Autumn Squad

[General Zod]

I know he messed up a line out and ran into his own man, but I’d start Turner v Ireland (I presume it’s them we’re playing).

I’d drop Kinghorn and Price (after his earlier promise). Let’s see what SHC has got.

We really need to become better offensively. We seem to be relying on defence then hoping something turns up in attack.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh god. I don't even know what to say. France are a much improved side but they were there for the taking today. So much effort and good work undone by dumb penalties, poor execution of basics and seemingly not a hint of any attacking strategy.

[Banquo]

Oh god. I don't even know what to say. France are a much improved side but they were there for the taking today. So much effort and good work undone by dumb penalties, poor execution of basics and seemingly not a hint of any attacking strategy.

I think France would say the same about themselves. Their restarts, lineouts and discipline were all a shambles.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I know he messed up a line out and ran into his own man, but I’d start Turner v Ireland (I presume it’s them we’re playing).

I’d drop Kinghorn and Price (after his earlier promise). Let’s see what SHC has got.

We really need to become better offensively. We seem to be relying on defence then hoping something turns up in attack.

And Kebble imo.

Any changes are going to have limited impact as long as we have to start WFD though.

[General Zod]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

[francoisfou]

Oh god. I don't even know what to say. France are a much improved side but they were there for the taking today. So much effort and good work undone by dumb penalties, poor execution of basics and seemingly not a hint of any attacking strategy.

I think France would say the same about themselves. Their restarts, lineouts and discipline were all a shambles.

So true. I had high hopes that France would continue to show improvement but today was a retrogressive step against a mediocre opposition. Italy next with significant changes before probably facing England in a couple of weeks. Still, I enjoyed listening to Barnes’ French!!

[francoisfou]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

For what it’s worth, I’ll be cheering for your boys!

[General Zod]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

For what it’s worth, I’ll be cheering for your boys!

Comme je le ferai pour vous!

[Banquo]

Oh god. I don't even know what to say. France are a much improved side but they were there for the taking today. So much effort and good work undone by dumb penalties, poor execution of basics and seemingly not a hint of any attacking strategy.

I think France would say the same about themselves. Their restarts, lineouts and discipline were all a shambles.

So true. I had high hopes that France would continue to show improvement but today was a retrogressive step against a mediocre opposition. Italy next with significant changes before probably facing England in a couple of weeks. Still, I enjoyed listening to Barnes’ French!!

I think France have already stepped up in defensive intensity, but have some other organisational things to sort out. But Edwards will be having a meltdown

[francoisfou]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

For what it’s worth, I’ll be cheering for your boys!

Comme je le ferai pour vous!

[francoisfou]

I think France would say the same about themselves. Their restarts, lineouts and discipline were all a shambles.

So true. I had high hopes that France would continue to show improvement but today was a retrogressive step against a mediocre opposition. Italy next with significant changes before probably facing England in a couple of weeks. Still, I enjoyed listening to Barnes’ French!!

I think France have already stepped up in defensive intensity, but have some other organisational things to sort out. But Edwards will be having a meltdown

Sean Edwards melting down in French would be worth witnessing

[tigran]

I think France would say the same about themselves. Their restarts, lineouts and discipline were all a shambles.

So true. I had high hopes that France would continue to show improvement but today was a retrogressive step against a mediocre opposition. Italy next with significant changes before probably facing England in a couple of weeks. Still, I enjoyed listening to Barnes’ French!!

I think France have already stepped up in defensive intensity, but have some other organisational things to sort out. But Edwards will be having a meltdown

Today was a totally new front row, an new half backs pair, not really a new 15, but still, this team is not as gelled than the first choices...so no surprise for the scrappyness...

It's a victory in Scotland, still apreciable

[Donny osmond]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

I have not.

See when everyone bursts into tears next summer at the lack of Scottish representation on the Lions tour, I'm just going to go right ahead and point them to this game.

Need players to close out a tight game against a big physical opposition? Nah, not us, we're more the 'give it away with stupid penalties' players.

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

[septic 9]

We have two game breaking wingers (one more than the other) and haven't worked out how to get them decent ball.

both defensively shit

In which case you may as well involve them in attack? Or what's the point in selecting then.

ah, if only it was that simple

DVDM is always suspect but TBF was not exposed today really. Kinghorn was abysmally exposed as he has been so often over his few seasons. Failed to track Rattez for the try, got close enough to Vakatawa and fell off the tackle. Lazy and lacks concentration and nous

Then there was the brain fart kick he ball dead

Awful display

[septic 9]

doubt many felt it would be as close. The couple who put their hands up didn't!

we need to move on in attack for the 6N,not rely on always having a Russell or Hastings, although having either shifts things significantly. Harris may as well not be on the park in attack, he operates as a lightweight back row with poor hands. Backrow balance is so wrong, as it has been for ever. Berghan is shit. Yet despite that, despite that, so close .....7pts

[Big D]

Kinghorn should get sent back to Edinburgh. Not needed for the 3rd/4th play off.

The problem is changing a winger isn't going to change the problems that lost us the game today. We were jumped up front and the backs couldn't pass the ball accurately to players moving above glacial speed.

Fagerson has to start. Berghhan was not good.
Kebble was very poor but when Sutherland is injured there is no one else.

Given structure and discipline is the main bedrock of Exeter I wouldn't be against SHC starting that game too.

[Cameo]

I’ve calmed down slightly now.

While France were there for the taking today, I think that if we get a win at the bedpan, it will have been a good autumn.

I have not.

See when everyone bursts into tears next summer at the lack of Scottish representation on the Lions tour, I'm just going to go right ahead and point them to this game.

Need players to close out a tight game against a big physical opposition? Nah, not us, we're more the 'give it away with stupid penalties' players.

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

Have you watched any of the other games this weekend. The main thing that Scotland was lacking, an attack, was lacking from all teams.

That was not an attempt to close out a tight game. That was an attempt to snatch a game that we had clung on it at all day.

If anything, that game was what half of you were calling for back when we were fun. "Let's be competitive in every game rather than be great one week and blown away the next." Well, this year we keep all our losses to 7 points.

[Cameo]

doubt many felt it would be as close. The couple who put their hands up didn't!

we need to move on in attack for the 6N,not rely on always having a Russell or Hastings, although having either shifts things significantly. Harris may as well not be on the park in attack, he operates as a lightweight back row with poor hands. Backrow balance is so wrong, as it has been for ever. Berghan is shit. Yet despite that, despite that, so close .....7pts

Agree with most of that but, given the options, I think today is our best backrow. Sometimes they will have more influence than others but will keep us competitive at least.

[Banquo]

So true. I had high hopes that France would continue to show improvement but today was a retrogressive step against a mediocre opposition. Italy next with significant changes before probably facing England in a couple of weeks. Still, I enjoyed listening to Barnes’ French!!

I think France have already stepped up in defensive intensity, but have some other organisational things to sort out. But Edwards will be having a meltdown

Today was a totally new front row, an new half backs pair, not really a new 15, but still, this team is not as gelled than the first choices...so no surprise for the scrappyness...

It's a victory in Scotland, still apreciable

I hear what you say, but what’s the excuse for the shit restarts, poor penalty count, and poor kicking? They dominated the scrums, your new 10 went well...

[Mikey Brown]

But how can it be such a wild swing from one style to another? Do they now just devote 100% of training time to defence? Has Townsend the attacking mastermind just given up entirely on scoring tries?

There were patches we did really well picking and supporting runners to suck in French defenders. The expectation of losing the ball after 3 phases is so ingrained in me that I was really pleased with that. We actually created some pretty good ball at times, but everything was so inaccurate whenever we went beyond 10. Weir sits so deep and is completely static when he passes, Johnson and Harris had no hope today regardless of creativity. It's essentially the Laidlaw effect shifted 1 further out.

We would occasionally switch it up by having 12 stand in at first receiver and then just fling the ball up in the air, as if we're vaguely aware it's a thing other teams do but have no idea what it is they're trying to achieve. As soon as we're giving it to the backs it seems like committing defenders just goes out the window completely. It's excruciating to watch. There was a moment where the space suddenly opened up and each back in turn just jogged 2 metres and shuffled the ball down the line without even looking at what the defenders were doing, leaving Kinghorn to try and Houdini his way through.

Of course building any cohesion in the backs is difficult when you give away endless penalties and can't win any set piece ball. Our red-zone yips are just painfully predictable at this point.

Also will Hogg ever learn to avoid getting stepped when chasing a kick? He loves belting after high kicks but I'm not sure I've ever seen him actually get near his man, let-alone reclaim the ball. He's looked all over the shop since becoming captain. No idea if that's coincidence or not, but it just doesn't add up to me.

[Cameo]

Haha I get you on Hogg chasing kicks. Think he has being playing well generally though albeit without any really significant breaks.

[septic 9]

Not very inspiring stuff from either side. A narrow win was what I predicted and I’m happy with that.

congrats to France, dug it out. Lots of circumspection and respect from both sides for each other

some hysterical nonsense as usual from my so called compatriots on here. I'd have loved to be at that game today in a full Murrayfield and enjoyed the post match with the French, would have been epic. Except the final result naturellement

[tigran]

I think France have already stepped up in defensive intensity, but have some other organisational things to sort out. But Edwards will be having a meltdown

Today was a totally new front row, an new half backs pair, not really a new 15, but still, this team is not as gelled than the first choices...so no surprise for the scrappyness...

It's a victory in Scotland, still apreciable

I hear what you say, but what’s the excuse for the shit restarts, poor penalty count, and poor kicking? They dominated the scrums, your new 10 went well...

you're right, but in fairness, poor restarts, poor penalty count and poor kicking have always been our problems... Today more than usual for the restarts probably... But maybe it's just a case of missing one plus one debilitates your confidence for the rest of the game...

[septic 9]

But how can it be such a wild swing from one style to another? Do they now just devote 100% of training time to defence? Has Townsend the attacking mastermind just given up entirely on scoring tries?

Off Topic

did you ever watch Wales under Gatland? Lots of very good backs, grand slams and 6N wins. Never played attacking rugby and boring as fuck to watch. The whole set up is different, as it was for France today, Edwards defence, attack was basically big guys blasting us, one Gatland style move for the try, and it got to Vakatawa when he butchered a huge overlap

There were patches we did really well picking and supporting runners to suck in French defenders. The expectation of losing the ball after 3 phases is so ingrained in me that I was really pleased with that. We actually created some pretty good ball at times, but everything was so inaccurate whenever we went beyond 10. Weir sits so deep and is completely static when he passes, Johnson and Harris had no hope today regardless of creativity. It's essentially the Laidlaw effect shifted 1 further out.

Off Topic

yep. Weir is not Russel. He is not Hastings. He is the next best unless we bring back P Horne

Of course building any cohesion in the backs is difficult when you give away endless penalties and can't win any set piece ball. Our red-zone yips are just painfully predictable at this point.

Off Topic

not so much yips as more daft calls. French back row were 6'3, 6'6 and 6'7. Tallest of ours 6'4, then 6'1 and 5'11 . So we throw to the back. whoever calls the lineouts needs shot

Also will Hogg ever learn to avoid getting stepped when chasing a kick? He loves belting after high kicks but I'm not sure I've ever seen him actually get near his man, let-alone reclaim the ball.

Off Topic

a lot of blocking ignored today, but kicks from full back are about territory and closing down the return

He's looked all over the shop since becoming captain. No idea if that's coincidence or not, but it just doesn't add up to me.

Off Topic

not sure about his captaincy, but the lack of an edge elsewhere means he is trying too hard. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't

[septic 9]

A losing BP would be an amazing result if we can keep it. Definitely one of our worst performances.