[2014 EOYT] Scotland

[g6mcg]

Think Barclay's been very injury hit at the Scarlets, so perhaps hasn't put a run of games together. On the note of 7s, interesting to see Rennie listed as injured, I assumed he'd have been abandoned after being stuck in the Championship.

Thought Dunbar's injury was long-term, so a nice surprise to see him in.

Seems Cotter's biggest move has been dropping Kellock, Hamilton, and Brown. The two locks are less of a surprise, although I'm slightly saddened to see the (probable) end of Hamilton - always hoped he'd become an effective tighthead lock. Dropping Brown seems odd, although maybe that means we're more likely to see a real openside!

Edit: Just noticed Max Evans is out too. Odd how some of the older players have survived (particular Strokosch).

 

[TheSaffycen]

kelly Brown is still a very good blinside, suprised that he isn't in the squad at all. Also Blair Cowan has been very impessive this year and will probably start for you guys at 7.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

kelly Brown is still a very good blinside, suprised that he isn't in the squad at all. Also Blair Cowan has been very impessive this year and will probably start for you guys at 7.

yeah im looking forward to watching cowan play with my own eyes. and yeah in scotland all my mates are quite angry to see Kelly Brown not there, i'm thinking its because he's old and vern is preparing a squad for the 2019 world cup, but for Kelly Brown being 32 he is still playing really well

 

[g6mcg]

Surely can't be for 2019 preparation, if he's one of our best back rowers he should be playing next year! Cowan looks handy for London Irish, would prefer Fusaro to get a run of games though.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Surely can't be for 2019 preparation, if he's one of our best back rowers he should be playing next year! Cowan looks handy for London Irish, would prefer Fusaro to get a run of games though.

tbh i dont really, sure Fusaro is good but i would like to see him to be a little bit more stronger with tackling and rucking then i'd say he's good

 

[g6mcg]

Admittedly I'm hoping for the rest of the pack to be able to provide the grunt, letting Fusaro support all the breaks our centres and outside backs will make... It was nice to dream anyway.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Admittedly I'm hoping for the rest of the pack to be able to provide the grunt, letting Fusaro support all the breaks our centres and outside backs will make... It was nice to dream anyway.

well witht the backrow situation for scotland i'm hoping to see this backrow:
6.) Harley
7.) Cowan
8.) Beattie
20.) Ashe

but knowing Vern i predict he will pick something along this line
6.) Strokosh
7.) Cowan
8.) Beattie

20.) Low

 

[g6mcg]

well witht the backrow situation for scotland i'm hoping to see this backrow:
6.) Harley
7.) Cowan
8.) Beattie
20.) Ashe

but knowing Vern i predict he will pick something along this line
6.) Strokosh
7.) Cowan
8.) Beattie

20.) Low

I've not followed Cotter's past career closely, so no idea what he's likely to go for. If he's picking Strokosch despite playing in D2 maybe he really rates him? Or it's more a reflection of our player pool...

Think Harley and Cowan could work well together, and that's coming from someone who's unconvinced by Harley. Would make for quite a relatively poor rucking back row, but can't really think of anyone who'd improve that. Not really related, but I'd love to see Hogg back in contention.

 

[TheSaffycen]

If I was the scotland coach then
6.Brown 7.Barclay 8.Beattie 20.Cowan
Scotland always have the problem of being targeted at the breakdown, Brown is good there and Barclay great. Beattie can offer you some carrying ability out wide a la Read style.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

If I was the scotland coach then
6.Brown 7.Barclay 8.Beattie 20.Cowan
Scotland always have the problem of being targeted at the breakdown, Brown is good there and Barclay great. Beattie can offer you some carrying ability out wide a la Read style.

thats the team i would have too especially with Cowan as a backup

 

[g6mcg]

thats the team i would have too especially with Cowan as a backup

Would you be tempted by Denton at 8? Might give that back row a bit more 'presence'. That said, Beattie's wider carrying would probably sit better with our backs.

 

[TheSaffycen]

If fit then Denton has to be played. Beattie could be on the bench and add pace at the end of the game.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Would you be tempted by Denton at 8? Might give that back row a bit more 'presence'. That said, Beattie's wider carrying would probably sit better with our backs.

i would have Denton at 8 over beattie if fit, the best player for scotland in last years six nations and idt i can not take him out.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

article hear shows that it is not too late for the likes off kelly brown and jim hamilton to get called up http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/29701580

EDIT: Will what do you think off the squad ?

 

[Mumbles119]

Kelly Brown. Yes, should be part of the Scotland squad. Always seen him as a quality contributor to any team. Does anyone know the reasons for why he is not included?

Jim Hamilton. No. Shouldn't be part of the squad. Gives away too many penalties, seems to offer less and less as he gets older and the game gets faster.

 

[g6mcg]

Kelly Brown. Yes, should be part of the Scotland squad. Always seen him as a quality contributor to any team. Does anyone know the reasons for why he is not included?

Jim Hamilton. No. Shouldn't be part of the squad. Gives away too many penalties, seems to offer less and less as he gets older and the game gets faster.

Re: Brown, he's been played a lot at seven by Scotland, and was dropped (from seven to out of squad) last autumn by Johnson, so perhaps they only see him as a seven, and not worthy of his place there. Bizarre logic, but only thing I can think of.

 

[Will]

EDIT: Will what do you think off the squad ?

Not too disappointed with Hamilton missing from the squad though I'm surprised at the omission of Brown and Barclay. Looking forward to seeing Bennett and Jonny Gray getting involved, and also glad to see Rob Harley in the squad. He's one player in particular I feel should have had more game time for Scotland. We'll also see if Finn Russell gets himself involved at all.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Kelly Brown. Yes, should be part of the Scotland squad. Always seen him as a quality contributor to any team. Does anyone know the reasons for why he is not included?

Jim Hamilton. No. Shouldn't be part of the squad. Gives away too many penalties, seems to offer less and less as he gets older and the game gets faster.

i think its because he's old and vern is having a look at a possible squad for 2019, or just giving the younger players in his position a chance to make them more aware off international level and get experience at international level too idk.

Not too disappointed with Hamilton missing from the squad though I'm surprised at the omission of Brown and Barclay. Looking forward to seeing Bennett and Jonny Gray getting involved, and also glad to see Rob Harley in the squad. He's one player in particular I feel should have had more game time for Scotland. We'll also see if Finn Russell gets himself involved at all.

i think he will start for scotland against Tonga definitely, maybe against Argentina, i hope to see him against new zealand but i have a feeling for experience wise they might surprisingly have Laidlaw at 10 but its most likely Weir to play at 10. Rob Harley i felt should had have alot more game time in the last six nations idk if he even played a match then. Mark Bennett i hope actually gets a cap, he should have had one a while back at-least against Japan if he does i'm sure he'll be great and give's that attacking spark, imagine if Matt Scott wasn't Fit.

9.) Laidlaw 10.) Russell 11.) Visser 12.) Scott 13.) Bennett 14.) Maitland 15.) Hogg

how good would that be.

 

[Will]

I don't know how Visser has been playing of late but I'd have Tommy Seymour in the starting line up, either ahead of Visser or Maitland.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I don't know how Visser has been playing of late but I'd have Tommy Seymour in the starting line up, either ahead of Visser or Maitland.

well visser has been Edinburgh's best player this season i think the only one in the team scoring try's so but Visser or Seymour is tough i think Maitland has to be in the team too