RugbyRebels

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 12:59 pm According to The Offside Line Ashman is injured. That should simplify selection.

Severe bruising to the ego

Kinghorn posted a photo on Instagram out the window from a plane. It was pishing down so presumably at Edinburgh. His wife just announced she was pregnant so it might be something to do with that (hopefully not bad news).

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 3:11 pm Kinghorn posted a photo on Instagram out the window from a plane. It was pishing down so presumably at Edinburgh. His wife just announced she was pregnant so it might be something to do with that (hopefully not bad news).

According to the BBC.

“ Townsend also confirms Blair Kinghorn has gone back to Toulouse, as he has to per agreement with his club if not selected.”

Toulouse have a Top 14 game on Sunday.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 12:08 pm
I'm certain we fluffed plenty of front ball as well, it's not like going to the front gaurantees possession, but broadly I agree it would be hard not to improve on Saturday.

I saw it mentioned we had 68% success in the lineout (compared to 90%+ for Italy) but that includes the ball we won and threw on the floor or immediately knocked on/lost, leaving us with about 5 clean takes. I'm very keen to see who gets ditched and who 'gets a chance to right their wrongs' or whatever Gregor is calling it. If Gilchrist isn't even offering lineout security we really need to move on.

Is it just me or is Fagerson incredibly clumsy as a jumper? I don't think those stumpy little arms are suited to it.

by front in that bit I meant front. Not to no2 in the lineout. The prop at the front. I'd even try a Glasgow play, Steyn at the front. Just put doubt, ask Questions of the opposition.
The other "front" ball is to the n in the lineout. We can and have mucked that up as well. To things. Every team knows is the worst position to maul or launch set play backs move rom. Yet all use it simply because its "guaranteed" ball, easier for the hooker to hit the jumper. And its the one for a no nonsense immediate throw. Do not give the opposition time to assess where to contest
Matt Fagerson is a surprisingly often used jumper for Glasgow and a successful one. I think the opposition don't expect him to be a jumper

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Feb 12, 2026 2:23 pm A big test for McBeth and Brown as a lock. A good team but bench still doesn't feel like what it could be and who knows what to expect from Turner. I'll be keen to see if Cherry looks the same player from last year. I know we want Turner's physicality but I feel like I'm always just waiting for him to do something mad.

I'm fine with McBeth. TBH Schoeman was awful last week, got owned in the scrum by a pretty average (at test level) tight head (and I suspect we had a decent weight ad in the front 5). He was the scrum problem IMHO. We still get the fans shouting Shcoooooo every time he gets on the ball but TBH his carrying has been much less effective these last 2/3 seasons than his earlier days

Fingers crossed for Cherry but the guy is there for his set pieces, so start him not bench him. Was a big Turner fan, felt he should have been getting more starts years back but now little game time and no form, danger is he tries too hard and again gets on wrong side of ref. Meanwhile the form hookers are not in the squad

I'd have made more, but I think all the changes improve the team.

Seriously dull penalty from Ritchie, why like is he just thick?

paddy no 11 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 5:02 pm Seriously dull penalty from Ritchie, why like is he just thick?

Concede 7 points off it

I hope a few rugbyrebels were there in person,

Disaster for Glasgow that's a collarbone for dobie

Always glad for a win, but have to wonder is this just going to be the next rug that last weeks shite is swept under? Does the result mean GTs selections were right? Does it actually reflect where the team are, or do they only get up for England? Tune in next week.

Donny osmond wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 6:54 pm Always glad for a win, but have to wonder is this just going to be the next rug that last weeks shite is swept under? Does the result mean GTs selections were right? Does it actually reflect where the team are, or do they only get up for England? Tune in next week.

A triple crown is a must for toonie from here, no excuses, but revel in a comprehensive win today man

paddy no 11 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 6:24 pm I hope a few rugbyrebels were there in person,

I was there. My first Calcutta Cup was in 1978 and I’ve been to about 10 Matches against England since then. Today was the first time I’ve seen Scotland win one. I don’t know how it came across on TV but the atmosphere was astonishing. However, it would be all for naught if we revert to type and play horribly next week.

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:47 pm

paddy no 11 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 6:24 pm I hope a few rugbyrebels were there in person,

I was there. My first Calcutta Cup was in 1978 and I’ve been to about 10 Matches against England since then. Today was the first time I’ve seen Scotland win one. I don’t know how it came across on TV but the atmosphere was astonishing. However, it would be all for naught if we revert to type and play horribly next week.

Yeah it came across great, everyone knew the game was won on the darge turnover in 2nd half. Glad you caught a winner

BaldiePete wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:47 pm

paddy no 11 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 6:24 pm I hope a few rugbyrebels were there in person,

I was there. My first Calcutta Cup was in 1978 and I’ve been to about 10 Matches against England since then. Today was the first time I’ve seen Scotland win one. I don’t know how it came across on TV but the atmosphere was astonishing. However, it would be all for naught if we revert to type and play horribly next week.

surely you can make one up?

"I was there in 1984/1990!!"

Easy

As you say, its all about the next performance.

Well that was great. Weird old game and certainly a few questionable moments from the ref, but that felt pretty emphatic.

It’s strange to be at a point of taking these performances for granted because we’re just waiting for the implosion next week.

Shame for Dobie. Could really get in to the game much and then looked very uncomfortable. Is that confirmed as a collarbone?

Any idea on Ritchie? He was class.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 11:15 pm Well that was great. Weird old game and certainly a few questionable moments from the ref, but that felt pretty emphatic.

It’s strange to be at a point of taking these performances for granted because we’re just waiting for the implosion next week.

Shame for Dobie. Could really get in to the game much and then looked very uncomfortable. Is that confirmed as a collarbone?

Any idea on Ritchie? He was class.

The dobie collarbone is my own assessment, definitely a dislocation though

That was great. A few obvious stand outs, but I also wanted to mention Ben White. I've been keen to try Dobie there (and get him more games at 9 for Glasgow), but White's clearance box kicks were so good today. Got to England's ten metre line at least a couple of times. Against an England team that is very prescribed in where they play from, that makes all the difference.

I can't be bothered to get into a Townsend debate, all I'd say is:

- He'll be as frustrated by anyone at the games we lose, but I can understand his point of view that there was nothing fundamentally wrong with tactics or selection last week and that it mainly came down to botched lineouts and poor scrums (plus the weather). Margins are so fine in this tournament, which is what makes it so great.

- I want a championship as much as the next person, but I'm never going to get bored of these big wins nor the style we do it in. A new coach will hopefully make us more consistent and win things, but there are no guarantees and some of our attack under Townsend has been a joy.

Dempsey, Ritchie, and Dobie out for next week, and possibly the tournament.

Backrow is the trickiest issue. Fagerson presumably at 8. Maybe Brown to 6 with Williamson starting and Bradbury on the bench alongside Gilchrist or, preferably, Craig?

I think Bayliss or Christie will come into the equation, with at least one of them involved, either starting or on the bench.

I just don’t know if either are serious 8 cover. Bradbury would surely be next in line to take on Dempsey’s carrying duties, but maybe Brown at 6 with Fagerson is enough.

I really liked Fagerson as an impact player and Ritchie’s presence on the lineout was felt. I guess we need Brown at 6 for the lineout if nothing else.

At least the bench gets a shakeup.

Does Graham simply come back in on the wing or do we mix it up a bit?

I would bring Graham straight in and Kinghorn onto the bench. I'm not as down on VDM as some on here, and he might well have a field day v Wales, but I would be inclined to give him the whole 6N off as feel he needs a refresh. Smith or Rowe are tempting, but I think Graham and Kinghorn are better options.

His tap and go was probably not wise, but if he had scored that would have been my highlight of the day / year.

A bit off topic but did anyone else think Italy were very unlucky to have Lynagh's try ruled out for a forward pass? It seemed the archetypal case of momentum meaning the ball went forward - just the fact he passed it before the 22 line and it was caught after it made it look worse.

So thinking ahead to Wales, these would be the obvious 3 selection condundrums;

Injuries - as I understand it Ritchie, Dempsey, Dobie but presumably Ashman is back

Rotation due to Wales' quality - are we in a position where we even consider rotating players? Sure Wales look awful, but don't want to get ahead of ourselves and there will be a rest week following this match anyway

Rotation due to fatigue/form - What's going on with Zander? Give EMM a chance at a start in a proper first team? Maybe Cummings/Brown just isn't powerful enough behind him?
That was Turner's best showing (low bar) for a while, maybe he needs a bit of a run to get back up to speed, but I'm conscious of keeping Ashman's confidence up as much as possible too. This leaves Cherry out again with no real sense of whether he's still at the level he was last year.
Is there anything to giving Finn a week off?
It's been great to see Darge have some big moments, even in the Italy game, but this feels like a good chance to give Douglas or AOC another run out.

I think this would be the default GT selection with injuries accounted for, and the other changes I would consider.

1. McBeth
2. Turner (Ashman / Cherry)
3. Fagerson (EMM)
4. Cummings
5. Williamson
6. Brown
7. Darge
8. Fagerson (Bradbury)

9. White
10. Russell (Hastings/Kinghorn - swapping with Jordan)
11. Graham
12. Tuipulotu
13. Jones
14. Steyn
15. Jordan

16. Ashman
17. Schoeman
18. EMM (Fagerson)
19. Gilchrist
20. Bradbury
21. Hastings (AOC / Douglas)
22. Horne
23. Kinghorn

Cameo wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 8:27 am A bit off topic but did anyone else think Italy were very unlucky to have Lynagh's try ruled out for a forward pass? It seemed the archetypal case of momentum meaning the ball went forward - just the fact he passed it before the 22 line and it was caught after it made it look worse.

Yes, absolutely.
Whilst slowing down, the passer stays ahead of the ball - so pretty much by definition, the ball went backwards compared to the passer's momentum.

There was a very similar one for England against Scotland, but between the 10m and 22m lines, and was (rightly) let go, and not even analysed by commentary.


Whilst I'm in here, congratulations on the Calcutta and Raeburn - very well deserved, by far the better team on the day.
You (metaphorically) punched us in the face nice and early, then again just when it felt that we were finding our feet and making a fight of it.