Hagabis x Covid
WELCOME BACK: HWFG go then, a week off Six Nations action, just enough time to recover from that Wales defeat, and France to look forward to on Sunday. But, typical of the last 12 months, here comes another curve ball, with the French squad returning a number of positive Covid tests over the last week that are seemingly increasing by the day. Will the match be rescheduled? France forced into fielding a 3rd string side? Scotland awarded a 28-0 walkover? As per in the world of Scottish rugby, things are never easy.
In this week’s newsletter we preview the (potential) France match up, give our views on the Zander Fagerson judicial process, look at some exciting new signings for Glasgow, and much more. And as ever, there will be puns.
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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
FRANCE PREVIEW: Scotland’s Six Nations match in Paris on Sunday has been thrown into doubt after a number of positive Covid cases within the French camp. Since the news last week that a backroom staff member had contracted the virus, coaches Fabien Galthie and William Servat, and a host of players including Anton DuPont, Mohamed Houas, Brice Dulin and captain Charles Ollivon, have returned positive tests and will be unavailable this weekend.
SHOT ACROSS THE BOWS: The SRU have been quick out of the gate to push for the game to go ahead. They have cited the implications of being forced to field a weaker team due to player release agreements with clubs. This would see the likes of Hogg, Gray and Finn return to their clubs and miss the re-arranged fixture. With the outbreak seemingly confined to the French camp, it would seem unfair for Scotland to be disadvantaged by a delay. This all sounds a bit familiar doesn’t it?
HAGABIS v2: Mark Dodson is not shy in starting legal disputes during international rugby tournaments, and this pre-emptive statement is reminiscent on Dodson’s fateful appearance on the Today Programme talking about taking legal action again World Rugby. Annnnnd we all remember how well that worked out.
QUESTION TIME: Surely the 6nations organisers foresaw the chance of a postponement during a global pandemic. If so, what terms did the teams sign up to? Have the SRU agreed to the potential of a postponement ahead of the tournament? If so, this sound and fury wont stand for much.
QUESTION TIME 2: If postponement is the default, can they guarentee that next weekend will be fine for the French? With cases spiralling, and French government restrictions being 10 days isolation from date of test, it doesn’t look too hot either.
BETTER CALL SAUL: Time to lawyer up…
CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: Just after we pressed send on the newsletter, the latest round of results came back clean from the French camp…did Scotland shoot their load early?
OH MY JOSH: ahead of the French contest, Gregor Townsend has added 7 new members to his squad. Adam Hastings return is a welcome one, Sam Johnson continues his comeback from injury and Jamie Dobie graduates from apprentice to gain a full-time spot.
However, the most interesting - and unexpected - name was that of Bath flanker Josh Bayliss. The 23-year old 6/8 has earned rave reviews for his performance this season, and adds another backrow option to the mix. Capped by England at U-20 level but SQP thanks to an Aberdonian grandmother, Bayliss is the SRU’s latest raid south of the border. Bath DoR Stuart Hooper must be sick of the sight of Townsend’s number coming up on his phone.
BAN-DER FAGERSON: The ‘Justice for Zander’ bandwagon has been picking up speed and support since his 4 match ban was announced. Not always a fan of Scotland, Stephen Ferris came out on Zander’s side, citing the inconsistency in policy application vs the red given to Pete O’Mahony the week before. In their squad announcement the SRU confirmed they are appealing the judgement, so we will see if he can make it back for the Italy game.
ANNUS HORRIBILIS: despite the return of key men like Sam Johnson and Adam Hastings, Glasgow fell to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Ulster. Despite dominating first half possession, the Warriors were unable to convert their advantage into points on the board. Where have we seen that recently?
Edinburgh duly followed suit on Saturday, going down 10-22 against Conference B leaders Munster. Cockerill will be disappointed with the result given the starting XV contained the likes of Schoeman, Gilchrist, Mata, Pyrgos and Van der Walt. Although Edinburgh still have a chance of a top-3 conference finish (and therefore Champions Cup qualification), it increasingly looks like the season is over for the pro games.
Walking stat machine Kevin Millar (aka Top of the Moon) ruined all our weekends when he revealed it is now a year since a Scottish team beat an Irish side in the Pro 14. Is it any wonder that Ireland are increasingly our Six Nations bogey team?
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THE REAL MCKAY: Glasgow had promised anxious fans that new additions to the squad were imminent, and last week didn’t disappoint.
Despite perhaps not being a household name, Kiwi fullback Josh McKay is one of the most exciting signings made by the pro teams in recent years. With 3 years of Super Rugby experience gained at the Highlanders, and having been added to the Crusaders squad (albeit as injury cover) for the 2021 season, McKay adds real quality in a position where Glasgow desperately needed to strengthen. The former New Zealand age group man is a silky runner with a deceptive side step and reportedly incredible speed over 10m, and is also an accomplished defender - the highlight reels below speak for themselves:
Bizzarely, despite his surname and hailing from the south island of New Zealand, McKay doesn’t appear to be Scots-qualified, and will have to take the residency route to international honours. At just 23, this longer-term option surely would have featured in the SRU’s decision.
HUW TODAY GONE TOMORROW? As an aside, it will be interesting what this news means for Huw Jones, whose future remains unclear. Would the carrot of the 13 shirt (rather than the makeshift fullback role he has been lumped with this season) be enough to convince him to stay at Glasgow?
FOR YOUR PIES ONLY: the search for McKay highlights on YouTube revealed he is more than just a rugby player, as the video below shows. You can just see the SRU licking their lips at the prospect of a Tom Kitchin/Josh McKay cullen skink collaboration.
HIT THE ROAD JACK: prior to the McKay news, Glasgow also announced the signing of Aussie back row Jack Dempsey. Although injury (a dodgy hamstring it seems) has restricted his game time in recent years, the 26-year old boasts 14 caps for the Wallabies and close to 50 Super Rugby caps for the Waratahs. Providing he can keep fit, Dempsey appears to be the destructive ball carrier Warriors fans have been crying out for in recent times.
Ironically Dempsey is actually Scots-qualified, and was approached by the lesser-spotted Scott Johnson in 2017 about a switch in allegiances, but is tied by his Aussie caps.
THE COLE TRAIN: as officially broken by the Thistle investigative team (our Twitter DMs are always open for any Scottish rugby hearsay), it seems that former New Zealand age group stand-off Cole Forbes has been training with Glasgow. Forbes is apparently Scots-qualified, and we are hearing on the grapevine that he has won rave reviews from no less than Wayne Smith. It will be interesting to see if he is lined up as an option at 10 behind Duncan Weir and Ross Thompson.
SRU academy players’ Instagrams are increasingly golden sources of information…
UNDER THE SURFACE: @samfands on Twitter came up with this great depth chart covering the entire gamut of current Scottish professionals (including those set to make their MRL bow in the US!). Although fans often bemoan the lack of cover in key positions, it perhaps says something about the current state of the game that players like John Hardie, Ben Vellacott, Jake Kerr, Mitch Eadie, and Murray Douglas can be considered 7th choice and below.
SHOW ME THE MONEY: trust trained accountant Kevin Millar to subject the most recent set of SRU accounts to proper scrutiny. You can read the full piece here: https://ontopofthemoon.com/2021/02/21/the-srus-accounts-2019-20/
The SRU’s finances have led to much gnashing of teeth in recent months, perhaps a legacy of Dodson and co’s controversial pay packets from the previous year. Kev shows that the top brass have actually been doing a pretty decent job, particularly compared with the other home nation unions. The debate around how to allocate funds across the club and professional game is unlikely to be solved in the short-term, yet the SRU are perhaps investing more in the former than many think (while comparisons with other unions are often not on an apples to apples basis). As Kevin writes:
While staff costs have increased from 49.1% of revenues under Gordon McKie’s tenure to 51.6% under Dodson, this seems to be in line with other unions and is perhaps reflects the cost of recruitment in the current market. We should also remember that the SRU does not exist to make a profit, but rather its aim is to continue to invest in and grow the sport in Scotland.
There are perhaps some Scottish rugby journalists who could learn a thing or two from Kevin’s sound financial analysis…
‘FANTASY LEAGUE UPDATE: despite its technical shortcomings (we still have no idea why there is a 100-player limit on leagues), the Thistle Guiness Six Nations Fantasy League is going great guns. The imaginatively named ‘Ben Dover’ continues to lead across the three leagues, with 1782 points, after another strong week. Keep your eyes on the prize of that Thistle t-shirt.
We may also consider prizes for the best team names, with the shortlist so far including ‘Wuhan Van Der Merwe’, ‘Deep Rucking Value’ and (our personal favourite) ‘Paul Blart Mall Prop’.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Check out this Lovely Lions audition showreel for Ali Price:
While we can’t get enough of this bit of magic against Wales:
Hogg’s attacking stats have been off the charts so far this Six Nations:
Roy Hodgson in the stands at Murrayfield encapsulating all Scotland fans in that final play versus Wales:
Big in Japan?
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