Scarlets

[liveinhope]

Good selection out for tomorrow bar the concern that we have so many back three injuries that Dean is selected on the wing.Big ask for him opposite Steff Evans I think.
A6:2 split looks forced on us as I'm not sure how many fit backs we have left outwith the 23.Shiell for one but only other one I can think of is Tim Swiel (is he still at the club?)
Looks like the four week break before the next URC fixture against Zebre is well timed given it hopefully allows l time for our long injury list to come down. We'd certainly hope the likes of Goosen,Paterson,Bennett,Sebastien,Hodgson,Muncaster and Boyle could be back in the frame by then given the numbers likely to be involved starting 6N matches.

[Castlecannon]

Really need to nail this one . Strong side although a surprise to see Dean on wing as I can’t recall him ever being in that role in his Edinburgh career. Still don’t understand why he has not had a proper run at 12 ? no rotation Think he offers more than Currie at 12 who to me and others of a richer rugby pedigree is the more natural wide channel player Is this Townsend influenced or is Everitt just limited in his vision of his attack being more conservative ? But all 3 centres are good defenders and this could be a plus in this match.

Crosbie , Ritchie and Hamish will not be short of motivation and I like the selection of Price off the bench as he will have an astute view of what if anything needs fixed in last 20/30 .

Boffelli will be that bit sharper this week now with some game time in him , so expecting a bigger impact from him as we should win a lot of ball and dominate territory.

A trip to Gloucester or possibly Montpellier is a possible outcome should we get a win . We supporters will relish either trip as a consolation although the club will naturally rue the loss of income from such a big gig at the Hive.

[bigparahandy]

My match column for tonight.

https://open.substack.com/pub/theburghw ... medium=web

[The Feral Goat]

Crosbie has had a great first 30

Can't believe Scarlets have not been carded either collapsing mauls or lying on ruck take your pick

[The Feral Goat]

Ffs looks soft to me

[Pitfitter1105]

Scarlets been threatened with a card, we just get hit twice, otherwise the refs ok.
So good to have the Boff back.

[The Feral Goat]

Must be red, unbelievable. Head to head going up in the tackle

[sammy]

Thought both card colour decisions were about right.

[Pitfitter1105]

Not thinking the ref got Duhan’s yellow correct, but Schoo for M o t Match yep.

[The Feral Goat]

Good result for being a man down for near 30 mins.

Schoe, Crosbie,.boff very good

Our wide defence still vulnerable at times.

Ritchie I don't think did enough to start 6n Crosbie dempsey and fagerson all very good tonight.

[The Chiel]

Cox is a very decent ref, and got most things right, particularly on the head to head cards, with other tacklers providing mitigation, and judging Bofelli's contact as a "rugby incident" on the last play. Thought Cherry was a wee bit unlucky, and DVDM looked as bemused as I was when the card / PT was awarded. Refs of course always likely to be high profile in such a scrappy game.

A good and frankly comfortable 5 points, although the caveat is Scarlets were pretty rank. As said, Schoeman, Crosbie were standout for me. Not sure if Ritchie will even make the bench for the Wales 6N game.

[liveinhope]

Poor stuff for the last 35 minutes after being 31-5 up.Hardly had the ball at all.
Variously:
Crosbie-gives that hard ball carrying go forward Scotland lack.I reckon he will start v Wales.
Ritchie-nothing to see though unlucky on a least one jackal.Agree that may not make the 23. Looks like Russell or Tuipolotu as captain?
Ashman-abyssmal throwing in once again.Mind you from a quick run through the Glasgow match Turner was equally poor.
VDM-concerning that he was skinned by the replacement wing Tom Lewis.Needs to sharpen up his defence.
Healy-time to get Boff back as first choice kicker for a spell?
Concerned that the loss of those two tries at the end may cost us a home tie.Clermont simply need a losing bonus point to get through whereas at 31-5 by my calcuations we'd likely get through on tries/points difference unless Clermont were to win (or also finish within seven and get a four try BP.)

[The Chiel]

Looks like Russell or Tuipolotu as captain?

Agree, and on the basis Finn has enough to do, I'd give it to Tuipolotu. But if Finn really wants it, then it's his.