Scots Abroad VIII (or let's spot the new messiah)

[Big D]

Mercer isn't SQ. Was available due to residency only.

[Mikey Brown]

Huw Jones finally gets a start at 13 with pretty much everybody else as first choice. Away to resurgent, undefeated Leicester Tigers.

Absolutely massive game for him if he wants to stake a claim for consistent game time running up to the 6 nations.

[Cameo]

Kyle Rowe having a very good season at London Irish it seems. We have a vey decent continent in the premiership at the moment!

[Big D]

Amateur hour by Huw Jones there. Just give the pass.

[Cameo]

Amateur hour by Huw Jones there. Just give the pass.

Yes and no. Unbelievable tackle. 9 times out of 10 he scores that (but, yeah, better to give the pass).

Played okay generally but didn't really open up for him. Seemed to have to spend a lot of his time clearing rucks. Key man in one potentially crucial turnover late on.

Hopefully will get a few more chances starting at 13.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah it wasn’t all going for him, but it’s hard to picture many more chances to start with both Northmore/Marchant ahead of him. A shame he didn’t get over for the try, it was a great tackle as you say. Not the performance he’d have wanted, either way.

[Mikey Brown]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

[Mikey Brown]

Kyle Rowe having a very good season at London Irish it seems. We have a vey decent continent in the premiership at the moment!

Hadn't realised he was Scottish. Just saw his hair and the fact he plays for LI so assumed he was Australian. Looks handy but no idea what his all round game is like.

Hard to say what the pecking order is at wing after VDM. Maitland is presumably done. Graham I guess is 14 but he's in and out of the side, not convinced GT is convinced. 4 try Steyn wasn't worth another look and why bring McClean in for SA then drop him? I don't even know what position Kinghorn plays anymore.

GT does seem to like picking randoms from London Irish so who knows.

[Cameo]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

[septic 9]

Kyle Rowe having a very good season at London Irish it seems. We have a vey decent continent in the premiership at the moment!

Hadn't realised he was Scottish. Just saw his hair and the fact he plays for LI so assumed he was Australian. Looks handy but no idea what his all round game is like.
.

Rowe was always pretty quick in the 7s team, was aligned or trained with Edinburgh but of course didn't get a look in under Cockerill . Signed for LI this season, I think really for injury cover, and IIRC LI had all 3 of their first choice back 3 injured at one point this season. So he got a chance and TBF has taken it well. Hard to judge on his defence as LI don't really defend that well - its 100mph all out attack usually, hence quite a few high scoring draws.

And on the subject of defence, that try was very good from his pov, but from Newcastle's it was awful. Their defensive line looked pretty well set, but one player fell off Rowe badly, very poor effort. Gary Graham I think.

[septic 9]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

VDM only covers one position. Personally don't think he is even comfortable on the right wing
But clearly first pick, has raised his all round game way above his Edinburgh days - this became clear on the Lions tour.

Graham does cover FB, then again so does Mclean in theory as he played there quite a bit in age grade rugby, Pro rugby another matter of course

Haven't seen the Gloucs game, have seen a few reports of Harris being excellent. Did he actually manage to make an outside break? Or straighten, draw a man and make a killer pass?

[Mikey Brown]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

VDM only covers one position. Personally don't think he is even comfortable on the right wing
But clearly first pick, has raised his all round game way above his Edinburgh days - this became clear on the Lions tour.

Graham does cover FB, then again so does Mclean in theory as he played there quite a bit in age grade rugby, Pro rugby another matter of course

Haven't seen the Gloucs game, have seen a few reports of Harris being excellent. Did he actually manage to make an outside break? Or straighten, draw a man and make a killer pass?

Nothing quite that fancy. A few well executed, simple passes and held on to a few dodgy balls. Those are the sort of standards we're working with I'm afraid. Outside break? Lol. No.

His work-rate in support play is just ludicrous though. A couple of times he'd commit the man, pass, take the tackle, and still be the first one there to clear the following ruck. Again it's not the stuff of dreams for an outside centre, it's just that he offers a few things like that Scotland are so desperately missing. There's more than one way to keep an attack moving.

[Which Tyler]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

Ruaridh McConnochie?
Excellent wing / FB
ETA: Sorry, not eligible until September '22
That RWC in 2019 seems a lifetime ago, not just 2 years

[Mikey Brown]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

Ruaridh McConnochie?
Excellent wing / FB
ETA: Sorry, not eligible until September '22
That RWC in 2019 seems a lifetime ago, not just 2 years

I think he’s class. Has he slipped down the pecking order or is he just working his way back after such a long time out? Either pro team would be lucky to have him if they were looking to try and sway him over.

Would seem odd somebody going from England to Scotland 3 years apart, but at least nobody who didn’t know better would question the name.

[septic 9]

Nothing quite that fancy. A few well executed, simple passes and held on to a few dodgy balls. Those are the sort of standards we're working with I'm afraid. Outside break? Lol. No.

His work-rate in support play is just ludicrous though. A couple of times he'd commit the man, pass, take the tackle, and still be the first one there to clear the following ruck. Again it's not the stuff of dreams for an outside centre, it's just that he offers a few things like that Scotland are so desperately missing. There's more than one way to keep an attack moving.

all true, but work rate should be a given, and most of the rest should be coachable - can't get everyone one to the same highest level, but high enough to allow an attacking option. For me Harris stops attacks, full stop. Theirs and ours. He is a huge problem as long as he is undroppable because he can defend.

BTW I've just caught the highlights of that game. You didn't mention Charlie Chapman's try! And that Glouc academy hasn't half produced some scrum halfs this last few years

[Mikey Brown]

Nothing quite that fancy. A few well executed, simple passes and held on to a few dodgy balls. Those are the sort of standards we're working with I'm afraid. Outside break? Lol. No.

His work-rate in support play is just ludicrous though. A couple of times he'd commit the man, pass, take the tackle, and still be the first one there to clear the following ruck. Again it's not the stuff of dreams for an outside centre, it's just that he offers a few things like that Scotland are so desperately missing. There's more than one way to keep an attack moving.

all true, but work rate should be a given, and most of the rest should be coachable - can't get everyone one to the same highest level, but high enough to allow an attacking option. For me Harris stops attacks, full stop. Theirs and ours. He is a huge problem as long as he is undroppable because he can defend.

Sure, it should be a given, but let's face it - it isn't. That's not an attack on Jones particularly, but having a sense for where and when to support isn't something that's necessarily any more coachable than having a good outside break, even if it is much less glamorous. I'm hoping someone can come along that can offer more on both sides of the ball, but there are many things wrong with the way we attack that could presumably be fixed before we remove the guy holding the defence together. I'd like to see more of Jones in Tandy's defensive system, but he's not currently demanding the chance.

The attack stopper tag is definitely funny, but I don't know that it's completely fair. Like I said, in a team that loves nothing more than to fling the ball wide to a lone side-ways runner (having believed that Gilchrist jogging a short line off 10 with his hands in his pockets would fix the entire defence) having a back who can handle themselves in the breakdown or hold the ball up long enough for support to arrive is pretty invaluable.

Again, not pretty stuff, not particularly ambitious stuff but we do so many of the basics so badly that I can understand it feeling like a big risk to drop him. I won't pretend it's not frustrating to watch attacking chances die where a bit of pace or flair could unlock things, but I feel like there are many systematic/skills based things that could be improved rather than just hoping Jones/Steyn/Tuipulotu are going to turn in to Conrad Smith all of a sudden.

[Big D]

Chapman could be one we need to cap before he gets ant better. Horne hasn't kicked on at all and Vellacott mat be the better headless 10 option and Dobie needs gametime.

On Harris, it is a tough one, Hutchinson blows hot and cold and Jones has gone to shit a bit. I like Jones but I'm sorry Harris would have got slaughtered for not passing and going alone and not scoring like Jones did. Currie has looked pretty decent but isn't ready yet. Bennett looks sharp but is behind Currie atm and probably isn't international class anymore although he is only 28. Tuipulotu isn't international standard (yet).

Granted Radradra is just back from injury but Harris handled him pretty easily. At one point the comms were all "look at how easily he makes ground" when in reality Harris was shepherding into a pocket where he couldn't be stepped and the tackle was easy.

If Townsend is intent on picking the centres he is then he needs to get a tune out of both them. I don't think SJ/the backline as a unit rather than individuals has been particularly creative/skillful in recent appearances either.

[Cameo]

I fall into the camp that a lot of it does come down to Harris in attack. Even with him there we can be a lot sharper and make it harder to defend us, but even in these last few matches there were quite a few times where he was given space to run at a forward and never looked like getting past him. I'd also say his support is amazing in terms of supporting the breakdown rather than amazing in terms of keeping the attack going.

As you say, though, hard to drop at the moment and up to others to stake their claim. Though I would say that I wouldn't be giving Harris pelters for the try Jones missed - there is no way I would expect Harris to either score or put in a good pass there.

[Big D]

I fall into the camp that a lot of it does come down to Harris in attack. Even with him there we can be a lot sharper and make it harder to defend us, but even in these last few matches there were quite a few times where he was given space to run at a forward and never looked like getting past him. I'd also say his support is amazing in terms of supporting the breakdown rather than amazing in terms of keeping the attack going.

As you say, though, hard to drop at the moment and up to others to stake their claim. Though I would say that I wouldn't be giving Harris pelters for the try Jones missed - there is no way I would expect Harris to either score or put in a good pass there.

Don't want to harp on it but it was a 7m pass under no pressure that was needed. It wasn't a difficult pass. A prop could have made that pass. If that was Harris v England or France in the 6N we would rightfully be fuming at him.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Just to add Harris was very impressive last night. Probably the best game I’ve seen him have at premiership level.

Yeah, he was. Still a few times where his hands looked very clunky (you just don't expect him to be able to pick up a bobbling ball cleanly) but his defence makes him hard to leave out.

For the wings, I think first choice is VDM and Graham but after that there is a chance for someone. McLean's issue is he doesn't cover another position so it is likely start or nothing.

Ruaridh McConnochie?
Excellent wing / FB
ETA: Sorry, not eligible until September '22
That RWC in 2019 seems a lifetime ago, not just 2 years

I saw a tweet last week (I think from Scottish Thistle Rugby podcast crew) stating that Ruaridh is "desperate to switch allegiance to us" :O.

Don't know much about Mr Rowe but I'd say he's worth a look at in the summer.

Chapman is a yes from me just because of last weeks try .

[Cameo]

I fall into the camp that a lot of it does come down to Harris in attack. Even with him there we can be a lot sharper and make it harder to defend us, but even in these last few matches there were quite a few times where he was given space to run at a forward and never looked like getting past him. I'd also say his support is amazing in terms of supporting the breakdown rather than amazing in terms of keeping the attack going.

As you say, though, hard to drop at the moment and up to others to stake their claim. Though I would say that I wouldn't be giving Harris pelters for the try Jones missed - there is no way I would expect Harris to either score or put in a good pass there.

Don't want to harp on it but it was a 7m pass under no pressure that was needed. It wasn't a difficult pass. A prop could have made that pass. If that was Harris v England or France in the 6N we would rightfully be fuming at him.

Haha - sorry - I was just joking about my low expectations of Harris in attack.

[Cameo]

Finn Russell masterclass for Racing against Northampton for anyone interested. A few mistakes but tore them apart (with some help it must be said). Included a rare 50 metre kick return and then offload to set up a try.

Dingwall also played okay in a losing cause with one delightful touch to set up a try.

[Mikey Brown]

A hat-trick for Jonny Gray against Montpellier.

[Big D]

Sam Skinner is joining Edinburgh apparently.

[Cameo]

This is some bit of play by Russell...