The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Townsend doing an excellent job, building on the Glasgow success. This is not meant to be patronising but I see a lot of similarities to Ireland a few years ago. Wakes and France are on the decline so we both have a lot to look forward to. The 6 nations and the RWC will be interesting down the road.

Definitely not patronising to be compared to the Irish.

One thing we have for the first time is some strength and depth. So many players out injured and everyone has come in and performed.

Great times.

Can't wait for the 6 nations.

[Buzzo]

Not long until the Six Nations.

Absolutely beauty of a 'coast to coast' try on Saturday for Glasgow against Exeter Chiefs.

[ame]https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/955364430631485441[/ame]

Looks like we could be set for some decent back play again, with the Warriors backs being pretty much the Scotland ones. We will need to as we have loads of prop and hooker injuries and will be struggling to put a decent front down out

[Red_Polo]

Not long until the Six Nations.

Absolutely beauty of a 'coast to coast' try on Saturday for Glasgow against Exeter Chiefs.

https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/955364430631485441

Looks like we could be set for some decent back play again, with the Warriors backs being pretty much the Scotland ones. We will need to as we have loads of prop and hooker injuries and will be struggling to put a decent front down out

WP Nel out again?!

[Buzzo]

WP Nel out again?!

Nel out, Marfo out, Ford out, Fagerson out, Berghan banned, Dickinson still out, Fraser Brown out.

Probably only Mcinally of our first choice front row starts. Could be problems.

[Irishnev]

So Buzzo, you feeling confident....? Still hard to see beyond England.

[Buzzo]

So Buzzo, you feeling confident....? Still hard to see beyond England.

Yeah, with our injuries, I’m not feeling massively confident. Particularly in the front row, which could be crucial if the guys that come in don’t hit the ground running.

We are well stocked everywhere else except stand off, where Finn Russell is irreplaceable.

3 wins and I’d be happy. Above that ecstatic.

Reckon we will score some try’s though. Our backs are flying.

[Buzzo]

Also, yeah, no ther country can live with England’s resources (well the French could, but they are well, the French).

Injuries will be crucial, anyone wanting to challenge England will need some luck with injuries. But in such a short tournament they are inevitable.

[Irishnev]

Also, yeah, no ther country can live with England’s resources (well the French could, but they are well, the French).

Injuries will be crucial, anyone wanting to challenge England will need some luck with injuries. But in such a short tournament they are inevitable.

Feel the same - avoid injuries and we have a shot of a grand slam (genuinely) but Murray and Sexton irreplaceable

[Buzzo]

Feel the same - avoid injuries and we have a shot of a grand slam (genuinely) but Murray and Sexton irreplaceable

I think we have an outside chance of the Slam, but I don't expect it. Maybe next year if the team continue to develop.

[Irishnev]

I think we have an outside chance of the Slam, but I don't expect it. Maybe next year if the team continue to develop.

We owe you lot and need to lay a marker for the World Cup - we have a few good younguns coming through also - Stockdale, Ryan, Conan, Aki, Lamour and Ringrose, hopefully they see some game time!!

[Buzzo]

We owe you lot and need to lay a marker for the World Cup - we have a few good younguns coming through also - Stockdale, Ryan, Conan, Aki, Lamour and Ringrose, hopefully they see some game time!!

I think our game vs you lot will be a cracker.

It was last time out.

Hogg is crucial for us vs Ireland (well everyone really), he has scored 3 or 4 trys against Ireland in the last 2 seasons.

Watch England target him again, he had to go off with an HIA at Twickenham last season.

[Irishnev]

I don't recognise a number of these players - surely a Scotland win...?
[ame="https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/958316964769824768"]https://twitter.com/examinersport/status/958316964769824768[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Recognise a few of them from Pro14, but yes, we should be optimistic.

The only issues are our decimated front row, and record away in Cardiff (no win since 2002).

I’m quietly confident though.

[Red_Polo]

I don't recognise a number of these players - surely a Scotland win...?
https://twitter.com/examinersport/st...16964769824768

You'd think so, that's an incredibly depleted looking team.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/ultimaterugby/status/959060427807260672"]https://twitter.com/ultimaterugby/status/959060427807260672[/ame]

Joe is finally blooding a few youngsters - for those of you not familiar with Irish rugby we have Stockdale & Aki in the backs and James Ryan (future Lions captain) in the pack.

I'd have picked Lamour over Kearney, Leavy over Van der Flier and Jack McGrath over Cian Healy. If we can avoid injuries to key players we have a shot.

We have only beaten France twice in Paris in the last 20 years though so history is against them!