[2015 Six Nations] Scotland vs Italy (Round 3)

[goodNumber10]

Doesn't matter now, but that's my point - are you better off slotting your number one choice back in at two days notice, or are you better off with someone who has been training there for the best part of two weeks?

I'd always go First choice.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Because Allan isn't starting I'm going for Scotland 31 Italy 18.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Because Allan isn't starting I'm going for Scotland 31 Italy 18.

A good shout there, wouldn't disagree with the score as one off our key players is suspended.

 

[Hap]

Here is Scotland XV:

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Peter Horne, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Reserves: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Ben Toolis, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Matt Scott

 

[oldprussians]

A good shout there, wouldn't disagree with the score as one off our key players is suspended.

I think not but we will have to wait and see..

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Here is Scotland XV:

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Peter Horne, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Reserves: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Ben Toolis, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Matt Scott

I forgot that Horne can play 10, But is interesting to see him being the backup choice to be honest. But overall i'm really happy that Swinson starts ahead off Hamilton and I am also very happy to see Toolis and Watson getting a chance, which i think is well deserved and i'm looking forward to seeing them in the scotland jersey!

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I think not but we will have to wait and see..

yes we will...

 

[ajwffc]

I forgot that Horne can play 10, But is interesting to see him being the backup choice to be honest. But overall i'm really happy that Swinson starts ahead off Hamilton and I am also very happy to see Toolis and Watson getting a chance, which i think is well deserved and i'm looking forward to seeing them in the scotland jersey!

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yes we will...

I think Hamilton is injured and that is the reason he is not involved in the 23. And it is good to see an almost full and decent team of Scottish based players.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I think Hamilton is injured and that is the reason he is not involved in the 23. And it is good to see an almost full and decent team of Scottish based players.

Indeed and you are right, Jim Hamilton is suffering from a groin Injury but I am happy to not see him involved with the team.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

I'm interested to see how the Dunbar vs Morisi match up will go, I wrote a preview of the game here http://fourballsblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/scotland-vs-italy-preview.html
but this is the excerpt on that match up in particular:

Having scored twice at Twickenham, Morisi will be flying high, and the outside centre will be looking to attack as much as possible against the Scots. His strong running was evident against England, and it will take a good defensive performance from Scotland to keep this man quiet. However, in Alex Dunbar, I believe the Scottish have the answer. 7 tackles and 2 turnovers with no missed tackles against Wales, and 11 tackles with 2 turnovers against the French shows that this guy will be up to the challenge. He nullified Jonathan Davies in the match against Wales, and I'm sure will put in a performance of a similar magnitude at the weekend. Both players made my team of the week, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in an enthralling battle in the middle of the pitch.

What do you guys think about them? Really excited to see how this game plays out.

 

[Hap]

Nice challenge between them. This is my superficial opinion.
I want to put a focus on the fact that Morisi had his best performance for Azzurri last weekend wearing for the first time the 13, with Masi 12.
Tomorrow he'll be back at 12 with unexperienced Bacchin at 13. So it's a quite different situation and if this isn't enough, his presence was in doubt due to physical problems. So maybe he's not even at 100%.
On the other hand Dunbar won't count on Finn Russell's playmaking attitude, I don't know Peter Horne as flyhalf so this could maybe affect centres performances.

Don't know who's going to outstand, but I see Dunbar doing it with a slight advantage on Luca.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Nice challenge between them. This is my superficial opinion.
I want to put a focus on the fact that Morisi had his best performance for Azzurri last weekend wearing for the first time the 13, with Masi 12.
Tomorrow he'll be back at 12 with unexperienced Bacchin at 13. So it's a quite different situation and if this isn't enough, his presence was in doubt due to physical problems. So maybe he's not even at 100%.
On the other hand Dunbar won't count on Finn Russell's playmaking attitude, I don't know Peter Horne as flyhalf so this could maybe affect centres performances.

Don't know who's going to outstand, but I see Dunbar doing it with a slight advantage on Luca.

Well i can tell you that no way is Horne as good as Russell but he has been in fine form for Glasgow in the 10 Jersey. With Scotland having Horne at 10 I am not expecting a strong attacking performance as shown in the last 2 weeks. But he is very patient and we is not a 10 who will kick away possession (unfortunately thats how i felt Russell played last week as his punting was not as good as it was in the six nations). But it will be interesting with him at 10 under Vern Cotter's Scotland

 

[TommiG88]

Talk about sour grapes! Just wasted 5mins on decisions from 2 weeks ago.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Jheez... didn't want to talk about the position Hogg is in that's also illegal and practically requires that kind of clearout?

 

[profitius]

I think this could be tight. Italy have looked good in patches and Scotland are missing a few player.

 

[TommiG88]

Italy going to get slaughtered here, they don't look up for it. Terrible interception to give away.

Edit: I may be wrong!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Searching desperately for some Italian relatives here so I am. Easy gig as an international 10.

 

[TommiG88]

Blame a poor catch at a high ball due to the incident involving Russell. Yawn.

 

[Tony Manx]

Anyone enjoying this match?

I expected better even though it is for the wooden spoon.....................

 

[TommiG88]

Anyone enjoying this match?

I expected better even though it is for the wooden spoon.....................

Not really, but I will soldier on.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Try.