[2023 Six Nations] Scotland Squad

[retired9]

Well any Slam ambitions are off now BUT the Triple Crown is still up for grabs.

I missed the first 30 mins of the game live but having watched the highlights back it does seem like Scotland left a lot of points unscored from the positions and territory they were in.

The innacuracy is a bit disappointing and some unforced errors or bad decisions don't reflect well in the event of a loss. Still, if they use this to find a way to beat Ireland I will not be complaining too much, France at home is a big game for any visitors.

Really struggling to find a reason to start Hogg next game out, just not hitting the heights we need right now there have been passes gone wrong in all 3 games from him that were pretty key moments overall. Kinghorn is solid back 3 player it could be his time.

The ultimate forwards test is coming, and yet it looked like we had a good manage on the French with some good scrummaging and mauling. Lineout needs refining, the increased pressure of #2 opponents undoubtedly showed.

Can still have a strong tournament, we need to have a strategy nailed down for the world cup because getting out that group is a massive challenge. Getting the foundations laid now with a fairly settled team is reassuring.

Final word to Huipolotou, what a pair they have turned into - the cohesion is great.

 

[retired9]

Some injury concerns ahead of the Italy game, Russel would be the biggest one to lose so hopefully he can recover. Loved the shapes that he and Sione were cutting yesterday, not sure what his tactical kicking is like but Tuipolotou at 10 if Russel can't start? He was plenty handy at first receiver.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I feel a little sorry for Scotland (not to much) genuinely have a decent side that is at least worthy of a qtr final but they won’t get out the group. Doesn’t seem fair but I guess it’s not impossible they beat SA.

 

[g6mcg]

Doesn’t seem fair but I guess it’s not impossible they beat SA.

Far too early to be drinking on a Monday.

If Russell is out I'd rather see Healy at 10, keep Tuipolotu at 12 and give Kinghorn a full game at 15. Hogg looks shot, hopefully can get a better balance to his conditioning over the summer.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Far too early to be drinking on a Monday.

If Russell is out I'd rather see Healy at 10, keep Tuipolotu at 12 and give Kinghorn a full game at 15. Hogg looks shot, hopefully can get a better balance to his conditioning over the summer.

It’s almost 11am. That’s late in the day my friend.

Just checked Hoggs age, didn’t realise he was 30. Thought he was at least a couple years older than that.

 

[retired9]

Far too early to be drinking on a Monday.

If Russell is out I'd rather see Healy at 10, keep Tuipolotu at 12 and give Kinghorn a full game at 15. Hogg looks shot, hopefully can get a better balance to his conditioning over the summer.

Ah yes one of the outsider options for 10. Probably wise, 12 &13 work well and we need some backup at 10 for a WC which I am a little surprised Gregor hasn't tested the waters with for 5-10 minutes in this 6N. There are the warmup games so that might be the thinking.

I would like to see Kinghorn start at 15, Hogg is tired I think just not been at his best. Not past it but needing some refocusing.

 

[g6mcg]

It’s almost 11am. That’s late in the day my friend.

Just checked Hoggs age, didn’t realise he was 30. Thought he was at least a couple years older than that.

Lots of miles in those legs! Not sure he's ever really adapted to Scotland's changing needs - was the key/only playmaker for the first half of his career but over the past few we'd have benefited from a more conventional 15.

Ah yes one of the outsider options for 10. Probably wise, 12 &13 work well and we need some backup at 10 for a WC which I am a little surprised Gregor hasn't tested the waters with for 5-10 minutes in this 6N. There are the warmup games so that might be the thinking.

I would like to see Kinghorn start at 15, Hogg is tired I think just not been at his best. Not past it but needing some refocusing.

Assume Hastings is still out? At least if Healy does play he'll have a good midfield partnership outside him, and support from 15 (whether that's Hogg or Kinghorn)

Unfortunately if Russell is out of the world cup I don't think it'll matter who we play at ten. Probably worth playing Healy for the media storm.

 

[retired9]

Lots of miles in those legs! Not sure he's ever really adapted to Scotland's changing needs - was the key/only playmaker for the first half of his career but over the past few we'd have benefited from a more conventional 15.

Assume Hastings is still out? At least if Healy does play he'll have a good midfield partnership outside him, and support from 15 (whether that's Hogg or Kinghorn)

Unfortunately if Russell is out of the world cup I don't think it'll matter who we play at ten. Probably worth playing Healy for the media storm.

Not sure on Hastings, shoulder issue which one would expect to be right by the Autumn. That said how much game time he will have could be an issue.

Probably true re Russell, just be good to see who is following in behind other than Hastings who I like but don't think has quite shown his best yet internationally at 10.

Can the Paddys attack one of their own? Would be interesting.....

 

[General Melchett]

Healy needs experience at test level in case Finn gets crocked before or during the RWC. Italy at home is the ideal game to throw him in with Kinghorn starting at 15 and able to cover 10.

 

[g6mcg]

Hogg and Russell confirmed out, Gray still being assessed.

Russell rumoured to have done his MCL. Could that be the injury from previous weekend?

 

[General Melchett]

Hogg and Russell confirmed out, Gray still being assessed.

Russell rumoured to have done his MCL. Could that be the injury from previous weekend?

I thought he had strapping around his hamstring when he came off at Racing. My initial reaction was "I hope Russell makes the RWC" but we're finishing third in that group regardless of whether he plays or not. Hope it's not serious in any case.

Kinghorn to 15 and Healy at 10 makes most sense but I wouldn't be surprised if Toonie plays Kinghorn at 10 and brings in someone like Maitland to play 15.

 

[g6mcg]

I thought he had strapping around his hamstring when he came off at Racing. My initial reaction was "I hope Russell makes the RWC" but we're finishing third in that group regardless of whether he plays or not. Hope it's not serious in any case.

Kinghorn to 15 and Healy at 10 makes most sense but I wouldn't be surprised if Toonie plays Kinghorn at 10 and brings in someone like Maitland to play 15.

Just remembered that Kinghorn was struggling towards the end of the game too, so Healy/Maitland quite likely I'd guess.

Agree on Russell/anyone's fitness for the world cup being sadly irrelevant.

 

[General Melchett]

Savala and Bayliss called up which would suggest Kinghorn is going to 15 and Healy at 10. Savala might get a bench spot if Toonie moves back to a 5:3 split otherwise it'll be Harris and Price (FWIW I'd have Hornito).

 

[retired9]

So, now that this is a reality what do we know about this Healy guy? Is he the one with Irish caps (or was that the 9)?

And is he any good lol

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So, now that this is a reality what do we know about this Healy guy? Is he the one with Irish caps (or was that the 9)?

And is he any good lol

I doubt he'll ever be an international starter for you. I think his peak potential is about the level of Ross Byrne. Potentially a very solid guy to have off the bench or in a bind with injuries. He is a bit of a loss for Munster but not one for Ireland imo.

He's the 10, the 9 is Cooney, think you have a few better 9s than him at this point, he deserved a few more chances with Ireland but never had the speed of service required for Ireland's and Scotland's gameplans.

 

[retired9]

I doubt he'll ever be an international starter for you. I think his peak potential is about the level of Ross Byrne. Potentially a very solid guy to have off the bench or in a bind with injuries. He is a bit of a loss for Munster but not one for Ireland imo.

He's the 10, the 9 is Cooney, think you have a few better 9s than him at this point, he deserved a few more chances with Ireland but never had the speed of service required for Ireland's and Scotland's gameplans.

Ah yes Cooney I remember him playing for Ireland, yeah tbh its a bit of noise about not very much I would say, Scotland have 4 international 9s who are all pretty decent, White, Price, Horne and Vellacot.

Wonder if Healy could be developed under Toonie a bit.

Looking through the names, there is Ollie Smith who could come in at FB but that would mean Kinghorn to 10 which is not what I want to see.

 

[AlRums]

Ah yes Cooney I remember him playing for Ireland, yeah tbh its a bit of noise about not very much I would say, Scotland have 4 international 9s who are all pretty decent, White, Price, Horne and Vellacot.

Wonder if Healy could be developed under Toonie a bit.

Looking through the names, there is Ollie Smith who could come in at FB but that would mean Kinghorn to 10 which is not what I want to see.

Time to try a new name at 10, better against Italy than far stronger opposition

 

[retired9]

Time to try a new name at 10, better against Italy than far stronger opposition

I agree, for the backs I'm going to call for Healy at 10, KH at 15 keep White at 9 for starting and bring Horne onto the bench if possible.

 

[AlRums]

I agree, for the backs I'm going to call for Healy at 10, KH at 15 keep White at 9 for starting and bring Horne onto the bench if possible.

That would be my way to go

 

[g6mcg]

How do you feel about Ritchie as captain? I was glad he replaced Hogg but in both of the last two games he seems to have really wound up the referee. Pretty rare for an international team to be marched back.

Hopefully something he can improve on with time but the fear is he's getting a reputation he'll always be refereed on.

 

[retired9]

How do you feel about Ritchie as captain? I was glad he replaced Hogg but in both of the last two games he seems to have really wound up the referee. Pretty rare for an international team to be marched back.

Hopefully something he can improve on with time but the fear is he's getting a reputation he'll always be refereed on.

Interesting point. Pearce seems a little bit tetchy to this sort of things, I also think Ritchie was frustrated by some of the Irish play (nothing new there they always manage to ****le us). He could do with keeping it in check though, breakdown irritations will be tough to not get emotional about when in the back row.

Alternatives? Gilchrist would be one but he’s out, maybe Turner? Not getting captain vibes from the 9s so not sure where else to look.

 

[AlRums]

Interesting point. Pearce seems a little bit tetchy to this sort of things, I also think Ritchie was frustrated by some of the Irish play (nothing new there they always manage to ****le us). He could do with keeping it in check though, breakdown irritations will be tough to not get emotional about when in the back row.

Alternatives? Gilchrist would be one but he’s out, maybe Turner? Not getting captain vibes from the 9s so not sure where else to look.

Matt Fagerson?

 

[General Melchett]

Changing captain so soon is unlikely. Ritchie will just have to learn on the job and you'd like to think that Townsend is having a word with him especially after getting marched back 10 two games in a row.

It's not just Ritchie. I think Hogg and Russell were giving the ref backchat too. They should know better.

 

[retired9]

Matt Fagerson?

Could be, although I've not heard any chat of him being one of the "leaders" before. That said he seems to stay quite level headed and not attract penalties against him so might not be a bad idea. Watson was another I thought about.

Changing captain so soon is unlikely. Ritchie will just have to learn on the job and you'd like to think that Townsend is having a word with him especially after getting marched back 10 two games in a row.

It's not just Ritchie. I think Hogg and Russell were giving the ref backchat too. They should know better.

I'm not expecting a change of captain, yes they did seem to be a bit gobby although like I say im not sure it is anything new, Pearce just seemed to ping it more quickly. He is a bit funny about things like that where other ref rise above it and command the respect, he seems to go to the whistle. Just my 2p worth.

On the flipside, one of the Irish players was dared to call for a card again at risk of getting one himself so I'm not suggesting bias.

 

[retired9]

Teams out.

Not overally surprised though it's not what I think I wanted to see. I can see why KH has got the 10 starter (steady Bruce), Smith at 15 is probably the safer option than a Healy first cap at 10 against Italy.

 

[g6mcg]

Suppose it makes sense if the World Cup squad is likely to be Russell and Hastings with Kinghorn as cover rather than a third specialist.

Hastings will have had much more time in camp too, but a shame not to see him at 15.

 

[retired9]

Well Scotland fans that’s us for another 6N. I think for the first time in years we can say what our settled 15 looks like and can have some confidence in the way they can play.

I think once again we can safely say Blair Kinghorn is not the backup 10, we cannot go into a World Cup unable to take kickable penalties and fail to get our very effective centres and wings going forward.

Have to see a decent second option flyhalf in the warmup games, KH is a back 3 man and a very very good one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

KH is a back 3 man and a very very good one.

I reckon he could do a job in the centres as well, tbh - though when you've got a players like Redpath and Harries not making the XV you don't need to add another to the mix

 

[retired9]

I reckon he could do a job in the centres as well, tbh - though when you've got a players like Redpath and Harries not making the XV you don't need to add another to the mix

Yeah he absolutely could, just about covers every position to an extent.

Olly smith was good at 15 showed he has a running threat in him too, one for the future.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Hogg to retire post RWC apparent.

Quite astonishing considering his age