Not at all convinced by Burke starting what is a very important match away from home in difficult conditions. I’d rather have Tom Jordan at 10. I’m never convinced by Ashman, I hope he’s been getting a lot of lineout practice his throwing for Edinburgh has been appalling. Is Redpath not more of a 12, I can’t remember which position he usually plays at Bath? Pleased to see Dobie get the opportunity to start. It’s a quality back row, I’d say that it’s better than anything the Lions can currently put out. Thankfully that position hasn’t been decimated by Lions selections. Over on one of the Lions threads they’re bemoaning the lack of pace in the back row but we have Darge and I’m thankful we have him for this match.
I thought Turner looked a bit rusty, but showed the physicality we've missed. Made me quite excited. Happy with him on the bench this week.
Surprised by the 10, 12, 13 combo. Thought they would probably go Jordan, Redpath, McDowall.
Would have quite liked Smith at 15, but happy with Rowe.
Pack looks okay, interesting to see Sykes is firmly up the pecking order now.
Are we underdogs here. Can see a bad loss, a tight one, or a comfortable win. How they deal with the physicality early will be key. Can really knock teams off their game plan.
Playing in Fiji I’d say we are definitely underdogs. We played them in Suva in 2017 and lost 27-22. I can see that happening again. Burke has to be a risk, it’s his first cap, away from home against a physical Fiji team, it could all go horribly wrong for him.
Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 11:39 am
Yeah, not really feeling that team. Some good players and a couple of decent combos, but balance feels all off.
I don’t really understand the drive to play Jordan at 12 when he have 3 quality options there already.
Good to see Dobie get a go at 9, but an odd looking team overall.
I don’t really know what shape Fiji are in to be fair.
I think the idea is that the way to beat Fiji in Fiji is to be controlled and have a good kicking game. Jordan at 10 doesn't really offer that. If he is not at 10, then he is our incumbent 12.
29-14 loss. Didn't manage to see first half (buffering issues), but sounds like they started well then faded. Only 30 something percent possession.
Saw second half and Scotland didn't look terrible. Some sloppy dropped balls and scrappy breakdowns, but overall just looked like they got beaten by a better team. Scotland also looked like they ran out of energy a bit, though some very good scramble D, especially by Burke. Realistically, I think Fiji at home are a firmly top 8 team, whereas Scotland shorn of 9 players and playing in Fiji are probably not.
A blow to the rankings, but that shouldn't be a reason for Scotland not playing in Fiji. More a reason why other teams should be forced to.
Cameo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:52 am
29-14 loss. Didn't manage to see first half (buffering issues), but sounds like they started well then faded. Only 30 something percent possession.
Saw second half and Scotland didn't look terrible. Some sloppy dropped balls and scrappy breakdowns, but overall just looked like they got beaten by a better team. Scotland also looked like they ran out of energy a bit, though some very good scramble D, especially by Burke. Realistically, I think Fiji at home are a firmly top 8 team, whereas Scotland shorn of 9 players and playing in Fiji are probably not.
A blow to the rankings, but that shouldn't be a reason for Scotland not playing in Fiji. More a reason why other teams should be forced to.
Fiji the better team, in front of their own fans, against a very weakened Scotland team. These are not excuses, facts. we can put out a very good 23 to compete with just about anyone. Take away 8 to the Lions and we can't.
We scored early but the humidity I assume caused issues for handling for both teams. Otherwise Fiji could have easily had 30 by HT.
Graham, Sutherland and Ashman called up by the Lions, presumably to be in the squad for the last midweek game between the 1st and 2nd tests. With 11 players (I think) now with the Lions that’s going to make a tricky match against Samoa on Friday even harder, although I don’t think I’ll miss Ashman.
My thoughts are varying between being pleased they got the call up (especially for Darcy who should always have been in the Lions squad) and being seriously pissed off that it’s fucking up our chances in the absolutely vital match against Samoa.
I haven't seen the Samoa squad, but this match should be considerably less difficult than the Fiji one. Still a real challenge with a depleted squad, but I think we'll be favourites.
I'd go something like (sorry if I've missed injury news etc.):
1. McBeth
2. Harrison
3. Richardson
4. Sykes
5. Williamson (this may cause issues with the lineout)
6. Onyeama- Christie (think Ritchie's injured)
7. Darge
8. Muncaster if fit again (think Fagerson is injured)
9. Dobie
10. Burke (for continuity as much as anything - one match away in Fiji isn't much of a chance)
11. Steyn
12. Redpath
13. McDowall
14. Reed
15. Smith
16. Hurd
17. Turner
18. Millar-Mills
19. Henderson (or Ferris - can't be bothered picking Gilchrist
20. Masimbaka (or Bayliss, but, while good, he doesn't really excite me)
21. Horne
22. Rowe
23. Jordan
Not sure that is quite what I'd pick if I was in charge and my reputation depended on it, but it would interest me.
I’m sure Townsend will pick Gilchrist and probably Turner to start. If Muncaster isn’t fit then Bayliss at 8. I think Reed, like DVDM, is purely a left wing, so swap him and Steyn. However I think Townsend might keep Rowe on the wing rather than bringing in Reed. Agree about the centres but I think Jordan will be at 10.
