Road to RWC 2023

[Big D]

Training squad has been announced :

Scotland training squad for Rugby World Cup 2023


LHP
Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 21 caps
Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 23 caps

Hooker
Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 7 caps
Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 47 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps

THP
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 58 caps
WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 54 caps
Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) 3 caps
Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps

Locks
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 62 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 73 caps
Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped
Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 25 caps

Backrow
Andy Christie (Saracens) 4 caps
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps
Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 41 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 57 caps

SH
Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 20 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 61 caps
Ben White (London Irish) 14 caps

FH
Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby) 27 caps
Ben Healy (Munster Rugby) 1 caps
Finn Russell (Racing 92) 69 caps

Centers
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 42 caps
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 36 caps
Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 5 caps
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps

Wingers
Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 28 caps

FB
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 100 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 43 caps
Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps

*edited for better display

From the initial squad, not allowing for any of the call ups making it, 8 missing out for me would be:

Cherry or Rambo
Sebastian
Henderson - although he might displace Skinner.
Christie
Watson
Dobie
Healy or Hastings depending on injury
McDowall (they aren't dropping Harris, I know 1st hand the coaches love him)
Hogg

[Mikey Brown]

I guess it comes down to how much GT trusts Crosbie. I was excited to see him play in the 6 nations but he didn't particularly stand out - although he started in 2 good wins at the beginning of the tournament. If we're only going with 5 I just don't see him being viewed as having the experience.

Crosbie was fine in the 6N, played his part in two good wins. The gameplay meant we didn't challenge the breakdown so he was effectively a 6.

He has the experience to play v Romania. Ritchie would be the back up 7 with Fagerson/Dempsey filling in at 7 if there was an injury to Darge for big games.

Two specialist 7s and only 7s is a luxury we don't need IMO. Especially for a WC in Frace where a call up can happen quickly if need be.

I’m just talking about Watson v Crosbie for the fifth spot, who I’d say are both viewed as opensides only. You’d think Crosbie could do a job at 6 but I’m not sure he ever does and it’s hard to see why that would be required.

I agree he’s fine to play Romania (and personally I think his physicality would be a very nice option given the group) but I’d expect GT might not want to remove 50 caps from the training squad unnecessarily.

Plus he seems to see Darge as being a more versatile option, rightly or wrongly.

Pretty much agreed on your assessment of those to be cut from the squad. I’d love to see Rambo back to where he was, but Cherry has been a pretty reliable option.

[septic 9]

You say the voice on the park can be replaced as if our squad is overflowing with leaders and organisers. Who would be captain? Gilchrist?.............................

Agreed on Darge. He has to play.

see there's your answer, A certain former U20s captain

[Big D]

You say the voice on the park can be replaced as if our squad is overflowing with leaders and organisers. Who would be captain? Gilchrist?.............................

Agreed on Darge. He has to play.

see there's your answer, A certain former U20s captain

Surprised to see Skinner named as a VC.

[sharvey44]

Scotland team to face Italy in The Famous Grouse Nations Series on Saturday 29 July at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, kick-off 3.15pm, live on Amazon Prime.

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 42 caps
12. Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
11. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps

10. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 1 cap
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 61 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 23 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
3. Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 25 caps
5. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps
6. Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) – Captain – 7 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 47 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps
19. Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped
20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps
21. Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
22. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 43 caps
23. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 5 caps


McDowall/Harris partnership feels worrying

[Mikey Brown]

Worrying in what sense? Potentially quite a stodgy midfield I guess. It's hard to gauge how much of this is an A side before the France game though.

I think it's great to give McDowell a start. It's a big vote of confidence for him (along with Darge and Skinner) and Townsend speaks very highly of him here.

[sharvey44]

Worrying in what sense? Potentially quite a stodgy midfield I guess. It's hard to gauge how much of this is an A side before the France game though.

I think it's great to give McDowell a start. It's a big vote of confidence for him (along with Darge and Skinner) and Townsend speaks very highly of him here.

There's a lot of green in that team, which as it's a WC warm up is to be expected.

McDowall kicks the ball away a lot and kicking it to the Italian back 3 (depending on team) might not be a great plan. Personally I dont see the pairing being very creative and feel that it might end up being an arm-wrestle of old with Italy where our back 3 see little ball. This doesn't really help Graham/Smith who both probably need some game time in their positions.

[septic 9]

McDowall kicks the ball away a lot and kicking it to the Italian back 3 (depending on team) might not be a great plan. Personally I dont see the pairing being very creative and feel that it might end up being an arm-wrestle of old with Italy where our back 3 see little ball. This doesn't really help Graham/Smith who both probably need some game time in their positions.

not sure I agree about McDowell kicking the ball a lot. He is used at Glasgow as a clearance kicker as he has a pretty big boot on him, and he does some nice tactical kicking but far from excessive IMHO. I think Capuzzso is injured

The problem, more than ever, is Harris. Attack wise that is a back line set up to fail with him in it

[switchskier]

Scotland team to face Italy in The Famous Grouse Nations Series on Saturday 29 July at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, kick-off 3.15pm, live on Amazon Prime.

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 42 caps
12. Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
11. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps

10. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 1 cap
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 61 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 23 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps
3. Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 25 caps
5. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps
6. Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) – Captain – 7 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 47 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps
18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps
19. Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped
20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps
21. Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
22. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 43 caps
23. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 5 caps


McDowall/Harris partnership feels worrying

Feels largely second choice, with maybe the exception of Graham, Turner and Darge. The former needs games after his layoff and the latter needs to now take and own the shirt.

Big games for Price, Smith, Sutherland, Cummings and Faegerson I think to state their claims to be first choice again. Interested to see Dobie and Henderson off the bench.

[Donny osmond]

Didn't see the game, BBC site says Italy got the better of the stats but Scotland got the points, did we just take our chances better?

[Big D]

Didn't see the game, BBC site says Italy got the better of the stats but Scotland got the points, did we just take our chances better?

Just on way home. It was miserable due to the weather.

Both sides were scrappy and we need to remember it is a first hit of the season but I didn't feel like Scotland would lose at any point really

[Big D]

I should add at the game I thought Price was rotten.

[Which Tyler]

How were Bayliss and Redpath?
I gather they combined well for a try, but beyond that?

[BaldiePete]

I should add at the game I thought Price was rotten.

But not quite as rotten as Dobbie who was very poor. His first pass was at Healy’s feet and he did nothing to make me think he should go to France.

Or backs moves were very pedestrian, Italy’s looked much smoother but we did defend them well.

The seagull was the player of the match for me

[switchskier]

Haven't seen the match but my brother was there. Said Graham stood out as just that bit sharper, when he actually got the ball and didn't look like he hadn't played for months. I'm hoping he stays fit as, though Steyn is a fine player, we need Graham's dash and cutting edge I think.

[septic 9]

How were Bayliss and Redpath?
I gather they combined well for a try, but beyond that?

it wasn't a great pass from Redpath TBH, but Bayliss was hanging out on he far wing and showed great footwork and pace to skin last defender and score. Otherwise neither made any impact in the time they were on the park.

[septic 9]

Haven't seen the match but my brother was there. Said Graham stood out as just that bit sharper, when he actually got the ball and didn't look like he hadn't played for months. I'm hoping he stays fit as, though Steyn is a fine player, we need Graham's dash and cutting edge I think.

his first try I could have run down from the back of the stand and scored. Was clearly something we had seen in videos, their wing drifts in too much too soon. His second try was a well angled and timed short run (from about 4m out) off a superbly timed Price short pass, very well taken although I suspect their defence coach won't be happy that a midget can crash ball through multiple players from short range. Other wise Graham didn't see much ball, all I can recall is him very effectively chasing long kicks from Healey. And badly missing a couple of tackles

[Cameo]

Haven't seen the match but my brother was there. Said Graham stood out as just that bit sharper, when he actually got the ball and didn't look like he hadn't played for months. I'm hoping he stays fit as, though Steyn is a fine player, we need Graham's dash and cutting edge I think.

his first try I could have run down from the back of the stand and scored. Was clearly something we had seen in videos, their wing drifts in too much too soon. His second try was a well angled and timed short run (from about 4m out) off a superbly timed Price short pass, very well taken although I suspect their defence coach won't be happy that a midget can crash ball through multiple players from short range. Other wise Graham didn't see much ball, all I can recall is him very effectively chasing long kicks from Healey. And badly missing a couple of tackles

The media reports are giving Healy a bit too much credit for the kick for the first try I reckon. Good option taking but would have had to be a terrible kick for Graham not to score. As it was, he sensibly didn't try to be too pinpoint but anytime it bounces a few times it creates risk.

Didn't see anything wrong with Redpath's path to Bayliss tbh. Possibly a bit low but on the run and Bayliss didn't have to break stride.

Overall seems like an underwhelming match but nothing to worry about.

[septic 9]

Didn't see anything wrong with Redpath's path to Bayliss tbh. Possibly a bit low but on the run and Bayliss didn't have to break stride.

watching it again I agree. I though Bayliss had to wait a bit but the problem was earlier, Healey's pass was a slow lob, then Kinghorn passed just about ok to Redpath who at least drew a defender. Bayless's finish looks better each time I watch it as well, though Ioane should have nailed him

[Which Tyler]

Thanks guys.

[septic 9]

Thanks guys.

[Donny osmond]

Ha ha gotta love Toonies selections. It's like he reads RR and does what we all agree we don't want him to.

[Donny osmond]

Oh sorry I'm confused, I thought I saw the team posted...

[Donny osmond]

15. Kinghorn
14. Graham
13. Jones
12. Tuipulotu (VC)
11. VDM
10. Russell (C)
9. White
8. Dempsey
7. Watson
6. Fagerson
5. Gilchrist
4. Gray
3. Fagerson
2. Ashman
1. Schoeman

[Donny osmond]

Subs:
Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, Darge, Horne, Redpayh, Smith