ball carrying.

Anscombe should start because Gatland sees him as the long term future and the changeover with Biggar to close out tight games seems to work (Italy apart!).

[Mikey Brown]

I feel like Wales really have the hoodoo over Scotland. I can't think of anyone else that we should have beaten so many times in the last few years and let the game slip away. Kind of like your lot with Australia for a while. There's no doubt about which team has the upper hand in mentality going into this.

The win two years ago was great, when everything clicks 100% Scotland are as good as anyone, but anything less than 100% and it's all a bit amateur looking.

[normanski]

I feel like Wales really have the hoodoo over Scotland. I can't think of anyone else that we should have beaten so many times in the last few years and let the game slip away. Kind of like your lot with Australia for a while. There's no doubt about which team has the upper hand in mentality going into this.

The win two years ago was great, when everything clicks 100% Scotland are as good as anyone, but anything less than 100% and it's all a bit amateur looking.

I think Sir Clive Woodwind has just put the kibosh on your chances by predicting a Scotland win! He still sounds bitter that Wales beat his beloved one dimensional England.

Some pundits are talking up Scotland now so we’ll take the underdog tag with pleasure.

[Mikey Brown]

Are these pundits people who've actually been watching the tournament?

That underdog tag is one thing we're consistently able to hold onto. Please don't take it away.

[Sandydragon]

Gentlemen, you must realise that Wales are really quite shyte and one win the games because France gave us the win in Paris and England lost composure/ had crap tactics/ had injuries/ crap reffing (delete as appropriate). Scotland and Ireland will tear us a new one.

That seems to be the view of some pundits who really do seem a bit bitter that England aren’t marching to a glorious grand slam..

Reality is that we started slow against France and sent a second team to Rome. We fought back to beat the French despite two tries being disallowed. And we played the game exactly right against England, a 90 second lapse in concentration notwithstanding.

Scotland will be a tough game and they are desperate for the win. Scotland are a different beast in Edinburgh. I think we have the stronger team and we are beginning to get on a roll. I think we can win this game, but I’m taking nothing for granted.

[normanski]

Gentlemen, you must realise that Wales are really quite shyte and one win the games because France gave us the win in Paris and England lost composure/ had crap tactics/ had injuries/ crap reffing (delete as appropriate). Scotland and Ireland will tear us a new one.

That seems to be the view of some pundits who really do seem a bit bitter that England aren’t marching to a glorious grand slam..

Reality is that we started slow against France and sent a second team to Rome. We fought back to beat the French despite two tries being disallowed. And we played the game exactly right against England, a 90 second lapse in concentration notwithstanding.

Scotland will be a tough game and they are desperate for the win. Scotland are a different beast in Edinburgh. I think we have the stronger team and we are beginning to get on a roll. I think we can win this game, but I’m taking nothing for granted.

It’s interesting thinking about our comeback against France.

All the tries (apart from Liam’s nudge forward) were scored at one end. All the fumbles, dropped catches etc were played in one direction. Could it be the driving rain into players’ eyes had more affects than anyone realised and that in the end Wales played the conditions far better than a tiring French side.

Just a thought!

[normanski]

Are these pundits people who've actually been watching the tournament?

That underdog tag is one thing we're consistently able to hold onto. Please don't take it away.

No it’s ours! You’re at home in Fortress Murrayfield, you have excellent players returning from injury to boost a side that has so much potential. We fear the irresistible tide of blue as we face the Hammer of the Scots.

We have to be underdogs because Sir Clive Brainfart and Stuart Barnes have said Scotland to win.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Not really expecting a hammering either way, but Wales have to be the big favourites. They will certainly go there knowing how - and expecting - to win. But they know it will not come easy.

[Sourdust]

Not really expecting a hammering either way, but Wales have to be the big favourites. They will certainly go there knowing how - and expecting - to win. But they know it will not come easy.

Gatland doesn't seem to like hammerings in either direction.

_IF_ Wales get on top on Saturday, I can see us easing up in the second half and just keeping them at arm's length. We've got form for this under Gats and it would serve to keep the euphoria down. I think what he wants the most is people to be writing on Sunday about how Wales still aren't wholly convincing; for him to be able to say in post-match interviews that "there's a lot to work on" without seeming disingenuous. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we completely dominate the match but win it 18-10.

The problem with this is that I think Scotland have the firepower to play catch-up rugby, and if we try our usual "hold what we have" act we're going to need to be full-on for the 80 to do it. If Scotland get a lead, of course, anything could happen...

[normanski]

You have to wonder if the shenanigans over Scarlets and Ospreys will affect team morale.

Gatland has just announced the near same 23 who faced England with the only change being Beard for Hill.

It’s a side who can do a job but it’s going to be tough.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Surprised not to see Halfpenny involved, even if just on the bench. Sorry, but not so surprised to find Patchell not involved.

It's a very strong team, we should win comfortably.

Unless the majority of the players realise what might be happening to their regions while they're away....

[Son of Mathonwy]

Not really expecting a hammering either way, but Wales have to be the big favourites. They will certainly go there knowing how - and expecting - to win. But they know it will not come easy.

Gatland doesn't seem to like hammerings in either direction.

_IF_ Wales get on top on Saturday, I can see us easing up in the second half and just keeping them at arm's length. We've got form for this under Gats and it would serve to keep the euphoria down. I think what he wants the most is people to be writing on Sunday about how Wales still aren't wholly convincing; for him to be able to say in post-match interviews that "there's a lot to work on" without seeming disingenuous. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we completely dominate the match but win it 18-10.

The problem with this is that I think Scotland have the firepower to play catch-up rugby, and if we try our usual "hold what we have" act we're going to need to be full-on for the 80 to do it. If Scotland get a lead, of course, anything could happen...

Although we might slow up the second half, I'm sure that would not be the plan. The bonus point would be worth far more than staying under the radar ( since that's pretty much impossible now).

Personally I think we'll get better in the second half, as we usually do.

[Sandydragon]

I’m really hoping that the off field shenanigans don’t bugger us up.

[Sourdust]

Although we might slow up the second half, I'm sure that would not be the plan. The bonus point would be worth far more than staying under the radar ( since that's pretty much impossible now).

What use is a bonus point? It won't help us if we lose to Ireland; England will still win the title.

With all respect etc. etc., England are going to get 20 points. The most we can get WITHOUT winning both games, is 19*, and that would involve scoring 4 tries in each game. 16 or 17pts is a hugely more likely outcome. A BP for us against Scotland only comes into play in the event that England somehow drop points - realistically, 2 points - in their two easiest home games, and we stick 4 tries on Ireland but still lose. Not impossible, but as near to impossible as anything not actually impossible could possibly be. Gatland might consider that longest of shots not worth taking any risks for this weekend.



*Yes, okay, 20 with a 4-try draw. Shut up!

[Chunks Baws]

Don't mean to be a pedant, but that thread title is confusing to Scots. Edward I was the Hammer of the Scots. It basically says we're getting hammered either way

Anyway, Wales to win comfortably.

[Sandydragon]

Oi, facts have no place on this board!

I’m glad your feeling pessimistic, I think the events of the past few days have given you a 10 point head start.

[Mikey Brown]

Don't even start with that. Gatland is playing mind games again. There was never a merger on the cards. He's trying to steal the limelight from our ridiculous injury list.

[normanski]

Don't mean to be a pedant, but that thread title is confusing to Scots. Edward I was the Hammer of the Scots. It basically says we're getting hammered either way

Anyway, Wales to win comfortably.

No offence intended!

Just trying to write a balanced headline but obviously failed miserably.

I thought you northern British had appropriated the phrase for when you dole out a thrashing to anyone south of the border.

With all the yahoo in Welsh rugby we’ll be hammered by the Scots come 4.30 Saturday.

Woe is me!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Although we might slow up the second half, I'm sure that would not be the plan. The bonus point would be worth far more than staying under the radar ( since that's pretty much impossible now).

What use is a bonus point? It won't help us if we lose to Ireland; England will still win the title.

With all respect etc. etc., England are going to get 20 points. The most we can get WITHOUT winning both games, is 19*, and that would involve scoring 4 tries in each game. 16 or 17pts is a hugely more likely outcome. A BP for us against Scotland only comes into play in the event that England somehow drop points - realistically, 2 points - in their two easiest home games, and we stick 4 tries on Ireland but still lose. Not impossible, but as near to impossible as anything not actually impossible could possibly be. Gatland might consider that longest of shots not worth taking any risks for this weekend.



*Yes, okay, 20 with a 4-try draw. Shut up!

If England unexpectedly lose a game - quite unlikely, I know - a bonus point could help us if we lose to Ireland.

Also, and more likely, if England finish on 20 but we lose to Ireland, a bonus point could help us to second place rather than third.

I just can't see Gatland deliberately sacrificing a chance of a bonus point for the sake of mind games.

[Chunks Baws]

Don't mean to be a pedant, but that thread title is confusing to Scots. Edward I was the Hammer of the Scots. It basically says we're getting hammered either way

Anyway, Wales to win comfortably.

No offence intended!

Just trying to write a balanced headline but obviously failed miserably.

I thought you northern British had appropriated the phrase for when you dole out a thrashing to anyone south of the border.

With all the yahoo in Welsh rugby we’ll be hammered by the Scots come 4.30 Saturday.

Woe is me!

Haha none taken. It's still very much a phrase used to describe us getting pumped. It's usually reserved for when the English pump us though.

[normanski]

Don't mean to be a pedant, but that thread title is confusing to Scots. Edward I was the Hammer of the Scots. It basically says we're getting hammered either way

Anyway, Wales to win comfortably.

No offence intended!

Just trying to write a balanced headline but obviously failed miserably.

I thought you northern British had appropriated the phrase for when you dole out a thrashing to anyone south of the border.

With all the yahoo in Welsh rugby we’ll be hammered by the Scots come 4.30 Saturday.

Woe is me!

Haha none taken. It's still very much a phrase used to describe us getting pumped. It's usually reserved for when the English pump us though.

Edward 1st didn’t do a lot for Wales either if I remember correctly!

With a granny from Stonehaven I share your pain when you’re beaten by England but I just have a sneaking feeling Twickenham might be different this year. If you can get a near fully fit team on the park then it could be an interesting game against a one dimensional EJ side.

Indeed, Italy might spring a few surprises this weekend and might not get the hammering most fans expect and results so far suggest.

[Numbers]

We've never lost to Scotland when Gatland has been in charge of the team iirc.

I expect a hard fought battle but we should prevail.

[Mikey Brown]

[Mikey Brown]

So yeah, just smash our centres and bomb the shit out of Darcy Graham I guess.

[OptimisticJock]

Hopefully, he's great under the high ball.