Scotland Player Ratings Against Wales

My assessment of the Scotland players against Wales:

1.Jacobsen - 7 Lively throughout the game and stood up ok against A Jones in the scrum - no mean task. Docked a point for the knock-on in the first half yards from the Welsh line.

2.Ford - 8 Very strong performance. Excellent ball carrier and flawless at the lineout. Proving a good choice of captain.

3.Cross - 7 Mobile prop, plenty of workrate. One silly penalty for diving in from the side off his feet, but given Poite's reffing of the breakdown it was worth a go. Struggled on his side against Jenkins but not far short of parity.

4.Gray - 9 Awesome. Consistently crosses the advantage line, even from a standing start. A menace at the lineout as well. Seems to have endless energy.

5.Hamilton - 7 Better than against England. Used his power at close quarters and got through more work.

6.Strokosch - 6 Slightly disappointing. Should have been more influential at the breakdown and got isolated on a couple of carriers. When Brown returns he'll be jetisoned I think. Not bad, but we have too much talent in the back row for back to back average performances to keep you in the side.

7.Rennie - 9 Wonderful. A complete menace to the Welsh at the breakdown, great hands and punches well above his weight carrying the ball. No firmly first choice at 7.

8.Denton - 8 Once again a powerhouse with ball in hand, and made some excellent carries.

9.Cusiter - 6 A couple of great tackles and appealled effectively to the ref on several occassion when the Welsh hands in the ruck were too obvious even for Poite to ignore. Horrible mistake at the restart docks him a point, although his passing was better than against England. Should lose his place against France though.

10.Laidlaw - 7 Neat, tidy and always looked to create. Deserved his try after being robbed last week and nearly created something further with another well judged chip and chase. Certain to start the rest of the tournament.

11.Evans - 5 Not on long enough to register.

12.S Lamont - 7 I liked his performance. Carried strongly and tackled himself into oblivion against the meaty Welsh backs.

13.NDL - 5 A couple of sharpish bursts but the yellow card was silly and really cost us. Needs a good game against France otherwise one of Scott, Ansbro, Grove or Evans will steal his jersey. A shame after a really strong season with Edinburgh.

14.L Jones - 7 Tackled well enough against bigger men and when the game opened up he looked a real threat. Great pace and great feet. Hopefully he can play the rest of the tournament.

15.R Lamont - 6 Decent, nothing more. Secure at the back and kicked ok. I'd like him on the wing against France with him playing the same sort of roving role that Wales got from Cuthbert.

16.Kalman - 5 Didn't see much from him. A substitution for the sake of it.
17.S Lawson - 6 Lively when he came on.
18.Kellock - 6 No improvement on Hamilton. One nice lineout take but he isn't doing much to earn promotion.
19.Barclay - 6 Not a blindside flanker and the wrong choice of player for the bench. No real impact.
20.Blair - 8 Excellent impact, raised the tempo nicely and brought some Edinburgh style ambition to the backs. Must start against France.
21.Weir - didn't feature
22.Hogg - 8 Excellent impact, did exactly what he's been doing all season and proved his initially non-selection a complete farce. Wonderful balance, solid catching, good kicking and composed hands. Must start at 15 against France.

I honestly think that Hogg has produced the best performance at 15 out of anyone else so far, without even playing a full game yet. He was solid, but more importantly he was a real attacking threat, he is someone Scotland really needs in their side. I hope he can consistently produce that type of performance, because he has some real talent.

He's been consistently good for Glasgow at 15 this season and played very well indeed for Scotland A against the Saxons so I've no reason to believe he isn't capable of keeping up that level of performance.

His only issue this season has been Lineen using him at 13 sometimes, which has been a total failure and a complete waste. I think it was down to that mistaken selection that Robinson ignored him initially for Scotland (going for a rusty Rory Lamont instead).

It's now very obvious that Hogg should start 15 against France.

Blair needs to start against France, and I would be tempted to drop both De Luca and R Lamont for their stupid, stupid offences. But that depends entirely on whether Evans and Ansbro are fit to play.

If Lamont does play it will be on the wing after that performance by Hogg. A more experienced player would have celebrated even if he thought he had knocked on, and the try might have been given, but an excellent debut nonetheless.

I'm starting to come around to the idea of Barclay at 6 too, he was far more influential than Strokosch when he came on. Undecided, maybe a Harley or a McInally could be worth a punt, but I can't see Robinson doing that, Barclay is probably the sensible option.

Pretty happy with the performance (ignoring the major man sausage ups by three of our more experienced players which cost us the chance of winning). Really looking forward to the France game now, I'll be there and think we have a good chance if we can play like we did today.

I disagree on Barclay. I see him as very much a specialist openside and with Rennie playing so well I don't think he's the right choice for the bench.

Harley still doesn't carry effectively enough for me so my preference would be for McInally or even Vernon to go on the bench ahead of Barclay. When Brown returns he'll go straight into the 6 jersey, but I think there's a good case for Stuart McInally on the bench. His best performances this season have been in the HC games for Edinburgh, so I've no doubt he'll cope with this level.

Posters who know me on here will know I rate Barclay highly, but I just don't think he's an impact sub at 6 or 8, and I wouldn't take Rennie off the pitch.

Denton at 6, Rennie at 7, and McInally at 8 I think would be a very powerful backrow. As far as I know, Denton plays 6 more, and McInally plays at 8 more?

I disagree with Jacobsen and Cross, they were to upright in the contact area, and they both got isolated too often with ball in hand that cost Scotland momentum a number of times

That's what I was saying a couple of days ago, but thought he did well there today when he came on. Obviously would prefer Brown though! Rennie is nailed on for 7 now and McInally would be a good call but I just can't see Robinson bringing any more uncapped players in against France (except Weir who I hope will get off the bench).

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Denton at 6, Rennie at 7, and McInally at 8 I think would be a very powerful backrow. As far as I know, Denton plays 6 more, and McInally plays at 8 more?

In actual fact both probably consider themselves 8's but both play 6 typically for Edinburgh because when fit Talei plays at 8. In truth McInally and Denton can both play 6 and 8 effectively.

biltongbek wrote:I disagree with Jacobsen and Cross, they were to upright in the contact area, and they both got isolated too often with ball in hand that cost Scotland momentum a number of times

I'd be happy to demote them both to 6's. I take on board what you say, Jacobsen did indeed get isolated twice, and Cross was a bit of a hazard on the deck, where his enthusiasm to compete for lost causes annoyed Poite several times.

My 7 was really for two things. Workrate - both worked tirelessly, particularly Jacobsen, who seems to show up everywhere (in fact perhaps too often). The second was the scrum, where I thought Jones and Jenkins would dominate us. The fact that they didn't caused me to bump up their scores. Neither put in perfect performances so somewhere between 6 and 7 is probably about right.

We play France on Sunday again I think, so I suspect both will start again for tough examinations against the French front row.

The Edinburgh back rower (the one who had beef with Hape) looked good, is he in the squad?

Good ratings and descriptions FES

I've never been overly impressed with Strokosh, ever. He's meant to be this "tough" guys but he never shows it on the pitch.

Morgannwg wrote:The Edinburgh back rower (the one who had beef with Hape) looked good, is he in the squad?

He's English. Sean Cox.

Not sure who you mean - either Roddy Grant or Stuart McInally. If the former I disagree - we have two top quality opensides in the squad already. If the latter then I couldn't agree more.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good ratings and descriptions FES

I've never been overly impressed with Strokosh, ever. He's meant to be this "tough" guys but he never shows it on the pitch.

He put in some great tackles today in fairness but he wasn't at all ruthless around the breakdown which is where we needed him most, and given his size there's no reason why Rennie should be twice the contact player with ball in hand that Strokosch is. He goes to ground too easily and therefore is always likely to get isolated. If only we could manufacture an in-form Beattie to play 8 and have Denton at 6. That would give us the top class punch to take us up a gear. I felt at times today we were one telling ball carrier short, or when Rennie was carrying there wasn't enough support to get the quick ball that we needed so much. When Brown returns that may be resolved.

It's certainly true that Strokosch is no Jason White. Now there was a real tough guy.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

biltongbek wrote:I disagree with Jacobsen and Cross, they were to upright in the contact area, and they both got isolated too often with ball in hand that cost Scotland momentum a number of times

I'd be happy to demote them both to 6's. I take on board what you say, Jacobsen did indeed get isolated twice, and Cross was a bit of a hazard on the deck, where his enthusiasm to compete for lost causes annoyed Poite several times.

My 7 was really for two things. Workrate - both worked tirelessly, particularly Jacobsen, who seems to show up everywhere (in fact perhaps too often). The second was the scrum, where I thought Jones and Jenkins would dominate us. The fact that they didn't caused me to bump up their scores. Neither put in perfect performances so somewhere between 6 and 7 is probably about right.

We play France on Sunday again I think, so I suspect both will start again for tough examinations against the French front row.

I do agree their work rate was good.

Ah yes, Sean Cox. To be fair he seems to have beef with most people. An angry player on the pitch if ever there was one.

Can you imagine a 2010 Johnny Beattie at 8 and the current Dave Denton at 6 with Rennie at 7??

Now that would be a rampaging backrow.

If only!

Cox is English and he can stay that way, thanks, Morgan. Could quibble a louts few of your shouts, fES, but broadly think you have it right. I'm in two minds on Jacobsen tho, if Welsh continues to play well, I'd give him a shot cos we've got nothing to gain bar exPerience in this 6Ns now. The balance of the backrow is key, so I wouldt want to swap Stroks for a fetcher - has to be another chopper, so for me that must be Harley rather than Barclay or McInally. The 12 shirt is crying out for Matt Scott, so that even a deaf man at a metallica concert could hear it. Hogg has shown Robinson what we've been saying all along.

Hate to raise the subject again, but AR is simply not up to the job of selection - by all means keep him on as coach, but take selection away from him, he can't be trusted.

To be honest I could live with Harley, I think the experience would do him good. I just wish he could make more of a contribution with ball in hand. But as choppers go, he is utterly tireless.

I was just saying on another post, we could shift S Lamont to 13 and use Scott at 12 (NDL on the bench) - that could work the more I think about it. Rory Lamont on the wing with Lee Jones and Stuart Hogg at 15. I'd be happy with that. Either way Matt Scott should at least be on the bench against France. If Graeme Morrison gets selected I'll be furious.

ASBO - Welsh played well (at tighthead even) for Glasgow the other night. I wouldn't drop Jacobsen, but I do think Welsh ahead of Kalman for the bench. Not just because of versatility but because I think long term Welsh will be a Scotland international, whereas when Low and Cross are fully fit I can't see Kalman having much of a role.

Just a second - there's magnanimous, intelligent, well-reasoned and non-vitriolic discourse on this thread. Stop this immediately.

Have to agree I thought rennie was the best player on the park today. As close to McCaw in his pomp as I have seen from and NH open side.

He was excellent against England as well. If he can maintain this level of consistency throughout the tournament then he'll surely be a target for a number of top (or rather wealthy) club sides in the summer, and start getting mentions on all the usual Lions debates. He really is a classic link player between backs and forwards, I'll bet Martyn Williams will have enjoyed that performance (once safe in the knowledge that Wales were going to win).

GC - the reason this thread is working is that I didn't dare to rate the Welsh players!!

Changes i would.make

hogg. Blair.on

lamont.on.wing.


ndl and.strokosh off

Standulstermen wrote:Have to agree I thought rennie was the best player on the park today. As close to McCaw in his pomp as I have seen from and NH open side.

Wow that is praise indeed - I've been harping on about Rennie for years and great to see he's finally realising his potential!

Here's hoping his knee holds out.

He was superb today though - not just his tackling, link play and ball carrying but he did that thing that I've barely seen anyone else do; rip the ball from his opponent in the tackle! He is absolutely superb at it and I can't remember the last time I've seen anyone else do it.

Riskysports wrote:Changes i would.make

hogg. Blair.on

lamont.on.wing.


ndl and.strokosh off

By my counting that leaves us starting with 13 men against France. Not even Robinson would do that surely

Oh, I wouldn't put it past him fES - Robinson to stay as Head Coach, new attack coach (either Aly D or Chick), and 606v2 Scotland fans for selection - seemples

13 my lcky number

funnyExiledScot wrote:He was excellent against England as well. If he can maintain this level of consistency throughout the tournament then he'll surely be a target for a number of top (or rather wealthy) club sides in the summer, and start getting mentions on all the usual Lions debates. He really is a classic link player between backs and forwards, I'll bet Martyn Williams will have enjoyed that performance (once safe in the knowledge that Wales were going to win).

GC - the reason this thread is working is that I didn't dare to rate the Welsh players!!

Oh christ no - never, ever go there on these boards.

The lowest rating is 5 - given to three players in the 22. Seriously? For a team that lost, what would they get if they'd won!

I'd take one point off all the forwards and two points off the backs to be a bit more representative of the actual game.

Good ratings. I'd disagree only on Laidlaw- he was an 8 in the last 30 mins, really stepped his game up, but a 5 at best in the first 50, maybe worse (his passing was so slooooow and predictable and forward and he should have done better against Cuthbert and his tactical boot wasn't great either) so I think a 6 is closer to what he deserves. He looked like a great 9 taking his try and when he took the ball on himself but with all the hype I was expecting more as a 10. Id still start him next match at 10, with Blair, and bring Weir on part way through. Maybe have him cover 9 for an extra bench option. Hogg needs to start. Sean Lamont played better this week but I'm unconvinced that he's a 12. Give one of your youngsters a go ahead of Strokosch.

Why do Scotland always play their best rugby when the situation is nigh on hopeless? If they could bottle their performance from the 70 minute mark and tap it in the first 10 minutes of a game it would make the world of difference.

The Great Aukster wrote:The lowest rating is 5 - given to three players in the 22. Seriously? For a team that lost, what would they get if they'd won!

I'd take one point off all the forwards and two points off the backs to be a bit more representative of the actual game.

Yes I find it strange the ratings are in that range when they lose by a rather convincing score... surely you have to be tougher on them than that. Those ratings would be 'good' for an AB win and regardless of who's playing surely the player scoring should be in context with the game/ opposition etc...

Strange...

I really do not mean to be patronising here, seriously I am not, but, if you can give such high ratings to a team who have lost, them all the Welsh players must be sitting on ratings from 9-10. Scotland showed a lot of huff and puff, but for all their efforts only got one try. The way people are going on here you would think that they had beaten Wales. I totally agree that Scotland played a lot better than they have previously, but they still conceded three try's and lets be honest, if Wales's centres had passed to the wing towards the end there could have been more. I am not going to give the try that should have been, because we gifted you possession to score your try straight afterwards, if Wales decided to kick the ball back after the scrum then you would not have been it a position t to score. I will say this though, Scotland more than played their part in a very entertaining game, but they were for the most part second best.

Lordowlais, you have to be fair and not only look at the tries.

Wales scored good tries with pressure and patience, but two of them were scored when there were only 14 Scots on the park. 14 men usually costs you that number of points.

When wales went wide and wide again it was inevitable that there would be gaps or overlaps.

Scotland did play well for most of the match, they fell asleep for 15 minutes and had some brain farts. Scoring one try, the previou how ever many games they scored none, and should have had two at least with the disallowed try, and then of course their over eagerness cost them another 1 meter from the line.

Dowlais - Arguably Scotland were the better team on Sunday - When they were down to 13 and 14 men we put them to bed, however their performance for me was better than oursand their set piece was far better. We had a lot of players missing and we took the wrong options at key moments with JD and Jamie being the main culprits. JD not passing when he should have and Jamie actually passing in the first half instead of running over the 9 with the line 20 metres away. I think Gatts should have kept Gill in the team who has been a key performer this season and put Gethin on the bench.

Lets get perspective - welsh rating fot me are

1/2P - 8
Cuthbert - 8
JD - 5
Jamie - 6
North - 6
Priestland - 5
Phillips - 5
Toby - 7
Dan - 7
Shingler - 6
Ryan - 7 1/2
Ian Evans - 7
Gethin - 6
Both Hookers - 6
Adam - 6

That's about as good as it gets for me

Rubyguby, you are a bit harsh on Davies, he did have a quiet game, but I can't remember many mistakes. Halpenny was very dangerous when he joined the backline, he ran the scottish defence ragged.

although I won't give Phillips a 5, he did make a stupid decision with that first penalty, he opted to go quickly and it was in the first five minutes of the game, he should have let wales kick for posts, so early in the match.

You should give him an additional point just for the way he milked that one penalty and -1 for Poite for falling for it.

You have to mlk it mate, particularly as the Scottish captain did everything except ask Poite out for dinner - JD took a lot of wrong options IMO and Gatts picked up on it which is a good thing - We wanted a clinical edge and we failed. Not many positives there for me apart from 1/2p and Cuthbert and perhaps Ryan (out of position) and Ian Evans

Look people, stop acting as if this was a "smash and grab" win for Wales The only part that the Scottish were better was in the line out. I would say the forward battle was pretty even, the backrow contest was pretty even although the ref done his best to let anything go, but as far as the backs were concerned we had your no. in both attack and defence. Wales were even cofident enough to run it from their own try line on times. Yes they did have two tellow cards but they were not even debatable, they were stone wallers. The cards came about because Wales had their tails up and were putting Scotland under pressure. I totally agree that this was the best Scotland performance since they last came to Cardiff, but they were still not as good as Wales because we won by 14 points. Bar the Scotland try there was only one side in the game during the second half, and Wales have players to come back into that side as well.

Wales won trhough Scotland errors and mistakes. But is that not the way you win matches?

Simple truth is Scotland can't win test matches making that ammount of mistakes. Wales capitalised and went for the juggular and full credit to them.

Scotland played 20 minutes with 14 men, to think that this had no impact on the game is crazy though...

RubyGuby wrote:You have to mlk it mate, particularly as the Scottish captain did everything except ask Poite out for dinner - JD took a lot of wrong options IMO and Gatts picked up on it which is a good thing - We wanted a clinical edge and we failed. Not many positives there for me apart from 1/2p and Cuthbert and perhaps Ryan (out of position) and Ian Evans

Ruby, what's the point? Absolute nonsense, pls just give it up

LordDowlais wrote:I really do not mean to be patronising here, seriously I am not, but, if you can give such high ratings to a team who have lost, them all the Welsh players must be sitting on ratings from 9-10. Scotland showed a lot of huff and puff, but for all their efforts only got one try. The way people are going on here you would think that they had beaten Wales. I totally agree that Scotland played a lot better than they have previously, but they still conceded three try's and lets be honest, if Wales's centres had passed to the wing towards the end there could have been more. I am not going to give the try that should have been, because we gifted you possession to score your try straight afterwards, if Wales decided to kick the ball back after the scrum then you would not have been it a position t to score. I will say this though, Scotland more than played their part in a very entertaining game, but they were for the most part second best.

Just because a team lost, it does not mean that individuals within that team aren't capable of excellent performances. Even Jonathan Davies conceded that there were contenders from the Scotland side for MOTM. Personally I thought Rennie and Gray were outstanding by any standards, thus the high scores. Parisse often is MOTM for Italy, a side that invariably losses. It also doesn't follow that just because a side won, all of their players were thus better than the opposition players on an individual basis. I thought Gray was comfortably the best lock on the pitch, and I thought Rennie was considerably more influential than Shingler. I hope that's clear.

Were I rating the Welsh players, I can assure you that the Welsh aggregate score would be higher. There were no 5's or 6's in the Welsh team in my view, and the general level of performance across the side was higher, and the team considerably better as a collective. The rush defence today was outstanding, and the Welsh composure in attack was something Scotland could only dream of right now. We can certainly whinge about the try that never was, but it should never have been so frantic in the first place. Had the Welsh had such an opportunity I'm sure it would have been converted with minimum fuss.

LordDowlais wrote:Look people, stop acting as if this was a "smash and grab" win for Wales The only part that the Scottish were better was in the line out. I would say the forward battle was pretty even, the backrow contest was pretty even although the ref done his best to let anything go, but as far as the backs were concerned we had your no. in both attack and defence. Wales were even cofident enough to run it from their own try line on times. Yes they did have two tellow cards but they were not even debatable, they were stone wallers. The cards came about because Wales had their tails up and were putting Scotland under pressure. I totally agree that this was the best Scotland performance since they last came to Cardiff, but they were still not as good as Wales because we won by 14 points. Bar the Scotland try there was only one side in the game during the second half, and Wales have players to come back into that side as well.

Not actually true. The first card came on a turn over ofter consistent pressure from Scotland - the second came when we were a man down.

It was not a smash and grab, but Scottish mistakes had a big factor in it

You scored a great try when 15 vs 15, through good pressure and consitency, aprat from that you did not really look like scoring a try when all players were on - your big runners made ground, but mainly in the centre of the pitch

Scotland scred two tries (one disallowed) when down to 14 men - to say that Wales out played Scotland is silly

passes completed Wales 154; Scotland 254.
Line breaks - 7-5.
Tackles made - 178-99.
Tackles missed - 16-9.
Errors made - 10-8.

Does not show Wales out playing in any stretch of the imagination

The forward battle - Scrum even
Breakdown - Scotland
Carries Scotland
Line Out Scotland

"Bar the Scotland try there was only one side in the game during the second half, and Wales have players to come back into that side as well." - Really after 20 mins of the second half, there was only one side attacking and making yards and it the side in blue



You won, and fair play, you were the more consitisted team - but to dismiss the Scotland performance is just a little by rude

Riskysports wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Look people, stop acting as if this was a "smash and grab" win for Wales The only part that the Scottish were better was in the line out. I would say the forward battle was pretty even, the backrow contest was pretty even although the ref done his best to let anything go, but as far as the backs were concerned we had your no. in both attack and defence. Wales were even cofident enough to run it from their own try line on times. Yes they did have two tellow cards but they were not even debatable, they were stone wallers. The cards came about because Wales had their tails up and were putting Scotland under pressure. I totally agree that this was the best Scotland performance since they last came to Cardiff, but they were still not as good as Wales because we won by 14 points. Bar the Scotland try there was only one side in the game during the second half, and Wales have players to come back into that side as well.

Not actually true. The first card came on a turn over ofter consistent pressure from Scotland - the second came when we were a man down.

It was not a smash and grab, but Scottish mistakes had a big factor in it

You scored a great try when 15 vs 15, through good pressure and consitency, aprat from that you did not really look like scoring a try when all players were on - your big runners made ground, but mainly in the centre of the pitch

Scotland scred two tries (one disallowed) when down to 14 men - to say that Wales out played Scotland is silly

passes completed Wales 154; Scotland 254.
Line breaks - 7-5.
Tackles made - 178-99.
Tackles missed - 16-9.
Errors made - 10-8.

Does not show Wales out playing in any stretch of the imagination

The forward battle - Scrum even
Breakdown - Scotland
Carries Scotland
Line Out Scotland

"Bar the Scotland try there was only one side in the game during the second half, and Wales have players to come back into that side as well." - Really after 20 mins of the second half, there was only one side attacking and making yards and it the side in blue



You won, and fair play, you were the more consitisted team - but to dismiss the Scotland performance is just a little by rude

Hey, now come on, I am not dismissing the Scotish performance for a second, if you bother to read what I have said, I have acknowledged that Scotland have played better than in previous games. If anything it is others like you on here dismissing the Welsh performance, even though we won, and to say things like it was Scottish mistakes for the reason that Wales won is in itself a "little rude". Scotland in my opinion made mistakes because Wales forced them to, not because they lacked ability. For a team to have the confidence to run from their own try line when they could have just kicked the ball to safety speaks volums in my opinion, and Wales did this to Scotland on more than one occasion.

Dowlais - nobody forced De Luca to tackle JD without the ball and Lamont's offside tackle was shambolic and unprofessional. I guess you can argue that we had them under pressure in both cases which lead to the aberrations but I think Scotland let themselves down crucially on these 2 occasions. Conversley if Scotland had gone in HT leading 10-3 who's to say we wouldn't have come out and put them to the sword, we'll never know. We can only comment on what we saw and to a large extent Scotland played a significant part in their own downfall. Wales IMO were poor and our execution in this game was not what we have come to expect, partly through poor welsh play and partly due to scottish pressure. The old saying goes if you win when you're not playing that well then it's a good sign.

It's interesting (I think) that Scotland look a far better side this year where they are going into games as underdogs, than in every year for the past 5 years where they seem to have been billed as 'dark horses' for the tournament etc.

If I was a Scotland fan, I would take heart from knowing that you actually are capable of putting in performances capable of beating England and Wales etc, but just aren't finishing it off.

Hand on heart, I didn't think you stood a chance against us on Sunday, but you came down and gave 100%. With a backrow like you have, a 2nd row pairing like you have, Ross Ford, Hogg, Jones - how can you fail to start putting teams away?
This is the most important season for Scotland for some time I feel, where there are foundations being laid, under a GOOD coach who cares deeply about what he's doing. I hope his pride doesn't see him walk at the end of the tournament if it doesn't end so well.

I hope you can see the irony of a Welshman telling you to keep your chins up about poor rugby results, but you should, the very near future looks bright.
From what we've seen of Ireland, that's a game you could legitimately target. You just need some centres, with some ball!


P.s. Mr Hogg, I know you're new to this game, but when trying to buy a decision from the ref, lying on the floor with your head in your hands isn't the way to do it! Great catch by the way.

RubyGuby wrote:The old saying goes if you win when you're not playing that well then it's a good sign.

England for the Slam!

This is the most important season for Scotland for some time I feel, where there are foundations being laid, under a GOOD coach who cares deeply about what he's doing. I hope his pride doesn't see him walk at the end of the tournament if it doesn't end so well.

[quote]
He may be a good coach but his selections and substitutions have cost us the last 4 games we have played until yesterday. He had everything he wanted in prep for the WC and we played far below our potential

England were there for the taking last week. So he selected the out of form Parks. R lamont, Max Evans. and S lmont out of position. We have players to fill these places. Good young players

He has been ignoring the inform youngsters for out of form inferior older players. WE have been screaming for these guys to play - and when eventually he is forced into playing them they show why.

He must go. He is not an international coach - its clear to anyone with half a brain. He may care but he is simply is not up to it

You've got it nobbled, a few more charge downs and you're there, who needs running rugby eh