Scottish potential lions tracker

[Cameo]

At risk of starting off a painful thread way way too early, I thought it might be interest to track those we think have a shot from the beginning of the international season. Realistically some of these players' chances will rise and fall with the teams but individual form must count to some extent. Any hopefuls I have missed in my very subjective lists?

Good shots -

Hogg - been there, not had a chance to do that.

Sutherland - if three loose heads go, he must have a decent chance.

Russell - not exactly Garland's dream ten but he is mine and that must count for something

Ritchie - bit more versatility than Watson and has been getting mentioned.

Fagerson - last time they took 5 props I think but not sure there is an obvious candidate to cover both sides. If they take 3 tightheads, it'll be Furlong, Sinckler and who?

Hopefuls -

Kebble - who said there are no obvious candidates to cover both sides. Would probably depend on Sutherland getting injured and Kebble being shoved into the limelight. At his best he does stand out though.

Graham - arguably has a good chance but think you need to be very good to be picked as a small wing under Gatland. There are also a lot of good wings about. Not many have had the international start for Scotland that he has though.

DHVDM - The man is a machine. Has a lot to prove at international level and could do with avoiding missed tackles that will get on the highlights reel.

Watson - if he gets a run of games, you can easily imagine him being the standout 7 in the 6N. Equally, you would imagine Curry and Tipuric will go.

Brown/McInally - Brown is in pole position but there was a reason McInally was captain not long ago. When on form, he is the more reassuring and has the size Gatland likes. If three are taken, no reason why not one of these two.

Long shots -

M Fagerson - I keep thinking he'll have a big breakthrough at international level but it keeps being delayed.

S Johnson - not many great 12s about and is capable of brilliance while being a solid unit. Tuilagi, Farrell and Henshaw the more likely options though. Johnson also doesn't have much versatility.

H Jones - I won't give up if he doesn't.

And before I get jumped on. I'm not saying we will get anything like 14 tourists. Those are just 14 names you can imagine things going right for and being in contention. I suppose there are not that many great nines but I would have more hope for Horne having the required impact than Price (how about Dobie as a bolter).

[Big D]

At risk of starting off a painful thread way way too early, I thought it might be interest to track those we think have a shot from the beginning of the international season. Realistically some of these players' chances will rise and fall with the teams but individual form must count to some extent. Any hopefuls I have missed in my very subjective lists?

Good shots -

Hogg - been there, not had a chance to do that.

Sutherland - if three loose heads go, he must have a decent chance.

Russell - not exactly Garland's dream ten but he is mine and that must count for something

Ritchie - bit more versatility than Watson and has been getting mentioned.

Fagerson - last time they took 5 props I think but not sure there is an obvious candidate to cover both sides. If they take 3 tightheads, it'll be Furlong, Sinckler and who?

Hopefuls -

Kebble - who said there are no obvious candidates to cover both sides. Would probably depend on Sutherland getting injured and Kebble being shoved into the limelight. At his best he does stand out though.

Graham - arguably has a good chance but think you need to be very good to be picked as a small wing under Gatland. There are also a lot of good wings about. Not many have had the international start for Scotland that he has though.

DHVDM - The man is a machine. Has a lot to prove at international level and could do with avoiding missed tackles that will get on the highlights reel.

Watson - if he gets a run of games, you can easily imagine him being the standout 7 in the 6N. Equally, you would imagine Curry and Tipuric will go.

Brown/McInally - Brown is in pole position but there was a reason McInally was captain not long ago. When on form, he is the more reassuring and has the size Gatland likes. If three are taken, no reason why not one of these two.

Long shots -

M Fagerson - I keep thinking he'll have a big breakthrough at international level but it keeps being delayed.

S Johnson - not many great 12s about and is capable of brilliance while being a solid unit. Tuilagi, Farrell and Henshaw the more likely options though. Johnson also doesn't have much versatility.

H Jones - I won't give up if he doesn't.

And before I get jumped on. I'm not saying we will get anything like 14 tourists. Those are just 14 names you can imagine things going right for and being in contention. I suppose there are not that many great nines but I would have more hope for Horne having the required impact than Price (how about Dobie as a bolter).

I think we will have 3 or 4 but it really depends how we turn up in games like this week. If a team and players can't be counted on to turn up away from home in the 6N (Italy doesn't count - they are not good), then not sure they can be counted on away in SA.

I would take the 5 at the top of your list but don't think they all get in.

There is a long time to go but Brown may have a shot as 3rd hooker maybe but the English two are miles ahead of him.

The players have two test windows that give them a chance to turn up and play as well as they can and lead Scotland to wins, do that first then worry about the Lions later.

[Cameo]

I like Cowan-Dickie but at international level his throwing has looked iffy. Same weakness as Brown at pressure moments.

Oops, got sucked into the usual Lions debates. Was more keen to see who we thought had a chance and whether they boost those chances or harm them.

[switchskier]

I think that Jonny Gray has to be on the long shots as well. I don't think that he'll travel but playing for Exeter should give him a bit more of a platform.

I'd push Russell down to hopeful as I can't see Garland picking him, and Graham/DHVDM are long shots as they play one of the deeper positions. I also wouldn't rule out Garland picking Maitland ahead of them as one of his favourites.

I'm pretty pessimistic and think that we probably only get two tourists this time out. Scrum half looks particularly weak across all four nations with Murray's decline though, so room for a bolter there from somewhere (my money would be on Mitchell though).

[Cameo]

I think that Jonny Gray has to be on the long shots as well. I don't think that he'll travel but playing for Exeter should give him a bit more of a platform.

I'd push Russell down to hopeful as I can't see Garland picking him, and Graham/DHVDM are long shots as they play one of the deeper positions. I also wouldn't rule out Garland picking Maitland ahead of them as one of his favourites.

I'm pretty pessimistic and think that we probably only get two tourists this time out. Scrum half looks particularly weak across all four nations with Murray's decline though, so room for a bolter there from somewhere (my money would be on Mitchell though).

Yeah, I meant to include Gray as a long shot. Just so much depth there though and he doesn't have the dynamism of some of the others.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Hopefully none. Let the English, Welsh & Irish have their nonsense.

No idea why you lot get excited about this every 4 years - you'll get cucked yet again.

[whatisthejava]

I think it depends on how shit wales are.

If wales are really shit we might get 4-5. Otherwise 1-2.

[af73]

Or Gatland will modify his
"can't win away games" selection disqualifier to "can't win away games in traditional Feb/March 6 Nations"

Wouldn't be the first time.

[Cameo]

Hopefully none. Let the English, Welsh & Irish have their nonsense.

No idea why you lot get excited about this every 4 years - you'll get cucked yet again.

Haha, I often find it annoying and sometimes end up not wanting the Lions to win. Can't deny it's a big event though and I find it interesting (and the players care).

Each to their own - I was mainly intending this thread as a way of tracking how some of our better players are doing (improving their reputation, flatlining, embarrassing themselves)

[septic 9]

Hopefully none. Let the English, Welsh & Irish have their nonsense.

No idea why you lot get excited about this every 4 years - you'll get cucked yet again.

Yep.

We will get half a dozen, maybe more, in the warm up against Japan at Murrayfield when English players will not be available. They will all barr Hogg then be put by Gatland on a public "stand by" list to show how much he cares.

In media today Gatland is whinging about non release of players for the Japan game, saying it could "effect" selection. Disingenuous barstewerd.
I also hope the SRU bar Toonie (unlikely) or Toonie tells him to do one again

[septic 9]

Haha, I often find it annoying and sometimes end up not wanting the Lions to win. Can't deny it's a big event though and I find it interesting (and the players care).

its a huge event that has been propping up SH rugby for decades now. Clubs who lose players for the start of the next season pay the price. Lions is from a time when very little test rugby was played, travel difficult and time off work ditto. Today we have too much test rugby, Lions is superfluous.

Players of course like it. Its a great trip, well paid, extra line on the CV which bumps up wages demands. Thankfully, players don't run rugby - those are not good drivers. Players rightly are being more vociferous about the playing load on them and their long term welfare. Lions tours put extra pressure on them and their clubs - in terms of having a choice to over play players or having a bigger squad

[Big D]

If Townsend gets asked again he will go. He is ambitious and will know if he says no that probably excludes him from any shot at being head coach in the future.

It will be an environment he would likely relish so I think he will go.

[Tobylerone]

For some players, selection is making it into the ultimate "First XV". Fine.

Lions tours to South Africa are usually accompanied by a high attrition rate, with players being flown in (and out) at regular intervals. We don`t have a conveyer belt full of quality players ready to play International rugby, so should we send the best off to risk being damaged?.
So, the fewer Scots on tour, the better for our rugby. (IMO)

Hazards for tourists in S.A. are not confined to the rugby pitch.

[Chunks Baws]

If Townsend gets asked again he will go. He is ambitious and will know if he says no that probably excludes him from any shot at being head coach in the future.

It will be an environment he would likely relish so I think he will go.

According to Fatheed in Rob Robertson's piece in the Mail today, Toony accepted a role but then withdrew due to the clash with his first game as Scotland boss. He goes on to say he likes Toony's coaching and he's in with a shout for this tour. If he goes It might help our case, but I doubt it.

[whatisthejava]

For some players, selection is making it into the ultimate "First XV". Fine.

Lions tours to South Africa are usually accompanied by a high attrition rate, with players being flown in (and out) at regular intervals. We don`t have a conveyer belt full of quality players ready to play International rugby, so should we send the best off to risk being damaged?.
So, the fewer Scots on tour, the better for our rugby. (IMO)

Hazards for tourists in S.A. are not confined to the rugby pitch.

I get your logic but its not the case,

I think there are very few wales players you could honestly say are head and shoulders above Scottish players but knowing you elite changes your mindset and its that mindset that has been missing from scotland for so long

Its a vicious cycle that we have been in, but i tend to think Wales are a bout to enter it if we can beat them and they have another bad 6N

[Cameo]

Ritchie was the main one who will have bolstered his reputation. I thought Gray was good too.

Brown less so but the other hookers didn't exactly look sparkling.

[whatisthejava]

Sutherland grey Watson Richie and Hogg came away with positives

[Tobylerone]

tours to South Africa are usually accompanied by a high attrition rate

Sod South Africa, South Wales is bad enough...

[switchskier]

Ritchie was the main one who will have bolstered his reputation. I thought Gray was good too.

Brown less so but the other hookers didn't exactly look sparkling.

I thought that McInally had a decent cameo. Last 6N (2019) he was arguably the form hooker and offered great carrying and some turnovers. If he can get back to form he might be a bolter as, George aside, the position is fairly weak and he looks more a Garland style player than Brown.

Gray was good and Ritchie was excellent. It's interesting how many young flankers there are out there that are all in that 22-24 age bracket and making their mark internationally. Just this weekend there was Connors, Doris, Curry, Underhill and Lewis-Hughes, with Willis and the Deegan out there too.