The second row is set to be the biggest headache for Scotland coach Gregor Townsend as he announces his Scotland squad tomorrow, but there will be several more key questions to answer as he puts the finishing touches to a squad set for an unfamiliar four autumn tests.
What happens if a lock gets injured?
A tweet from our PreviewMaster™ (and creator of the term Hornstings) Kevin Millar highlighted just how desperate the situation has become with the announcement yesterday that Richie Gray is still suffering from his back injury and could be out until well into the Six Nations. While it means he should at least be fit and rested as the summer looms, for now that means two out of the usual group of 4-5 are injured, along with the next capped understudy, Edinburgh’s Lewis Carmichael. As this list Kevin came up with shows:
Jonny Gray
Grant Gilchrist
Ben Toolis
Richie Gray
Tim Swinson
Lewis Carmichael
Scott Cummings *
Fraser McKenzie*
Kiran McDonald *
Callum Hunter-Hill *
Ollie Atkins (Exeter) *
Andrew Davidson (Newcastle) *
Murray Douglas (Hurricanes) *
* uncapped
Gray, Toolis and Gilchrist would be many (not all) people’s first choice for the match day 23, but after that, the next level down on the list is very inexperienced. The 6’6″ Rob Harley hasn’t had a cap since 2017, although he made last year’s Six Nations training squad. He could well be in line for a recall as he’s in good form for Glasgow – where he’s been playing in the second row these last few weeks. As a part of a pack making inroads in the Premiership, Exeter’s Ollie Atkins could be part of the group too.
Is it too late for newcomers?
Having imprinted “The Toony Way” on his team, this could be the last time to blood new faces and get them to buy into the ethos, game plan and pace of play he wants Scotland to have. Next year’s warm up matches against France and Georgia will be too late, and the Six Nations is unforgiving. Scotland, starting now, need to build familiarity and consistency going into 2019 and the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Chief among those latecomers could be Blade Thomson, the New-Zealand born Scarlets Number 8. He’s a classy footballer with good hands as well as being a big lad, and Scottish grandparents have put him on the radar of many. He told the Welsh press it was something he had considered. He turns 28 in December so he’s not a long-term solution, but he could be the latest in a line of southern hemisphere imports who have tried to fulfil the “ball-carrying back row” role while also ticking that “project players are okay if they’re decent” box that should see him welcomed rather than vilified.
Another face yet to feature for Scotland would be Gary Graham (one of the many alliterative sons of George) who Iain Morrison suggests would be a ready-made call up despite having featured in recent Eddie Jones training squads (alongside Cameron Redpath and Ben Vellacott). Not sure about that one.
There are also a few relative newcomers that the jury is still out on. Having played last autumn, Luke Hamilton didn’t get much time on the summer tour and has played sporadically for Edinburgh where he’s got stiff competition even with John Barclay injured. Newcastle’s Chris Harris and Harlequins James Lang are players who may yet play a part in the backs, although Harris might have run out of lives if Duncan Taylor and Mark Bennett were fit.
Having played in the summer, some younger but not wholly new faces will definitely be back: Jamie Ritchie, Magnus Bradbury and George Horne would be counted among them. Adam Hastings too is the most likely to play at 10 against Wales, as Finn Russell will not be released by Racing for that one as it falls outside the window. Experience of a hostile Millennium Stadium but in an essentially meaningless fixture could be invaluable for his development.
Will we see any old faces back?
An alternative to Blade Thomson perhaps sits ready made in the shape of Josh Strauss, the Sale Sharks Number 8. He hasn’t started many games though as he plays in the captain’s position, and still suffers from association with a summer tour loss to Fiji last year. Might some of the victims of the USA suffer a similar fate?
Many of them dispatched Argentina the following week so redemption perhaps came quickly enough for those young lads to spare them the fate of Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Tim Visser or Damien Hoyland who were cast into the wilderness. One face who hasn’t featured much since that match but I would like to see back is John Hardie, currently without a club. As a player without a club (there were rumours of a short term deal at Scarlets, and Clermont seemingly didn’t rate his fitness), his lack of match sharpness is likely to go against him here though. A call up as part of the training group might help him as an individual but Townsend isn’t too sentimental it seems.
How many scrum halves?
Greig Laidlaw and George Horne are probably the two standout candidates in terms of form and experience (Greig’s currently third in the Top 14 points scoring table behind our own Finn Russell), but they are both very different players. With the rise of Adam Hastings at Glasgow after he earned his first cap in the summer, Greig is now less likely to be considered as cover at ten except in emergencies and will have to compete on his own merits for the 9 shirt.
If they were your top two, there’s an interesting side debate as to how you want Scotland to close games out (steady or frenetic) which might dictate who starts (as might the question of captaincy, see below).
After Greig and George, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne are all sitting at around the same level. Pyrgos has come on to a game since moving to Edinburgh, but didn’t go so well against Montpellier this weekend and that may have gone against him. If Townsend picks three as usual, the last pick will most likely be Ali Price which would mean Hidalgo-Clyne drops out from the summer squad.
Who is the captain?
Another decision where Le Petit General will come into consideration is that of the captaincy.
Stuart McInally did well in the summer and is currently nailed on to start at hooker if fit – something you could argue Laidlaw is not given Horne’s form, although he’d probably be favourite to play the big games against South Africa and Argentina and will definitely be in the squad for the three home games.
John Barclay has been a successful leader for Toony but he is out injured until the new year so you could say that – at least until then – the captaincy is up for grabs. It’s pretty unlikely it will be someone outside those two or Barclay who will lead the side into the World Cup next year, so vice-captaincy types like Hoggy or Jonny Gray will most probably remain that way.
If you want to build a leadership group capable of coping with injuries in the confines of a World Cup squad you’d look to McInally to get more experience in the role. Let Greig concentrate on game management and slotting the goals.
Or do you give Greig the armband and let him keep it all through next year for continuity? There is also the possibility he may retire from international rugby following the World Cup (he’ll be 34).
I’d pick McInally, but don’t be surprised to see wee Greig as Townsend’s choice come tomorrow lunchtime.
57 responses
First Choice Scotland 31 based on this season ? for Autumn internationals. (based on current club performances)
First Name is first choice and so on.
Forwards
Loosehead – Dell, Allan, Sutherland
Hooker – Brown, Mcinally, Turner
Tighthead – Nel, Berghan, Mcallum
Lock 4 – Gray, Toolis
Lock 5 – Gilchrist, Harley
Blindside – Bradbury
Openside – Watson, Ritchie
No 8 – Thompson, Ashe
Backs
Scrumhalf – Laidlaw, Price, Horne
Fly-Half – Russell, Hastings
Inside Centre – Scott, Dunbar
Outside Centre – Jones, Johnstone
Wings – Seymour, Graham
Fullback – Maitland, Kinghorn
‘Arsey’ Rae (as my son calls him) stood up well on Sunday to the big saracens pack…..outside bet maybe??
Looks slim pickings in a few places.
It won’t happen but I think Turner needs the game time at Glasgow, not with Scotland, so I would go with Ross Ford as hooker 3. Turner is good in loose but makes mistakes at the basics.
Don’t think Seymour has been that good but lack of options prob means he is in. Maitland was good yesterday and is prob first choice on wing.
I think we might see the following in Cardiff (pure guess work):
Dell
Mcinally
Nel
Gilchrist (JG rested)
Toolis
Wilson
Ritchie
Thompson (assuming released?)
A Price (needs to lay ghosts to rest- pls not another interception pass)
Hastings
Seymour
Scott
H Jones
D Graham- maybe and only due to lack of options, could very well be Lee Jones
Kinghorn
Alex Allen, Ross Ford (see above re turner, no need to risk Fras), Berghan, Harley, Bradbury, G Horne, P Horne, Lee Jones
Shows the importance of the exiles. Re R Wilson, I think you need one experienced international back row.
The obvious ones (JG, Brown and Dunbar deliberately not selected), last two as they would probably get injured and would rather they are fit (ish) for SA….
These AIs a minefield. A home loss to Fiji would be catastrophic but by. O means impossible with an experimental team. SA and Argentina are winnable but we need all guns blazing. I’d use Wales test as experiment line up and keep the stringest 23 back for the next three tests.
Wales Test is outside the AI window so I think there will be a few places on both sides filled by up and comers.
SA definitely the big one for us this Autumn. Beat them and we make a serious statement about our ambitions as a Test side in 2019.
Would selection in the Wales game count as a ‘cap’ given that it’s outside the window? If it does, then this would seem like an ideal opportunity to bring in Thomson, assuming if course scarlets would release him.
Yes is my understanding…unless both unions have decided its an uncapped “practice” game.
Blade Thomson wouldn’t be a project player – he’s qualified right away for Scotland.
“parachuted in foreigner” then?
He was parachuted in? He came to play in Wales and he’s qualified to play for us. Foreigner is a pejorative term in our lovely post Brexit world?
If he pulls on the jersey he’s a Scot.
I quite agree Stu, I don’t care where they come from if they are willing to play and it’s within the current rules. However I would point out that the articles when Cornell du Preez and Hugh Blake were announced were our most commented articles. https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2015/01/shug-blake-regulation-8/ I meant no slight to the player or their motives rather the amount of debate such imports (can we call them that?) cause.
did you say the same about John Hardie
I’ve been very impressed by the fringe props this season, Allan and Rae have both been solid for Glasgow, Allan in the loose is more like a back row forward. Sutherland, who I rated before his injury problems, has done well too.
Any word on Dunbar who went off injured again on Sunday? For all the depth we think we’ve had in the centres over the last 2 or 3 years it’s looking a bit stretched in midfield because of injuries.
Not counting Wales as it’s outside the window I’d like to see a settled side looking something like: Dell, McInally, Berghan, Grey, Gilchrist, Bradbury, Watson, Thomson, Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, Dunbar, Jones, Maitland, Kinghorn; with subs of Brown, Allan, Nel, Toolis, Ritchie, Horne, Hastings, Scott
Kinghorn’s defence will have Toonie wondering if he should maybe have Maitland at 15 and Kinghorn on the wing – he still has lots to learn defence wise.
I think Kinghorns defence will have him wondering if He should be in the squad at all – misses tackles with alarming regularity, but brings a genuine threat going forward – tough call.
Aye to be fair after I submitted my team I though of switching those 2, but I think Kinghorn is a more effective 1st or 2nd receiver which would be more of a like for like switch for Hoggy.
Interesting reading the recent comments about Loosehead selection. I would say this is the only position were we are unsure who our best players are.
We know our two best hookers are McInally and Brown, we know Fagerson, Nel and Berghan are our three best tightheads, we know that Gilchirst, Toolis and the Gray Brothers are our 4 best locks, Barclay, Watson and Wilson has been our starting back-row for a while.
We know that Price, Horne, Laidlaw, Hastings and Russell are our best halfbacks, that Dunbar, Scott, Jones, Taylor, Bennett and Horne are our best options at centre and that Kinghorn, Seymour, Maitland and Hogg our are best back 3 options.
Yes 1 or 2 more names will come into contention here but these are generally settled areas.
Then you look at loosehead and you could have anyone from Dell, Allan, Bhatti, Sutherland, Marfo or Reid starting here and none of us really know who is our best option from those names. It’s important Gregor is able to use these games to discover who our best loosehead is.
Great synopsis Blake. However with Barclay injured the backrow still needs sorting. We don’t seem to have an 8 that can compete with the Faletau/Vunipola/Standers of this world. Never mind Picamoles, Parisse, Reid and Pocock.
To have a chance at the RWC we need to have a world class 8, and Wilson isn’t it. Good as he is I think he’s better at 6. Is Bradbury or Thomson our last chance saloon to have an 8 to compete?
Looks like it. Maybe Matt Fagerson will be one for the future but still not clear whether he’ll be powerful enough to emulate his u20 wrecking ball role – he’s not big but he’s a tidy player and squared up last weekend.
I don’t rate Ryan Wilson even if Toonie does. I think he goes missing in big games and he concedes a lot of penalties too. It could be that he’s invaluable in the dressing room and that’s why he’s there.
I’d like to see Bradbury given a shot at 8. He’s really bulked up over the last 12 months, he makes yards, can offload, and he’s tireless in defence.
I agree Frazer, but sadly Toonie has a blind spot about Wilson. He’s not even a decent captain as we saw last Sunday.
I also read somewhere he’s only scored 1 try in pro rugby!!
But there is no way he’s going to miss out this close to RWC.
The whole ‘Wilson gives away lots of penalties’ narrative really hacks me off and is fake news. We all have our own opinions- but for me, he is second only to Watson when considering our best, most effective back row player – an absolute workhorse.
About a year and a half ago I wasn’t convinced by Wilson either but then I remember watching a six nations match without him and then one with him. The difference in the defensive line speed was night and day. I’ve watched for it ever since (Glasgow too) and now just don’t believe that the Scottish defensive line has the same aggression and speed without him.He does concede the odd penalty but then so does a good 7 over the ball. And he’s got good hands. That said he doesnt exactly blast people out of the way ball in hand.
Wilson was absolutely dire against Italy, getting shrugged off by Poledri at least twice.
He can perform well but what we need is big bruising number 8, we have plenty of workhorses.
Sad not to see any mention of Duncan Weir. 100% reliable from hand or foot , great defence and showing previously unsuspected eye and fleetness of foot for gaps. Main ‘ fault’ is getting involved at rucks ………doing other people’s jobs and perhaps losing a slight edge because of that.
What’s great about these 4 games is all 4 of these games are both winnable and losable.
Wales have some serious talent coming up as well as plenty of top experienced players and they showed what they can do this year when they get going.
Argentina after their lows of the summer have got in a new coach and have beaten Australia and South Africa in the rugby championship and challenged New Zealand for large parts of their games.
South Africa have added to their series win over England by beating New Zealand in the Rugby Championship and are now playing to their true potential under Erasmus.
Fiji have such power and quality with players of Mata’s, Nakarawa’s, Nadolo’s and Goneva’s quality and could be tricky opposition if they get going.
Should be 4 fantastic games.
Team I would play against Wales;
15. Kinghorn
14. Seymour
13. Huw Jones
12. Scott/P.Horne
11. Darcy Graham
10. Hastings
9. G.Horne
8. Wilson
7. Watson
6. Bradburry
5. Gray
4. Gilchrist
3. Nel
2. McInally
1. Allan
Replacements; Brown, Dell, Berghan, Toolis, Ritchie, Price, P.Horne/Scott, L.Jones
Rough team I would play in other 3 matches;
15. Kinghorn
14. Seymour
13. Huw Jones
12. Scott/P.Horne
11. Maitland
10. Russell
9. Laidlaw
8. Wilson
7. Watson
6. Bradburry
5. Gray
4. Gilchrist
3. Nel
2. McInally
1. Allan
Replacements; Brown, Dell, Berghan, Toolis, Ritchie, G.Horne, P.Horne/Scott, Darcy Graham
Is Dunbar injured or do you not rate him enough?
Tonnie I thought Dunbar was injured against Saracens. If i’m wrong would be more than happy to include him in the side. Top player.
Greig has to start the big matches with Finn but its his shirt to lose. Brown has also outplayed McInally this season and deserves to start. As good as McInally has been in last 12 months I feel a few easy tries from the back of mauls has given his hype train a little too much steam.
Some thoughts on depth relative to a few years ago…
Front row: overall improved due mainly to McInally.
Second row about the same…youth waiting in the wings
Back row: improved depth mainly from Edi youngsters…”losing” Hardie and Strauss a bit uneccesary I think.
Halves: Hornstings gives genuine options that were missing before. Horne Sr and Lang too.
Centres: A bit backwards as Dunbar, Taylor and Bennett recede
Back 3: overall positive due mainly to Kinghorns emergence…Seymour hasn’t refound the same form he had.
The Correct Squad
1. Dell, Allan, Sutherland
2. Brown, Mcinally, Ford
3. Nel, Berghan, Mcallum
4. Gray, Toolis
5. Gilchrist,Harley
6. Bradbury,Ritchie
7. Watson, Hardie
8. Denton, Thompson, Strauss
9. Laidlaw, Price, Horne
10. Russell, Weir
11. Graham, Fife
12. Scott, Hastings
13. Jones, Dunbar, Dean
14. Hughes, Seymour
15. Maitland, Kinghorn
Test Squad Vs Wales
1. Allan
2. Brown
3. Nel
4. Toolis
5. Gilchrist
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Bradbury
9. Price
10. Hastings
11. Fife
12. Scott
13. Jones
14. Hughes
15. Kinghorn
16. Ford
17. Sutherland
18. Mcallum
19. Toolis
20. Harley
21. Horne
22. Weir
23. Seymour
Vs Fiji
1. Dell
2. Mcinally
3. Berghan
4. Gray
5. Gilchrist
6. Bradbury
7. Watson
8. Strauss
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Graham
12. Hastings
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Maitland
16. Brown
17. Allan
18. Mcallum
19. Toolis
20. Denton
21. Price
22. Jones
23. Kinghorn
Vs SA
1. Dell
2. Mcinally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Gilchrist
6. Bradbury
7. Watson
8. Thompson
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Graham
12. Dunbar
13. Jones
14. Kinghorn
15. Maitland
16. Brown
17. Allan
18. Berghan
19. Harley
20. Ritchie
21. Horne
22. Hastings
23. Seymour
Vs Argentina
1. Allan
2. Brown
3. Berghan
4. Harley
5. Toolis
6. Strauss
7. Ritchie
8. Thompson
9. Horne
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Hastings
13. Jones
14. Maitland
15. Kinghorn
16. Ford
17. Sutherland
18. Mcallum
19. Gilchrist
20. Denton
21. Laidlaw
22. Dunbar
23. Hughes
You think he’ll pick Strauss?
Sam Johnson qualified yet? He’s my black horse for a call-up, assuming he’s fit again (don’t think he was on last Glasgow injury list update).
Price will surely start in Cardiff. He’s ahead of Horne at Glasgow right now because he does the basics better than Horne. I wouldn’t be surprised if Henry Pyrgos features as well. Horne is great at running support lines but hasn’t showed the control you need at Test level.
Hastings will be at 10 in Cardiff but who knows what we will get from him. Sunday should have been put the kibosh on those think he will be overtaking Russell any time soon.
In the backrow I think Bradbury will establish himself at 6 where size really matters. Watson has 7 nailed down. 8 is up for grabs if Blade Thompson can step up but Ryan Wilson is a handy player to have around and always makes a big defensive contribution. John Hardie needs to be at Glasgow.
Hardie should always have been at Glasgow , was given the choice of both I believe. First mstake turning down Toonie , will he be forgiven, find out tomorrow!
SB How is Price ahead of Horne at Glasgow. They’ve both started 3 games this season and Horne was playing far more than Price was at the back end of last season.
Most people I know felt Price was holding Glasgow back on Sunday and when Horne came on he completely changed the game.
Can’t see what you have against George?
Price wasn’t great against Wales last time out and it wrecked his form for the rest of last season. Not sure if you should put him in there to sort the wrongs or give Horne a chance?
Price was more controlled at the weekend and had a decent game. Horne upped the tempo and looked dangerous, but flung a few wild passes.
Another vote for Matt Fagerson. Bags of aggression and potential.
How’s Denton getting on? Sounds like pretty well.
Horne cost a try against saracens by running open instead of passing back inside. Pyrgos is Laidlaw Lite with his box kicking and if anyone can tell me how he misjudged Pienaars kick I would be very obliged !
Hardie does need to be at Glasgow.
1 Year before a WC, Hardie needs to be playing on a regular basis, Scotland need everyone with potential available, which Hardie has proved.
Glasgow certainly need him, and Edinburgh now look silly having got rid of him.
Well with Barclay, Watson and Ritchie at the club I sure wouldn’t want to pay his wage. Would be great to have him at Glasgow though.
Thompson is more than a cut above any of our 8s and I love how much better he is than Brad Shields, don’t care if it’s irrelevant. Atkins is a solid high performing lock who plays for a winning side, he has a legit shout at an RWC place if given the opportunity and should absolutely be in the AI squad given the lock injuries.
Tbh it doesn’t feel right for Thomson to be representing Scotland. To qualify though one grandparent he should really be playing for Glasgow or Edinburgh…. Yet he’s at Scarlets..
Harley should feature as a lock and Thompson is capable and could do a job in the RWC. I wondered what all the fuss was initially but get it now, right man right time if you ask me. Is Denton injured ? I must have missed something . With a ruthless edge and a haircut he might do, though I suspect he can only do one of them. Strauss is in the same club as Kelly Broon.
I would love to see Hardie but live in the real world, he cannot find a club , which I also find hard to take as as a rugby fanatic but as a business man, he may be a risk to my reputation and insurance premiums.
Come on for goodness sake, someone give him even a short term contract , he will reward you with bravery, honest effort and loyalty all day long. Whatever he does all night long, should be behind him.
Amazing that Hardie can’t land a contract. One of the stars of RWC 15 and still in his prime. Such a shame.
Thompson is an absolute must-pick tomorrow. Sounds a bit daft given he’s only been on these shores a few months but he’s genuinely got a touch of class about him. He can carry, pass offload at pace which surely suits he way Townsend wants to play and he’s versatile regarding position which is highly useful at a RWC. He’s better than the options we have so it’s daft if he’s not included.
Agree with Ben F regards Hardie. He’s not played for months now and he is not selectable until he starts playing regular pro rugby. Assume if this was not a World Cup year he’d have gone back to NZ by now but obviously think it’s worthwhile hanging around to give him a chance of getting to Japan. Surely someone will take a chance on him.
The loosehead prop situation is interesting. Dell is a certainty to get picked as he’s been playing regularly and has experience. Actually think his scrummaging has improved this season. All the rest of the options can’t hold a place down at their club side, aside from Reid who’s playing championship level. Allan or Sutherland would seem the logical choices as they have played recently and done ok, in fact the former has played really well but how many game she has he started? Lot different coming on as an impact sub as opposed to fronting up from the start for 60 mins+ . Both club sides, in particular Glasgow, have benefitted from the project players at 1 but it’s really hindering playing time for the SQ options. Could be toonie just has to pick whoever he feels is in form just now and take a gamble. Still have a feeling Bhatti will get picked.
I do love Autumn selection day as there are always a couple of surprises that get pulled out of nowhere and in the global battle for talent we do need to keep a line of site outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
So looking at the current exiles team
8. Blade T – yes we are all watching him and praying that Toonie has got the paperwork in order for a ready made ball carrying 8
7. Graham – yes he was teased by Eddie but we all know that secretly he was sending reports back to Toonie that helped us win last year
6. Davey Denton – first choice 6 at Leicester and playing every week – working hard smashing and carrying
5. Ollie Atkins – on the bench every week for best pack in premiership – could do same for us
4. Anton Bresler – did we really not cap him…do we think we have 2nd rows coming out of our ears.. doing a great job at Worcester and ripping it up – if he can’t play now someone needs to have a detention
3. Cosgrove, Reid, Low uggg not alot down south
9. Sam HC – seems to be playing well and even an outing at 10
10. Super Dunc – o yes ..the boys on fire .. so key he was about the only starter they rested v Exeter to prepare for Bristol.. few MoMs
11. Sean M – best wing for champions Sarriee
12. Lang…been keeping Marcus Smith out for a few games so playing well
13. Harris
14. Bassett ..ok he hasn’t said he wants to play yet but if he wants a Xmas card from Grandpa (if not Eastcote now at Plymouth or Le Bourgeois at Wasps)
15. McGuigan – hatrick at weekend
So exiles team ..not looking bad and hopefully a few surprises to come tomorrow from the selectors with some off radar picks
I didn’t know Basset qualifies? That boy is a top class winger and a born try scorer, he’d be pushing for a starting berth if he opted for us
He doesn’t I don’t think. It was an error on his wikipedia page.
I believe Bresler doesn’t qualify as he left Scotland before he was capped. Which I don’t get as I always thought he was good for Edinburgh. Cockers and Toonie obviously didn’t rate him.
Mitch Eadie a long shot for 8?
Getting games for Northampton in the Premiership.
Watched Glasgow Game again , we made errors , probably should have talen kicks at goal before halftime, scrum held , Hastings had a few things go wrong that on another day would have worked out . Huw Jones broke through a lot, frankly I think he shines in the big games, is pulled down in the others . Not many sides will hold them to 10 and we should not be pessamisitic. Glasgow did well , I think they will not be looking forward to the return at home.
Price is still not doing it for me , I dont see him getting the Wales game and I think Horne is great for impact and gets around . Glasgow and Scotland need another unpredictable weapon to bolster the Hogg shaped gap and Horne is that wildcard. For me Laidlaw is the safe option in the must win games, I would gamble against Wales. I dont get the Jacko criticism, he did well under high ball, his defence is fine , spilled one but they were hitting us like steam trains and we absorbed the lot. Think Toonie will select Maitland and Kinghorn for FB / wing slots (bench diversity)
I think Price is trying to reinvent himself after his horror last season – but in doing so he’s become too conservative. He needs to find a better balance as he pace and break around the fringes was the best part of his game.
Who is Sam Skinner?
After checking google he plays lock for Exeter. Has been starting for them as well which bodes well for us. At 23yrs old he’s definitely one for the future. Great find.
SQ through his father
Never mind Google, all that information is in the next post… ;)