July Tests

[Scottish Caley Fan]

So it's now been confirmed that we will play 2 tests against Georgia (10th July) and Romania (17th July) away from home with Mike Blair as caretaker coach in Gregor and Tandy's absence.

Peter Murchie, John Dalziel, Jim Malinder and Pieter De Villiers making up the coaching staff.

So let's now discuss what you think the tour squad will be ?

I'm thinking Ewan Ashman, Cameron Henderson and Josh Bayliss will get call ups.

[Big D]

Depends how cynical we want to be to be honest. We can look at any SQ player and try and cap them; Dingwall (if he feels Scottish again), the prop at Sale etc. But I think selection needs to be mostly by merit.

Cameron Henderson probably on balance doesn't deserve a call up yet over the players that will be available.
Ashman potentially similar but with the lack of young hookers and him already being in the 6N squad it isayhe a good idea to get him involved in a game.

This is really the start of the two year run into the RWC 2023 so I would be looking to get the Hastings (or FInn if not in SA)/Redpath combo time on the park together. Maybe get Dobie time at 9.

In the forwards we will see Shoeman assuming the dates line up for him qualifying, hooker Ashman could get a look, THP is limited by resources. Second row could be an area for a younger player to come in but Skinner probably deserves a start or two as does GG after Paris. Plenty of options in the back row, especially if they decide to bring younger guys into the squad.

[septic 9]

think a 3rd game is an A game v england.

Enough scope in those 3 to cap anyone we want to capture, but like Big D says, there has to be some merit in it for the full tests - the A game is different. It might be the most difficult (or 2nd most), but we won't be filling that team with loads of heavily capped players - our problem would be finding enough with say less than 10 caps to field a competitive team

Ashman will definitely be capped in the summer. I think Dobie will as well. Bayliss a probable. I'll have a think on others

[Croft_No.5]

Potential Training Squad for the summer games with potential matchday captains indicated. Aiming for mix of experience and youth.

LH - Kebble - Bhatti - Rodd
H - McInally (c) - Cherry - Ashman
TH - Berghan - McCallum - Gamble
Locks - Cummings (c) - Toolis - Bain - Young - Hodgson
Back Row - Fagerson (c) - Bradbury - Crosbie - Miller - Gordon - Bayliss - Brown (G) - Boyle/Darge
SH - Horne - Steele - Sheil - Dobie
FH - Hastings - Thomson - Chamberlain
Centres - Redpath - Johnson - Jones - Hutcheson - Taylor (G) - Dingwall - Currie
Back 3 - Maitland - Hoyland - Steyn - Graham - McLean - Kinghorn - Forbes - Sofolarin

[Big D]

think a 3rd game is an A game v england.

Enough scope in those 3 to cap anyone we want to capture, but like Big D says, there has to be some merit in it for the full tests - the A game is different. It might be the most difficult (or 2nd most), but we won't be filling that team with loads of heavily capped players - our problem would be finding enough with say less than 10 caps to field a competitive team

Ashman will definitely be capped in the summer. I think Dobie will as well. Bayliss a probable. I'll have a think on others

If the A game is England then it would be a tough game. I'd love to see it be someone like Spain or maybe Portugal. Yes it would be an easy game but would do the other European side a lot of good.

I would imagine the A squad will be an extension of the full team due to Covid bubbles and what not.

Bevan Rodd would be one that could justifiably be considered for the A match. We are not overly well stocked at prop and although slightly better off at LHP I wouldn't say no to more options.

[Big D]

Potential Training Squad for the summer games with potential matchday captains indicated. Aiming for mix of experience and youth.

LH - Kebble - Bhatti - Rodd
H - McInally (c) - Cherry - Ashman
TH - Berghan - McCallum - Gamble
Locks - Cummings (c) - Toolis - Bain - Young - Hodgson
Back Row - Fagerson (c) - Bradbury - Crosbie - Miller - Gordon - Bayliss - Brown (G) - Boyle/Darge
SH - Horne - Steele - Sheil - Dobie
FH - Hastings - Thomson - Chamberlain
Centres - Redpath - Johnson - Jones - Hutcheson - Taylor (G) - Dingwall - Currie
Back 3 - Maitland - Hoyland - Steyn - Graham - McLean - Kinghorn - Forbes - Sofolarin

I imagine there will be a lot more first choice guys in there. Will know more after next week. If Ritchie isn't a Lion (which I don't think he will be).

I'd be very disappointed if they took all that young back row talent then played Brown at 7.

[septic 9]

I'd be very disappointed if they took all that young back row talent then played Brown at 7.

suspect that Brown is Gregor Brown, who I think is unlikely to be fit in time

[Croft_No.5]

Yup, Gregor Brown. Wasn't sure where he was on recovery trail, but if not have Boyle and Darge

[Big D]

Yup, Gregor Brown. Wasn't sure where he was on recovery trail, but if not have Boyle and Darge

Ah apologies.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

[quote="Croft_No.5"]Potential Training Squad for the summer games with potential matchday captains indicated. Aiming for mix of experience and youth.

LH - Kebble - Bhatti - Rodd
H - McInally (c) - Cherry - Ashman
TH - Berghan - McCallum - Gamble
Locks - Cummings (c) - Toolis - Bain - Young - Hodgson
Back Row - Fagerson (c) - Bradbury - Crosbie - Miller - Gordon - Bayliss - Brown (G) - Boyle/Darge
SH - Horne - Steele - Sheil - Dobie
FH - Hastings - Thomson - Chamberlain
Centres - Redpath - Johnson - Jones - Hutcheson - Taylor (G) - Dingwall - Currie
Back 3 - Maitland - Hoyland - Steyn - Graham - McLean - Kinghorn - Forbes - Sofolarin[/quote]

Who is Sofolarin and who does he play for ?

[Croft_No.5]

Semi Sofolarin, Scotland 7s and has been touted for move up to 15s and to Glasgow. Not sure what 7s tournaments are scheduled but may be too early yet

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Now that we know the Lions team, we may now have a better idea as to who tours .

It will be interesting to see if the boys that missed out like Ritchie and Gray will tour, do you guys think they will?

[septic 9]

Now that we know the Lions team, we may now have a better idea as to who tours .

It will be interesting to see if the boys that missed out like Ritchie and Gray will tour, do you guys think they will?

gut reaction would be to see what sort of squads we can assemble, and if possible rest both.
Then I remember that Gray plays for exeter, so I'm not bothered if he misses the start of next season as tourists often do

But while it would make sense to rest Richie if we can, I would not be surprised to see him tour as Captain

[Cameo]

Now that we know the Lions team, we may now have a better idea as to who tours .

It will be interesting to see if the boys that missed out like Ritchie and Gray will tour, do you guys think they will?

gut reaction would be to see what sort of squads we can assemble, and if possible rest both.
Then I remember that Gray plays for exeter, so I'm not bothered if he misses the start of next season as tourists often do

But while it would make sense to rest Richie if we can, I would not be surprised to see him tour as Captain

Yeah, think he has missed bits of this season too, and Edinburgh have the back row strength to rest him, so that might play into him going. I like the idea of him as Captain too

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Squad announced on Tuesday.

Hopefully this guy is named (and I'm not biased lol, I'm swaying towards Glasgow despite being a Caithnessian (From Thurso, any members here from that far north or am I the only one?).

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-un ... ck-3255173

[Big D]

Squad announced on Tuesday.

Hopefully this guy is named (and I'm not biased lol, I'm swaying towards Glasgow despite being a Caithnessian (From Thurso, any members here from that far north or am I the only one?).

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-un ... ck-3255173

I am not sure whether he'll get in for the capped games. Maybe for the A team. It depends who the coaches want to leave at home really, but Skinner, Gilchrist and Craig are all in the queue too. Davidson has been the best Edinburgh lock this season in the games I have seen too.

Overall selection might be interesting and also dependent on who is in the standby spots for the Lions. If say Gray is on call then they may want him to stay in an elite sporting bubble.

[Mikey Brown]

Hmm.

Scotland Squad for 2021 summer series
Forwards

Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) – Uncapped

Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints) - Uncapped

Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) – Uncapped

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 31 caps

Jamie Bhatti (Bath Rugby) – 18 caps

Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps

David Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps

Alex Craig (Gloucester Rugby) – 2 caps

Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped

Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps

Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps

Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) - Uncapped

Robin Hislop (Doncaster Knights) – Uncapped

Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh Rugby) - Uncapped

Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps

Kiran McDonald (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN – 27 caps

Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) – Uncapped

Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 12 caps

Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps

George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps



Backs

Jack Blain (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped

Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped

Cole Forbes (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps

George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps

Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps

Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps

James Lang (Harlequins) – 6 caps

Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Matt Scott (Leicester Tigers) – 39 caps

Charlie Shiel (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped

Scott Steele (London Irish) – 4 caps

Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap

Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped

Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

[Mikey Brown]

I assume Hislop and Sebastian are tight-heads with Bhatti, Kebble and Aurerac (wtf) on the other side and only Berghan a 3 that I know of.

A good few names in there I’m unfamiliar with. Seems harsh for Hutchinson not to get another look.

4 scrumhalves???

[Croft_No.5]

I assume Hislop and Sebastian are tight-heads with Bhatti, Kebble and Aurerac (wtf) on the other side and only Berghan a 3 that I know of.

A good few names in there I’m unfamiliar with. Seems harsh for Hutchinson not to get another look.

4 scrumhalves???

Remember Scott Steele can play anywhere, it seems!

[Croft_No.5]

From what I can gather, Hislop is a Loose Head?

Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints) – Uncapped
Jamie Bhatti (Bath Rugby) – 18 caps
Robin Hislop (Doncaster Knights) – Uncapped
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps

Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) – Uncapped
David Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 31 caps
Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) – Uncapped

Alex Craig (Gloucester Rugby) – 2 caps
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) - Uncapped
Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Kiran McDonald (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 12 caps

Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN – 27 caps
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) – Uncapped
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps


Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Charlie Shiel (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Scott Steele (London Irish) – 4 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps

Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps

James Lang (Harlequins) – 6 caps
Matt Scott (Leicester Tigers) – 39 caps
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Jack Blain (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Cole Forbes (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped
Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) - Uncapped

Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps

[Puja]

From what I can gather, Hislop is a Loose Head?

That's right. He's just signed for Wasps, so it's not quite as odd as selecting from Doncaster would have you believe.

Puja

[switchskier]

Well that's a very young squad. Not Hutchinson, as noted, is a bit of a weird one. Graham (George) and McGuigan seemingly out in favour of giving exposure to younger models. Not sure if the same applies to Blade and Tookus or if they're senior players that is getting a rest. Assume Darcy Graham is being given the off-season to get into a good place, despite not being that old.

No Davidson is the weird one for me. Would certainly have ahead of McDonald or Hodgson and will not be surprised if he's ahead of Craig at Gloucester soon. Henderson has had a good start at Leicester but is still very young and youd expect Hunter-Hill to be in that mix too.

Speaking of sarries players am a bit surprised that Maitland and Taylor aren't there given that they've not played a huge amount this year and presumably still have something to offer.

[Cameo]

Well that's a very young squad. Not Hutchinson, as noted, is a bit of a weird one. Graham (George) and McGuigan seemingly out in favour of giving exposure to younger models. Not sure if the same applies to Blade and Tookus or if they're senior players that is getting a rest. Assume Darcy Graham is being given the off-season to get into a good place, despite not being that old.

No Davidson is the weird one for me. Would certainly have ahead of McDonald or Hodgson and will not be surprised if he's ahead of Craig at Gloucester soon. Henderson has had a good start at Leicester but is still very young and youd expect Hunter-Hill to be in that mix too.

Speaking of sarries players am a bit surprised that Maitland and Taylor aren't there given that they've not played a huge amount this year and presumably still have something to offer.

Think Darcy Graham is recovering from an injury.

Hard to read too much into that squad. Some senior players missing but others in. I'm guessing personal fitness circumstances etc cane into it a lot. Agree Hutchinson's omission seems odd but wouldn't be surprised if we hear an explanation at some point.

[Cameo]

Also, just saw that Ritchie will be captain. Good call I'd say.

[Cameo]

I hadn't fully clicked that the only two real 10s were Thompson and Hastings. I presume Thompson will start the A game and Hastings the two tests but surprised in a way that Weir or VDW (if he will be fit) aren't listed as well. I like it though.