6N starting team

[switchskier]

Crosbie, Graham and Hastings all to train with squad

Crosbie ahead of Ritchie?

[Big D]

Crosbie, Graham and Hastings all to train with squad

Crosbie ahead of Ritchie?

I'd suggest it is Harley ahead of Ritchie.

The others are only just out the 20s or in Hastings case new to the training squad in a key position.

Ritchie has been on the "invited to train" list before.

[Big D]

Mentioned by a reporter on Twitter Vellacott has been told he's close to England selection.

[Big D]

Apparently Taylor failed two HIAs and is to see a specialist.

[whatisthejava]

Mentioned by a reporter on Twitter Vellacott has been told he's close to England selection.

22k a game although think he would be wasted on England. Think he would suit toonie rugby more than Eddie jones.

[Spiffy]

yeah, i think Velacot maybe is biding his time, cant blame him

But if you look at the position of Fowles it's where a 'V' would be alphabetically. It's either a late decision to remove Visser or Vellacott. The formatting is perfect otherwise.

When you make a bit of creative collateral like that it's far easier to replace like for like than reformat the entire thing.

Could be they've had late word from Laidlaw he's not quite where they thought be regarding fitness then stuck Fowles in. Can believe they'd name Vellacott for a graphic without speaking to him.

I had hoped that Townsend, with his approach of fast, running rugby, would not be thinking of Laidlaw in the squad at all. Scotland has a bunch of fast and lively backs now - the last thing they need is slow ball from ruck/maul/set piece. But that is what they will get if Laidlaw plays.

[Big D]

Mentioned by a reporter on Twitter Vellacott has been told he's close to England selection.

22k a game although think he would be wasted on England. Think he would suit toonie rugby more than Eddie jones.

I suppose at this stage he's only allegedly turned us down.

It may just be a business decision. If he was only likely to be a training body then it makes sense from a Gloucs contract POV to decline at this stage until he's an established starter with them.

[Big D]

But if you look at the position of Fowles it's where a 'V' would be alphabetically. It's either a late decision to remove Visser or Vellacott. The formatting is perfect otherwise.

When you make a bit of creative collateral like that it's far easier to replace like for like than reformat the entire thing.

Could be they've had late word from Laidlaw he's not quite where they thought be regarding fitness then stuck Fowles in. Can believe they'd name Vellacott for a graphic without speaking to him.

I had hoped that Townsend, with his approach of fast, running rugby, would not be thinking of Laidlaw in the squad at all. Scotland has a bunch of fast and lively backs now - the last thing they need is slow ball from ruck/maul/set piece. But that is what they will get if Laidlaw plays.

Sadly was never going to happen. It would be bold in extreme to have told Vellacott he was one of our 3 definite 9s and went with Price, mini Horne and vellacott.

Until Horne gets a little more experience Laidlaw is still best of the rest so long as he adapts to the game plan. I guess he deserves that's chance and I've been one of his critics on here.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m sure I’ve responded to Spiffy on exactly the same topic but he’s capable of upping the pace for 20 minutes at the end when required, but could be absolutely invaluable in seeing out a tight game or when a goal kicker goes down.

I think being on the bench behind young Price could fire him up actually.

[OptimisticJock]

I'm still of the opinion he's been told to play that way.

[Big D]

McCallum must be covering LHP in 1st instance as there's only two others in squad.

Apparently GT has made a point that he sees Kinghorn as able to play across the back 3. So be may be a bench option.

[cashead]

Is Marfo injured? I'm surprised he's not there after his performance last November.

[cashead]

Apparently GT has made a point that he sees Kinghorn as able to play across the back 3. So be may be a bench option.

Putting a fullback out on the wing has been a viable strategy since 2009, and there is a lot of cross-over between the skills required these days.

[Big D]

Is Marfo injured? I'm surprised he's not there after his performance last November.

Joins the long list of internationally capped LHPs (and had competent to very good performances):
Dickinson
Dell
Marfo
Sutherland

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Considering Russell loves a cross field kick and Kinghorn is 6 foot 4 & good under the high ball it's not the worst idea in the world.

If he had that idea I would have liked to have seen him ask Cockerill to give him a game or two on the wing though.

[Mikey Brown]

Played there once or twice with Bryce at the back, right? Seems like the idea got ditched fairly quickly though.

[Chunks Baws]

So how we all feeling now the squads been announced? Confident? I'm a natural doom monger so I'm going for 2 wins.

Wales - We'll fuck it again down there and snap defeat from the jaws of victory.
France - Hard fought win
England - We'll run them close but ultimately fuck it
Ireland- Pumped up front and they'll hand us our biggest defeat of the tournament.
Italy - Win.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

If we win in Wales then I'm going for WWWLW

I know. I'm off my f*cking rocker.

I think our starting XV can be very, very good indeed. I'm more concerned about the front row replacements and the fact that Townsend has got most of his scrum half calls oh, so very wrong.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Btw a couple of articles doing the rounds today confirming that Toony approached both Vellacott and Graham and they rejected us.

I can understand Vellacott - he is essentially English. But Gary Graham ... for f*cking shame man.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-un ... -1-4663205

[Chunks Baws]

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ne ... r-townsend

This article suggests Toony hasn't given up on Graham.

[OptimisticJock]

Grandslam.

Not fussed about either. Vellacott is English and I'd never heard of Graham until Jones announced him in the squad a couple of weeks ago.

[General Zod]

Have calmed down a wee bit. I think Lawson could be a great shout, but we shall see. Just hope the front row from the bench lasts v France then England and Ireland! The French match last year was brutal.

In terms of those who are happy to take £22k per match in exchange for being called “Jock” by a bunch of condescending dullards, I respect their choice.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Vellacott doesn't make the England squad.

Graham does - don't think he will be a loss to us. Just annoying that he's been lost to England who have ridiculous player numbers.

[OptimisticJock]

Like I've already said I'd never heard of him until Jones named him a few weeks ago. Nothing to get annoyed about if he's no loss.