RugbyRebels

It's that time of year again - squad being named tomorrow.

I'm not going to make any predictions about how we'll do. I think we all know we have some bigs wins in us, but it will take a lot going right to win three or four and put us in contention.

So, a few comments on players I want to see more of and a potential team for the Italy game. It's a tough one this year as feel there are some positions it's time to shake up. There are definitely some positions I would be going backwards and forwards on if I was Townsend.

1. Schoeman (Easy pick - worried about the backup options)

2. Ashman (He's been excellent generally this season)

3. Fagerson (If Rae had been playing, I would have been tempted to do something silly for the Italy game like have Rae start and then have Fagerson coming on with a Glasgow bomb squad, partly just to keep him fresh - don't think that's an option now)

4. Cummings (Easy. About to get harder)

5. Williamson (I'm not sure on this one. He seems like the future and has looked good, but he's not been starting much, but then nor has Brown. Craig was actually impressive yesterday too. I just want us to go for someone different than Gilchrist, especially given he has been injured)

6. McConnel (I'm not sure at all. Fagerson is playing really well but I suppose I feel that he make a few too many crucial mistakes in big moments. If not him, then Brown might be the next option, but how do you judge someone who has been used as an impact player for the last few months. That leaves McConnel as the exciting option, though it does feel a bit perverse to pick 2 of the Edinburgh back row. But maybe Italy is the game to go for it and we may be grateful to have Fagerson and Brown fresher later).

7. Douglas (Let's go for it. There have been a couple of defensive mistakes, but he's unstoppable at ruck time. Let's get him in while he's still new to our opponents and before he gets injured. If not, Ritchie, mainly for how good he is picking up scraps off high balls. I still like Darge, but don't think he's our best option just now. A bit stuck as a jack of all trades, worldbeater of none - appreciate that is harsh).

8. Dempsey (Best I've seen him play).

9. Dobie (I know most of his recent game time has been on the wing, but let's unleash him. If he is covering wing, I also prefer him to do it from 9 rather than 21, as him coming off the bench on the wing means the starting 9 doing a full 80 there).

10. Russell

11. Graham (I know he's not been flying and some would prefer Dobie, but I think he's been showing enough and is just class. Please give him a rest this weekend though!).

12. Tuipolutu (easy)

13. Jones (If you asked me a couple of weeks ago, I would have said I was excited to see Hutchison get a run. Easy to forget quite how potent Jones is).

14. Steyn (I think we give VDM a decent rest. I'm definitely not writing him off but he needs a break. Steyn is on top form).

15. Jordan (Was a little tempted by Ollie Smith here, but I think we could do with the playmaking ability of Jordan.)

16. Sutherland (Maybe. Doesn't look quite right but is anyone else fit and in any form?)

17. Hiddlestone (Morris has actually been getting games and showing some form, and I am a little tempted to throw in Stephen as he is more of an impact player, but I think Hiddlestone has the all round game. Let Turner fight his way back in).

18. Rae (Maybe, if he plays this weekend. Otherwise, I really can't decide if we should chuck OBL or let him habe a final u20s campaign where he can try and be dominant. I think I'd lean towards the latter, which would mean Millar-Mills I suppose).

19. Brown (Not fully sure about him covering lock, but not many inspiring options and nice to have him on the bench. Craig might be the alternative or copy Glasgow and have him starting with Williamson on the bench).

20. Fagerson (Very nice bench option).

21. Ritchie (Less obvious as an impact player and may be over eager and give penalties away, but also brings energy and has been one of our best players and I've not been that impressed by Onyeama-Christie this season having been excited to have him back).

22. White (Less of an impact option than Horne, but looks to have been playing well and it would be nice to finish with arguably our best all round 9).

23. Kinghorn (Has looked a bit indecisive when I have seen him this season, but some of his most impressive international performances have been from the bench. McDowall would be the alternative but that would leave us light on wing cover. Smith I suppose, but I think Kinghorn maybe offers more impact).

I suspect we will have a much better idea of the starting team when we see the Edinburgh and Glasgow teams for this weekend.

selection of match day 23 is sooooo dependent on whether we go 5/3 or 6/2 on the bench. I'd go 6/2 and that solves many selection issues
Toonie will go 5/3 and fall between two stools. Also won't be surprised to see Edinburgh get a number in they really really do not deserve.

I haven’t really seen Douglas play, but I’d find it hard to leave any of Brown, Ritchie, Darge or Fagerson out of the 23.

Fagerson and Brown are the only two of those I think really suit playing an impact role off the bench, but I do really like the look of McConnell too. Ritchie was so good last 6 nations and seems to be doing well at Perpignan.

If we’re committing to a 6:2 (Dobie, Jordan and Kinghorn make this viable) we need to make it count in the forwards, which we did not do at all in the 6 nations. To me that’s 19. A Glasgow lock 20. Brown 21. Fagerson. We need to look at more lock options and I don’t think that’s where Brown’s future is?

I’m unsure about the front row options without weakening the starting set piece too much. It would be a real shame if Rae is unavailable. I was looking forward to having 2 passable tighthead options.

I think White on the bench is actually a great role for him. You don’t need everyone to be all-out runners, and as much as I love watching Horne for Glasgow I just don’t think I trust him at international level.

The wing situation is tricky. Is it a break that VDM needs or is he just not suited to the current international game? I just can’t separate what he should be able to do in theory from what we actually get from him on the pitch.

Brown and Douglas should be starting 6,7 powerful carrier matched with a serious jackler what's not to like

You need to swap Graham and Steyn. Graham only ever plays at 14 but Steyn can play both. I agree though that Steyn needs to replace DVDM. Also, for fuck sake Toony don’t put DVDM on the bench. He either starts or isn’t in the 23 (and he doesn’t deserve to start).

I’m very divided about scrum half. Horne is always fantastic for Glasgow but he’s never convinced at international level but I reckon Dobie has a higher ceiling. White is a Townsend favourite so I’d expect he’ll be involved either starting or on the bench. If they’re all to be involved, Dobie on the wing at 14, Horne to start at 9 and White on the bench.

In the front row I certainly wouldn’t have Morris involved, his lineout throwing is just not good enough. There are too many combinations of good players in the 2nd and back row for me to think about without getting a headache. Dempsey to start at 8 and some other than Gilchrist alongside Cummings in the 2nd row. Other than that I just don’t know, there are a hell of a lot of talented players to choose from.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 5:12 pm You need to swap Graham and Steyn. Graham only ever plays at 14 but Steyn can play both. I agree though that Steyn needs to replace DVDM. Also, for fuck sake Toony don’t put DVDM on the bench. He either starts or isn’t in the 23 (and he doesn’t deserve to start).

Hahah, I knew someone would pick up on this. Don't disagree, just find it very hard to care (certainly not enough to look up) which shirt numbers each of the wings wear.

I don't think Duhan will be picked at all this time. He doesn't look fully fit to me.

we will find out today I think

Glasgow 23 that beat Sarries with Schoeman for Schickerling would do nicely. Or might have Dobie for Afshar. Need a bench TH of course, Rae if fit if not OBL for the first game and see where we go from there

Hiddleston doesn't make the squad. I guess we have to hope Cherry is still up to it because Turner looks absolutely shot.

Jonny Gray, fourth choice Bordeux lock, also makes it. Samuel is injured? No sykes I guess.

No major surprises?

Scotland squad for 2026 Guinness Six Nations (caps in brackets):

Forwards

Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (44)
Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (46)
Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (5)

Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (32)
Dave Cherry – Vannes (16)
George Turner – Harlequins (50)

Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (76)
D’arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby (5)
Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (11)

Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (45)
Alex Craig – Glasgow Warriors (6)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (84)
Jonny Gray – Union Bordeaux Bègles (81)
Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (9)

Liam McConnell – Edinburgh Rugby (1)
Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (12)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (59)
Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (61)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Freddy Douglas – Edinburgh Rugby (1)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (29)
Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby (21)
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (14)

Backs

Ben White – Toulon (31)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (17)

Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (89)
Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (35)
Fergus Burke – Saracens (3)

Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (33) – CAPTAIN
Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (12)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (16)
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (11)
Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (58)

Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (52)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (28)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (50)
Kyle Rowe- Glasgow Warriors (16)
Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (12)
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (63)
Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (12)

And here is the 15 man squad (lol) for the A game.

Scotland A squad

Forwards
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens
James Whitcombe – Edinburgh Rugby

Backs
Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks
Gus Warr- Sale Sharks

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 2:05 pm
Jonny Gray, fourth choice Bordeux lock, also makes it. Samuel is injured? No sykes I guess.

No major surprises?

depends how you define surprises I guess. Or who you ask. Anyone who has followed these players will be surprised that Turner (can't buy a game for Harlequins, who are shit) and Cherry (35 year old Cherry, one for the future) are in. Surprised than DVDM is in. Surprised that Gray is in (as you say 4th choice for Bordeaux in their weakest position!)

The "no major surprise" for me is that Toonie has done exactly as I suspected he would. Mainly reverted to those he sees as tried and trusted, irrespective of age or form, far too loyal and far too conservative with no vision beyond the next game

Good - McConnell and Douglas are in.
Bad - Turner, Gray and Gilchrist are in.
Apart from Cherry pretty much everything else is fine.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 2:18 pm And here is the 15 man squad (lol) for the A game.

Scotland A squad

Forwards
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens
James Whitcombe – Edinburgh Rugby

Backs
Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks
Gus Warr- Sale Sharks

Presumably some players will drop down from the main squad.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 6:18 pm

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 2:18 pm And here is the 15 man squad (lol) for the A game.

Scotland A squad

Forwards
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens
James Whitcombe – Edinburgh Rugby

Backs
Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks
Gus Warr- Sale Sharks

Presumably some players will drop down from the main squad.

that is the plan

That's the most depth Scotland have had since the late 90s? - 2nd row the exception

Christie was outstanding 2 years ago there's enough back row depth not to miss him

Apart from Hiddlestone, you could still pick basically the 23 I wanted from that squad, but the message it sends is a little dispiriting. Townsend may be right that our best hope is to continue with basically the same team and hope we get some luck and it all comes together, but it's getting a bit dull now.

As Septic says, maybe we shouldn't be surprised, but does Townsend really think Gray and Cherry make such a big contribution now that it is worth including them at the expense of those with more upside? Being very generous, at least he has the courage of his convictions and hasn't picked a squad just to placate his detractors.

On two individuals:

- Hiddlestone: Is there something we are missing that means Townsend is sceptical he could make the step up? I think he maybe prefers a bigger carrier at hooker, but that doesn't explain Cherry being there ahead of him.

- Henderson: Lots of calls for him in the second row. I haven't seen enough to have a strong view (other than that I want to move on from Gilchrist). Has anyone seen him have a standout game for Leicester? The games I have seen he has just looked like a solid club player. Some of the same people calling for him were claiming Gray was in the form of his life this time last year.

Henderson seems a really smart player, mobile and strong in the lineout, but I think Townsend is looking for a bruiser.

I don’t know who has been claiming Jonny Gray has been in great form any time in the last few years. He’s a warrior but he permanently looks like he’s running the last few steps of a marathon.

Gilchrist, for all I feel we should be moving on, at least has a storming game for Scotland once or twice a season. I just want us to give some of the youngsters around him the chance to push him out.

Obviously the A squad gets filled out with more players - I guess I just don’t understand the management choice of singling out this select group (who will presumably be training alongside everyone else in the run up?) to say they’re not making the main squad, while others will train and then drop down anyway.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:10 pm
I don’t know who has been claiming Jonny Gray has been in great form any time in the last few years. He’s a warrior but he permanently looks like he’s running the last few steps of a marathon.

One of the reasons I took over the Scots Abroad thread was to see how often those players were actually selected. I’ve found that supporters who don’t follow rugby too closely tend to assume that players playing abroad (especially veterans ) are going great guns and should be in the team. In 15 games this season that I had info for Gray has started three, benched for five and not been selected for seven. I don’t know his injury situation but he’s nowhere near being a regular starter for UBB. He hasn’t done enough to start for Scotland and I don’t see him as the bench option Scotland need.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:27 pm

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:10 pm
I don’t know who has been claiming Jonny Gray has been in great form any time in the last few years. He’s a warrior but he permanently looks like he’s running the last few steps of a marathon.

One of the reasons I took over the Scots Abroad thread was to see how often those players were actually selected. I’ve found that supporters who don’t follow rugby too closely tend to assume that players playing abroad (especially veterans ) are going great guns and should be in the team. In 15 games this season that I had info for Gray has started three, benched for five and not been selected for seven. I don’t know his injury situation but he’s nowhere near being a regular starter for UBB. He hasn’t done enough to start for Scotland and I don’t see him as the bench option Scotland need.

I do really appreciate those, and yeah those stats sound about right for Gray.

I keep wondering if Craig has been overlooked as a serious starting option. He's got something about him that I just think might suit test level, but I've not watched him closely that many times. Someone like Williamson feels like they could make a real impact off the bench. Or even just have Gilchrist there as security, but surely our set piece can't keep falling to bits whenever Gilchrist is removed?

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Fri Jan 23, 2026 12:48 am

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:27 pm

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:10 pm
I don’t know who has been claiming Jonny Gray has been in great form any time in the last few years. He’s a warrior but he permanently looks like he’s running the last few steps of a marathon.

One of the reasons I took over the Scots Abroad thread was to see how often those players were actually selected. I’ve found that supporters who don’t follow rugby too closely tend to assume that players playing abroad (especially veterans ) are going great guns and should be in the team. In 15 games this season that I had info for Gray has started three, benched for five and not been selected for seven. I don’t know his injury situation but he’s nowhere near being a regular starter for UBB. He hasn’t done enough to start for Scotland and I don’t see him as the bench option Scotland need.

I do really appreciate those, and yeah those stats sound about right for Gray.

I keep wondering if Craig has been overlooked as a serious starting option. He's got something about him that I just think might suit test level, but I've not watched him closely that many times. Someone like Williamson feels like they could make a real impact off the bench. Or even just have Gilchrist there as security, but surely our set piece can't keep falling to bits whenever Gilchrist is removed?

I agree re Craig (and Williamson as a bench option). I can't see it happening, though as I think Townsend will take the view that if we are to have a solid starter, it might as well be Gilchrist. I'm also not sure I would want it, mainly as I would like Williamson to step up as a main man.

On the stats, some people have pointed out that Gray actually has more minutes this season than Samuel, who Tom English was talking about as one of the form players overlooked, and Craig. I know those two have both been injured, but it is easy to get a bit carried away with a narrative. I was a little heartened to here Townsend (while praising Gray's performances last year) recognise that he wasn't in top physical shape at the time.

I'd also forgotten Cherry started all five games last year. That, plus his alleged current form, might be enough to justify him in the squad, but if you are going to do that, you should leave Turner out.

I suppose one positive way to look at it is that we should have a better team than last year's tournament when we were missing Cummings, Tuipolotu, and Steyn, and a better team than the autumn when we were missing Fagerson and Jones.