Scotland WC Chat

NeilyBroon wrote:Aye but he's never been quite the same player as then. He was good and physical but not much else. Still I'll never forget his runs against England on his debut.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Bradbury and Skinner are going to be needed in this RWC as well as H Jones. I think we can safely assume that the injury bug is going to strike at some point. The first two would have made the squad with good health.

It is weird to think that some injuries may strengthen Scotland. I assume some other countries are in the same boat. L McGrath for me is worse than Marmion and Cooney.

bsando wrote:This RWC is a great moment for likes of Bradbury and Thomson to step up and show the world that Scotland has some decent ball carriers. I'd say Bradbury is probably most explosive of the two but I also think Thomson may well surprise a few people with his physicality as well. There were glimpses in the warmups but the Ireland match will give us a better insight I imagine.

Cummings for me seems to be emerging as a huge ball carrier. I went to the Saracens vs Glasgow game in London earlier this year and despite the result I remember one big carry from Cummings that caused the Sarries crowd to go "ooohh" as he went into contact. His last outing against Georgia was obviously a great one too.

I guess we'll have a team out in a few days! It's come around pretty fast.

EST wrote:

bsando wrote:This RWC is a great moment for likes of Bradbury and Thomson to step up and show the world that Scotland has some decent ball carriers. I'd say Bradbury is probably most explosive of the two but I also think Thomson may well surprise a few people with his physicality as well. There were glimpses in the warmups but the Ireland match will give us a better insight I imagine.

Cummings for me seems to be emerging as a huge ball carrier. I went to the Saracens vs Glasgow game in London earlier this year and despite the result I remember one big carry from Cummings that caused the Sarries crowd to go "ooohh" as he went into contact. His last outing against Georgia was obviously a great one too.

I guess we'll have a team out in a few days! It's come around pretty fast.

Cummings is a surprisingly good ball carrier. He is very quick and runs really good lines, which seems to make up for the fact that he isn't a huge bloke - I would definitely have him on the bench over Toolis on current form.

tigertattie wrote:We also need to rememeber that Bradbury isnt in the squad!

NeilyBroon wrote:Every interview with the Scotland players is about defence.

I always find these interviews focussing on one aspect worrying as its usually the aspect we f**k up on come the actual game. I bet we'll now go on to leak 3 tries in 20 minutes.

RDW wrote:It is a difficult one as I suspect Bradbury will be called up to replace any back 5 player who gets injured. What happens if no one gets injured against Ireland? Do you fly him home then potentially have to fly him back a week later after Samoa? not ideal to mess him around like that. Then again, it can't be fun for him being in limbo and not doing any proper rugby training or games and being an outcast in the squad. Edinburgh could very much use his services!

RDW wrote:All stats point towards nothing but an Ireland win. They are #1 team in the world, have beaten the ABs twice since the last world cup, won a Grand Slam in 2018, Leinster have won several trophies and in the warmup games have looked like they're getting back to their best. They have won 5 out of the last 6 games against us.

By contrast we won 1 game in the 6N, flattered to deceive in the AIs and were beaten by the USA in the last summer tour. Hand on heart we haven't actually put in a decent 80 minute performance since England at home at the beginning of last year, and there have been some real concerning performances since. To add that that we're relying on a number 8 with a game and a half's worth of international experience and a centre combo who have played a similar length of time together. Our likely 13 will be playing his 3rd game in 2 years. We have major concerns over our physicality and defence - we're going to need to significantly improve in those areas very quickly.

2 of our warmup games were decent performances, 1 was pretty meh and 1 was a complete humping. None of them were even close to the intensity that Ireland are going to bring.

If Ireland can bring 80% of the intensity that they can do I think we won't be able to cope with it. Saying that, if Ireland can't keep that up all game, start making their mistakes and their lineout begins to fall apart again we have a chance.

It will be a big upset if Scotland win this game!

EWT Spoons wrote:

RDW wrote:All stats point towards nothing but an Ireland win. They are #1 team in the world, have beaten the ABs twice since the last world cup, won a Grand Slam in 2018, Leinster have won several trophies and in the warmup games have looked like they're getting back to their best. They have won 5 out of the last 6 games against us.

By contrast we won 1 game in the 6N, flattered to deceive in the AIs and were beaten by the USA in the last summer tour. Hand on heart we haven't actually put in a decent 80 minute performance since England at home at the beginning of last year, and there have been some real concerning performances since. To add that that we're relying on a number 8 with a game and a half's worth of international experience and a centre combo who have played a similar length of time together. Our likely 13 will be playing his 3rd game in 2 years. We have major concerns over our physicality and defence - we're going to need to significantly improve in those areas very quickly.

2 of our warmup games were decent performances, 1 was pretty meh and 1 was a complete humping. None of them were even close to the intensity that Ireland are going to bring.

If Ireland can bring 80% of the intensity that they can do I think we won't be able to cope with it. Saying that, if Ireland can't keep that up all game, start making their mistakes and their lineout begins to fall apart again we have a chance.

It will be a big upset if Scotland win this game!

Agreed.  Whilst we have a chance, Ireland are (rightly) heavy favourites.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Scotland by 10 then.....

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Scotland by 10 then.....

SecretFly wrote:Same training applies then:
Gats baby oiled his balls,
England used water on them.
Scotland we hear were more regular, choosing soap.
Ireland used butter.... but that's just coz they watched Last Tango in Paris when they heard what Gats was at.

Guardian wrote:New Zealand still formidable, Fiji to prove tricky opponents with Semi Radradra turning on the power: our pundits set out their forecasts for the tournament

Guardian sport



Who will win the World Cup?
Rob Kitson South Africa, unless they are flattened in the final by a free-wheeling England team boasting even more dynamic power. The side that hits hardest for longest – with and without the ball – will ultimately prevail.

Ben Ryan England are genuine contenders but I can’t see past the All Blacks although Beauden Barrett needs to avoid the Kiwi World Cup fly-half curse. In a parallel universe, Mosese Rauluni and Nicky Little return after a 12-year hiatus at half backs for Fiji and they edge a formidable Namibia in the final.

Nick Evans Despite injuries, form of some senior players and a belief from everyone outside New Zealand that they are in decline, the All Blacks are still in the box seat to three-peat the World Cup.

Andy Bull Given the form the smart answer is South Africa, so my head’s annoyed with my heart for persuading me to commit to this in print but I just wonder if the Welsh may pull it off.

Gerard Meagher New Zealand. I have a feeling they may lose to South Africa on the tournament’s first Saturday but end up exacting revenge back in Yokohoma 42 days later.

Paul Rees New Zealand, ahead of England and South Africa. With the ball-in-play time expected to be high and humidity a factor, they are supremely fit opportunists, menacing when questioned.

Claire Tolley New Zealand on paper, just about, simply because they are best equipped to do so. But, frankly, picking a winner is like trying to pin a tail on a moving donkey.

Who are the dark horses?
RK Wales. The rugby fates were cruel in 2011 when they could have made the final. Anyone writing off Warren Gatland and his durable players before a knock-out showdown against England is ignoring their World Cup history.

BR Japan. At home. On form. Better than their 2015 side. Beware Ireland and Scotland.

NE Although Australia traditionally remain a big side they have been widely written off but the Wallabies have a habit of turning up at World Cups. Three performances such as that in Perth against New Zealand could see them lift the cup.

AB After the four years they’ve had, Australia are well back in the betting. Michael Cheika is an expert at pulling a team together over the course of a tournament.

GM France have such firepower among their backs and raw power up front that stringing a run to at least the semi-finals is not inconceivable. Fabien Galthié appears to be making a positive impact too.

PR Wales, who are often judged on style rather than substance, and Scotland, whose counterattacking game should suit the conditions, although rain is forecast ahead of their opener against Ireland.

CT When there’s no favourite and a tightly-bunched set of rivals is anyone a dark horse? Wales, possibly, if a team that was world No 1 a few weeks ago can be called that.


Who will be the star player?

RK Semi Radradra (Fiji). Do not be surprised if Fiji give Australia a scare on the opening weekend. Either way, the powerful Radradra has all the tools to be the most lethal midfield ball-carrier in the tournament.

BR Three Fijian back-rowers – Peceli Yato, Semi Kunatani & Bill Mata. Container Office.

NE Damian Penaud from France is a quality wing who has pace, power and a slipperiness about him. Expect him to score a lot of tries.

AB Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe, short, squat, but whip smart and sharp, with the best step in the game, a welcome reminder that even today size isn’t everything.

GM Handré Pollard. The Springbok fly-half has everything in his armoury the complete modern-day No 10 would want. South Africa are well fancied for the tournament but not if Pollard goes down early.

PR Injuries and red cards are likely to be factors, but Beauden Barrett if New Zealand are to win. Maro Itoje, Makazole Mapimpi and James Ryan to polish their reputations.

CT High hopes of someone such as Fiji’s Semi Radradra stunning everyone while given the pool lineup, think heaps of visibility will go to the All Blacks’ Sevu Reece or Springbok back-row Pieter-Steph Du Toit.

Who will be the biggest flop?

RK New Zealand? Just kidding, but there is bound to be a grim-faced inquest should they miss out on a third straight World Cup title. This is not, relatively speaking, a vintage All Black pack and their opponents are improving.

BR I hate to say it but Ireland. Can’t see them going past the quarters.

NE Hard one this. One of either Ireland or Scotland if Japan end up getting out of the pool, or Argentina. Take your pick.

AB Apart from all of us making these predictions? For all their talented young players France have the air of a side who might blow up spectacularly in the group stages.

GM Canada have made the quarter-finals only once, in 1991, so it may be harsh to suggest they will flop but they are at their lowest ebb and only squeezed through by beating Hong Kong. In the same pool as New Zealand and South Africa, we could see a new record points margin.

PR France, if they look to 2023 rather than now, or Australia, who for all their victory over New Zealand in the summer, have been brittle since the 2015 final.

CT Not who, but what. A proper tier two challenge, sadly. Happy to have egg on my face after a few days but I can’t quite see anyone reaching the knockout stages.

How far will the home nations go?
RK At least two should reach the semis, injuries and typhoons permitting. Given Ireland, Wales and England are all guided by Kiwi or Australian head coaches, however, the old north-south battle lines are blurred these days.


BR I think England could very well play Wales in the quarters so only one home nation to go through to semis. Others to fall before that.

NE England to lose to New Zealand in the semi-finals, Wales to make it to the last four as well, Ireland and Scotland to fall one hurdle earlier in the last eight.

AB Further than they did in 2015, for sure. England and Wales should both make the semi-finals, beyond that it all feels too close to call.

GM England to reach the semis before familiar failings return, Wales and Ireland to go out in the quarter-finals and Scotland to go out in the pool stages, going down in a decider against Japan.

PR At least three in the quarter-finals, probably four; two in the semis.

CT One or two to reach the semi-finals depending on whether England or Wales play each other. Not sure mentally if they can get past that hurdle to the final.


Who will surprise us?
RK Aside from Fiji, the hosts Japan will be more awkward opponents than many expect. France are bound to have at least one irresistible half of rugby in them and, off the field, cosy European assumptions will be tested on an hourly basis.

BR Possibly a typhoon. Under RWC regulations if a group game has to be cancelled it’s deemed a 0-0 draw. Spanner. Works.


NE I’m looking forward to seeing Fiji play in the warm conditions of Japan. They are a very dangerous team who could scare both Wales and Australia.

AB Japan, even though we’ve all been forewarned by that match against the Springboks four years ago. The big beasts in their group, Ireland and Scotland, both look a little vulnerable.

GM It would be a pleasant surprise if World Rugby shows transparency over controversial decisions and does so as a priority, with coaches also displaying restraint but that feels like wishful thinking.

PR Japan will dream and it could come down to their final group match against Scotland, and Fiji will be a handful for Australia and Wales having worked on their discipline.

CT France. Which is probably a surprise to read for a start but they’ve been in camp for months unlike during other tournaments, so they will be better than we think. I still think they may pip Argentina in their opening match.

I can’t wait for ...
RK The invitation from Eddie Jones to share a few relaxed beers and join his squad for a spot of karaoke. If the top teams spend the first Asian-hosted Rugby World Cup entirely cocooned in their hotel rooms the whole sport will have missed a massive trick.

BR Upsets. The game needs a bigger top table and maybe, just maybe, RWC 2019 is going to finally see that. We live in hope.

NE I’m not exactly waiting for it but I have a feeling with the tackle and ruck laws as they are, a red card could have a massive bearing in a big game for a big team. Keep everything crossed it isn’t your team.

AB Japan v Russia, the very first game. Despite everything you’ve just read I’ve absolutely no idea what’s going to unfold in the next seven weeks, no one does. Finding out is the fun part.

GM The knockout stages. If there is always a touch of inevitability about the pool stages – give or take the odd shock – this year there is likely to be a genuine case for all quarter-finalists going on and winning the final.

PR A referee to crack down on encroachment behind. It’s time to make defences sweat.

CT New Zealand v South Africa on the opening weekend; learning some of the tales less told from the smaller nations.

Tramptastic wrote:The guardian always has sub-par coverage of the Scottish game so its no surprise there!