Knee Jerk Reaction & Team for France

[septic 9]

Easy win for Saracens today so not sure if Maitland or Taylor scored or not

Excellent win today for Northampton too so I wonder if Hutchinson is in contention for next week, providing he had a good game that is lol.

hardly touched the ball in a mudfest where exeter dominated possession

[francoisfou]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

[Adder]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

French are terrified of Hamish Watson

[Croft_No.5]

Josh Bayliss, CdP, Rob Harley and Jamie Dobie added to squad. Redpath, Graham and Blade T back to clubs for recovery.

[francoisfou]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

French are terrified of Hamish Watson

I’ve a hunch he’ll be playing for Racing in the next season or two.

[Croft_No.5]

That's Graham G

[Donny osmond]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

Dupont and these guys, are they def out of contention for the Scotland game?

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

[switchskier]

Josh Bayliss, CdP, Rob Harley and Jamie Dobie added to squad. Redpath, Graham and Blade T back to clubs for recovery.

Hands up, who even knew that Bayliss was SQ?

He's at least starting every week for (a poor) Bath. Played at lock on Friday evening and seemingly did quite well (2 turnovers).

I don't hate the call up but find it strange that it's over Skinner who is a very similar player in my view, but quicker and more explosive.

Harley over Wilson is strange to me.

[francoisfou]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

Dupont and these guys, are they def out of contention for the Scotland game?

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

Yes, I think so, because they’re obliged to self isolate for ten days now instead of seven, which would rule them out of selection. France will have a relatively inexperienced test front row which you may be able to capitalize on. Not having Dupont is a blow, although Serin is competent enough, he’s not on the same level as Dupont.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh god. We're due a GT curveball aren't we? Like bringing Harley back in to the side.



That's a reasonable group of players. Questions remain on 6 and fitness/form of Johnson/Taylor. I hope Jones doesn't miss out without getting much opportunity so far. Conversely happy to see someone replace JVDW - harsh maybe but I just haven't seen anything to suggest he's offering anything at this level. Same for Lang really but he's at least been solid and started in some victories.

Losing all 3 blindsides within 2 rounds is quite a feat isn't it. I really thought GT would look at Skinner here. Interesting to see CDP or Bayliss are trusted here. I hope he's not thinking about the Grays to start with Cummings at 6.

[Scottish Caley Fan]

Are we likely to see Bayliss get into the match day squad for any of the final 3 matches because Bath fans seem to think he will be available for them next weekend?

Also, as a Caithnessian, I'm delighted to see a Highlander (Dobie is from Inverness) get into the squad, hopefully he now gets some game time .

[Cameo]

Oh god. We're due a GT curveball aren't we? Like bringing Harley back in to the side.



That's a reasonable group of players. Questions remain on 6 and fitness/form of Johnson/Taylor. I hope Jones doesn't miss out without getting much opportunity so far. Conversely happy to see someone replace JVDW - harsh maybe but I just haven't seen anything to suggest he's offering anything at this level. Same for Lang really but he's at least been solid and started in some victories.

Losing all 3 blindsides within 2 rounds is quite a feat isn't it. I really thought GT would look at Skinner here. Interesting to see CDP or Bayliss are trusted here. I hope he's not thinking about the Grays to start with Cummings at 6.

If you were just to judge on their respective performances on the weekend, Hastings would bench ahead of VDW. They may decide his match fitness isn't quite there but at least he offers something off the bench. Similar equation with Johnson Lang but on that one continuity probably favours Lang.

In the backrow, Richie coming back would make a big difference. CDP on the bench maybe.

I'm firmly on the Dobie bandwagon too (he has pace but somehow seems to bounce through tacklers too) but would be harsh on Steele.

[septic 9]

It’s not getting any better, with hooker Julian Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent having now tested positive.

Dupont and these guys, are they def out of contention for the Scotland game?

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

Yes, I think so, because they’re obliged to self isolate for ten days now instead of seven, which would rule them out of selection. France will have a relatively inexperienced test front row which you may be able to capitalize on. Not having Dupont is a blow, although Serin is competent enough, he’s not on the same level as Dupont.

they are not in the revised squad named for the game. all have been replaced

[septic 9]

If you were just to judge on their respective performances on the weekend, Hastings would bench ahead of VDW. .

Dan Parks and Phil Godman are still ahead of VDW.

[septic 9]

Oh god. We're due a GT curveball aren't we? Like bringing Harley back in to the side.

Losing all 3 blindsides within 2 rounds is quite a feat isn't it. I really thought GT would look at Skinner here. Interesting to see CDP or Bayliss are trusted here. I hope he's not thinking about the Grays to start with Cummings at 6.

Harley has been playing really well. Tackle machine and all round nuisance. Great line out and pretty decent maul defence (poor v Wales). He is in on merit, but I don't think he'll be in the 23 if all fit. Ryan Wilson possibly playing even better and unlucky not to be in there given the injuries. The edinburgh back row contingent played themselves out of consideration.

Skinner looks a stone heavier this season and looks to be fixing on second row - think I read that's how he sees himself.

Cumming will not be starting at 6. He went there v England after injuries, and v Wales because Graham got hooked. Toonie was asked in the post match press conf if Graham (sub for Thomson) had been injured. The answer was a blunt one word one. No.
So if GG is injured now, must have been in training or he was carrying one and didn't tell anyone.

[whatisthejava]

Dont really think you can judge the maul defence, it was clearly a strategy to keep men out to cover the missing winger, unfortunately wales saw what was happening and used it to their advantage,

for me you fix the problem that's in front of you and not worry about the next thing

[Big D]

We still have plenty of options at 6. Ritchie will hopefully be fit and Bayliss, CdP and Craig (if he had to) can all play there.
Worrying for Thomson that he has had another concussion. Graham whilst hooked because of the way he was playing could still have picked up an injury in the game. Replacing Graham with Harley doesn't hurt the squad but doesn't improve it at this level either. Harley is a good professional guy to have around the squad but no more than that. He is deservedly a hero at Glasgow but in his 20odd appearances for Scotland he hasn't made an impact bar the odd cameo. I have never taken to Wilson, but for Scotland he is a better option than Harley.

[Mikey Brown]

Somehow I missed Ritchie’s name in there. I thought we were left to choose one of Harley/Bayliss/CDP. I’d guess it has to be CDP on the bench to cover 8.

Agree that Harley never lets us down, it’s just not a selection that takes us anywhere either.

[Adder]

More Covid victims in the French Squad :
Peato Mauvaka,
Cyril Baille,
Romain Taofifenua,
Charles Ollivon
Brice Dulin.

If France can't host, is that an automatic 5 pts?

[normanski]

More Covid victims in the French Squad :
Peato Mauvaka,
Cyril Baille,
Romain Taofifenua,
Charles Ollivon
Brice Dulin.

If France can't host, is that an automatic 5 pts?

Well France’s misfortune gives you guys a great opportunity to win in Paris for the first time in ages. Hopefully you’ll get as full a first choice team onto the pitch as possible.

The only fly in the ointment that I can see is a second string France side nearly put paid to England at Twickenham last year. They have some pretty good strength in depth.

Mind, you guys have already got the Twickenham monkey off your back and have won in Wales, so perhaps the time has come to express yourselves in Paris.

If we could squeeze a win against England and you boys do a number on the French then Fagerson would be granted the Freedom of Wales as we march to a possible Grand Slam!!!

[francoisfou]

More Covid victims in the French Squad :
Peato Mauvaka,
Cyril Baille,
Romain Taofifenua,
Charles Ollivon
Brice Dulin.

If France can't host, is that an automatic 5 pts?

Jeez, I hope not!!

There's talk of postponing it one week until the first weekend in March ( the next round of 6N matches is scheduled for the second weekend in March)

[Mr Mwenda]

A nurse friend of mine commented during the Italy-France match that the mask-wearing evidenced by the French squad was pitiful. Had them all on wrong apparently.

[Which Tyler]

A nurse friend of mine commented during the Italy-France match that the mask-wearing evidenced by the French squad was pitiful. Had them all on wrong apparently.

You see an awful lot of that, including from people who have no excuse for not knowing better.
I can't remember which match it was in the Autumn, but one of the team Dr.s was wearing theirs both inside out AND upside down!

[septic 9]

A nurse friend of mine commented during the Italy-France match that the mask-wearing evidenced by the French squad was pitiful. Had them all on wrong apparently.

Galthie and Dupont were at at awards do a day or so after Ireland game. There are pics out there for anyone who wants to find them, standing together, no masks, glorying in their award

[Cameo]

Dont really think you can judge the maul defence, it was clearly a strategy to keep men out to cover the missing winger, unfortunately wales saw what was happening and used it to their advantage,

for me you fix the problem that's in front of you and not worry about the next thing

I thought our maul defence was a problem before we lost Fagerson.