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2 weeks ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
As the domestic game braces itself to lose yet another star with Jamie Ritchie swapping the capital for the sunny shores of Perpignan this summer, could this loss actually be the best thing for the national team. Scottish rugby, for all its heart stopping and roller-coaster-like gut wrenching, has more fault lines than the Ring of Fire. Not least the fact that Scotland has only two professional teams, as many as Italy and half the number of the Welsh and Irish.
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2 weeks ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
In many ways the most difficult task was never going to be the physical one, despite the presence of a visiting Bulls side with plenty of muscle and then some. No, the reality was that the battle was very much a mental one, for the Glasgow Warriors must wrestle with an existential crisis far bigger than any Bulls second-row.
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1 month ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
A 43-19 win over Leicester Tigers marked the club’s first knockout win in Europe’s premier competition and set-up a quarter-final clash with Leinster. Both as the home side and slight favourites, the Scotsoun supporters were stunned to see their side 5-0 down after just three minutes. Two penalties in quick successions set the stage for Leicester as double World Cup winner Handre Pollard opted for the corner with Ollie Cracknell delivering the first blow, powering over from close range.
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1 month ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
A first-half flurry saw the Warriors ease to a bonus point victory over the travelling Johannesburg Lions 42-0. Having huffed and puffed, the Warriors finally blew a gap through a resolute Lions defence as Nathan McBeth picked up and dotted down from a ruck just off the line with Adam Hastings adding the extras.
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1 month ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
With over a week since the dust has settled on the Young Scots campaign, this writer has found the time to look back on a tournament full of promise and choose six players to keep an eye on. Before any mention of skill and technical qualities, the first thing you will notice when watching the Edinburgh born forward is his frame. At just 19 years old, Blyth-Lafferty stands at a towering 1.92m and according the SRU’s page, weighs 136kg.
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2 months ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
Scotland’s U20s will leave Paris with their heads held high as they were defeated by newly crowned champions France 45-40, leaving with two bonus points to secure a fifth place finish. Despite the positive ending, things could not have gotten off to a worse start. Jon Echegaray cantered across the Scottish defensive line, finding space in before galloping away as a succession offloads ended with centre Simeli Daunivucu finishing the effort.
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2 months ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
Scotland U20s forward Freddy Douglas says his side will look to keep the French fans quiet in their bid to pull off an upset in Paris, their final match of the Six Nations campaign. Scotland were 27-12 winners against Wales at the Hive, but the Stade Jean-Bouin holds a 20,000 capacity, which Douglas says “can be seen as a bit daunting”. However the captain says one of the key talking points has been not giving the baying crowd anything to celebrate.
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2 months ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
France are “in for a shock” says U20s head coach Kenny Murray, if they think Scotland are “going over there and just lie down and let them play” as his side prepare for a tough test in Paris on Friday night. There are two changes to the starting XV that beat Wales last week, securing their first win in the competition since 2023, as hooker Seb Stephens and second-row Bart Godsell come in for Joe Roberts and Charlie Moss respectively.
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2 months ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
Scotland’s age grade side are ready to “get into France” in Paris on Friday night, says full-back Jack Brown, after an “80 minute performance” saw the side to victory over Wales. “All the boys will be absolutely flying high in confidence now, so we’ll look to build on that,” he said. In their final outing of the series, they take on a side with three wins from four, including a 63-19 win over Wales last month.
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2 months ago | 
scottishrugbyblog.co.uk | Findlay Brown
After two years since their last victory in the competition, Scotland’s age grade head coach Kenny Murray says he is “proud of the performance” as his side came away 27-12 winners against Wales, following defeats to Italy, Ireland and England. “It’s always a tough old campaign when you’re not winning games,” he said. “You’re always really pushing to get that win for the boys.
