Back to Square One?
Post-Ireland fallout
HELLO DARKNESS: Our old friend, has come to talk to us again. Back to back home losses by less than a score and Scotland’s outside chance of winning the Six Nations has slipped away as fast as Daryll Marfo’s international career (but not half as glorious a blaze). Join us for a doom scroll through the highs and lows of another week as a Scotland rugby fan.
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IT REALLY IS SHITE BEING SCOTTISH: Scotland suffered their second consecutive home defeat in this year’s Six Nations, with Jonny Sexton’s late penalty securing a 27-24 victory for the Irish in a topsy-turvy encounter.
Whilst close on paper, it felt like Scotland were never really at the races, and it was only the sheer bloody-mindedness of individuals like Hamish Watson that dragged them back into the contest.
Townsend’s men started poorly, hesitancy and misreads in defence allowing Ireland easy territory. After converting a penalty, Sexton’s well-placed crossfield kick was misfielded by Hogg and Harris, and pounced on by Robbie Henshaw. Russell closed the gap with 3 points of his own, but Scotland were living off scraps, unable to hold the ball for any meaningful period and coming off second best at the set piece, particularly the lineout. However, they somehow took the lead with a freakish try of their own, a Hoggy charge down bouncing off the fullback’s chin before Russell dribbled the ball over the line. Were the Gods finally shining on Murrayfield?
Short answer: no. Through a combination of ill discipline and continued lineout malfunction, Ireland gradually built a 24-10 lead, Beirne crashing over for a controversial score and Sexton adding the conversion and a penalty of his own.
At this point all looked lost for Scotland. However, Huw Jones added a worldy try from out of nowhere, and then Watson smuggled the ball over the line despite the attentions of seemingly the entire Irish pack. Suddenly it was 24-24, and Scottish fans dared to dream of snatching an unlikely victory. However, all hope was swiftly crushed from the restart, when Ali Price’s box kick was charged down and he was then penalized in retreat. Sexton stepped up, slotted the 3 and consigned Scottish rugby to yet another Monday morning of misery and soul searching.
HOT TAKES: the Scotland performance was disappointing, and could be summed up by two damning statistics: 15 turnovers conceded and 75% of lineouts lost on own throw. Townsend’s men looked flat from the start, and were unable to muster the intensity we saw against England and in the first half against Wales.
Some commentators are claiming that the historic victory at Twickenham looks increasingly like a fluke, explained mainly by catching England cold rather than Scottish brilliance. While Thistle HQ would argue with that assessment, finishing the tournament with just 2 wins (is France likely a step too far?) following the opening day heroics would be a massive missed opportunity. We still believe that Townsend is the best man for the job, but with each year that Scotland fail to deliver on their supposed potential, the doubt and clamour for change will grow.
ITALY: the good news is that Scotland now face Italy at Murrayfield, in the first of the Super Saturday fixtures. Franco Smith’s men have been little short of woeful this year, and now have to look back to 2015 for their last victory in the Six Nations (yes, against Scotland obviously). We really should expect to win this one comfortably, even without Russell, Jonny Gray and Scott Cummings whom are set to miss out with injury. Surely? Please?
In the squad update following the Ireland game, Zander Fagerson returned following his ban (remember how terrible and boring that episode was?) and is joined in the squad - but unlikely the 23 - Damien Hoyland and Glasgow bound Ally Miller.
Despite some speculation (wild conjecture) that one of the young guns would be called up, it looks like Jaco VDV will step up if Finn doesnt pass the return to play concussion protocols. Unless…#hoggat10
ROBMAC: they may no longer be our undefeated sponsors, but we continue to be proud to work with sponsor RobMac throughout the Six Nations. RobMac are an independent financial advisor specialising in mortgage management, financial planning and investments. We know the team at RobMac well and they are just as keen on Scottish rugby as we are so it makes a great fit.
You can check them out at robmac.co.uk
PRO SIDE OPTIMISM: The weekend had started so well, with solid wins for both the pro sides in their Pro 14 match ups.
Glasgow came from behind to seal an impressive win over the Ospreys on Friday night, keeping their faint Champions Cup qualification chances alive. Despite trailing 9-15 at the break, Lee Jones’ length of the field effort and further scores from Rufus McLean and Aki Seiuli helped secure a 30-25 victory. Once again it was the Glasgow youngsters who impressed most. Ross Thompson showed a willingness to take the ball to the line, and his grubber kick through for the McLean score was a peach. Ollie Smith recovered well from another unfortunate yellow card, and it was his tackle on Dan Evans that led to Jones’ try, ultimately the turning point in the match. Next up are the Dragons away, and while Rodney Parade can be a difficult place to go, Glasgow should head into the match confident of picking up their 3rd win on the spin.
Danny Wilson has come in for a lot of criticism (us included) since being appointed Warrios head coach, but a combination of recent results, exciting signing news and the enthusiasm of youth are leading to a new air of optimism around Scotstoun.
Edinburgh then snatched victory at the death at the Connacht Sportsground, Nathan Chamberlain’s last gasp try and conversion sealing a gritty 15-14 win. This is exactly the sort of win in adversity that has been missing from Richard Cockerill’s men in recent months, and stands them in good stead in terms of qualification for next year’s Champions Cup.
Yet no sooner had the dust settled on a grim Sunday for Scottish rugby fans, than rumours emerged that Clermont are lining up Cockerill to replace current coach Frank Azema. Cockers knows the club well, having lined up in the yellow and blue as a player following his Leicester days, and was offered the head coach role back in 2014, to replace the departing Vern Cotter. Although contracted until 2021, the Clermont role is a biggie…
JOBS FOR THE BOYS? Glasgow have also made changes to their back room staff, with former captain, and arguably the most Glaswegian man alive, Al Kellock being appointed as MD, with current incumbent Nathan Bombrys moving upstairs to the SRU big hoose. On the surface this looks like the definition of ‘jobs for the boys’, especially given the centralisation of control within Scottish rugby. However, Kellock has been working within business development at Murrayfield since 2017, most recently as interim head of commercial. Still the owner of Finsbay Flatiron in Milngavie, he can at the least ensure a steady supply of post match Tennents for his former teammates.
REINFORCEMENTS ROUND-UP: apparently signings at Scotstoun are like buses: you wait for ages for one and then a load come along at the same time (we love a lazy cliche at Thistle HQ).
Glasgow have added yet another exciting addition for next season in the shape of Argentinian flyhalf Domingo Miotti. Currently playing for the Western Force in Aussie Super Rugby, the 21-year old is seen as the heir apparent to current Argentina pivot Nicholas Sanchez. He will likely be battling it out with the Pudding for the starting 10 spot (although Ross Thompson might have something to say about that) next season.
With rumours that the Jaguares are looking to join the Pro 14 in some capacity (with a Bilbao base), this might be the beginning of a trend of Argies attaching themselves to European sides. Our extremely limited knowledge of Spanish (and some beady eyed Twitter followers) suggests that Pumas winger Sebastian Cancelliere is also on his way to Scotstoun further down the line.
Not to be outdone down the M8, Edinburgh have added some decent quality for next season with the addition of SQ scrum half Ben Velacott from Wasps and tight head prop Luan De Bruin from the Cheetahs (via Leicester). Vellacott will hopefully add some zip from the base that has been lacking at Edinburgh under Pyrgos and Groom, while De Bruin is a South African prop - need we say more?
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE: the money men are here and the SRU are proclaiming the arrival of a new “long-term strategic partnership with CVC Fund VII”.
We plan to do a deep dive into the CVC investment later this year so keep your eyes peeled. In the mean time, the SRU statement was awash with corporate jargon and the usual platitudes so we thought we would help the Scottish rugby public by translating the statement into simpler terms
Official - “The arrival of CVC is a timely and strong expression of confidence in rugby”
Translation - "If CVC weren’t handing us a bucket load of cash we genuinely might be fucked”
Official - “Will directly benefit the wider game in Scotland in years to come”
Translation - “You will not believe the size of the chalet Dodson is eyeing up in Courchevel”
Official - “If Six Nations meets various future financial performance conditions”
Translation - “If Jeff Bezos gets his chequebook out”
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PREMIER ONLY IN NAME: reports in the Rugby Paper are suggesting coverage of the Pro 14/15/16 (it is easy to lose track) will move to Sky Sports next year, news that will be warmly received by Edinburgh and Glasgow fans weary of Premier Sports’ ham-fisted coverage in recent years. But maybe we will miss the shockingly one-eyed Irish pundits, match streams randomly disappearing permanently into the ether, and a seeming refusal to show post-match higlights? Surely things can only get better…
AOB:
Finn Russell showing in this recent interview with good pals Ryan Wilson and Simon Zebo that despite being at the top of his field, he really does give zero fucks.
Matt Fagerson on his brother’s red card versus Wales, telling it like it is:
Praise be, King Marfo has resumed his rightful place at the high table of professional rugby.
SCOTS ABROAD
London Irish vs Worcester Warriors
Blair Cowan (7) vs Isaac Millar (16), Tom Dodd (19), Cornell Du Preez (20)
Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers
Jack Stanley (3), Alex Craig (19), Charlie Chapman (21) vs
Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks
Fraser Dingwall (13), Rory Hutchinson (22) vs Byron McGuigan (14)
Newcastle Falcons vs Bath
Gary Graham (6), John Hardie (20) vs
Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins
Sam Skinner (5), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (21) vs Glen Young (19)
Bristol Bears vs Wasps
Vs Jack Owlett (18), Ben Vellacott (21)
Doncaster vs Coventry
Robin Hislop (1)
Saracens vs Jersey Reds
Callum Hunter-Hill (4), Tim Swinson (5), Duncan Taylor (13) vs Lewis Wynne (7), Jack Macfarlane (16)
Ealing Trailfinders vs Ampthill
Kyle Whyte (1), Kieran Murphy (6), Fraser Strachan (12), Alun Walker (16) vs Devante Onojaife (8)
Biarritz vs Oyonnax
Andrew Crammond (5) vs Josh Strauss (8)
Montauban vs Vannes
Vs Ewan Johnson (5)
Toshiba Brave Lupus vs Suntory Sungoliath
Sam Thomson (19)
Mitsubishi Dynaboars vs NTT Communications Shining Arcs
vs Greig Laidlaw (9)