Scottish State of Origin
Unite the Clans
WELCOME BACK: short and sweet this week (Matt Williams and Stephen Jones have been remarkably quiet of late), as we look back at a disappointing loss for the Scotland Women, continue to plug our undeniably great Scottish State of Origin idea to anyone who will listen, and pick out the best bits from the week that was in Scottish rugby. As ever, if you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share this post using the links below.
BUY US A COFFEE! If you like what you're hearing and reading from the Thistle, you can now use the button below to 'buy us a coffee' (or maybe a few warm cans of Tennents) and show your support for the Pod! Thanks!
PROSECCO’D: Scotland Women slipped to their second consecutive defeat in this year’s Six Nations, going down 41-20 to an impressive Italian side. While the Scots were just 9 points adrift at half time, in truth Italy looked comfortable throughout and were rewarded for their enterprising style of play with 7 tries. Scotland will now face Wales in next week’s 5th/6th playoff match.
Although Italy have had the better of the two in recent years, Bryan Easson’s charges would have been targeting this match as very winnable. Despite first half scores from Lana Skeldon and Emma Wassell, Scotland struggled to cope with the Italian’s offloading game and fell away badly in the final quarter.
Despite last year’s historic draw versus France, the Women’s side’s recent playing record, particularly at home, makes for tough reading, as pointed out by friend of the pod Gary Heatly. Fundamentally the players are up against it, their funding and resources paling in comparison to the rest of the Six Nations sides. It feels like some structural changes need to take place if the SRU are as serious about the women’s game as they claim.
ROBMAC: we are delighted to continue our partnership with sponsor RobMac, which so far has witnessed the Scotland national side make history on two separate occasions. 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
UNITE THE CLANS: in last week’s issue we pondered what a Scottish version of the State of Origin could look like. Well, don’t say we’re not good to you. The Thistle have drawn up 4 hypothetical sides from all current pros in Scotland, using place of birth as the key selection criteria, based on the old district system. Some players have been reallocated regions based on player need - e.g. Dave Cherry is selected for Caledonia despite being born in Edinburgh. And before some disgruntled Galloway folk complain, in order to ensure a fair spread of players, Dumfries has been classified as Borders - soz.
First up, Edinburgh Gunners:
Followed by the Caledonia Reds:
The return of the Border Rievers / The South:
And last but not least, Glasgow/Ayrshire:
While there are doubtless challenges to running such a tournament, why not make try and make this hypothetical a reality? Judging by the Twitter reaction below, both fans and players would be bang up for the idea. The ball is in your court, SRU.
TOKYO TIME: big congratulations to Scottish duo Holly Davidson and Sam Grove-White, who have been selected to referee at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo. Hopefully there will be similar representation in the Men’s and Women’s 7s sides selected.
SCOTS ABROAD:
Gallagher Premiership
Northampton v London Irish: Fraser Dingwall (13) and Rory Hutchinson (22) v Alan Dell (1) and Blair Cowan (7)
Exeter v Wasps: Stuart Hogg (15) and Jonny Gray (19) v Ben Vellacott (21). Hogg bagged himself a brace of tries, including the absolute worldy below:
Sale v Gloucester: v Charlie Chapman (9) and Chris Harris (13)
Harlequins v Worcester: v Isaac Miller (16) and Tom Dodd (20)
Newcastle v Bristol: Gary Graham (23) v
Bath v Leicester: Cam Redpath (12) v Matt Scott (23)
Japan Top League
Suntory Sungoliath v Shining Arcs: Laidlaw on the end of an absolute pasting here, as former World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett helped himself to a hatrick.
PLUGGING: You can subscribe to the podcast here: https://play.acast.com/s/thethistle
Make sure to check out this week’s extra special episode with Jonnie Beattie:
Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thistle_rugby_pod/?hl=en
Follow us on twitter here: https://twitter.com/thistlerugbypod