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

[Big D]

I've only managed to see scraps of Burke for Saracens, would go with Puja's description so far - but its early days for him in a new team.
Don't know enough yet to rank him v Hastings. The Hastings who left Glasgow was a really good 10. No Russell but who is?. Hastings move and serial serious injuries hampered him at Gloucs so never shone there at all. He has looked on return to Glasgow pretty similar to Burke at Saracens - feeling his way a bit but doing fine

So I can see why Burke might get the call next week and Hastings not (a capture against a capped player). The slight problem in all this is another guy playing 10 a lot, uncapped and becomes Scotland qualified this Nov. Not a conventional 10, not a great kicker from hand or tee by goodness me is he effective!

It would be something to name 2 uncapped 10s for this series. OTOH first game we can only call up Glasgow and Edin players, so maybe Jordan for that one and Burke for Portugal later on

There is an A game too, so plenty of opportunity to tie someone down.

[septic 9]

I've only managed to see scraps of Burke for Saracens, would go with Puja's description so far - but its early days for him in a new team.
Don't know enough yet to rank him v Hastings. The Hastings who left Glasgow was a really good 10. No Russell but who is?. Hastings move and serial serious injuries hampered him at Gloucs so never shone there at all. He has looked on return to Glasgow pretty similar to Burke at Saracens - feeling his way a bit but doing fine

So I can see why Burke might get the call next week and Hastings not (a capture against a capped player). The slight problem in all this is another guy playing 10 a lot, uncapped and becomes Scotland qualified this Nov. Not a conventional 10, not a great kicker from hand or tee by goodness me is he effective!

It would be something to name 2 uncapped 10s for this series. OTOH first game we can only call up Glasgow and Edin players, so maybe Jordan for that one and Burke for Portugal later on

There is an A game too, so plenty of opportunity to tie someone down.

fair point but if I were Burke I'm not sure I would commit for an A cap. And Jordan has done his 5 years, but of a cheek offering him an A cap if just arrived Burke gets a full cap

Who would be a coach eh?

[Big D]

I've only managed to see scraps of Burke for Saracens, would go with Puja's description so far - but its early days for him in a new team.
Don't know enough yet to rank him v Hastings. The Hastings who left Glasgow was a really good 10. No Russell but who is?. Hastings move and serial serious injuries hampered him at Gloucs so never shone there at all. He has looked on return to Glasgow pretty similar to Burke at Saracens - feeling his way a bit but doing fine

So I can see why Burke might get the call next week and Hastings not (a capture against a capped player). The slight problem in all this is another guy playing 10 a lot, uncapped and becomes Scotland qualified this Nov. Not a conventional 10, not a great kicker from hand or tee by goodness me is he effective!

It would be something to name 2 uncapped 10s for this series. OTOH first game we can only call up Glasgow and Edin players, so maybe Jordan for that one and Burke for Portugal later on

There is an A game too, so plenty of opportunity to tie someone down.

fair point but if I were Burke I'm not sure I would commit for an A cap. And Jordan has done his 5 years, but of a cheek offering him an A cap if just arrived Burke gets a full cap

Who would be a coach eh?

The chance of a start and bench opportunities in the A game and Portugal/Fiji (for Jordan) game is a fair enough approach for Townsend to take.

Given Finn rarely gets subbed unless hurt I wouldn't be surprised to see GT use Kinghorn as an emergency 10 in games to free up a bench spot v SA and Australia.

[BaldiePete]

He might get a cap in the Portugal game, either starting or off the bench (probably the latter I’d say), with Finn being rested for that match.

[BaldiePete]

Russell and Redpath start for Bath against Quins. Bayliss not in the 23. Russell v Smith should be fun.

Gus Warr starts for Sale Sharks against Northampton who have Hutchison at 12 and Miller-Mills and Hunter-Hill on the bench. Reed not in the 23 for Sale.

Kinghorn back to 15 for Toulouse against Pau after missing out on the 23 last week.

Alex Craig starts for Scarlets against the Bulls

Tom Gordon starts for Newcastle against Exeter.

SQ standoff Fergus Burke not in the 23 for Saracens against Bristol.

Dylan Richardson not in the 23 for the Sharks against the Weegies.

Oli Kebble at loosehead for Oyannax in Pro D2.

Hogg at standoff for Montpellier against Toulon White back at 9 for Toulon.

No sightings of either Alec Hepburn Will Hurd or Chris Harris for Leicester or Gloucester respectively.

Andy Onyeama-Christie long-term injured for Saracens after a horrific ankle injury.

Bordeaux not playing till Sunday so no news yet on Jonny Gray.


Edit
Alec Hepburn on the bench for Scarlets against the Bulls.

[Mikey Brown]

I appreciate the roundups by the way.

Was Gordon not residency qualified? I’m still rooting for him either way, I think he really had something but just isn’t quite the same class as Darge.

[septic 9]

I appreciate the roundups by the way.

Was Gordon not residency qualified? I’m still rooting for him either way, I think he really had something but just isn’t quite the same class as Darge.

Scottish grandparents

[Cameo]

There is an A game too, so plenty of opportunity to tie someone down.

fair point but if I were Burke I'm not sure I would commit for an A cap. And Jordan has done his 5 years, but of a cheek offering him an A cap if just arrived Burke gets a full cap

Who would be a coach eh?

The chance of a start and bench opportunities in the A game and Portugal/Fiji (for Jordan) game is a fair enough approach for Townsend to take.

Given Finn rarely gets subbed unless hurt I wouldn't be surprised to see GT use Kinghorn as an emergency 10 in games to free up a bench spot v SA and Australia.

I wonder if Jordan will be hoping his versatility gets him that backup bench spot, or a start at 12 vs Portugal or Fiji. Should probably be enough to get him in the squad anyway. He should be really working on his goalkicking as it could limit his chances (though Kinghorn is decent).

[francoisfou]

fair point but if I were Burke I'm not sure I would commit for an A cap. And Jordan has done his 5 years, but of a cheek offering him an A cap if just arrived Burke gets a full cap

Who would be a coach eh?

The chance of a start and bench opportunities in the A game and Portugal/Fiji (for Jordan) game is a fair enough approach for Townsend to take.

Given Finn rarely gets subbed unless hurt I wouldn't be surprised to see GT use Kinghorn as an emergency 10 in games to free up a bench spot v SA and Australia.

I wonder if Jordan will be hoping his versatility gets him that backup bench spot, or a start at 12 vs Portugal or Fiji. Should probably be enough to get him in the squad anyway. He should be really working on his goalkicking as it could limit his chances (though Kinghorn is decent).

Kinghorn will be Toulouse’s first choice kicker in Pau this evening, and the pressure will be high, cos Toulouse haven’t won in Pau for 3/4 seasons now.

[BaldiePete]

Just let Dupont take the kicks. He can do everything else so he’s probably a great kicker.

[BaldiePete]

Toulouse won 22-13. Two out of three conversions and a penalty for Kinghorn. I haven’t seen any of it so I’ve no idea how he played.

[septic 9]

Toulouse won 22-13. Two out of three conversions and a penalty for Kinghorn. I haven’t seen any of it so I’ve no idea how he played.

I watched the match. Kinghorn also missed a conv and a pen (from half way TBF). He played sort of ok, but mainly quiet. Taken off after about an hour, in an interesting set of changes. The Argie winger Malia again had started at 10 (Ntmack and Ramos both missing) - clearly in preference to Kinghorn there, which I just don't think Toulouse see as an option. Because........
After Kinghorn went off, Malia moved into the back 3, Japanese scrum half came on and Dupon went to 10

Possible Kinghorn was injured but he seemed ok and I don't recall any knocks

[Cameo]

Incidentally, doesn't sound like Russell is on top top form. I have faith so not worried, but interested if anyone has beem watching.

[Which Tyler]

Incidentally, doesn't sound like Russell is on top top form. I have faith so not worried, but interested if anyone has beem watching.

He's been okay, but sometimes forgets his kicking boots (from tee and hand) - which has cost Bath a few times, but he's still massively in credit for the season so far - just wish he'd handed the kicking tee to his backup a touch earlier a couple of times.

[BaldiePete]

Russell starts for Bath against Sale. Bayliss on the bench. I think Redpath is injured. Warr and Reed both start for Sale.

Hutchison and Miller-Mills start for Northampton with Charlie Savala on the bench. No sign of Hunter-Hill.

Hepburn starts with Craig on the bench for Scarlets

Richardson not in the 23 for the Sharks

Hurd on the Leicester bench against Saracens. SQ standoff Fergus Burke not in the 23 for Saracens

Gordon starts for Newcastle against Gloucester (no sign of Harris).

Johnson starts with Kebble on the bench for Oyonnax in Pro D2.

Jonny Gray not rested by Bordeaux.

Hogg at 10 again for Montpellier against La Rochelle.

Toulouse play Toulon on Sunday so no news yet on their selection.

[BaldiePete]

White starts for Toulon and Kinghorn on the left wing for Toulouse.

[Big D]

Hell of a pass by Hutch. Full tilt off his left, 20m and winger doesn't need to break stride. Lovely stuff.

[Big D]

Johnson starts with Kebble on the bench for Oyonnax in Pro D2.

Jonny Gray not rested by Bordeaux.

Hogg at 10 again for Montpellier against La Rochelle.

Toulouse play Toulon on Sunday so no news yet on their selection.

Wins for all the Scottish lads except White. Toulouse pumped them.

Decent looking win for Montpellier and Bordeaux won too.

[Cameo]

His off field issues make it untenable, but if it wasn't for them, I wonder if we would be looking at Hogg as a good bench 10/15 option.

[BaldiePete]

His off field issues make it untenable, but if it wasn't for them, I wonder if we would be looking at Hogg as a good bench 10/15 option.

I don’t know what the range of punishments are for the offences he’s accused of but it wouldn’t be easy to select him if he’s in jail.

[BaldiePete]

As far as I can see none of the Scots in the international squad have been selected for their teams this weekend. Toulouse don’t play till Sunday so there’s no news yet on Kinghorn. Jonny Gray continues to not be rested by Bordeaux. Hogg not picked for Montpellier, presumably he’s travelling back to Scotland because his trial starts on Monday.

[Adder]

Hogg is out for 5 weeks after surgery for a broken hand :

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/10/28/top ... 289439.php

[BaldiePete]

Kinghorn playing for Toulouse tomorrow night. Given Rowe’s injury let’s pray he gets through the match OK.

[BaldiePete]

It looks like Kinghorn played the full 80 in a 12-8 loss to Bayonne.

[Adder]

Rumours that Ewan Johnson might be heading to Toulon next season. Definitelly a step up.
As he learned his trade in France, he benefits from the JIFF status.