Scotland v Ireland - 9 February 2019

[Cameo]

Bit of a variety of views on the last performance but who does everyone think should play this weekend?

I'd be looking to keep it fairly similar but with Gray (if fit) for Toolis and Hardie for Skinner. I think we'll need people to fly up in defence in this one and Hardie is perfect for the job for as long as he lasts. I'm torn on Maitland (if fit) but in a good way. Maybe put him on the bench for this one but I could understand him coming straight in for either of our wings.

Bench depends on the injuries but I'd gamble on Brown if possible. Kerr looked busy but Brown offers so much coming on. P Horne could also coming in for Hastings to give us a bit of flexibility (if Maitland is taking Harris' place).

In my dreams G Horne is also straight into the starting team

[Mikey Brown]

FFS. You beat me by 3 minutes. Your thread has a neater title though.

Any changes for you guys?

1. Dell
2. McInally (c)
3. Nell
4. Gilchrist
5. Gray
6. Ritchie
7. Hardie
8. Strauss

I'm very undecided on that backrow to be honest. Hardie is the best tackler in terms of knocking people backwards, I also think Ritchie is a better 6 and together might slow a fair bit of ball. You could argue this might be a game where's Wilson's control in the scrum, fielding the ball at the back etc. would be handy, but Strauss just has to be in there for his carrying.

Graham in ahead of Hardie for Italy makes me unsure though, I don't feel like we saw much of Graham and it would have been nice to get Hardie up to speed if he is to start this weekend. I'm assuming the Adam Ashe ship has sailed, yet again.

9. Price (I know)
10. Russell
11. Kinghorn
12. Johnson
13. Jones
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

Brown, Bhatti, Berghan (Fagerson surely will not be up to speed, how is McCallum?), Toolis, Wilson, Laidlaw, Hastings, Maitland

Similarly it's a shame Darcy Graham didn't get a look in, but it will be very hard for him now and it's impossible to argue that the 4 back-three players selected aren't better under the high ball.

Jones seemed quiet again but I couldn't bring myself to ever pick Harris ahead of him, as much as I like his physicality. Really keen to see more of Johnson. I suppose the bench is light of centre cover, Horne to cover 10/12 if fit would be great.

[Mikey Brown]

Seems that we were thinking the same thing for the team anyway.

[General Zod]

Who is on the bench? I thought it looked weak before the Italy game and the performance after the (too early) subs did nothing to dissuade me from that opinion.

If Hardie’s fit, I’d start him with J Gray alongside. Hopefully Nel can make the game. I am not sure how fit Horne senior is - bruised bones take a long time to recover.

Tommy Seymour didn’t do a lot wrong, but I wonder if he might make way for Maitland and go on the bench?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I was told that J Gray and P Horne warmed up with the team so I assume they're fit. I believe Nel is an injury doubt.


Dell
McInally
Nel
Gray
Gilchrist
Ritchie
Hardie
Strauss

Laidlaw
Russell
Kinghorn
Johnson
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown
Berghan
McCallum (crap shoot between him and Bhatti. We are so shite in this position, Dell included).
Toolis
Wilson
Pyrgos (G Horne if fit)
P Horne (Hastings if P Horne not fit)
Maitland

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I think my choice strengthens the first XV a bit and is a significantly better bench with experience, impact & good enough cover for all positions.

[Mikey Brown]

Maitland was playing very well for Saracens last time I saw, he seems to be defensively very sound and make some heavy runs through the middle far more often these days, and I wouldn't mind giving Seymour a bit of a push to show more off the bench.

[Mikey Brown]

I thought McCallum was a tighthead?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I thought McCallum was a tighthead?

Pretty sure he packed down at 1 when Fagerson played 3 in age groups but you're right, TH seems to be the plan. I just despair at our LH options, I honestly don't think any of our options would get into another 6N squad.

[Big D]

McCallum wasn't in the squad. Allan is the 3rd LHP IIRC.

Edit. Just seen he's been added to the squad. Presumably to cover Nel?

[Big D]

My team assuming fitness of some:
Dell - he did ok on Saturday. LHP is what it is just now.
Rambo
Nel
GG
Toolis
Ritchie
Hardie
Wilson
Laidlaw
Finn
Kinghorn
Johnson
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown/Kerr
Berghan
Bhatti
Gray
Strauss
Horne
Horne
Maitland

Toolis over Gray because Gray just back from injury and wasn't playing particularly well before it. Toolis and Rambo have a good line out connection and Wilson also a good option against their tree in the middle of the line out too.

That would look a stronger side on paper but an awful lot of them haven't played in a while it have lacked decent gametime.

[General Zod]

I reckon Dell did alright on Saturday and the Butcher Bhatti will do a good job if needed. Ok, it’s Ireland and a step up is required, but it is from everyone, really.

[OptimisticJock]

They've always started slowly and had to step up. They won for a change though.

[switchskier]

We can't do what England did, we don't have the players to stop them at the line. Therefore pick a team to play at pace and then a bench to up it again

Dell - need him getting around the park and hope for few scrums
McInally
Nel
Gray
Gilchrist
Wilson - not as good at niggle as POM but we need something
Ritchie - workrate required
Strauss - carrying required

Horne
Russell
Kinghorn
Horne
Johnson - good debut. Jones a bit password be recently/marked
Seymour
Hogg

Brown
Berghan
Bhatti
Toolis - do we have an option to up the pace?
Hardie - doesn't know the make back in the tackle for me so doesn't start but good to bring on when games opening up
Price
Jones
Graham - why not?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

We can't do what England did, we don't have the players to stop them at the line. Therefore pick a team to play at pace and then a bench to up it again

But Jamie Ritchie says we can on the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47121040

[Mikey Brown]

We can't do what England did, we don't have the players to stop them at the line. Therefore pick a team to play at pace and then a bench to up it again

Dell - need him getting around the park and hope for few scrums
McInally
Nel
Gray
Gilchrist
Wilson - not as good at niggle as POM but we need something
Ritchie - workrate required
Strauss - carrying required

Horne
Russell
Kinghorn
Horne
Johnson - good debut. Jones a bit password be recently/marked
Seymour
Hogg

Brown
Berghan
Bhatti
Toolis - do we have an option to up the pace?
Hardie - doesn't know the make back in the tackle for me so doesn't start but good to bring on when games opening up
Price
Jones
Graham - why not?

Questions over moving Johnson out of position to accomodate Horne, what the 'something' is Wilson offers in comparison to POM (can jump in the lineout and is also an utter cock?) and what that sentence following Hardie's name means?

[OptimisticJock]

We can't do what England did, we don't have the players to stop them at the line. Therefore pick a team to play at pace and then a bench to up it again

But Jamie Ritchie says we can on the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47121040

Tbf he can't really say that they're weaker than the RAF Reg.


I don't get where the niggle thing for Wilson comes from. He's only ever struck me as a gobby handbag merchant.

[Mikey Brown]

Hang on, is it "doesn't knock the man back in the tackle?" I mean it fits the words, but surely that's the number 1 thing you pick Hardie for?

If you don't count knocking himself unconscious in the process.

[Cameo]

I actually thought Wilson had a good game on the weekend especially considering his recent form.

Wouldn't be messing with the centres either. Jones was quiet but wasnt bad

[General Zod]

I actually thought Wilson had a good game on the weekend especially considering his recent form.

Wouldn't be messing with the centres either. Jones was quiet but wasnt bad

I also thought he played fairly well. Certainly deserves a place in the 23.

Jones was quiet, but I’d keep him in. Don’t think he did too much wrong. He even almost scored against them last year!

[whatisthejava]

My team
Dell
Mcinally
Nel (Berghan)
Bt
Gg
Richie
Hardie
Straus
Laidlaw
Russel
Seymore
Johnson
Jones
Maitland
Hogg

Bhatti
Brown
Berghan (McCallum)
Jg
Adam Ashe
Price
Hastings
Kinghorn

[ARM]

My team assuming fitness of some:
Dell - he did ok on Saturday. LHP is what it is just now.
Rambo
Nel
GG
Toolis
Ritchie
Hardie
Wilson
Laidlaw
Finn
Kinghorn
Johnson
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown/Kerr
Berghan
Bhatti
Gray
Strauss
Horne
Horne
Maitland

Toolis over Gray because Gray just back from injury and wasn't playing particularly well before it. Toolis and Rambo have a good line out connection and Wilson also a good option against their tree in the middle of the line out too.

That would look a stronger side on paper but an awful lot of them haven't played in a while it have lacked decent gametime.

That looks pretty close to me. Might pick Gray - personal preference really and there’s even an argument for Berghan if he can back to last years form (he was a revelation to me in 2018 6N).

[Big D]

My team assuming fitness of some:
Dell - he did ok on Saturday. LHP is what it is just now.
Rambo
Nel
GG
Toolis
Ritchie
Hardie
Wilson
Laidlaw
Finn
Kinghorn
Johnson
Jones
Seymour
Hogg

Brown/Kerr
Berghan
Bhatti
Gray
Strauss
Horne
Horne
Maitland

Toolis over Gray because Gray just back from injury and wasn't playing particularly well before it. Toolis and Rambo have a good line out connection and Wilson also a good option against their tree in the middle of the line out too.

That would look a stronger side on paper but an awful lot of them haven't played in a while it have lacked decent gametime.

That looks pretty close to me. Might pick Gray - personal preference really and there’s even an argument for Berghan if he can back to last years form (he was a revelation to me in 2018 6N).

A form Gray is ahead of Toolis. But he's just back of injury and wasn't sparkling before so would give the nod on Saturday to Toolis. Very marginal for this week.

[General Zod]

Kirkcaldy’s finest possibly oot.

https://theoffsideline.com/6-nations-wp-nel/

[Mikey Brown]

Shit. He was really good. His clearout work is good too, to add to the scrum and the little rumbles forward.

Bergman was indeed a revelation last year but has e hit that form again at all for Edinburgh?

In the same vein I imagine you guys may be right on Gray too. Ease him in off the bench, let Toolis see if he can trouble the Irish lineout, but Gray must be in the squad.