6N squad - starting team

[switchskier]

After expecting Toonie tombola madness I find this disconcertingly predictable. It feels like he thinks that Skinner is the fourth best backrow, so with Ritchie injured he starts. With Gray injured Skinner is needed further forward so the next backrow in line starts, the one on the bench.

I do hope that Darhe can provide the niggle and disruption that Ritchie does so well. Felt we really missed it against Wales.

[Mikey Brown]

Doesn’t Gilchrist pack down on the tightwad side? I feel like he does even when paired with Gray. Who does for Edinburgh?

[septic 9]

Doesn’t Gilchrist pack down on the tightwad side? I feel like he does even when paired with Gray. Who does for Edinburgh?

even with Edinburgh Toolis packed down at TH. Gilchrist has done, and managed it, but can't remember who against.
Always strikes me as an odd one as he looks more like a traditional TH lock than what used to be the lighter, springier more free running LH lock, the lock who might move to 6.

[Spiffy]

Playing two smallish openside flankers against the massive French pack is a bit of a risk. Both Watson and Darge punch above their weight but maybe this is asking a bit too much. Scotland have to keep this game as open and loose as possible and avoid an arm wrestle up front.

[General Zod]

Playing two smallish openside flankers against the massive French pack is a bit of a risk. Both Watson and Darge punch above their weight but maybe this is asking a bit too much. Scotland have to keep this game as open and loose as possible and avoid an arm wrestle up front.

Aye - with us going 5/3 on bench and them 6/2, we could see some backs in the forwards if it all goes to schit.

Am looking forward to this. When we played Australia in the autumn the two teams kind of cancelled each other out. The England match was the usual attritional affair. In this one, we’ve got a “styles make fights” type contest, so hopefully it will be entertaining and in the balance for a while.

I’m trying to forget the South Africa match.

[septic 9]

Watson out, covid.
Haining starts, Christie on the pine

[Donny osmond]

Sorry to be that guy, but we are so massively fucked.


I will apologize post game if needs be

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[Mikey Brown]

Haining must be due an impactful game soon, right? In theory he could be a good fit for this game, but now I’ve expressed that opinion I’m even more sure he’ll once again look like a prop in the backrow, consistently 3 seconds behind the play.

I like the idea of Christie but no idea if he has it (yet) at this level.

I was really hoping 2 opensides might help add some dynamism in attack with a very stodgy midfield.

[switchskier]

That's a huge change to the mix of the backrow and style. Can't believe that they've been training to have Haining for the last couple of weeks.

When did Haining even last play?

So yup, we're fucked.

[Mikey Brown]

What’s the alternative? Debuts for Christie, McDonald or (pretty much) Hodgson with Skinner moving back?

[septic 9]

ach lets look at this way lads. We have a better balance to the back row, and Darge is already a better 7 than Watson

[Big D]

What’s the alternative? Debuts for Christie, McDonald or (pretty much) Hodgson with Skinner moving back?

Christie or Bayliss.

[septic 9]

I've praised him to the hilt, but at thus level Darge is still an absolute novice. So is Bayliss, Christie even more of one. Starting 2 novices at 6 and 7 against this French back row, this French team would have been, in Sir Humphrey's words, a courageous decision.

So its Haining

[Big D]

I've praised him to the hilt, but at thus level Darge is still an absolute novice. So is Bayliss, Christie even more of one. Starting 2 novices at 6 and 7 against this French back row, this French team would have been, in Sir Humphrey's words, a courageous decision.

So its Haining

Haining has played 4 games since the start of December and only has 10 caps himself. He isn't a low risk pick either.

[septic 9]

I've praised him to the hilt, but at thus level Darge is still an absolute novice. So is Bayliss, Christie even more of one. Starting 2 novices at 6 and 7 against this French back row, this French team would have been, in Sir Humphrey's words, a courageous decision.

So its Haining

Haining has played 4 games since the start of December and only has 10 caps himself. He isn't a low risk pick either.

no, but he isn't a novice, he is vastly more experienced at every level. The other two are absolute novices at test level, Bayliss has played a lot of Prem rugby but just back from injury, Christie has just a handful of starts this season - and good player as I hope he turns out, he isn't going to be a Darge. One novice in the back row is sensible. Two asking for trouble big time, unless we can find another Darge level player

[Big D]

I've praised him to the hilt, but at thus level Darge is still an absolute novice. So is Bayliss, Christie even more of one. Starting 2 novices at 6 and 7 against this French back row, this French team would have been, in Sir Humphrey's words, a courageous decision.

So its Haining

Haining has played 4 games since the start of December and only has 10 caps himself. He isn't a low risk pick either.

no, but he isn't a novice, he is vastly more experienced at every level. The other two are absolute novices at test level, Bayliss has played a lot of Prem rugby but just back from injury, Christie has just a handful of starts this season - and good player as I hope he turns out, he isn't going to be a Darge. One novice in the back row is sensible. Two asking for trouble big time, unless we can find another Darge level player

Ultimately I didn't think it will make a difference, but preparing all week to have a real go at the breakdown (assuming that's why we went with two 7s) then sticking the least mobile of the options and least likely to have an impact at the breakdown goes away from that and what has helped us be successful v France in the past with Ritchie contributing at the breakdown from 6.

I think what we saw two weeks ago and probably will see this week is that in many ways Ritchie is more important to us than Watson despite the praise Watson has rightly got over the last 18 months. Having the 6 who can cause issues at the breakdown, contribute to the line out and be a leader isn't something we have a replacement for yet.

[Tobylerone]

Oh well, an hour to go..
I feel like I`m waiting to witness an execution.

Any chance of a last minute reprieve?

[francoisfou]

Oh well, an hour to go..
I feel like I`m waiting to witness an execution.

Any chance of a last minute reprieve?

Oh ye of little faith! Your team has a good chance of a win. France are probably the bookies’ favourites but the Scots are worth at least a fiver to win!

[francoisfou]

Just read that Hamish Watson has had to withdraw, so I take back what I said a few minutes ago! You’re doomed, I tell ye!

[Wallpaperman]

Good luck today Scotland. Looks lovely and sunny at Murrayfield. Probably means that it’s about minus four Celsius.

[Big D]

Kick is never on there. That has to be a crash ball to Tuipolotu.

[Big D]

Muddled thinking all over the shop so far.

[Big D]

That's pathetic defence. Graham never lined up in position to make the tackle then too many misses.

[Donny osmond]

Great try from France

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[Big D]

Great try from France

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It was terrible defence though.

We are going to get scudded here.