Knee Jerk Reaction & Team for France

[Mikey Brown]

Ritchie/Maitland aiming to be fit for France but Redpath is out I think, and probably a few more given the physicality of today. Anyone know about the hookers? Also wondering if SHC/Skinner aren't risked with Exeter's curious COVID antics. I'm assumign both Thomson and Fagerson will be unavailable.

1. Sutherland
2. Turner
3. Nel - can he even do 50 anymore?
4. Cummings
5. Gray
6. Ritchie if fit. Perhaps Skinner if not? Not seeing it in Graham yet and Skinner better suited vs French pack I'd think.
7. Watson
8. Fagerson

9. Erm
10. VDW
11. VDM
12. Jones - unless Johnson or Taylor are genuinely showing enough form and fitness there is a vacancy at 12 and a fantastic attacker sitting on the bench for 70 minutes)
13. Harris
14. Graham - harsh on him to be the one to lose out but the smallest back is always going to go.
15. Hogg

16. Macinally/Brown/Cherry
17. Somebody who won't throw an insane 20 metre miss pass over a load of retreating defenders. Were they off side? Did someone not need to just run straight down the middle of the pitch and we'd win a penalty for offside or go straight through the gap? Jesus that was annoying. And he had the ball stripped from him too easily for such an enormous bloke.
18. Berghan I guess
18. Gray
19. Skinner/Graham
21. SHC hopefully
22. Russell*
23. Maitland/Taylor

*I mean obviously I'd start him, but jesus that was like the cartoon version of Russell the media love talking about. Would have taken him off for Hastings if possible today. No question.

[Big D]

Nel at 3, Ritchie at 6 and maybe Maitland. Berghan on the bench.

There was some good stuff in that 1st half and hour.

[switchskier]

Ritchie better be fit. I'm not sold on Graham, think he'll get massacred by the athletic french back-rows that are just that much quicker than him. Thompson had his best moment as an international, and then immediately went off injured. I know that Skinner's not in the squad but I'd really like him brought in.

Graham and Maitland both deserve to be in the 23.

Jones isn't starting at 12 and I'd like to see Johnson have s good game before promoting in over Lang, who didn't do a lot wrong today (but definitely didn't shine either). I've half a mind to call for George Taylor or Pete Horne. Lots of underwhelming options there.

No Fagerson is a big issue. I wonder if we should borrow a trick from the Italians and start Berghan but then bring Nel on at 30 minutes so he has 10 minutes to go hard, before a breather and then the second 40?

[Cameo]

Jesus, I see what you mean by kneejerk. Our attack was pretty good today so I'd retain that backline unless Redpath makes a miraculous recovery. I've said on the other thread that it didn't all come off for Russell today but I still thought he had a good game. His passing is so sharp and he really got our attack into shape by varying it up.

In the pack, I'd bring in Nel but see the argument for Berghan then Nel. Maybe work out who France will start.

I'd keep Graham on the bench even though he was crap today. Just pray for Richie otherwise maybe Bradbury or even Crosbie!!

[Mikey Brown]

I mean we created a lot of chances. That’s certainly part of a good attack I suppose.

Bradbury or Crosbie might be good but they seems a way down the pecking order.

[Cameo]

I mean we created a lot of chances. That’s certainly part of a good attack I suppose.

Bradbury or Crosbie might be good but they seems a way down the pecking order.

Yep, the other part (finishing those chances) is even harder but 3 tries, one with 14 men, isn't disastrous. Very different game if we had finished that Cummings/Graham chance. Cummings hits great lines from 5 out, just a shame the pass didn't go to him!

Yeah, I can completely understand them being down the order too (and loads of people were calling for Graham to start!). We'll focus on praying for Richie.

[septic 9]

I've half a mind to call for George Taylor or Pete Horne.

I'd love Peter Horne to play, but.......I'm not sure if you (or others are aware he has been out long term with concussion and symptoms which aren't shifting. I'm getting concerned we might not see him again.

[whatisthejava]

No knee jerk reaction. But the law needs to be laid down about stupid penalties and the need to raise flying forearms to the ref. Players need to take responsibility for raising head contacts with the ref and they should be an automatic review by the TMO

[switchskier]

I've half a mind to call for George Taylor or Pete Horne.

I'd love Peter Horne to play, but.......I'm not sure if you (or others are aware he has been out long term with concussion and symptoms which aren't shifting. I'm getting concerned we might not see him again.

I hadn't seen (though makes sense with Thompson and Thomson starting games), very concerning. Puts the red card into perspective.

[septic 9]

I've half a mind to call for George Taylor or Pete Horne.

I'd love Peter Horne to play, but.......I'm not sure if you (or others are aware he has been out long term with concussion and symptoms which aren't shifting. I'm getting concerned we might not see him again.

I hadn't seen (though makes sense with Thompson and Thomson starting games), very concerning. Puts the red card into perspective.

it does. Seymour (retired from International rugby I know) is in same boat. Has delayed deciding on a contract extension because of it

[switchskier]

So watching today's game, the front row has me worried but there's pretty much nothing we can do about it. There are lots of mediocre back-row options though. Where would you all go? Personally I think I'd be looking to see who plays well next weekend, with a bias towards Skinner.

Skinner - pundits say he played well yesterday but stats back that up. 31 meters made, 6 offloads, 13 tackles (1 missed), 4 lineouts won and 1 stolen. Only downside was 2 pens conceeded.

Craig - played 63 minutes at the weekend off the bench, but at lock. Stats not as good as Skinner's (14 tackles, 1 missed, 1 turnover, 2 pens conceeded)

Cowan - 70 minutes in a losing effort but not a great look. 21 tackles but three missed. 1 meter made but only 1 penalty conceeded which is good for him

Henderson - hasn't played since 3 January and found gametine much harder to come by this season

Wilson - last played on 16 January against Edinburgh, so rust might be an issue. Game against Ulster this weekend to put his hand up again

Gordon - same as Wilson. Form hasn't really been there from the bits I've seen

Harley - seemingly a bench option for Glasgow. Think his time is sadly done

Crosbie - last played against Zebre on 23 Jan but has been injured most of the season. Game against Munster at the weekend to press a claim

Bradbury - as Crosbie but last played against Glasgow the week earlier

Haining - just no

[francoisfou]

The French lineout wobbled today, and that’s really the only weakness you can maybe exploit, particularly if Willemse keeps his place. Also, I was rather disappointed that we didn’t get the upper hand in the scrum today, although the front row were excellent in the loose. However, there are two weeks to prepare for the 28th and I fear you’ll need to be at your best.

[switchskier]

So watching today's game, the front row has me worried but there's pretty much nothing we can do about it. There are lots of mediocre back-row options though. Where would you all go? Personally I think I'd be looking to see who plays well next weekend, with a bias towards Skinner.

Skinner - pundits say he played well yesterday but stats back that up. 31 meters made, 6 offloads, 13 tackles (1 missed), 4 lineouts won and 1 stolen. Only downside was 2 pens conceeded.

Craig - played 63 minutes at the weekend off the bench, but at lock. Stats not as good as Skinner's (14 tackles, 1 missed, 1 turnover, 2 pens conceeded)

Cowan - 70 minutes in a losing effort but not a great look. 21 tackles but three missed. 1 meter made but only 1 penalty conceeded which is good for him

Henderson - hasn't played since 3 January and found gametine much harder to come by this season

Wilson - last played on 16 January against Edinburgh, so rust might be an issue. Game against Ulster this weekend to put his hand up again

Gordon - same as Wilson. Form hasn't really been there from the bits I've seen

Harley - seemingly a bench option for Glasgow. Think his time is sadly done

Crosbie - last played against Zebre on 23 Jan but has been injured most of the season. Game against Munster at the weekend to press a claim

Bradbury - as Crosbie but last played against Glasgow the week earlier

Haining - just no

So Crosbie, Haining, Harley, Gordon, Wilson get a chance to press their claims, whilst Skinner and Craig start in the second row. Bradbury only on the bench and potentially also covering second row.

[francoisfou]

The good news for your team is that there’ll be no Antoine Dupont to face. He’s been tested positive for covid and is obliged to self isolate for ten days! Which one of you feckers has infiltrated the French bubble??

[Chunks Baws]

The good news for your team is that there’ll be no Antoine Dupont to face. He’s been tested positive for covid and is obliged to self isolate for ten days! Which one of you feckers has infiltrated the French bubble??

You'll still gub us.

[francoisfou]

Two more positive tests- first choice winger Villière and prop Haouas.

[Big D]

Watching the English games this weekend and the refs are clamping down on shoulders and elbows to heads. Hopefully we'll see no further issues for our discipline v France or it will be a long day.

[septic 9]

Watching the English games this weekend and the refs are clamping down on shoulders and elbows to heads. Hopefully we'll see no further issues for our discipline v France or it will be a long day.

did you miss Exeter-Northampton?

[Big D]

Watching the English games this weekend and the refs are clamping down on shoulders and elbows to heads. Hopefully we'll see no further issues for our discipline v France or it will be a long day.

did you miss Exeter-Northampton?

Yes was watching the Tigers v Wasps game.

[Mikey Brown]

Any Glasgow players put in a performance likely to sway Townsend for France? Would be nice if Hastings or Johnson were pushing for a place again.

Also unclear if there are replacements for Thomson/Redpath etc. Maybe that would only be announced this week.

[septic 9]

Watching the English games this weekend and the refs are clamping down on shoulders and elbows to heads. Hopefully we'll see no further issues for our discipline v France or it will be a long day.

did you miss Exeter-Northampton?

Yes was watching the Tigers v Wasps game.

Ewer hit a Stain late, ball gone. Could maybe just about argue he couldn't pull out (I'd disagree) but he was always high, turned shoulder in and made contact with head. He looked very unhappy to have a pen against him. Was clear red for me, not even a yellow given

[Cameo]

Any Glasgow players put in a performance likely to sway Townsend for France? Would be nice if Hastings or Johnson were pushing for a place again.

Also unclear if there are replacements for Thomson/Redpath etc. Maybe that would only be announced this week.

Those two looked okay I thought. Johnson looked more like himself - I wonder if three different 12s in three games might be pushing it though.

Is Thomson definitely out?

[Mikey Brown]

I don't know, I'm just assuming so. He's seemingly spent most of the last 18 months out with concussion issues and just took a big head knock, but that's probably not how it works.

Constantly rotating the centres isn't ideal, I agree, just not sure how Lang has become the incumbent at all. Lang is a pretty solid defender but struggling for much to praise him with other than that. Hard to know if the disruption would counter out the extra bits and pieces that Johnson offers.

[Big D]

did you miss Exeter-Northampton?

Yes was watching the Tigers v Wasps game.

Ewer hit a Stain late, ball gone. Could maybe just about argue he couldn't pull out (I'd disagree) but he was always high, turned shoulder in and made contact with head. He looked very unhappy to have a pen against him. Was clear red for me, not even a yellow given

Seems like one officiating group not on message. Plenty reds in the two games I've caught this weekend.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Easy win for Saracens today so not sure if Maitland or Taylor scored or not

Excellent win today for Northampton too so I wonder if Hutchinson is in contention for next week, providing he had a good game that is lol.