[2023 Six Nations] Scotland Squad

[retired9]

How do you feel about Ritchie as captain? I was glad he replaced Hogg but in both of the last two games he seems to have really wound up the referee. Pretty rare for an international team to be marched back.

Hopefully something he can improve on with time but the fear is he's getting a reputation he'll always be refereed on.

Interesting point. Pearce seems a little bit tetchy to this sort of things, I also think Ritchie was frustrated by some of the Irish play (nothing new there they always manage to ****le us). He could do with keeping it in check though, breakdown irritations will be tough to not get emotional about when in the back row.

Alternatives? Gilchrist would be one but he's out, maybe Turner? Not getting captain vibes from the 9s so not sure where else to look.

 

[AlRums]

Interesting point. Pearce seems a little bit tetchy to this sort of things, I also think Ritchie was frustrated by some of the Irish play (nothing new there they always manage to ****le us). He could do with keeping it in check though, breakdown irritations will be tough to not get emotional about when in the back row.

Alternatives? Gilchrist would be one but he's out, maybe Turner? Not getting captain vibes from the 9s so not sure where else to look.

Matt Fagerson?

 

[General Melchett]

Changing captain so soon is unlikely. Ritchie will just have to learn on the job and you'd like to think that Townsend is having a word with him especially after getting marched back 10 two games in a row.

It's not just Ritchie. I think Hogg and Russell were giving the ref backchat too. They should know better.

 

[retired9]

Matt Fagerson?

Could be, although I've not heard any chat of him being one of the "leaders" before. That said he seems to stay quite level headed and not attract penalties against him so might not be a bad idea. Watson was another I thought about.

Changing captain so soon is unlikely. Ritchie will just have to learn on the job and you'd like to think that Townsend is having a word with him especially after getting marched back 10 two games in a row.

It's not just Ritchie. I think Hogg and Russell were giving the ref backchat too. They should know better.

I'm not expecting a change of captain, yes they did seem to be a bit gobby although like I say im not sure it is anything new, Pearce just seemed to ping it more quickly. He is a bit funny about things like that where other ref rise above it and command the respect, he seems to go to the whistle. Just my 2p worth.

On the flipside, one of the Irish players was dared to call for a card again at risk of getting one himself so I'm not suggesting bias.

 

[retired9]

Teams out.

Not overally surprised though it's not what I think I wanted to see. I can see why KH has got the 10 starter (steady Bruce), Smith at 15 is probably the safer option than a Healy first cap at 10 against Italy.

 

[g6mcg]

Suppose it makes sense if the World Cup squad is likely to be Russell and Hastings with Kinghorn as cover rather than a third specialist.

Hastings will have had much more time in camp too, but a shame not to see him at 15.

 

[retired9]

Well Scotland fans that's us for another 6N. I think for the first time in years we can say what our settled 15 looks like and can have some confidence in the way they can play.

I think once again we can safely say Blair Kinghorn is not the backup 10, we cannot go into a World Cup unable to take kickable penalties and fail to get our very effective centres and wings going forward.

Have to see a decent second option flyhalf in the warmup games, KH is a back 3 man and a very very good one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

KH is a back 3 man and a very very good one.

I reckon he could do a job in the centres as well, tbh - though when you've got a players like Redpath and Harries not making the XV you don't need to add another to the mix

 

[retired9]

I reckon he could do a job in the centres as well, tbh - though when you've got a players like Redpath and Harries not making the XV you don't need to add another to the mix

Yeah he absolutely could, just about covers every position to an extent.

Olly smith was good at 15 showed he has a running threat in him too, one for the future.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Hogg to retire post RWC apparent.

Quite astonishing considering his age

 

[Welsh Exile]

Hogg to retire post RWC apparent.

Quite astonishing considering his age

Just from international I'm assuming or from the game altogether?

 

[stus768]

Just from international I'm assuming or from the game altogether?

Says from rugby

 

[General Melchett]

He's just bagged 100 caps and there are rumours that Townsend is moving on post RWC. Clearly his pace isn't what it was and so perhaps injuries have taken their toll on his body. I'm sure we'll find out more soon enough.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Says from rugby

Surprising as said above given his age. Can't say I ever had a lot of time for Hogg after his cheap shot on Biggar many years ago but in his prime he was arguably the best 15 in the world. Gone off the boil recently but still a loss to the game.

 

[retired9]

Slightly surprised but I wonder if some of the injuries of late have taken their toll, could be a multitude of things in the background also. There are a lot of people retiring early 30s now, sign of the physcial challenge maybe.

He has been an amazing servant to Scotland and for all the more reacent criticisms I have had his stats don't lie as an individual, top try scorer and instrumental in the building of what has become a vastly different Scotland team this 6N.

Big boots to fill and follow, if as his satatement says then he is right to go out when still playing well and have good memories of his last RWC.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Surprised that it's from all rugby considering he's only 30 - would've thought a season or two in Japan to top up the pension would've been on the cards
Sounds like he's got a number of injuries, though, and has got an opportunity to pursue a career away from the game - retiring on your own terms is always preferable to having those ****les turning into something that's going to impact your quality of life long term

As much as I think he's a bellend he's probably the best Scottish player I've seen in my lifetime

 

[g6mcg]

I was nicely resigned to our pool exit, now it's going to be a shite ending to Hogg's career.

Glad it's his choice to step away. Hopefully means his future quality of life will be (less) affected.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Fine career and one of the very best when at his peak. Always good to walk away on your own terms.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

rumours that Townsend is moving on post RWC.

Unfounded. Extended to 2026.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Unfounded. Extended to 2026.

I mean, not unfounded at all, it was a serious possibility at one point, probably even the likely outcome