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

[Mikey Brown]

What an odd flirtation with a career in Scottish rugby he had.

[Croft_No.5]

First PRemiership weekend
Starters Dingwall, Hutchison, Wier, Du Preez
Benchers Lang, Kerr and Hunter-Hill

[switchskier]

First PRemiership weekend
Starters Dingwall, Hutchison, Wier, Du Preez
Benchers Lang, Kerr and Hunter-Hill

Also Steele and Cowan starting for LI.

[Cameo]

Good that Hunter Hill is at least on the bench. Important that he doesn't disappear.

[General Zod]

Cracking try from Rory Hutchison at Sarries. Saints down 16-12, conversion to come. He’s playing well.

[General Zod]

This is a good game if anyone has BT Sport 2. Northampton with their third try, now winning 16-21.

[Mikey Brown]

Playing 12 too, right?

Once we hammer his confidence into the ground he could be our new Peter Horne?

[General Zod]

Playing 12 too, right?

Once we hammer his confidence into the ground he could be our new Peter Horne?

Haha - yes, 12. Put in a couple of decent hits as well. We’ll soon drill that defensive competence out of him.

That said, what odds Hutch - Bennett to start in Dublin?

[Chunks Baws]

Blair Cowan (remember him) was MotM for London Irish v Wasps at the weekend.

[Puja]

Blair Cowan (remember him) was MotM for London Irish v Wasps at the weekend.

That was only because the broadcasters won't give it to a player from the losing team and Wasps somehow managing to lose despite Jack Willis getting 6 turnovers and being utterly dominant around the park. Frankly Cowan getting MotM after being shamed by his opposite number is up with Launchbury's award last RWC.

Puja

[af73]

Blair Cowan (remember him) was MotM for London Irish v Wasps at the weekend.

That was only because the broadcasters won't give it to a player from the losing team and Wasps somehow managing to lose despite Jack Willis getting 6 turnovers and being utterly dominant around the park. Frankly Cowan getting MotM after being shamed by his opposite number is up with Launchbury's award last RWC.

Puja

Often annoys me that one. Usually goes to member of winning team/current media favourite/someone the awarding pundit wants to see pushed for selection (esp Lions selection) or is/was featured in TV company promos. Jiffy Davies is the easiest to predict over the years. Dwayne Peel, Shane Williams, Jonathan Davies, AWJ all shoo-ins.

It happens with try scorers as well- the "who scored" obsession. Falling over the line twice after all the work was done by teammates does not a man of the match make.
Guess it stems from the Strokosch award against Italy. Admittedly Al had been outstanding but Italy won the game at the death after the MoTM had been announced. The post match interview was "uncomfortable" to say the least. Seem to remember stories about Strokosch then go into the Italian rooms with the champagne award and handing over?

[Mikey Brown]

MotM for a big name returning from injury is always a fun one too.

[Big D]

Hogg starts

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hogg starts

Not surprising really. Would have gotten 2-3 weeks off at Glasgow I reckon.

[Big D]

Hogg starts

Not surprising really. Would have gotten 2-3 weeks off at Glasgow I reckon.

It's not. But given he is moving to a new club and had so few days training and with all the other shite that comes with moving clubs (even though he probably did a bit between Scotland duty) it wouldn't have been a surprise to see him miss this week.

[Mikey Brown]

Wouldn't surprise me if he just wanted to wash the RWC off of him and get playing.

[General Zod]

Some promising scots-qualified youngster called Hugh Blake just won the Mitre 10 Championship at flanker for Bay of Plenty.

Am looking forward to watching Hogg tonight.

[Mikey Brown]

Nice to read someone on the Worcester match thread saying CdP looking impressive again. I don't really know if he's likely to be in the picture for Scotland again but it's impressive he's even playing. I've basically wiped that Wales game from my mind but it seems that was the end for him, I hadn't realised bu that was only his second start for Scotland. Funny to think Harris was the other who took a major amount of blame at the time.

Hutchinson appears to have continued his year+ long run of good form.

Not a peep about Hogg doing anything of interest.

[switchskier]

Watching the highlights now and Hutchinson created two tries with nice passes. Good to see as we know he can run.

[Big D]

Dell yellow carded for Irish. CHH started for Sarries.

[ARM]

o

Nice to read someone on the Worcester match thread saying CdP looking impressive again. I don't really know if he's likely to be in the picture for Scotland again but it's impressive he's even playing. I've basically wiped that Wales game from my mind but it seems that was the end for him, I hadn't realised bu that was only his second start for Scotland. Funny to think Harris was the other who took a major amount of blame at the time.

Hutchinson appears to have continued his year+ long run of good form.

Not a peep about Hogg doing anything of interest.

It’s amazing in many ways he has got back to any kind of decent level.

I remember seeing the fracture dislocation he suffered at Murrayfield. I haven’t gone hunting for the Gomez pics (why would you) from the footie at the weekend that are being described as horrific but I do remember seeing Du Preez foot pointing completely the wrong way and feeling physically sick. He had it all before that injury.

Hutchinson is surely going to get some game time in the 6N.

[Mikey Brown]

It’s a weird one. Does GT continue with Harris and pretend he actually wanted him for anything other than plugging a defensive gap?

It’s going to be a little embarrassing if he brings Hutchinson in and he (continues to) look fantastic.

[Chunks Baws]

Mark Palmer did an interview with Hutchinson for the Times. Hutchinson was told what he had to work on but said he'd keep it between him and Toony. Palmer speculates it was his defence, as most of us would. Stuart Barnes has picked him and Russell as Lions.

[sharvey44]

Plonking this here, just because..

Saracens appeal against 35-point deduction and £5.36m fine for breaching salary cap rules

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50300756

[switchskier]

Depending on how the salary cap drama plays out Maitland and Taylor might shortly become available. Would you want either at either Glasgow or Edinburgh?

On the one hand it's hard to argue that they wouldn't improve the quality of the squads. On the other, they're not guaranteed starters, they'd be expensive and they're likely to pick up another club. Basically it comes down to whether you see the primary role of the club's as providing players for Scotland or seeking success in their own right.

As an aside, I'd love to see Malins at Glasgow as a replacement for Hogg. He and Hastings would be electric as a 10/15 combination.