6N Round 2, Scotland v Wales

[Edinburgh01]

As it falls the the home support to put up the match thread, and as I seem to be about the only Scot left, I shall do the honours.

Scotland



Wales



When

Sat 13 Feb 16:45

Where



Teams

Scotland Team

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 12 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
5. Jonny Gray VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 62 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 9 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh – 37 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 38 caps
10. Finn Russell VICE CAPTAIN (Racing 92) – 52 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 6 caps
12. James Lang (Harlequins) – 5 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 24 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 81 caps

Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh) – 41 caps
19. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 66 caps
20. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 3 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 2 caps
22. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 27 capsTBA

Wales Team

1. Wyn Jones (31 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (78 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (53 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (22 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (144 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (81 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (82 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (58 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (88 Caps)

11. Liam Williams (67 Caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (9 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (26 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (5 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (94 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (33 Caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (18 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (13 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (6 Caps)
20. James Botham (3 Caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (2 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (5 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (*Uncapped)

Match Officials

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referee 1: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Karl Dickson (England)

[Gwenno]

Yours to lose. Have you many out? People rave about Hogg and Russel, but I would love you to drop Watson - he's shit hot, and the Redpath lad is tasty too.

[Edinburgh01]

I have not seen any injury reports. There may even be injured players back, but why would you drop any who played at Twickenham?

Scotland has always been able to pull off the odd shock. Building on that has been the issue. We do not carry the tag of favourites easily so we hope that has changed. Townsend went from too off the cuff to too structured, but now seems to have a good medium.

I am quietly optimistic but seen too many lights at the end of the tunnel turn into onrushing trains to get ahead of myself.

[lorcanoworms]

Which of the Jocks is most likely to do a Vahamina/PO'M job.

[P in VG]

What's the weather looking like for Saturday - possibility of more snow?

[lorcanoworms]

Under soil heating take care of some of that snow?

[Gwenno]

I have not seen any injury reports. There may even be injured players back, but why would you drop any who played at Twickenham?

Scotland has always been able to pull off the odd shock. Building on that has been the issue. We do not carry the tag of favourites easily so we hope that has changed. Townsend went from too off the cuff to too structured, but now seems to have a good medium.

I am quietly optimistic but seen too many lights at the end of the tunnel turn into onrushing trains to get ahead of myself.

You wouldn’t drop any of that team, but there’s always hope!

[Short Man Syndrome]

You’ve owed us a pasting for a while, now... I could imagine a 20-30pt kicking on the cards.

[Edinburgh01]

What's the weather looking like for Saturday - possibility of more snow?

Snow forecast for Sunday, but not Saturday. This far out it may change.

Between 1 and minus 1 forecast, and as that has been the temp for weeks this will probably happen.

[Edinburgh01]

You’ve owed us a pasting for a while, now... I could imagine a 20-30pt kicking on the cards.

If the forwards carry on as they are, that backline has to run up a decent score sooner or later.

Russell has been more controlled of late. But if a decent margin opens up, the box of tricks may be opened, and now there is a backline that seems on his wavelength.

[Edinburgh01]

It just feels all sorts of wrong. I should know better. This is Scotland, what on earth gives me confidence.

[Frodder]

Scotland by 20+

[Gwenno]

None of the Scrum V studio pundits actually predicted a Wales win - they hedged their bets, saying ‘Wales, I hope’ which isn’t very confident, at best.Scotland are favourites. Most of these games are crackers, whoever wins. I predict Scotland, and last week I predicted Ireland. If Scotland, I’d love a Scottish title, slam or not.

[Jeff the Bear]

None of the Scrum V studio pundits actually predicted a Wales win - they hedged their bets, saying ‘Wales, I hope’ which isn’t very confident, at best.Scotland are favourites. Most of these games are crackers, whoever wins. I predict Scotland, and last week I predicted Ireland. If Scotland, I’d love a Scottish title, slam or not.

As with all these things, it'll come down to the respective packs. On paper, there's not a lot to choose between them. A backrow of Navidi, Tipuric and Faletau is always going to be competitive. It will likely come down to tactics. Touch wood, but it seems Gethin Jenkins has put some steel back into our defence.

[Jeff the Bear]

P.S. The funny thing about the 'amazing' Sweatie landscape picture is that it could be anywhere in mid to north Wales.

[Gwenno]

P.S. The funny thing about the 'amazing' Sweatie landscape picture is that it could be anywhere in mid to north Wales.

Exactly what I thought!

[Edinburgh01]

P.S. The funny thing about the 'amazing' Sweatie landscape picture is that it could be anywhere in mid to north Wales.

Isn't it sweet that you think that is an amazing landscape.

By Welsh standards that may be true, but that is bang average for Scotland.

As for 'anywhere in mid to north Wales', I have been to Rhyl.

[Jeff the Bear]

P.S. The funny thing about the 'amazing' Sweatie landscape picture is that it could be anywhere in mid to north Wales.

Isn't it sweet that you think that is an amazing landscape.

By Welsh standards that may be true, but that is bang average for Scotland.

As for 'anywhere in mid to north Wales', I have been to Rhyl.

If it's not 'amazing' then why have it (it would appear, given that you juxtaposed it with some valley terraces, that you were trying to show how much nicer Scotland is).

Having said that, I'd tend to agree we'd be underdogs in a natural beauty-off, but fudge it, lets go. Sunrise over snowcapped Tryfan.



Your go!

[Edinburgh01]

If it's not 'amazing' then why have it (it would appear, given that you juxtaposed it with some valley terraces, that you were trying to show how much nicer Scotland is).

Having said that, I'd tend to agree we'd be underdogs in a natural beauty-off, but fudge it, lets go. Sunrise over snowcapped Tryfan.



Your go!

Average for Scotland v average for Wales.

What is the point of posting random pictures from across the internet. The OP is where I live.

This morning I walked the dogs on the hill to the right

[LandOTurk]

None of the Scrum V studio pundits actually predicted a Wales win - they hedged their bets, saying ‘Wales, I hope’ which isn’t very confident, at best.Scotland are favourites. Most of these games are crackers, whoever wins. I predict Scotland, and last week I predicted Ireland. If Scotland, I’d love a Scottish title, slam or not.

Yes, if its not us, the jocks for sure.

[LandOTurk]

Genuine question.

There seem to be a lot of pine/spruce/conifer type trees in Scotland. Are they indigenous? I know in large parts of mid wales the natura oaks etc have been relaced by these monstrosities. I know its for commercial reasons.

[Frodder]

I just can't see anyway for us to win this. Losing Tomos is a hammer blow as he's a Lion in the making. Our centre combo could be Watkin and North. Our back 3 is 1/2p, Sanjay and pick any random player if LRZ is crocked.

Our FR back-up is bad as it gets. Time to sing those sad songs again

[Edinburgh01]

Genuine question.

There seem to be a lot of pine/spruce/conifer type trees in Scotland. Are they indigenous? I know in large parts of mid wales the natura oaks etc have been relaced by these monstrosities. I know its for commercial reasons.

Forestry is a big business round here so I know a lot of people involved in it.

If you look at the picture of the island in the loch, virtually all the woods you can see are conifer plantations. Historically, the forest around that loch was beech. There are remnants, but only remnants.

The hill on the right is a good example of the evolution of forests in Scotland. It is one of the first forests actively managed for lumber. In the 17th century management started of it as a mixed beech, oak and Scots Pine forest. This carried on till WW1 when it was felled out. Replanting was done mostly with commercial conifer. Now the original woodland is being gradually regenerated.

As the Highlands, and especially the uplands of the Highlands (you know what I mean) are colder then the south of the UK, the ancient forest that covered most of the Highlands was coniferous, mostly Scots Pine. But there was also significant birch, oak and other hardy species of hardwood. On the warmer west coast, the forests were less coniferous and more oak and other hardwood based.

By the 18th and certainly the 19th century most of the forest was gone. Scotland had a very, very low coverage of trees, and they could not regenerate due the density of sheep and deer which prevented young trees getting a start. Some of the great estates started replanting, but there was no desire to regenerate the native forest. It was a case of commercial forestry which used foreign quick growing species.

Post WW2 was the start of significant incentives for planting forestry, so huge amounts were planted. Again, mostly foreign conifer species.

Over time it was recognised that these slabs of mono cultural forests were a bad idea aesthetically. environmentally, and not least commercially. So a considerable proportion of replanting now is done with mixed native species. It has to be said a lot of timber operators would cheerfully plant whatever would give them the biggest profit, and only plant native due to grants and other support. But a remarkable number of big estates (and an astonishing amount of Scotland is still owned by the big estates) are now held by people who care about the environment and leaving a legacy for the future.

[Biffer29]

If it's not 'amazing' then why have it (it would appear, given that you juxtaposed it with some valley terraces, that you were trying to show how much nicer Scotland is).

Having said that, I'd tend to agree we'd be underdogs in a natural beauty-off, but fudge it, lets go. Sunrise over snowcapped Tryfan.



Your go!

Average for Scotland v average for Wales.

What is the point of posting random pictures from across the internet. The OP is where I live.

This morning I walked the dogs on the hill to the right

That looks very familiar to me. Kenmore, right?

[Edinburgh01]

Average for Scotland v average for Wales.

What is the point of posting random pictures from across the internet. The OP is where I live.

This morning I walked the dogs on the hill to the right

That looks very familiar to me. Kenmore, right?

Indeed.

[Edinburgh01]

This is a rugby thread, so I'll make one last environmental observation. My wife was born and brought up in the glen where we live. We have had a home here for 30 years. There have been significant efforts in that time to reduce the environmental damage of the past. A result has been that there is a significant and visible increase in native fauna. For example, when I first came here, you would rarely see a red squirrel, now it is a daily occurrence. A lot of other native species have seen similar growth in numbers.

And then of course there are the beavers. They were illegally reduce on the Tay and have worked upstream. I know the riparian owners for almost the entire length of our glen. All bar one are pleased to see the beavers back, and whilst they do damage, landowners are prepared to either just live with that, or take appropriate action (eg protecting specific rare trees). My wife is quite clear that 50 years ago when she was growing up here the beavers would not be tolerated.

[lorcanoworms]

Genuine question.

There seem to be a lot of pine/spruce/conifer type trees in Scotland. Are they indigenous? I know in large parts of mid wales the natura oaks etc have been relaced by these monstrosities. I know its for commercial reasons.

Forestry is a big business round here so I know a lot of people involved in it.

If you look at the picture of the island in the loch, virtually all the woods you can see are conifer plantations. Historically, the forest around that loch was beech. There are remnants, but only remnants.

The hill on the right is a good example of the evolution of forests in Scotland. It is one of the first forests actively managed for lumber. In the 17th century management started of it as a mixed beech, oak and Scots Pine forest. This carried on till WW1 when it was felled out. Replanting was done mostly with commercial conifer. Now the original woodland is being gradually regenerated.

As the Highlands, and especially the uplands of the Highlands (you know what I mean) are colder then the south of the UK, the ancient forest that covered most of the Highlands was coniferous, mostly Scots Pine. But there was also significant birch, oak and other hardy species of hardwood. On the warmer west coast, the forests were less coniferous and more oak and other hardwood based.

By the 18th and certainly the 19th century most of the forest was gone. Scotland had a very, very low coverage of trees, and they could not regenerate due the density of sheep and deer which prevented young trees getting a start. Some of the great estates started replanting, but there was no desire to regenerate the native forest. It was a case of commercial forestry which used foreign quick growing species.

Post WW2 was the start of significant incentives for planting forestry, so huge amounts were planted. Again, mostly foreign conifer species.

Over time it was recognised that these slabs of mono cultural forests were a bad idea aesthetically. environmentally, and not least commercially. So a considerable proportion of replanting now is done with mixed native species. It has to be said a lot of timber operators would cheerfully plant whatever would give them the biggest profit, and only plant native due to grants and other support. But a remarkable number of big estates (and an astonishing amount of Scotland is still owned by the big estates) are now held by people who care about the environment and leaving a legacy for the future.

You get acidic run off from conifers into the Lochs, which is bad for the fish if I've got it right.
Just saw your other post and yeah will stick to the rugby.

[Biffer29]

Genuine question.

There seem to be a lot of pine/spruce/conifer type trees in Scotland. Are they indigenous? I know in large parts of mid wales the natura oaks etc have been relaced by these monstrosities. I know its for commercial reasons.

Forestry is a big business round here so I know a lot of people involved in it.

If you look at the picture of the island in the loch, virtually all the woods you can see are conifer plantations. Historically, the forest around that loch was beech. There are remnants, but only remnants.

The hill on the right is a good example of the evolution of forests in Scotland. It is one of the first forests actively managed for lumber. In the 17th century management started of it as a mixed beech, oak and Scots Pine forest. This carried on till WW1 when it was felled out. Replanting was done mostly with commercial conifer. Now the original woodland is being gradually regenerated.

As the Highlands, and especially the uplands of the Highlands (you know what I mean) are colder then the south of the UK, the ancient forest that covered most of the Highlands was coniferous, mostly Scots Pine. But there was also significant birch, oak and other hardy species of hardwood. On the warmer west coast, the forests were less coniferous and more oak and other hardwood based.

By the 18th and certainly the 19th century most of the forest was gone. Scotland had a very, very low coverage of trees, and they could not regenerate due the density of sheep and deer which prevented young trees getting a start. Some of the great estates started replanting, but there was no desire to regenerate the native forest. It was a case of commercial forestry which used foreign quick growing species.

Post WW2 was the start of significant incentives for planting forestry, so huge amounts were planted. Again, mostly foreign conifer species.

Over time it was recognised that these slabs of mono cultural forests were a bad idea aesthetically. environmentally, and not least commercially. So a considerable proportion of replanting now is done with mixed native species. It has to be said a lot of timber operators would cheerfully plant whatever would give them the biggest profit, and only plant native due to grants and other support. But a remarkable number of big estates (and an astonishing amount of Scotland is still owned by the big estates) are now held by people who care about the environment and leaving a legacy for the future.

The machinery available to forestry plantations now also means you can harvest individual trees and leave the rest standing, which encourages mixed forest planting.

[Jimcardiff]

all the scenery looks lovely , shame we cant travel to see some of it , but back to the game , got to get this selection right, grand Slam decider see

[AND-y]

all the scenery looks lovely , shame we cant travel to see some of it , but back to the game , got to get this selection right, grand Slam decider see

It's the away game my brother and I almost always do. Gutted to miss it as its the best trip in the tournament for me.

[Frodder]

Looks like North is out as well.

Willis and whoever plays centre. What a cluster

[Edinburgh01]

I was expecting an unchanged Scotland side, and there have been no reports of injuries. Then I was reminded that Ritchie limped off. So possibly a change in the backrow with Graham or Thomson to come in to start with the other on the bench.

[Gwenno]

North is out now
You may have to lend us a couple of players, like we did to Ireland in 1884

[inactionman]

This is a rugby thread, so I'll make one last environmental observation. My wife was born and brought up in the glen where we live. We have had a home here for 30 years. There have been significant efforts in that time to reduce the environmental damage of the past. A result has been that there is a significant and visible increase in native fauna. For example, when I first came here, you would rarely see a red squirrel, now it is a daily occurrence. A lot of other native species have seen similar growth in numbers.

And then of course there are the beavers. They were illegally reduce on the Tay and have worked upstream. I know the riparian owners for almost the entire length of our glen. All bar one are pleased to see the beavers back, and whilst they do damage, landowners are prepared to either just live with that, or take appropriate action (eg protecting specific rare trees). My wife is quite clear that 50 years ago when she was growing up here the beavers would not be tolerated.

They're looking a bit further north for this, but there's also a push to reintroduce the lynx. Awesome.

[Frodder]

North is out now
You may have to lend us a couple of players, like we did to Ireland in 1884

Like the concept. We'll take Redpath, Watson, Hogg and Gray

[mikeyboy123]

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo.

Team announced.

What's Navidi done wrong?

[mikeyboy123]

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo.

Team announced.

What's Navidi done wrong?

Aah, just seen he's injured!

[C69]

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo.

Team announced.

What's Navidi done wrong?

Aah, just seen he's injured!

And then his replacement got injured
Ffs I've seen more resilience in a marshmallow than this Wales squad.
Joking apart wales back row injuries are astounding.
Shingler Navidi Moriarty Macloed lydiate Jenkins etc etc
As bad as our wings and centres not available North Foxy Johnny Adams Hallam etc

Scotland by 20

[TheFrog]

Scotland by 10.

Some good French born talent in that Redpath lad, in't?

[Edinburgh01]

Scotland by 10.

Some good French born talent in that Redpath lad, in't?

Shame he's not playing.