Scotland v Italy

[Renniks]

After the Webster incident Robson doesn't take any chances.

Safe than sorry, on second viewing Itoje was damn lucky not to get a card for that as was Hughes but brown was a red

Itoje was lucky no arguments there
But Hughes was barely late, wrapped his arms, and it wasn't high…

[General Zod]

I doubt Brown will make it - he's been cited for that slightly mistimed tackle that earned him a yellow.

[ARM]

On Brown: if they apply the Earls precedent, then its a two week ban and he'll be back, rested, for the Sarries game.

In fact they should just play the Embra team this weekend v Italy.

[AL.]

On Brown: if they apply the Earls precedent, then its a two week ban and he'll be back, rested, for the Sarries game.

In fact they should just play the Embra team this weekend v Italy.

[whatisthejava]

After the Webster incident Robson doesn't take any chances.

Safe than sorry, on second viewing Itoje was damn lucky not to get a card for that as was Hughes but brown was a red

Itoje was lucky no arguments there
But Hughes was barely late, wrapped his arms, and it wasn't high…

Put it another way, would you feel hard done by if it was a yellow ?
have you seen them given ?
So i think a yellow is justified


If you wait 6 months Id be surprised if that isnt a high tackle, world rugby will have to revisit the high tackle line based on the fact that there current directives are being ignored by the refs on the ground,

Itoje, haskel would have no complaints about a yellow
Tuperic would have no compliants about a yellow
Thats 3 yellow cards where the head either ended up on the floor or getting hit recklessly

World rugby will gently remind the refs that if they want to stay at the top of the game they will be expected to yellow card incidents like this , not because they care, they dont give a sh!t but the fear of a player getting a bad concussion and suing the crap out of them for not making refs enforcing the directives.

I also expect World rugby to quitly start telling refs that holding on in the ground isnt an optional law to enforce or again one bad concusion and they are in big trouble

[whatisthejava]

I doubt Brown will make it - he's been cited for that slightly mistimed tackle that earned him a yellow.

He cant complain if he gets it

Do an Earls and go in all remorseful and walk out with a 2 week ban

[Cameo]

I think a ban is deserved. Earls' was worse but he suffered a red on the day.

Don't think Hughes was a card at all. Very slightly late and not high. Would need to see Itoje's again. Not much seemed to be made of it at the time

[Mikey Brown]

My issue with Hughes's tackle is the ball was gone before he even launched himself in to it.

[ARM]

On Brown: if they apply the Earls precedent, then its a two week ban and he'll be back, rested, for the Sarries game.

In fact they should just play the Embra team this weekend v Italy.

Its only Italy.

Bigger fish to fry...

[OptimisticJock]

[Tobylerone]

On Brown: if they apply the Earls precedent, then its a two week ban and he'll be back, rested, for the Sarries game.

In fact they should just play the Embra team this weekend v Italy.

Its only Italy.

Bigger fish to fry...

Indeed, looks as though we`ll have all of the squad available to tour in summer with new management (except those still in hospital, of course).

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Vern has called up no replacements despite the lads training today.

*sigh*

[laribold]

Vern has called up no replacements despite the lads training today.

*sigh*

Or maybe that's a good sign and the various injuries that needed scans are only very minor and that all the RTP protocols are going well?

[AL.]

Vern has called up no replacements despite the lads training today.

*sigh*

Macinally and Scott in training according to Humphreys.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm gutted this is what it takes to get Scott involved. It would be ridiculous if he wasn't at this point.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Vern has called up no replacements despite the lads training today.

*sigh*

Or maybe that's a good sign and the various injuries that needed scans are only very minor and that all the RTP protocols are going well?

Horne & another back row needed to be called up last week at the very least.

and in relation to the Scott/McInally comment - they were already in the squad.

[AL.]

Vern has called up no replacements despite the lads training today.

*sigh*

Or maybe that's a good sign and the various injuries that needed scans are only very minor and that all the RTP protocols are going well?

Horne & another back row needed to be called up last week at the very least.

and in relation to the Scott/McInally comment - they were already in the squad.

Hadnt realised that, just read this:

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-uni ... -1-4391421

Horne should be in there as well, cant fault Weirs effort but it is a bit of a waste of a space to me.

[Mikey Brown]

I'd have been an awful lot happier with Horne covering fullback too. Weir is perhaps the more trustworthy 10 but is limited both in style and versatility. We don't have enough depth as it is to go without that.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I'd have been an awful lot happier with Horne covering fullback too. Weir is perhaps the more trustworthy 10 but is limited both in style and versatility. We don't have enough depth as it is to go without that.

It's just blunder after blunder really. Horne played himself into contention in the last game - he was superb. Covers 10, 12 and as you say 15... he started out as a full-back. Horne is international class, Weir isn't. That's all there is to it.

[Adder]

How will we recover from that midfield disaster? Will the Italians be able to exploit that weakness?

The midfield felt very bare against England, those 4 first tries had some amazing passes at full pace with great decoy lines all fairly concentrated.Of course the first one came with Brown in the bin and the rest came with Hogg out of the picture( Hogg not being there probably affected communication in defense which didn’t help with such lethal attack). Our centres seemed passive and on their Heals.

I don't Think Italy will be able to attack in quite the same way and we will probably be able to put pressure on their 10.

[Mikey Brown]

You have to wonder if the approach was different for England? I've forgiven Dunbar not showing that much in attack as he is normally so brilliant (and still think he should have won a turnover or two) in defence. It's hard to say if he's a bit off the pace, just had a bad day or just been tackling so tirelessly all tournament that it's an understandable show of fatigue. Jones has been a little inconsistent both in attack and defence but shown several moments of real class.

The line-speed just didn't seem to be there. I suppose we were predicting multiple waves of forward runners and just not expecting England to open up like that. I haven't really watched the tries back perhaps Dunbar is caught a bit narrow trying to make sure Russell isn't steamrollered, even though I've really rated his defence so far this tournament. I've been praying for England to do that in the other games but didn't see it coming here. I feel like Scotland suit rushing hard in defence but I can understand the thinking of sitting back slightly and trying to pilfer the ball. The fact we weren't getting anywhere in the breakdown and didn't change anything about the defence seems the biggest issue, beyond that 12/13 gap.

It's hard to say what we do to fix that as they are still our 2 best defenders. I'm still very tempted by Jones on the wing (Visser returned to his normal self) and the centre pairing that tore Italy up a couple of years ago.

[Adder]

You have to wonder if the approach was different for England? I've forgiven Dunbar not showing that much in attack as he is normally so brilliant (and still think he should have won a turnover or two) in defence. It's hard to say if he's a bit off the pace, just had a bad day or just been tackling so tirelessly all tournament that it's an understandable show of fatigue. Jones has been a little inconsistent both in attack and defence but shown several moments of real class.

The line-speed just didn't seem to be there. I suppose we were predicting multiple waves of forward runners and just not expecting England to open up like that. I haven't really watched the tries back perhaps Dunbar is caught a bit narrow trying to make sure Russell isn't steamrollered, even though I've really rated his defence so far this tournament. I've been praying for England to do that in the other games but didn't see it coming here. I feel like Scotland suit rushing hard in defence but I can understand the thinking of sitting back slightly and trying to pilfer the ball. The fact we weren't getting anywhere in the breakdown and didn't change anything about the defence seems the biggest issue, beyond that 12/13 gap.

It's hard to say what we do to fix that as they are still our 2 best defenders. I'm still very tempted by Jones on the wing (Visser returned to his normal self) and the centre pairing that tore Italy up a couple of years ago.

For a second, i though you were meaning Lee.

Wouldn't mind:

VisserScott Dunbar Jones
Maitland

Horn and Kinghorn on the bench could be great. I would be calling for Hoyland if he was in the same shape as at the start of the season.

However, as this is Vern's last game, i doubt we will see too much change.

[whatisthejava]

Any update on Brown, seems strange that its going on a bit.

Mind you we seem to always end up with total w@nkers at the citing panels who need overruled for being dicks

[Stones of granite]

Any update on Brown, seems strange that its going on a bit.

Mind you we seem to always end up with total w@nkers at the citing panels who need overruled for being dicks

Citing panel have deemed that yellow was sufficient.

https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[whatisthejava]

Any update on Brown, seems strange that its going on a bit.

Mind you we seem to always end up with total w@nkers at the citing panels who need overruled for being dicks

Citing panel have deemed that yellow was sufficient.

https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

He is bloody lucky, right on the line, if it had been a red they would have banned him so just another example of completly mental independent panels