6N squad - starting team

[General Zod]

I’d say Tom English’s analysis here will prove to be almost on the money, although I think Bradbury and Rowe will make the cut.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60042794

[Ally]

Feels pretty spot on. Though would be harsh if Bradbury didn't get a chance, and Rowe probably gets in too in the absence of McLean

Any other rabbits out of hats? A Townsend squad always seems to have one curve ball. Maybe he's persuaded someone like Dingwall to nail colours to Scotlands mast after all (though we have enough centres as it is). Hunter-Hill as a very outside bet? Saracens website seems to suggest Andy Christie played for Scotland U16 before switching to England, could be worth a look?

[septic 9]

Feels pretty spot on. Though would be harsh if Bradbury didn't get a chance, and Rowe probably gets in too in the absence of McLean

Any other rabbits out of hats? A Townsend squad always seems to have one curve ball. Maybe he's persuaded someone like Dingwall to nail colours to Scotlands mast after all (though we have enough centres as it is). Hunter-Hill as a very outside bet? Saracens website seems to suggest Andy Christie played for Scotland U16 before switching to England, could be worth a look?

Hunter-Hill unfortunately seems to have fallen down the pecking order at Saracens, can't see him being anywhere near this squad - no shortage of locks even if Tom English seems to have forgotten that Alex Craig hasn't played for months
Bradbury will be in the squad.

The curve ball might come in the starting XV against England. The phenomenally consistent and brilliant Darge should start. A lad who just gets better the higher the level of rugby. Watson has been anonymous to AWOL since the summer. Form not reputation should win out

[Mikey Brown]

How does Darge fit in - in terms of balance in the pack/backrow? Maybe it's just the appearance but he offers similar things to Watson?

[Ally]

Thats a good shout that Darge could be straight into the XV. Watson off the bench is no bad option, even if he's not back up to last seasons highs

[septic 9]

How does Darge fit in - in terms of balance in the pack/backrow? Maybe it's just the appearance but he offers similar things to Watson?

you pick the better player, so you asked the wrong question. You should have asked

"How does Watson fit in - in terms of balance in the pack/backrow? Maybe it's just the appearance but he offers similar things to Darge, but just not as well and has no form this season?"

[Mikey Brown]

Lol. You're nothing if not consistent. I'm happy with the question I asked.

I'm just asking what he's like as a player - it appears from the little I've seen that he's quite similar in his strengths/skillset to Watson, regardless of form.

Though to follow your question, does Watson even get a bench spot? Seems pointless going for specialist 7 cover with Ritchie (presumably) at 6.

[septic 9]

Lol. You're nothing if not consistent. I'm happy with the question I asked.

I'm just asking what he's like as a player - it appears from the little I've seen that he's quite similar in his strengths/skillset to Watson, regardless of form.

Though to follow your question, does Watson even get a bench spot? Seems pointless going for specialist 7 cover with Ritchie (presumably) at 6.

there are similarities in a sense. I think Darge's skill set is already wider, has a better rugby brain. He is already better than Watson over the ball. Also he played no8 in the U20s to let Boyle play at 7, so potentially covers more positions. But mainly his form is just so superior its not even close - I've seen a lot of Darge and TBH I can't remember being as impressed by a young player coming through since Hogg. No-one else anywhere close, not Russell, not Hastings, not anyone
Its no coincidence that Dempsey, fresh from Aus, says Darge reminds him of Hooper. He is special

[Mikey Brown]

Well that’s me sold. Scottish slam it is then.

[Mikey Brown]

Just had a look at his highlights reel and I can see why Dempsey might make that comparison actually. Don't want to get too carried away but he's certainly got that same madman look in his eye as Hooper. Looks to have a pretty good all round game.

I asked about how he'd balance the backrow because I've felt for a while something isn't quite right with it. Ritchie is a solid enough carrier and Watson makes some good metres, however unorthodox, but the pack as a whole still seems to leave Fagerson an awful lot of crap, slow ball to crash up. I'm unsure if we need to get more heavy carrying ability in there or it's just our atrocious support play that leaves us exposed, isolated or turned over so often.

It might be tempting to pair Bradbury and Fagerson, for instance, to get some real heft in the carry, but then we may be even more short-handed when somebody actually breaks the line. Turner has helped both with carrying and his mobility hitting rucks, but we've already seen him break away several times and have little to no support on his shoulder.

[septic 9]

Well that’s me sold. Scottish slam it is then.

Hogg, Russell, Price and 13 Darge clones and I'd be super confident

As it is I think he'll go Watson, your original Q will be relevant; and we will have the best attack stopper (for both teams) still at 13.
BTW I think if Harris got clear, Darge would catch him. Watson wouldn't

[Mikey Brown]

Scotland Six Nations Squad

Forwards
Jamie Bhatti - Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps

George Turner - Glasgow Warriors – 20 caps
Ewan Ashman - Sale Sharks – 2 caps
Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps

WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
Javan Sebastian – Scarlets – 1 cap

Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps
Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby – 48 caps
Jonny Gray - Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
Jamie Hodgson - Edinburgh Rugby – 3 caps
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps

Andy Christie - Saracens – uncapped
Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 10 caps
Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby – 31 caps
Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped
Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 14 caps
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby – 2 caps

Backs
Ali Price - Glasgow Warriors – 46 caps
Ben Vellacott – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
Ben White – London Irish – uncapped

Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 58 caps
Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby – 28 caps

Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby – 1 cap
Sione Tuipulotu- Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints – 5 caps
Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps

Kyle Rowe – London Irish – uncapped
Kyle Steyn - Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
Rufus McLean - Glasgow Warriors – 2 caps
Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors – 13 caps

Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – 88 caps - Captain

[Wylie Coyote]

No Hastings? I really don't like that. I would've had Kebble over Bhatti too but otherwise a good squad.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I just don't get it. How has GT put us in a position we're so reliant on Kinghorn as the only 10 or 15 cover? Hastings seems to be playing well too. I'd probably be just as happy with Hastings covering 15 as I would Kinghorn covering 10.

Had to check who Ben White was. I remembered a guy at Leicester who I thought completely dropped off the map. Have none of the options behind Price ever deserved more of a look? It's frustrating.

Is Sebastian a serious option at TH?

[septic 9]

Yeah I just don't get it. How has GT put us in a position we're so reliant on Kinghorn as the only 10 or 15 cover? Hastings seems to be playing well too. I'd probably be just as happy with Hastings covering 15 as I would Kinghorn covering 10.

Had to check who Ben White was. I remembered a guy at Leicester who I thought completely dropped off the map. Have none of the options behind Price ever deserved more of a look? It's frustrating.

Is Sebastian a serious option at TH?

1 Toonie has been more than 100% behind the Kinghorn to 10 move so this is no surprise, not that I think its looks the best idea. One thing it does do is give him bench options, especially for a 6/2.
Whatever I have a suspicion Hastings has blotted his copybook somehow.

2 Ben White. That's a Toonie if ever I saw one. Horne has been shit all season, and last TBH, shouldn't be near the squad. Vellacott worries me. He is helter skelter like Horne, and in a dominant Edin team getting on ok, but he has no game management at all. Pole position for bench it seems

3 Sebastian has to be a serious option. After Fagerson its a bit thin, hence resurrecting Nel (quite right too). Kebble's form isn't there, not the first to lose it a bit after being mucked about between TH and LH. Now well behind Bhatti for LH at Glasgow and so unsurprisingly not in this squad. Rae getting off the bench for a shit Bath side so always going backwards, Bergan still injured. Cupboard bare

[Mikey Brown]

I guess Sebastian is just the only other Scottish qualified TH actually starting for his club then? Kebble still seemed worth having around as 3rd choice to me, but I’ve really got no idea what Sebastian is actually like.

Hadn’t really thought through the scrumhalf options to be honest. Steele and SHC seem to have completely disappeared. Don’t know if Chapman has been looked at or is in the mix for Scotland.

[septic 9]

I guess Sebastian is just the only other Scottish qualified TH actually starting for his club then? Kebble still seemed worth having around as 3rd choice to me, but I’ve really got no idea what Sebastian is actually like.

Hadn’t really thought through the scrumhalf options to be honest. Steele and SHC seem to have completely disappeared. Don’t know if Chapman has been looked at or is in the mix for Scotland.

except that Sebastian hasn't been starting for Scarlets, actually I don't think he's had much game time for a while (checked that, hardly any all season) since they have Lee and signed a WQ shit TH from Sale in the summer. He is going to have to move methinks, now which of Glas or Edin are going to have a vacancy next season?

At 9, Steele in same boat. Few times off the bench, one start in Prem cup, but nothing since Nov. Wonder if he is injured TBH. Chapman has been going well but not really been a starter if main 9 is fit (who is shit BTW IMHO). I like him a lot but he is very lightweight

[switchskier]

Ben White? WTF? He hasn't started a game this season and I don't think I've ever seen him look international quality. Not impressed with that selection at all. Would far rather have had Chapman, Dobbie or Shield.

The Haining love also continues, which I just don't get. I'd far rather have Crosbie but it maybe shows that depth isn't great in the backrow. There's a first choice 4 for the 23 and then a bunch scrapping to get involved.

[Cameo]

More interesting squad than expected. Can't say he won't drop people on form (Kebble, Horne, and Jones being maybe the three most interesting) or pick despite form (Ben White?).

Hastings is a shock and I don't see the logic. I can see why Kinghorn might be a better bench option, but if something happens to Russell, I would much prefer Hastings in the squad ready to come in as a starter.

I don't see the back row selection as a sign of a lack of depth. There are five that I would have as serious contenders to start (Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson, Bradbury, and Darge) and then a number who would do a decent job. I think Haining is lucky but he has stood up well in the past and offered something a little different. I don't know anything about Christie.

I think the starting 15 is basically nailed on apart from the back row and maybe the second row. I would predict (and not be too unhappy with).

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray (if fully fit)
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson (sorry Septic, I'd be happy with Darge too but I think Watson would not be an unreasonable selection)
Bradbury
Price
Russell
DHVDM
Johnson (seems early for Redpath)
Harris
Graham
Hogg

[stevedog1980]

I think that second row is nailed on if Gray is fit to be honest. I expect to see Matt Fagerson lining up at 8 but agree that the rest of that team looks very likely.

I would rather see Kebble in the squad, he has never been more than solid but having a reserve in the squad that can play either side of the scrum is useful.

I'd rather have seen Hastings in the squad and potentially in place of Christie or Rowe depending on how you want the rest of the squad to be made up. I don't think it was a situation where we had to choose between Kinghorn and Hastings, I think there was space there for both especially with the lack of FB cover. Could make a case for Maitland to fill one of the reserve wing spots as well, with his ability to cover 15.

[septic 9]

More interesting squad than expected. Can't say he won't drop people on form (Kebble, Horne, and Jones being maybe the three most interesting) or pick despite form (Ben White?).

Hastings is a shock and I don't see the logic. I can see why Kinghorn might be a better bench option, but if something happens to Russell, I would much prefer Hastings in the squad ready to come in as a starter.

I don't see the back row selection as a sign of a lack of depth. There are five that I would have as serious contenders to start (Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson, Bradbury, and Darge) and then a number who would do a decent job. I think Haining is lucky but he has stood up well in the past and offered something a little different. I don't know anything about Christie.

I think the starting 15 is basically nailed on apart from the back row and maybe the second row. I would predict (and not be too unhappy with).

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray (if fully fit)
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson (sorry Septic, I'd be happy with Darge too but I think Watson would not be an unreasonable selection)
Bradbury
Price
Russell
DHVDM
Johnson (seems early for Redpath)
Harris
Graham
Hogg

I would be surprised if there is much difference from that and what Toonie picks TBH, so you'll both be wrong
Bench make up will also be key
Kinghorn looks like a stonewall cert, not just as he is the back up 10, but he looks very much like an excuse for a 6/2 split; that in turn answers the question about how you fit both Watson and Darge in the 23

[Big D]

More interesting squad than expected. Can't say he won't drop people on form (Kebble, Horne, and Jones being maybe the three most interesting) or pick despite form (Ben White?).

Hastings is a shock and I don't see the logic. I can see why Kinghorn might be a better bench option, but if something happens to Russell, I would much prefer Hastings in the squad ready to come in as a starter.

I don't see the back row selection as a sign of a lack of depth. There are five that I would have as serious contenders to start (Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson, Bradbury, and Darge) and then a number who would do a decent job. I think Haining is lucky but he has stood up well in the past and offered something a little different. I don't know anything about Christie.

I think the starting 15 is basically nailed on apart from the back row and maybe the second row. I would predict (and not be too unhappy with).

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray (if fully fit)
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson (sorry Septic, I'd be happy with Darge too but I think Watson would not be an unreasonable selection)
Bradbury
Price
Russell
DHVDM
Johnson (seems early for Redpath)
Harris
Graham
Hogg

I would be surprised if there is much difference from that and what Toonie picks TBH, so you'll both be wrong
Bench make up will also be key
Kinghorn looks like a stonewall cert, not just as he is the back up 10, but he looks very much like an excuse for a 6/2 split; that in turn answers the question about how you fit both Watson and Darge in the 23

I usually hate a 6/2 split with two specialist back rowers but I think we can get away with it if the 3 non front row forwards are GG/Skinner and Darge.

Reason I hate it is that I think 6/2 loses effectiveness if you aren't able to replace more tight 5 forwards than a 5/3 because it is often there where you are trying to shore up by using sub but with Skinner capable of covering 6 if need be then I think it would be ok to squeeze a specialist 7 on the bench.

[Big D]

The Christie and White selections are coaches wanting a look at players in camp and good decisions I think.

Christie is a young athletic 6/8 with potential and getting regular game time with Saracens. Would think Kelly Brown has been giving GT and JD a bit of feedback.

White is perhaps benefitting from most of the other 9s not developing at all. Horne has been crap, Dobie can't convince Wilson and Corolan he should be ahead of Horne and Shiel has been stuck going nowhere fast for a while.

[Mikey Brown]

More interesting squad than expected. Can't say he won't drop people on form (Kebble, Horne, and Jones being maybe the three most interesting) or pick despite form (Ben White?).

Hastings is a shock and I don't see the logic. I can see why Kinghorn might be a better bench option, but if something happens to Russell, I would much prefer Hastings in the squad ready to come in as a starter.

I don't see the back row selection as a sign of a lack of depth. There are five that I would have as serious contenders to start (Ritchie, Watson, Fagerson, Bradbury, and Darge) and then a number who would do a decent job. I think Haining is lucky but he has stood up well in the past and offered something a little different. I don't know anything about Christie.

I think the starting 15 is basically nailed on apart from the back row and maybe the second row. I would predict (and not be too unhappy with).

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson
Gray (if fully fit)
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson (sorry Septic, I'd be happy with Darge too but I think Watson would not be an unreasonable selection)
Bradbury
Price
Russell
DHVDM
Johnson (seems early for Redpath)
Harris
Graham
Hogg

I would be surprised if there is much difference from that and what Toonie picks TBH, so you'll both be wrong
Bench make up will also be key
Kinghorn looks like a stonewall cert, not just as he is the back up 10, but he looks very much like an excuse for a 6/2 split; that in turn answers the question about how you fit both Watson and Darge in the 23

I usually hate a 6/2 split with two specialist back rowers but I think we can get away with it if the 3 non front row forwards are GG/Skinner and Darge.

Reason I hate it is that I think 6/2 loses effectiveness if you aren't able to replace more tight 5 forwards than a 5/3 because it is often there where you are trying to shore up by using sub but with Skinner capable of covering 6 if need be then I think it would be ok to squeeze a specialist 7 on the bench.

Yeah I can’t ever seem to convince myself the benefits of 6:2 are really worth the risk. Players gets injured, players have bad days. What if it’s one of the centres? Russel to 12 and Kinghorn to 10? Kinghorn to 15 and Hogg to 13? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Johnson is a warrior but he’s endlessly hurting himself by acting like a maniac.

[Big D]

I would be surprised if there is much difference from that and what Toonie picks TBH, so you'll both be wrong
Bench make up will also be key
Kinghorn looks like a stonewall cert, not just as he is the back up 10, but he looks very much like an excuse for a 6/2 split; that in turn answers the question about how you fit both Watson and Darge in the 23

I usually hate a 6/2 split with two specialist back rowers but I think we can get away with it if the 3 non front row forwards are GG/Skinner and Darge.

Reason I hate it is that I think 6/2 loses effectiveness if you aren't able to replace more tight 5 forwards than a 5/3 because it is often there where you are trying to shore up by using sub but with Skinner capable of covering 6 if need be then I think it would be ok to squeeze a specialist 7 on the bench.

Yeah I can’t ever seem to convince myself the benefits of 6:2 are really worth the risk. Players gets injured, players have bad days. What if it’s one of the centres? Russel to 12 and Kinghorn to 10? Kinghorn to 15 and Hogg to 13? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Johnson is a warrior but he’s endlessly hurting himself by acting like a maniac.

I am not 100% sold that the Russell back up plan isn't a competition between Redpath and Kinghorn. With Redpath in the 23 shirt he covers 10/12 which allows Harris to cover wing if need be.