Scotland squad for the 6 Nations

First topic message reminder :

Scotland squad for training camp in Glasgow (January 20-23) ahead of RBS 6 Nations Championship:

Backs: Peter Murchie*, Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland*, Tommy Seymour*, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Max Evans (Castres), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar* Peter Horne*, Duncan Weir, Ruaridh Jackson (all Glasgow Warriors), Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby), Henry Pyrgos, Sean Kennedy* (both Glasgow Warriors) and Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby).

Forwards: Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall, Pat MacArthur* (all Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby), Moray Low, Alastair Kellock (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Grant Gilchrist* (Edinburgh Rugby), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Robert Harley, Ryan Wilson* (both Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks), Chris Fusaro* (Glasgow Warriors).

* = Uncapped.

Invited to be with the squad as they recover from injury: Chris Cusiter, John Barclay and Jon Welsh (all Glasgow Warriors) Nick De Luca and Ross Rennie (both Edinburgh Rugby) and Scott Lawson (London Irish).

Note to editors: Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) will miss the camp for family reasons as his wife is expecting their second child.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

123456789 wrote:

lostinwales wrote:I love the way that in all three of the main celtic threads you all start off from a position of doom and gloom and then talk yourselves up over a couple of weeks until you have a team of all conquering world beaters.

It all depends, after Glasgow play we get excited and optimistic however when Edinburgh play there's doom and gloom.

And when Scotland play we all want to top ourselves!

Until before the next game when we're convinced Scotland will win, thinking Scotland will win is like a drug addiction, you know it's bad for you but you can't help yourself

That brings us onto page 20

Well good luck on the 2nd. We all know its going to be a brutal match regardless of the final score.

Always had a soft spot for the scots, not least because an uncle of mine played for a scottish representative team post war on the basis that he was doing his national service in a scottish regiment. Nice to see that the qualification regulations havnt changed..

I think Horne should definately be on the bench, his utility value is pretty good as he covers every position past 10. I think some of his best performances for glasgow were at fullback when he first burst onto the scene. Unfortunately he often followed them up with a disastrous one the following week and got subsequently dropped for months at a time.

But thats neither here nor there...

123456789 wrote:

bsando wrote:Agreed TJ! I think we have fantastic backs at the moment and we have the right players to have a really good defence, therefore I think Johnson might be looking to build a solid defence and then look to counter attack really well when opposition makes mistakes, kinda like another team I know.. Who could that be again?... Hmm..

Edinburgh

Well I was thinking Australia actually.. But Edinburgh 2011 for sure!

Anyone know if Scotland naming an additional A squad for next week?

Well I don't know about winning but bettering bloody 5th or 6th would be nice!! Its pretty rubbish to see everyone predicting Scotland as 6th in the run up to the 6N every year. Some of the things I've heard other nations fans say about Scotland is pretty depressing too, ie this one on a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh for Scotland vs NZ... 20 something year old English bloke - "I would hate to play rugby for Scotland, they're so rubbish. If I were Scottish and could play international rugby I wouldn't even bother."

He's clearly not Scottish then. I mean you wouldn't even think about it...would you?

bsando wrote:

123456789 wrote:

bsando wrote:Agreed TJ! I think we have fantastic backs at the moment and we have the right players to have a really good defence, therefore I think Johnson might be looking to build a solid defence and then look to counter attack really well when opposition makes mistakes, kinda like another team I know.. Who could that be again?... Hmm..

Edinburgh

Well I was thinking Australia actually.. But Edinburgh 2011 for sure!

No no I meant the Atiga, Jones, Basalaia, Francis etc. team,

bsando wrote:Well I don't know about winning but bettering bloody 5th or 6th would be nice!! Its pretty rubbish to see everyone predicting Scotland as 6th in the run up to the 6N every year. Some of the things I've heard other nations fans say about Scotland is pretty depressing too, ie this one on a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh for Scotland vs NZ... 20 something year old English bloke - "I would hate to play rugby for Scotland, they're so rubbish. If I were Scottish and could play international rugby I wouldn't even bother."

You should have punched him

bsando wrote:Well I don't know about winning but bettering bloody 5th or 6th would be nice!! Its pretty rubbish to see everyone predicting Scotland as 6th in the run up to the 6N every year. Some of the things I've heard other nations fans say about Scotland is pretty depressing too, ie this one on a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh for Scotland vs NZ... 20 something year old English bloke - "I would hate to play rugby for Scotland, they're so rubbish. If I were Scottish and could play international rugby I wouldn't even bother."

Obviously a glory hunter who has no national pride whatsoever.

http://www.worldcurling.org/rankings-men-and-women

This is proof of how superior we are at all sports

bsando wrote:Well I don't know about winning but bettering bloody 5th or 6th would be nice!! Its pretty rubbish to see everyone predicting Scotland as 6th in the run up to the 6N every year. Some of the things I've heard other nations fans say about Scotland is pretty depressing too, ie this one on a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh for Scotland vs NZ... 20 something year old English bloke - "I would hate to play rugby for Scotland, they're so rubbish. If I were Scottish and could play international rugby I wouldn't even bother."

Let me guess, was he wearing a Jack Wills poloshirt with the collar up? Did he have a tattoo on his ankle that said "whale's vagina" in Cantonese? Was he studying Land Management at Exeter Uni?

Maybe it's the time of year but... grrr...

Don't get so upset folks, some of our fellow Scots who did play international rugby didn't seem to bother either.

hah! i suppose so Macknocked-on. haha maybe Bru, i think he was on a 21st and the birthday boy was Scottish. They got the captain to say happy birthday to him but he was asleep apparently.

Anyone seen this article?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21166419

"Society and cultural differences are important because it's a people's game. I've lived in celtic countries and they are different and it's my responsibility to attach and to understand some of the celtic traditions in the north." - Johnson

Well Burns night is on Friday night, get some haggis neeps n' tatties in ye!

123456789 wrote:http://www.worldcurling.org/rankings-men-and-women

This is proof of how superior we are at all sports

I love the fact they've got Scotland/GBR then quite a few places down there's England (without the GBR).

Should be the other way round!

Have to say - we might lose all our games but at leasta SJ is going to provide us some entertainment!

“Are you saying we’re the sad kids from the north coming down to the south, that no-one gives us a chance?” he said, with a wide smile.

“We are the sad kids from the north, haven’t got many rugby teams playing, a small population base and we don’t give ourselves much of a chance do we?

“That’s what some are saying but we’re saying something somewhat different to ourselves, maybe. We’re saying we want a competitive team and the beauty of coaching Scotland, as is the beauty of coaching Wales or Australia, is that there is an underlying will to ruin a party at Twickenham and I’m quite enjoying going there with the same mindset.”

Asked later whether the concerns of his opposite number, Stuart Lancaster, over some injury problems in his side might help Scotland, he replied (wiping away a fake tear first):

“Am I getting emotional when you’re talking to me? A long injury list? So that just leaves them with about another 40,000 players to choose from. That’s a sad story that.

“We don’t have any injuries up our way. We completely don’t get injuries, Scotland, when we play. It’s never happened, so it’s a sad story.”

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/scott-johnson-in-humorous-mood-at-six-nations-launch-1-2755050

Absolute legend already!

I just wish he wouldn't wear that head band!

I must confess I'm warming to him. Very happy with how he deals with the press and if he is getting the players focused on playing well rather than winning....

I'm happier than when he initally took over.

Jimpy wrote:I just wish he wouldn't wear that head band!

Well when you have a mullet needs must!

Scotland Rugby Team twitter
We're delighted to have secured our biggest ever sponsorship deal this morning

Scotland Rugby Team twitter
Italian kit specialists, Macron will supply all our international and 2 pro-teams for the next 4 years

Good or a bad thing? Not been impressed with Edinburgh kits so far.

Even worse - they're getting the public to design the kit!

I really like the current Edinburgh strip. Shame they have had sucha rubbish season!

Well as long as it is better than our recent away kit monstrosity it is a step up!

Macron kits give the impression of being fairly cheap and cheerful quality wise(eg the Edinburgh strip) so I suspect it will be much the same.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Well as long as it is better than our recent away kit monstrosity it is a step up!

Macron kits give the impression of being fairly cheap and cheerful quality wise(eg the Edinburgh strip) so I suspect it will be much the same.

Cheap quality, but expensive for fans is my guess

I still prefer my 1990 Scotland top. How they used to be, and no figure hugging embarasment for me

29 (well, 28 now) posts away from the magic 1000 mark...

27

I don't think we should tarnish this thread by simply posting nonsense to get us over the 1000 mark. This has been an intellectual, thought provoking, concise, coherent and grammatically correct thread don't you know!

So.....which Scotland player will be the first to get yellow carded in the 6N??

I've got a funny feeling about Matt Scott - a deliberate knock on deemed to prevent a try. He has got history of it!

I think it will be Hamilton myself

Or NDL from the stands - I would not put it past him

cp10 wrote:

Scotland Rugby Team twitter
We're delighted to have secured our biggest ever sponsorship deal this morning

Scotland Rugby Team twitter
Italian kit specialists, Macron will supply all our international and 2 pro-teams for the next 4 years

Good or a bad thing? Not been impressed with Edinburgh kits so far.

Even worse - they're getting the public to design the kit!

Bit strange when the new Canterbury change strip has only been used once, and presumably will be used once more against Italy and then binned - could become a collectors item!

Bet we could come up with some quality designs though, i reckon something like the old Stade Francais one with all the faces, except with Mel Gibson's face and maybe tartan shorts with printed-on sporran

Why not go the whole hog and put on kilts instead of shorts

There will be less counter rucking (I am not going near that!) and in the lst 5 mins when we defending our 5 m line for dear life, we could up hems and scare them off

Thing with the macron strips though is they are very good quality. Ive yet to see one rip, even when its being stretched by a defender hanging off it. Contrast that to underarmour, nike, and addidas whos strips are all known to rip.

Current away strip excepted, international ones are usually more low key in their design aswell, so dont expect anything flamboyant. (although I love edinburghs kit designs under macron, all three home strips have been pretty cool, and the white away strip is nice).

By bad quality I was meaning the polyester plasticy feel, and the badges and sponsors being printed on the strip, instead of embroidered on.

Don't get me wrong I like the Edinburgh designs this year - I just prefer the quality of Canterbury!

Well hopefully the new kit when it's designed will look similar to the 2010 home kit, was rather a fan of that. Also just a thought since they're the guys behind the Edinburg kit wonder if we'll see a Hawaiian style top at some point?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Have to say - we might lose all our games but at leasta SJ is going to provide us some entertainment!

“Are you saying we’re the sad kids from the north coming down to the south, that no-one gives us a chance?” he said, with a wide smile.

“We are the sad kids from the north, haven’t got many rugby teams playing, a small population base and we don’t give ourselves much of a chance do we?

“That’s what some are saying but we’re saying something somewhat different to ourselves, maybe. We’re saying we want a competitive team and the beauty of coaching Scotland, as is the beauty of coaching Wales or Australia, is that there is an underlying will to ruin a party at Twickenham and I’m quite enjoying going there with the same mindset.”

Asked later whether the concerns of his opposite number, Stuart Lancaster, over some injury problems in his side might help Scotland, he replied (wiping away a fake tear first):

“Am I getting emotional when you’re talking to me? A long injury list? So that just leaves them with about another 40,000 players to choose from. That’s a sad story that.

“We don’t have any injuries up our way. We completely don’t get injuries, Scotland, when we play. It’s never happened, so it’s a sad story.”

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/scott-johnson-in-humorous-mood-at-six-nations-launch-1-2755050

Absolute legend already!

Credit where credit is due, that's an entertaining press conference and if nothing else, SJ is a pretty grounded individual. If he can transmit some of that character into the Scotland players, it'll make a difference.

Agree with Risky on the kits, nothing figure hugging for me. I find the constant female attention distracting whilst I'm trying to watch the rugby............

Great interview! It's quite refreshing to hear a coach reply satirically to some of the silly questions they are often asked. He's a character alright.

GLove39 wrote:Well hopefully the new kit when it's designed will look similar to the 2010 home kit, was rather a fan of that. Also just a thought since they're the guys behind the Edinburg kit wonder if we'll see a Hawaiian style top at some point?

Actually scratch that, turns out Rhino Rugby made he Hawaiian style one.

It does make these press conferences a bit more interesting instead of them spouting out the same rubbish year on year.

I bet the SRU media person is on tenterhooks every interview he gives though!

I'm starting to get the feeling that SJ is exactly the personality that the Scottish players need. He hasn't come in and said we can win the 6N, we are all conquering. He's kept his feet on the ground and head out of the sky and said it like it is. We are not as good as we think we are and we have to work on getting things right before the wins will come. I know he wasn’t that successful with Wales and Australia but those players were more used to winning games and had higher expectations. While I don’t think we’ll beat England next weekend, I have a feeling they won’t have an easy ride.

I think we need to get shirts like Montpellier

http://www.shilton.fr/boutique-en-ligne-shilton/53-homme-mhr

Been browsing some Rugby news sites...

Regarding the delay in announcing the Scotland captain, Johnson can't really be thinking about playing Stroks at 6 instead of brown can he?

Scot Abroad wrote:I'm starting to get the feeling that SJ is exactly the personality that the Scottish players need. He hasn't come in and said we can win the 6N, we are all conquering. He's kept his feet on the ground and head out of the sky and said it like it is. We are not as good as we think we are and we have to work on getting things right before the wins will come. I know he wasn’t that successful with Wales and Australia but those players were more used to winning games and had higher expectations. While I don’t think we’ll beat England next weekend, I have a feeling they won’t have an easy ride.

At the moment he is making all of the right noises, this is a good thing I am also pleased that the players seem to be making the right noises (we have not had the usual drip drip of guys who are not in form, but are relatively well known, mouthing off to the press about how this is our year to turn it around and use our underdog status to win the 'slam etc). The problem that I have is that no matter how you look at it Johnson DOES have a reputation that precedes him, for the time being I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, he would not have got the jobs he has held previously if he was as talentless as some of the results indicate. Maybe just maybe he now has the experience, drive and is in the right set up for him to shine, who knows? The only thing that you can be certain of is that how a coach, or his players, handles themselves in front of the press is absolutely no indication of how they will perform. Maybe it would be best to at least wait for a team selection?

As the Captain's photo has been done that would be a master stroke

(of the baker variety)

I think the delay in announcing captain is all talk - I'd bet my left eyebrow that KB will be captain, and he probably already knows that, they just didn't want to announce it in a rush because the squad met up on Monday and the launch was soon after.

The SRU Twitter feed also referred to him as Scotland captain several times!

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