2024 Six Nations

[BaldiePete]

It’s only just over 8 weeks till the tournament starts. The referees appointments were announced today. It looks like we have been totally screwed over, getting a bunch of Southern Hemisphere refs and the utterly useless Matt Carley.

Congratulations to Hollie Davidson who will be an Assistant Ref for the England v Wales match. I’d hope she gets a referee appointment for a significant men’s international soon. From what I’ve seen of her, she’s probably better than most of the men.


Referee appointments for Scotland’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations Fixtures

Wales v Scotland – Saturday 3 February 2024, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (kick-off 4.45pm)

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Scotland v France – Saturday 10 February 2024, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 2.15pm)

Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Scotland v England – Saturday 24 February 2024, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 4.45pm)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Busby (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Italy v Scotland – Saturday 9 March 2024, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (kick-off 3.15pm)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Leal (RFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Ireland v Scotland – Saturday 16 March 2024, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (kick-off 4.45pm)

Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

[Big D]

Hollie Davidson is the best Scottish ref at that level by a stretch.

[BaldiePete]

Tickets for the France and England matches have both sold out without a general public sale, despite these ticket prices. There must be a load of masochist fans in this country. I logged in today as a Supporters Club member and decided against buying any tickets at these prices. I bought an expensive bottle of whisky instead which will probably give me a lot more pleasure.

[septic 9]

Ollie Smith and Javan Sebastian doubtful for the 6N. Sam Skinner not yet in full training. Still time to lose some more to injury

[Cameo]

I see Ollie Smith is out for the rest of the season and possibly more. Real shame.

[Cameo]

Skinner is pity too. Need someone to really break into the team at lock.

[Big D]

Apparently GT has been speaking to Reed, Roebuck and Warr at Sale (wing, wing, 9).

If you believe twitter he's guarenteed Fin Smith a place in the 23 to join up. I'd hope that is false. As good as he has been we shouldn't be making him guarentees. I don't think GT would have either.

[Tobylerone]

Ollie Smith and Javan Sebastian doubtful for the 6N. Sam Skinner not yet in full training. Still time to lose some more to injury

Knee Fairy sprinkled some festive (?) dust over R. Darge as well..

[BaldiePete]

The squad is to be announced tomorrow afternoon. According to the Telegraph Arron Reed from Sale is SQ and will be called up. I’ve no idea how good he might be. Also, I saw a rumour on Twitter about Cole Forbes being called up. No idea how that would work since he’s back in NZ and signed for the Blues.

[septic 9]

The squad is to be announced tomorrow afternoon. According to the Telegraph Arron Reed from Sale is SQ and will be called up. I’ve no idea how good he might be. Also, I saw a rumour on Twitter about Cole Forbes being called up. No idea how that would work since he’s back in NZ and signed for the Blues.

Reed is SQ at Sale, as are Roebuck and Warr

We are short of fit back 3 players, or have been. Steyn likely to play for Warriors this week though, and so long as Duhan, Graham and Kinghorn stay fit, we should be fine with Jones covering full back and wing.
Reed in the training squad is ok I guess, but an out and out speedster, not very big but very fast. I'd prefer Roebuck. Of the 3 Sale players Warr has been the outstanding one, but competition for the 9 shirt is quite high despite Dobie's injury

There would be no problem getting Forbes released, happened for Huw Jones while he played in SA IIRC. But if not in the match day squad has to be released back to Blues, but TBH I know he had his supporters among Warriors fans but I don't think he is good enough especially defensively

[Jocky]

No Mish in 6 Nations squad - is he injured? Hutchinson back and Reed makes it too.

[Jocky]

Harry Patterson, Alec Hepburn and Will Hurd the other surprises. Josh Bayliss too.

[Big D]

No Mish in 6 Nations squad - is he injured? Hutchinson back and Reed makes it too.

We have plenty of cover for 7. Christie deserved recognition for a very string start to the season.

Hutchinson may be full back cover too. At 33, Harris is now at the break glass in emergency stage.

Squad shows how borderline our prop stocks are. Hurd is ex U20 so been known to coaches for a while. Hepburn is a bit journeyman like but needs must.

[Jocky]

Yes good shout with Christie and Ritchie can also play 7 I guess. I hope we can get the balance right in the back row. Tight head has always been our thinnest depth wise so needs must as you say. Is Finn being lined up as captain?

[BaldiePete]

Scotland squad for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations (caps in brackets):

Forwards

Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (5)
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Andy Christie – Saracens (4)
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (7)
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (33)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (68)
Richie Gray – Glasgow Warriors (78)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (62)
Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (uncapped)
Johnny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors (1)
WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby (61)
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (26)
Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (30)
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Glen Young – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
Backs

Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby (27)
Ben Healy – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (26)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (39)
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (8)
Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (43)
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (50)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (66)
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (9)
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (uncapped)
Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (75)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (22)
Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (34)
Ben White – Toulon (18)

[BaldiePete]

Notable absences.
Sutherland, Watson and Harris.

Less surprising absence.
Cherry. Turner and Ashman always likely to be picked and Jonny Matthews form couldn’t be ignored.

[BaldiePete]

By position. Seems overloaded in centre and wing, although I assume Patterson is there to get experience around the squad and is unlikely to play. Kinghorn is the only regular full back in the squad. If he gets injured someone who doesn’t play there regularly will have to fill in.


Loose Head Props
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (26)
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)

Tight Head Props
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (62)
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (uncapped)
WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby (61)

Hookers
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
Johnny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors (1)

Second Row
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (33)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (68)
Richie Gray – Glasgow Warriors (78)
Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (30)
Glen Young – Edinburgh Rugby (3)

Back Row
Andy Christie – Saracens (4)
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (7)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (5)

Scrum-half
Ben White – Toulon (18)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (26)
Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (66)

Stand-off
Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (75)
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby (27)
Ben Healy – Edinburgh Rugby (4)

Centres
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (8)
Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (43)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (9)
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (22)

Back 3
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (uncapped)
Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (39)
Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (34)
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (50)

[Cameo]

I'm okay with the squad. Don't know a huge amount about the newbies other than Paterson but don't see them starting. Shame Sutherland's career hasn't progressed the last couple of years as we would have hoped but okay with the omissions too. The area I would have really liked to see movement was at lock but not too many obtions now that Henderson is injured. I would like it if one or both or Skinner or Cummings had proven themselves as a starter by the end of the tournament though.

Quite a few interesting calls from here though. Will Townsend be keen for continuity as that could be our advantage over other teams this year or does he think a bit of a shakeup is needed? If he wants to shake things up we could see:

- a new captain - Russell?

- a new second row brought in - Personally I would like to move on from at least Gilchrist and add some more dynamism but I suspect that is unlikely.

- a new backrow makeup - There'll be lots of different opinions on this. I still like Ritchie, Darge, Fagerson but can see an argument for more power given what we (don't) have elsewhere. If so, we could either see Ritchie or Crosbie at 7 if Darge isn't fully fit or something like Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

- a new nine - Not seen any of Ben White this year but if Horne is ever going to get a run of starts it might be this year. On the other hand, Russell was saying recently how much he liked having Spencer's kicking gane inside him.

- a new centre partnership - Seems weird saying this after last year's 6N but it has been a bit of a weird time for Jones over the last little while amd Redpath seems to be in form. Redpath and Tuipolotu anyone?

I'm not sure any of those changes really address our weaknesses but we have the options we have. It's hard to call this 6N. We had such a deflating World Cuo but I'd say that we are better than Wales, Italy and (probably) England while Ireland and France will be in transition a bit and won't have the momentum they had building into the World Cup.

I just hope for a good start in Cardiff. Real make or break time for our tournament.

[switchskier]

Young over Henderson or Samuel is my only big quibble. Not sure that Young's ceiling is that high and would rather look at some younger options with more potential. But at least they'll get more game time than holding tackle bags.

Good to see Hutchinson back. A few years ago he'd have been automatic for what he can do. Not sure that his defence will ever make him first choice but I can see a role for him as a change up from the bench.

Reed is fast. Good to cap him but think he's only ever going to be a backup for Darcy.

[BaldiePete]

Townsend is lining up to drop Ritchie from the captaincy and probably the team. I can see Finn being made captain. He’s bound to have a better relationship with the referee than Ritchie who often comes across as petulant.

“Townsend told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast that the Edinburgh flanker is not guaranteed to start the tournament opener against Wales next month because of "the form of the guys in that back row".”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67998153

If so, possible best combination would be:
Fagerson
Darge
Dempsey

But given the current state of injuries we might start with:
Christie
Crosbie
Fagerson

I don’t know much about Christie but I’m keen to see how he goes.

[Cameo]

I can't decide on Ritchie. On paper the balance of the backrow arguable looks better without him, but there is a reason he was made captain. He is a very good all rounder and when the game is the type of game we like to make it, he is key to that. He is physical and an all round nuisance. I remember a six nations a couple of years ago where we started well and faded. It wasn't talked about much but to me a big part of it was Ritchie getting injured. I just don't know who I would start just now.

That may be a good reason in itself not to make him captain, and I'm okay with that. I would say that it is a bit easier for Russell, say, not to look petulant. He is arriving a few second later having had a view from a distance. Ritchie is in the thick of it and sometimes the one (wrongly) penalised. Swings both ways, when it's working having a captain in the thick of it seems great, when it's not, it seems like part of the problem. I suspect that, apart from at the extremes, it doesn't really matter.

[Big D]

Young over Henderson or Samuel is my only big quibble. Not sure that Young's ceiling is that high and would rather look at some younger options with more potential. But at least they'll get more game time than holding tackle bags.

Good to see Hutchinson back. A few years ago he'd have been automatic for what he can do. Not sure that his defence will ever make him first choice but I can see a role for him as a change up from the bench.

Reed is fast. Good to cap him but think he's only ever going to be a backup for Darcy.

Henderson is done for the season.

[Mikey Brown]

I can't decide on Ritchie. On paper the balance of the backrow arguable looks better without him, but there is a reason he was made captain. He is a very good all rounder and when the game is the type of game we like to make it, he is key to that. He is physical and an all round nuisance. I remember a six nations a couple of years ago where we started well and faded. It wasn't talked about much but to me a big part of it was Ritchie getting injured. I just don't know who I would start just now.

That may be a good reason in itself not to make him captain, and I'm okay with that. I would say that it is a bit easier for Russell, say, not to look petulant. He is arriving a few second later having had a view from a distance. Ritchie is in the thick of it and sometimes the one (wrongly) penalised. Swings both ways, when it's working having a captain in the thick of it seems great, when it's not, it seems like part of the problem. I suspect that, apart from at the extremes, it doesn't really matter.

I'm exactly the same. Ritchie's interactions with refs and occasional bouts of indiscipline are really frustrating because he does seem to glue the side together. Balancing out the firepower in the pack is difficult thought with him at 6 not really being that explosive on either side of the ball. The lineout work and number of turnovers he's made to get us out of a jam can't be ignored though. How has he been going for Edinburgh?

The fitness of backrow options is definitely a concern. Dempsey and Darge are still question marks? Fagerson and Bayliss (still not convinced at this level anyway) are only just back from injuries, though I don't know how severe.

The tight five really could have done with a 2020 Sutherland and Henderson staying fit. Really frustrating that we don't seem equipped to leave guys like Gilchrist and Nel behind yet. We have to make more of Cummings/Skinner somehow. Sebastian is injured too I assume? Never looked a world beater but competent enough.

I'd 100% have 10. Russell (c) 12. Redpath + whoever is playing best out of the Glasgow lot, probably Tuipulotu. I do prefer him at 12 now but Jones doesn't seem to be where he was (is that just the wing crisis at Glasgow?) and McDowell is more of a 12 too?

I don't know what to make of many of the new additions. It's a bit of a weird squad but generally post-RWC squads are.

[septic 9]

I can't decide on Ritchie. On paper the balance of the backrow arguable looks better without him, but there is a reason he was made captain. He is a very good all rounder and when the game is the type of game we like to make it, he is key to that. He is physical and an all round nuisance. I remember a six nations a couple of years ago where we started well and faded. It wasn't talked about much but to me a big part of it was Ritchie getting injured. I just don't know who I would start just now.

That may be a good reason in itself not to make him captain, and I'm okay with that. I would say that it is a bit easier for Russell, say, not to look petulant. He is arriving a few second later having had a view from a distance. Ritchie is in the thick of it and sometimes the one (wrongly) penalised. Swings both ways, when it's working having a captain in the thick of it seems great, when it's not, it seems like part of the problem. I suspect that, apart from at the extremes, it doesn't really matter.

I'm exactly the same. Ritchie's interactions with refs and occasional bouts of indiscipline are really frustrating because he does seem to glue the side together. Balancing out the firepower in the pack is difficult thought with him at 6 not really being that explosive on either side of the ball. The lineout work and number of turnovers he's made to get us out of a jam can't be ignored though. How has he been going for Edinburgh?

The fitness of backrow options is definitely a concern. Dempsey and Darge are still question marks? Fagerson and Bayliss (still not convinced at this level anyway) are only just back from injuries, though I don't know how severe.

The tight five really could have done with a 2020 Sutherland and Henderson staying fit. Really frustrating that we don't seem equipped to leave guys like Gilchrist and Nel behind yet. We have to make more of Cummings/Skinner somehow. Sebastian is injured too I assume? Never looked a world beater but competent enough.

I'd 100% have 10. Russell (c) 12. Redpath + whoever is playing best out of the Glasgow lot, probably Tuipulotu. I do prefer him at 12 now but Jones doesn't seem to be where he was (is that just the wing crisis at Glasgow?) and McDowell is more of a 12 too?

I don't know what to make of many of the new additions. It's a bit of a weird squad but generally post-RWC squads are.

Matt Fagerson played against Exeter last weekend, as if he had never been away. No problem
Dempsey is fit for selection this weekend v Toulon. If he plays as plays well, no problem.
Darge is progressing well but I don't think will be fit for Wales game, after that.......TBH "match fitness" seems to be a thing of the past for most players these days
McDowell has played 12 and 13 successfully for Glasgow. Fun thing about Glasgow is that they often interchange their centres positioning for different situations during games, whether its attack or defence, from a set piece or whichever 2 of Tuipolotu McDowell or Jones are playing.

Captain - Richie needs to nail a starting spot. Hard to see how he does that, and Toonie is sending a clear message with that interview plus dropping Watson from the squad - if you ain't on the top of your game in any way we have many options

[septic 9]

couple of posters indicating they don't know much about Christie. Playing for Saracens, not quite the immediate heads up it was, but he is playing really well, really well. Very good all round player but another who isn't quite the big beast we'd all perhaps like, but at 6 or 7 I'm confident he wouldn't let us down.
Same is true of Bayless who came off the bench for Bath this week for his 1st appearance after injury - again looked as if he had never been away. Competition for back row is huge however, with Darge still injured I think Dempsey (if he plays this weekend), and Fagerson will start. After that Crosbie, Richie and the above 2 slogging it out for a start and bench spot