Post by Jamie Crawford on Dec 20, 2021 12:32:25 GMT
London Scottish preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 13, London Scottish v Doncaster Knights, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG)
Sunday 26th December, KO 3 pm
London Scottish RFC...
…are a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union, although they play under the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England.
In the 1998–99 season, Scottish made their only appearance in the English Premiership. They finished twelfth out of fourteen teams and so were not due to be relegated, however they fell into administration. Their season in the Premiership saw them field six International players. The club was promoted to the English National leagues (National Division Three South) for the 2007–08 season after an eight-year absence. During the 2012/13 season, the club made the switch to a full-time professional set-up, however in February 2021 they also became semi-professional. They might not play in the Championship next season dependant on an RFU review of the league structure. They have received an invitation from the Scottish Rugby Union if the current Super6 competition becomes a Super8 competition for the 2022/23 season. It is the equivalent to the Championship in England. The two new teams could be London Scottish and a team from Glasgow. The RFU have agreed in principle if they remain in London.
Recent head to head performances
Last September the Knights led the game from the start to lead 10-7 at the break. A strong second half performance led to a 36-7 win at home. The Scottish exiles elected not to compete in the previous covid-shortened season without spectators but the season before that (2019/20), in February 2020 the Knights managed to record a two point home win 15-13. Knights’ fly half Sam Olver stepped up in the last minute and sealed the victory to a rapturous applause. In March 2018 the Knights recorded a seven point win, 28-21. Again, the game was won in the final few minutes; this time a drop goal from London Scottish was charged down before the Knights powered over for the match winning try on the counterattack.
Last time out…
In round eleven fifth-placed Bedford Blues only beat the Scottish by five points in what was reported to be a resilient Scottish performance, a last-gasp try from the Blues prevented a Scottish win.
Round twelve saw the Scottish exiles fly to Jersey to play the third-placed Reds and lost 31-13. Scottish hooker Nick Selway dotted down on his return to the island making it just 24-13 but they were the last points the exiles scored.
After a poor start the exiles have some close but unlucky results, scoring three losing bonus points in three of their last five matches. One try-bonus point was added when they beat Coventry.
Doncaster Knights welcomed their initial season opponents, now seventh-placed Coventry to Castle Park and won 31-9.
Scottish danger men
Despite being eleventh London Scottish have had four players named in the Championship Club Podcast Team of The Week. Second row Ehize Ehizode and centre Javiah Pohe after the win against Coventry and full back Leo Fielding and second row/back row James Tyas for their performances against Ampthill and Cornish Pirates respectively.
Scrum half Dan Nutton is their leading try-scorer, so the Knights must be wary of tries being scored from Nutton darting from behind the set piece.
Saturday’s game
Eleventh-placed Scottish exiles host fourth-placed Doncaster Knights at their RAG in a game that most would have thought would be a walk-over from initial Scottish performances but recently their five-try win on 27th November against Coventry gained a try-bonus point. One of their three losing bonus points included losing by two points (17-19) against third-placed Cornish Pirates.
Welsh are overdue some good fortune after showing resilience in their last minute defeats, the Knights hope that they are not the team to demonstrate their turnaround in close results.
The rest of the Championship
Cornish Pirates (3, 1 game in hand) v Hartpury (6, 1 game in hand) POSTPONED
Nottingham (10, 1 game in hand) v Richmond (9, 1 game in hand ) POSTPONED
Coventry (8) v Ampthill (7)
Bedford Blues (5, 1 game in hand) v Jersey Reds (2, 1 game in hand)
Ealing Trailfinders BYE
Doncaster Knights are fourth, London Scottish are eleventh. A Knight win could see them rise to second if Jersey Reds and Cornish Pirates lose. A Knight loss wouldn’t alter their position because Bedford are seven points below.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 13, London Scottish v Doncaster Knights, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG)
Sunday 26th December, KO 3 pm
London Scottish RFC...
…are a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union, although they play under the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England.
In the 1998–99 season, Scottish made their only appearance in the English Premiership. They finished twelfth out of fourteen teams and so were not due to be relegated, however they fell into administration. Their season in the Premiership saw them field six International players. The club was promoted to the English National leagues (National Division Three South) for the 2007–08 season after an eight-year absence. During the 2012/13 season, the club made the switch to a full-time professional set-up, however in February 2021 they also became semi-professional. They might not play in the Championship next season dependant on an RFU review of the league structure. They have received an invitation from the Scottish Rugby Union if the current Super6 competition becomes a Super8 competition for the 2022/23 season. It is the equivalent to the Championship in England. The two new teams could be London Scottish and a team from Glasgow. The RFU have agreed in principle if they remain in London.
Recent head to head performances
Last September the Knights led the game from the start to lead 10-7 at the break. A strong second half performance led to a 36-7 win at home. The Scottish exiles elected not to compete in the previous covid-shortened season without spectators but the season before that (2019/20), in February 2020 the Knights managed to record a two point home win 15-13. Knights’ fly half Sam Olver stepped up in the last minute and sealed the victory to a rapturous applause. In March 2018 the Knights recorded a seven point win, 28-21. Again, the game was won in the final few minutes; this time a drop goal from London Scottish was charged down before the Knights powered over for the match winning try on the counterattack.
Last time out…
In round eleven fifth-placed Bedford Blues only beat the Scottish by five points in what was reported to be a resilient Scottish performance, a last-gasp try from the Blues prevented a Scottish win.
Round twelve saw the Scottish exiles fly to Jersey to play the third-placed Reds and lost 31-13. Scottish hooker Nick Selway dotted down on his return to the island making it just 24-13 but they were the last points the exiles scored.
After a poor start the exiles have some close but unlucky results, scoring three losing bonus points in three of their last five matches. One try-bonus point was added when they beat Coventry.
Doncaster Knights welcomed their initial season opponents, now seventh-placed Coventry to Castle Park and won 31-9.
Scottish danger men
Despite being eleventh London Scottish have had four players named in the Championship Club Podcast Team of The Week. Second row Ehize Ehizode and centre Javiah Pohe after the win against Coventry and full back Leo Fielding and second row/back row James Tyas for their performances against Ampthill and Cornish Pirates respectively.
Scrum half Dan Nutton is their leading try-scorer, so the Knights must be wary of tries being scored from Nutton darting from behind the set piece.
Saturday’s game
Eleventh-placed Scottish exiles host fourth-placed Doncaster Knights at their RAG in a game that most would have thought would be a walk-over from initial Scottish performances but recently their five-try win on 27th November against Coventry gained a try-bonus point. One of their three losing bonus points included losing by two points (17-19) against third-placed Cornish Pirates.
Welsh are overdue some good fortune after showing resilience in their last minute defeats, the Knights hope that they are not the team to demonstrate their turnaround in close results.
The rest of the Championship
Cornish Pirates (3, 1 game in hand) v Hartpury (6, 1 game in hand) POSTPONED
Nottingham (10, 1 game in hand) v Richmond (9, 1 game in hand ) POSTPONED
Coventry (8) v Ampthill (7)
Bedford Blues (5, 1 game in hand) v Jersey Reds (2, 1 game in hand)
Ealing Trailfinders BYE
Doncaster Knights are fourth, London Scottish are eleventh. A Knight win could see them rise to second if Jersey Reds and Cornish Pirates lose. A Knight loss wouldn’t alter their position because Bedford are seven points below.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
