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Six Nations 2017 Preview: Scotland the Brave

On current form, Scotland's Finn Russell could find space in a black hole

Scotland v2017 are a very different and much more difficult proposition than they have been for years, writes James Harrington.

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What to look out for
Thrilling, marauding rugby. There will be no easy wins at Murrayfield for Ireland or Wales this year, while the raiders from up north should give England and France at least a scare on their home turf.

Strengths
Flair. What the French were once famous for, the Scots have claimed as their own under outgoing coach Vern Cotter. Finn Russell seems able to see gaps before they are there, and has the ability to exploit them in the most devastating manner. And no opposition likes to see Stuart Hogg – surely a Lions’ shoo-in – get the ball in any kind of space.

Weaknesses
Defence. Strangely. Scotland leaked 13 tries in last year’s Six Nations, with only Italy having a worse record. And they have put themselves in winning positions – such as when they were nine points in front of Australia in the November internationals – only to let their lead slip away.

The Man in Charge
This is Cotter’s Scotland swansong – and while the course of his tenure has not always run smooth, it’s fair to say he has laid the foundations of something pretty special at Murrayfield. The humiliating whitewash of his first Six Nations has been largely forgotten amid a dizzying frenzy of exciting, attacking rugby. Cotter remains diplomatic about Scottish Rugby’s decision not to renew his contract at the end of the tournament, but some may consider it a shame he has not been allowed to see what he has started through to the end.

Player to Watch
Zander Fagerson. WP Nel’s injury has given the 21-year-old Glasgow tighthead – a Scot born-and-bred – the chance to strut his scrummaging stuff on the international scene. He has been chewing-up opposition looseheads and spitting them out all season for the Warriors, and deserves the chance to add to his four international caps.

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Big Match
The opener against Ireland at Murrayfield. A good start in front of their home crowd will have fans believing that, this year, there will be no wooden spoon battle with Italy.

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Prediction
Fifth. It may seem harsh on Scotland, who have played some better-than-decent rugby recently and who have the luxury of three home matches in this Six Nations, but this is the most competitive tournament for many a year, and the Scots are away to both England and France. If they do win at Murrayfield against Ireland, though, things will look very different.

Squad
Forwards: Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, John Barclay, Cornell Du Preez, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson
Backs: Greig Laidlaw, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Stuart Hogg, Damien Hoyland, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours 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 3 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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