come on shire

It's only HT but so far so good. Even without a bonus point I'd happily take a win as Treviso's a really tricky venue now. However the fact it's during the 6N is a leveller. It's been a bit wet over there as the grass is a bit slow and boggy which isn't great for our running style. Imo synthetic pitches are the way forward. Grass just doesn't handle wet weather. Venter has worked hard. Thompson's been good but I feel he should've nailed the 1st conversion. Defence has been good but we need to keep it up as Benetton are too good at home to fall asleep against.

If he pleads or is found guilty then he'll need to accept responsibility but it looks like he needs help. It wouldn't surprise me if the drama was going on off the pitch during his playing career. He's making Rabbie Burns look like a monk.

Sione Tuipulotu will miss 3 months but not require surgery. That's pretty much him for the season then. However, at least we'll see him for Scotland during the summer I'd hope so he gets game time...

Benetton looking strong is my concern. Dell had an injury similar to JP du Preez and Fraser Brown that's kept him out for almost the full season. I've noticed that over the URC games in the 6 Nations Edinburgh have had more players released than what we've had. If we do pull off a win with the scraps of bread that Toony's given us then it'll be arguably our biggest URC win of the season.

Benetton

The Glasgow Warriors team's out

I read that on the Wikipedia page for the summer fixtures but I genuinely don't know how accurate that is. The BBC website simply mentions it's to be followed by a match away to the USA then followed on into South America. However that would add up I'd wager. Even though they're all test matches I'd think that it'll be a wider squad used to encourage the development of depth. However some experience heads will be needed. For example since Darcy Graham has a long term injury but it'll be useful to give him game time.

Huw Jones signs a new 2 year deal with Glasgow. A lot of the fans had packed his bags for him thinking he was as good as off to Montpellier as the rumours suggested. Scotland have announced their first summer tour game. Saturday 6th July away to Canada in Ottawa.

Based on that France showing I'm really seeing that game at Murrayfield as the one that got away. By the same token though it's going to be real tricky out in Rome. It'll also be tricky for Glasgow out in Treviso next weekend. France seem to be a one man team with Antoine Dupont at the Olympics qualifying and they're psychologically down after getting put out in the quarter final of their own world cup last year. It doesn't help that Romain Ntamack's injured but Damien Penaud is one of the best wingers in the world and Louis Bielle-Biarrey will be there soon too but without Dupont they can't seem to supply ball to these guys.

Me. I'm en route just now. Going to watch Ireland v Wales on the big screen at Murrayfield as if you try to catch a train closer to KO then it's like sardines.

I'm unsure. It could be who Toony thinks what player's better for the tactics aimed at the individual team or what he sees in training. England are getting better. They're starting to grind out results even if not playing at their best. We saw that when they got bronze last year and now they're 2 from 2 in the 6N. The teams they've played in that time haven't been excellent but you can only play what's in front of you. If we play like we did against France or most of the 2nd half against Wales then we're in bother. However if we compete up front and take chances then we'll hopefully be ok.

Our guests...

Team for Saturday. Not a 6-2 bench split. I think Toony reckons we have the pace in the backs to win late on. Having Steyn and Kinghorn back is a boost and I can see Jamie Ritchie is back in favour...

There's a long way to go including the play offs. However if you do come down I'd say learn to enjoy it initially as there's new away trips plus the South Challenge Cup to look forward to (a potential away trip to a Wicker Man-esque village in the countryside). The contentious issue's the fixtures vs the Premiership B teams. Stirling Uni will be in the league next season. Edinburgh Uni look to be getting relegated which is a pity as I like Peffermill. The Uni sides have an interesting culture. Traditionally the Stirling Uni players are doing sports related degrees and train FT in the summer up until their placements/lectures start. Tough games against them. Edinburgh Uni have really struggled but on the other hand it's the student union giving hardcore academics a game of football to switch off from medical school or law school. Caledonian Braves isn't the best away trip as they're in the middle of nowhere in Strathclyde Country Park. There's a Brewers Fayre nearby though. My favourite away trip is Gala mainly because I love visiting the borders. If you play them away on the Saturday I'd suggest checking if the Gala rugby first team are at home. If they are parking can be an issue as that's the town's first sport so you may then just enjoy a trip on the Borders railway.

I'm wondering if we're holding off until after the 6 Nations to announce autumn fixtures as there's still season pass-gate to be resolved.

Sorry for the late reply. Ollie Smith is injured but I'm excited by his return. I just hope he keeps up his form that he was enjoying. Dobie as a winger isn't a bad thing. Creating depth is great but versatility of positions throughout the squad is always handy when the internationalists are away or injuries hit.

Strongest team we've got tonight with injuries and international call ups. This is a banana skin as the Dragons are coming up without pressure and with our front liners away. However I think a bonus point win is essential for us especially as Leinster are at home to Benneton tonight. So hopefully the guys coming in and coming back from injury can put their hands up. Big game. Mentally, I'm going to Shire's Lowland League game away at Berwick Rangers then heading up afterwards...

I thought so too but that's traditional values but maybe now in professionalism there's a demand for home teams in home kits. Having said that, the home team will always change when Oz, NZ and SA visit as their colours have huge media and marketing appeal.

Completely robbed. Utter disgrace. However that would have meant nothing if we knew how to be clinical when putting the opposition under pressure as we'd have been leading anyways I'd wager. To have an extra man just before HT, batter France's try line but come away with nothing is simply unacceptable. You can't win championships if you don't finish pressure. The coaches should've been freshened up after the world cup. It needs freshened up after the 6N. We're a good team but stagnating and lack ideas imo.

Is Matt Fagerson injured or is it tactical I wonder?

If you're at home in a big 6 Nations game then you must come away with points. To batter the opposition try line and come away with nothing is poor.

Our guests...

Sorry for the late reply. I see your point but it was a team issue when the discipline went. However Skinner stole 2 Welsh line outs.

Looks like Ritchie Gray will miss the rest of the tournament which is a blow. Gilchrist will be back next weekend but I'm tempted to hope that the starting 2nd row is Skinner (he can play 2nd and back row) and Cummings. I just feel that discipline needs to be far better next weekend but am I the only one who thinks that Gilchrist gives away far too many penalties?

2nd half should've been about the bonus point try and seeing the game out.