Townsend basically said the “fundamentals” were why Cherry was brought back into the squad. Our lineout was really poor overall in the autumn, so makes sense
Hoping Scotland kicks off with a win but really surprised at bookies giving them a massive head start. Italy defence is strong and have great counter players. Sleeper for game of the round
Thats brilliant) Me too..I live on the 'wrong' side of the Scottish borders, it has such pride in representing its people,,alike South Africa..but colder:}
I think Scotland have probably gone 5-3 this game to also allow them to try Jordan at centre for a bit and still have back 3 cover. Because if McDowall gets injured early in the Ireland game you don't want to be bringing on Jordan against the world #2 in a position he's only played twice so far for his club this season.
I think with the injures there is a just a lot more talent/game changers in the backs than forwards. If you had Cummings, Christie and even Max Williamson fit they all put their hand up and you need the 6/2 to them all on the field.
There used to be a time where nations would blood players against Italy - not any more - this could be a belter! Scotland to win in a high scoring game
Ruzza the best line 2nd row last 6 nations and Lamaro the best ever tackler in the tournament history and a great leader, and they are out. As you said the best centre combo last year. I think Tim God Bless you you don't want to upset your Scottish following which would higher than your Italian
Italy have always targetted this as their best opportunity for 6 Nations points, and I dont see that changing on Saturday. We can be good. We can be bad. Wonder what Scotland will turn up on Saturday.
They've picked Allen at 15 to counteract Scotlands kicking game. Cherry is in cos Ashman's darts are ropey. Scotland have 3 backs on the bench because they want to up the tempo late and belive they;re fitter. Italy have more forwards on the bench cos they know it's true. The key to beating Scotland (as always) is starve us of quick ball. If it's tight, Scotland will always cough up a gift for the opposition and they just have to be alert enough to take it. Scotland will be aiming to play like the first 20min of last year's game for the whole match and wipe Italy out. If they can keep their foot on the pedal, they might just do that. If they stumble at all, it'll open the door for Italy to win. Both teams rely on confidence and I'm predicting either a big win for Scotland or a tight win for Italy. There's no way Scotland will scrape through if they give italy a sniff.
Italy +18.5 might be ridiculous value. Not sure Cherry, Gilco, Gray, Ritchie, McDowall, Brown (ahead of Cam Henderson???) have it. Kind of looks like a team from 5 years ago
The one big difference for this Italy team is the depth they have. The last 20 minutes of the game used to be where italy lost, but i honestly think this italian bench is stronger than the Scottish. Regardless this is going to be a banger.
@@Aluszn ashman, Dempsey and Jordan are their biggest names in the subs, definitely a lot of power there, but I think Italy will get more out of their bench. Of course I could be wrong and feel free to call me silly after the game
Got drunk and fell down some stairs ending his World Cup. There were social media rumours about some racist comments, but no substance to it as far as I know.
Spagnolo, Zambonin and Lynagh are out for injuries. A little suggestion about pronunciation: it's LouKKesi, not Liuccesi. When you have "ch" it's as english "k". Same for "gh": always strong.
@Zomo1553 other than beating La Rochelle their season has been terrible. 4 wins in the league this season but that's including Zebre twice and Dragons once. 1 home win against Sharks is their only league result worth mentioning all year. Zebre are on the up, but you will note they suddenly beat Ulster when missing their Italy players.. ..
He just think’s he doesn’t have what it takes at international level. And he may be right. He’s certainly not good at the lineouts. Ultimately his speciality is putting the ball down during maul tries against relatively weak defence in the URC, and that just isn’t much use against stronger teams.
I'm still not sold on Italy. They have been improving for sure but they're extremely inconsistent. It's hard to believe the same team can get two wins, almost 3 in the Six Nations and get pounded by 60 at the RWC. If Scotland isn't playing well they definitely could win and they might lose by 45. Mind-boggling
Extremely inconsistent? They beaten scotland, wales, france and england last year. The last two not official defeats due refree shenanigans otherwise certified by the field. If you call that "inconsistence"...
Poor one season and vastly improved the next is not necessarily a sign of inconsistency. Coming up against France and New Zealand in the pool games was always going to be a huge ask, and if we are going on those two games alone then we need to consider that the ScotBoks never fired a shot at the RWC either.
@@Karma-qt4ji that would be a great argument had they had a great run before. But they were decent once in the 6 Nations, terrible at the World Cup and then good in the 6N. After decades of being absolutely terrible, that's not quite enough for me to believe in them. The trajectory is undeniably positive, but thinking last year's 6N is now their standard seems like a stretch to me.
I hope so. Not to be nasty to Scotland but it would be nice to see Italy getting some benefit of the age group players stepping up to the big boys league.
Dempsey is coming back from injury, Bayliss is injured, Crosbie isn't fit yet, Muncasters injured, Bradbury is suspended and a whole heap of injuries at 2nd row. So not that many experienced players to choose from for a 6-2. Also Jordan needs game time at centre and you'd likely not get that if you only had 2 backs on the bench.
England, Wales are not competitive, Italy getting better every year. , England will be out of top ten in world, after six nations & fighting ,wales for the wooden spoon,,
Townsend basically said the “fundamentals” were why Cherry was brought back into the squad. Our lineout was really poor overall in the autumn, so makes sense
Should be a belter, great video once again
A solid Scottish side but never underestimate the Pasta players, something to do with that latin blood Lol. Nice video Tim
The Sheep pie side is surely strong.
Specially against a team as flaky as the the Scots
Quality analysis and well presented. As usual.
Tim is a great guy doing great things. Keep up the good work
Great commentary Tim. Scots by 15
Hoping Scotland kicks off with a win but really surprised at bookies giving them a massive head start. Italy defence is strong and have great counter players. Sleeper for game of the round
Great to see Stafford starting. He wont let us down. This will be a close one.
Scotland to win this six Nations from a Bok supporter I will be cheering them on.
That would be an incredible story if they managed it
Thats brilliant) Me too..I live on the 'wrong' side of the Scottish borders, it has such pride in representing its people,,alike South Africa..but colder:}
As a Scot, this could go either way
yeah - when you look at that Italian lineup they've got some really great players. The bench may swing this....
Points difference and BPs may well determine the outcome of this years tournament so whoever can pile on the most pts against Wales should prevail.
Italy and Scotland are not to be taken lightly. Both are coming into form at the right time. I should add I love spaghetti and Pierre Schoeman
I'm excited for Italy this year. Just have a feeling this will be their best year.
I think Scotland have probably gone 5-3 this game to also allow them to try Jordan at centre for a bit and still have back 3 cover. Because if McDowall gets injured early in the Ireland game you don't want to be bringing on Jordan against the world #2 in a position he's only played twice so far for his club this season.
Very easy to guess Scotland squad. As always it will be intriguing to see which Italy turns up.
Come on Scotland! 🏴
I think with the injures there is a just a lot more talent/game changers in the backs than forwards. If you had Cummings, Christie and even Max Williamson fit they all put their hand up and you need the 6/2 to them all on the field.
Agree with you on the 6/2. May reckon they dont need it for Italy and as you say want to see a bit of Tom.
There used to be a time where nations would blood players against Italy - not any more - this could be a belter! Scotland to win in a high scoring game
I think you've got it about right mate
Ruzza the best line 2nd row last 6 nations and Lamaro the best ever tackler in the tournament history and a great leader, and they are out. As you said the best centre combo last year.
I think Tim God Bless you you don't want to upset your Scottish following which would higher than your Italian
Italy have always targetted this as their best opportunity for 6 Nations points, and I dont see that changing on Saturday.
We can be good. We can be bad. Wonder what Scotland will turn up on Saturday.
Clearly wales is their best chance by far
@Adam-z5e9l italy targeted the Scots last year and look how it turned out 👍🏻
Thanks for doing an Italy description they don’t do it here ☠️
They've picked Allen at 15 to counteract Scotlands kicking game. Cherry is in cos Ashman's darts are ropey. Scotland have 3 backs on the bench because they want to up the tempo late and belive they;re fitter. Italy have more forwards on the bench cos they know it's true. The key to beating Scotland (as always) is starve us of quick ball. If it's tight, Scotland will always cough up a gift for the opposition and they just have to be alert enough to take it.
Scotland will be aiming to play like the first 20min of last year's game for the whole match and wipe Italy out. If they can keep their foot on the pedal, they might just do that. If they stumble at all, it'll open the door for Italy to win. Both teams rely on confidence and I'm predicting either a big win for Scotland or a tight win for Italy. There's no way Scotland will scrape through if they give italy a sniff.
Cummings is a huge miss for SCO. Lots of folk going on about Tuipulotu’s absence but forwards win games, backs decide by how much.
Super solid Italy side, without sione I feel like it’s anyones game tbh.
Great vid. Some tips. Lucchesi is spelled Lukkesi and Gesi with the soft G like Jessie.
Bayliss injury is probably a big impact on the possible 6-2 as well.
Italy +18.5 might be ridiculous value. Not sure Cherry, Gilco, Gray, Ritchie, McDowall, Brown (ahead of Cam Henderson???) have it. Kind of looks like a team from 5 years ago
The one big difference for this Italy team is the depth they have. The last 20 minutes of the game used to be where italy lost, but i honestly think this italian bench is stronger than the Scottish. Regardless this is going to be a banger.
No ways take a look at that scottish bench again
@@Aluszn ashman, Dempsey and Jordan are their biggest names in the subs, definitely a lot of power there, but I think Italy will get more out of their bench. Of course I could be wrong and feel free to call me silly after the game
Missed it at the time, what was the “Dave Cherry incident” everyone is talking around?
Got drunk and fell down some stairs ending his World Cup.
There were social media rumours about some racist comments, but no substance to it as far as I know.
@ remember something about falling down, but we also had way more hooker depth then so passed me by
Hate Cappuzo on the wing. He's way better at 15 where he has a roving role and can act as 2nd playmaker far more effectively.
Spagnolo, Zambonin and Lynagh are out for injuries. A little suggestion about pronunciation: it's LouKKesi, not Liuccesi. When you have "ch" it's as english "k". Same for "gh": always strong.
Sorry, Spagnolo disqualified. Gesi sounds as "Jesi" 🙂
I am a bit nervous about Italy, but I'm not sure why, as Benneton and Zebre are fairly weak in the URC and make up the bulk of the Italian team.
I mean benneton just best la Rochelle, did zebre not just beat ulster too??
At home Italy and especially benneton are solid sides
@Zomo1553 other than beating La Rochelle their season has been terrible. 4 wins in the league this season but that's including Zebre twice and Dragons once. 1 home win against Sharks is their only league result worth mentioning all year.
Zebre are on the up, but you will note they suddenly beat Ulster when missing their Italy players.. ..
Shame you didn’t do the Welsh team😞
6-2 split went with Cummings
Has Johnny Matthews done something to offend Gregor Townsend? I really don't understand why he's never picked.
@0011485 yes, though so had Dave cherry 😂
I think Townsend got home early one day and found a car parked on his driveway with an Everton sticker in the back window.
He just think’s he doesn’t have what it takes at international level. And he may be right. He’s certainly not good at the lineouts. Ultimately his speciality is putting the ball down during maul tries against relatively weak defence in the URC, and that just isn’t much use against stronger teams.
Did you see his arrows his last 2 games for Glasgow? Absolutely woeful
I'm still not sold on Italy. They have been improving for sure but they're extremely inconsistent. It's hard to believe the same team can get two wins, almost 3 in the Six Nations and get pounded by 60 at the RWC.
If Scotland isn't playing well they definitely could win and they might lose by 45. Mind-boggling
Extremely inconsistent? They beaten scotland, wales, france and england last year. The last two not official defeats due refree shenanigans otherwise certified by the field.
If you call that "inconsistence"...
@solinvictus1234 they were good in the 6 Nations and horrible at the World Cup. That's what I call inconsistent.
Poor one season and vastly improved the next is not necessarily a sign of inconsistency. Coming up against France and New Zealand in the pool games was always going to be a huge ask, and if we are going on those two games alone then we need to consider that the ScotBoks never fired a shot at the RWC either.
@@Karma-qt4ji that would be a great argument had they had a great run before. But they were decent once in the 6 Nations, terrible at the World Cup and then good in the 6N. After decades of being absolutely terrible, that's not quite enough for me to believe in them. The trajectory is undeniably positive, but thinking last year's 6N is now their standard seems like a stretch to me.
@ Pretty normal. Whoever do a good 6N will do a poor World Cup and other way around. It always gone that way.
Im predicting Italy go Back to back and beat Scotland in a shock upset
I hope so. Not to be nasty to Scotland but it would be nice to see Italy getting some benefit of the age group players stepping up to the big boys league.
6-2 is a no brainer. Poor strategy ..
Dempsey is coming back from injury, Bayliss is injured, Crosbie isn't fit yet, Muncasters injured, Bradbury is suspended and a whole heap of injuries at 2nd row. So not that many experienced players to choose from for a 6-2. Also Jordan needs game time at centre and you'd likely not get that if you only had 2 backs on the bench.
England, Wales are not competitive, Italy getting better every year. , England will be out of top ten in world, after six nations & fighting ,wales for the wooden spoon,,