1872 First Leg Fri 18th March

[Tichtheid]

I can't see us getting many, if any, back from Scotland, Bennett and Vellacott perhaps.

I think we'll be looking at a very similar side to the one that faced Connacht, will MB go with Savala or vdW at ten?

[liveinhope]

Agree.Can't see us getting Vellacott as Scotland will need a spare scrum half there in case of a late injury (I imagine White will get the bench spot this week.)If Bennett is fit he might get the 23 shirt for Scotland?
I presume another outing for Rudi Brown as no one else likely to be fit?
And not to be forgotten that we'll be off to SA presumably on Sunday (?) for the two match tour so be good if the likes of Haining and Sykes were available for that.And we probably need some more props for that although Schoemann and Nel will no doubt be keen to return home despoite their 6N campaigns (I wonder if they-and one or two others-might-have a short break then fly over later and play in the second match?)

[TheSmidge]

Bennett, Kinghorn, Vellacott and Bradbury are benching for Scotland at the most, so at least a couple of them are probably on the plane to SA on Sunday as well. Possibly not Maggie, as he will have had the most involvement. We are unlikely to see any of them back for the 1872.

Would be good to get one of Haining or Sykes fit for this, otherwise a similar forward contingent to last time out. Would like to see Savala get the nod at 10, presumably with Pyrgos. Suspect we will get Lang back, whether at 12 or 13 depending on which of Hutchison or Currie starts. Back 3 in great form and pick themselves.

[JDCSR]

Suspect we'll largely see the same side as last time out unless Townsend releases/keeps any further players or anyone returns from injury.

Would like to see Savala in if Kinghorn is retained.

Also not sure if Glasgow will have a fit loosehead so we could see Williams back up his display against Connaught and give the Glasgow scrum a tough time.

[dolf_lundgren]

Agree, same again with Savala in. I would be tempted to swap Dean and Lang around, would give a bit of help to Savala. Although Dean was very good vs Connacht.

[Trophyhunter]

Savala will be very motivated to compete with Thomson and Shiel likewise with the cheaply capped Dobie but would expect Pyrgos to start at least . Dean and Kinghorn looked very comfortable , slick and confident in combination vs Connacht , Lang May be preferred to do similar with Savala. Back Row contest will be very tasty!

[Trophyhunter]

On Dobie , should read recently not cheaply !

[JDCSR]

On Dobie , should read recently not cheaply !

I did think that read a bit harsh!

[The Feral Goat]

15. Henry Immelman (12)
14. Ramiro Moyano (8)
13. Matt Currie (9)
12. Chris Dean VICE-CAPTAIN (114)
11. Emiliano Boffelli (10)
10. Jaco van der Walt (80)
9. Henry Pyrgos CAPTAIN (62)

1. Harrison Courtney (4)
2. Dave Cherry VICE-CAPTAIN (50)
3. Angus Williams (9)
4. Pierce Phillips (6)
5. Glen Young (6)
6. Ben Muncaster (8)
7. Connor Boyle (16)
8. Mesulame Kunavula (20)

Replacements

16. Adam McBurney (6)
17. Boan Venter (21)
18. Luan de Bruin (4)
19. Jamie Hodgson (33)
20. Magnus Bradbury (104)
21. Ben Vellacott (13)
22. Charlie Savala (9)
23. Cammy Hutchison (10)

Unavailable due to injury: Rudi Brown, Jamie Campbell, Luke Crosbie, Nick Haining, Damien Hoyland, James Johnstone, James Lang, Viliame Mata, Jamie Ritchie, Marshall Sykes, Ben Toolis

International selection: Mark Bennett, Darcy Graham, Grant Gilchrist, Blair Kinghorn, Stuart McInally, WP Nel, Pierre Schoeman, Hamish Watson

[The Feral Goat]

1. Murphy Walker (3)
2. Johnny Matthews (23)
3. Simon Berghan (6)
4. Scott Cummings (86)
5. Richie Gray (75)
6. Ryan Wilson (C) (205)
7. Thomas Gordon (46)
8. Jack Dempsey (14)

9. Jamie Dobie (30)
10. Duncan Weir (119)
11. Cole Forbes (18)
12. Stafford McDowall (34)
13. Robbie Fergusson (13)
14. Sebastian Cancelliere (5)
15. Josh McKay (7)

16. Grant Stewart (45)
17. Nathan McBeth (3)
18. Ewan McQuillin (3)
19. Kiran McDonald (47)
20. Ally Miller (7)
21. Jordan Lenac (2)
22. Ross Thompson (28)
23. Sione Tuipulotu (13)

Unavailable for selection list: Lewis Bean, Jamie Bhatti, George Horne, Oli Kebble, Sean Kennedy, Tom Lambert, Rufus McLean, Enrique Pieretto, Ollie Smith.

International duty: Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Sam Johnson, Ali Price, George Turner.

[Tichtheid]

We'll need big games from our half backs. I fancy our back three but they have to be brought into the game.

If we can be close or leading with half an hour to go I favour our bench.

[liveinhope]

That's a stronger team than we might have expected-and a very good bench particularly given all the absences.

[dolf_lundgren]

A wee bit surprised that we have the props in the order we do, almost feels like we are holding back until Berg is off to really have a go. Possibly rewarding Courtney and Williams for a good display vs Conn.

Happy enough with our squad. Glasgow back row is very good going forward, I have a sneaking suspicion that Dempsey goes missing a bit in a dog fight, still a quality player we need to keep quiet though....


big game for the likes of Young and Muncaster to put a marker down too.

[doedin]

Between both teams 34 players are unavailable due to injury or international duty. Both squads must be close to their limits?

[Friday Knight Lights]

Credit to Mike Blair for sticking with the guys who have been fighting it out the last four match weeks and not bringing the international guys straight back in. It makes sense re training but it's a good move for the squad who no doubt have worked hard.

Hope it works - two teams with the same handicaps so looking forward to it.