Japan Tour

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think it's pretty obvious Dunbar is not going to be available. He's named because his injury is still being confirmed.

[Big D]

The tests should be on at a good time for us in NZ. It should be interesting to see how Japan fare after a good RWC. Regrettably they won't have Leitch who apparently wants a rest (and I hope this is not due to any French Club style pressure from my Chiefs on him).

Both games KO at 1120BST

[Cameo]

I think it's pretty obvious Dunbar is not going to be available. He's named because his injury is still being confirmed.

If he is out do we think bennet will be called back in? I kindof hope not as it'd be fun to see him in Rio. I hate myself for saying this but from a personal marketability point of view I bet his agent wants him at the olympics too

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think it's pretty obvious Dunbar is not going to be available. He's named because his injury is still being confirmed.

If he is out do we think bennet will be called back in? I kindof hope not as it'd be fun to see him in Rio. I hate myself for saying this but from a personal marketability point of view I bet his agent wants him at the olympics too

I'm not sure as Matt Scott needs some time off. In fact I think it's probably the end of Matt Scott's international career for a couple of years. If anyone needs limited and managed game time it's him... he's off to a league where he will be flogged for the duration of his contract!

Who else is there? Vernon is still not fit. Grove clearly not in the mix. Lamont? Fergusson? Dean? Outside bet would be to get Huw Jones capped but that won't happen although he will be available as the super rugby season breaks up for the international fixtures.

Suspect Scott would just be called in or Lamont.

[hp18]

Strauss is much improved at that level.

To be fair that is true. I still have the same concerns as before regarding him, but credit where it is due.

I'd almost have been tempted to pick Bradbury for the tour as a flyer. He has nearly always impressed me off the bench for Edinburgh and offers real impact but still way too early for him.

I feel Strauss could do with stringing some games together for Scotland, but agreed we shouldn't just be offering that up for nothing.

I just have this feeling that 6. Strauss 7. Watson 8. Ashe could be fantastic, with very little to base it on.

With Ashe at 22, Richie at 19, Bradbury at 20, CdP 25, Denton 26, even Wilson at 27 and no doubt others (Ally Millar for example) who will come through the youth or appear from nowhere I am not sure Strauss will ever have a chance to get an extended run in the side. He obviously should if form merits it but there will be plenty of different options for VC and the next coach to try out and find a balance.

Although 6 and 8 are short term concern it is actually 7 that is the longer term worry IMO.

How so? Hardie, Barclay, maybe Cowan immediately. Watson should be in there and has many years ahead of him. Blake looked to have some skills and post Rio should be more focussed on XVs. Smith at U20s level definitely one to watch.

[Big D]

Strauss is much improved at that level.

To be fair that is true. I still have the same concerns as before regarding him, but credit where it is due.

I'd almost have been tempted to pick Bradbury for the tour as a flyer. He has nearly always impressed me off the bench for Edinburgh and offers real impact but still way too early for him.

I feel Strauss could do with stringing some games together for Scotland, but agreed we shouldn't just be offering that up for nothing.

I just have this feeling that 6. Strauss 7. Watson 8. Ashe could be fantastic, with very little to base it on.

With Ashe at 22, Richie at 19, Bradbury at 20, CdP 25, Denton 26, even Wilson at 27 and no doubt others (Ally Millar for example) who will come through the youth or appear from nowhere I am not sure Strauss will ever have a chance to get an extended run in the side. He obviously should if form merits it but there will be plenty of different options for VC and the next coach to try out and find a balance.

Although 6 and 8 are short term concern it is actually 7 that is the longer term worry IMO.

How so? Hardie, Barclay, maybe Cowan immediately. Watson should be in there and has many years ahead of him. Blake looked to have some skills and post Rio should be more focussed on XVs. Smith at U20s level definitely one to watch.

Hardie is actually younger than I thought.

My thinking was:
Cowan is 30 and never been more than ok.
Barclay is 30 this year and doesn't actually play 7 anymore and although I'm a fan I'm not sure he'll make the next RWC.
I thought Hardie was 30.

So I thought we'd be losing Hardie and Barclay (even if he never plays there) around the same time leaving Watson and an inexperienced Smith as out and out 7s.

my thinking was we lacked another mid 20s option but Hardie is only 27/28.

[Chunks Baws]

Strauss is much improved at that level.

To be fair that is true. I still have the same concerns as before regarding him, but credit where it is due.

I'd almost have been tempted to pick Bradbury for the tour as a flyer. He has nearly always impressed me off the bench for Edinburgh and offers real impact but still way too early for him.

I feel Strauss could do with stringing some games together for Scotland, but agreed we shouldn't just be offering that up for nothing.

I just have this feeling that 6. Strauss 7. Watson 8. Ashe could be fantastic, with very little to base it on.

With Ashe at 22, Richie at 19, Bradbury at 20, CdP 25, Denton 26, even Wilson at 27 and no doubt others (Ally Millar for example) who will come through the youth or appear from nowhere I am not sure Strauss will ever have a chance to get an extended run in the side. He obviously should if form merits it but there will be plenty of different options for VC and the next coach to try out and find a balance.

Although 6 and 8 are short term concern it is actually 7 that is the longer term worry IMO.

How so? Hardie, Barclay, maybe Cowan immediately. Watson should be in there and has many years ahead of him. Blake looked to have some skills and post Rio should be more focussed on XVs. Smith at U20s level definitely one to watch.

It will be interesting to see Blake get more XV time. He seemed to be highly rated by Vern when he first came over.

[Mikey Brown]

Blake is an interesting one, he certainly seemed to get around the field and in the right places, but I couldn't judge much more than that.

That run-down of the openside options does seem to rely quite a lot on Watson in the longer term. I think he's a brilliant prospect and offers something we haven't had for a while, but given the recent history of Edinburgh opensides I'm being cautious.

Fortunately Hardie seems to be made out of granite.

[Croft_No.5]

Thought I would post it here. RWC19 draw pushed back to May 2017, post next 6Ns. Hopefully we can push ourselves into the top 8 by then!

[Cameo]

Thought I would post it here. RWC19 draw pushed back to May 2017, post next 6Ns. Hopefully we can push ourselves into the top 8 by then!

Cant do the maths but that seems a good thing for us. If we beat everyone below us til then and get one or two big wins we must have a chance

[Cameo]

Thought I would post it here. RWC19 draw pushed back to May 2017, post next 6Ns. Hopefully we can push ourselves into the top 8 by then!

Cant do the maths but that seems a good thing for us. If we beat everyone below us til then and get one or two big wins we must have a chance

[Big D]

Thought I would post it here. RWC19 draw pushed back to May 2017, post next 6Ns. Hopefully we can push ourselves into the top 8 by then!

Cant do the maths but that seems a good thing for us. If we beat everyone below us til then and get one or two big wins we must have a chance

Beating Japan in these 2 could see us end up 7th I think. The rankings give a 3pt boost to the home side so we actually gain more than you might expect from beating them.

We must beat Georgia in the autumn and if we could turn over Argentina that would be a big help too.

[ARM]

Winning the 2017 6N will give us a handy bump in the rankings.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Going into the 2016 6N it meant a huge amount to the rankings. Made no difference ultimately.

[Chunks Baws]

Dunbar is out, not sure how long in total. Scott has been called up to replace him. No surgery required thankfully.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36304213

[AL.]

Bit random:



Found via the Scotland Rugby blog, its odd to see, I don't think of our guys as celebrities like that, but I suppose they are. Nor do I ever read said rag, but have heard of it so is It the big time I don't know....

[hp18]

Visser out Lamont in.

[Big D]

Looks like Hoyland will should be in line for starts then which is good.

[Croft_No.5]

If Castres make the T14 play-offs will Ritchie Gray travel?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I like Sean Lamont but how is this going to help Scotland in the medium to long term? Just shows how far off international selection Lee Jones & Tom Brown really are.

[Croft_No.5]

Have to agree. Thought that either of them would get the nod before SLamont. He definitely won't be there much beyond this coming season.

Lee Jones certainly deserves the slot and I hope he gets the chance to show that tomorrow and then again in the final.

[Big D]

I can only think they see Lamont as better bench value. Which isn't a valid argument IMO but it is the only possible reason I can see for inclusion ahead of Jones. But there is always weird and wonderful reasons players who miss squads can't make summer tours too.

I like wee Brown but I just don't see him as anything more that a good club level player.

[sharvey44]

I like Sean Lamont but how is this going to help Scotland in the medium to long term? Just shows how far off international selection Lee Jones & Tom Brown really are.

I thought BVC said that the Japan tour was mainly about winning. I agree that SLamont is probably pushing towards the end of his int. career but he was part of a good RWC and 6N squad.

I think the idea of building confidence through consistently winning will go along way with this group.

[Big D]

Seeing as Russell will in all likelihood not be touring (even if able we should be sensible with him) I wonder if they might call up Heathcote rather than the obvious Weir.

Or they might just call up Weir or roll with Hogg/Laidlaw as an emergency 10.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Worst case scenario would be Weir call up and then parachuted straight into the 10 shirt. I wouldn't put it past VC. Jackson must start.