Podcast – Episode 254 – Pointless Squad Announcement

8 responses

1. There is read across from the Munster victory over Leinster, not just academically. Glasgow have the beating of Munster. Irish rugby and Ireland are not ahead. It’s just been a few poor performances in recent years, and players in (a fit) Scotland team should know they can beat the Irish, as they used to week in and week out.

   1. Leinster rested the majority of their first XV for the Champions Cup final against La Rochelle the following week. It came back to bite them in the ass.

      Who’d of thought after the first two seasons of URC that Leinster would not have won it?

   2. There’s really very little evidence that Glasgow “have the beating of Muster” when we literally just lost to them – I’m sure we can beat them on our day, but the very fact we went wild last time we beat them shows how rare it is. Leinster haven’t been beaten in yonks by us. Same with Ireland.

      I like our squad, but you’re leaping to some wild conclusions here!

2. How many times have a Scottish team won the Heineken Cup? How many times have Scotland beaten Ireland since 2000? A dose of reality is needed? After all it was another Irish team beat Leinster. 3 of the 4 teams in the semi finals of the URC were
   Irish.

3. Nah, JVF came on immediately for Leinster (and he’s the best of the lot), plus it’s the winner Munster that Glasgow are better than. Scotland have better players (Finn, Hogg, Redpath) playing outside Scotland to pour into the mix. Clearly can only have XV on the pitch at a given time (not three or four teams worth) put the best together and ours match or beat anyone. Could run out of starting bodies late in the tournament, 6 nations or the league, but can cross that bridge later. It is why we should be confident against SA. P.S. Maitland got a brace for Saracens.

   Re World Cup success above, based on the following players staying fit: Schoeman; Z Fagerson and Nel; Dempsey; R Gray; Finn and Russell. For everyone else there are at least options – though almost included Huwipulotu and Hogg. Biggest decisions are hooker and substitute loosehead. Want to see White continue with Horne on the bench. Plus that recall to the squad for Maitland.

   Don’t like the boring boring tone everywhere, should have a bit of confidence and optimism in a settled truly world class squad – the best in recent memory.

4. Maitland is a better FB or Winger than Kinghorn.
   Healy Hastings and Russell are better 10s
   I like Kinghorn but IMO he is not to be trusted

5. What is the story with Maitland? Have they both decided he has finished with international rugby? Any Sarries fan will tell you that he is still a very important player for them

   1. Who would you have him in for is the question?

      Graham and Van Der Merwe Guaranteed. Steyn been in excellent form also. Perhaps Smith, but i think he has been in pretty good form also and is one for the future.

      Hoggs not in best form but is never getting dropped altogether given the circumstances.

      Kinghorns versatility benefits him, and he did have good impacts in the 6 nations (primarily of the bench).

      Tough on Maitland, and i would or perhaps just added him to the pre-wc squad at least, without replacing anyone else.