Japan Tour

[Mikey Brown]

It's not something I'm completely wedded to but has helped paper over some of the cracks in some ways, but probably created some cracks too. We still lack some real punch around the fringes but (I've got to say it, and I hate to be that guy) it really is difficult to do that with a scrum-half who is completely disinterested in building/maintaining momentum or front-foot ball.

I refuse to accept a pack with Nel, 2 x Grays, Strauss/Denton, Dunbar (+ Reid, MacInally, Barclay, Hardie to lesser extents) cannot make some serious dents in most opposition with a bit of organisation and a bit more venom.

I totally get what you mean about missing a real link player, but our pack currently spend so much time chasing themselves in circles it's very hard to judge balance/personnel. Laidlaw is great at positioning players on static ball, but doesn't seem to be able to transition to anything quicker. When we are on the front foot and he finally clicks in to gear he can look quite good, but our forwards mostly just look resigned to a lifetime of static, predictable forward pods with an on-rushing defence.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

We don't lack punch. It's Laidlaw's fault.

[Big D]

It's not something I'm completely wedded to but has helped paper over some of the cracks in some ways, but probably created some cracks too. We still lack some real punch around the fringes but (I've got to say it, and I hate to be that guy) it really is difficult to do that with a scrum-half who is completely disinterested in building/maintaining momentum or front-foot ball.

I refuse to accept a pack with Nel, 2 x Grays, Strauss/Denton, Dunbar (+ Reid, MacInally, Barclay, Hardie to lesser extents) cannot make some serious dents in most opposition with a bit of organisation and a bit more venom.

I totally get what you mean about missing a real link player, but our pack currently spend so much time chasing themselves in circles it's very hard to judge balance/personnel. Laidlaw is great at positioning players on static ball, but doesn't seem to be able to transition to anything quicker. When we are on the front foot and he finally clicks in to gear he can look quite good, but our forwards mostly just look resigned to a lifetime of static, predictable forward pods with an on-rushing defence.

I am not against the 2 7's idea, I would still pick both if we had a WC game next week, but think next weekend could be a good chance to look at another option. We have plenty 6/8's available and coming through and will be interesting to see how VC goes about managing the balance of the BR.

Much like I have about Solomons I have given up posting chapter and verse about Laidlaw but needless to say I would start Pyrgos at the weekend.

[Mikey Brown]

Much like I have about Solomons I have given up posting chapter and verse about Laidlaw but needless to say I would start Pyrgos at the weekend.

I thought I had too, to be honest. It just kind of slipped out.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

It's finally happened!

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 44 caps; 11 tries, 3 pens, 64 points

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps; 13 tries, 65 points
13. Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 35 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
12. Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps; 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 20 caps; 3 tries, 15 points

10. Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins) – 29 caps; 4 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 20 points
9. Henry Pyrgos CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 4 tries, 20 points

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
3. Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 33 caps
4. Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 57 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps; 1 try
6. Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
7. John Barclay (Scarlets) – 51 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps

Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
17. Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
20. John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 11 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
21. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 52 caps; 4 tries, 66 cons, 124 pens, 524 points
22. Huw Jones (Stormers) – uncapped
23. Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 104 caps, 14 tries, 70 points

[Adder]

It's finally happened!

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 44 caps; 11 tries, 3 pens, 64 points

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps; 13 tries, 65 points
13. Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 35 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
12. Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps; 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 20 caps; 3 tries, 15 points

10. Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins) – 29 caps; 4 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 20 points
9. Henry Pyrgos CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 4 tries, 20 points

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
3. Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 33 caps
4. Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 57 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps; 1 try
6. Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
7. John Barclay (Scarlets) – 51 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps

Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
17. Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
20. John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 11 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
21. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 52 caps; 4 tries, 66 cons, 124 pens, 524 points
22. Huw Jones (Stormers) – uncapped
23. Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 104 caps, 14 tries, 70 points

[Adder]

Hope he has a great game. Scotland Needs it. Quite a well balanced team otherwise, however Props might take a beating come Scrumtime.

[Big D]

It's finally happened!

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 44 caps; 11 tries, 3 pens, 64 points

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps; 13 tries, 65 points
13. Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 35 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
12. Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps; 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 20 caps; 3 tries, 15 points

10. Ruaridh Jackson (Harlequins) – 29 caps; 4 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 20 points
9. Henry Pyrgos CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 4 tries, 20 points

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
3. Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 33 caps
4. Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 57 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps; 1 try
6. Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
7. John Barclay (Scarlets) – 51 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps

Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
17. Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
20. John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 11 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
21. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 52 caps; 4 tries, 66 cons, 124 pens, 524 points
22. Huw Jones (Stormers) – uncapped
23. Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 104 caps, 14 tries, 70 points

So everyone bar the injured Ford will have had some gametime.

I think we are starting to see some patterns.

McInally is clearly 2nd choice hooker.
Swinson is considered by the coaches to be a distant 4th choice lock behing Grayx2 and Gilchrist.
He really rates Wilson as we knew already.
His Denton love a may not be as strong as it once was.
He rates Pyrgos as a leader, so it can only be Laidlaws goal kicking* that keeps him ahead IMO.
Maitland is officially off the naughty step.

* On an unrelated note our 10's, Hogg, Pyrgos etc need to seriously work on their kicking. We need another option. Goal kicking may be one of the few reasons Russell will miss out on Lions selection.

[Croft_No.5]

Fingers crossed that Pyrgos plays a blinder and that Jackson thrives of quick ball. Looking forward to this one. Interesting to read about the player stats and distances covered in the last game being much higher than usual. Seems that Nel was up near the top of the metres covered despite going off with 15 to go.

[af73]

Like the back row. Wilson for dynamic carrying Strauss for a bit of muscle off slow, short ball. Not sure of the value of Lamont on the bench. Would like to have seen more than 50 minutes of Hoyland on this tour. A couple of games, maybe a try might get him started at international level.

Jones will come on for Scott (directly) or Horne with Scott moving in one depending on form/injury. Looking forward to that, its what these tours should be about.

Sutherland, well deserved after last weeks effort. Hardie is due a rest but might be useful for him to assess the game from the stands and then come on using the rugby intelligence that all New Zealanders seem to be born with.

Note of caution. I think I read that Pyrgos is 1st goal kicker (bonkers with Jackson, Horne and Hogg in the team) so no matter how fine his scrum-half play is, miss a couple and the indispensable Laidlaw will be on after 20 minutes. Like the USA world cup game where Henry was also captain.

On the other hand.......plays a blinder AND kicks his goals it will be "so Greig, what else have you got?"

[Pieman]

Really pleased with that! As above, the only mild disappointment is that Hoyland misses out.

Looking forward to seeing Jones for the first time, and hoping the front row play well. Great for Sutherland and McInally to get more international exposure from the start.

Hopefully if the forwards to their job we'll see a real difference in speed of service from 9.

[Mikey Brown]

That can't be serious? He's actually done it. I guess it's just a summer tour game but it's something. Pyrgos definitely has to seize this chance though, is he seriously kicking?

Bakance in the backs does seem a bit odd. Shame for Hoyland not to get another go. I guess Maitland has accepted having to play on the left as that will be his best shot at Sarries.

[Big D]

Think VC had said everyone would get game time.

Even in Jones doesn't get off the bench he will now be tied to us.

Unrelated news. Naityarovoro is on the bench for Oz this week.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Think VC had said everyone would get game time.

Even in Jones doesn't get off the bench he will now be tied to us.

Unrelated news. Naityarovoro is on the bench for Oz this week.

Not surprised Aus are getting thumped then if he is worth a bench spot in their squad.

[ARM]

* On an unrelated note our 10's, Hogg, Pyrgos etc need to seriously work on their kicking. We need another option. Goal kicking may be one of the few reasons Russell will miss out on Lions selection.

Well that and the fact that at the moment there are three, perhaps four, better all round 10s than him available for selection.

Don't get me wrong I'm a fan but his Test form has been fits and starts. He needs consistency and better decision making at the top level. He has the ability.

As for the rest, couple of Test class players in the back three, and two quality second rows, but apart from that its all a bit pedestrian looking. That's life with our strength in depth. Hope they turn up.

[Big D]

* On an unrelated note our 10's, Hogg, Pyrgos etc need to seriously work on their kicking. We need another option. Goal kicking may be one of the few reasons Russell will miss out on Lions selection.

Well that and the fact that at the moment there are three, perhaps four, better all round 10s than him available for selection.

I agree with that. He has the ability to push himself into contention but there are a few reasons at the moment he wouldn't be selected. Amongst those few would include there are 4 10s playing better than him. Say he has an amazing season next year, the fact he struggles kicking for the posts will count against him as it means you may need to alter overall selection to fit him in. Ford may be in the same boat if Farrell and 1/2P don't make the tour or test team. There is already rumblings about next years French season which could affect 1/2p.

More importantly the fact nae bugger else can kick effectively means Scotland are stuck at 9 except when Vern wants to play about with options.

[Mikey Brown]

How much has Russell actually had a chance to kick for Scotland? I can't say I ever thought of him aa that unreliable for Glasgow. But it will definitely hurt him if he doesnt get a chance to prove he can.

Nicol on the Japan game banging on about how Laidlaw (is shit but) simply has to play as all the other kickers are useless (seemingly not knowing or caring who was sat next to him) was absolutely priceless.

[Big D]

Seymour missed captains run. Fitness test tomorrow

[hp18]

How much has Russell actually had a chance to kick for Scotland? I can't say I ever thought of him aa that unreliable for Glasgow. But it will definitely hurt him if he doesnt get a chance to prove he can.

Nicol on the Japan game banging on about how Laidlaw (is shit but) simply has to play as all the other kickers are useless (seemingly not knowing or caring who was sat next to him) was absolutely priceless.

His percentage has been down this season iirc. Came back from the RWC and looked to have changed his run, not in a good way.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

How much has Russell actually had a chance to kick for Scotland? I can't say I ever thought of him aa that unreliable for Glasgow. But it will definitely hurt him if he doesnt get a chance to prove he can.

Nicol on the Japan game banging on about how Laidlaw (is shit but) simply has to play as all the other kickers are useless (seemingly not knowing or caring who was sat next to him) was absolutely priceless.

His percentage has been down this season iirc. Came back from the RWC and looked to have changed his run, not in a good way.

He's never been a great kicker though. It's one of Glasgow's weaknesses - they can't kick for points all over the half as and when required.

Do Glasgow have a kicking coach? Normally just international teams isn't it?

[Croft_No.5]

I think Chris Paterson is a sort of roving kicking coach working for the SRU

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think Chris Paterson is a sort of roving kicking coach working for the SRU

He really was a brilliant kicker wasn't he? Maybe lacked a few metres distance but his accuracy was second to none.

[hp18]

How much has Russell actually had a chance to kick for Scotland? I can't say I ever thought of him aa that unreliable for Glasgow. But it will definitely hurt him if he doesnt get a chance to prove he can.

Nicol on the Japan game banging on about how Laidlaw (is shit but) simply has to play as all the other kickers are useless (seemingly not knowing or caring who was sat next to him) was absolutely priceless.

His percentage has been down this season iirc. Came back from the RWC and looked to have changed his run, not in a good way.

He's never been a great kicker though. It's one of Glasgow's weaknesses - they can't kick for points all over the half as and when required.

Do Glasgow have a kicking coach? Normally just international teams isn't it?

Not so.

2013/14 - 90.9%
2014/15 - 80.8%
2015/16 - 66.1%

Not much difference in the number of successful kicks over that time for Glasgow, so not much of an overall increase in attempts either.

[OptimisticJock]

I think Chris Paterson is a sort of roving kicking coach working for the SRU

He really was a brilliant kicker wasn't he? Maybe lacked a few metres distance but his accuracy was second to none.

Didn't he go something like 3 dozen kicks before missing one?

Aye, as you say, he lacked length so didn't take them all but that's still a superb return.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

His percentage has been down this season iirc. Came back from the RWC and looked to have changed his run, not in a good way.

He's never been a great kicker though. It's one of Glasgow's weaknesses - they can't kick for points all over the half as and when required.

Do Glasgow have a kicking coach? Normally just international teams isn't it?

Not so.

2013/14 - 90.9%
2014/15 - 80.8%
2015/16 - 66.1%

Not much difference in the number of successful kicks over that time for Glasgow, so not much of an overall increase in attempts either.

Interesting stats, I never would have guessed he got 91% over the course of a season, in my head I've always had him as a 75% at best kicker which is obviously wrong.

I know it's not readily available but I'd like to see where those kicks were taken from. Glasgow typically give the hard kicks to someone else and the way they create spaces for their runners means they get rather close to the posts when scoring tries! More so than other teams.