2014 Six Nations: Scotland vs England (Round 2)

[TRF_Olyy]

But he is really tall and blond, he must be good!

I see you subscribe to the Stuart Barnes way of rating players: If you notice him on the telly a lot it must be cause he's great.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Must he a kick in the balls to have your younger brother, barely out if the age groups, picked over you.

its a kick in the balls to see him picked over richie gray for any scotland fan

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why? What does Richie Gray actually bring to the side?
I know I've been outspoken about my dislike of him, but it's a genuine question: He's not particularly good in the lineout, just tall so makes a decent jumper, he's poor in the tight and only really shines when making breaks in the midfield - not exactly in the locks trade description, and should really be a welcome addition, rather than the main facet of his play.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Why? What does Richie Gray actually bring to the side?
I know I've been outspoken about my dislike of him, but it's a genuine question: He's not particularly good in the lineout, just tall so makes a decent jumper, he's poor in the tight and only really shines when making breaks in the midfield - not exactly in the locks trade description, and should really be a welcome addition, rather than the main facet of his play.

So does benching him for when the game breaks up -a la Justin Tipuric- not make sense?

 

[HenryChinaski]

Why? What does Richie Gray actually bring to the side?
I know I've been outspoken about my dislike of him, but it's a genuine question: He's not particularly good in the lineout, just tall so makes a decent jumper, he's poor in the tight and only really shines when making breaks in the midfield - not exactly in the locks trade description, and should really be a welcome addition, rather than the main facet of his play.

As we all know, with great power or public prominence comes great responsibility, and this is also true of the superstar of Scottish rugby. People in Scotland have exalted expectations of whoever holds such a title: they expect him/her to have advanced skills such as bring able to catch the ball, every other game they expect him to make what we call a Tackle..the list of demands the Scottish fans makes of Richie gray just goes on and on and frankly, I think its unreasonable. Its no surprise that a player will occasionally fail to reach such lofty standards..

 

[Big Ewis]

ah c'mon, Richie Gray has definitely had fine moments. Imagine if Scotland actually beat England with all their conspicuous manoeuvrings :lol:

 

[ratsapprentice]

Richie Gray is another Ostrich... average most of the time but every now and again he does something that'll make a highlight reel.

 

[Peat]

Weird team.

That said, I don't think Gray is fulfilling his undoubted potential either, while the young brother looks like an absolute monster in the making.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So does benching him for when the game breaks up -a la Justin Tipuric- not make sense?

Perhaps, but Tipuric still excels at his positions core work.
If you take off Warburton and put on Tipuric, you lose a little power at the breakdown but you still have one of the best turnover merchants.
If you replace Jim Hamilton with Richie Gray you lose all power in the scrum, maul, and general tightplay and gain another centre.

 

[Big Ewis]

Interesting bits from the PR article (NO I'm not paid by them lol, I just like their Preview articles):

"Losing in Paris is just about acceptable. But wins away to Scotland and Italy are now compulsory, with the challenges of facing Ireland and Wales at Twickenham lying in between."

"Do Scotland simply not have the players to win a Six Nations championship - not achieved since 1999 - or is it the coaching? Whichever reason, or both, only 11 Six Nations wins in the last ten years is an alarming decline."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9153580,00.html

 

[ratsapprentice]

Christ the pitch looks terrible.

 

[lynam1104]

I bloody hate the BBC's rugby coverage, its so artificial.

 

[Big Ewis]

so hopefully Scotland can make it 26-3 too, you know, just for regularity in home results this Saturday...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

so hopefully Scotland can make it 26-3 too, you know, just for regularity in home results this Saturday...

I was the only own at work who said Ireland would beat wales in my work 6 nations pool! Brilliant win but no more home wins please this weekend!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

so hopefully Scotland can make it 26-3 too, you know, just for regularity in home results this Saturday...

Have Scotland ever beaten a team in the 6N by 23?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I have a feeling this is going to be an abortion of a game.

 

[lynam1104]

I have a feeling this is going to be an abortion of a game.

Could not have phrased that any better.

 

[Patchey]

Half way through my pint already. I'll just drink through the pain of this mud bath.

 

[munstermuffin]

What has happened Ritchie Gray?

 

[Draggs]

What has happened Ritchie Gray?

People realised that you need more than ****loads of blond hair to make an impact.