Planet Rugby Forum

Bear

In accepting the above proposition, you don't need to stop "aspiring" as a supporter for better results -- that's kind of the point and joy of supporting the team. However, when the team doesn't meet those aspirations, it seems many supporters become completely disenchanted, upset, angry or incredul...

Bear

Scotland will beat Italy. If not, Townsend will be gone. Beat any other team in the 6N, and that’s over performing. Look at the history. Look at the resources. Scotland are a team that sometimes punches above its weight. But usually doesn’t. Most other lower ranked team don’t do it often, or they wo...

Bear

Would be surprised if Harris didn't make it to be honest. Playing at a high level for Gloucester. I personally think Bennett has been fine but not great. My guess for the centres is: Scott, Hutchinson, Jones, Harris and Horne, George Taylor invited to train. Ooof. No Sammy J? I agree with your list...

Bear

It seems that most of us agree; at their best, the Scottish players have the skills, physical attributes and rugby nous of their Welsh counterparts. Playing at the top of their game, there is little between the individuals. However, the mental discipline that's required as an individual, and as a un...

Bear

Hmm. I love Hogg, but Liam Williams is a different level rugby player. So consistent and does everything really well in the biggest games for club and country. AWJ is head and shoulders above any Scottish second row, and amen Owens is another truly consistent performer (although I really rate Fraser...

Bear

I think I've said this before on here, but when Japan are on song, they play the game that Townsend wants Scotland to play, but better. Their players are (as a whole) better drilled, faster in deed and thought, more skillful, fitter and seem to have a collective understanding of exactly what to do, ...

Bear

Marvellous Japan! Congratulations - and good luck for the rest of the tourney!

Wonderful for both teams and the tournament that the game was played.

Bear

I'll be really disappointed if the game is cancelled, but oddly I think the Japanese will feel worse. I cannot believe that any of the players, or even their supporters, will genuinely relish qualifying in that fashion. The ones I feel most sorry for are the Scottish players -- years building up to ...

Bear

I've been reading the rules, I think they are being taken out of context. The rules are not Typhoon specific, they appear to be designed to cope with something happening on the day. There is nothing in there that I can see that stops action being taken if a potential match impacting event is known ...

Bear

So, away from the other threads, any sensible thoughts on the chances the game will be cancelled? I think it's looking bad for Scotland ATM. The rules are absolutely clear; IMO no ambiguity with respect to re-scheduling. Presumably WR can change its own rules, but perhaps need to get the agreement ...

Bear

Yep. With many schools running scared of getting sued by parents, it's really up to the clubs to develop the young talent. Someone should tell the SRU that. The Japan game could go either way, but I reckon we'll have enough to do it. Hopefully today's result will have put a rocket up some of the no...

Bear

Rugby is a minority sport in Scotland, Rugby is a minority sport in RSA and Aus, as well - and Ireland. And, I expect, England, although at least it's possibly bigger than the mungo version there. In fact, it may be true to say the only countries (OK, country, and a principality) where rugby is the...

Bear

Most of the Scotland supporters with whom I've spoken seem to be of the same view -- if Scotland play as well as we know they can (sometimes), they should give Japan a great game, and may even win by 8 points. However, even if Scotland pull out a performance, if Japan play like they did against Irel...

Bear

https://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-union/news/wilson-grays-decision-to-withdraw/170723 I and a few others need to retract criticism of the coaches over the RGray non selection. If that is true then you have to respect the guy. He’s just turned 29 and this could be his last chance to play at a RWC. ...

Bear

That was pish. I’m not so sure about our World Cup glory now. Have to say the reffing was very average tonight from Nig through to the TMO. I’m not one to moan too much about refs and we would still have been shite but the French defensive line was way off side at every breakdown, missed flying hea...

Bear

Well done, Ulster. But, my god. Edinburgh are shocking. Really terrible "performance".

Bear

Sarries didn’t even get out of first gear. Glasgow are competitive in the Pro 14 but absolutely nowhere near the level needed to trouble Europe.

Good luck to Saracens in the semis. Quality team, and it would be great to seem them properly challenged.

Bear

I didn’t see the Edinburgh game, but it looks like a disappointing result. Lots of chat pre-game that the Edinburgh pack are among the best in Europe. Clearly not. Glasgow just not good enough. Sarries are just better at rugby; much better players and a much better team. Glasgow lucky to be the quar...

Bear

I'm not defending him because our defence has been shite, but what can a national defence coach do with pros who miss basic f**king tackles? I don't know enough about defensive patterns etc, but to me many of our problems this year have been caused by missed 1st up tackles. This. There have been se...

Bear

I agree with those above who doubt there was a full-on disagreement or mutiny in the Scottish dressing room at half-time. Scotland came out and played almost exactly how I would expect GT would have coached. Quick, heads-up rugby with smart decisions executed accurately (e.g. Price dinking the ball...

Bear

I agree with those above who doubt there was a full-on disagreement or mutiny in the Scottish dressing room at half-time. Scotland came out and played almost exactly how I would expect GT would have coached. Quick, heads-up rugby with smart decisions executed accurately (e.g. Price dinking the ball ...

Bear

SHC has joined Harlequins on loan. Interesting, he and angry Mike are not best buddies. Yeah, very interesting. Is his talent not being appreciated at Scarlets, or have Scarlets appreciated his "talent"? I have the impression that, in the relatively recent past, only a few have flourished at the bi...

Bear

If those rumours are true, then I for one am not surprised that JG has been dropped. It could be a long road back for him into the starting jersey when all other options are fit and on form. Not sure why you'd start Skinner at 8 - I'd have him partnering GG in the second row and start with Watson, R...

Bear

Great post. Almost exactly the sentiments what I was formulating in my head. I sometimes wonder if the folk melting down about this season have only been watching Scotland for the last 4 years. We have only had probably 4 "golden eras" in our history and this has the potential to be one of them but...

Bear

[/quote]No, I’m not. He has plenty previous for this. And even if he didn’t, it takes some brass neck to claim huge respect for a country, on a thread you started specifically to slate one of their players, the day after your own team beat them.[/quote] I do have enormous respect for Scotland. That ...

Bear

What an absolute shower of shite. Scottish players just not good enough and the team has nothing. Ah well.

Bear

Nope you can't coach or train that into someone. Not in a rugby environment at least. Maybe at his stage, that's right. Buy I think you can coach/train young players into a particular mindset on the pitch -- basically an uncompromising, highly attritional and never-say-die approach. If there's even...

Bear

If Scotland are going to challenge in this game, the whole BR needs to play better than we've seen since the last England game, and Jonny G needs to have the game of his life. He must be aware of some of the chatter about him in the media (Telfer, for example). It will be interesting to see how he ...

Bear

If Scotland are going to challenge in this game, the whole BR needs to play better than we've seen since the last England game, and Jonny G needs to have the game of his life. He must be aware of some of the chatter about him in the media (Telfer, for example). It will be interesting to see how he r...

Bear

That BBC article on Gatland is interesting. I think we can take it as a given that Gatland's only objective in coaching the Lions were series wins. Everything he did - selections included - had that in mind. He was not going to let any (perceived) bias against Scottish players detract from the Lions...

Bear

Rory Hutchinson at Northampton Saints seems to be having a good season. He's a 13. Just won Premiership player of the month. I wonder if GT will take a look at him for the RWC?

Bear

Would love to see Fagerson given a shot at this one. For Glasgow, he's pretty impactful for a guy of his size, and is an excellent player. More in the Sam Simmons mould than Billy V. That said, is he really an international no.8 right now, especially alongside Watson? I was struck, watching the Wee...

Bear

I thought Wales were pretty bloody good in the second half v England. They should absolutely pump Scotland, and could win pretty well on Saturday. It’s well known that Gatland doesn’t rate the Scottish boys, with Hogg the possible exception. Scotland have done nothing in his tenure as Wales coach t...

Bear

Weather forecast doesn't look too good. Expect a real arm wrestle in windy conditions One of the reasons I think Wales won't do much in the World Cup is that, although we're obdurate and abrasive, we're still not cut out for wet weather rugby, and much prefer to grind opposition down on a nice flat...

Bear

I thought Wales were pretty bloody good in the second half v England. They should absolutely pump Scotland, and could win pretty well on Saturday. It’s well known that Gatland doesn’t rate the Scottish boys, with Hogg the possible exception. Scotland have done nothing in his tenure as Wales coach t...

Bear

FWIW my selection would be: Nel - McInally - Dell Skinner - GC Watson - Fagerson - Ritchie Price - Russell Johnson - JJ Graham - Kinghorn - Seymour Subs: Fagerson, Brown, Bhatti, J Grey, Graham, Laidlaw, Hastings, McGuigan My only worry is Price having the same nightmare as he did previously agains...

Bear

I thought Wales were pretty bloody good in the second half v England. They should absolutely pump Scotland, and could win pretty well on Saturday. It’s well known that Gatland doesn’t rate the Scottish boys, with Hogg the possible exception. Scotland have done nothing in his tenure as Wales coach to...

Bear

I think the fact that Scotland was playing one of the worst French teams in recent history has magnified the reaction to this game. Sure, Scotland were as poor as they have been under GT's watch, but Scotland doesn't often travel to Paris with a genuine chance of winning. It's that sense of lost opp...

Bear

Anyway that's WP Nel out this weekend. Front row may be in for a bumming.. Berghan is not a bad replacement, should hold his own against Healy and Kilcoyne. It's a shame that Fagerson isn't back yet. With Brown back in the 16 shirt things are looking up as well, and if Rory Best puts in another per...

Bear

Anyway that's WP Nel out this weekend. Front row may be in for a bumming.. Berghan is not a bad replacement, should hold his own against Healy and Kilcoyne. It's a shame that Fagerson isn't back yet. With Brown back in the 16 shirt things are looking up as well, and if Rory Best puts in another per...

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