Team for Scotland

[MrK]

I'll start again

After yesterday Id say

1) The front row stays
2) The second row stays
3) The backrow stays
4) The half backs stay
5) The centres stay
6) The back 3 change - North or Evans to come in for Cuthbert
7) The bench mostly the same, Clart for Hill if fit and Id like to see S Evans on the bench of Roberts if North is picked.

So, Id go

Halfpenny, North/Evans, Davies, Williams, Williams, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Warburton, Tipuric, Moriaty

Bench: Baldwin, Smith, Lee, Charteris, Faletau, Davies, S Davies, S Evans.

[Sourdust]

This just in: Scotland can't scrummage. At all.

I'd say a "power" backrow of Moriarty, Faletau, Warburton makes sense. Tips to the bench.

[Sandydragon]

Same starting pack but with Charteris to the bench. I think we will need him against France for defending the rolling maul so he needs a run.

Backline. Cuthbert out for North, preferably Evans but let's be realistic. Ideally Davies for Biggar but I won't hold my breath for that either. Not Roberts on the bench.

I think our next game will be a lively affair with a fair few points scored so we need to be able to score some of our own.

[Buggaluggs]

We need to designate a minder to keep an eye and a hand on Hogg all game. Stop him and we've half way stopped the whole team.

[ALunpg]

We need to designate a minder to keep an eye and a hand on Hogg all game. Stop him and we've half way stopped the whole team.

Yep he is the catalyst ... their plan seems to play at a pace the opposition can not keep up with ...almost did it today.
There is nothing there we can not handle ..but this year I bet they are saying exactly the same and honestly ...I would say they are correct.

So as to the team.. its as we were hoping for against England . If North is not available..include Evans ..
I have given up hoping for a change at 10...
Back row again is the other question.

But it will all go for nothing unless we retain our composure at the end..as this will be tight imho.. but I am not going full of confidence that we have the tools to beat them just that we can keep their attacking threat in the box and enough in ours to keep it going.

[Sandydragon]

We need to designate a minder to keep an eye and a hand on Hogg all game. Stop him and we've half way stopped the whole team.

Yep he is the catalyst ... their plan seems to play at a pace the opposition can not keep up with ...almost did it today.
There is nothing there we can not handle ..but this year I bet they are saying exactly the same and honestly ...I would say they are correct.

So as to the team.. its as we were hoping for against England . If North is not available..include Evans ..
I have given up hoping for a change at 10...
Back row again is the other question.

But it will all go for nothing unless we retain our composure at the end..as this will be tight imho.. but I am not going full of confidence that we have the tools to beat them just that we can keep their attacking threat in the box and enough in ours to keep it going.

I we play well then we can win. But I do fear that we will huff and puff and achieve little. Id like to see Stef Evans in the mix because of the X factor he offers and I think Scotland is the opposition where that could be useful. But I expect north or Cuthbert to be there with Roberts on the bench.

[Son of Mathonwy]

After yesterday Id say

1) The front row stays
2) The second row stays
3) The backrow stays
4) The half backs stay
5) The centres stay
6) The back 3 change - North or Evans to come in for Cuthbert
7) The bench mostly the same, Clart for Hill if fit and Id like to see S Evans on the bench of Roberts if North is picked.

So, Id go

Halfpenny, North/Evans, Davies, Williams, Williams, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Warburton, Tipuric, Moriaty

Bench: Baldwin, Smith, Lee, Charteris, Faletau, Davies, S Davies, S Evans.

We can still win this championship: we need Ireland to beat England (in Dublin, so not impossible for the team who beat NZ recently).

And then we need... bonus points! We screwed it up against Italy, so we simply must get a bonus point win against Scotland.

So we need attacking rugby, ie we need Sam Davies to start. Dan had an excellent game on Saturday but we still only scored 16 points.

So I agree with MrK except Sam <-> Dan.



(This will not happen. In fact if 1/2p, North or Liam are injured we'll start Cuthbert again, not Steff.)

[Sandydragon]

After yesterday Id say

1) The front row stays
2) The second row stays
3) The backrow stays
4) The half backs stay
5) The centres stay
6) The back 3 change - North or Evans to come in for Cuthbert
7) The bench mostly the same, Clart for Hill if fit and Id like to see S Evans on the bench of Roberts if North is picked.

So, Id go

Halfpenny, North/Evans, Davies, Williams, Williams, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Warburton, Tipuric, Moriaty

Bench: Baldwin, Smith, Lee, Charteris, Faletau, Davies, S Davies, S Evans.

We can still win this championship: we need Ireland to beat England (in Dublin, so not impossible for the team who beat NZ recently).

And then we need... bonus points! We screwed it up against Italy, so we simply must get a bonus point win against Scotland.

So we need attacking rugby, ie we need Sam Davies to start. Dan had an excellent game on Saturday but we still only scored 16 points.

So I agree with MrK except Sam <-> Dan.



(This will not happen. In fact if 1/2p, North or Liam are injured we'll start Cuthbert again, not Steff.)

I'm expecting very little change other than the return of injured players, I.e. North. Otherwise it will be business as usual. The younger players like Steff or Owen Williams won't get a run unless there are a number of injuries or if there is nothing to play for in the final game. Maybe.

This year's feels like a waste of time. That might have been our most intense performance for years, but with all that possession and territory we still couldn't score points. Nor could we win possession from set pieces when it was really important to. Some clown of a journalist talked about our flawless set piece. Did he miss the penalty conceded from a scrum in an attacking position or the lineout feck up after Biggars interception?

[ALunpg]

Players will make mistakes and it will happen again
Sam should be given the opportuniy irrelevant of some mistakes made on Saturday by Dan..
I am not yet convinced by Owain Williams being a better option that Scott at 12 and I would not want to see JD dropped so maybe Owain as an option on the bench but its never going to happen.

[whatisthejava]

If you guys turn up with the intensity then you will get penalties from our scrum and in our 22, problem is if you dont i think we will back our defence.

I think we will outscore you on tries but you could win on penalties if the weathers crap and it becomes a scrumfest.

[Numbers]

If you guys turn up with the intensity then you will get penalties from our scrum and in our 22, problem is if you dont i think we will back our defence.

I think we will outscore you on tries but you could win on penalties if the weathers crap and it becomes a scrumfest.

I think it may also come down to how many of your players are going to be fit after the weekend, there are 3 undergoing head assessments aren't there?

[Mikey Brown]

You're right. Brown, Barclay, Hardie, Dunbar getting HIAs and Wilson/Strauss/Laidlaw's injury status unknown as far as I can tell.

[kk67]

Tough call in the 2nd row. Tough call in the backrow.

He'll put Clart on the bench and start Taulupe.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Keelan Giles might be fit to play this weekend.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38972750
Good news for the Ospreys with the big Munster match, but also - in a sane world - good news for Wales too. For me, depending how he goes (if he goes) this weekend, he could be a bench option for Scotland.
This obviously has no chance of actually happening.

[whatisthejava]

If you guys turn up with the intensity then you will get penalties from our scrum and in our 22, problem is if you dont i think we will back our defence.

I think we will outscore you on tries but you could win on penalties if the weathers crap and it becomes a scrumfest.

I think it may also come down to how many of your players are going to be fit after the weekend, there are 3 undergoing head assessments aren't there?

barclay would be swooped with Wilson. Usually I would say we would be weaker but Wilson has really stepped up.

Hardie would prob be replaced with Bradbury , different players so no real comparison.

Dunbar replaced with Scott

[Sandydragon]

Keelan Giles might be fit to play this weekend.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38972750
Good news for the Ospreys with the big Munster match, but also - in a sane world - good news for Wales too. For me, depending how he goes (if he goes) this weekend, he could be a bench option for Scotland.
This obviously has no chance of actually happening.

Based on many previous encounters, unless it's pissing down, the Scotland match is the one which I could see Gilles or Stef Evans doing well in. This won't happen as I fully expect north to return and Roberts to be on the bench, but we can dream.

[Numbers]

Laidlaw is out for the rest of the tournament.

[kk67]

Laidlaw is out for the rest of the tournament.

Good for Wales,......terrible for Scotland.
Gutted for him. It's back to the shit eating expression on his mush for the rest of the tournie. Albeit from the stands.

[Numbers]

Laidlaw is out for the rest of the tournament.

Good for Wales,......terrible for Scotland.
Gutted for him. It's back to the shit eating expression on his mush for the rest of the tournie. Albeit from the stands.

They'll miss his kicking and leadership perhaps, the replacement 9 is more speedy with getting the ball away which is an advantage to the expansive style they are playing.

[kk67]

Laidlaw is out for the rest of the tournament.

Good for Wales,......terrible for Scotland.
Gutted for him. It's back to the shit eating expression on his mush for the rest of the tournie. Albeit from the stands.

They'll miss his kicking and leadership perhaps, the replacement 9 is more speedy with getting the ball away which is an advantage to the expansive style they are playing.

He looked good,.....but without Greg they're fucked. And that's nothing to do with place kicking.
Nothing to do with that at all.

[Adder]

How confident are you lot on this weekend's game?

I have not idea, myself. Scotland looks quite fragile right now, but that could just be an impression. After all, we have been calling Laidlaw to be subbed for some time. We still have a good backline (and fairly lethal) and we seem to be horrible to play against at the Breakdown.

Wales looked pretty poor against Italy but showed real intensity and cunning and England. It will have boosted your confidence. I'm not sure if you will be able to reproduce this against another team than England though. You do have a history of beating Scotland and reducing our attack to a pile of...

Key battles (IMHO)

Scrum: Will you be able to send us into Oblivion? (weather looking bleak on Saturday)
Second Row: AW Jones vs the Grays
Back Row: What backrows? who will win the breakdown.
Halfbacks: Wales vs Glasgow (very young)
Centres : This could be very interesting.
Back three: Scotland might have an Edge here, but will they get enough ball. Hogg vs Williams & 1/2

EDIT: John Lacey is the referee

[Adder]

[joshfishkins]

Hmm, so if North is injured in the first minute, who covers wing?

1/2p moves to wing and Roberts/Sam D go to full back?? Can Biggar cover full back? Our backs cover looks thin.

[Sandydragon]

Hmm, so if North is injured in the first minute, who covers wing?

1/2p moves to wing and Roberts/Sam D go to full back?? Can Biggar cover full back? Our backs cover looks thin.

Howley might move Scott to the wing. More likely, Halfpenny to wing and Sam Davies to fullback (gulp). Jamie now covers one position and if we are honest his effectiveness there is now questionable given the changes in the game. His presence on the bench is a bit of a mockery to other in-form players who could be given a go.

As for the rest of the team, as expected. Howley didn't make any other changes and will be hoping for the same level of performance.

[Sandydragon]

And with France and Ireland left to play, the opportunities for any of the younger players to impress are diminishing rapidly. Im not suggesting that we should throw on a host of new players and hope for the best, but some time off the bench isn't too radical an idea.

I suppose for the likes of Stef Evans, the best they can hope for is some time on the Summer Tour, or a run out against Georgia in the AIs?