6N starting team

[Edinburgh in Exile]

I was in hysterics that he and his poor old Dad don't even realise he's just a 1 cap pawn in Eddie's game to wind us up. Must be a bit dim as well. He has no England future.

Steady on Greg.

Speaking of sounding bitter. Have a word with yourself.

What parts do you disagree with?

As an aside... anyone know if Doddie will do the match ball in the Calcutta? I truly hope so. Not sure what the precedent is for having it done by the same person in quick succession?

Your cast iron assumption he has no future in the international game, calling him and his old man thick, and you finding it “hysterical”... I would have thought that was pretty clear.

[BlackCat1978]

Assuming that Laidlaw will start at 9, I'd transfer the captaincy to him, with Denton starting at 6, and Strauss at 8. Jones will have seen how Gatland just had Wales keep their width in defence, which made our normally potent backs ineffective. We need ball-carriers. Barclay has had 2 pretty poor matches. He can cover 6,7,8 - so could either drop to the bench, or if Wilson gets the nod, out of the squad entirely.
We need to score tries in this match, as England will definitely get a few...

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Assuming that Laidlaw will start at 9, I'd transfer the captaincy to him, with Denton starting at 6, and Strauss at 8. Jones will have seen how Gatland just had Wales keep their width in defence, which made our normally potent backs ineffective. We need ball-carriers. Barclay has had 2 pretty poor matches. He can cover 6,7,8 - so could either drop to the bench, or if Wilson gets the nod, out of the squad entirely.
We need to score tries in this match, as England will definitely get a few...

Can see where you're coming from but Barclay won't be dropped.

Are Greig and Barclay not a similar age? Curious to know who the next captain will be after the coming RWC.

[whatisthejava]

If we have straus and Denton then Watson will be tucked out the game and will have to play the link man as Denton can be trusted enough to carry straight and hard for 60 mins.

That may be worth it if it gives us 2 extra ball carriers and parity at the breakdown but then who comes on after 60. Wilson or Barclay. Not exactly big for the last 20 mins.

[General Zod]

When’s the team announced?

Have noticeably not heard much from the English in the run-up (like last time from what I remember). Perhaps intentionally allowing us to talk ourselves up (Berghan’s “hating” and the perennial “arrogance” chat) before taking pleasure in setting about us (after not being arrogant at all, from their point of view). Who knows? Maybe they need that motivation?

Anyway, I haven’t heard any rumours on the team, but if Nel’s fit, is probably expect him to start.

[switchskier]

When’s the team announced?

Have noticeably not heard much from the English in the run-up (like last time from what I remember). Perhaps intentionally allowing us to talk ourselves up (Berghan’s “hating” and the perennial “arrogance” chat) before taking pleasure in setting about us (after not being arrogant at all, from their point of view). Who knows? Maybe they need that motivation?

Anyway, I haven’t heard any rumours on the team, but if Nel’s fit, is probably expect him to start.

Sounds about right. Personally I really dislike the crap that Berghan came out with, it's just embarrassing. Hopefully the rest of the squad are properly motivated but focused, not emotional.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I don't think Nel will start even if fit. He hasn't played since the AIs. Berghan with Nel on the bench.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

When’s the team announced?

Have noticeably not heard much from the English in the run-up (like last time from what I remember). Perhaps intentionally allowing us to talk ourselves up (Berghan’s “hating” and the perennial “arrogance” chat) before taking pleasure in setting about us (after not being arrogant at all, from their point of view). Who knows? Maybe they need that motivation?

Anyway, I haven’t heard any rumours on the team, but if Nel’s fit, is probably expect him to start.

Sounds about right. Personally I really dislike the crap that Berghan came out with, it's just embarrassing. Hopefully the rest of the squad are properly motivated but focused, not emotional.

I don't know why they give journos these soundbites. Anyone else remember Kelly Brown's "I'm going to smash Jonny" claims?

[Edinburgh in Exile]

When’s the team announced?

Have noticeably not heard much from the English in the run-up (like last time from what I remember). Perhaps intentionally allowing us to talk ourselves up (Berghan’s “hating” and the perennial “arrogance” chat) before taking pleasure in setting about us (after not being arrogant at all, from their point of view). Who knows? Maybe they need that motivation?

Anyway, I haven’t heard any rumours on the team, but if Nel’s fit, is probably expect him to start.

Sounds about right. Personally I really dislike the crap that Berghan came out with, it's just embarrassing. Hopefully the rest of the squad are properly motivated but focused, not emotional.

I don't know why they give journos these soundbites. Anyone else remember Kelly Brown's "I'm going to smash Jonny" claims?

Agreed, it must be hard though. Journos are going after a sound bite, ask loaded questions and generally like to print the most explosive out of context comment they get. Still, 100% agree, wish some of our lads would stop giving them that opportunity.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

I don't think Nel will start even if fit. He hasn't played since the AIs. Berghan with Nel on the bench.

Aye, it would be nuts to start Eskimo, his first competitive game back, and it’s England? Thought Berghan was good enough to keep the shirt. Bit worried about his propensity to scrummage on his knees and being pinged for it properly this game though. It’s Owens that’s reffing right?

[whatisthejava]

Owens ignores most of the laws as long as Scotland isn't going back or going around the side we can expect Him to ignore that as well

[ARM]

Nel wasn’t in good nick before he got injured. I’ve read reports saying that it’s a good thing he had a upper limb injury as he will have kept his fitness levels up....

...he’s a fckin prop FFS. He can’t have been pushing the tin he needs to maintain upper body muscle mass. I used to be a SH so I am an expert in all of this.

[Adder]

Nel wasn’t in good nick before he got injured. I’ve read reports saying that it’s a good thing he had a upper limb injury as he will have kept his fitness levels up....

...he’s a fckin prop FFS. He can’t have been pushing the tin he needs to maintain upper body muscle mass. I used to be a SH so I am an expert in all of this.

surprised you weren't a lock.

[ARM]

Nel wasn’t in good nick before he got injured. I’ve read reports saying that it’s a good thing he had a upper limb injury as he will have kept his fitness levels up....

...he’s a fckin prop FFS. He can’t have been pushing the tin he needs to maintain upper body muscle mass. I used to be a SH so I am an expert in all of this.

surprised you weren't a lock.

Haha!

Fud.

[General Zod]

From the pics I have seen, Nel actually looks like he has lost weight off his belly. Mind, he was wearing a suit in one of them.

[BlackCat1978]

Watch this match. That was one helluva Scotland side. I'd pick it all day long for the England match (give or take Ford for McInally, and Watson for Cowan). Horne was brilliant at 12 (again)

[ARM]

Watch this match. That was one helluva Scotland side. I'd pick it all day long for the England match (give or take Ford for McInally, and Watson for Cowan). Horne was brilliant at 12 (again)

Clicked link.

First shot was of Craig Joubert.

Switched off.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

It still hurts. You can't post that stuff...

[Digby]

As noted many pages back there are some nice articles on the 1014 site, and they're now finally doing pieces on the Scotland team too

http://the1014.com/scotlands-patterns-tactics-1-3-3-1/

that's the 2nd of 3 articles so far. all good stuff.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Swinson, Grigg and Kinghorn are huge curve balls.

[Adder]

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Glasgow fans will be a tad annoyed I think. Away to Munster with a threadbare squad will be a tough ask.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I would not have dropped Toolis, would have opted for more experience than Kinghorn & probably picked Bennett over Grigg.

[OptimisticJock]

I'd have gone for Scott. Better hope Nel doesn't need to come on too early. Would have Denton and Wilson other way round. No issue with Kinghorn being involved again.

[Big D]

Watch this match. That was one helluva Scotland side. I'd pick it all day long for the England match (give or take Ford for McInally, and Watson for Cowan). Horne was brilliant at 12 (again)

In the cold light of day it exposes the flaw that continues in Scottish rugby to this day.

More often than not in pressure, big time matches the team either crumbles or as in this case finds a way to lose.

We need Edinburgh and Glasgow to regularly win in Europe and winning play off matches in the pro 14.

Obviously league play-offs haven't happened every year but:

Since 2001/2 (start of celtic league) Glasgow have a won 4 lost 7 record in Celtic league/pro12 play offs, played 94 and won 37 games in the pool stage (out of diddy cup in 2 rounds one year) Europe and lost both euro (big and diddy) quarter finals.

Edinburgh have lost their 1 league play off game, in euro pools played 96 and won 42 games, and played 7 won 3 in play offs.

Our players are seriously lacking in high pressure, big game experience. I think it is noticeable when Taylor plays that he has a clarity in thought that some lack, and a lot of that is down to experience of big games and especially winning them IMO.