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

[Matt Ha]

My grandfather was once booted out of car he was being given a lift in because his travelling companion was a Campbell. Kind of ironic given that my grandfather was a Macdonald. But the driver said: "I never have anything to do with Campbells."

[General Zod]

Haha - that's fantastic.

And thoroughly justified.

[Chunks Baws]

Might be a bit premature but Laidlaw is close to signing for Clermont. Toulon also want him. One thing holding the deal up is Clermont insisting he retires from international rugby.

[Big D]

Might be a bit premature but Laidlaw is close to signing for Clermont. Toulon also want him. One thing holding the deal up is Clermont insisting he retires from international rugby.

He was out there last year wasn't he for a look? He might do it, he's 30/31 and this is his last chance to make big money.

[Chunks Baws]

Might be a bit premature but Laidlaw is close to signing for Clermont. Toulon also want him. One thing holding the deal up is Clermont insisting he retires from international rugby.

He was out there last year wasn't he for a look? He might do it, he's 30/31 and this is his last chance to make big money.

Yeah the Clermont link has been kicking around for a while. Think it also led to some rumours that Vern was going back there and taking his favourite Scottish son with him. You could be right, he's very unlikely to make the next WC so this coming 6N could be the last we see of Greeg. I've slated him in the past but now it's potentially a reality I don't actually know how I feel about this. Pyrgos is the likely replacement but he's hardly set the heather on fire in a Scotland jersey. SHC is utterly pish just now and no one else has really put their hand up.

[Mikey Brown]

Might be a bit premature but Laidlaw is close to signing for Clermont. Toulon also want him. One thing holding the deal up is Clermont insisting he retires from international rugby.

He was out there last year wasn't he for a look? He might do it, he's 30/31 and this is his last chance to make big money.

Yeah the Clermont link has been kicking around for a while. Think it also led to some rumours that Vern was going back there and taking his favourite Scottish son with him. You could be right, he's very unlikely to make the next WC so this coming 6N could be the last we see of Greeg. I've slated him in the past but now it's potentially a reality I don't actually know how I feel about this. Pyrgos is the likely replacement but he's hardly set the heather on fire in a Scotland jersey. SHC is utterly pish just now and no one else has really put their hand up.

I know what you mean, but at the same time I feel any of Pyrgos, SHC, Price could develop a whole lot more than he has given half the trust and game-time.

I don't enjoy slagging him off. He clearly adds a lot of things to our group- we don't have enough players with his forthright attitude- but in some of the core aspects (of a 9) he has just stifled the team too much/often.

He would have been a great fit 10 years ago when we our only vague ability was playing round the corner and ignoring our backs, but we actually have some talent out wide now. We need to use it. None of the options are near perfect but I can see them improving the team.

[Adder]

Same information on french websites. published in the "midi olympique"

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[Chunks Baws]

Same information on french websites. published in the "midi olympique"

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

Aye, that's where I saw it too. Well, saw some cultured fuds translation on twitter.

[Big D]

Hutchinson scored for saints tonight. Started at 12.

[Tobylerone]

Hutchinson scored for saints tonight. Started at 12.

Always thought he looked good at 10 also.. Huge boot as well..

[Adder]

Watched laidlaw against Bath. Feeling a lot better about his probable retirement.

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[Adder]

Laidlaw confirmed with ASM Clermont for the next 3 seasons. He has not (yet) announced his International retirement.

[ARM]

Good for Laidlaw.

At 31, that's a pretty decent place to play out his career and make some real dough.

Always thought that his style would fit in well with the French game and the "little general" playmakers they go for at 9.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hopefully he retires from international rugby.

[Cameo]

Hope he doesn't. The more players we have available to us the better and we are hardly blessed with 9s at the moment. Not that I'd always pick him

[Big D]

If he isn't going to make it to the next WC, then I think this is as good a season as any to hang them up for Scotland.

[Mikey Brown]

Hope he doesn't. The more players we have available to us the better and we are hardly blessed with 9s at the moment. Not that I'd always pick him

That's good in theory, things may change I suppose. I guess under Cotter it was a dead cert he played, given fitness of any kind.

I can't recall him ever being injured, come to think of it. He seems incredibly resilient

[switchskier]

If he isn't going to make it to the next WC, then I think this is as good a season as any to hang them up for Scotland.

Couldn't disagree more. The chances of winning a World Cup in the immediate future are slim. There's another three 6N before then and it's not impossible to win one with the right team, right coaches and of course circumstances. Whether Laidlaw is a part of that team is another matter.

[switchskier]

Hopefully he retires from international rugby.

Because we're overflowing with players wanted by the top European sides and have international scrum halves to spare?

[Big D]

If he isn't going to make it to the next WC, then I think this is as good a season as any to hang them up for Scotland.

Couldn't disagree more. The chances of winning a World Cup in the immediate future are slim. There's another three 6N before then and it's not impossible to win one with the right team, right coaches and of course circumstances. Whether Laidlaw is a part of that team is another matter.

It's as good a point to hang them up for two reasons. The player can maximise his earnings at a stage in his career where he'll be 32 shortly after the 17/18 season starts. And by retiring he does so on his terms rather than hanging on travelling to international camps to sit on bench or not get picked.

Although he has appeared undropable no matter how he plays.

[switchskier]

If he isn't going to make it to the next WC, then I think this is as good a season as any to hang them up for Scotland.

Couldn't disagree more. The chances of winning a World Cup in the immediate future are slim. There's another three 6N before then and it's not impossible to win one with the right team, right coaches and of course circumstances. Whether Laidlaw is a part of that team is another matter.

It's as good a point to hang them up for two reasons. The player can maximise his earnings at a stage in his career where he'll be 32 shortly after the 17/18 season starts. And by retiring he does so on his terms rather than hanging on travelling to international camps to sit on bench or not get picked.

Although he has appeared undropable no matter how he plays.

Oh from the players point of view I get it, I thought that you were saying that Scotland should be ditching players because they might not make the next RWC.

Either way I can't see Laidlaw announcing international retirement until the end of the 6N at the earliest. He's still playing for Gloucester this season after all.

[AL.]

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/bonus-p ... arlequins/

Two-fer McVisser.

[switchskier]

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/bonus-p ... arlequins/

Two-fer McVisser.

Gave a nice pass last weekend to put his outside man in for the try too. Should be standard stuff at this level but sadly not something I take for granted watching Scottish players.

Morrison in the Scotsman suggesting that we're looking at Bassett at Wasps for the national side. He'd probably be a decent addition to the squad but seems about the same level as Hoyland to me on limited viewing. Not sure he'd be a big improvement.

[Matt Ha]

Excellent finish by Maitland for Sarries first try.

[Mikey Brown]

Scott scores yet again.