RugbyRebels

Any short term speculation seems pointless at the moment but as a distraction from the news I was having a think where we might be over the next couple of years. If players develop as you hope over the next season and a half (i.e. incumbents you rate are in form and youngsters you think we need to develop do), what would your ideal team be for the opening game if the 2022 Six Nations.

Here's mine:

Front row plus bench:

Fagerson (Nicol - probably too soon for any of he promising u20s)
McInally (Ashman - maybe a stretch and I'm happy with Brown but it would be great if Ashman had a breakthrough year)
Sutherland (Kebble)

Second Row:

Carmichael (massive chance for him next year to see if he can fulfil that potential despite the injuries)
Gray (still rate him but found second row the hardest)

(Skinner - I like the idea of him being able to come on in the backrow too if needed)

Backrow:

Watson
Ritchie
Fagerson
(Crosbie)

Scrum half:

Dobie (Horne - happy enough with Horne/Price but if Dobie is a worldie it'd be nice if he burst through)

Fly half:

Russell (Hastings - hopefully be comfortable with Hastings covering 15 too)

Centres (another hard one):

McDowall (faded this season but could be v good - if not, Johnson)
Hutchinson (or Jones - one with least form goes on the bench (or Bennet/Scott if in better form)

Back Three:

Graham
Kinghorn
Hogg
(No one I know of really pushing here hence why being covered from the centres)

Other youngsters I would like to see established and beginning to be talked about as possible caps:
Darge
Boyle
Gamble (and that other u20s prop)
Chamberlain
Ollie Smith
Shiel

You can add Duhan VDM to the back 3.

2022 isn't that far away so I'd be surprised if there are many major changes. There is a chance for some newcomers at Glasgow with a new head coach but don't see cockers really changing tack. For that reason I'm not sure I see Carmichael supplanting Cummings and think that pairing him with Gray lacks a bit of height.

Saying that, the one with the physical tools that I could see surprising would be Blain on the wing. He should get some time next season so there's an opportunity for him to grab.

The other would be Shield, but atm he doesn't seem likely to play enough and may get jumped by Dobie as you say.

Oh yeah, forgot about DHVDM. If all goes well, he could well be first choice and offer us something different.

Switch - agree with you about not too many changes and was trying to limit to those who could realistically break through. Carmichael is a stretch maybe but he was on the verge of a big breakthrough before his injuries. It is a bit of a lottery how our second rows will develop and you could make an argument for a few different combos. I would like to think Tools will drop out of the conversation.

Blain is interesting - seemed to stall this season but haven't looked into why.

Kebble may be in the mix for front row, but I don’t think “the greatest” Schoeman will be qualified by 2022. Not sure tho.

I think Carmichael and Cummings will be there too. Dunno about CHH.

McCallum will hopefully get a chance but at 29 Berghan isn't fading away.

Craig in the second row too.

Duhan starts if fit.

Big D wrote:McCallum will hopefully get a chance but at 29 Berghan isn't fading away.

Craig in the second row too.

Duhan starts if fit.

Thought McCallum was losing a bit of weight and switching back to the loosehead, which could be a good move for him.

Big D wrote:McCallum will hopefully get a chance but at 29 Berghan isn't fading away.

Craig in the second row too.

Duhan starts if fit.

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if those two are in the conversation. It was more that, if everything goes well, I would hope we could move on or at least develop a new option.

General Zod wrote:Kebble may be in the mix for front row, but I don’t think “the greatest” Schoeman will be qualified by 2022. Not sure tho.

I think Carmichael and Cummings will be there too. Dunno about CHH.

Aye Schoeman needs to wait and serve 5 years of residency.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

Greig seems to think we can win it around 2022! And why not?!