6N 2022

Val said:
Mate, I get you're Welsh but even the most blind loyal can see, I'm not even convinced if your serious or not. Russell was outstanding on Saturday, there is a reason he's been named in many of pundits best team of the opening weekend.

Anyway, all about opinions and I guess if you think Russell isn't on the top 10 fly half's in world rugby, you'll be in a serious minority.
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Happy to be in that minority.

I was actually supporting Scotland on Saturday (though I won't be, next weekend :)) but, while he did many things very well, I still think Finn was up & down, performance-wise. Six or possibly seven out of ten. A sharper England might have taken advantage of his risky play on a couple of occasions. Still, Gregor must rate him highly given - if I remember correctly - he's the only out & out stand-off in the squad. Only utility backs like Blair Kinghorn to cover.

Does that mean the Scottish stand-off cupboard is bare? I was surprised Adam Hastings didn't make the squad. I don't watch a lot of English Premership rugby so I don't know whether he's been injured, not getting game time or simply out of form but I remember him being a good player for Glasgow, pre-Covid. Speaking of Glasgow, Ross Thompson seems a decent prospect. Still young though.
 
Val said:
Mate, I get you're Welsh but even the most blind loyal can see, I'm not even convinced if your serious or not. Russell was outstanding on Saturday, there is a reason he's been named in many of pundits best team of the opening weekend.

Anyway, all about opinions and I guess if you think Russell isn't on the top 10 fly half's in world rugby, you'll be in a serious minority.
Click to expand...
Apart from the 2 kicks that resulted in the Penalty Try, he didn't seem to do anything 'outstanding' to me. Unless, of course, you consider being (at least slightly) out of position, so allowing his opposite number (Marcus Smith) to score a 'simple' try! In fact, I think Smith had the better overall game of the two.
The 'player' that had the best game imo though, was the Scottish pack, who countered the, normally dominant, English one magnificently! Will be interesting to see how they (and England) contend with the French one!
 
Carlwm said:
Happy to be in that minority.

I was actually supporting Scotland on Saturday (though I won't be, next weekend :)) but, while he did many things very well, I still think Finn was up & down, performance-wise. Six or possibly seven out of ten. A sharper England might have taken advantage of his risky play on a couple of occasions. Still, Gregor must rate him highly given - if I remember correctly - he's the only out & out stand-off in the squad. Only utility backs like Blair Kinghorn to cover.

Does that mean the Scottish stand-off cupboard is bare? I was surprised Adam Hastings didn't make the squad. I don't watch a lot of English Premership rugby so I don't know whether he's been injured, not getting game time or simply out of form but I remember him being a good player for Glasgow, pre-Covid. Speaking of Glasgow, Ross Thompson seems a decent prospect. Still young though.
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The cupboard most definitely isn't bare Kinghorn and Thompson are both in very good form as is Hastings.
 
Val said:
The cupboard most definitely isn't bare Kinghorn and Thompson are both in very good form as is Hastings.
Click to expand...

Agree that they're all good players. I think of Blair Kinghorn as a full-back, however, I know he's capable of playing in several positions. I'm surprised there isn't a specialist back-up in the squad though, given there are some good choices available.
 
Carlwm said:
Agree that they're all good players. I think of Blair Kinghorn as a full-back, however, I know he's capable of playing in several positions. I'm surprised there isn't a specialist back-up in the squad though, given there are some good choices available.
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Hastings first off the rank if Russell gets injured, Thompson retained for club duties but will likely train with the squad
 
Carlwm said:
Agree that they're all good players. I think of Blair Kinghorn as a full-back, however, I know he's capable of playing in several positions. I'm surprised there isn't a specialist back-up in the squad though, given there are some good choices available.
Click to expand...

Thomson looks as good, if not better, a prospect as Marcus Smith ...........IMVHO.
Never really taken to Hastings at No 10
Like our football team and Pro golfers, it is a rare treat to see a bit of strength in depth.
 
Doon frae Troon said:
Thomson looks as good, if not better, a prospect as Marcus Smith ...........IMVHO.
Never really taken to Hastings at No 10
Like our football team and Pro golfers, it is a rare treat to see a bit of strength in depth.
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Smith is the real deal, shame that Jones will tear every shred of flamboyance out him, as will his reported replacement, Cockerell.
 
Let's talk England scrum half's. I think its shocking there has been no forward plqning by the RFU and Jones for the 9 shirt. I like Youngs but after that there ain't much there. RFU have allowed Scotland to take both White and Velacott away from under them when they are screaming for young talent no replace Youngs.

Discuss
 
Doon frae Troon said:
Thomson looks as good, if not better, a prospect as Marcus Smith ...........IMVHO.
Never really taken to Hastings at No 10
Like our football team and Pro golfers, it is a rare treat to see a bit of strength in depth.
Click to expand...

I've enjoyed watching Thompson play in the URC. Has a cool head but isn't afraid to try something if he thinks it's on.

Scotland's team selection was very interesting. An entirely new front row. Looks like Gregor's expecting a nip & tuck sixty minutes and is hopeful that his more mobile forwards will make a difference from the bench. Canny move. He may well be right.
 
Val said:
Let's talk England scrum half's. I think its shocking there has been no forward plqning by the RFU and Jones for the 9 shirt. I like Youngs but after that there ain't much there. RFU have allowed Scotland to take both White and Velacott away from under them when they are screaming for young talent no replace Youngs.

Discuss
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I disagree on your assessment of Youngs, he should have been put out to pasture years ago. His decent performances don't excuse the other 5 or 6 terrible ones that tend to follow. If you're going to play Smith at 10 you need snappy, quick ball (à la Care) and Youngs has a terrible habit of meerkatting and then crabbing before passing.

I do agree that its one area that Jones has been woeful at blooding new, young players in. He ignored Robson at his peak, brought in Willi Heinz for the world Cup at age 31 or whatever he was, and has generally refused to drop Youngs even when he's been playing terrible.
 
Val said:
Let's talk England scrum half's. I think its shocking there has been no forward plqning by the RFU and Jones for the 9 shirt. I like Youngs but after that there ain't much there. RFU have allowed Scotland to take both White and Velacott away from under them when they are screaming for young talent no replace Youngs.

Discuss
Click to expand...

Jones should have left Youngs out

It’s time to give Randall a go - he has been one of the best scrum halves in the Prem over the last 18 months

Then have the likes of Mitchell and then Raffe with Mitchell on the bench
 
Val said:
Let's talk England scrum half's. I think its shocking there has been no forward plqning by the RFU and Jones for the 9 shirt. I like Youngs but after that there ain't much there. RFU have allowed Scotland to take both White and Velacott away from under them when they are screaming for young talent no replace Youngs.

Discuss
Click to expand...

White is a good scrum half but not sure that he would have been our way forward. JVP was keeping out of the Tigers team there are other options around. I think he was unlucky in that he as playing second fiddle to Youngs for club and country but a very good player and I am glad he is doing well for Scotland. Tigers fans were sad to see him go but we had too much competition for the 9 shirt.

On the England front, nice to see that we have picked the team this week who should have played last week. Also great to see another young Tiger, Ollie Chessum get on the bench. Another one for the long term with the benefit of being able to play in the second row or on the flank.
 
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After the Tigers win tonight no result this weekend could wipe the smile off my face. Going to be supporting Scotland and Ireland tomorrow.
 
Predictions:

England by three scores (after a real arm wrestle for 3/4 of the game).
Scotland by seven (hopefully I'm wrong on this one).
France by ten.
 
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