Scotland v Argentina

[sharvey44]

Team announcement at lunchtime. What changes are we expecting?

Dell
Ford
Fagerson
Gray
Gray
Barclay
Watson
CDP - not sure if Wilson is fit
Laidlaw
Russell
Maitland
Dunbar
Jones
Seymour - Visser is just too flaky
Hogg

Brown
Reid
Low
Gilcrist
Hardie
Price
Horne
Hoyland - lacks the SLamont like aggression of Hughes but is a strong finisher who can/will tackle and get his shirt dirty

[Big D]

I'll be annoyed if CdP is ahead of Bradbury tbh.

[Big D]

Assuming Dickinson, Wilson and Hardie are out but Strauss and Seymour are physically and mentally fit to play:
Dell
Ford
Fagerson
Gray
Gray
Barclay
Watson
Stauss (I'd go with Bradbury)
Laidlaw
Russell
Maitland
Dunbar
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown
Reid
Low
Gilchrist
Bradbury (I'd go with Strauss)
Price
Horne
Hoyland/Bennett - Given Hughes didn't get on last week I am not convinced specialist wing cover is really needed.

[Mikey Brown]

I think a wing on the bench is essentially fullback cover as Maitland is the next best option we have at 15. Though Jones out to the wing doesn't sound like a bad option to get another centre in there.

[sharvey44]

I thought Strauss was still out.

Completely dropping Hardie? I thought he had a pretty good game on Saturday.

[Mikey Brown]

He looked completely fucked when he went off. I'd be very dubious if he was considered fit.

[sharvey44]

He looked completely fucked when he went off. I'd be very dubious if he was considered fit.

I had forgotten about that tbh although the medi update seemed to play it down somewhat.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think a wing on the bench is essentially fullback cover as Maitland is the next best option we have at 15. Though Jones out to the wing doesn't sound like a bad option to get another centre in there.

But who was Kinghorn?

[Big D]

I think a wing on the bench is essentially fullback cover as Maitland is the next best option we have at 15. Though Jones out to the wing doesn't sound like a bad option to get another centre in there.

I see it from that POV but Hughes was reduced expressly to injury cover as he had no chance even given Vissers poor performance. If the 23 shirt is only there for injury cover I'd rather take a punt on game changing talent and cover wing from elsewhere. Or VC can actually use the winger in the 23 shirt.

Sharvey, I was assuming Hardie is injured still. Even if he isn't with the leg injuries + concussion protocol then sitting him for a week isn't a bad idea IMO.

[laribold]

Hogg
Maitland
Jones
Dunbar
Seymour
Russell
Laidlaw

Dell
Brown
Fagerson
Gray R
Gilchrist
Bradbury
Watson
Barclay

Subs:
16 Ford
17 Allan
18 Low
19 Swinson
20 Wilson
21 Price
22 Horne
23 Visser

[Adder]

Bradbury in the team

[Adder]

[Big D]

Presumably Richie failed the head injury assessments? Would maybe have stuck CdP on the bench rather than Wilson but that would be a cynical capping exercise on my part.

I do wonder whether Browns game is more suited at international level to being a real impact player off the bench but he deserves a chance to be fair.

Reid being punished? Visser a lucky boy too.

If Taylor was available and in the 23 shirt I'd say that is as strong a backline as we've put out for a while. 9 being the weak position.

[hp18]

Chuffed for Bradbury, Jonnys bro is a loss though.


Someone really needs to take a razor and some clippers to Watson, Gilchrist and Dell.

[hp18]

17 Nov Bradbury debut among four changes for Pumas clash





Head Coach Vern Cotter has named uncapped back-row Magnus Bradbury among four personnel changes to the Scotland team to start against Argentina at BT Murrayfield this Saturday (19 November, kick-off 5pm) – live on BBC.

Bradbury (21) is the second starting debutant in as many weeks for the national team this autumn, with the former Oban Lorne RFC player and Merchiston Castle School pupil looking to build on his barnstorming form for Edinburgh Rugby this season.

His inclusion on the blindside flank sees John Barclay move to number 8, with Hamish Watson returning to the openside and Ryan Wilson selected on the bench.

Edinburgh Rugby lock Grant Gilchrist – who captained Scotland to victory over the Pumas in Cordoba two years ago – and Glasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown are promoted from the bench in place of the injured Richie Gray (suspected concussion) and cap centurion Ross Ford – named among the replacements – to complete the changes to the forwards.

They will pack down with returning tight-five forwards Zander Fagerson, last week’s debutant Allan Dell, and try-scoring lock Jonny Gray.

The return of wing Tommy Seymour is the only change to the back division, meaning two-time try-scorer Huw Jones and centre partner Alex Dunbar, half-backs Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell, and Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland are reinstated.

Two further personnel changes appear on the bench, with prop Alex Allan and lock Tim Swinson coming in for Gordon Reid and the promoted Gilchrist.

Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter, said: “Every week we want to improve. We did a lot of good things against Australia: we scored three tries to their two, we were aggressive in attack and our defence held strong for the most part.

“While it’s disappointing we didn’t walk off with the win, I’m proud of the courage the players showed and the way they adapted to changes on the paddock due to injuries.

“Saturday’s game is going to be a different challenge for us, both physically and mentally, against a very dangerous Argentina side.

“They have the capacity to vary their game so we have to be prepared for whatever approach they take, though we can expect them to look to dominate the set piece as a starting point, be very explosive around the rucks and look to get their offloading game up and running.

“We will have to be disciplined and make sure we capitalise on every opportunity we create.”

It was confirmed on Monday that this Saturday’s match against last year’s Rugby World Cup semi-finalists will be played in front of a home crowd record for the fixture, with the national team anticipating another big atmosphere at BT Murrayfield this weekend.

The sides last met in November 2014 with the hosts enjoying a frenetic, five-try victory and, while the Scots have won just six of the 15 matches between the two sides, five of those have come in the last seven meetings.

Despite the recent head-to-heads appearing in the Scots’ favour, the Pumas have enjoyed improved fortunes in the past two years, defeating Ireland 43-20 en route to the last four of the World Cup and enjoying several landmark results in the Rugby Championship.

Scotland team to play Argentina at BT Murrayfield in the Autumn Tests
This Saturday (19 November, kick-off 5pm) – live on BBC

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 46 caps; 11 tries, 3 pens, 64 points

14 Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 24 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
13 Huw Jones (Stormers) – 2 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
12 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 5 tries, 25 points
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps; 13 tries, 65 points

10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 2 tries, 3 cons, 1 pen, 19 points
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 54 caps; 4 tries, 68 cons, 129 pens, 543 points

1 Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
2 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
3 Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps
4 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 13 caps; 1 try, 5 points
5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
6 Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
7 Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 3 caps
8 John Barclay (Scarlets) – 53 caps; 4 tries, 20 points

Substitutes:
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 100 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
18 Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 35 caps
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps
20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
21 Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
22 Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps; 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points
23 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 27 caps; 11 tries, 55 points

Unavailable through injury: Alasdair Dickinson (hamstring), Richie Gray (possible concussion), John Hardie (ankle/knee/concussion), Josh Strauss (calf).

[hp18]

Presumably Richie failed the head injury assessments? Would maybe have stuck CdP on the bench rather than Wilson but that would be a cynical capping exercise on my part.

I do wonder whether Browns game is more suited at international level to being a real impact player off the bench but he deserves a chance to be fair.

Reid being punished? Visser a lucky boy too.

If Taylor was available and in the 23 shirt I'd say that is as strong a backline as we've put out for a while. 9 being the weak position.

Richie is down as "possible concussion", I'm assuming he's just not hit all the targets while not showing as actually concussed. Good to see they don't take chances.

[Big D]

Presumably Richie failed the head injury assessments? Would maybe have stuck CdP on the bench rather than Wilson but that would be a cynical capping exercise on my part.

I do wonder whether Browns game is more suited at international level to being a real impact player off the bench but he deserves a chance to be fair.

Reid being punished? Visser a lucky boy too.

If Taylor was available and in the 23 shirt I'd say that is as strong a backline as we've put out for a while. 9 being the weak position.

Richie is down as "possible concussion", I'm assuming he's just not hit all the targets while not showing as actually concussed. Good to see they don't take chances.

Agreed. It is such as shame though as he was excellent last week. With the good Doc (hopefully Lions doc again) involved I am pretty confident they make the right decisions more often than not.

[ARM]

Backs look spot on.

Barely a cap to rub between the forwards but there's some talent there.

Scotland by 86.

BTW - taking my 3 year old son on Sat (initiation into a lifetime of sporting disappointment). I usually walk to the ground but thought I might take my car down - any good suggestions on where I can stick my motor fairly close to the ground?

[hp18]

Backs look spot on.

Barely a cap to rub between the forwards but there's some talent there.

Scotland by 86.

BTW - taking my 3 year old son on Sat (initiation into a lifetime of sporting disappointment). I usually walk to the ground but thought I might take my car down - any good suggestions on where I can stick my motor fairly close to the ground?

How early do you plan to be there? And whish side of the city are you coming from?

The streets west of Saughtonhall drive haven't failed me yet.

[Big D]

Missing 3/5ths of our preferred tight 5 + Sutherland.

Add those 4 + Taylor to that 23 then it is a tasty looking side by our standards.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

23 shirt is all wrong but those are the most positive changes I've seen VC make in quite some time.

[Mikey Brown]

Barely 100 caps in the pack. Wow.

[Big D]

Backs look spot on.

Barely a cap to rub between the forwards but there's some talent there.

Scotland by 86.

BTW - taking my 3 year old son on Sat (initiation into a lifetime of sporting disappointment). I usually walk to the ground but thought I might take my car down - any good suggestions on where I can stick my motor fairly close to the ground?

I would park around Sinclair Place off Gorgie Road (effectively the other side of the Sainsbury's). I used to live there and it's safe enough and good for a fairly sharp exit towards Glasgow.

Also worth considering the P+R at either the airport or heriot watt. The HW one would get the 25 into gorgie, walk through Sainsbury's and your there. Will also be reasonable for a sharp getaway IMO.

[ARM]

Cheers for parking ideas.

I live south side Edinburgh

I could get the bus down easily enough just don't want to get caught in th scrum walking back towards Haymarket afterwards.

Anyone tried the tram after the game? Busy as fook?

[Big D]

Tram will be rammed. Maybe walk to Gorgie and along to the junction at Dalry Road? Loads of buses run down there.

If you can get parked on Sinclair place it would be ideal as you can escape up Robertson Avenue and your away to the south side.