RugbyRebels

On the whole really happy with that 15, especially the pack. It still feels surreal to me that we have so many options at centre (even with the injury list).

Surprised Bennett has gone all together. Must be injured, I would guess, but Taylor and Dunbar provide a lot of beet and power in the centres. Really hope Strauss makes a mark. Always had the feeling he could be our best nr. 8 but hasn't quite managed to prove it.

Denton is the only injury. I was hoping he was dropped on form. I really don't want to see us selecting him until he consistently shows the form he displayed against Aus.

Happy with the team though i would have stuck with Bennet. I suppose one theory is that our back three look so dangerous once we get going forward so a bit more beef in the centre could help (or the two picked might just be playing better)

Cameo wrote:Happy with the team though i would have stuck with Bennet. I suppose one theory is that our back three look so dangerous once we get going forward so a bit more beef in the centre could help (or the two picked might just be playing better)

Dunbar hasn't really had much of a chance to show he's on form.

First 15 look good even if I personally wouldn't have binned Bennett.

The backs selection on the bench is a bit of a shambles IMO as it was v Italy.
SH-C way off form.
Horne was poor in his cameo v Italy.
Bennett offers more, even on the wing than Lamont does.

Swinson isn't up to it and Rambo is very lucky to keep his place.

France:
Spedding - Fofana, Fickou, Mermoz, Vakatawa -Trinh-Duc - Machenaud - Y. Camara, Chouly, Lauret - Maestri, Flanquart - Slimani, Guirado (capt.), Poirot.
Replacments : Chat, Atonio, Pelo, Vahaamahina, Goujon, Bézy, Plisson, Médard.

Looks...

Croft_No.5 wrote:Looks...

better than last time

That team on paper looks the best in the 6N I reckon

Cameo wrote:That team on paper looks the best in the 6N I reckon

Our team or the French?

Must be difficult to be the French coach and have so many options to choose from.

Trinh Duh will make them a better side and that front row is potentially monstrous. I'm really interested to see what Camara does from the base of the scrum.

On the other hand I still don't understand why Spedding has so many caps and picking Fofana on the wing is unexpected but a plus I think.

Barclay needs to have a good game to get to Machenaud I reckon, if they disrupt him then we have a chance. I still don't get why Bezy is in the side ahead of Tillous Borde or Para.

I really didn't expect that team. It's certainly odd for the starting side to change so much and the bench to not change. I really like Horne and Lamont but I'm just not sure they fit there, though they theoretically cover all positions.

Is Dunbar in just to defend and bash it up?

Mikey Brown wrote:
Is Dunbar in just to defend and bash it up?

Why would you say that? He's possibly the quickest player in the squad, is intelligent and has a half decent step too.

I like our team, v pleased with it. I also like the midfield, plenty of physicality as well as intelligence and line breaking ability.

I do agree with others in that I'd have had Bennett on the bench in case we're chasing the game and need someone who can give us a bit of magic.

Our depth at centre is unbelievable really.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:

Cameo wrote:That team on paper looks the best in the 6N I reckon

Our team or the French?

the french

OptimisticJock wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:
Is Dunbar in just to defend and bash it up?

Why would you say that? He's possibly the quickest player in the squad, is intelligent and has a half decent step too.

Maybe I worded that badly. I absolutely rate Dunbar, it just seems bold when he's been so up and down with injuries, I felt maybe it's a reaction to the physicality we fear we may be facing to rush him in so fast?

I wasn't saying that that's all he's good for.

Bit of a weird statement to make... that he is possibly one of the quickest in the squad. No chance. Hogg and Visser would leave him eating dust. He's certainly not slow though.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Bit of a weird statement to make... that he is possibly one of the quickest in the squad. No chance. Hogg and Visser would leave him eating dust. He's certainly not slow though.

I wouldnt have said he was but i remember when he scored those tries v italy a couple of years back im sure he clocked the top speed recorded of a scotland player

He was the quickest recorded Scottish player, whilst scoring v Italy (iirc). Now I'm not sure if that's during a match or overall but either way it makes a case for an argument that he is possibly one of the quickest in the squad. So I wouldn't say it's a weird statement.

OptimisticJock wrote:He was the quickest recorded Scottish player, whilst scoring v Italy (iirc). Now I'm not sure if that's during a match or overall but either way it makes a case for an argument that he is possibly one of the quickest in the squad. So I wouldn't say it's a weird statement.

He was clocked at 33.8 km/h.

Aye, I remember either reading an article with that in it, or Inverdale was shitting on about it before one of our games. One of the two, but yeah, the lads are right. It's a weird one though, not saying it's not true, just suprising.

Fair enough, didn't know that. I'll be surprised if he ever hits those peak speeds again after all his injuries though. Just being realistic.

I am really uneasy about Dunbar being drafted straight back in. My gut feeling is I hope he gets through this game unscathed rather than I can't wait to see what he can do... I think he should be with Glasgow having his minutes managed.

Think that's a well balanced team we're fielding. Can we finally beat a higher ranked team?

Btw...I'm going to the game....

ARM wrote:Think that's a well balanced team we're fielding. Can we finally beat a higher ranked team?

Btw...I'm going to the game....

Are you sure you want to do that? What can we say to convince you otherwise? I'm sure we can find a nice sofa to hide behind with a ready supply of beer (any volunteers in Edinburgh for the greater good)?