Glasgow are starting to work their way back to full strength with 8 of the 21 World Cup Warriors in the match day 23. Leinster bring back 4 players who were involved in Ireland’s RWC squad – although only Tadhg Furlong was in the original panel with McCarthy, Ruddock and Boss being late injury call ups after the France game (Boss’ tournament lasted all of 2 days…)
Well that was painful! A full-blooded, committed performance from Scotland but still the defensive frailties that have been evident throughout this RWC persisted. 12 tries
Is it a case of mission accomplished for Scotland, making the quarter finals after missing out in agonising fashion in 2011? Or can they raise their game and provide one of the shocks of the tournament?
Glasgow welcome back the first 2 of their World Cup Warriors but that still leaves 19 on international duty. Adding new boy Taqele Naiyarovoro and old boy Alex Dunbar really strengthens a back line that has been decimated by Scotland call-ups and injuries.
So how to judge the strangest game of the campaign (so far)? So much to worry about around kick-offs, defensive patterns and the breakdown. But ultimately the side came through and won the game, achieving the most basic goal we had for this RWC – make it to the quarter finals.
With the advantage of what will be effectively a home fixture and facing a Samoan side who have failed to fire and are already out of the tournament, surely even Scotland can’t find a way to mess this up? There is some serious talent in the Samoa line-up though and the men in dark blue cannot afford to be at all complacent if they want to achieve their goal of making the RWC quarter-finals.
On Top Of The Moon 