NH International Rugby
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From Scottish Rugby Twitter -
Official STATEMENT | Scotland team spokesperson: “Stand-off Finn Russell will play no further part in preparations for Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, having been disciplined for a breach of team protocol during the week’s camp in Edinburgh. He has returned to his club."BBC reporting that he actually walked out himself rather than being sent home:-
However, it is understood the Racing 92 playmaker left the team's training camp in Edinburgh of his own accord.
It remains unclear whether the 27-year-old will play at all in the campaign.
After last season's epic 38-38 draw with England, Russell said a half-time "argument" with coach Gregor Townsend helped spark a remarkable comeback.
Scotland trailed 31-7 at the break, but roared back to lead before George Ford's last-gasp converted try denied them a first Twickenham win since 1983.
"I actually had an argument with Gregor [at half-time]," Russell told ITV after the game.
"I said to him 'you're telling us to kick and when we kick, they just run it back and cut us open, and when we run it, they're just hitting us behind the gain line and winning the ball back'.
"Second half, we just came out with nothing to lose, played our rugby, kicked out of our half and scored some great tries. We played good Scottish rugby."
It's hard to imagine a more devastating blow to Scotland's Six Nations hopes just nine days before they kick-off their campaign against Ireland in Dublin.
Russell is the one player in the Townsend's side you would describe as irreplaceable. He's the creative heartbeat of the team and when he's missing Scotland are a much weaker proposition.
His decision to leave the Scotland training camp will send shockwaves through the Scottish support and the Six Nations as a whole.
Townsend was already under enormous pressure going into this championship off the back of a failed World Cup campaign.
Having his star fly-half walk out on the squad just over a week before the Six Nations opener only heaps more heat on the head coach, who must surely be hoping this situation can still be salvaged and Russell can be tempted back into the fold.
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This decision has hit Scottish rugby like a typhoon
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The Internet's best responses to Finn Russell leaving Scotland's camp on the eve of Six Nations
Since the news broke that Scotland's star flyhalf Finn Russell has been sent home for behavioural issues ahead of their first Six Nations game against Ireland, the Internet has been responding accordingly.
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@antipodean said in NH International Rugby:
Once the residency requirements go to five years and the grandparent rule is removed, Scotland, Tonga and Samoa will forever be tier two.
In the case of the Islands, poaching will genuinely become an issue as clubs send talent scouts down to the schools and they'll ultimately end up serving residency in some of the richest unions.
The 5-year residency rule is effectively in operation already. That's why domestic squads have changed to a lot more parent/grandparent players. Edit: Foreign-born doesn't tell enough given background or circs of some players.
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hey, Derm's back! must be 6N time.
Which i am really looking forward to actually
How's the mood around Ireland for this year?
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It's hard to know which Eddie likes better... percentages or attempts at manipulation?
Eddie Jones' cutting insinuation about Nigel Owens ahead of Six Nations
Welsh referee Nigel Owens, widely regarded as amongst the best in the world, takes charge of England's Six Nations opener against France
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@mariner4life said in NH International Rugby:
hey, Derm's back! must be 6N time.
Which i am really looking forward to actually
How's the mood around Ireland for this year?
Cautiously optimistic that we might win a game decently. Farrell now the Head Boy, Easterby remains with the forwards, Fogarty comes in from Leinster as National Scrum Coach to replace Feek, and Mike Catt added for the attack which has garnered very black and white reviews of the he's shit/he's smart variety. I thought he did ok with O'Shea in putting some gas into the Italian backline and their newbie players coming through.
I think Farrell's selection of a good few younger players is giving cause for optimism, and lots of talk about a stronger attacking game - we'll see. First squad named later today.
My guess is:
Kilcoyne, Herring, Furlong
Ryan, Henderson
Stander, vdF, DorisMurray, Sexton
Henshaw, Ringrose
Stockdale, Larmour
Addison
Reps: Kelleher, Healy,Porter, Dillane, Deegan, Cooney, Byrne, ConwayCaelan Doris is competing with Max Deegan to take over the No 8 slot, with Doris the more specialist of the two - likely to be the next Jamie Heaslip. Stander and O'Mahony to compete for 6 shirt shirt, with van der Flier in pole position on No 7 shirt until Dan Leavy recovers from his knee injury later this season. Big debate on whether John Cooney, the form scrum half at Ulster in Europe this season would start ahead of Murray, but Murray has been coming back into form, so more likely a bench spot for him. Rónan Kelleher is the other interesting bolter - 20 year old hooker who started with Leinster with a bang straight out of the academy picking up 8 tries in as many games. Best retired, Cronin and Scannell not picked. He could have the No 2 shirt before season is out.
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@Bones said in NH International Rugby:
It's hard to know which Eddie likes better... percentages or attempts at manipulation?
Welsh referee Nigel Owens, widely regarded as amongst the best in the world, takes charge of England's Six Nations opener against France
Well Jackson's retired: someone has to look after the hosts.
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@booboo said in NH International Rugby:
@Bones said in NH International Rugby:
It's hard to know which Eddie likes better... percentages or attempts at manipulation?
Welsh referee Nigel Owens, widely regarded as amongst the best in the world, takes charge of England's Six Nations opener against France
Well Jackson's retired: someone has to look after the hosts.
If only WR had also not selected Nige at the RWC.
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Only a couple of days to the kickoff of the 6 Nations, this is one of the most exciting in years
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@DrivingMaul said in NH International Rugby:
Only a couple of days to the kickoff of the 6 Nations, this is one of the most exciting in years
Sorry mate it's behind your own paywall!
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This post is deleted!
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More on the ongoing Sarries saga
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51283088
As they are docked a further 70 points to ensure they finish bottom of the Premiership. I suppose this does remove the faint but somehow delicious prospect of them making the top four and then winning the Premiership whilst still getting relegated. Still, there's always Europe.
I do wonder if there are a number of other clubs now looking over their shoulders though.
Edit: Sorry wrong thread. Mods can this be moved to NH club rugby thread please?
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@Derm-McCrum Young team, once sour-puss-grumpy face and Murray move on, it will be a good aged squad for RWC23
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@Tim said in NH International Rugby:
2 straight reds these days if the ref had the minerals to do it.
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@Catogrande said in NH International Rugby:
@Tim said in NH International Rugby:
2 straight reds these days if the ref had the minerals to do it.
Nothing in it...
