In recent times, he's heard plenty of folk telling him what he isn't instead of recognising him for what he is. First John Barclay, then Tommy Seymour and now Greig Laidlaw. Read about our approach to external linking. It is tempting to chronicle his career in a series of kicks, but the deserted grass surrounded by stands holds a comforting familiarity. Poirot handled his duties at scrum time well, and showed some nice touches as a ball-handler, though was hardly Hercule-ean as a ball carrier, gaining just five metres. If something needed to be said, he said it. Gregor Townsend insists dropping Greig Laidlaw for Saturday's clash with Wales is not the beginning of the end for the skipper's Scotland career. One delectable chip for himself in the lead up to one of the French tries, there is still a feeling that Bastareaud perhaps stagnates rather than ignites this pacey French backline. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. Both physically and mentally developed far beyond his years, and the workrate seems to be there, too. He won 76 caps. Hogg’s unfortunate injury will only aid Kinghorn’s game with further time at test level, and with development the rangy runner’s influence will grow. Despite limited time at ten at Toulouse, this performance suggests Ntamack’s international future may lie at the position. "We know that is what we have to do to win.". Dupont constantly asked questions of the Scottish fringe defence, passed accurately, kicked magnificently and generally put himself about with zeal and zest, including winning three turnovers. His leadership was required. Guirado led from the front with 17 tackles, 11 carries and plenty of ruck inolvements. Having started at scrum-half, he had to switch to fly-half for the final 26 minutes. Scotland largely failed to utilise either Seymour or Maitland as the midfield struggled to truly get going. Remarkable that he is playing second-tier rugby domestically - a coming force. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. He earned that a long time ago. Excellent. So powerful with ball in hand, Picamoles’ breakdown work is an underrated facet of his game. Thursday at Murrayfield. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. The lithe second row was busy in claiming three lineouts, making 14 tackles and carrying nine times. Scotland suffered from a lack of control and Horne looked more like an inside centre moonlighting at fly-half than a genuine option in Finn Russell’s absence. In the pivotal group game, against Samoa, Scotland were in a giant hole and needed Laidlaw to dig them out of it, which he did, not just in scoring a critical try, but by landing three conversions and five penalties. For a little spell, a campaign built up around him becoming Scotland's first-choice. The conveyor belt of Scotland retirements continues to whir. "I look forward bringing my experience to Japan," said Laidlaw on Instagram. Now is as good a time as any to bow out. Dell and Berghan largely maintained parity at scrum-time, but compared to the French pairing failed to influence as either carriers or distributors. Greig Laidlaw looks at an empty arena. Read about our approach to external linking. Laidlaw's decision was expected. Many of those years were tough. He then had to wait another nine months before being trusted to start a further game for Scotland - ironically against Wales again in Cardiff last November. Over the years there have been stories of Scotland players who have been slightly reluctant to speak their minds when things were going wrong for fear of upsetting people. Few 20-year-old tightheads can stand up to the rigours of test rugby, fewer still can impress in the way Bamba did today. Laidlaw's future snagged in unpredictability. Brushed Guirado aside with a forearm/elbow in the first half, but that his only real attacking involvement. "We know there is a big tournament on the horizon and we will see what happens after the World Cup," said the head coach. "We realise we have not shown a true picture of what we are capable of. "So if someone has earned their opportunity, Ali Price for example, this is a good time to see if it helps the team win at the weekend. "To now be making it my home and joining the Shining Arcs family is extremely exciting," he said of returning to Japan as a club player. Just about hauled down by Fickou in his most promising moment running the outside arc. Damian Penaud at worst edged their individual battle, winning in the air consistently, and though Maitland made metres he drifted in and out of the game. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? "The criticism doesn't bother me," he said, before heading to Japan in the autumn. Seymour soldiered on despite appearing to be in some pain after felling Yoann Huget with his wrist. A more natural 13 with real ability to exploit the space afforded in that channel but effective at 12 today, Fickou’s defence has really come on, and his recovering tackle on Sean Maitland when it seemed the Scottish winger may be away came at a crucial time. "I believe he's more resilient after last year. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. He lived it for nine years. Much like Lauret, Iturria did everything you’d want a flanker to without truly catching the eye. Laidlaw has done his bit. It's water off a duck's back. He said: "This isn't a reflection on how Greig is playing, it is a reflection of how Ali has been going. Greig Laidlaw, former Scotland captain, retires from international rugby This article is more than 8 months old • Scrum-half captained side in 39 of 76 international appearances Let the younger guys get on with it. When Scotland went down in flames in Cardiff in the opening game of the 2018 Six Nations, Laidlaw was sent for. In the spring, Gregor Townsend had hinted that his scrum-half was thinking of calling it a day after the World Cup with Laidlaw, himself, more or less confirming it before a ball had been kicked in anger in Japan. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. "We will have to just wait and see on Saturday afternoon. Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online. "We know Greig is determined to play his best, play well for Scotland and win for Scotland. Watch Greig Laidlaw on the optimism in Scotland, training under Vern Cotter and playing in front of a packed Murrayfield. The game became an almighty grind and had it not been for Laidlaw it would probably have been lost. "Ali deserved an opportunity to start at some stage, and we believe this weekend is the right time to do it. Scotland face France in the second weekend of the Six Nations Fleet Street's first female football reporter, Julie Welch, tells Football Focus' Caroline de Moraes about the ups and downs of making her way in such a male-dominated industry. In the end, you sense that all he was looking for was not headlines but the respect of his peers. Somewhat surprising to see Gray substituted so early, but put his all into his 55 minutes, carrying eight times and making 14 tackles. An inspirational figure. Laidlaw wasn't one of those. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. The 34-year-old scrum-half, who won 76 caps, played for Edinburgh and Gloucester before moving to France's Top 14 in 2017. I believe in myself and it doesn't matter if somebody writes something down on a sheet of paper slagging me off. He was the man. Oddly, picking a full-back at full-back works! "We had two weeks to reflect on why things didn't work over in France. Most players go through periods when things don't go so well for them. Price also started against the All Blacks, a game that Scotland came close to winning. Ntamack brought those around him in to the game brilliantly, and combined nicely with club teammate Dupont to control affairs. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. The final game of that 2018 Six Nations was against Italy in Rome. "That tends to be the time when players reassess where they are, when the coaches reassess what is their next challenge. Superb in the air on French ball and particularly when disrupting Scottish, Lauret tackled more than anyone else on the pitch and performed the grunt work to a consistently strong standard. We were entering 2018. "Greig is a key part of the squad. Without Russell, Scotland needed more in terms of game management from Laidlaw, though the experienced halfback had to deal with a lot of messy ball. Leaves a little to be desired in the way of truly destructive carrying, but a real workhorse. "He didn't play as well for club and country during this period last year but physically he is in good shape, and we have seen a step up in his form for Glasgow since November.". He said: "This isn't a reflection on how Greig is playing, it is a reflection of how Ali has been going. A frustrating player. The beginning, the end and the in between of that dream was playing for Scotland. Jerome Kaino playing against the British & Irish Lions in 2005 and ... 6:24. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. A curation of the best the new tracks for you to enjoy. He didn't offer pace and unpredictability and line-breaking threat, the very qualities that Scotland needed if they wanted to make good on their recent desire to play a superfast brand of rugby. Not at his absolute best, however. "The Welsh players and supporters and neutrals will believe Wales are the better team and will win," he said.
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