Scotland Autumn Series thread

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Seeing as nobody has started one of these yet, I thought I'd be the one to start it as we are over 2wks away from the Australia match and possibly a week away from the team announcement.

We also face Fiji, Argentina (AGAIN) and New Zealand in November so I think we'd be doing well if we got 2/4, anything less would be failure imho and would unfortunately increase the calls for Gregor's head.

I reckon we will see a surprise or 2 when the squad is announced for the autumn series, Jack Dempsey (I reckon he's going to switch allegiance) and one other.


Seeing as I've not watched any URC this year, I'm actually looking forward to the autumn series and hopeful of strong performances .

[Mikey Brown]

Jack Dempsey and 1 other curveball would seem surprisingly reserved for a GT squad announcement to be honest. At the same time I guess, while we have a relatively settled starting XV, the depth beyond that is a bit of a mess so maybe it's all a bit of a lottery. Depth at prop and the inconsistent midfield selections are still issues, plus Price is seemingly being behind Horne for Glasgow now?

Glasgow still seem incredibly inconsistent, Edinburgh seemed to be on a big upward trajectory but feels like they keep losing winnable games and getting bullied by the South Africans. We have some good players but I'm still unconvinced about the Scotland coaching setup. I think we keep Townsend for the RWC no matter what, but I really want to see some more cohesive, consistent performances than we have been.

[BaldiePete]

Jack Dempsey and 1 other curveball would seem surprisingly reserved for a GT squad announcement to be honest. At the same time I guess, while we have a relatively settled starting XV, the depth beyond that is a bit of a mess so maybe it's all a bit of a lottery. Depth at prop and the inconsistent midfield selections are still issues, plus Price is seemingly being behind Horne for Glasgow now?

Glasgow still seem incredibly inconsistent, Edinburgh seemed to be on a big upward trajectory but feels like they keep losing winnable games and getting bullied by the South Africans. We have some good players but I'm still unconvinced about the Scotland coaching setup. I think we keep Townsend for the RWC no matter what, but I really want to see some more cohesive, consistent performances than we have been.

Edinburgh’s upward trajectory was really last season. This season they’ve perhaps been struggling with second season syndrome. They came close to beating the Bulls and perhaps might have with a decent kicker but still came away with two bonus points. The Lions game really showed the difference between this season and last. I’ve no doubt that on last season’s form they’d have won that comfortably but this year, it’s not clicking in the same way and they’re having to force things and consequently making mistakes they weren’t making last year. Given that the Australia match will be a Glasgow/Edinburgh select as its outside the window and neither team has been consistently any good I fear we’ll get a gubbing.

There is zero chance that Townsend will be replaced before the World Cup, it’s far to late for that. After the tournament though is a different matter.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

No Jack Dempsey in Australia squad so is that a hint towards his imminent decision

[BaldiePete]

No Jack Dempsey in Australia squad so is that a hint towards his imminent decision

It could be happening.

[Mikey Brown]

I mean of course it is?

[Scottish Caley Fan]

I like Rob Robertson so I really hope he's right otherwise he'll go down in my estimation .

Also, there's talk of Tom Roebuck and a potential bolter, BEN HEALY from the Scottish Thistle podcast guys on Twitter :O.

There is also a mention for young Fin Smith and another potential bolter, Charlie Savala from All Blaze no glory twitter account in reply to either Rob or the above mentioned podcast crew so let's just say that tomorrow is going to be interesting .

[switchskier]

Healy is the Munster flyhalf? Seem to remember him being linked with Glasgow a while back, but he chose to stay in Ireland. Would be a bit surprised if he'd changed his mind.

The one that I want to see is Chapman. Think we have space for more scrumhalf competition.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Yep he's the lad at Munster and I actually agree with you regarding Charlie Chapman, it would be good to poach him .

[Cameo]

Yep he's the lad at Munster and I actually agree with you regarding Charlie Chapman, it would be good to poach him .

Not really a poach when he played Scotland u20s.

Anyway, I'm keen for Ollie Smith to get a chance at some point. Didn't catch them all but looked very assertive under the high ball in his first game back against the Sharks. Quite a big guy now.

[BaldiePete]

According to Tom English Finn won’t be in the squad. What he doesn’t mention is that his partner is due to give birth in November.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63309190

[septic 9]

Yep he's the lad at Munster and I actually agree with you regarding Charlie Chapman, it would be good to poach him .

Not really a poach when he played Scotland u20s.

Anyway, I'm keen for Ollie Smith to get a chance at some point. Didn't catch them all but looked very assertive under the high ball in his first game back against the Sharks. Quite a big guy now.

[septic 9]

I'm sort of expecting to see Smith in the squad

[septic 9]

Yep he's the lad at Munster and I actually agree with you regarding Charlie Chapman, it would be good to poach him .

I've sent you a pm

[Big D]

According to Tom English Finn won’t be in the squad. What he doesn’t mention is that his partner is due to give birth in November.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63309190

Aye usual sensationalist reporting omitting key details.

Roebuck is decent and would be a good pick up, Healey has been poor for a while.

[Mikey Brown]

Scotland Autumn Nations Series Squad

Forwards
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 12 caps
Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 20 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps

George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps
Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 4 caps
Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 7 caps

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 50 caps
WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 48 caps
Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped

Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 69 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 67 caps
Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 22 caps

Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 32 caps
Andy Christie (Saracens) 3 caps
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 51 caps
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps
Nick Haining (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 caps
Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps

Backs

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 54 caps
Ben White (London Irish) 6 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps

Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 34 caps
Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby) 26 caps

Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 2 caps
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 36 caps

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 19 caps
Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 29 caps
Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps

Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 93 caps
Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap

Autumn Nations Series 2022 Fixtures

Scotland v Australia, Saturday 29 October, kick-off 5.30pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v Fiji, Saturday 5 November, kick-off 1pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v New Zealand, Sunday 13 November, kick-off 2.15pm, BT Murrayfield

Scotland v Argentina, Saturday 19 November, kick-off 3.15pm, BT Murrayfield

[Big D]

So Hogg binned as captain, Dempsey in, and no real bolters.

Pretty straightforward squad which is unusual. Although Bayliss over Bradbury is a bit strange IMO as there is 3 others in squad who can play 7 so versatility not that important.

If Tuipolotu doesn't carry his club form into the internationals, which he deserves the chance to, then I'm pretty much bored of him at the top level. He needs to prove he is more than a flat track bully on the international stage.

[Big D]

And no Hutchinson. Not 100% sure how he has played this year.

[Croft_No.5]

Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 12 caps
Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 20 caps

Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 4 caps
Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 7 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 50 caps
WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 48 caps
Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped

Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps
Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 69 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 67 caps
Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 22 caps

Andy Christie (Saracens) 3 caps
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
Nick Haining (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 32 caps
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 51 caps
Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 54 caps
Ben White (London Irish) 6 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps

Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby) 26 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 34 caps
Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps

Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 2 caps
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 36 caps

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 29 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps
Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 19 caps

Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 93 caps
Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap

[Mikey Brown]

I can’t believe Haining is still making the cut. Very surprised to see Richie Gray return, I figured he was done at this level. Similarly I’m tired of watching Gilchrist give away stupid penalties but I guess he is one of very few leaders.

I wonder if we’ll see Ritchie at 7 at all or he stays nailed on at 6.

I think Hutchinson may have gotten injured. Had started the season reasonably well but I don’t think GT was ever convinced anyway, even if he’s got 4 tries in 3 caps.

I feel similar to many about Tuipulotu. Who I guess starts at 12 vs Aus if we're limited to Scotland based players? McDowall surely wouldn’t be trusted with a debut against Aus. Would have liked to see Lang given another shot - solid defender, good all round skills and an existing partnership with Bennet. Saw his carrying stats for this season are very impressive too.

[BaldiePete]

Congratulations, this is the only place where people aren’t going absolutely mental about Russell not being in the squad.

[BaldiePete]

So, Glasgow/Edinburgh select for the Australia game.

1. Schoeman
2. Turner
3. Fagerson
4. Cummings
5. Skinner (could be Gray or Gilchrist)
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Dempsey (probably should be Fagerson but GT will want to get him capped)
9. Price (should be Horne)
10. Kinghorn
11. DVDM
12. Tuipulotu (Urgghh)
13. Bennett
14. Graham
15. Smith

16. Bhatti
17. Cherry
18. Nel
19. Gilchrist (or Grey)
20. Crosbie
21. Horne (should be Price)
22. Thompson
23. Fuck Knows

[Mikey Brown]

I’m still completely baffled by Kinghorn somehow having become default 10 with Russell out. Would Bennett kick?

[BaldiePete]

I’m still completely baffled by Kinghorn somehow having become default 10 with Russell out. Would Bennett kick?

I’d expect Kinghorn to kick against Australia. Hopefully Hastings will be first choice at 10 for the remaining matches and will take over the kicking.

[Big D]

I don't see it with Horne at international level either. His game really hasn't matured a lot. Great for a certain style of play but Scotland under GT and ABZ have moved away from that.