Scott Johnson who?
Scotland overcome the Aussies and Super 6 expansion
WELCOME: yesterday’s arm wrestle against Australia was a cagey affair and a draining experience for Scottish rugby fans, yet here we are on Monday morning reflecting on yet another victory over the Aussies and two consecutive wins for the Autumn that have set up Scotland very nicely for the weekend’s tilt against South Africa. Although far from a classic, what matters is the win, and perhaps more importantly, the return of a fully sold-out BT Murrayfield™. In this week’s newsletter we devote our attention to the weekend’s international action, provide reaction to Friday’s news that the Super 6 is set to be expanded, and as ever attempt to crow bar as many puns as possible into 1000 words.
MATCHPINT: we are absolutely delighted to be partnering with MatchPint for the Autumn Internationals (aka the Bezos Cup), and have some very special treats for the Thistle faithful. As well as helping sports fans find great places to watch sport with friends, MatchPint host fantastic games during major sporting tournaments, most notably their famous Guinness Pint Predictor leagues. We have been honoured with our very own Thistle league, where you can test your predictions against fellow Scottish rugby fans and win some great prizes in the process, including free pints of the black stuff and a signed Scotland rugby ball for the overall winner. So far there are 300 members playing, so get involved using the instructions below, and enjoy!
DAVE RENNIE WHO? Scotland earned a hard fought 15-13 victory over Dave Rennie’s Australia, Ewan Ashman’s balletic finish proving the decisive score in what was a compelling encounter. The match was scrappy in the main, due to a mixture of rustiness (the first time this Scotland team had played together since the end of the Six Nations) and an ambition to play wide from both sides that was not quite matched on the execution front. It took half an hour for the first points to come, Hamish Watson flopping over after a series of rolling mauls close to the Aussie line, justifying Hogg and Russell’s decision not to take the easy three. Scotland then rode their luck somewhat, with two Aussie tries disallowed for earlier infringements, before conceding a relatively soft try as Rob Leota took advantage of some generous tackling. But Townsend’s men kept their cool, and worked an opportunity for replacement hooker Ewan Ashman (on debut) to squeeze over with a finish out of the top drawer. Russell added another three later on and Scotland were able to close out the game.
While Townsend will look for improvements to the performance next week - the ambition to attack was admirable, yet the decision making and execution at times was lacking - this should come with time, and on the day the most important thing was the victory. Toonie spoke in glowing terms of the mental strength his side showed throughout. This was the third consecutive win for Scotland against Australia, and the national side’s fourth win on the trot (Italy, France, Tonga and Australia), setting up Scotland very nicely as the world champions South Africa come to town.
NEWBIES: Ewan Ashman was likely expecting 10-15 minutes of game time on his Scotland debut, but coped admirably after George Turner left the field after just 11 minutes (with a rib injury we understand). His set piece work was tidy, and in the loose he looks just as capable as Turner or McInally. South Africa would be an even bigger test, but the Sale hooker looks to the manor born. Add Fraser Brown, Jake Kerr and Dave Cherry to the mix, and Scotland’s hooker ranks are starting to look very strong.
Josh Bayliss also looks like a handy international option, with the ability to cover the back five of the scrum, and made the most of his limited involvement, the highlight a strong strip as Scotland looked to close out the match. With Bath faltering, might his head be turned by a move north? Although technically not his debut, Pierre Schoeman stood up well against a higher level of competition: given Rory Sutherland remains out of action, his qualification on residency grounds couldn’t have come at a better time.
RUSSELL’s TIME? as attention turns to South Africa this weekend, our beloved narrative is working overtime: this is the chance for Finn Russell, on the back of his maverick showing in the third Lions test, to lead Scotland to victory and show Gatland et al what they should have been doing in the first place. While Finn’s performance yesterday was a mixed bag, there were flashes of that Lions performance, particularly in his offloading game. While games against South Africa are never easy, the world champs have had a difficult few months, and only narrowly defeated Wales on Saturday. This is a golden opportunity for Finn and co to lay down a massive marker. Townsend will be tempted to keep a settled 23, although Ashman may come in for Turner and Cummings could return in place of Skinner.
SUPER 8? News reached Thistle HQ on Friday night that the SRU are intent on expanding the Super 6, with plans to add London Scottish and a Glasgow-based franchise to the competition. An email sent to London Scottish members and supporters (see details below) confirmed that the club has been invited to join the tournament for the 2022/23 season. The SRU have apparently committed to £150,000 of funding (around the same amount Scottish receive from the RFU for playing in the Championship) which the club will presumably have to match, while the RFU are supportive in principle, as long as Scottish retains a community base in its traditional Richmond home. This seems like a win-win for all involved. London Scottish have struggled to find their place in a Championship which is increasingly becoming about the haves and have nots, and the Super 8 would allow them to fully embrace a more sustainable semi professional model. Meanwhile, the SRU gain access to the diaspora of Scottish rugby supporters based in London, which should open up both playing and commercial opportunities.
The email also revealed that a ‘Glasgow’ team is set to be added to the mix, although details are scant at this stage. This is another encouraging move, as the SRU cannot afford to miss out on such a large player pool. Potential candidates for the franchise would include Glasgow Hawks, GHA and maybe even Marr (although some of the Troon faithful may balk at being labelled ‘Glaswegian’).
SCOTS ABROAD
English Premiership
Leicester v Bath: Matt Scott (13) v D’Arcy Rae (3), Scott responding well to being left out of the national squad with a fine try after cutting a sharp angle in the midfield.
Bristol v Worcester: Jake Kerr (16) v
Saracens v London Irish: Tim Swinson (5), Andy Christie (6), Duncan Taylor (12) and Sean Maitland (23) v Kyle Rowe (14) and Alan Dell (17). Former Scotland Sevens man Rowe has made a blistering start to his Irish career, and crossed for just the three tries, including a slaloming run worldie (highlights below)
Sale v Northampton: Bevan Rodd (1), Gus Warr (9) and Byron McGuigan (14) v Rory Hutchinson (12) and Nick Auterac (19)
Exeter v Newcastle: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (21) v Gary Graham (19)
Wasps v Harlequins: Robin Hislop (1) and Elliot Millar Mills (18) v Scott Steele (21)
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