Name your AI Training Squad

[switchskier]

Too many players that are not getting game time included.

Sad to see Kinghorn, Brown, Price, Bradbury/Ritchie omitted.

Suspect we'll have to wait for Toony. Vern is an awful squad selector.

He's a pretty good coach though. It's going to be fascinating to see how toons adapts to not being able to change the squad every game.

It's good to see that Nel is being rested. I can only hope that Scott is being rested too so that he is ready to go for the 6N. Can't understand why he's been left out otherwise, he's been running hard on good angles for Glous and would work really well outside of Horne for me.

Would liked to have seen Bradbury but it's still his first season of first team rugby. Suspect he would have looked like Denton lite if given the chance now. Back-up full-back looks weak.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Taylor not even fit to train with the squad. VC is a f*cking moron. What more can Scott realistically do to show he is a better option than a bloke who isn't fit to play?

[OptimisticJock]

Nothing ever seems to change. It doesn't matter who the coach is it always seems theres someone who's face doesn't fit.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Nothing ever seems to change. It doesn't matter who the coach is it always seems theres someone who's face doesn't fit.

I completely understand that but this Matt Scott fiasco is just embarrassing. Horne is also not training.

[hp18]

Nothing ever seems to change. It doesn't matter who the coach is it always seems theres someone who's face doesn't fit.

I completely understand that but this Matt Scott fiasco is just embarrassing. Horne is also not training.

Horne can't do full training until he passes the HIA.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Nothing ever seems to change. It doesn't matter who the coach is it always seems theres someone who's face doesn't fit.

I completely understand that but this Matt Scott fiasco is just embarrassing. Horne is also not training.

Horne can't do full training until he passes the HIA.

I'm aware. I'd be surprised if he passed as it looked nasty.

[Big D]

Ach sure, Jones is the form 13 anyway .

[switchskier]

Given Scott's injury record any chance that there's a bit of contention between club and country? I know that Laidlaw is in the squad but he's been pretty healthy throughout his career.

Baffling to leave him out otherwise as he looked very good in last Friday's match. Running hard at good angles from 13.

[ARM]

Given Scott's injury record any chance that there's a bit of contention between club and country? I know that Laidlaw is in the squad but he's been pretty healthy throughout his career.

Baffling to leave him out otherwise as he looked very good in last Friday's match. Running hard at good angles from 13.

Scott can be a bombscare in defence.

[af73]

Nothing ever seems to change. It doesn't matter who the coach is it always seems theres someone who's face doesn't fit.

More and more the case now it seems.
The incoming coach has a "philosophy" which the available resource have to fit (buy into ) and players who can 'do a job' elsewhere are particularly well liked. Players who play to rule (eg endless box kicking ) are liked by the coaches and the player likes the coach.

Nothing necessarily wrong with having a game plan and a clear and practical approach to coaching but there has to be some room for the natural abilities of a group of players to have a game plan moulded around them instead of the other way about.

[Big D]

Scott has been playing well but I am not overly fussed about him not being included on get back of a decent run of form. I like him but he's not been consistent for Scotland for a long time.

I'd like to see Jones get the 13 shirt outside Dunbar. By all accounts Jones has been flying this year and was WPs player of the year.

[Mikey Brown]

Playing 12 right? Though I like Dunbar in either centre position so not too fussed.

And isn't this the first time in a long time Scott has actually been fit for more than a handful of games in a row? He really has been good, and you would think offers more than a not-playing Taylor at the least.

[Big D]

Playing 12 right? Though I like Dunbar in either centre position so not too fussed.

And isn't this the first time in a long time Scott has actually been fit for more than a handful of games in a row? He really has been good, and you would think offers more than a not-playing Taylor at the least.

He was playing 13 for Western Province. Has been awarded their player of the year too.

Scott IIRC played plenty of games last season for Embra.

Taylor may have been expected to be back training when the squad was announced and in contention for the RG/Georgia game. As we've seen with Russell not every single bit of injury news is made public. He brings plenty of good things to the squad so whilst I would have picked Scott I am not too up in arms about him being left out. It's not like Scott can't be called up and in Murrayfield within about 8 hours if need be.

[ARM]

So looking at club squads for this weekend (Horne, Bennett, Harley, Swinson, Barclay starting) we can probably expect something like the team below next weekend against Aus:

Hogg
Maitland
Jones H
Dunbar
Seymour
Russell
Laidlaw
Last man standing (Reid/Low)
Ford
LMS (Fagerson?)
Jonny
Richie/Gilco
Wilson
Hardie
Strauss

Two from Allan/Dell/Reid/Low
Brown
Gilco/Richie
Barclay/Watson
Pyrgos
Horne
Visser

[Big D]

So looking at club squads for this weekend (Horne, Bennett, Harley, Swinson, Barclay starting) we can probably expect something like the team below next weekend against Aus:

Hogg
Maitland
Jones H
Dunbar
Seymour
Russell
Laidlaw
Last man standing (Reid/Low)
Ford
LMS (Fagerson?)
Jonny
Richie/Gilco
Wilson
Hardie
Strauss

Two from Allan/Dell/Reid/Low
Brown
Gilco/Richie
Barclay/Watson
Pyrgos
Horne
Visser

Barclay has to be released to play I think. IIRC in theory all non Scotland based players do.

Watson surely to Christ has to start or at the very least be in the 23. He's been significantly better than Hardie this season. He was IMO better for Edinburgh for a lot of last year. Wilson can GTFO.

Think you are right with ZJRF at THP. Gilcgrist hasn't been good for Edinburgh so I'd play Big Gray with slightly less big Gray.

Visser might start, he's been in good nick for Harlequins, near the top in a lot of stats too. I wouldn't start him though but my preference would have been Hoyland. Wouldn't be surprised to see Bennett in the 23 shirt with he or Jones covering wing and Maitland covering 15 from wing.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Yes Barclay had to be released but with Strauss, Hardie, Watson and Wilson all held back I think we already know the 4 in the squad...

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson surely has to have an absolute stormer to remotely justify his spot. It seems a long time ago I briefly thought he might have what it takes, though he is capable of having decent games.

Watson should be in but I just don't see it. Cotter clearly loves Hardie. Strauss seriously needs to start delivering too. It's such a shame that with so many promising backrowers we haven't developed a better unit overall.

Front 5 is a real worry. I'm really concerned at the potential combination of an underpowered pack and Laidlaw refusing to give the backs anything.

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson surely has to have an absolute stormer to remotely justify his spot. It seems a long time ago I briefly thought he might have what it takes, though he is capable of having decent games.

Watson should be in but I just don't see it. Cotter clearly loves Hardie. Strauss seriously needs to start delivering too. It's such a shame that with so many promising backrowers we haven't developed a better unit overall.

Front 5 is a real worry. I'm really concerned at the potential combination of an underpowered pack and Laidlaw refusing to give the backs anything.

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson surely has to have an absolute stormer to remotely justify his spot. It seems a long time ago I briefly thought he might have what it takes, though he is capable of having decent games.

Watson should be in but I just don't see it. Cotter clearly loves Hardie. Strauss seriously needs to start delivering too. It's such a shame that with so many promising backrowers we haven't developed a better unit overall.

Front 5 is a real worry. I'm really concerned at the potential combination of an underpowered pack and Laidlaw refusing to give the backs anything.

[Mikey Brown]

Wilson surely has to have an absolute stormer to remotely justify his spot. It seems a long time ago I briefly thought he might have what it takes, though he is capable of having decent games.

Watson should be in but I just don't see it. Cotter clearly loves Hardie. Strauss seriously needs to start delivering too. It's such a shame that with so many promising backrowers we haven't developed a better unit overall.

Front 5 is a real worry. I'm really concerned at the potential combination of an underpowered pack and Laidlaw refusing to give the backs anything.

[Mikey Brown]

OK...

[ARM]

So looking at club squads for this weekend (Horne, Bennett, Harley, Swinson, Barclay starting) we can probably expect something like the team below next weekend against Aus:

Hogg
Maitland
Jones H
Dunbar
Seymour
Russell
Laidlaw
Last man standing (Reid/Low)
Ford
LMS (Fagerson?)
Jonny
Richie/Gilco
Wilson
Hardie
Strauss

Two from Allan/Dell/Reid/Low
Brown
Gilco/Richie
Barclay/Watson
Pyrgos
Horne
Visser

Barclay has to be released to play I think. IIRC in theory all non Scotland based players do.

Watson surely to Christ has to start or at the very least be in the 23. He's been significantly better than Hardie this season. He was IMO better for Edinburgh for a lot of last year. Wilson can GTFO.

Think you are right with ZJRF at THP. Gilcgrist hasn't been good for Edinburgh so I'd play Big Gray with slightly less big Gray.

Visser might start, he's been in good nick for Harlequins, near the top in a lot of stats too. I wouldn't start him though but my preference would have been Hoyland. Wouldn't be surprised to see Bennett in the 23 shirt with he or Jones covering wing and Maitland covering 15 from wing.

There were some comments in the press this week from Cotter indicating that Hardie is still ahead of Watson. Keen to see Watson get some gametime this autumn.

Wilson has yet to have a standout game for Scotland. Almost gets his spot by default. Presume his lineout work endears him to coaches but he has to do more.

Personal choice but I'd back Maitland over Visser. Both playing well in the AP and getting a few meat pies. Maitland just a slightly more rounded player for me - hopefully the Sarries mentality will rub off and he'll look a little more amped up.

[Mikey Brown]

Both finishing well but both still largely a bit flakey. A fraction of Watson's aggression and energy from either of those players would be fantastic.

[Big D]

On recent performances, I am not sure what Toolis needs to do to get a call up. Far better than GG this year and good again v Ulster.

[Mikey Brown]

BVC is in love with Gilchrist though, not that I've really seen either play this season.