Scotland - 2024 Victim Support Group Thread

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Fixtures for this year's jamboree:

3 February 2024
16:45 GMT
Wales v Scotland
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

10 February 2024
14:15 GMT
Scotland v France
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

24 February 2024
16:45 GMT
Scotland v England
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

9 March 2024
15:15 CET (UTC+1)
Italy v Scotland
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

16 March 2024
16:45 WET
Ireland v Scotland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

Let's get our post-traumatic stress disorder and excuses in early.

[bsando]

The idea to kick and hope for a French mistake was incredibly flawed.
That shouldn’t have become the distraction it ended up being. Ramos is one of the best in the world at fullback. It was feeding straight into their strengths to keep booting it to him and it ultimately led to the match winner after Scotland made a mistake.

They had 4 in the backfield during those kicking rallies. It was not jyst a question of kicking it to Ramos. He was covering the line and it was decreasing his angles.

When one side starts playing like that ( France), it is very hard to break out of it. It is a massive risk trying to run it out of youf own half.

Dupont's law does need looking at!

I agree, I'm certainly not saying Scotland should have started looking to run it from their own half, especially in wet conditions. Russell nearly pulled off a 50/22 that would have been a great way to break the cycle, but it stayed in field and from the France goal line drop out Russell went for a drop goal attempt 50m out for some reason. Why not setup phase play inside the French half? Try get VDM on ball? With Russell's miss, Scotland were back to being stuck between the halfway line and the ten metre line in their own half. I guess it would have been good to see Scotland be a bit braver during that fifteen minute spell of kick tennis. To me at least it looked like the odds favoured France.

Dupont's law is pretty ridiculous and I hope they do change it. Who wants to watch pro athletes stand around in the rain while the kicker lines up the perfect angle?

[George Carlin]

What is certainly true is that any major game we have won in the past 5 years happened because we kept ball in hand. We were never going to benefit from a pointless kicking dual, especially without Blarehorn to catch and Darcy to chase.

I will say it again - Townsend does not strike me as either a master tactician, a motivator of men or a leading force of nature in the game. Full Contact just cemented this opinion.

If he was a comedian, he would be Richard Ayowade.

[bsando]

Louis Lynaugh has joined the Italian squad, so that’ll make Scotland’s away fixture a little bit spicier. 

11. Iaone 14. Lynaugh 15. Capuzzo

I think it’s going to very close this year. England were mad not to cap him, good bit of business for Italy.

[king_carlos]

Tommy Allan has put his international career on hold with immediate effect. That's a blow for Italy. He's developed into a really good player for them across multiple positions. Their best rugby has generally been with Garbisi and Allan in the same backline. I'd presume that's no small part why Lynagh has been fast tracked. So Capuozzo can shift back to 15 and Lynagh potentially comes on to the wing.

[George Carlin]

Tommy Allan has put his international career on hold with immediate effect. That's a blow for Italy. He's developed into a really good player for them across multiple positions. Their best rugby has generally been with Garbisi and Allan in the same backline. I'd presume that's no small part why Lynagh has been fast tracked. So Capuozzo can shift back to 15 and Lynagh potentially comes on to the wing.

I wonder if he ever regretted not picking Scotland. I look at Healy and wonder if he'd be here if Oor Tommasso had picked his dad's country instead of his mum's.

[jimbopip]

Well this might just lift your battered sausages spirits, mes amis.

I was browsing the BBC interweb zoomfacetime thingy and lo and behold there was a picture of young Pipetto.

Apparently he could be four games away from playing at Twickers

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68295528

Time for a caption competition. Or a spot the offspring contest. (N.B. This contest is not open to anyone called Boris.)

[king_carlos]

Tommy Allan has put his international career on hold with immediate effect. That's a blow for Italy. He's developed into a really good player for them across multiple positions. Their best rugby has generally been with Garbisi and Allan in the same backline. I'd presume that's no small part why Lynagh has been fast tracked. So Capuozzo can shift back to 15 and Lynagh potentially comes on to the wing.

I wonder if he ever regretted not picking Scotland. I look at Healy and wonder if he'd be here if Oor Tommasso had picked his dad's country instead of his mum's.

A year or two back I chatted with a cricketer who didn't choose his parent nation about this. He ended up playing for a smaller cricketing nation, making a career of it in the County Championship off the back of that exposure. After you've had the success people naturally ask if you wish it'd been in the nation you grew up in? To paraphrase his view was very much, "Had I stayed at home, I may have never broke through". I'd guess many in Tommy's position have a similar outlook. It's a career where you're one injury from being f***ed at the end of the day. I think most that make it are just happy to make it. We often think about the Itoje's or Darge's who look destined for the big time. There are likely plenty in international rugby who were a wrong fork in the road from Super 6 or the lower French leagues though.

I've posted this a few times on the England threads, but the Curry twins and Aaron Hinckley are fascinating case studies of how much luck plays a part. All three were brilliant talents at U20s. Ben was picked for the England senior squad ahead of Tom, when both qualified for the U20s still. They looked like identical players as well as twins then. Ben picked up a really nasty injury that set back his physical development. By the time he returned, Tom looked more like David Pocock and Ben looked more like a teenager again. Tom was an England starter, Ben was captaining England U20s in another JWC. It took Ben a ton of time to try to catch up, arguably he won't.

Hinckley came on their heels and I genuinely thought he was an even better talent. He was dominating tackles and the breakdown in a way that Underhill or the Curry's seemed to, but he was also quick enough for the backline. He barely played over several years and clubs due to injury after injury. He's now without a club after being released by Saints amid rumours of liking John Hardie's nutritional supplements a bit too much.

[NeilyBroon]

I kind of hope we get fourth this year so it maybe gives the SRU impetus to look beyond Townsend.

We've stagnated for the last three years, and show no signs of really improving beyond being slightly better than average. We need a shake up before the next world cup otherwise we'll be out on our erses again. Toonie has done well considering his relative inexperience as a coach but he's not at the same level as some other coaches who have won considerably more silverware than just the pro12? pro14? And the calcutta cup.

We just need fresh eyes looking at our setup. 6 years is a long time to get your set-up right, especially after all the hard work was already done to rectify the quality of the rugby played by the previous coach, and we're still not seeing much progress.

Broken record, I know, but just fed up with the same old. Don't get me wrong I think we should carefully consider who we hire but we definitely need someone with a bit more strategic nous and a bit more hardnosed.

[Highland Shaun]

I'm quite surprised that Gregor has signed a new contract until before the next world cup especially considering Mark Dodson is leaving soon, I kinda expected both to depart at roughly the same time .

I'm not in the Gregor out camp but I also do believe he's taken us as far as he can but I also don't see the point in sacking him just on that basis but equally I don't really see the sense in him only getting until a year a couple of years before the world cup but I still wouldn't be surprised if he resigned either at the end of the year or sometime next year but I personally hope he doesn't as I have backed him for long enough and that won't change unless we lose to any of our lesser tier summer opponents or we end lower than 4th this or next 6N.

Anyway I see that our "A" team team has been reformed so hopefully we get an "A" fixture against England "A" at some point in future .

[king_carlos]

The questions when potentially removing a coach a should always be more about "who next?" for me, rather than around who's leaving.

Tigers with Cockers were a perfect example. I think that coaching setups do have a shelf life. I think things get stale and new ideas are needed. I think that had happened with Cockers at Tigers after 8 years and they needed a fresh start as things had declined from the peak. How that was handled undoubtedly made the club worse though. Aaron Mauger's bizarre caretaker run where he wasn't backed at all. A costly "globe scouring" recruitment process that ended up with Matt O'Connor's appointment and disastrous run. Geordan Murphy then gets the hospital pass way too early in his career. Suddenly they'd gone from a low of still qualifying for the playoffs under Cockers to being legitimately one of the worst teams in the Prem. The squad was a dumpster fire after years of listless recruitment due to the turnover. Though former SRU man Jan McGinty had overseen a slight improvement in the squad just before Borthwick joined. Three years were largely wasted before Borthwick came in though.

Those are the bigger questions for me. Who's joining? Would their style blend with the players better than Toonie? Would they work well with the incumbent assistants? If the assistants might favour change as well then does the new man have sufficient specialists he would like to bring into the setup?

Most importantly, I think there would need to be genuine thought of what the short and long term expectations are for either Toonie or a replacement? Many of this group of players will be well into their thirties come the next RWC. The pipeline below has undeniable issues. The U20s have struggled. There may well be a decrease in residency qualified talent due to the 5 year rule and players foreseeably opting to play club rugby abroad rather than in the UK due to the French leagues going from strength to strength and hoovering up young talent, SA franchise rugby getting more funding again and the Japanese leagues. If the Premiership clubs continues to struggle financially and the RFU continues to offer financial incentives to have higher EQP numbers, then we may see Prem academy products with Scottish ancestry think harder on cap offers too. Losing EQP status could certainly effect their earning potential in the Prem. Unless those players feel they could warrant decent wages at Edi/Glasgow or in France, they might think twice.

[NeilyBroon]

Continuity candidate would be Franco Smith. But I don't know it's worth damaging club prospects for. Another continuity would be Steve Tandy, though whether he's actually head coach material is another question. Also is he part of the stagnation?

Then to look for other coaches who know Scottish rugby we're somewhat thin on the ground. Dan McFarland springs to mind but he wouldn't take the gig after it seems he wasn't entirely happy with the SRU. Roddy Grant is a very far outside bet... Beyond him there's not much...

It's a shame coaches like Ben Cairns don't seem to have kicked on, or the SRU structures haven't allowed them to. Cairns should have been considered for the Edinburgh job, before Blair or Everitt, as he'd definitely earned his stripes in the prem. It seems, as ever, it's who you know not what you do in the SRU.

[NeilyBroon]

As for the youth structures, pass. We're definitely screwed there, means it's more urgent to stop the stagnation before this generation retires!

[Highland Shaun]

Does it have to be someone who's worked in Scotland or with the SRU though @NeilyBroon because that rules out candidates such as Jamie Joseph or even Ronan O'Gara, ok the second one is very unlikely lol but we can dream.

Dan McFarland is a great shout as is Mark McCall but again would both leave their jobs mid season which is why I say stick with Gregor Townsend for as long as possible unless it gets disastrous between now and his contract ending!

[George Carlin]

[NeilyBroon]

So after last night, lord Stafford to start against England? We've given all the other teams enough chance to beat us over the years surely...

[BigGee]

I feel a bit sorry for Lord Stafford.

In years gone by he would have walked into many a Scotland team playing like that but now he is up against Huwipolotu and Cam Redpath, all of whom are playing well.

It would be a very big call to change such an established and experienced centre pairing against England.

Maybe a bench spot or he may need to await an injury to someone.

Could definitely see him on the summer tour though, when many will be rested. Perhaps even as captain?

[George Carlin]

So after last night, lord Stafford to start against England? We've given all the other teams enough chance to beat us over the years surely...

FES will have a stroke if you suggest that. Staff doesn't have a proper wicker picnic basket and probably doesn't know which is the right fork to use with scallops.

[NeilyBroon]

I genuinely think whilst huwipolotu is a great combo, I don't think we lose much in quality with our other options, they just offer difference!

The advantage of mixing it up is that the tapes England have been watching of Scotland would mean diddly squat on match day! Just look at how Jones tore them up in 2018.

[bsando]

Yip it was tough to watch Scotland let that one slip away. Kudos to France though, they kept their heads and made it happen. Likewise kudos to Scotland for fighting back in the last three mins to nearly win it.

[bsando]

I genuinely think whilst huwipolotu is a great combo, I don't think we lose much in quality with our other options, they just offer difference!

The advantage of mixing it up is that the tapes England have been watching of Scotland would mean diddly squat on match day! Just look at how Jones tore them up in 2018.

I know many probably disagree with me on this but I actually prefer to see centres given an opportunity to play in different combinations. Continuity is great and has its benefits but I think if we play huwipulotu all year for all  our big games it limits the development of others. Redpath must be itching for another start and Hutchinson (remember that guy?) has been a standout for Northampton. No need to bin huwipulotu but I don’t see why we can’t fit Redpath, Mcdowall and Hutchinson into the equation. Using the bench more effectively would be a good start.

[Mcsweens]

So after last night, lord Stafford to start against England? We've given all the other teams enough chance to beat us over the years surely...

FES will have a stroke if you suggest that. Staff doesn't have a proper wicker picnic basket and probably doesn't know which is the right fork to use with scallops.

It's true. You just can't get the staff these days.

[NeilyBroon]

I genuinely think whilst huwipolotu is a great combo, I don't think we lose much in quality with our other options, they just offer difference!

The advantage of mixing it up is that the tapes England have been watching of Scotland would mean diddly squat on match day! Just look at how Jones tore them up in 2018.

I know many probably disagree with me on this but I actually prefer to see centres given an opportunity to play in different combinations. Continuity is great and has its benefits but I think if we play huwipulotu all year for all  our big games it limits the development of others. Redpath must be itching for another start and Hutchinson (remember that guy?) has been a standout for Northampton. No need to bin huwipulotu but I don’t see why we can’t fit Redpath, Mcdowall and Hutchinson into the equation. Using the bench more effectively would be a good start.

Doesn't fit in with our strategy of subbing in the 78th minute when the opposition has had all the momentum for 35 minutes.

[NeilyBroon]

Healy's sit bones must feel like he's done the tour de France.

[BigGee]

The substitution situation really is quite baffling.

I guess there is a good argument for keeping Fin on when we are chasing a game snd in fairness, it was he who got the crucial turnover in the last minutes against France.

At TH as well, there would potentially have been a serious drop off if ZF had been subbed off with Millar-Mills being very inexperienced at this level. Zander, as we know, does slso have an incredible engine and is no stranger to plsying 80 mins.

After that, it is not as easy to explain.

Surely if ever there was a player designed to up the pace of a game, it is George Horne? White did have a good game, but he must have been flagging towards the end.

Sane with Redpath, he is a physical as well as a creative player and would have challenged the French defence in a different way.

Going forward as well, it is not going to do the morale of these players any favours. Will they be left thinking that Toonie just does not rate them?

It was a strange strategy indeed!

[RDW]

It's times like this I'd like stronger journalists to really press him on this type of decision making. What's the point of these news conferences if this type of thing doesn't come up!

[EWT Spoons]

Then to look for other coaches who know Scottish rugby we're somewhat thin on the ground. Dan McFarland springs to mind but he wouldn't take the gig after it seems he wasn't entirely happy with the SRU. Roddy Grant is a very far outside bet... Beyond him there's not much...

Given how they are getting on with ulster and the strength of feelings against them from Ulster fans (not to mention McFarland's petulant interview after their last match) I honestly don't think we would want them. It certainly wouldn't be an improvement at least.

[bsando]

Even the AB’s brought ALB onto the field at 71 mins during the rugby World Cup final. He was a sub most matches but always featured in the final quarter. A 3 min cameo feels a bit pointless but perhaps the thinking is that it’ll inject a spurt of creativity at the death? Horne was a strange omission. As we’ve seen from various news sources Scotland mishandled the kicking game in that second half. At 70 mins it was time to bring Horne on to change the script.

[jimbopip]

Guys, we all know that The Tombola Man is a deeply conservative coach at heart. The stating XV against France had the winning of that match. As Squidge Rugby fella says, the first half Scotland were excellent. The French players said, especially Tuilagi, after the game they were hanging on by their fingertips in the last 15 minutes.
Now a coach ahs two choices; stay with what is working and wait for the breakthrough (Principal's "try") or change things in the hope that things will improve.
The gambler's choice would have been to bring on Hornito and Redpath. The conservative choice almost won the game.

Almost damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I would love to be one of the Netflix camera crew in camp this week.
Bhatti is having a cream puff because he hasn't been selected yet.
Stafford needs to be in the frame.
Blarehorn and Seaman should be available. Probably ADHD too.
Mbawza wants back in but Darge was mighty impressive.
Matt Fagerson is under pressure and needs to jusrify his selection, in some eyes...not mine.
I'll bet the half-contact training matches register on the Richter scale.

[BigGee]

I think this match a week to soon for Graham. Rowe has been playing well and so keeps his place (assuming Blairhorn is fit) on the wing. Graham gets a run out with Edinburgh the following week and comes back in for the last 2 games.

Fagerson to sit this one out. Backrow Darge -Dempsey-Christie JR on the bench.

Backs otherwise unchanged but maybe Lord Stafford on the bench!

[mountain man]

As an England supporter I think you Scots must be confident surely? OK result didn't go way last week but that's been done to death but the team still settled, playing well and good strength in depth.
Contrast to England who OK have 2 wins but against two weakest teams and were hardly convincing wins either.

I'm not saying it's a done deal as England "should" improve game by game but Scotland have to be pretty strong favourites.

[jimbopip]

I'm not convinced that Mbawza is on better form than Matt F. Actually after the Zebre match I'm not convinced there should be any Luvvies from that debacle included in the Scotland squad. England will look to overpower us. Matt Fagerson is solid in defence, however Toonie may decide Christie is more familiar with the England style of play and go with him.

England will avoid the wide game like FES avoiding his creditors. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tuilagi and Lawrence bashing it up all afternoon. A Stafford-Wee Shona defensive pairing would stand up well to that kind of nonsense, with Shug waiting to open up the game after 78 minutes.One of Stafford's big plusses is that he can take part in that head butting, run straight and hard, route one stuff but then run incisive lines or kick intelligently.

Personally, Fagerson-Dempsey-Darge with Stafford-Shona in the centres.

[RDW]

Until Stafford can show at internal level he's not Graeme Morrison reincarnated he can stick to club level. One for the summer tour.

Realistically I can't see Toonie changing much. But giving Christie a start against players he plays week in week out makes a lot of sense.

Nel back on the bench.

With Kinghorn playing, maybe Redpath and Rowe benching, Steyn to start - too early for Graham.

Schoe
Turner
Fagerson
GG
Cummings
Christie
Darge
Dempsey

White
Finn
Duhan
Tuipolotu
Jones
Steyn
Kinghorn

Hepburn, Ashman, Nel, Skinner, Fagerson, Horne, Redpath, Rowe

[NeilyBroon]

Until Stafford can show at internal level he's not Graeme Morrison reincarnated he can stick to club level. One for the summer tour.

Realistically I can't see Toonie changing much. But giving Christie a start against players he plays week in week out makes a lot of sense.

Nel back on the bench.

With Kinghorn playing, maybe Redpath and Rowe benching, Steyn to start - too early for Graham.

Schoe
Turner
Fagerson
GG
Cummings
Christie
Darge
Dempsey

White
Finn
Duhan
Tuipolotu
Jones
Steyn
Kinghorn

Hepburn, Ashman, Nel, Skinner, Fagerson, Horne, Redpath, Rowe

Bit of an unfair comparison! I remember when tuipolotu had his debut from the bench for Scotland and barely made a dent. It often takes time to settle in and he's had 2 caps? Not every player is a Hogg, Russell or for a more recent comparison, Paterson! I remember Mark Bennett's debut him dropping a load passes! None of us would say he was a bad international!

[bsando]

I look back on that Morrison/De Luca centre combo with a pinch of nostalgia these days. 

Jimbo, Healy said in an interview with TOSL that it’s perfectly normal to have a poor game during the six nations due to (points made in the article) etc. So Edinburgh get a pass for that performance.

Although England haven’t looked great they’re pretty dogged. It’ll be a tough one to call for the bookies. Having kinghorn back will be a big boost. Shame to hear Graham may be out but no rush for him as we’re well covered. Getting Nel back will be a big boost as well.

[jimbopip]

Lads, I was at a VP's lunch on Saturday and was very much in the minority when I said I thought England would grind out a win. I think they will..we're doomed. Doomed ah say.

p.s. Pipetto played 9 and was quite impressive. if only he'd take the game seriously and consider turning up for training once in a while.

[jimbopip]

Javan Sebastian, Ross McCann and Josh Bayliss drop out of the squad.
Hamish frae the Glen, Malcolm Bradbury, Alex Craig and Old Uncle Nel are called up. ADHD still pulling a sickie.
So it's prop replaced by prop, winger replaced by lock and back row replaced by two back rows.
Are we going for bulk this week?
Or bulky squad members to replicate the subtle, sophisticated plays England will attempt to surprise us with?

Oh and Blairhorn is back.

[lostinwales]

Never heard of Manchester being called 'The Glen' before

[bsando]

I saw Wales have locked in a tour of Aus and a one off vs SA this summer.

With England going up against NZ, Ireland playing SA and France taking on Argentina what does that leave us?

I'd love to see another tour of the Pacific Islands, but last article I read was that we'd be playing Canada, USA and Chile. Didn't we do that in 2022??

[RDW]

I saw Wales have locked in a tour of Aus and a one off vs SA this summer.

With England going up against NZ, Ireland playing SA and France taking on Argentina what does that leave us?

I'd love to see another tour of the Pacific Islands, but last article I read was that we'd be playing Canada, USA and Chile. Didn't we do that in 2022??

Seems that way, which is a bit of a waste other than bringing a hugely inexperienced squad. But they'll get harder games playing for their clubs. Pacific tour next year with the Lions being in Aus.

It does seem we've been left far behind in arguing decent fixtures for our summer tours.

[George Carlin]

Apparently we are playing a 3 test series against Italy Under 20s - that should sharpen us up.

[Hazel Sapling]

I don't mind us having a weak summer tour the year after the RWC. A lot of our squad will have been going full bore since last June without having had much of a break. Guys like Schoeman, Turner, Fagersonx2, R Gray, Dempsey, White, Russell, Huwipulotu and VDM likely need the summer off. That is particularly true if Glasgow or Edinburgh get deep into the league playoffs.

Next summer, I would want us to go to Australia or Argentina but if we end up with Japan, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, it is not the end of the world. Away in Fiji is not far off in standard from either of those two teams.

It is summer 2026 where I would want to tour SA or NZ. That is the one where we need to be battle tested and really go for it. If it were possible and it is NZ, I would take an A side to play the Super Rugby franchises and turn it into a proper full-out tour.

[BigGee]

I agree with Hazel.

These guys will be out on their feet by the end of this season and some of them will be looking at a Lions tour next year.

A good year to take some of the young kids away and see whst they are about!

[tigertattie]

Well there you go. Time for Toonie to go I think

I’ve never been one to jump on the Toonie Oot bandwagon mostly due to who could we replace him with, but his comments today are proof he needs to go

Playing England is the biggest game for us??? It’s the one we focus on???

This is exactly what is wrong with Scottish rugby. “As long as we beat England” is precisely why we fail to beat any other “big” team. It sounds like the players and coaches only get up for England game and that in today’s professional game is just not acceptable

[Heaf]

Given Scotland's recent successes that does sound like he lacks ambition if all he wants to do is beat England again ... especially as I'd think Scotland must be favourites at the moment ...

[NeilyBroon]

Well there you go. Time for Toonie to go I think

I’ve never been one to jump on the Toonie Oot bandwagon mostly due to who could we replace him with, but his comments today are proof he needs to go

Playing England is the biggest game for us??? It’s the one we focus on???

This is exactly what is wrong with Scottish rugby. “As long as we beat England” is precisely why we fail to beat any other “big” team. It sounds like the players and coaches only get up for England game and that in today’s professional game is just not acceptable

Looking forward to our half arsed effort in Dublin then

[NeilyBroon]

Well there you go. Time for Toonie to go I think

I’ve never been one to jump on the Toonie Oot bandwagon mostly due to who could we replace him with, but his comments today are proof he needs to go

Playing England is the biggest game for us??? It’s the one we focus on???

This is exactly what is wrong with Scottish rugby. “As long as we beat England” is precisely why we fail to beat any other “big” team. It sounds like the players and coaches only get up for England game and that in today’s professional game is just not acceptable

Looking forward to our half arsed effort in Dublin then

(Ps welcome to the club, we don't produce any results or change anything but we've got t-shirts)

[NeilyBroon]

The less cynical part of me thinks this is for netflix drama and we'll see Toonie get a 5 year contract for stranger things season 6-15, with an extension to half of season 18

[Mcsweens]

The less cynical part of me thinks this is for netflix drama and we'll see Toonie get a 5 year contract for stranger things season 6-15, with an extension to half of season 18

Duhan and Daddy Gregor have been signed up for Saltburn 2

[RDW]

Darcy Graham ruled out of the whole tournament with his groin issue still causing problems. May need surgery.

A few years ago this would have been a major blow, but with Steyn and Rowe doing well we're now well stocked on the wings.

You hope he can recover fully from this as he's got plenty years left to play and these types of injuries aren't good for a winger!

[George Carlin]

That's a real b@gger. We do have cover but Graham is a game changer and those other two gents aren't in the same way. Again, proof that modern players play a hell of a lot of games and we need to look after them. There's a lot of competition to be sure, but I was hoping to see Darcy on the Lions tour.

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