Cymru v Yr Alban

[Tuco Ramirez]

I think we have more of a chance here...For Scotland it could be a case of "after the lord mayors show"... Wishful thinking perhaps? Changes need to be made and our kicking game needs to really improve but there were some positives Sunday despite the scoreline. I think we need Reffell recalled urgently for his jackalling ability. Beard needs to be taken out of the firing line. Possibly a new 10 and 12... will Tandy have the minerals?

1 Carre
2 Lake
3 Francis
4 Carter
5 Jenkins
6 Plumtree
7 Reffell
8 Wainwright
9 Williams (needs to improve kicking game)
10 Evans
11 Grady
12 James
13 Watkin
14 Mee
15 LRZ

Would be tempted to start Blair Murray and move LRZ to a wing spot.... Hardy looked lively too but this was probably due to France being on the beach so to speak..... thoughts?

[Sourdust]

It's fanciful to imagine we can win, but not outrageous to hope that we can at least stay on the end of a proper rugby scoreline.

It's relatively safe to assume that Scotland will be neither as good as they were against England, nor as bad as they were against Italy.

I really don't think tinkering with the backs matters that much if we can't give them go-forward ball. There might be a case for moving James out to Adams' wing and sticking Watkin outside Hawkins - but I wouldn't fight for it.TBF the forwards did at least occasionally make meters after contact against France; but still nowhere near enough. I think I'd swap Beard out for Rhys Davies (or Carter) and Botham for Mann.

[Sandydragon]

It's fanciful to imagine we can win, but not outrageous to hope that we can at least stay on the end of a proper rugby scoreline.

It's relatively safe to assume that Scotland will be neither as good as they were against England, nor as bad as they were against Italy.

I really don't think tinkering with the backs matters that much if we can't give them go-forward ball. There might be a case for moving James out to Adams' wing and sticking Watkin outside Hawkins - but I wouldn't fight for it.TBF the forwards did at least occasionally make meters after contact against France; but still nowhere near enough. I think I'd swap Beard out for Rhys Davies (or Carter) and Botham for Mann.

I don’t think I’d make many changes for this one. Effort was obvious and it was improved over the England game. Reffell should be in the squad but isn’t but Manns contribution isn’t what it should be and we should think again there. Maybe this is the game for an out and out seven, or we double down and start Plumtree with Wainwright at seven.

I would be tempted to move Hawkins out for Watkin. But that’s not going to happen either.

[UKHamlet]

The defensive line against France was all at sea. That's where we start.

12 is a fraught position because we are picking attacking players who do not get any meaningful opportunities. Both Thomas and Hawkins would be good if the pack had some go-forward. They don't.

Dan Edwards hasn't set the world alight for pretty much the same reason.

We desperately need a defence coach who knows his onions.

[Sandydragon]

The defensive line against France was all at sea. That's where we start.

12 is a fraught position because we are picking attacking players who do not get any meaningful opportunities. Both Thomas and Hawkins would be good if the pack had some go-forward. They don't.

Dan Edwards hasn't set the world alight for pretty much the same reason.

We desperately need a defence coach who knows his onions.

We actually had a lot of possession yesterday. And our forwards made good ground. I don’t think the presence of a ball playing IC is working in the slightest. Better to have a James type player who can build momentum off say Jarrod Evans rather than persevere with this mockery that we need a second ball player. It might gain us a try but that’s not great when we concede a hat full.


A full time defence coach is essential, so why has that taken so damn long? And so many of our other coaches are new to this. It’s a disastrous selection

[Buggaluggs]

We gave away some soft tries and actually look pretty good with ball in hand. I remember years ago Brian Moore and Eddie Butler commentating on an England Wales game. Moore was losing it as England kicked (poorly) all of their possession away. I felt like Brian yesterday. Awful long kicks to the best running players in the 6Ns. I know the dangers of playing too much rugby in your own half, but boy, we sure looked better chugging through slow phases than we did trying to tackle shadows after a bad kick.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Leaving aside the fact that Scotland just beat the team that thrashed us the week before, this is still a winnable game. I have a feeling that we just had a really lenient ref and that next weekend we'll ship a load of penalties and cards if we're not disciplined. And our lineout might not be quite so flawless if the Scots decide to compete for it.

Selection. Not too many changes.
I'd rest Beard and start Davies or Carter.
Not a big deal but I'd prefer Deaves or MacLeod to Mann.
With our game plan we might as well have Watkin at 12. If we decide to kick less, stick with Hawkins.
Rogers for Adams.

Different opposition but we still can't keep kicking like that. We need to build phases a little more. Kicks need to be contestable. And if we unexpectedly get quick ball perhaps we should pass rather than kicking it to them.

[bruce]

Can't see anything other than another heavy loss. Starting to go into all these games thinking if we can keep it below 40 we're doing well.

[normanski]

Can't see anything other than another heavy loss. Starting to go into all these games thinking if we can keep it below 40 we're doing well.

Three of Scotland’s starters last weekend - Ritchie, Dempsey and Dobbie - are all out with injuries.

Scotland usually find the Cardiff visit difficult even when hot favourites.

For these reasons I think we won’t suffer a heavy loss but will be far more competitive. It has to come right sometime and Saturday could be the day.

[pompey-zebra]

The Beeb's reporting that Hamer Webb and Costellow may be brought into the team, with Carter and Plumtree also starting.

[Tuco Ramirez]

i get Carter and Plumtree, I know nothing about Hamer Webb, but please God - no Costellow

[Mikey Brown]

I just saw this gem on the beeb.

The Scots have now beaten England nine times in the Six Nations, with the first victory in 2000 coming in the final round of the Championship.

Following six of the other eight triumphs, Scotland have gone on to lose their next match.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 4wl1nvzpko

From my very little knowledge of your backline Watkin is the best defensive organiser, Hawkins perhaps the best all round talent, with James and Grady having the most going forwards. Is that fair? I haven't seen much of Hamer-Webb but seems pretty good aerially.

Obviously it's up front that matters. I don't get the Reffell exclusion either.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh. Team is out now anyway.

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Hamer-Webb, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, T Williams; Carre, Lake, Francis, Jenkins, Carter, Plumtree, Mann, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Botham, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.

[Which Tyler]

So... I'm guessing Scotland are favourites to keep the Raeburn then... For 1 match anyway

[Sandydragon]

Costelow again? When will we realise that looking good for a region doesn not always translate to international games? Massive kick in the nuts for Edwards.

Bit of a risk on Plumtree starting. Hopefully he keeps his discipline in check and we see the good stuff he is capable. Cracknell did nothing wrong last week so this is a risk.

Why isMann such a nailed on starter? Yes he works hard but is he really effective. Why the hell is Reffell overlooked?

Hamer-Webb- not seen much of him but hope he has a good debut. Not sure why he is replacing Mee rather than Adams?

We can but pray that our centre partnership is less leaky this week.

[normanski]

Costelow again? When will we realise that looking good for a region doesn not always translate to international games? Massive kick in the nuts for Edwards.

Bit of a risk on Plumtree starting. Hopefully he keeps his discipline in check and we see the good stuff he is capable. Cracknell did nothing wrong last week so this is a risk.

Why isMann such a nailed on starter? Yes he works hard but is he really effective. Why the hell is Reffell overlooked?

Hamer-Webb- not seen much of him but hope he has a good debut. Not sure why he is replacing Mee rather than Adams?

We can but pray that our centre partnership is less leaky this week.

I thought Mee was one of our better players and could have been even more effective if our box kicking was more accurate. Is he injured?

[normanski]

I just saw this gem on the beeb.

The Scots have now beaten England nine times in the Six Nations, with the first victory in 2000 coming in the final round of the Championship.

Following six of the other eight triumphs, Scotland have gone on to lose their next match.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 4wl1nvzpko

From my very little knowledge of your backline Watkin is the best defensive organiser, Hawkins perhaps the best all round talent, with James and Grady having the most going forwards. Is that fair? I haven't seen much of Hamer-Webb but seems pretty good aerially.

Obviously it's up front that matters. I don't get the Reffell exclusion either.

Cardiff is often an unhappy hunting ground for Scotland.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Costelow again? When will we realise that looking good for a region doesn not always translate to international games? Massive kick in the nuts for Edwards.

Bit of a risk on Plumtree starting. Hopefully he keeps his discipline in check and we see the good stuff he is capable. Cracknell did nothing wrong last week so this is a risk.

Why isMann such a nailed on starter? Yes he works hard but is he really effective. Why the hell is Reffell overlooked?

Hamer-Webb- not seen much of him but hope he has a good debut. Not sure why he is replacing Mee rather than Adams?

We can but pray that our centre partnership is less leaky this week.

Yeah, all of this really. Costelow can be good (sometimes) but almost everything we've seen says that Edwards is better. And Edwards now behind Evans??

Plumtree is too risky, good on paper not in reality. Cracknell is solid and the best option from Tandy's squad.

Deaves would be a good match-up against Scotland instead of Mann.

I just knew Mee would e dropped instead of Adams (who managed 2 tackles in 80 minutes last week). Mee did not have a perfect game but he made our first try with his Sanjay-style break - he's one of the only players who can make things happen. Adams must do some amazing unseen work coz I haven't seen it for years.

And Christ, we have Murray back in the 23. Why not Mee on the bench?

[Mikey Brown]

I just saw this gem on the beeb.

The Scots have now beaten England nine times in the Six Nations, with the first victory in 2000 coming in the final round of the Championship.

Following six of the other eight triumphs, Scotland have gone on to lose their next match.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 4wl1nvzpko

From my very little knowledge of your backline Watkin is the best defensive organiser, Hawkins perhaps the best all round talent, with James and Grady having the most going forwards. Is that fair? I haven't seen much of Hamer-Webb but seems pretty good aerially.

Obviously it's up front that matters. I don't get the Reffell exclusion either.

Cardiff is often an unhappy hunting ground for Scotland.

Yep. With Tandy's insight and Scotland's inability to backup a performance I'd say you're firm favourites. The Raeburn is yours to lose!

[Sandydragon]

I’m genuinely confused over what Adams and Mann are doing to deserve their places when their players offer more.

Mann is too small to be an impactful blindside and has none of the skills to be effective as an open side, either as a supporter of open play or as a jackling threat. Nor is his carrying effective.

That’s not to say he doesn’t try hard and I often see him around the pitch, but I don’t see the impact of his interventions. No dominant tackles. No turnovers. No big carries.

Reffel should be there and if he isn’t an option to the coaches then play Deaves, who emerged from the English car crash with some credit.

Don’t get it and I’m finding it hard to see what the aim is here, or even that our coaching team understand wtf they are trying to do.

[UKHamlet]

Can't see anything other than another heavy loss. Starting to go into all these games thinking if we can keep it below 40 we're doing well.

Three of Scotland’s starters last weekend - Ritchie, Dempsey and Dobbie - are all out with injuries.

Scotland usually find the Cardiff visit difficult even when hot favourites.

For these reasons I think we won’t suffer a heavy loss but will be far more competitive. It has to come right sometime and Saturday could be the day.

Ritchie is talismanic for the Scots. He's involved with everything.

[Sandydragon]

Can't see anything other than another heavy loss. Starting to go into all these games thinking if we can keep it below 40 we're doing well.

Three of Scotland’s starters last weekend - Ritchie, Dempsey and Dobbie - are all out with injuries.

Scotland usually find the Cardiff visit difficult even when hot favourites.

For these reasons I think we won’t suffer a heavy loss but will be far more competitive. It has to come right sometime and Saturday could be the day.

Ritchie is talismanic for the Scots. He's involved with everything.

He a very big loss for them, although I'd still prefer to have their problems than ours. If they click, our backline will be torn apart.

[pompey-zebra]

Well, given today's result at Twickenham, maybe Scotland aren't that good.

[Buggaluggs]

Well, given today's result at Twickenham, maybe Scotland aren't that good.

They won't have to be

[Buggaluggs]

Oddly enough, I do actually have a little bit of hope for this one.