Twat Williams
WELCOME BACK: fear not, we are back after a week’s hiatus to bring you our latest ramblings on the weird and wonderful world of Scottish rugby. Browsing our social media of late, it still amazes us quite how much news flow the game in Scotland can produce, even over a 7-day period. This week we look forward to the continuation of the Womens Six Nations, come to terms with the end of the pro teams European dreams, and give two old foes of Scottish rugby fans - Matt Williams and Stephen Jones - an extremely enjoyable going over. 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!
WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS: Scotland Women have a chance to bounce back from their opening day defeat in this year’s Six Nations when they entertain Italy at Scotstoun on Saturday. Although the 52-10 loss to England looks a particularly sore one, we should remember that this was Scotland’s first competitive rugby since October last year, and that they were facing an entirely professional side, armed with only the smattering of pros that head coach Bryan Easson can call upon. That the scoreline in the same fixture last year was 53-0 in favour of the Red Roses suggests that Scotland are gradually closing the gap.
Scotland would have always targeted the Italy game this year, although recent matches between the two have been reasonably close affairs. The match kicks off at 5pm on Saturday.
The greater interest in the women’s showpiece this year is encouraging, with the decision to stage the matches subsequent to rather than alongside the Men’s tournament seemingly paying dividends. It would be have been an additional touch for the BBC to show the matches live - where possible - rather than solely on the iPlayer.
Check out friend of the Pod Gary Heatly’s take on the women’s campaign so far:
CRASHING OUT OF EUROPE: even the most one-eyed of Scottish rugby fans would have been apprehensive ahead of last week’s European fixtures, with Edinburgh facing off against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup and Glasgow taking on Montpellier in the Challenge Cup, both away from home. However, there was still a sense of disappointment at how the pro sides exited their respective tournaments.
Glasgow showed enough in patches to suggest they should have beaten their hosts, but ultimately ill discipline (mainly from card machine TJ Ioane, who has since received a ban for his shoulder to the head red card) and poor decision making at key moments decided the match. Although Montpellier boast a selection of experienced French and South African internationals, ultimately they are an out of sorts outfit who are currently scraping around the bottom of the Top 14.
Even without the suspended Finn Russell, the Racing 92 juggernaut was always likely to have too much for an out of form Edinburgh side, but the manner of the defeat was still concerning. Absent a defiant Hamish Watson, the 56-3 scoreline could actually have looked a lot worse. In his post match interview, Cockerill pointed out Racing’s undeniably superior budget, but the manner in which the Edinburgh pack (all of whom are established internationals) is concerning.
Still, at least we can now look forward to the upcoming Rainbow Cup - oh, wait…
SOMEWHERE (?) OVER THE RAINBOW: the much-vaunted/confusing/Frankenstein-esque Rainbow Cup, has been thrown into chaos after reports that the South African sides have been told not to proceed with their visa applications, due to problems gaining clearance from the UK government. The initial Edinburgh v Glasgow domestic derbies will likely still go ahead, but if the South Africa teams are unable to travel, it does beg the question of how to fill these empty fixture slots. How about the SRU commits to an inter-district championship of sorts, with squads consisting of a mixture of established pros, Super 6 players and other promising youngsters? Selection could be decided on a State of Origin-like basis (e.g. Jamie Dobie, born in Inverness, would play for a Caledonia side; Luke Crosbie, born in Livingston, would play for Edinburgh). Matches could be played at smaller stadiums like mini-Murrayfield, Hughenden, Bridgehaugh, the Greenyards etc. We believe people could really get behind this sort of concept were it plugged properly - unite the clans.
ROBMAC: we are delighted to extend 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
TOONIE FOR LIONS: should the Lions tour South Africa this summer, Scotland are guaranteed some representation - at least on the coaching side - after it was confirmed that Gregor Townsend is set to be named as Warren Gatland’s attack coach. It is just reward for Townsend’s work with Scotland in recent years, and is hopefully a positive signal for Scottish players selection chances, particularly when it comes to marginal selection decisions (Duhan, Ritchie, Fagerson all spring to mind).
THE UBER TROLL: we have to give Times rugby writer Stephen Jones his due - he really does know how to make Scottish rugby fans blood boil, and ultimately, here we are once again giving oxygen to his writing. But in calling Six Nations player of the tournament Hamish Watson “lightweight” and arguing against his Lions selection, he really has taken it too far this time. Perhaps Jones is particularly bored during lockdown and this is how he gets his kicks. But that is maybe too generous. For a rugby journalist he seems to know little about the sport he is paid to watch and understand - in 2013 he advocated for Jim Hamilton (bless him) being taken on the Australian tour, and then in 2017 his hot take selections were John Hardie and Ruari Jackson. Ruari.Jackson.
TWAT WILLIAMS: Jones must be vying for title of ‘Scotland rugby’s Voldemort’ with only a handful of men, Scott Johnson and Craig Joubert included. But former Scotland coach Matt Williams is perhaps in pole position following an extraordinary interview in the Irish media where he dished the dirt on his time in charge of the national side. His most bewildering claims, that as a 45-year old he was bench pressing more than the Scottish backs, that the Murrayfield gym had benches and barbells but no weight plates to stack them with, and that his forwards were incapable of understanding how to defend a lineout, have been roundly rubbished and were more suited to an after dinner speech, at best (although not sure how in demand Williams’ services are). Perhaps there is an element of truth to some of the bizarre tails, given this was still in the early days of professionalism, but maybe we should let William’s record as national coach do the talking - a 17% win rate, courtesy of victories against Japan, Samoa and Italy. Jog on son.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER: Sean Lineen has named an exciting looking training squad for the rescheduled Six Nations in June. Murray Redpath (son of Brian, younger brother of Cam), Christian Towsend (son of Gregor) and recent South African import Connor de Bruyn, currently training with Glasgow, are the stand out names, alongside Alex Samuel and Max Williamson who have both been invited to train with the full national side in recent weeks. Scotland 7s head coach Ciaran Beattie joins as an assistant, alongside Shade Munro and Rob Chrystie. Fixtures and venues TBC.
500 MILES: gig shout out to all round good guy, Scottish rugby legend and friend of the pod Gordi Reid, who is currently raising money for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, with the aim of walking 500 miles in the course of a month.The revealing video below shows how he remains in good spirits so far. You can donate via this link: https://virtual.thekiltwalk.co.uk/fundraising/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalk2021-GordonReid
SCOTS ABROAD
Lots of Scots in competitive action across the weekend’s Challenge and Champions Cup.
Champions Cup
La Rochelle vs Sale - Byron McGuigan (14) provided a very nice assist in defeat versus the French beasts. Although neither were involved at the weekend, various newspapers have reported that England have been courting Ewan Ashman and fellow front row Bevan Rodd (recently revealed to be Scots qualified) - hands off please Eddie.
Exeter vs Leinster - Stuart Hogg (15) and Jonny Gray (4) were sadly eclipsed by their Irish opposition, Hogg with a crucial missed tackle and Gray perhaps missing a good chance to show his Lions credentials.
Challenge Cup
Bath vs London Irish - a very welcome return for Cam Redpath, who looked sharp once again at 12 v Blair Cowan (7)
Leicester vs Newcastle - Matt Scott (12) and Cammy Henderson (5) showed up well for the Tigers, while incoming Edinburgh prop Luan de Bruin (1) put in a solid 50 mins; Gary Graham (20) was a replacement for the Falcons
Northampton v Ulster - Rory Hutchinson (13) and Fraser Dingwall (23) turned out for Chris Boyd’s men. Former Edinburgh favourite Roddy Grant, now forwards coach at Ulster, has been getting big licks for his work under Dan MacFarland.
English Championship
Cornish Pirates v Ealing Trailfinders - front rows Alun Walker (2), Elliot Millar Mills (3) and Kyle Whyte (17) were all on show for the Trailfinders.
Jersey v Doncaster - Jack Macfarlane (2) and Lewis Wynne (7) vs Robin Hislop (1) and Gus Warr (9). Glasgow prop Adam Nicol and recent loanee James Scott will be joining Macfarlane and Wynne in the Channel Islands next year.
Saracens v Bedford Blues - Sean Maitland (11), Duncan Taylor (12) and Calum Hunter-Hill (19) all turned out for Sarries.
Coventry v Ampthill - Onojaife (8) for Ampthill.
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