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'I'm just trying to let my hair down a wee bit and express myself in the best light'

By PA
(Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)

Worcester out-half Duncan Weir claims “letting his hair down” and relaxing on the field has helped him find his best form and manoeuvre him back into Scotland selection picture for the injured Adam Hastings and Finn Russell.

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Gregor Townsend saw his selection dilemma for the No10 position blown apart when Hastings and Russell both picked up injuries in the Guinness Six Nations win over Wales. But he pointed out that Weir was in the form of his life as he faced up to losing the pair ahead of Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup opener. 

The 29-year-old’s more relaxed attitude to life is evident in his new hairstyle after letting it grow during lockdown for charity, and he is reaping the benefits of a similarly laid-back approach on the pitch.

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Eddie Jones on possibly selecting nine England forwards to face Georgia

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Eddie Jones on possibly selecting nine England forwards to face Georgia

When asked to explain his improved form, the former Glasgow and Edinburgh player said: “I just try to enjoy myself. I think that’s a major thing. Don’t worry about people’s opinions or dwelling on getting selection for Scotland or even battling in the Worcester side.

“Just going to enjoy my rugby and expressing myself has been a massive thing and let the reins down a bit over the past couple of seasons. I feel I have played my best rugby on the back of that.

“I probably drove myself to get excellence in every aspect of my game, maybe wanted things a wee bit too much at times and tried to force the door open and push the boundaries a bit too much and maybe didn’t eke out the benefits of that on the field. 

“Now I am thoroughly enjoying myself and just enjoying games. I am still preparing the same, it’s just when I’m on the field I am a bit more relaxed and just trying to let my hair down a wee bit and express myself in the best light.”

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Russell is expected to be out for two months because of a groin problem while Hastings is facing double that amount of time on the sidelines after dislocating a shoulder. Weir could make his first international start since 2016 in Rome on Saturday after ending a three-year Scotland exile off the bench against France during the Six Nations.

The fly-half admitted his absence from the Scotland set-up had been difficult to bear. “Every time there was a squad announced, I am as big a Scotland rugby fan as anyone, so I’d be watching my phone and my wife would be the first to tell everyone that I was desperate to be involved,” said Weir.

“It was always hard to watch on social media when everyone was involved in camp. It’s great to be back here and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I know Gregor knows how much it means to me to be involved.

“I have had a good relationship with Finn and Adam over the past couple of weeks, it’s been good to catch up with Finn especially after not seeing him during the Six Nations. But we speak regularly. We have a couple of half-back meetings every week so I knew exactly what those guys were thinking and hoping to achieve during games.

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“Albeit I wasn’t playing, I had my finger on the pulse in terms of the game plan and all the details. I was 24th man in the last couple of weeks so it won’t be a massive transition in terms of getting up to speed.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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