Autumn Squad

[Mikey Brown]

Would Jones or Lang playing this weekend mean they're not rejoining Scotland? I'm never entirely clear what the deal is there. Has the group for this week been announced?

Anyone know what Fagerson's injury was?

[septic 9]

Possibly on Turner.

Young Fagerson went off injured .

not according to young Fagerson.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18 ... -distance/

[septic 9]

Would Jones or Lang playing this weekend mean they're not rejoining Scotland? I'm never entirely clear what the deal is there.

don't think its very clear what their rules are now for in and out of the squad bubble. Playing on a monday is a no no. Sunday maybe but I'd guess but with 3 centres still in the squad, and one of them (Taylor) capable of playing 12 or 13 I don't see anyone else being called in unless there is a training injury

[whatisthejava]

Bring on the Irish.

Saturday, dublin, 2.15.

Although I’m probably playing golf.

Your dead to me.

Golf sucks

[switchskier]

Bring on the Irish.

Saturday, dublin, 2.15.

Although I’m probably playing golf.

Your dead to me.

Golf sucks

A nice walk ruined. Golf is a game where you strive to get better so that you can play less shots.

[Big D]

Possibly on Turner.

Young Fagerson went off injured .

not according to young Fagerson.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18 ... -distance/

My mistake, thought I read an article on the Monday saying he picked up a knock. I'd have him starting then.

[General Zod]

Bring on the Irish.

Saturday, dublin, 2.15.

Although I’m probably playing golf.

Your dead to me.

Golf sucks

A nice walk ruined. Golf is a game where you strive to get better so that you can play less shots.

Golf and sex are about the only two things you can enjoy without being good at. You two must be right studs.

[General Zod]

When is the team announced? I reckon we could win this one 3-0.

[Croft_No.5]

Scotland team to play Ireland at Aviva Stadium
Saturday 6 December (kick-off 2.15pm) – live on Amazon Prime Video

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 79 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 14 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 22 caps
12. Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 27 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 4 caps

10. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 0 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 36 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
2. Fraser Brown VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 53 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 33 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 60 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 8 caps
7. Jamie Ritchie VICE CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 22 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps

Substitutes:
16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 40 caps
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 39 caps
19. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 9 caps
20. Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 17 caps
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Exeter Chiefs) – 13 caps
22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 49 caps

[ARM]

Bit of rotation there by the looks of things.

Solid enough team. First choice front five of pack there and good to see Darcy back alongside Duhan / no Kinghorn.

Decent bench options - bit of impact there. Cowan is holding the fort for Tom Gordon or even Crosbie you would think as a future backup 7s.

But then you have VDW. I know we’re scraping the barrel but I can’t see how a VDW/Taylor/Harris midfield allows us to get our back three into the game.

[whatisthejava]

Really two minds about this squad

Negatives
Cowan - seriously WTF
Jaco - so we ditched Weir and if it goes wrong we are moving Hogg to 10 -> That is some gamble
Strange to drop Watson, cant be expecting alot out of the breakdown as the irish are better than us at protecting it

Positives
Forwards
- Blade isnt working at 8 but another shot, think id rather give Skinner a go
- A more traditional back row balance
- Good second rows
- Strong front row
Backs - Interesting to see how Harris gets on with Taylor and Jaco
- Outside of 10 it probabbly is first choice
Subs - Its a really strong bench - Cowan offers more flexibility of the bench than Watson
Jones will be hungry to get some game time

Negatives
Think its harsh on Weir,
If something happens to Jaco Hogg is covering 10
Struggling to see us scoring many tries



Ireland by 5 - 8 but they are hardly looking in great shape

[Mikey Brown]

Love the pack. Hate that midfield.

I see absolutely no point in swapping Weir out for VDW if it’s not for injury. It’s an injury crisis already at 10, why do we need to be looking at our fourth choice fly-half if it’s not enforced? It’s not like he’s even been knocking at the door.

Good luck Duncan Taylor.

[paddy no 11]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2020/120 ... gest-hand/

Ireland go for more of the same

Scotland by 3 still

[whatisthejava]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2020/120 ... gest-hand/

Ireland go for more of the same

Scotland by 3 still

really depends on how the leisnter boys turn up


Strangly feel Leinster have been the weak link in Ireland this autumn

[paddy no 11]

Furlong and to a lesser extent Fardy papering over a few cracks?

[whatisthejava]

Jacob Stockdale
Hugo Keenan
Bundee Aki
Robbie Henshaw
Keith Earls
Johnny Sexton
Conor Murray

Cian Healy
Rob Herring
Andrew Porter
Iain Henderson
James Ryan
CJ Stander
Peter O'Mahony
Caelan Doris



Is it me or does this feel like a VERY old Irish team, wonder if some of the old guys are sticking around to get one more lions trip

[francoisfou]

Has wee Duncan been dropped - or rested?

[whatisthejava]

Has wee Duncan been dropped - or rested?

dropped

Presume its partly to make sure JVDV is qualified

Strange call

[switchskier]

Wtf sort of team selection is that? We've gotta real chance to go to Dublin and come away with the win and that's the team selected?

The back 3 look great. It's a shame that they'll never see the ball. I'd have thought that Jones ability to cover the back 3 there might have been a different option on the bench than Maitland.

I'm assuming that Watson must have a knock to have called Cowan back in. He's been very busy for LI but lack of commitment was never his issue. Still not convinced by Blade but I suppose he rates another go.

Can't fathom the VDW call at all. It's not as of others are lining up to cap him. Maybe (and this is really stretching it) he wants to move from Edinburgh next season so we're capping him in a non 6N game?

[paddy no 11]

Jacob Stockdale
Hugo Keenan
Bundee Aki
Robbie Henshaw
Keith Earls
Johnny Sexton
Conor Murray

Cian Healy
Rob Herring
Andrew Porter
Iain Henderson
James Ryan
CJ Stander
Peter O'Mahony
Caelan Doris



Is it me or does this feel like a VERY old Irish team, wonder if some of the old guys are sticking around to get one more lions trip

It is, no chance they will be lions, the layer under these guys isn't there yet, need about 18 months before Ireland will be formidable (again?) but still healy, murray, sexton, mahony should be gone

[Mikey Brown]

I'd genuinely just say fuck it and play Hogg at 10 (and bring in Jones/Maitland) rather than this backline. I just don't see the point. Really dampened my interest in the game.

And yes what is the deal with Cowan. Is this just a lack of options? A sentimental cap for being a good bloke or is he actually going to be a genuine option for the 6 nations?

[Mikey Brown]

Ah. So he’s a great defender. I take it all back.

"Defensively, he must be one of the best tackling stand-offs in world rugby," Townsend said of Van der Walt.

"It will be just that little bit quicker at international level but we have a real belief and faith in his ability and in those around him to bring the best out of our backline this weekend.

"This year and last year he's taken his game to another level."

[stevedog1980]

Jacob Stockdale
Hugo Keenan
Bundee Aki
Robbie Henshaw
Keith Earls
Johnny Sexton
Conor Murray

Cian Healy
Rob Herring
Andrew Porter
Iain Henderson
James Ryan
CJ Stander
Peter O'Mahony
Caelan Doris



Is it me or does this feel like a VERY old Irish team, wonder if some of the old guys are sticking around to get one more lions trip

It is, no chance they will be lions, the layer under these guys isn't there yet, need about 18 months before Ireland will be formidable (again?) but still healy, murray, sexton, mahony should be gone

O'Mahony suffers from having been around for ages and he's always looked ancient, he's only 31

[General Zod]

Maybe Watson’s just rested? He’s played some tough games recently and has 2 in Europe (plus an 1872?) to come.

Looking forward to seeing that back row. And can’t wait to see the D in vDw!

Actually, Taylor and Harris could be a thing too.

[Cameo]

I'm just hoping Jones comes off the bench and blows them away. I'm worried I am building him and Finn Russell up as the saviours of attacking rugby.