A FOOL'S HOPE
Pretty bad weekend that, at least Glasgow won eh?
WELCOME: normally sitting down to write this newsletter on a Sunday afternoon, cup of tea in hand, is a pleasant way to close out the weekend. Even when Scotland or one of the pro sides has lost, there are typically at least a handful of positives to cover, or at the worst some good gallows humour across our social media channels. But this week feels different somehow. Make no mistake, yesterday’s loss at the Principality was a major disappointment. Sure, this Scotland team has not become a bad one overnight (will people please stop saying that), but despite being well placed to break our 20-year plus duck in Cardiff, once again we showed our chronic inability to back up big wins, particularly away from home. It’s not a stretch to say Finn, Hogg et al represent a golden generation, so if we can’t make a statement in this tournament now, then will we ever be able to? “There never was much hope, only a fool’s hope” - maybe Gandalf was right about Scottish rugby after all.
MATCHPINT: another reminder that we have once again partnered with our good friends MatchPint for this year’s Six Nations. For the chance to win FREE PINTS (and bragging rights with friends), make sure to join our league on the MatchPint app and get your predictions in. Further details below:
DO WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS? Scotland continued their recent abysmal record at the Principality on Saturday afternoon, going down 20-17 to their Welsh hosts. Although the scoreboard would suggest a tight match, Wales won most of the key battles and played the percentages far better than the visitors, who were once again left rueing periods of ill discipline, poor kicking and errors in attack. As captain Stuart Hogg said in the aftermath, “Cheap field position, cheap penalties, cheap knock ons.” Spot on, my friend.
Scotland recovered well after an inauspicious start, Wales quickly edging ahead courtersy of two penalties from Dan Biggar, the first after WP Nel was penalized at scrum number one and the second for not rolling away at the ruck. However, after a glorious attack spanning 17 phases, the in-form Darcy Graham finished well in the corner, despite the attentions of Louis Rees-Zammit.
Russell missed the tough conversion but then banged over two penalties to take Scotland into an 11-6 lead that their enterprise in attack merited. Another Biggar penalty was cancelled out by three of his own from Russell, before the momentum began to swing the way of the home side. After Sam Skinner was penalized (somewhat harshly) for not rolling away at a ruck, Wales went for broke and kicked to the corner, the decision vindicated when Tomas Francis flopped over after a rolling maul. As both sides trotted towards the changing room, the game square at 14-14, there was a sense that Scotland were still reasonably well placed for victory, if they could sort their discipline and generally tighten things up.
However, the second half was little short of disastrous from a Scottish perspective. Although Russell stroked over another penalty, following a bullocking run from Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland then hit the self destruct button. Daft penalties at the breakdown, lineout wobbles, poor kicking, carelessness going into contact: you name it, Scotland were guilty as charged. Finn’s braindead yellow card, which eventually led to Biggar’s winning drop goal, rather summed up the horrow show.
While we can admire how the under pressure home side managed to carve out the win, in truth this was one of the weakest Welsh sides in recent memory. This Scotland team playing anywhere close to its potential really should have had too much for them. But, as ever, shoulda, woulda, coulda.
Our so-called big name players failed to fire, while the much heralded ‘bam squad’ of Turner, Sutherland and Fagerson failed to make much of an impact from the bench (calling into question the wholesale changes Townsend made to his front row), all guilty of giving away careless penalties, and failing to shore up the set piece. We know how good this Scotland squad can be on its day, but the poor execution and lack of game management throughout - in total contrast to last weekend - perhaps suggests the issue is psychological rather than anything to do with rugby ability. The key issues appear to be: coping with the ‘favourites’ tag, performing when away from home, and backing up big wins.
Highlights below (we can’t yet bring ourselves to click the play button):
It was once again left to long-suffering Scotland rugby scribe Tom English to sum up the situation far better than we ever could. Trigger warning: this is a very tough read.
PLAYER RATINGS: With the exception of perhaps Pierre Schoeman, who put in a power of work in the loose, and Matt Fagerson before his injury, the Scotland pack were outplayed and outmuscled by their opponents. Gilchrist and Gray both struggled to impose themselves, Skinner was busy but we missed Jamie Ritchie, and Watson (key turnover aside) was quiet once again.
In the backs, Darcy Graham continued where he left off last week, buzzing with the ball in hand and hitting hard in defence. Imagine if Duhan - who had a rare off day - had a similar mentality? Sione Tuipulotu showed up well when given chances, and seemed to always make yards with the ball in hand. Price and Hogg had their moments but weren’t able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. In the end Finn was outplayed by his opposite number Dan Biggar, and his yellow card compounded a number of errors throughout - did that woeful drop kick attempt in the second half perhaps sum up where he was mentally on the day?
Still, at least we will always have the memories from a great day out (for the record, Finn is a listener).
PLUS CA CHANGE? so France, victors over an imperious Ireland side at the weekend, next week - oh goodie. The Six Nations hits hard when it wants to. Oddly enough after the Welsh debacle, Scotland actually have a decent chance of winning this one. Our record over the French in recent years, particularly at home, is exemplary - Galthie and co have not win at Murrayfield in the Championship since 2014! Although the French juggernaut is gathering steam, we know that it can sputter at times, and there has to be a big reaction from Townsend’s men if they are to salvage anything from this campaign.
If as likely Toonie decides to wind up his tombola, who could we expect to come into the reckoning? Cam Redpath looked sharp when introduced to the fray, but Tuipulotu did enough in patches to suggest sticking with him. Maybe Townsend will revert back to the starting front row against England, and there is perhaps a case for introducing more of a specialist flanker - either Darge or Christie - in place of Sam Skinner, who could move up into the row?
PRO TEAMS ROUND-UP: amid all the excitement and anguish of Saturday afternoon, it was easy to forget that both the Scottish pro sides were in action on Friday evening. First up was Edinburgh’s daunting trip to face Leinster at the RDS. Shorn of no less than 22 players due to injuries and international call-ups, this was always likely to be an uphill task, yet Mike Blair’s men battled valiantly, and the eventual 26-7 scoreline could have been closer had some dodgy decisions gone their way. On another note, petition to ban Stephen Ferris from ever commentating on a URC match? Highlights below:
Glasgow fared better in the later kick-off, overcoming Munster 13-11 at a bouncing Scotstoun. Danny Wilson’s men have had an inconsistent season, but the manner of the victory was pleasing, particularly as Munster are experts in coming out top in tight encounters. Scott Cummings’ try - below - was a timely reminder to Gregor Townsend that he is not going anywhere any time soon. Slowly but surely the Warriors have established themselves in the URC top four, and suddenly find themselves ahead of former leaders Edinburgh. Fair play lads.
U-20s: The Scotland Young Team suffered their second consecutive loss in the U-20s Six Nations Championship, going down 23-16 to their Welsh counterparts in Colwyn Bay. Once again Kenny Murray’s men fell away badly in the final third of the match, conceding three tries in the final 12 minutes, and will be wondering how they managed to surrender a 10-0 lead they held early in the second half. With Italy beating England on Friday night, are the young lads staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon? Highlights below:
SCOTS ABROAD
Bristol v London Irish: Jake Kerr (16) v Kyle Rowe (23)
Leicester v Northampton: Matt Scott (22) v Rory Hutchinson (12) and Fraser Dingwall (13) - Hutch crossing for a try on his 100th cap for the Saints.
Exeter v Gloucester: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (9) and Ollie Leatherbarrow (20) v Jack Singleton (2), Andrew Davidson (19) Charlie Chapman (21) and Adam Hastings (22).
Wasps v Bath: Robin Hislop (1) v D’arcy Rae (3) - a tasty Scottish match up in the front row.
Saracens v Harlequins: Callum Hunter-Hill (4), Tim Swinson (5), Sean Maitland (14) and Andy Christie (19) v Mak Wilson (17)
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