RWC Build-Up: Multiple Emotions But A Single Focus
As I entered Scotland’s World Cup base yesterday in St. Andrews I felt a strange sort of atmosphere. A tension.
Tag Archives: Euan Murray
Round Two Six Nations Review
Like the pain of a scab being ripped off, we take a brief look back at the weekend’s action. Anything longer than brief would be overly depressing, like say, watching England hit form just in time for the World Cup.
Round One Six Nations Review
Al was at a wedding this weekend (no not his own, he’s still trying to talk Mrs Al into a 2015 honeymoon in Japan) so A.D and Rory knocked some heads together – mostly their own – and took a look back at the first round of Six Nations 2011.
Here we go again…
As Welsh legend Gareth Thomas tells all in America there have been a few revelations on our own soil. Brace yourself for the Scottish rugby version of the New Years honour list…
Transfer Shuffles & Prop Injuries
Seeing as there is nothing left for the Scottish teams to think about now the season is done, here are some transfer tidbits as attention turns to next season for the pro-teams and everyone else gets to thinking about the summer tours.
A look at the opposition
I thought I should also chip in with something; what about the Welsh?!
During the 6N a bit of navel gazing is common place and no nation is more morbidly insular than Scotland. We mustn’t, however, always focus on our own shortcomings. If Gregor is right about Andy Robinson’s feelings towards the last game then there is no need to dwell on the past. And rightly so. Unlike France during much of Sunday’s onslaught Wales will never bludgeon their way through a defence. Not the way they are playing right now. At the Millennium Stadium a lot depends on which Wales turns up. Jekyll or Hyde?
If we were being positive (which Scots, of course, always are!) then for our own sakes we should look at the Welsh deficiencies. The most glaring of which, at this point, must be their line-out. Wyn Jones, last Saturday’s pariah, has failed to dominate proceedings in the restart of late and Charteris has been dumped from the squad because of his inconsistency. None of this matters, anyway, because Gareth Williams couldn’t hit a barn door with a bazooka from 5m out.
All set-pieces are vital. In fact, while most of the country worries about our magic disintegrating scrum and the fact that 5 of the Welsh starting pack duke it out together for the Ospreys every week, we have to look at things more closely. For most, or all of the game they have no Jenkins. No Rees. No Bennett. No Gough. While the second row for Saturday is Jonathan Thomas, a man who is really a back-rower who normally likes to fly off towards 10 from a scrum. Along with this, I’m pretty certain I would take the sizeable pairing of Murray and Hamilton over Paul James and Jonathan Thomas any day. Yet again, none of this could matter because Chris Cusiter is looking through the scrum every time at Gareth Cooper, a man whose service could be timed with a sun dial.
Unfortunately once we get past these potential problem spots in tight for Wales we see why we could be in for a long day. If Cooper manages to put the ball in the right place then we may have problems for certain members of our back division. In Stephen Jones Wales have a 10 that at the present time can control a game the same, if not better, than Parks. In Jamie Roberts they have a guy who is a genuinely world class player on his day. James Hook can step Morrison, Lamont and Paterson. Lee Byrne might decide to play.
Make no mistakes about it. Wales have a few weapons in their arsenal. If there is parity in the set-piece and the Welsh blitz defence, which has been leaky of late, monopolises the gain-line then there could be a few smiling taffs by half 4. On the other hand, if rumours are to be believed, Gatland and Edwards are close to exhausting their relationship with the Welsh player. Allegedly both men would at least listen to some offers once this campaign is over, and if Gatland begins to show the indifference he did at the end of his Irish reign then the rest of the 6N could be in luck.
This match is one Robinson is seemingly targeting and it is true that Wales are inconsistent right now. In truth I reckon that the only chance Scotland has of winning this away fixture is if the Scots back-row cancels out Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones at the breakdown. A firing Welsh team thrives on quick ball on the front foot and needs it to make the likes of Byrne and Shane Williams effective. Let us hope that Wales defeat themselves, long before the men in Blue touch the ball.
In different news, if you’re interested in hearing about other games this weekend (two with a Welsh-Scottish flavour!) then check out these British and Irish Cup fixtures taking place:
Friday 12: Newport v Gael Force, Rodney Parade, Newport KO 7.30pm
or in Scotland:
Saturday 13: Ayr v Birmingham and Solihull, Millbrae, Ayr KO 4pm
and, Sunday 14: Heriot’s v Neath, Goldenacre, Edinburgh, KO 2pm
Compatibility Issues for Euan Murray
Rumours are circulating that Euan Murray may be set to confirm a new-found unwillingness to play his rugby on a Sunday, which would rule him out of selection for the tournament opener against. In the past he has been uneasy on the matter or injury has ruled him out, but both Saints and the man himself (that’s Murray, not God) are so far unwilling to comment on the matter. While Murray is undoubtedly one of the top props in the world, this puts Andy Robinson in a bit of predicament going in to his first Six Nations in charge of Scotland. Can he pick someone else (Moray Low, Geoff Cross) without them feeling they are only a place-holder until there is a game on the right day for Murray? You have to hope that anyone who is put in for that match against France will remain there throughout the tournament if they play well enough. But then again Murray does give us an edge in the scrums. Or will Robbo put the foot down and leave him out altogether a la Simon Taylor? Robbo vs God, it’s an interesting battle. Still, at least those folk who rail against Six Nations games at any time other than 3pm on a Saturday can claim him for their side.
There is an old interview done pre-last Six Nations where Murray talks a fair bit about his faith on the Scotsman site that also offers an amusing (in hindsight) Six Nations preview and even some measured debate in the comments.
UPDATE: this has now been confirmed, Murray will indeed be unavailable for selection for the opener vs France on Sunday 7th Feb.
Is Big Nathan The New Rocky?
Elsom that is, not Balboa. After his Wikipedia entry was recently amended to suggest he would be moving to Wales (the Ospreys and the Scarlets simultaneously), it seems that Scottish Lion and general all-round troublemaking loon Nathan Hines is now set to leave French Top 14 Champs Perpignan for Irish province Leinster, where he can team up with fellow Lions BOD, Fitzgerald, Kearney and Heaslip and aim to fill the Australian sized gap left by the return home of Rocky Elsom. Presumably the USAP lot are wound up that he prized a Lions shirt over victory in the championship and have decided to let him go. Could be a valuable signing for Leinster, and should be able to give plenty of insight into the Irish camp come 6 Nations time…
Shame one of the pro-teams couldn’t have snapped him up, but with the likes of beanpole Richie Gray coming through the ranks at Glasgow perhaps youth development is more of a focus these days – hardly a bad thing.
It is also being reported that Euan Murray has actually broken his leg on tour in South Africa and will be out for longer than feared, and will possibly not be ready in time for the autumn internationals.
Victor Not Pooping His Pants Any More
Seemingly Victor Matfield and the Springboks were only worried about one man in the pack – and he’s gone home.
Euan Murray would have fixed Lions scrum, says Victor Matfield
Thanks to Mark for pointing out the article, may his ankles never have invisible fractures.
Scotland A-Team Wins, Lions Almost Do
Some good games at the weekend there including a solid result for Andy Robinson’s A Team which saw the Scots win their first piece of silverware in years. Rumours of Ruaridh Jackson’s kicking game going AWOL were put to rest with his kicking from tee easing the Scots into a solid lead before some sloppy play at the breakdown let the French back in. Eventually though a nifty wee offload from Ben Cairns put Richie Vernon over the line to seal the victory, and the trophy. Some of the players (like captain Chris Cusiter) will have done their chances of a return to full national honours no harm. Congratulations to the whole squad and coaching staff.
Next up for Robinson is Fiji in the autumn, and his job truly begins. But for now, most of Scotland’s players find their seasons at an end – time for a holiday.
Apart, of course from the doughty Scots holding up the tail end of the Lions squad, who may yet have a role to play. A great – if wildly inconsistent test match on Saturday saw the Lions blown off the park in the first half, only to run back on and do the same to the Springboks for most of the second half. What a difference a scrum makes, and Euan Murray must consider himself very unlucky to pick up an injury at the exact moment his services are required. The bulk of Hines could also be used in the second row. Mike Phillips did little wrong apart from going the same way too often but Blair could be lucky and see the bench in the remaining Test matches. The Lions could definitely have won that test match, but can they win the next one? The challenge will only increase as the Boks aim to plug the holes in their defence left by our centres and will probably leave their front-line troops on the pitch until the game is definitely won, rather than until they think it is won.
