Calcutta Cup

[The Nudger]

Just to get the ball rolling, my team for the next game -

15) Southwell
14) M Evans
13) B Cairns
12) G Morrison
11) S Lamont
10) D PArks
9) G Laidlaw
1) A Jacobsen
1) A Dickinson
2) R Ford
3) E Murray
4) N HInes
5) A Kellock
6) K Brown
7) J BArclay
A Beattie
16) S Lawson
17) A Dickinson
18) J Hamilton
19) R Rennie
20) M Blair
21) R Jackson
22) M Robertson

Unfortunately I don't think Laidlaw will get near the side. Pity as for me he's the form 9 at the moment, we improved immensly when he came on because he moved the ball away from the breakdown far quicker and didn't kick the ball away. Bench is probably to early for Rosco. Next season fingers crossed!

[crispy]

I'd go with that pack and half backs but I'd change the outside backs around a bit.

11. Lamont
12. De Luca
13. Grove
14. Evans
15. Cairns

Never going to happen though.

[jrp]

Max Evans was utterly gash in Rome - completely clueless in defence - I really hope Robbo has noted this, sadly he appears to be part of the 3 untouchables with Morrison and Kellock.

[frillage]

Max Evans was utterly gash in Rome - completely clueless in defence - I really hope Robbo has noted this, sadly he appears to be part of the 3 untouchables with Morrison and Kellock.

+1ish
still think he has potential but he is over rated considering his current form, was the same last game at home for weegies, poor defence and woeful passing.

Having said that I can't see too many changes for England so would like to see Robertson instead of danielli, Evans not a winger either, his defending will be worse there. Cairns for bench, apart from that don't think other changes to back line, only other question on second row.
Robertson is unknown toengland relatively, is our best kick chaser, with Southwell and parks will be important, has pace step and has proved today a good boot, if bit hit or miss. He also impressed today covering full back when cairns went forward.

[PubLandlord]

Can't see AR making too many changes but hope the penny has finally dropped with Dickinson and his inability to scrumage (especially at 3).

I'd go for (what I think AR will do):-

15 Southwell
14 Roberton (Danielli)
13 Grove (Evans)
12 Morrison
11 Lamont
10 Parks
9 Cusiter
8 Beattie
7 Barclay
6 Brown
5 Gray (Kellock)
4 Hines
3 Murray
2 Ford
1 Jacobsen

16 Traynor (Lawson)
17 Cross (Dickinson )
18 Hamilton
19 Strockosh
20 Blair
21 Godman
22 Cairns

As we don't appear to have a prop who can comfortably play both sides I've gone for a loosehead who can (hopefully) cover hooker. Morrison is only there to do Parks' tackling .

[djphilp]

Well whilst I can't see AR making many changes sadly I'd like to see the following team...

15. Southwell
14. Robertson
13. De Luca
12. Grove
11. Lamont

10. Parks (as much as it pains me)
9. Cusiter(c)

1. Jacobsen
2. Ford
3. Murray
4. Hines
5. Hamilton
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Beattie

16. Lawson
17. Traynor
18. Gray
19. Strokosch
20. Laidlaw
21. Jackson
22. Cairns

[gap]

As we don't appear to have a prop who can comfortably play both sides I've gone for a loosehead who can (hopefully) cover hooker.

Welsh can play both sides, i believe he was originally signed as a tighthead though he hasn't had much practice since then. He would however bring much more to the game than Dickinson.

[jamiet]

Interesting that those tries were scored by keeping the ball in hand ( I know Visser chipped!) , the unfortunate thing is that with Parks playing , that will never happen.

Yes he will kick it very nicely into a corner , which is what most "rugby fans" seem to consider is the right thing to do . But those type of tries will never happen with him playing .

Don't even start me on his defence - but again that is what ~"rugby fans" don't seem to mind.

Anyway I know PG's form has been poor , and predictably from me I would start him.
No it is not about me being a brother, boyfriend etc.as per the usual comments , it is more about the way I like rugby to be played.

[CharlieBook]

where will the team be published? i thought it was getting announced at 11.30?! i am getting impatient (and not to mention dirty looks from colleagues as i trawl the internet for the team)

[phil scot]

15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 50 caps, 40 points through 8 tries
14 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 43 caps, 35 points through 7 tries
13 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 15 caps
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 21 caps, 15 points through 3 tries
11 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
10 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) 49 caps, 107 points through 4 tries, 16 penalties, 9 conversions, 7 drop goals
9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 50 caps, 15 points through 3 tries CAPTAIN
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 43 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 36 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) 30 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
4 Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh) 25 caps
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps
6 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps, 15 points through 3 tries
8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps, 10 points through 2 tries

Substitutes
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 19 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
17 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh) 1 cap
18 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 63 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
19 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh) 2 caps
20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 17 caps
21 Phil Godman (Edinburgh) 22 caps, 71 points through 1 try, 12 conversions, 14 penalties
22 Simon Danielli (Ulster) 23 caps, 30 points through 6 tries

Not considererd through injury: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson and Alasdair Strokosch (both Gloucester)

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch-judges: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland) and Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television Match Official: Guilio de Santis (Italy)

[jrp]

NDL was our worst back on Sunday - couldn't catch a cold or pass, appears to have contracted dropsie.

But is picked

How strange.

[CharlieBook]

I really thought Cairns played outstanding on Sunday and EXTREMELY surpised he has not been picked - even at fullback.

I still dont understand what Morrison has to offer at centre. can someone please explain to me?! i dont like attacking individual players, but i really think Grove should have taken his place.

[Jon]

So Danielli on bench covering.... well, that would be Max Evans! Robertson although shaky early season is form winger (MacVisser excluded), Cairns, the form Centre / Full Back available behind Southwell, DeLuca and Morrison, hmmmm, well we will see? I'll be there shouting... and hoping I am proved wrong?!

How about Hines replaces Kellock this time?

Just a thought - start of 6 Nations, Glasgow form team so they all get picked - not case any more... they could not even beat Connacht!? Come on Andy have the belief to dicth some of these donkeys (well 2 donkeys - Morriosn and Kellock)

[Derrick Lee's #1 Fan]

Just a thought - start of 6 Nations, Glasgow form team so they all get picked - not case any more... they could not even beat Connacht!? Come on Andy have the belief to dicth some of these donkeys (well 2 donkeys - Morriosn and Kellock)

Er, is that not more to do with the fact that they don't currently have the services of the players who got them into that position?

[Crichton Gunner]

I think Morrison has more bulk than Grove, and that's why he's picked. Can't argue with selection of Morrison, as no one else is really challenging for the 12 position yet if we're honest about it (Grove was a sub for Worcester at the weekend, so his form can't be that great at the moment). I think Houston is a better bet in the medium term, but he's not there yet.

Delighted for NDL, who has been in very good form of late. Don't agree that he was our worst back on Sunday; ok he had the ball ripped from him when going for the line, but otherwise he played a full part in our success, and some of his tackling was exceptional.

Feel sorry for Cairns, who I'd have picked ahead of Danielli for the bench. Cairns can cover a range of positions, whereas Danielli is a one-trick pony. Hopefully that doesn't turn out to be a selection gaff by AR, and Danielli proves me wrong by running in a hat-trick of tries a la Visser If Cairns keeps playing the way he has of late, he'll get his chance soon enough. Good to see G.Cross get a chance as well - he scrummaged and rampaged about the park really well on Sunday, and looked fitter and more fired up than at any other stage ofthe season.