6N squad - starting team

[Cameo]

The one exciting thing about this weekend is that a win has the potential to turn around the deflation around this 6N completely. Okay, we would still be disappointed about the Wales result (and less so about the last two performances) but Ireland away is about as hard as it gets for us.

Their relentlessness is just so hard to cope with so, however we do it, a win would be monumental.

[switchskier]

The one exciting thing about this weekend is that a win has the potential to turn around the deflation around this 6N completely. Okay, we would still be disappointed about the Wales result (and less so about the last two performances) but Ireland away is about as hard as it gets for us.

Their relentlessness is just so hard to cope with so, however we do it, a win would be monumental.

Ireland is such a bad match up for us though. A win would be massive, but I don't think that we have the horses to stop how they play. Would love to have a Jason White style player that can put someone on their back and change the momentum but I don't think that player exists in Scotland atm.

I saw it somewhere else but maybe we're suffering a bit of a lion's hangover? Our best players are the ones that have been lacking a bit of spark. A full summer off is needed for a few I think.

[Cameo]

The one exciting thing about this weekend is that a win has the potential to turn around the deflation around this 6N completely. Okay, we would still be disappointed about the Wales result (and less so about the last two performances) but Ireland away is about as hard as it gets for us.

Their relentlessness is just so hard to cope with so, however we do it, a win would be monumental.

Ireland is such a bad match up for us though. A win would be massive, but I don't think that we have the horses to stop how they play. Would love to have a Jason White style player that can put someone on their back and change the momentum but I don't think that player exists in Scotland atm.

I saw it somewhere else but maybe we're suffering a bit of a lion's hangover? Our best players are the ones that have been lacking a bit of spark. A full summer off is needed for a few I think.

Yeah, agree. Looking optimistically, Turner can put in the hits and the back row are all good defenders. Hopefully we can get some pressure on early and see how it goes.

Can't remember the stats on post Lions season but I am sure I heard something about France winning a disproportionate amount of post Lions Six Nations.

[Mikey Brown]

The one exciting thing about this weekend is that a win has the potential to turn around the deflation around this 6N completely. Okay, we would still be disappointed about the Wales result (and less so about the last two performances) but Ireland away is about as hard as it gets for us.

Their relentlessness is just so hard to cope with so, however we do it, a win would be monumental.

Ireland is such a bad match up for us though. A win would be massive, but I don't think that we have the horses to stop how they play. Would love to have a Jason White style player that can put someone on their back and change the momentum but I don't think that player exists in Scotland atm.

I saw it somewhere else but maybe we're suffering a bit of a lion's hangover? Our best players are the ones that have been lacking a bit of spark. A full summer off is needed for a few I think.

There's a point every year in the 6 nations where the hope is gone for a title, but the thought of the experimental summer tour is suddenly very interesting. Read in to that what you will. All we can do is try and embrace what a fantastic win it would be against Ireland though, they really have seem to have our number like nobody else but SA. They seem to really fucking hate Scotland and that's what drives the Irish team. They hate Scotland even more than they hate rugby itself.

I think Townsend has talked before about how Turner is largely first choice now because he's the hardest tackler in the team, but he's not Collins or White is he. I hoped Bradbury could be that player, Crosbie too, but it didn't work out that way. I wish we could just give Bradbury a consistent run while Ritchie is out. Stick Watson on the bench and have him fight to win the 7 shirt back. Would we get taken to the cleaners at the breakdown?

I remember the same feeling after the last Lions tour. I'd like to see who can step up in a side without Watson, Price, Russell, Harris, Hogg. If Ritchie is fit and not needing a rest too then he should captain. A Ritchie/Darge/Fagerson trio sounds pretty fun, though still doesn't have that destroyer in defence.

[Cameo]

I think Ritchie's influence has been seen in its absence. Just gets everywhere and makes life hard for the opposition. As a replacement, I prefer Watson to Bradbury there as I just think Bradbury doesn't seem to manage to get involved enough/have a big enough influence.

Generally, Fagerson has been doing a great job with a whole bunch of turnovers and some destructive carrying.

[Mikey Brown]

Lock Scott Cummings and hooker Fraser Brown return from injury for Scotland's Six Nations trip to Dublin on Saturday.

Their inclusions are not a surprise but Gregor Townsend has also called up two relatively unknown players in uncapped duo Murphy Walker and Jordan Edmunds.

Walker is a 22-year-old tighthead prop with Glasgow while Edmunds, 25, is a winger from Edinburgh who is a regular in the Scotland Sevens squad.

Cummings recovered from hand surgery in time to start the final November Test against Japan but has not been seen in Scotland blue since then.

His return from a knee issue adds competition to a second row pool that is once again missing Jonny Gray, who has an ankle injury.

Winger Duhan van der Merwe remains suspended after a ban for reckless play for Worcester resulted in him sitting out Saturday's win in Italy.

Uncapped forwards Kiran McDonald and Glen Young have been released from the squad to return to Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively.

[Mikey Brown]

I think Ritchie's influence has been seen in its absence. Just gets everywhere and makes life hard for the opposition. As a replacement, I prefer Watson to Bradbury there as I just think Bradbury doesn't seem to manage to get involved enough/have a big enough influence.

Generally, Fagerson has been doing a great job with a whole bunch of turnovers and some destructive carrying.

I love Watson but does he offer the balance to the pack overall (a bit more lineout presence and tight carrying ability) that Bradbury does in Ritchie's absence? I'm not claiming Bradbury has been a standout by any means, but I'd like to have had a proper look (I know this is something of a catchphrase now) rather than having him in and out of the team all the time. I'm just not sold on Darge/Watson as a pairing. It leaves Fagerson to be both the primary carrier and the third lineout option, which isn't ideal from an attacking perspective.

[Big D]

I don't think two 7s worked last week. He has continued to make plenty tackles but Watsons all round game isn't as good as Darge's at the moment.

There are also unintended consequences. We had to resort to silly buggers in the line out and Watsons carrying hasn't been effective.

Fagerson carries a breakdown threat and he and Bradbury might be effective at 8 and 6 together if they ever get a chance to play together.

Townsends back row selections have been all over the shop this 6N.

[Cameo]

I don't think two 7s worked last week. He has continued to make plenty tackles but Watsons all round game isn't as good as Darge's at the moment.

There are also unintended consequences. We had to resort to silly buggers in the line out and Watsons carrying hasn't been effective.

Fagerson carries a breakdown threat and he and Bradbury might be effective at 8 and 6 together if they ever get a chance to play together.

Townsends back row selections have been all over the shop this 6N.

The lineout was an issue, I'll agree but in open play I'd say that back row is still our best available. Can definitely see the argument against though.

I think that's a bit harsh on Townsend actually re selections. All three of the first choice got injured. Then Skinner, who was his choice as backup 6, was needed at 2nd row because of injuries to others. He could have put Bradbury or Christie at 6 but it's not an obvious call. The forced changes have defitely not helped us though!

[whatisthejava]

I think my backrow is Bradbury, Darge, fagerson and Watson on the bench.

The game will be won in the pack 6/2 split for me

[whatisthejava]

I actually think the game might be there.
I doubt sexton will be fit, Ryan is out, Porter isn’t there

We wont get alot of possession , but if we can keep the defence tight I think it could be a great game.

[Donny osmond]

No idea what people see in Bradbury, he's a club player not international.

Not sure selection matters a damn this weekend, we're a country mile behind Ireland right now.

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[Spiffy]

I actually think the game might be there.
I doubt sexton will be fit, Ryan is out, Porter isn’t there

We wont get alot of possession , but if we can keep the defence tight I think it could be a great game.

Where did you hear this? There seem to be no issues with Sexton's fitness in the Ireland camp or the national media.

[Mikey Brown]

12:15 team announcement apparently.

[Mikey Brown]

Scotland team to face Ireland in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, live on ITV, Saturday, 19 March – kick-off 4.45pm.



15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 92 caps
14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 26 caps
13. Chris Harris - Gloucester Rugby - (Vice-Captain) - 35 caps
12. Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors - 23 caps
11. Kyle Steyn - Glasgow Warriors - 4 caps
10. Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 30 caps
9. Ali Price - Glasgow Warriors - 50 caps


1. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 8 caps
2. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 24 caps
3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 46 caps
4. Jonny Gray - Exeter Chiefs - 66 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) - 52 caps
6. Rory Darge - Glasgow Warriors - 3 caps
7. Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby - 48 caps
8. Matt Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 20 caps



Replacements

16. Fraser Brown - Glasgow Warriors - 54 caps
17. Allan Dell - London Irish - 33 caps
18. WP Nel - Edinburgh Rugby - 47 caps
19. Sam Skinner - Exeter Chiefs - 19 caps
20. Josh Bayliss - Bath Rugby - 2 caps
21. Ben White - London Irish - 3 caps
22. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – 62 caps
23. Mark Bennett - Edinburgh Rugby - 23 caps

FFS. Bennet now worth a bench spot again after being given no time vs Italy. Ditto White. If he is our second choice don't we need to give him some actual minutes? Skinner (who I think has been one of our best players) dropped. Let's hope Darge/Watson works. Bayliss has his name pulled out of the hat to be the guy that gets a meaningless 15 minute appearance every 6 months or so.

Kinghorn at 10 just feels weird and reactionary. Have we got some sort of attacking structure in place that means Kinghorn is going to get more out of this backline than Russell was? Our starting fly-half is our only wing/fullback cover and that just doesn't seem correct.

The team isn't awful by any means, but Townsend seems to have no grasp of continuity in selection or what we're really trying to achieve.

[switchskier]

Well it's certainly not the team I would have picked...

If they do go and win in Dublin (highly unlikely I know) then does that mean that Kinghoen is our first choice ten for the world cup?

[Big D]

I'm pretty concerned about the forwards selection. Gray, injury or not, was the worst performing second row in the 1st two weeks. Two 7s v the Irish back row is questionable too.

Won't matter what Kinghorn does if we are done up front.

[Big D]

Also we are a 1st min injury away from moving the starting 10. Idiotic.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm pretty concerned about the forwards selection. Gray, injury or not, was the worst performing second row in the 1st two weeks. Two 7s v the Irish back row is questionable too.

Won't matter what Kinghorn does if we are done up front.

It will if they get to run Dorris or Conan down the 10 channel.

I just don’t get it. I actually feel sorry for Kinghorn. There’s a chance he’ll do well but the odds seems stacked against him here.

[stevedog1980]

The team isn't awful by any means, but Townsend seems to have no grasp of continuity in selection or what we're really trying to achieve.

This is where I am with this team.

Brown in as the replacement hooker, is Ashman injured? Mcinally? I'm not sure how Brown is suddenly in contention, he's not a bad player but he's a penalty liability and I'm not convinced he offers more than either alternative.

Cummings, I thought he would be involved but I can understand why the second row has been picked.

Back row feels cobbled together and akin to the football problem of having Robertson and Tierney available at the same time. I'd rather see Watson on the bench and Skinner or Bradbury starting at 6.

Kinghorn at 10. What does that change? I'd have understood Hastings coming in a lot more than Kinghorn starting. Given there's no change in the midfield you have to assume that Townsend believes the only failing in delivery so far has been Russell. I think we all agree that we would rather see Bennett in at 13 and actually have a go through midfield. I know I have said it a few times but Redpath is a huge miss, in his 5 minute cameo pre-injury he opened up more space in midfield (and gave the pass at the right time) than we'd seen in the rest of the game.

This very much feels like a one-off game rather than being part of any grand plan for development of the squad

[Mikey Brown]

Yes to all of that, particularly the midfield situation.

[Mikey Brown]

Irish team looks good. Henderson, Conan and Hansen brought in for Ryan, POM and Conway.

[Cameo]

The team isn't awful by any means, but Townsend seems to have no grasp of continuity in selection or what we're really trying to achieve.

This is where I am with this team.

Brown in as the replacement hooker, is Ashman injured? Mcinally? I'm not sure how Brown is suddenly in contention, he's not a bad player but he's a penalty liability and I'm not convinced he offers more than either alternative.

Cummings, I thought he would be involved but I can understand why the second row has been picked.

Back row feels cobbled together and akin to the football problem of having Robertson and Tierney available at the same time. I'd rather see Watson on the bench and Skinner or Bradbury starting at 6.

Kinghorn at 10. What does that change? I'd have understood Hastings coming in a lot more than Kinghorn starting. Given there's no change in the midfield you have to assume that Townsend believes the only failing in delivery so far has been Russell. I think we all agree that we would rather see Bennett in at 13 and actually have a go through midfield. I know I have said it a few times but Redpath is a huge miss, in his 5 minute cameo pre-injury he opened up more space in midfield (and gave the pass at the right time) than we'd seen in the rest of the game.

This very much feels like a one-off game rather than being part of any grand plan for development of the squad

I think that last bit is my take home. Really didn't expect Kinghorn to start and don't really get it. Does make it an interesting game though.

Weirdly, I think elsewhere there has been so much more continuity of selection in the starting 15 than we would have expected. Feels like almost all the changes (apart from at 12 and the one switch of the front row) have been injury related.

[Cameo]

On the second rows, are there stats out there on things like rucks hit. The pair we have picked seem so undynamic compared to some of the locks out there at the moment, but conceivably they are doing a lot of the donkey work. Or maybe Skinner is a dunce and was the one getting our lineout moves confused

Incidentally, Jonny Gray seems to be a counter example to the argument trotted out every time a Scotland player moves abroad. He may have picked up some extra skills at Exeter but to me, he is no more dynamic and has just become more injury prone while losing some of his energy. He used to be so noticeable for his workrate, now he is just a standard second row.

[Cameo]

Back row feels cobbled together and akin to the football problem of having Robertson and Tierney available at the same time. I'd rather see Watson on the bench and Skinner or Bradbury starting at 6.

Hasn't the football team solved.that by playing Tierney slightly out of position?

I like a backrow with two open sides but admit that's as much to do with thinking it's fun to watch as it's effective. I do think it can work though. My main gripe is I think it can vary in effectiveness so much depending on whether the ref allows you to compete at the ruck.