RugbyRebels

Russell was brilliant, Graham too. White was promising I thought, had a good sense of when quick ball was needed, but his ponderous box kick was one of the moments that really stick - but that game had a lot..

I'd be really interested to hear what English folk thought about O' Keefe; he's exactly the sort of ref I've always found really irritating: little empathy for players (Gilchrist obstructing, Graham touching the ground). But it was good to see him not guessing about that final scrum (and I imagine he didn't have his ARs piping up then either).

no sleep wrote:Russell was brilliant, Graham too. White was promising I thought, had a good sense of when quick ball was needed, but his ponderous box kick was one of the moments that really stick - but that game had a lot..

I'd be really interested to hear what English folk thought about O' Keefe; he's exactly the sort of ref I've always found really irritating: little empathy for players (Gilchrist obstructing, Graham touching the ground). But it was good to see him not guessing about that final scrum (and I imagine he didn't have his ARs piping up then either).

I thought the ref was poor. You can't be pedantic and then not pick up squint line out throws.

Big D wrote:

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Team for Wales?

Same but Bradbury for Ritchie and Darge to bench?

I'd be tempted to bring Redpath in but maybe makes sense to let him have a game or two more to get to full sharpness and then he can come in if necessary after the break week.

Cameo wrote:Team for Wales?

Same but Bradbury for Ritchie and Darge to bench?

I'd be tempted to bring Redpath in but maybe makes sense to let him have a game or two more to get to full sharpness and then he can come in if necessary after the break week.

Yeah - basically what I reckon as well. Possibly Schoeman starts, but he made a good impact when he came on and Sutherland should be a bit more up to speed with another game under his belt.

Cameo wrote:Team for Wales?

Same but Bradbury for Ritchie and Darge to bench?

I'd be tempted to bring Redpath in but maybe makes sense to let him have a game or two more to get to full sharpness and then he can come in if necessary after the break week.

Agree with that. No point having Tripolitania on the bench for one cameo and then ditching him without having more of a look, but I’d hope Redpath will be pushing for that starting spot after the break too.

I’m keen to see if Bradbury and Fagerson can work well alongside eachother, and Bradbury is a good lineout option. I hope we’re in a position where Darge is trusted to get on the pitch.

Keep Schoeman as an impact sub, but he’s certainly pushing. I really liked having that whole Burgh front row available from the bench, though realistically how many appearances (even for 20-30) does Nel have left in him?

Supposedly haloola is back and adams to the wing , still means we atta k the young lad at 13 but I think for me Redpath would do better against him than Johnson

Hallelujah.

General Zod wrote:

Cameo wrote:Team for Wales?

Same but Bradbury for Ritchie and Darge to bench?

I'd be tempted to bring Redpath in but maybe makes sense to let him have a game or two more to get to full sharpness and then he can come in if necessary after the break week.

Yeah - basically what I reckon as well. Possibly Schoeman starts, but he made a good impact when he came on and Sutherland should be a bit more up to speed with another game under his belt.

I think Bradbury to 6 and Darge to bench makes sense. I've seen some calls for Cummings to come in but thought GG and then Skinner more than played their part.

I think we keep the front row as they are. If Sutherland isn't fully up to speed it is better him emptying the tank. Keeping the all Edinburgh front row on bench isn't a bad idea. It is noticeable from the overhead shots how tight they are as a 3 compared to the English lads at 3 different angles.

Our centres touched the ball 7 times between the 3 of them on Saturday (according to ESPN, pending any update). Would be good to use them more.

Is Christie the closest like for like replacement for Ritchie? Could be a curve ball.

Big D wrote:

General Zod wrote:

Cameo wrote:Team for Wales?

Same but Bradbury for Ritchie and Darge to bench?

I'd be tempted to bring Redpath in but maybe makes sense to let him have a game or two more to get to full sharpness and then he can come in if necessary after the break week.

Yeah - basically what I reckon as well. Possibly Schoeman starts, but he made a good impact when he came on and Sutherland should be a bit more up to speed with another game under his belt.

I think Bradbury to 6 and Darge to bench makes sense. I've seen some calls for Cummings to come in but thought GG and then Skinner more than played their part.

I think we keep the front row as they are. If Sutherland isn't fully up to speed it is better him emptying the tank. Keeping the all Edinburgh front row on bench isn't a bad idea. It is noticeable from the overhead shots how tight they are as a 3 compared to the English lads at 3 different angles.

Our centres touched the ball 7 times between the 3 of them on Saturday (according to ESPN, pending any update). Would be good to use them more.

I'm amazed it's that many. Nearly finished watching the game back now and I'm sure I haven't seen Harris touch the ball in attack.

Is Cummings playing well? I thought he had cemented his spot in the side but it does feel like Gilchrist is an important presence as a pack/lineout leader. Most of our recent good wins he has been in the side, even though I think he's a bit pedestrian around the field and a penalty risk. Letting Itoje get past him for that late charge-down was unbelievably poor, even though he was offside in the end. Just stood there with his arms out like his brain had completely switched off. He looked absolutely knackered by the end, not sure he should be doing 80?

I suppose Skinner to 6 and Cummings in is a good option too, but I'd really like to see if Bradbury can take his chance and take a bit of the carrying pressure off Fagerson.

Nice support line from White for the try, but he does not get the ball away very cleanly.

Cherry called up, presume brown is getting treated as a 7

Still think Darge gets on before him

whatisthejava wrote:Cherry called up, presume brown is getting treated as a 7

Still think Darge gets on before him

Was Brown called up to the squad?

Big D wrote:

whatisthejava wrote:Cherry called up, presume brown is getting treated as a 7

Still think Darge gets on before him

Was Brown called up to the squad?

believe he was with them as 3rd hooker. Can't see him being considered as a 7. Two reasons. If we are worried about a lineo out jumper, then its not Fraser Brown. Second if we want another 7 then the best 7 available bar none is Darge

septic 9 wrote:

Big D wrote:

whatisthejava wrote:Cherry called up, presume brown is getting treated as a 7

Still think Darge gets on before him

Was Brown called up to the squad?

believe he was with them as 3rd hooker. Can't see him being considered as a 7. Two reasons. If we are worried about a lineo out jumper, then its not Fraser Brown. Second if we want another 7 then the best 7 available bar none is Darge

No, Ashman was the third hooker (unless I missed something). Absolutely no need to treat Brown as a back row. He does a good job there but we aren't constrained like in a world cup and we have plenty of specialists.

Presume one of the hookers has a niggle.

Cameo wrote:

septic 9 wrote:

Big D wrote:
Was Brown called up to the squad?

believe he was with them as 3rd hooker. Can't see him being considered as a 7. Two reasons. If we are worried about a lineo out jumper, then its not Fraser Brown. Second if we want another 7 then the best 7 available bar none is Darge

No, Ashman was the third hooker (unless I missed something). Absolutely no need to treat Brown as a back row. He does a good job there but we aren't constrained like in a world cup and we have plenty of specialists.

Presume one of the hookers has a niggle.

you may have missed Ashman starting for Sale yesterday. Wouldn't have happened if he had been with Scotland until and on Saturday. He went off at about 35 mins with a rib injury, incurred while scoring a try

Has Brown been called up then (i.e. sometime before the weekend) or was Ashman just released to Sale as not in squad for the game?

septic 9 wrote:

Big D wrote:

whatisthejava wrote:Cherry called up, presume brown is getting treated as a 7

Still think Darge gets on before him

Was Brown called up to the squad?

believe he was with them as 3rd hooker. Can't see him being considered as a 7. Two reasons. If we are worried about a lineo out jumper, then its not Fraser Brown. Second if we want another 7 then the best 7 available bar none is Darge

I thought Ashman was third hooker. He went off yesterday so assumed Cherry was covering him. He could have travelled down on Saturday night (unlikely) or Cherry been the third hooker on call in emergency. Brown hasn't, at least publicly, been called up.

I think Brown is done at international level barring injuries.

I do wonder whether Bradbury will step in or whether they will give Christie a whirl there. I think it would be Bradbury but GT loves a curve ball.

The Offside Line, who are sometimes wrong to be fair noting Cherry is one of four hookers in camp with the original 3. Must be to cover Ashmans injury.

septic 9 wrote:

Cameo wrote:

septic 9 wrote:
believe he was with them as 3rd hooker. Can't see him being considered as a 7. Two reasons. If we are worried about a lineo out jumper, then its not Fraser Brown. Second if we want another 7 then the best 7 available bar none is Darge

No, Ashman was the third hooker (unless I missed something). Absolutely no need to treat Brown as a back row. He does a good job there but we aren't constrained like in a world cup and we have plenty of specialists.

Presume one of the hookers has a niggle.

you may have missed Ashman starting for Sale yesterday. Wouldn't have happened if he had been with Scotland until and on Saturday. He went off at about 35 mins with a rib injury, incurred while scoring a try

Just seen the try. Sharp bit of work to be alert and cut back against the drift if the defense.

Big D wrote:
I think Brown is done at international level barring injuries.

He's only a year older than Cherry. Bit early to write him off I'd say. People were saying McInally was done a couple of months ago.

Wouldn't be surprised with any of Darge, Bradbury, Christie or Haining for Ritchie. I'd prefer not Haining but can see a possible argument for any of the others (though never knowingly actually seen Christie play!!).

Cameo wrote:

Big D wrote:
I think Brown is done at international level barring injuries.

He's only a year older than Cherry. Bit early to write him off I'd say. People were saying McInally was done a couple of months ago.

I'm still not sure Rambo > Cherry at this point.

Brown is a much older professional than Cherry and had a large number of injuries compared to him.

At 33 in June and his injury history, I think he is relying on one of the first 4 being unavailable now to get in the squad.

No slight on him intended, just that I think he's at that point in his career.

This seems as suitable a place as any to leave this.

Scotland are apparently rumoured to be playing Chile during their summer tour before the Chile WC qualifiers.