RugbyRebels

Mikey Brown wrote:I don't follow why we think there's going to be a lot of crazy experimentation in GT's very first games in charge. We need to develop some depth, sure, but we're still yet to backup any of our good performances with our first choice players.

Anything much beyond changes required to fill the 15 would be a bit of a surprise. Horne as a 15 option to allow two hard runners in midfield does interest me though.

World rankings are set, no worries about falling to 3rd set of seeds in RWC draw and we have 2 sets of summer and November internationals until the next world cup. In the Autumn we play Australia and the AIGAB's plus Tonga. So this Italy game where they are missing players and the Tonga game seem like the two that could (not will, but it's t'internet so speculation is fun) be used to try something different. Not that Horne at 12 and Grigg at 13 would be that different for a Townsend led team.

Given we could have Fiji or Tonga in our group at the RWC I would be wanting to play full strength sides against them so they get nothing before the RWC.

I just read perhaps disappointingly, we tour North America next year (http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2016/1 ... -usa-2018/) so there would probably be a good chance to try new things next year.

On the plus side Townsend gets most of his squad together at once.

VC's 1st 23 had 5 debutants and Taylor, MacArthur and KLow must have had less than a handful of caps each:
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Sean Lamont, Duncan Taylor, Tim Visser; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Gordon Reid, Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Alasdair Strokosch, Blair Cowan, Johnnie Beattie.

Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, Moray Low, Grant Gilchrist, Kieran Low, Grayson Hart, Ruaridh Jackson, Max Evans

Although of course he did name 2 squads.

Team named

Dell
Ford
Nel
Swinson
Toolis
Barclay
Hardie
Strauss
Price
Russell
Visser
Dunbar
Scott
Hoyland
Taylor

Replacements: F Brown (Glasgow Warriors), G Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Z Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), R Harley (Glasgow Warriors), M Bradbury (Edinburgh), R Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), H Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), P Horne (Glasgow Warriors).

Is Hamish Watson injured? And Johnny Gray? Seems a little experimental in the pack but nothing crazy

Townsend said Watson hadn't been able to train fully so I guess he's injured.

Lol. Imagine would Greg would say if VC had selected that team. Though if Strauss, Nel and Bradbury are properly ready then that's grand.

1 down, 1 to go - just Russell left to get some time at 15.

Re me having a meltdown - it's Toony's first development tour. Having a look at players is absolutely fine. The most important take out is there isn't a single player in that 23 that is off international standard. There's no Cowans, K Bryces, etc.

I don't agree with 2 backs on the bench but what do I know.

I would imagine JG is getting a well deserved rest.

Yup. I'd love to think Gray could keep himself in contention for the Lions in the event of an injury, or the event of Gatland actually watching Henderson play, but realistically it won't happen and he looks totally knackered.

I don't like 6:2 either, particularly with Harley as a lock, but I imagine that's dictated by the lack of options in the backs. You'd think Grigg would be worth a shot over another 6/8 though.

Ford starting is interesting.

Having finally clocked that it's Hardie at 7 and a probably-rusty Strauss it does make some sense having a whole fleet of backrows in the bench.

I'd rather more of our players didn't go near this shambles. If the Barbarians had kept mini Gatland on the pitch they'd likely have won the game. Struggling again today.

Would rather have seen Carmichael or Cummings pulled into the squad than Harley covering the second row. He isn't an international standard 2nd row and never will be.

Don't mind the rest of the 23, except if Turner and Rae were getting a start/significant game time this tour then the Italy game was probably the best option.

Interesting bench, but didn't spot the potential back row issue.

Here's a wee article on John Barclay's musings, according to Tom English...

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40145120

Agree that I don't want any more of our players feeling obliged to turn up at the Lions shit show.

Big D wrote:Would rather have seen Carmichael or Cummings pulled into the squad than Harley covering the second row. He isn't an international standard 2nd row and never will be.
Don't mind the rest of the 23, except if Turner and Rae were getting a start/significant game time this tour then the Italy game was probably the best option.

He isn't international standard at flanker either.

Chunks Baws wrote:

Big D wrote:Would rather have seen Carmichael or Cummings pulled into the squad than Harley covering the second row. He isn't an international standard 2nd row and never will be.
Don't mind the rest of the 23, except if Turner and Rae were getting a start/significant game time this tour then the Italy game was probably the best option.

He isn't international standard at flanker either.

Agreed.

Long shot but does anyone know anywhere in the Algarve that would likely show rugby on June 17th? Even if they are I imagine they'll be showing the Lions anyway... If the game is on sky sports any idea how that might translate to portuguese domestic/cable TV? It's no bother as I have free roaming but I'd rather watch it on the big screen than on my phone/tablet....

Cheers.

On the continent Irish pubs are usually a good bet for rugby.

Edit: for instance www.theblackstove.ie/sport/sports-at-the-black-stove

Lizard wrote:On the continent Irish pubs are usually a good bet for rugby.

Edit: for instance http://www.theblackstove.ie/sport/sport ... lack-stove

Aye but it'll be at like 7AM local time... and I think it conflicts with the Lions game. I'll have to message a few and ask.

If there'll be a few of you, you might convince the publican to open early if you can give him a bit of notice.

Carmichael called up to train with the squad.

That makes sense. Any chat on whether he is staying down there for a while

Right, who's watching the big game? Nice stadium - looks very sparsely populated.

Bit of a wasted attacking opportunity with that kick. But we look a class above italy in the first 2 mins.

Toolis being mentioned every 20 secs... right in the thick of it.

Russell! If there's ever a time for a silly kick it's when you've got adv 5m out... instead the ball goes nowhere.