RugbyRebels

Ashman back to his worst. I’ve lost count of the lost lineouts.

What a fucking shambles.

As a neutral, that's the kind of thing I think should be a straight red. It's the exact thing I've been screaming at the TV about whenever the Boks do it for the past 20 years.

So we’re battling it out with Wales for the wooden spoon if this is a sign of our performances in the tournament

So Bin pings Scotland for blocking a kick chase but then lets Italy away with it twice.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:13 pm Ashman back to his worst. I’ve lost count of the lost lineouts.

And Turner does the same as he did in the autumn, comes off the bench and then gets himself sent off. Both hookers need dropping. Give Cherry and Hiddleston a shot next week. They can’t be any worse.

There are arguments you can make for staying calm and not overreacting:

- it was horrible conditions that negated our strengths
- the scrum and lineout won't be that bad again (well not next week)
- we were on top most of the game
- that back three was playing its first international game together.

But this time I think we need to do something. It may not give us our best shot next week, but we can't keep drifting along. I would go:

1. McBeth
2. Hiddlestone
3. Fagerson
4. Cummings
5. Williamson
6. Brown
7. Douglas
8. Dempsey
9. White
10. Russell
11. Steyn
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones
14. Graham
15. Jordan

16. Schoemann
17. Ashman
18. Rae
19. Craig
20. Fagerson
21. Ritchie
22. Dobie (I know - Horne did well, but Whitedid okay too and could be important v England, plus I don't want to jettison Dobie completely)
23. Kinghorn

I suppose we’re going to need a team for next week. Obviously Townsend should have gone before now but he’s still going to be there for a while yet so what will he do? Please not the crap that some coaches come up with about giving the players a chance to redeem themselves. The players also need to take some responsibility for that debacle. Neither hooker deserves to stay in the 23. I’d go with this lot.

Kinghorn
Graham
Jones
Tuipolotu
Steyn
Russell
Horne
McBeth
Hiddlestone
Fagerson
Cummings
Williamson
Ritchie
Darge
Dempsey

Cherry
Schoeman
Millar-Mills
Craig
Brown
Fagerson
Dobie
Jordan

sharvey44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:40 pm So we’re battling it out with Wales for the wooden spoon if this is a sign of our performances in the tournament

Fuck off let us win something..

sharvey44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:40 pm So we’re battling it out with Wales for the wooden spoon if this is a sign of our performances in the tournament

Fuck off let us win something..

Cameo wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:39 pm There are arguments you can make for staying calm and not overreacting:

- it was horrible conditions that negated our strengths
- the scrum and lineout won't be that bad again (well not next week)
- we were on top most of the game
- that back three was playing its first international game together.

But this time I think we need to do something. It may not give us our best shot next week, but we can't keep drifting along. I would go:

1. McBeth
2. Hiddlestone
3. Fagerson
4. Cummings
5. Williamson
6. Brown
7. Douglas
8. Dempsey
9. White
10. Russell
11. Steyn
12. Tuipolotu
13. Jones
14. Graham
15. Jordan

16. Schoemann
17. Ashman
18. Rae
19. Craig
20. Fagerson
21. Ritchie
22. Dobie (I know - Horne did well, but Whitedid okay too and could be important v England, plus I don't want to jettison Dobie completely)
23. Kinghorn

It looks like we’re thinking along similar lines. I certainly wouldn’t be averse to Brown starting with Ritchie on the bench. He brings better carrying to the side. I don’t think Townsend has the bravery to play Douglas.

About the weather, it’s a cliche to say that the weather was the same for both sides but Italy played the weather much better than we did. Finn’s line kicking was good but our kicking to contest was not as good as Italy’s.

bruce wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 9:50 pm

sharvey44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:40 pm So we’re battling it out with Wales for the wooden spoon if this is a sign of our performances in the tournament

Fuck off let us win something..

You’re welcome to win the wooden spoon. The game in Cardiff could be a real cripple fight to see who’s least shite.

Well it’s the end of an era. In the sense that I’ve finally just stopped really caring. I’m not even annoyed. Capable of running the all blacks close occasionally, sure, but this is just who we are as a team under Townsend.

It’s harsh in a lot of ways, of course the lineout hasn’t looked like that in training, but GT absolutely has to do something different. How does it all go that wrong? Has Ashman just unlearned everything he discovered in 2025? Has Gilchrist forgotten how to call a lineout? Have we somehow not had a single training session in the rain or wind recently?

We could have won that game, a few individual errors and bizarre refereeing performance aside, but I can’t tell how I would have felt about it. We just look out of ideas. In isolation this game isn’t so bad, but it’s the cumulation of years of these performances that just grinds you down.

We’re not in a position for a complete overhaul of the 23, the A side made that fairly clear, but there has to be some new impetus somewhere. I’m a Darge fan/defender, and he was one of our better players today, but going for a wildcard like Douglas in the 23 looks more and more appealing.

I’m repeating myself but in lieu of a tactical/coaching reset we need to get some new energy in there. Give Hiddlestone, Williamson, Douglas or someone at least a chance to shake things up a bit.

GT can stick all the security blankets on the bench if he likes, have Cherry, Gilchrist, White there to hold things together if needs be. I’m not even that fussed on the exact combo of starters and replacements, but he’s got to find some sort of balance of nous and firepower that can be sustained for 80.

Other teams have found ways to empower their players 16-23 with being vital contributors. He’s at least been able to carry Gregor Brown’s role over directly from Glasgow, but that’s about it. I’ve tried putting a 23 together but there are too many either/or options. I don’t care if Darge, Ritchie or Douglas starts at 7 (for instance) I just care that they have a clear role and believe in what the team are doing. It doesn’t feel like many of them do.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:27 pm Well it’s the end of an era. In the sense that I’ve finally just stopped really caring. I’m not even annoyed. Capable of running the all blacks close occasionally, sure, but this is just who we are as a team under Townsend.

It’s harsh in a lot of ways, of course the lineout hasn’t looked like that in training, but GT absolutely has to do something different. How does it all go that wrong? Has Ashman just unlearned everything he discovered in 2025? Has Gilchrist forgotten how to call a lineout? Have we somehow not had a single training session in the rain or wind recently?

We could have won that game, a few individual errors and bizarre refereeing performance aside, but I can’t tell how I would have felt about it. We just look out of ideas. In isolation this game isn’t so bad, but it’s the cumulation of years of these performances that just grinds you down.

We’re not in a position for a complete overhaul of the 23, the A side made that fairly clear, but there has to be some new impetus somewhere. I’m a Darge fan/defender, and he was one of our better players today, but going for a wildcard like Douglas in the 23 looks more and more appealing.

I’m repeating myself but in lieu of a tactical/coaching reset we need to get some new energy in there. Give Hiddlestone, Williamson, Douglas or someone at least a chance to shake things up a bit.

GT can stick all the security blankets on the bench if he likes, have Cherry, Gilchrist, White there to hold things together if needs be. I’m not even that fussed on the exact combo of starters and replacements, but he’s got to find some sort of balance of nous and firepower that can be sustained for 80.

Other teams have found ways to empower their players 16-23 with being vital contributors. He’s at least been able to carry Gregor Brown’s role over directly from Glasgow, but that’s about it. I’ve tried putting a 23 together but there are too many either/or options. I don’t care if Darge, Ritchie or Douglas starts at 7 (for instance) I just care that they have a clear role and believe in what the team are doing. It doesn’t feel like many of them do.

Yep, I'm about there. Doesn't matter whether we all agree on each particular change, we all agree some change is needed. For example, I'm not sure I would choose it but a starting back row of Douglas (or Darge), Ritchie, and Dempsey with Brown (mainly covering lock), Fagerson, and Bradbury on the bench would at least show a plan to impose our changes on the opposition.

Same if we start an all Glasgow front row and have the Edinburgh trio on the bench.

I know we are all thoroughly depressed, but I don't see why we can't win against England at home on hopefully a dry day. We are not favourites and it could get ugly but I'd give us at least a 30% chance.

England seem to have nailed the kicking game at the moment, but I still think on a bad day it could leave them looking very ordinary. If their kicks are a little off or the scraps fall our way, a well thought out plan to get them in good positions to attack could suddenly look like determination to kick good ball away.

Of course, our scrum and lineout need to function and we need to take our chances.

Cameo wrote: ↑Tue Feb 10, 2026 11:10 pm I know we are all thoroughly depressed, but I don't see why we can't win against England at home on hopefully a dry day. We are not favourites and it could get ugly but I'd give us at least a 30% chance.

England seem to have nailed the kicking game at the moment, but I still think on a bad day it could leave them looking very ordinary. If their kicks are a little off or the scraps fall our way, a well thought out plan to get them in good positions to attack could suddenly look like determination to kick good ball away.

Of course, our scrum and lineout need to function and we need to take our chances.

My issue is these performances (like vs Italy and Argentina) are ones that really kill any notion of ever fully clicking as a top side, whether or not we beat England, or even Ireland/France. We could thump England, which might be great, but it would barely reassure me we don't then go and concede lose to Wales.

Maybe that's a terrible way to approach sport and I should just enjoy wins as and when they come - resources in comparison to England, France and Ireland are tiny - but also I think this group of players are capable of more effective and consistent performances.

Scotland could well nick the win if they play an open running game, don't kick the ball away and avoid an arm wrestle with the England pack. That is if they can get enough possession.
The established Scottish centres have it over their England counterparts and could play a big role here.
Would like to see Horne at 9. He seems to be a bit of the catalyst for the team and is a good opportunistic sniper too.
Good luck from a "neutral" Mick.

Getting possession is the problem there. If the lineout doesn’t improve drastically we’re fucked.

Apropos of nothing I saw today that six of the England 23 were eligible for Scotland.
Rodd - born in Dunoon
Roebuck - born in Inverness
Smith - Scottish parents
Pollock - Scottish parents
Dingwall - Scottish father
Arundell - born in a British Overseas Territory

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:14 pm Getting possession is the problem there. If the lineout doesn’t improve drastically we’re fucked.

spot on.
Thing is it genuinely is easy to be so much better than last week. Short throw to front player to start off with. Might not make any yards but certain possession and puts doubt in the opposition minds. Know when to make flat throws to front jumper (no 2 in lineout) or middle. Practice the best lineouts and use it every other - no faffing about - walk into lineout, hooker throws
All stuff we should have been doing last week - doing it anyway but especially when your thrower is having a mare. If only we had an experienced expert lineout caller...........

septic 9 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 10:01 am

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Wed Feb 11, 2026 11:14 pm Getting possession is the problem there. If the lineout doesn’t improve drastically we’re fucked.

spot on.
Thing is it genuinely is easy to be so much better than last week. Short throw to front player to start off with. Might not make any yards but certain possession and puts doubt in the opposition minds. Know when to make flat throws to front jumper (no 2 in lineout) or middle. Practice the best lineouts and use it every other - no faffing about - walk into lineout, hooker throws
All stuff we should have been doing last week - doing it anyway but especially when your thrower is having a mare. If only we had an experienced expert lineout caller...........

I'm certain we fluffed plenty of front ball as well, it's not like going to the front gaurantees possession, but broadly I agree it would be hard not to improve on Saturday.

I saw it mentioned we had 68% success in the lineout (compared to 90%+ for Italy) but that includes the ball we won and threw on the floor or immediately knocked on/lost, leaving us with about 5 clean takes. I'm very keen to see who gets ditched and who 'gets a chance to right their wrongs' or whatever Gregor is calling it. If Gilchrist isn't even offering lineout security we really need to move on.

Is it just me or is Fagerson incredibly clumsy as a jumper? I don't think those stumpy little arms are suited to it.

According to The Offside Line Ashman is injured. That should simplify selection.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 12:59 pm According to The Offside Line Ashman is injured. That should simplify selection.

What I read was 1. McBeth 2. Turner 3. Fagerson 4. Cummings 5. Brown 6. Ritchie 7. Darge 8. Dempsey with Cherry and Fagerson on bench, but I'm not sure if that was a leak or just a guess.

I'm not certain Turner was a whole lot better than Ashman.

Scotland make four changes for Calcutta Cup

Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to Scotland’s starting line-up for this weekend’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations match against England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, with Nathan McBeth, George Turner, Gregor Brown and Jamie Ritchie all selected.

Dave Cherry, who earns a spot on the bench as replacement hooker, is the fifth change to Scotland’s matchday 23 from week one.

McBeth’s inclusion represents a first championship start for the 27-year-old loosehead, who will pack down alongside Turner at hooker and Zander Fagerson at tighthead.

In the second row, Brown joins forces with Scott Cummings, having been a substitute against Italy on the opening weekend.

Elsewhere, blindside flanker Ritchie gets the nod to join openside Rory Darge and number 8 Jack Dempsey to complete a pack showing those four changes from week one.

The back division remains as was for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup encounter, with Tom Jordan retaining his place at full-back and Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie lining up on the wings.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu will again lead the team from inside centre, with Huw Jones on his outside, as Ben White and Finn Russell once more resume their partnership at scrum-half and stand-off respectively.

Cherry is joined on the replacements’ bench by loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and tighthead Elliot Millar Mills, with Max Williamson and Matt Fagerson covering the second and back rows.

Scrum-half George Horne, stand-off Adam Hastings and winger Darcy Graham complete Scotland’s Calcutta Cup squad.

Scotland team to face England in the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday 14 February 2026, kick-off 4:40pm – live on STV/ITV (caps in brackets):

15. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (13)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (29)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (59)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (34) – Captain
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (18)

10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (90) Vice-captain
9. Ben White – Toulon (32)

1. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (6)
2. George Turner – Harlequins (51)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (77)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (13)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (46)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (61)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (35) Vice-captain
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (30)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry – Vannes (16)
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (45)
18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (12)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (10)~
20. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (60)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (41)
22. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (35)
23. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (51)

A big test for McBeth and Brown as a lock. A good team but bench still doesn't feel like what it could be and who knows what to expect from Turner. I'll be keen to see if Cherry looks the same player from last year. I know we want Turner's physicality but I feel like I'm always just waiting for him to do something mad.

Anyone heard these rumours about Kinghorn fall out with Townsend?