Scottish Rugby

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Dave asked: Really surprised at Magnus Bradbury's Scotland squad omission. From what I had seen in the Edinburgh games his performances were of a high standard. What do you think Townsend isn't seeing in his performances?

Andy answered: I was shocked at Bradbury's omission. I just did not see that coming at all, and certainly not the selection of Ollie Leatherbarrow ahead of him.

Bradbury has been very good this season. Indeed I wrote in these pages a couple of weeks ago that Bradbury might have a great opportunity to force himself to the front of the queue for the Scotland eight jersey when Jack Dempsey is unavailable during the Six Nations.

However, it seems he is just not what Gregor Townsend is after. The suggestion is Bradbury's display in the Challenge Cup defeat to Toulon - admittedly his worst of the season - came at a bad time for his chances of making the squad, but it seems harsh to judge him on that solitary display amid an excellent start to the season.

I think Bradbury is really unlucky, and he may well be wondering what his future at Test level looks like.

Mac asked: So does this Scotland squad have what it takes to finally beat the All Blacks next month? We can beat the men in white but haven't beat the men in black. What would victory mean for Scottish rugby?

Andy answered: I think this squad does have the personnel and ability to beat the All Blacks, but do they have the belief? That is the big unknown.

They have run New Zealand close on the past three occasions and had them where they wanted them last year when Scotland roared back from 17-0 down to level things up at 17-17.

That was perhaps a moment when a little bit of doubt crept in as they stood on the brink of an historic victory, and some Damien McKenzie magic did for the Scots in the end.

The All Blacks have been looking more like the All Blacks in recent times, with Dave Rennie - assisted of course by former Scotland captain Mike Blair - starting to get them trending in the right direction. They were scintillating in dismantling Australia home and away recently, and some of the old aura has returned.

As to what a win would mean for Scotland - it would be seismic.

Ending a 121-year-old barren run against the All Blacks is the kind of statement win this team has been searching for, and would surely give them confidence of finally ending a much shorter (just the 10 years) but probably more maddening winless sequence against Ireland when they meet in the Six Nations.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Sean Everitt says Edinburgh will benefit from the lack of their players selected for Scotland's Nations Championship fixtures, but the "opportunity" will come if they keep performing to the level they have been this season.

The capital side have started the campaign in blistering form, in stark contrast to previous seasons, leading the URC table prior to travelling to face Benetton on Saturday.

With just five Edinburgh players selected for national duty compared to 19 representing Glasgow Warriors, head coach Everitt believes it is a short-term bonus.

"It is to our advantage that we can have consistency in our selection and consistency in our training and preparation week," he said.

"That's really important for us. At the same time, we feel for those players but they're young and they don't have that much experience in the URC.

"So, it's understandable why they haven't yet been selected. For them, it's about putting in good performances week in and week out and keep knocking on the door and eventually, that opportunity will come.

"The message to them is that they've got opportunities and they've got to keep knocking on the door."

Everitt is keen for his squad not to get too carried away despite leading second-placed Glasgow by a point after four games, with an opportunity to extend their winning form against second-bottom Benetton.

"It's great that we're winning at the moment," he said. "We're only going into round five of the URC and there's a long way to go.

"The team has won and these youngsters like winning now and have experienced winning and know that they're capable of topping teams.

"It gives you confidence to continue growing what you are doing. Sometimes when you're not getting the result, you're looking for a different way to play. This season has been different for us."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith insists the internal investigation that led to the departure of assistant coach Roddy Grant this week "wasn't a difficult situation at all" and has not caused "disruption" within the club.

The club confirmed Grant would not be replaced for the remainder of this season.

"Look, we run a tight ship here and everybody knows exactly what my values is, where we stand and how we do things here," Smith said before Glasgow's URC match at home to the Lions on Friday night.

"The culture of the club has been trialled and tested over the last five years and it comes out flying.

"This incident didn't influence anything that we did or do or want to become or want to do in the type of messaging that we get across to the players.

"So no, I think we weren't disrupted. I think we wanted to give another person an opportunity to be involved in this environment and grow their coaching career.

"It's not what we can get, it's what we can give and that was always the approach.

"The process was followed and we're just going to stick to the task and carry on. I'm disappointed with everything that happened, but that's that."

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Edinburgh make three changes to their pack for Saturday's United Rugby Championship match away to Benetton (15:00 GMT).

Alec Hepburn replaces Pierre Schoeman at loosehead, Harri Morris takes over from Ewan Ashman at hooker and Freddy Douglas comes in at openside flanker for Tom Currie, who makes the bench.

There are no changes to the backs.

Sean Everitt's side lead the URC standings after four wins out of four.

Edinburgh: Piers O'Conor, Geordie Gwynn, Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, James Grayson, Hector Patterson; Alec Hepburn, Harri Morris, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Glen Young, Grant Gilchrist, Liam McConnell, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury.

Replacements: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Jamie Stewart, Paul Hill, Callum Hunter-Hill, Tom Currie, Conor McAlpine, Ross Thompson, Harry Paterson.

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Franco Smith has made 12 personnel and two positional changes to his XV for Friday's United Rugby Championship match with Lions at Scotstoun Stadium (19:45 GMT),

Ollie Smith moves from wing to full-back and Stafford McDowall moves from outside to inside centre. Jamie Ritchie continues at blindside flanker.

Bayley Kuenzle and Fergus Watson take up the wide roles, Johnny Ventisei joins McDowall at centre while George Horne and Dan Lancaster make up a new half-back partnership.

In the pack, Jack Shearer, Jack Singleton and Fin Richardson make up a new front row, Alex Craig and Jare Ogutibeju start at lock and Macenzzie Duncan and Euan Ferrie join Ritchie in the back row.

Seb Stephen and Max Williamson drop to the bench while Scott Cummings, Jamie Dobie, Rory Darge, Euan Ferrie, Zander Fagerson, Kyle Rowe, Seb Stephen, Kyle Steyn, Rory Sutherland, Sione Tuipulotu and Matthew Urwin all miss out.

Smith's side have 18 points after three wins and a draw from their opening four URC fixtures.

Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith, Bayley Kuenzle, Johnny Ventisei, Stafford McDowall, Fergus Watson, Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Jake Shearer, Jack Singleton, Fin Richardson, Alex Craig, Jare Ogutibeju, Jamie Ritchie, Macenzzie Duncan, Euan Ferrie.

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Ally Miller, Seb Stephen, Callum Reidy, Cameron van Wyk.

With Scotland's Nations Championship campaign fast approaching, Tom English and Andy Burke go inside the national team camp to speak to Finn Russell, Jack Dempsey, Blair Kinghorn and Seb Stephen.

It's a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities, stories and ambitions driving Scotland before a huge autumn campaign.

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Dave Butcher has been named Scotland women head coach on a permanent basis after a spell as interim boss.

Butcher stepped in following Sione Fukofuka's unexpected departure in August and oversaw the recent WXV series, during which the Scots lost five out of five.

Scotland women do not have any scheduled fixtures until April, when they open their Six Nations campaign at home to Ireland.

And Butcher said: "It is fantastic to be named the head coach of Scotland women. It is an amazing thing and group to be a part of.

"I'm really excited to be able to dive into the role beyond the recent campaign, focusing on the alignment of the programme and how we push forward performance from the national talent pathway, the national academy and the Celtic Challenge into the national team.

"We can't be a standalone team without connection beneath us, so our immediate priority will be to review WXV and connect with the players, but going forward we want to be really intentional about how we go after our talent and how we develop that is going to be hugely important, with our rugby identity as a nation being key to all of that."

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Glasgow Warriors have announced that coach Roddy Grant has left the club "following the conclusion of an internal process".

The former Edinburgh captain joined Glasgow in June last year.

The 39-year-old will not be replaced for the remainder of the season, with the Warriors confirming they will retain their current coaching set-up.

A club statement read: "Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Roddy Grant has left the club following the conclusion of an internal process.

"For reasons of confidentiality, the club will not be providing any further comment."

We asked for your views on Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend's squad selection for the Nations Championship matches at home to New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Tom: No Freddy Douglas and Magnus Bradbury is a disgrace. Ollie Leatherbarrow can't get a start for a bang average Newcastle team yet is included over Scotland's most promising forward. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and Hector Patterson also unlucky not to make. Is Townsend showing bias towards Red Bulls like Leatherbarrow and Elliot Millar Mills?

Andy: In Gregor we trust. He is vastly experienced and I will support whatever team he picks. Great that Jack Dempsey is available, the man is a beast. I would've liked to have seen Douglas in the squad but he'll have more opportunities to come, I'm sure.

Dave: I'm excited about the opportunity for Scotland to test themselves against some of the best players in the world. Scotland's squad has some world-class players and talented youngsters and that blend of youth and experience could produce results. I am surprised to see Duhan Van Der Merwe make the squad given his injuries, limited game-time and dip in form. I hope he can seize his chance when it comes and get back to scoring tries and reasserting himself as a top player.

Doug: The Autumn Tests are usually a great chance to blood or develop young talent before the Six Nations, surprised not to see Blyth-Lafferty and Patterson called up. Douglas and Bradbury unlucky as well. The likes of Duhan and Jonny Gray are lucky to be in this squad currently.

Scott: The depth is starting to show across the board. Great for Leatherbarrow, unlucky for Douglas. Bradbury is a surprise omission as he has been at his best lately, perhaps he needs to show it for longer. Tough squad to get into now.

Geoff: The squad is very strong but I am surprised and disappointed that Bradbury and Douglas are omitted as they have both been exceptional for Edinburgh. Patterson and Blyth-Lafferty are unfortunate but their time will come. Edinburgh only have five representatives which seems harsh given their form so far this season. In any event, these are three exciting fixtures and an opportunity to put down a real marker.

Steve: Why 19 Glasgow players and only five Edinburgh, with two of those five having scarcely played? I hope this makes Edinburgh angry, as well it should.

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

Of all the stats in the URC the only one Edinburgh top is the lineout. Oh, and the table itself of course.

It is the first time in Edinburgh history we have recorded 19 points after the opening four games. Our average points return over the past five years at this stage is nine.

You'll be thinking Liam McConnell is our man in the lineout and you'd be right. He is the joint top lineout thief in the URC but what you might not have realised is it's Glen Young he shares that position with.

If the previous game was a bit of a progress gauge for Hector Patterson as he pitted his skills against the Scotland number nine incumbent Ben White, this week he showed why there was a clamour to see the Hawick scrummie included in the Scotland squad.

Two tries, two assists, his part in the disallowed Geordie Gwynn try, some typical scrum-half attitude and for this observer the goalline tackle on Lions number eight Francke Horne that had he not managed would have given Lions a half-time lead all led to a thoroughly deserved man of the match award.

Gwynn arrived almost under the radar but has quietly turned out to be a great acquisition. He has serious pace, is excellent under the high ball and only Piers O'Conor has beaten more defenders and made more metres. I predict Gwynn won't be far off being Edinburgh's top try scorer by season's end.

I pretty much wrote Wes Goosen off after his first season and kind of did the same with Mosese Tuipulotu. My assessment turned out wrong in both cases but I didn't learn from those mistakes and put O'Conor in the utility substitute category, yet he has been a huge asset at 15 for Edinburgh this season.

It seems becoming first-choice tighthead for Edinburgh, surpassing the excellent scrummager Paul Hill and more than holding his own against Springbok Boan Venter, still wasn't enough to earn Ollie Blyth-Lafferty a place in the Scotland squad.

That's disappointing, as were some other decisions, even if they made sense as Scotland build towards a World Cup. But the difference is this time last year no one was surprised Edinburgh weren't well represented in the national squad.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch, external

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend joins Tom English and Andy Burke to discuss his squad selection, competition for places and preparations for matches against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

We want your questions after a big week in the world of Scottish rugby.

Both Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors secured URC victories, while Scotland women rounded off their WXV campaign with a ninth consecutive Test defeat, failing to hold on to a half-time lead against Australia.

Plus, Gregor Townsend has named his latest Scotland men's squad, with uncapped Newcastle Red Bulls back-row Ollie Leatherbarrow included for the three home Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Send us your questions for Tom English and Andy Burke via this link. A selection will be answered and published on this page later in the week.

Cal Gilkison
BBC Sport Scotland

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Head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after announcing his Scotland squad for November's three home Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Here are the key lines:

• Townsend feels his side are in a "decent place" ahead of their trio of Nations Championship matches. He knows the challenge that awaits them when they face New Zealand in the opening game but wants Scotland to be tested against the best teams more regularly.

• "We're going to get huge learning playing New Zealand in a couple of weeks' time, so we want to be playing those teams more regularly," he says. "That's a motivation. I don't think anything gets bigger than playing New Zealand outside of the Six Nations. That's on our mind, and we know what a challenge that's going to be."

• The Scotland head coach believes uncapped Ollie Leatherbarrow's form towards the end of last season and at the start of this campaign has earned him his first Scotland call-up.

• On Leatherbarrow, Townsend says: "Hopefully we'll get opportunities in the next few weeks, because he's playing really well, Ollie. I think with Ollie, we know he can cover all three positions in the back row. He's a very good ball carrier. He's an openside by trade, but he's played a lot of rugby at six and eight. We feel his form at the end of last season, and especially at the beginning of this season, gives us an opportunity to look at someone else."

• Townsend says he is "looking for more" from Magnus Bradbury following his omission from the Scotland squad. He acknowledges Bradbury's strong start to the season with Edinburgh and says the back-row forward will be challenging for a place in the Six Nations squad.

• Glasgow full-back Josh McKay could join the Scotland squad for the Japan game. According to Townsend, a decision on McKay's involvement will be made next weekend.

• Looking ahead to next year's World Cup, Townsend is targeting a place in the knockout stages, adding: "That's our goal, to be playing knockout rugby in 12 months' time, and between now and then, play our best rugby. That will put us in a really good position to have a good World Cup but also put us in a position to do something special before then."

We want your views on Gregor Townsend's latest Scotland squad.

Uncapped Newcastle Red Bulls back-row Ollie Leatherbarrow has been called up for the first time for the three home Nations Championship fixtures against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

But in-form Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas are surprising omissions from the 37-man squad.

Send us your thoughts on the selection.

We asked for your thoughts after scrum-half Hector Patterson inspired Edinburgh victory over Lions and Glasgow recovered from 17 points down to win a thriller at Benetton and continue their unbeaten start to the URC.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Benetton 20-24 Glasgow Warriors

Stuart: Benetton made Warriors work hard for this win. Too many handling errors on the day, but found a way to win even with the poor refereeing. A win is a win, bonus point win brilliant.

George: Glasgow showed dog and fight to get back in. Matthew Urwin at 10 is far from the finished article but I thought had a good start. Jamie Ritchie in a Warriors jersey is strange but he is such a class player. Both Scottish teams on top, nothing to complain about.

Dave: Glasgow certainly overplayed things in the first half and were surprisingly ineffective and a bit predictable. The referee clearly had an issue with the scrummage but Glasgow didn't adjust or change things quickly enough could have been punished more severely. Glasgow were much better in the second half and deserved their win for showing ambition and the desire to win.

Edinburgh 31-10 Lions

Rob: There's an invention and a level of quick-thinking about this team that Edinburgh fans haven't seen for a long time. Also a real belief amongst them that they can go and beat teams. The head coach has come in for a lot of criticism over the past few seasons, but perhaps, given the difference the changes have made, it was the coaching team that was the issue and not one scapegoat.

Steve: If I'm being hyper critical, you always know which way the ball is going to go once Hector Patterson arrives at the ruck. A bit of deception now and again would complete this exceptional athlete. Great platform by the forwards, but Duhan van der Merwe, I'm sorry. Edinburgh have had no value from him for too many years. Take his money and enhance a few more of the youngsters contracts.

Thomas: I'm a Glasgow fan, but it's been so much fun to see Edinburgh turn it on this season. This was the most complete performance I've seen. Any one of the pack would have been a worthy man of the match, and I loved the backs' ambition to keep playing despite the downpour. James Grayson looks so solid and Hector Pat is a revelation. Can't wait for the 1872!

Glasgow recovered from 17 points down to win a thriller at Benetton and continue their unbeaten start to the United Rugby Championship season.

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Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith tells Premier Sports:

"It was about showing our determination and we saw that. Compliments to Benetton, they fought really hard and we would have lost today if we didnt stick to task.

"With the European Cup, we need to give everybody some chance. Matty Urwin made his debut and Jamie Richie too, they did well. It's important to get the whole squad up to level."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Losing run continues but green shoots show

Nine defeats in-a-row doesn't look good on paper admittedly, but this was the narrowest losing margin of the bunch.

That might rankle, as there's an argument that this game was winnable. However, it should also encourage when circumstances are taken into account.

An interim head coach, four first-choice players still out injured - in a season in which another five key players have missed spells through injury - and nine debuts handed out during 2019.

There now appears to be more cohesion under Dave Butcher, while rookies who were chucked in at the deep end are starting to acclimatise to Test match rugby.

Hooker Aicha Sutcliffe impressed on her first start while second-row Holland Bogan, in from the start for the fourth match on the trot, will be hard to shift when Emma Wassell returns.

Lack of punishment for Aussie indiscipline

Skipper Rachel Malcolm, who put in one of her best performances in a Scotland shirt at the age of 35, talked in the post match of a "different kind of frustration" as compared to other losses.

That's because Scotland failed to fully punish Australia's ill-discipline. The hosts were given four yellow cards and at one-point were down to 13 players.

The Scots did score two tries in that time, at the end of the first half, to take the lead going into the half.

But when the Wallaroos were punished again in the second half, as tighthead replacement Eva Karpani was put in the bin, Butcher's side didn't take advantage.

The comeback only amounted to Malcolm's second try in the 78th minute, by which point the chance of rescuing a draw was minute.

Rolling maul weapon

Although there were several superb performances in the backline - the ever-dependable Rhona Lloyd, new face Katie Buchanan and playmaking centre Meryl Smith - it was the forwards who proved more potent.

That was largely thanks to the set-piece. Most of Sutcliffe's darts found their target and the rolling maul was a constant threat.

The lack of physicality was one of the biggest disappointments from the 56-12 defeat in Sydney last week. Thankfully, that weakness was addressed through the week and there was a noticeable difference in Canberra.

As usual, Evie Gallagher stood out as the player always on hand to truck the ball forward, breaking out of a few tackles throughout. It would be no surprise if she was back Down Under next year as part of the inaugural British and Irish Lions Women's Tour.

A sparkling display from scrum-half Hector Patterson inspired Edinburgh to a comfortable bonus-point victory over Lions in the URC.

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