Autumn Squad

[Mikey Brown]

Lol. Must have only watched him for Scotland because my opinion is different to yours? I'm not saying he's Andy Henderson, but he just isn't that quick off the mark for an international centre is all. Perhaps I should have said acceleration rather than top level pace.

He is nowhere near Jones from a standing start, and if you look at his highlights reel there's a moment he's in a footrace with Russell and he quickly falls behind over quite short distance, even with Russell carrying the ball.

Even the Twickenham wonder try he looks like he's running in treacle when he breaks the line. He just does a fantastic job of steering the England defenders into eachother's way and then the rest fall off him, because he's a very smart player and his contact skills are great.

One thing he does do incredibly well is time his run so he can be at full pace when he takes a short ball off 10, but in terms of having someone in midfield who can quickly close the gap to hold a rushing defence Weir/Johnson/Harris leaves us a bit short. That's all I was saying.

[whatisthejava]

France awarded 28-0 to Fiji who are getting blamed for getting covid

Not quite sure how that makes sense but there you go

Think a 0-0 draw would be fair considering Covid

[Big D]

France awarded 28-0 to Fiji who are getting blamed for getting covid

Not quite sure how that makes sense but there you go

Think a 0-0 draw would be fair considering Covid

I don't, it is in the rules of the tournament. The game can't be replayed and it was a fairly significant outbreak which suggests an issue with protocols (unless proven otherwise).

[septic 9]

France awarded 28-0 to Fiji who are getting blamed for getting covid

Not quite sure how that makes sense but there you go

Think a 0-0 draw would be fair considering Covid

I don't, it is in the rules of the tournament. The game can't be replayed and it was a fairly significant outbreak which suggests an issue with protocols (unless proven otherwise).

yep. In the rules. As it was in the English premiership to end last season. And frankly should be again in that and in pro14. There are going to be too many games cancelled, should bite the bullet now rather than have a silly retrospective later, and it would serve as a proper incentive to teams to get their covid bubble right.

[Cameo]

Yeah, the unfairness is one of the many reasons it would be ridiculous to play a world cup or something now but for the nation's cup (and leagues), I'm happy enough for them to just have a rule and stick to it. It's going to be a bit unfair but SO's any result without playing a match there's no time to play more matches.

Edit: not sure I agree that it is Fiji's fault unless proven otherwise though unless there are proven breaches that I've not read about (which is quite possible). The protocols reduce risk but don't eliminate it

[Big D]

Edit: not sure I agree that it is Fiji's fault unless proven otherwise though unless there are proven breaches that I've not read about (which is quite possible). The protocols reduce risk but don't eliminate it

No professional team, bar maybe Sale who had a false negative have had 29 cases. Maybe Fiji have been unlucky but in the absence of evidence of a false negative or similar causing a spread then I think they have to hold the blame. I would hope they have proven these aren't false positives.

Now, there are arguments to say they are the poorest union and maybe can't afford the same protocols but that should have been brought up before 29 failures.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

France awarded 28-0 to Fiji who are getting blamed for getting covid

Not quite sure how that makes sense but there you go

Think a 0-0 draw would be fair considering Covid

I don't, it is in the rules of the tournament. The game can't be replayed and it was a fairly significant outbreak which suggests an issue with protocols (unless proven otherwise).

Agree with this. Slight tangent - Aberdeen should never have been allowed to reschedule their footy game earlier this season when the outbreak was a result of their own breach. 3 points to opponents and move on. It's the only way some of these idiots will learn bar a death.

[Cameo]

Edit: not sure I agree that it is Fiji's fault unless proven otherwise though unless there are proven breaches that I've not read about (which is quite possible). The protocols reduce risk but don't eliminate it

No professional team, bar maybe Sale who had a false negative have had 29 cases. Maybe Fiji have been unlucky but in the absence of evidence of a false negative or similar causing a spread then I think they have to hold the blame. I would hope they have proven these aren't false positives.

Now, there are arguments to say they are the poorest union and maybe can't afford the same protocols but that should have been brought up before 29 failures.

29 positives seems remarkable but unless anyone has shown a breach of protocols I don't think you can just assume one. They are all living and training together in a bubble. A couple of superspreaders (who could have got it innocently in a number of ways) attending training etc before they tested positive could lead to a big spread with no breach.

Anyway, I think we agree on the outcome which, in practical terms, means Fiji are out of the tournament. It's a pity because their game against Italy in particular would have been big for them.

[Big D]

It also hurts Georgia as it is likely to rob them of a game too. Which is a shame.

[francoisfou]

According to Midi Olympique, this is the likely starting XV to play at Murrayfield on Sunday:

L'équipe probable : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros

I know we lost the last time we went to Edinburgh but I reckon we'll have you this time!

[septic 9]

According to Midi Olympique, this is the likely starting XV to play at Murrayfield on Sunday:

L'équipe probable : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros

I know we lost the last time we went to Edinburgh but I reckon we'll have you this time!

on verra!

C'est un equipe fort, maid votre aileurs n'aime pas le tacle. Et vient le géant, Duhan

Bon match.

[francoisfou]

According to Midi Olympique, this is the likely starting XV to play at Murrayfield on Sunday:

L'équipe probable : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros

I know we lost the last time we went to Edinburgh but I reckon we'll have you this time!

on verra!

C'est un equipe fort, maid votre aileurs n'aime pas le tacle. Et vient le géant, Duhan

Bon match.

Merci, septic neuf!!

[whatisthejava]

That France looks a good team but intemak??? is a loss

France by 7 but it could be Scotland by 7 if Scotland keep it close and then wait for some of these French guys to start getting tired

[francoisfou]

That France looks a good team but intemak??? is a loss

France by 7 but it could be Scotland by 7 if Scotland keep it close and then wait for some of these French guys to start getting tired

Ntamack is "injured", allegedly, but as each squad player is limited to three matches during these Autumn Tests he may be being rested, but there are two backup fly halves, Mathieu Jalibert (Bordeaux) and Louis Carbonel (Toulon) who are both fine players and we're likely to see them both on Sunday.

I don't believe that the story that the French players tire is valid and I stand by my forecast that we'll win, maybe not by many, but we'll win!

[Big D]

According to Midi Olympique, this is the likely starting XV to play at Murrayfield on Sunday:

L'équipe probable : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros

I know we lost the last time we went to Edinburgh but I reckon we'll have you this time!

To steal someone's thunder:

Semble faible!*

*not my opinion. For me France to beat the current handicap (-6). I think our current game plan suits an Edwards led defence.

[francoisfou]

And here is the squad for Murrayfield:

Le XV de départ : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros.

Les remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Baille, 18. Haouas, 19. Willemse, 20. Woki, 21. Couilloud, 22. Carbonel 23. Vincent.

Camille Chat will be fired up being in the starting XV and will terrorise you for 60 minutes before being replaced by an equally fired up Julien Marchand who'll be pissed off not to be in the starting XV!
The forecast looks good for Sunday and bodes well!

[ARM]

And here is the squad for Murrayfield:

Le XV de départ : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros.

Les remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Baille, 18. Haouas, 19. Willemse, 20. Woki, 21. Couilloud, 22. Carbonel 23. Vincent.

Camille Chat will be fired up being in the starting XV and will terrorise you for 60 minutes before being replaced by an equally fired up Julien Marchand who'll be pissed off not to be in the starting XV!
The forecast looks good for Sunday and bodes well!

Looks weak

EDIT: big d beat me to it.

[septic 9]

And here is the squad for Murrayfield:

Le XV de départ : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros.

Les remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Baille, 18. Haouas, 19. Willemse, 20. Woki, 21. Couilloud, 22. Carbonel 23. Vincent.

Camille Chat will be fired up being in the starting XV and will terrorise you for 60 minutes before being replaced by an equally fired up Julien Marchand who'll be pissed off not to be in the starting XV!
The forecast looks good for Sunday and bodes well!

Marchand is a good player but for a couple of years I've never understood Chat not starting. He is a beast. Rotation apart I think he is in to shore up your two props. Not seen much of Gros that said he was a great prop in any department, and I think Bamba has struggled in scrums in big boy rugby (he was epic in the U20s) - off the bench rather than starting still seems his best option.

the 2 young 10s are exciting players if you get plenty of good ball, Jalibert can certainly be pressed into errors. Also looking forward, or rather I'm not, to seeing Woki get on. Just wish we had Crosbie in so they could face each other

[Croft_No.5]

SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE AT BT MURRAYFIELD STADIUM
Sunday 22 November (kick-off 3.15pm) – live on Amazon Prime Video

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 78 caps

14. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 24 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 21 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 3 caps

10. Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 29 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps

1. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
2. Fraser Brown VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 52 caps
3. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 27 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 59 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie VICE CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 21 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 35 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps

Substitutes:
16. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
19. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 8 caps
20. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 7 caps
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Exeter Chiefs) – 13 caps
22. Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 26 caps
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps

[francoisfou]

And here is the squad for Murrayfield:

Le XV de départ : 15. Ramos ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou, 11. Rattez ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cretin ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Le Roux ; 3. Bamba, 2. Chat, 1. Gros.

Les remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Baille, 18. Haouas, 19. Willemse, 20. Woki, 21. Couilloud, 22. Carbonel 23. Vincent.

Camille Chat will be fired up being in the starting XV and will terrorise you for 60 minutes before being replaced by an equally fired up Julien Marchand who'll be pissed off not to be in the starting XV!
The forecast looks good for Sunday and bodes well!

Marchand is a good player but for a couple of years I've never understood Chat not starting. He is a beast. Rotation apart I think he is in to shore up your two props. Not seen much of Gros that said he was a great prop in any department, and I think Bamba has struggled in scrums in big boy rugby (he was epic in the U20s) - off the bench rather than starting still seems his best option.

the 2 young 10s are exciting players if you get plenty of good ball, Jalibert can certainly be pressed into errors. Also looking forward, or rather I'm not, to seeing Woki get on. Just wish we had Crosbie in so they could face each other

True, Chat is a destructive beast, but Marchand is quick and is very good with ball in hand.
Cameron Woki (Scottish blood? - have ye missed out there?!) is an exciting prospect and I too, am looking forward to him getting onto the pitch.
Dylan Cretin (wonder if his parents realised that they'd dropped an enormous bollock at his christening?) is another excellent prospect.
And yes, Bamba could get found out at this level, but scrum coach William Servat is no mug and must feel that his boy is up to the test.

[af73]

Curious to learn on what form Taylor's selection is based. His most recent games in a Scottish jersey or the numerous scintillating displays he's produced since then?

With the Fiji game cancelled we have missed an opportunity to see if Jones really has recovered his form. The now seemingly undroppablr Harris will surely be in place for the six nations. If only his handling was as equally undroppable.

[francoisfou]

Jean-Baptiste Gros is another young prop. He's only 21 and Bamba 22, and were both U20 stars. This'll be a good test for them both but there are older heads on the bench to come on if they do struggle.

[ARM]

Kinghorn, Berghan and Taylor are odd picks.

[General Zod]

I’m happy with that. Surprised to see Berghan in, given Fagerson Z’s scintillating try-scoring form, but glad to see Fagerson M get a shot against these monstres véritables. If he can do it against them, he can bring it to the Boks and the English.

Taylor’s return! Am keen to see how he goes. I can’t remember if he’s stayed with saracens, but if they do get a season at Championship level, it will hopefully be easier on his body.

As mentioned above, I reckon we have to start well and pick up the pace from there. A couple of wee tap and go moves as well. I like those, particularly if we stay sharp enough to retain possession in a more broken field.

[Big D]

Curious to learn on what form Taylor's selection is based. His most recent games in a Scottish jersey or the numerous scintillating displays he's produced since then?

With the Fiji game cancelled we have missed an opportunity to see if Jones really has recovered his form. The now seemingly undroppablr Harris will surely be in place for the six nations. If only his handling was as equally undroppable.

His solid end of season displays for Saracens since they started back and being able to cover both centres probably.

Kinghorn, Berghan and Taylor are odd picks.

Graham is injured and Maitland partially on the naughty step.

Berghan presumably is just rotation.

Taylor, there is no one left really. Lang hasn't done much and no coach sees Jones as a 13 anymore by the looks of it.