Scotland v Wales

[TVH11]

Ill accept that bet

yer forgot to mention that in my post. Definitely agree with that, he's prone to throwing intercepts regardless of which position he plays. just means that at 10, he'll have more chances to

 

[Draggs]

And Stephen Jones has never thrown an interception...

Plenty of pace in our backline, if only we had the scrum half to match it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You should stop calling up Peel

Purely because he always comes back bloody broken!

 

[Draggs]

You should stop calling up Peel

Purely because he always comes back bloody broken!

We'll take him back full time if you are going to be so ungrateful!
He looked like he injured himself against us in the LV= a few weeks back, I wonder if this is the same injury.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

And Stephen Jones has never thrown an interception...

Plenty of pace in our backline, if only we had the scrum half to match it.

Think Hook is more prone to it!

 

[Easdon]

Thing is, Hook is a liability at 10 but if Robbo decided to keep De Luca at 12 then Gatland's missed a big mismatch there. Although De Luca can be a powerful runner and fairly strong in defense, he just isn't ready for international rugby in my opinion. He always looks under a huge amount of pressure, especially against France and he caused knock on after knock on the last time he was given a chance in a Scotland shirt. With someone like Hook on his case, he would really struggle trying to defend against such a talent.

Lamont should definitely get the nod ahead of Nikki Walker - he proved in the France game that he's still got that hunger and try scoring instinct and shouldn't be kept out the starting lineup. Maybe him at 12 and Rory at 14?

This one could go absolutely either way though, Scotland will deservedly go into this with a great amount of confidence and Murrayfield will be absolutely jumping but you can never discount Wales - they got beaten by a truely on form English side and did well to put 19 points past them. Can't wait for this one though - Scotland v Wales is always a cracker!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I was impressed with De Luca against France, for the most part
However, as you said, there are better options
Maybe give him the 22 shirt?

 

[dullonien]

Hook has everything to proove at 10, there's no denying that. It's another case of the Ospreys not really giving players a chance, instead opting for the safe option, meaning that if Gatland wants to test them, he's forced to do it on the international stage. I feel Hook is more creative at 10 because he has more options of weather he passes or runs. At 13 and 15 he is usually forced to be creative when the ball reaches him, meaning he either runs (into trouble) or tries a clever kick etc. I think it's always tough to propperly asses a player when they are bought on (or in Hooks case switched to a different position) at the end of a match when it's a do or die situation, as it was against England for Hook, Peel and Byrne. They are forced to take risks and genrally can't play the way they normally would.

Hook has had a few 20min stints at 10 towards the ends of games, and has fared differently in every one. He was great against Toulon in his time at 10, getting the centres into the game and getting the backline moving better than it was when Biggar was there. His kicking still looked top notch, but he also made a few mistakes such as kicking the ball out on the full on one occasion. If anything I expect him to be able to attack De Luca more from 10 than he would be able to from 13. I think will also drag the centres towards him, as he'll be seen as a threat, opening a bit more room for Davies and Roberts outside.

Overall though, it's gonna take a hell of a lot more than Hook to win this game. The centres need to start running angles with Roberts targetting Parks on some crash ball, then Davies on a wider arc using his pace to beat his man. Byrne also needs to provide some decoy running to hold the defense from drifting, and support the centres if they make some breaks. Shane can then roam the field looking for mismatches instead of having to come in at 1st reciever to try and make something from nothing. Rugby really is a simple game (as Jonathan Davies the pundid always says), lately Wales are making it look increadibly difficult!!!

 

[Easdon]

Definitely agree with giving De Luca 22 - as much as I am critical of him he does have a great deal of potential and Scotland really need to start developing what they have, in regards to this tournament I'd probably start him against Italy and possibly Ireland to build up confidence a bit... If only Morrison was match ready!!

 

[TRF_RC]

I'm more worried about Dan Parks at 10 than Hook. The guy got a man of the match award against us last year. He likes nullifying the way we play and ruining our momentum. Plus, (based on what was shown on saturday) scotland are scoring tries for fun...like Olyy said, "It could be a long day for Wales."

 

[minidod]

In todays game the 10 HAS to pose a running threat, the clues are everywhere. Cooper, Flood, Carter, Trihn Duc, Sexton all flourishing whilst Jones, Parks and Morne Steyn are all struggling!

I'm more worried about Dan Parks at 10 than Hook. The guy got a man of the match award against us last year. He likes nullifying the way we play and ruining our momentum. Plus, (based on what was shown on saturday) scotland are scoring tries for fun...like Olyy said, "It could be a long day for Wales."

Don't know what the Welsh are worry about their 10 for Scotland have been playing the same dull, boring "I can't kick to touch" Parks. Southwell has a longer range kick but still we let Parks try to get the ball in to touch. Then we have the Scotland backs playing hot potato with the ball rather than taking the contact and going to ground and recycling. Scotland need to improve the ball handling and cut the mistakes, they showed they could do for most of the game on Saturday let's see if they can do it for the full 80 next Saturday.

 

[TRF_RC]

Haha! I love how a bunch of the Welsh and Scottish supporters are subliminally fighting for the ***le of underdog for the upcoming match.

 

[Easdon]

Us Scots are just too used to coming off second best - to lose when we were expected to win would be unthinkable!

 

[cyRil]

Us Scots are just too used to coming off second best - to lose when we were expected to win would be unthinkable!

I'm still trying to get my head around the concept of Scotland being expected to win!

 

[scarlets-fan]

The players we have available are good enough to win, whether they do or not depends on our errors.

15. Rhys Priestland (Should do a good job at full back, plus he can cover other positions)
14. Morgan Stoddart (If fit)
13. Jamie Roberts (Was terrible, but we've got no one else if Hook is 10)
12. Jon Davies
11. Shane Williams
10. James Hook (Just to give S.Jones a kick up the arse)
9. Dwayne Peel (Just for the good service)

1. Paul James
2. Matthew Rees
3. Craig Mitchell
4. Bradley Davies
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Ryan Jones (Being dropped made him play much better when he came on)

Replacements:
16. Richard Hibbard
17. John Yapp
18. Jonathan Thomas
19. Josh Turnbull
20. Mike Phillips (Needs a kick up the arse like Ryan Jones had)
21. Stephen Jones (Needs a kick up the arse like Ryan Jones had)
22. Lee Byrne (Needs a kick up the arse like Ryan Jones had)

 

[minidod]

From the SRU website, unchanged from the 15 that started against France.

15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 58 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 19 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 3 caps
12 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 20 caps
11 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 57 caps, 4 tries, 13 conversions, 42 penalties, 13 drop-goals, 211 points
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 51 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 36 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 28 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 68 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
8 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 41 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
Substitutes
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps, 2 tries 10 points
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps
18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 5 caps
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 67 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 penalty, 1 conversion 5 points
22 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 51 caps, 8 tries, 40 points​

 

[dullonien]

Scarlets-fan, you do relise the teams already been named? Peel is injured, so Phillips starts with Knoyle on the bench. Byrne also starts with Priestland on the bench. The rest is the same as you've selected.

 

[Seaton]

Dirka dirka amajihad Nikki Walker starting dirka!

Me thinks that Mr. Walker has something on Sir Andy, I would be pretty bummed if I were Sean

Otherwise in Sir Andy I trust B)

Glad bothh Lawsons have come through,


Edit: And in other news (Sky sports on telly), Andy Robinson plans on ambushing Wales by starting Hines at 3 and Murray at flank

 

[SelimNiai]

From the SRU website, unchanged from the 15 that started against France.

15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 58 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 19 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 3 caps
12 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 20 caps
11 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 57 caps, 4 tries, 13 conversions, 42 penalties, 13 drop-goals, 211 points
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 51 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 36 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 28 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 68 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
8 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 41 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
Substitutes
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps, 2 tries 10 points
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps
18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 5 caps
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 67 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 penalty, 1 conversion 5 points
22 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 51 caps, 8 tries, 40 points​

Southwell is naff.

GARRYOWENS ALPLENTY!!

(just keep them away from Max Evans)

 

[Easdon]

See I like Southwell but Walker is an absolute mystery to me - what's Sean Lamont done to get so far on the wrong side of Robbo?! And Murray at flank sounds immense, I'd question his actual skills there but it sounds pretty formiddable! Is Johnnie Beattie injured though? If not he should definitely be at 7 with Kelly Brown at 6!