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

[whatisthejava]

I couldnt care less what he said, we really dont have an enforcer or out and out hard tackler , against SA it would be nice to have more than Ryan Wilson being a bit of a prick

[Mikey Brown]

Regardless of all the talk around poaching Thomson- albeit that's why I was watching the Scarlets highlights- it was quite touching watching the way this way match ended and the player reactions in light of what Pivac says here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/45805928 He's clearly a pretty highly respected figure already from his short time with Scarlets.

[Big D]

Consistently getting picked at 6 for Newcastle this season. Looks the same abrasive sort of all rounder that you’d expect, but not noticed him tearing up trees.

One thing that’s stuck in my head is Andy Goode talking on his podcast about him, I think his words were “he’s properly fucking hard”. I just wonder how many players in the Scotland pack would be spoken about in that way. I’m not suggesting that makes him an automatic pick, but I still feel we’re short a real tough bastard.

Cheers. I can't remember the last player we had that was 'proper fucking hard'. Toony said he was still a player we were watching even after training with England, watch this space I suppose.

Strokosch.

[switchskier]

Consistently getting picked at 6 for Newcastle this season. Looks the same abrasive sort of all rounder that you’d expect, but not noticed him tearing up trees.

One thing that’s stuck in my head is Andy Goode talking on his podcast about him, I think his words were “he’s properly fucking hard”. I just wonder how many players in the Scotland pack would be spoken about in that way. I’m not suggesting that makes him an automatic pick, but I still feel we’re short a real tough bastard.

Cheers. I can't remember the last player we had that was 'proper fucking hard'. Toony said he was still a player we were watching even after training with England, watch this space I suppose.

Yeah but is he actually that good? He hits hard but he suits Newcastle really well in that is what he's asked to do. I don't think that he'll fit our style of play.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Consistently getting picked at 6 for Newcastle this season. Looks the same abrasive sort of all rounder that you’d expect, but not noticed him tearing up trees.

One thing that’s stuck in my head is Andy Goode talking on his podcast about him, I think his words were “he’s properly fucking hard”. I just wonder how many players in the Scotland pack would be spoken about in that way. I’m not suggesting that makes him an automatic pick, but I still feel we’re short a real tough bastard.

Cheers. I can't remember the last player we had that was 'proper fucking hard'. Toony said he was still a player we were watching even after training with England, watch this space I suppose.

Strokosch.

And no disrespect intended but was capped about 15 times too many.

As others have said, he doesn't really suit our style of play.

[francoisfou]

Richie Gray. Does anyone know when his contract with Toulouse comes to an end? He was in the starting XV last weekend in the Top14 match with Agen, but doesn't feature at all in tomorrow's match at Bath.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Richie Gray. Does anyone know when his contract with Toulouse comes to an end? He was in the starting XV last weekend in the Top14 match with Agen, but doesn't feature at all in tomorrow's match at Bath.

He's in his third year of a 4 year contract IIRC.

[General Zod]

Richie Gray. Does anyone know when his contract with Toulouse comes to an end? He was in the starting XV last weekend in the Top14 match with Agen, but doesn't feature at all in tomorrow's match at Bath.

Wiki reckons a 4 year deal from 2016.

I think our 2 newish lads, Cummings and Carmichael look pretty handy, and will challenge our present options.

[General Zod]

Finn Russell having some fun v Blade Thomson’s scarlets so far. 0-0, 15 gone.

[Big D]

Sort of Scots abroad.

Shaun Wane coming up.as a super league champion.

[General Zod]

Sort of Scots abroad.

Shaun Wane coming up.as a super league champion.

Watched that. Wigan looked better-organised throughout. He got a bit emotional at the end. The new Stern Vern?!

[Big D]

Sort of Scots abroad.

Shaun Wane coming up.as a super league champion.

Watched that. Wigan looked better-organised throughout. He got a bit emotional at the end. The new Stern Vern?!

The hallmark of his side's are strong defence and being well drilled.

Since the season split into the "super 8" they have played 9 won 9 conceding on average 8.44 points which is phenomenal in RL terms considering it's the best sides they are playing.

That being said I am not sure what his role is really going to entail up here.

It shows we are a decent draw for people. He's Wigan through and through played, scouted, coached youths and the 1s there.

[General Zod]

He’s “high performance” coach. Not sure what that entails, but hopefully it will increase consistency of the good kind, and eliminate the likelihood of another Fiji/ USA performance, irrespective of personnel.

Edit - and it will hopefully improve our defence and, if relevant, our defensive coaching.

Edit Edit - and our fecking restarts. Perhaps by getting in a specific coach if necessary.

[francoisfou]

Tough news for Richie Gray who made his long-awaited comeback for Stade Toulousain against Agen a week ago (he played 59 minutes). He has to have an operation on his back - no exact details yet, and will be absent for 4 months.

[Chunks Baws]

Mark Palmer reckons Ollie Atkins might be in with a shout for the AI squad.

[Big D]

Tough news for Richie Gray who made his long-awaited comeback for Stade Toulousain against Agen a week ago (he played 59 minutes). He has to have an operation on his back - no exact details yet, and will be absent for 4 months.

Guy can't catch a break.

[Big D]

Mark Palmer reckons Ollie Atkins might be in with a shout for the AI squad.

With Gray down and Cummings and Carmichael (I think) injured it makes sense.

[Mikey Brown]

Who the fuck is that? Jesus.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Who the fuck is that? Jesus.

SQ Aussie that Edinburgh poached in 2012? played for 2-3 years then moved to Exeter. He was really just a squad player but he's starting to get used more and more over the last couple of seasons.

[whatisthejava]

For me the time to cap new caps is over, hes capped alot and he can restart his capathon right after the WC. I want to see a core 25 players getting game time so they come the WC we know what to expect. I dont think that will happen but we can imagine that the Scotland AI is going to be mostly Ed forwards, mostly weeg backs.


I cant think of a single Glasgow forward that gets in the team over an Edinburgh player and Kinghorm is the only Ed player who makes the backs although Scott may sneak in with Taylor out.

[Mikey Brown]

I’ve previously thought him absolutely unstoppable but I’d be sort of interested to see the dynamic of Gray off the bench with the Edinburgh guys starting. It’s hard to say whether a player like him needs a kick up the arse because he’s never been that glamorous, his workload is insane and we may quickly find that we miss it.

Really wishing big Bill was Scottish, but hearing very positive things about Thomson. Strauss missed a fucking howler to concede a try at the weekend.

McGuigan’s hatrick was pretty routine, but it’s hard to completely ignore the fact he is so often in the right spot to score.

[Big D]

For me the time to cap new caps is over, hes capped alot and he can restart his capathon right after the WC. I want to see a core 25 players getting game time so they come the WC we know what to expect. I dont think that will happen but we can imagine that the Scotland AI is going to be mostly Ed forwards, mostly weeg backs.


I cant think of a single Glasgow forward that gets in the team over an Edinburgh player and Kinghorm is the only Ed player who makes the backs although Scott may sneak in with Taylor out.

I get your point but if injuries mean its Harley in the squad as second row cover or Atkins then get a second row in. The 3 1st choice 2nd rows will be Gray/GG/Toolis which be the options in the game day 23..

[Cameo]

Didnt watch it but Russell getting good reviews for performance in the rain vs Scarlets

[whatisthejava]

Got motm as far I remember and made at least one team of the weeeknd

[Adder]

Didnt watch it but Russell getting good reviews for performance in the rain vs Scarlets

Classic Russell, pulls of some beautiful tricks but not sure if can manage a game. Big issue with Racing this year is that their pack are not dominant and their 9s are poor (Machenaud is injured).

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