Australia tour

[whatisthejava]

Cant blame Toonie for going with players he knows over guys he doesnt, it will now be for Edinburgh players to play their win into that squad as Toonie will have his own biases from the weekend.

Glad for Toolis, Grigg, Rae , deserve a chance to show what they can do , and a kick up the erse for some players by being dropped

I wonder if Kinghorn is expcted to go to the JWC

[General Zod]

The paucity of back-row options at Glasgow worries me I have to admit.

I heard rumours of Denton to Glasgow in the summer.

Well, one of the voices in my head made them up, so I thought I'd post it here. Don't know how long the deal he signed at bath is, but if the transfer fee was agreed in instalments, the SRU could have some leeway for a transfer fee...

[ARM]

The paucity of back-row options at Glasgow worries me I have to admit.

I heard rumours of Denton to Glasgow in the summer.

Well, one of the voices in my head made them up, so I thought I'd post it here. Don't know how long the deal he signed at bath is, but if the transfer fee was agreed in instalments, the SRU could have some leeway for a transfer fee...

Feck away off with that! You're dead to me.

[General Zod]

The paucity of back-row options at Glasgow worries me I have to admit.

I heard rumours of Denton to Glasgow in the summer.

Feck away off with that! You're dead to me.

[Spiffy]

I wonder if GT will keep Barclay as captain in Laidlaws absence.

Or indeed whether he'll name his own captain anyway.

I'll be very surprised if he didn't stick with JB. The only other players in the squad with any real long-term experience of test rugby will be Ford and Gray senior. Don't think either of them will be skipper, and Gray jnr is still too young.

He is young, but he is an experienced international already, a great all round lock and shows obvious leadership qualities at Glasgow. Leads by example too. I still think he got a raw deal in not being selected for the Lions. Would have him ahead of Henderson and Lawes at least. Would not be surprised to see him captain Scotland very soon.

[Big D]

I suspect he'll be phased in as captain. Barclay did a decent job of it in the 6N.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Jonny is well on his way to being world class but I can't be alone in thinking he's an ineffective captain? This is absolutely not a criticism of JG's ability - he's a superb player and one of the first names on the team sheet, I just don't see him as captain despite leading by example.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, I've not actually seen much of why he has been touted so often as captain (not to say there isn't good reason) other than that it would be horribly convenient for a player if his age and quality to be able to lead this team.

It's hard to judge from the outside, but Kellock or Gilchrist even you would hear people say how they were really natural leaders and Scotland could desperately do with that. I see no reason Gray couldn't do it in the future but he looks ducking battered at the moment to be honest and Barclay really seemed to grow in to it.

I see Brown/Ford (to some extent), Gray, Barclay, Strauss, Wilson, Laidlaw as the only ones who visibly seem to dictate much on the field at the moment but none of them jump out to me as the long term answer, yet, and a few aren't necessarily deserving of a starting spot.

I'd had some hopes Dunbar might develop in this way but I'm not convinced he's doing enough to hold on to his shirt anyway.

[Mikey Brown]

A couple of interesting bits in here.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39847378

Obviously I'd realised WPN/Strauss/Bradbury were in there but assumed it was just to be in and around the squad. But then I guess there'd be Dicko/Bennet/Jones. Interesting to hear Nel, at least, may actually be fit?

Really no point at all rushing back in from a neck injury though.

[Big D]

Turner has been picked because there is little choice despite what Toony says IMO.

McInally is injured and under going surgery this summer (according to Embra board)
McArthur isn't an international player.
Lawson and Cochrane are too old so although they may be better than Turner there is little point taking them.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Probably one for another thread but if we're looking to nationalise players/poach/locate Scottish granny's then a hooker must be the absolute number 1 priority. James Malcolm could still make it but he's not going to get a lot of game time.

[Matt Ha]

Maitland is out for the rest of the season and the tour. Big loss, and leaves us pretty thin at full back.

[switchskier]

Maitland is out for the rest of the season and the tour. Big loss, and leaves us pretty thin at full back.

So Jackson at 15, Taylor as backup and then maybe Horne. If we assume Kinghorn is being sent to be he U20s is Bryce next in line or does Murchie get a late career cap?

[Mikey Brown]

Shit.

I think Maitland is a bit underrated as a 15.

[Matt Ha]

Shit.

I think Maitland is a bit underrated as a 15.

I've always thought Maitland is a very decent 15 but the problem he has is that he isn't Hogg and therefore looks, like just about every other full back in the world, a bit pedestrian. Must be worth bringing Kinghorn into test rugby now.

[Big D]

It should be a full back that is called up.

Maitland is a wing who can cover full back but not much more that that IMO.

[Mikey Brown]

That's the thing, I think he is actually a far better 15 than wing. Anyway, he's out, so should surely look at Kinghorn.

Though Bryce is a lovely runner and haven't seen enough to know why (I think?) he's been dismissed as an international option.

[Big D]

That's the thing, I think he is actually a far better 15 than wing. Anyway, he's out, so should surely look at Kinghorn.

Though Bryce is a lovely runner and haven't seen enough to know why (I think?) he's been dismissed as an international option.

I'm not sure. His kicking isn't great, and doesn't really beat guys with great footwork when carrying back.

He is a good winger but we need to develop other options at 15.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kinghorn is left with the 20s.

[Big D]

Kinghorn has been named in the u20 squad.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I wouldn't read anything into Kinghorn being named in the U20s. Maitland is a doubt for the tour - he is not yet ruled out.

[switchskier]

That's the thing, I think he is actually a far better 15 than wing. Anyway, he's out, so should surely look at Kinghorn.

Though Bryce is a lovely runner and haven't seen enough to know why (I think?) he's been dismissed as an international option.

Agree the Bryce is a nice balanced runner but I think that his best position is 13 where we have options. He needed a proper run there this season.

[Lizard]

Fiji squad has been named.

Props: Campese Ma'afu, Peni Ravai, Joeli Veitayaki, Manasa Saulo, Leeroy Atalifo, Kalivati Tawake
Hookers: Sunia Koto, Jale Sassen, Tuapati Talemaitoga
Locks: Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Api Ratuniyarawa, Sikeli Nabou
Loose forwards: Naulia Dawai, Viliame Mata, Nemani Nagusa, Akapusi Qera, Mosese Voka, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Peceli Yato
Scrum-halves:Nikola Matawalu, Serupepeli Vularika, Henry Seniloli
Fly-half: Ben Volavola
Centres: Levani Botia, Jale Vatubua, Eroni Vasiteri, Albert Vulivuli, Vereniki Goneva, Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Wings: Josua Tuisova, Nemani Nadolo, Patrick Osborne, Timoci Nagusa
Fullbacks: Metuisela Talebula, Kini Murimurivalu

For those of you unfamiliar, the players are playing domestically as follows:

• Australia (Super Rugby): 1
  
  England:
  • Premiership - 5
    Championship - 1
  Fiji (Digicel Cup, I think it is): 7
  
  France:
  • Top 14 - 13
    Pro D2 - 2
    Fédérale 1 - 1
    Fédérale 2 - 1
  Ireland (Pro 12) - 1
  
  New Zealand:
  • Super Rugby: 1
    Mitre 10 Cup: 1*
  Romania (SuperLiga) - 1
  
  Scotland (Pro 12) - 1

*Lee Roy Atalifo but I'm not sure if he is contracted for this year.

[General Zod]

Is this tour on tv anywhere?

[Big D]

I assume the Lions boys will be invited up to training this week? Even if they don't take part it seems sensible to invite them to the 1st meet up.

Although Laidlaw has a house move to sort....

Edit: Scrap that. Didn't realise the Lions training started today. Thought it was next week.

[Chunks Baws]

Hughes and Tonks added to the squad after Maitland pulled out. Greig fucking Tonks

http://thescotlandteam.com/2017/05/18/t ... ruled-out/