6N squad - starting team

[Mikey Brown]

And who would kick? That’s another thing I don’t get about the Kinghorn at 10/6:2 angle. I know he kicked earlier on in the season but hasn’t Boffeli taken over? Is he really good enough to kick at test level?

Not aware whether Redpath has at all.

[Big D]

And who would kick? That’s another thing I don’t get about the Kinghorn at 10/6:2 angle. I know he kicked earlier on in the season but hasn’t Boffeli taken over? Is he really good enough to kick at test level?

Not aware whether Redpath has at all.

We are scoring all our tries under the posts. Wont matter who kicks

[General Zod]

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.

I think the back up could well be Redpath with Kinghorn on the bench to cover a range of options. I also think Steyn might start on the wing to cover centre as well if Redpath moves in one. Admittedly, he’s more of a 13 than a 12 tho.

[Mikey Brown]

The idea of a 10. Redpath 12. Harris 13. Steyn midfield is certainly not convincing me that 6:2 (or whatever this discussion is actually about) is worth looking at. And you’d need a winger to cover Steyn anyway? And we’re always picking up multiple injuries in the backs anyway.

[Cameo]

I don't like the 6-2 split either. It often means you are only one injury away from having to completely reshuffle your backline and only two away from having to play people completely out of position.

I suppose the benefits are often unseen (i.e. a little more energy in the pack in the last twenty minutes), and therefore underrated, but I'm not convinced.

[General Zod]

I don't like the 6-2 split either. It often means you are only one injury away from having to completely reshuffle your backline and only two away from having to play people completely out of position.

I suppose the benefits are often unseen (i.e. a little more energy in the pack in the last twenty minutes), and therefore underrated, but I'm not convinced.

I don’t mind it, but get where you’re coming from. Just on a slightly different point, I would have thought forwards expend more energy and pick up more injuries than backs, so they are likely to require more substitutions from amongst their numbers. Is that opening up a can of worms?

[Mikey Brown]

Yes, in a ratio of… I dunno, say… 5:3?

[General Zod]

Yes, in a ratio of… I dunno, say… 5:3?

Maybe. Not saying I disagree entirely, but I get the 6:2 when it’s easier for one of the faster forwards to play as a back than it is the other way round.

[Cameo]

Yes, in a ratio of… I dunno, say… 5:3?

Maybe. Not saying I disagree entirely, but I get the 6:2 when it’s easier for one of the faster forwards to play as a back than it is the other way round.

It is, although I would probably prefer a physical back aon the flank than someone at 9 or 10 who doesn't know how to play there.

That opens up a question - who would we back from our stock of backs to do a job in the forwards? DHVDM could be great off the back of a scrum but for all round disregard for his body and niggliness maybe Sam Johnson? Darcy Graham would be fun too.

[whatisthejava]

Anyone seen this.



8 teams of Scottish pros

[stevedog1980]

Yes, in a ratio of… I dunno, say… 5:3?

Maybe. Not saying I disagree entirely, but I get the 6:2 when it’s easier for one of the faster forwards to play as a back than it is the other way round.

It is, although I would probably prefer a physical back aon the flank than someone at 9 or 10 who doesn't know how to play there.

That opens up a question - who would we back from our stock of backs to do a job in the forwards? DHVDM could be great off the back of a scrum but for all round disregard for his body and niggliness maybe Sam Johnson? Darcy Graham would be fun too.

I'm for the 5:3 split as well and for me it's a specialist 9 I'd be getting on the bench.

DHVDM to 6 in an emergency for me. As much as it would be nice to see him off the back of the scrum, unless he has some previous experience of ball handling there I wouldn't want him near anything but pushing. 6 should limit his exposure to open field play from the position. As we saw with the ZF red card, ideally you need a full backline to be competitive so this would be injury cover only and assuming we have a full back line still with him in the pack.

Outside of that, Harris to openside would seem a good fit

[Cameo]

I feel down to about team 4 they would give some of those teams from the early 2000s a run for their money.

Wing and fullback is where it becomes a struggle quickest.

[General Zod]

I take back the comment about Redpath covering 10 for the first couple of games, if Townsend’s own comments are true - he says that he won’t be looked at for 10 cover until he’s at least proven himself at centre.

I’m a little worried about 8, 12 and one of the wings, and naturally about depth at tighthead in the event of any injuries. I also think our locks in particular will need to be bang on.

However, I’m sure come about Wednesday of game week, I’ll be fully aboard the Scottish hype train!

[stevedog1980]

I take back the comment about Redpath covering 10 for the first couple of games, if Townsend’s own comments are true - he says that he won’t be looked at for 10 cover until he’s at least proven himself at centre.

I’m a little worried about 8, 12 and one of the wings, and naturally about depth at tighthead in the event of any injuries. I also think our locks in particular will need to be bang on.

However, I’m sure come about Wednesday of game week, I’ll be fully aboard the Scottish hype train!

I am worried about the locks to be honest, I feel it's an attritional part of the game and there's bound to be some struggles. I think we have managed well enough below Gray / Cummings recently due to injury requiring it but there is a decent drop off from those 2.

8 I feel strangely ok about. The depth isn't that good but Fagerson seems to be extremely durable and I still have high hopes that Bradbury can bring his A game.

Tighthead is an obvious trouble position, ZF has no real competition at this point and really need to see development here in the coming years with Nel at the tail end of the career.

I'm not so worried about 12 and the wing either to be honest with you, we've seen some quality shown by Steyn and McLean, enough to feel that those positions all have adequate cover. 12 continues to be a tricky position with a lack of stand out candidates but hopefully Redpath can pick up where he left off. I think 13 is pivotal to our team though, Harris is integral to the defence and has added an attacking dynamic in recent years that does elevate him. Bennett et al are very good players but the leadership that Harris brings to the team can't be underestimated.

10 / 15 are obvious, any injuries there are really going to hurt us and Ali Price has added the number 9 shirt to that list as well. I was a critic of his in the past but I'm a definite convert to what he brings to the team

[Big D]

I am worried about the locks to be honest, I feel it's an attritional part of the game and there's bound to be some struggles. I think we have managed well enough below Gray / Cummings recently due to injury requiring it but there is a decent drop off from those 2.

That is the perception, but is there really?

Both were missing in France when we fronted up pretty well in that game, we beat Australia with them missing, and any combination of second row wouldn't have changed the SA result.

Below the 1st 4 we have good youngsters who are coming through. 2nd row is beside 7 in being the least of our worries IMO.

[Tobylerone]

Redpath at centre, Bath v. Leinster.
Ch.4 tomorrow, 13.00.

Fairies denied entrance..
Please.

[Tobylerone]

Redpath at centre, Bath v. Leinster.
Ch.4 tomorrow, 13.00.

Fairies denied entrance..
Please.

Switched on just in time to see Bayliss collect a head injury. Switched off again.

[Mikey Brown]

Redpath looks in good shape, but hard to tell much else when Bath were so thoroughly humped.

My head says it’s too early to throw him in against England again but part of me wants to. He’s just got that bit more agility, variety and time on the ball that could elevate a pairing with Harris.

[Big D]

Redpath looks in good shape, but hard to tell much else when Bath were so thoroughly humped.

My head says it’s too early to throw him in against England again but part of me wants to. He’s just got that bit more agility, variety and time on the ball that could elevate a pairing with Harris.

He's not sharp enough yet imo.

[Cameo]

What do people think about Sam Johnson in general?

I am really conflicted. Even after all this time, it's hard to tell what type of player he is.

He has moments when he hits a good line hard and looks like a classic hard running centre but with decent hands and a step. He is also ultra committed and is good to watch flying into everything with no regard for his body.

But

My abiding image of him of getting the ball a bit static, cutting inside, running sideways a bit, and then doing okay considering. It's rarely disastrous but I don't know if he does something not quite right that makes it hard for a backline to flow or if he is just making do with bad ball. He also has no kicking game that I have seen.

If Redpath is what we hope he is, then he should be phased in. I just can't decide how desperately we need the change and whether we might miss Johnson's physicality.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Redpath looks in good shape, but hard to tell much else when Bath were so thoroughly humped.

My head says it’s too early to throw him in against England again but part of me wants to. He’s just got that bit more agility, variety and time on the ball that could elevate a pairing with Harris.

I'd say no unless he really impresses in the upcoming training sessions (I take it that is this week).

My centre pairing would be Harris and Hutchinson or Bennett .

[Mikey Brown]

What do people think about Sam Johnson in general?

I am really conflicted. Even after all this time, it's hard to tell what type of player he is.

He has moments when he hits a good line hard and looks like a classic hard running centre but with decent hands and a step. He is also ultra committed and is good to watch flying into everything with no regard for his body.

But

My abiding image of him of getting the ball a bit static, cutting inside, running sideways a bit, and then doing okay considering. It's rarely disastrous but I don't know if he does something not quite right that makes it hard for a backline to flow or if he is just making do with bad ball. He also has no kicking game that I have seen.

If Redpath is what we hope he is, then he should be phased in. I just can't decide how desperately we need the change and whether we might miss Johnson's physicality.

Seems a reasonable enough assessment. In terms of work-rate, commitment, all round skillset and reliability I think he is brilliant, and that's a lot to ask for a 12, but as a combination with Harris it's a bit (a lot) lacking in pace, tackle-busting ability or an outside break. I can see why Bennet or Hutchinson are an obvious answer to those issues, but create their own in terms of defence or (if paired with Harris) leaves us with no natural 12.

Occasionally he'll hit fantastic lines at full pace, or throw a beautiful flat pass cutting defenders out of the play, but it feels like either we don't set him up to do this enough (collectively our timing and depth in attack is pretty ropey) or it only happens when the mood takes him.

A pairing with Bennet or Jones at 13 would be a lot more balanced in terms of complimentary attributes, but Jones is out of the picture and Bennet is yet to make any impact on a GT squad. Once again Harris is crucial in defence but kind of dictates that we need something more at 12 if our attack is to take another step forward. Zondagh has only had one campaign in place as attack coach so maybe we need to give it more time, but it's hard not to feel the Johnson/Harris pairing is a bit limited.

[septic 9]

I've been one of Sam Johnson's biggest fans. Being honest, we're not seeing anything much from him in a Glasgow shirt this season. Whether its his lack of form or just the different game plan or just not playing outside a Russell or Hastings, he isn't doing the biz. Not to say he is in terrible form or making loads of errors, just not seeing any spark at all.

That, coupled with the shoe in at 13, is a big problem.

It would be early for Redpath, but so often these days across all unions, we see players coming back from long term injury into top teams and international squads much much swifter than in days of yore. So good are the training and rehab programs.

being thrown in for a 1st pro start at 10 wasn't helpful. Playing in the current Bath team helps no-one. I thought he showed enough v leinster to think he will be in the frame for the 6N starter. Another decent outing next weekend and he should start.

[stevedog1980]

I am worried about the locks to be honest, I feel it's an attritional part of the game and there's bound to be some struggles. I think we have managed well enough below Gray / Cummings recently due to injury requiring it but there is a decent drop off from those 2.

That is the perception, but is there really?

Both were missing in France when we fronted up pretty well in that game, we beat Australia with them missing, and any combination of second row wouldn't have changed the SA result.

Below the 1st 4 we have good youngsters who are coming through. 2nd row is beside 7 in being the least of our worries IMO.

That's the question I'm asking myself. We saw when Turner and Cherry stepped in for Macinally and Brown that second string doesn't mean second rate. I must admit, I have a lack of exposure to the alternatives and I'm probably guilty of lazy thought, Gray and Cummings I think are excellent and I think I'm probably guilty of a default position that says it's unlikely we'd have a similar strength in depth available to us

[Big D]

Zondagh has only had one campaign in place as attack coach so maybe we need to give it more time, but it's hard not to feel the Johnson/Harris pairing is a bit limited.

It is limited, but I think in the past we have automatically thought Harris is the reason for that. But I think Johnson has flattered to deceive in the Scotland shirt for a while. Over the last 2 years Harris has brought more than Johnson to the Scotland shirt and has been a key part of the defensive turn around. Several people were great in the France game but we don't win that without some very savvy defence from him.

Harris obviously has attacking limitations but it is up to Zondagh to get the attacking patterns going.

I actually think the lack of 1872 games, and lack of Edinburgh in the big euro cup has hurt Scotland centre competition a little. I think Bennett is looking very sharp again but is probably seen as being behind Tuipulotu, who I think looks every inch a flat track bully. With no 1872 and no big euro games it is hard to make a case for him to put pressure in Tuipulotu Harris.

I know Lang has been injured too but I think he would have given Johnson a game in current form too.

Not to say I am advocating Lang/Bennett over Johnson/Harris, just that we aren't seeing them competing in games that allow easy comparison.