Post by Jamie Crawford on Mar 5, 2024 16:39:05 GMT
London Scottish Preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
London Scottish v Doncaster Knights 9th March, KO 1pm, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG).
Eleventh-placed Scottish exiles welcome fourth-placed Knights to their RAG.
Before last Saturday’s results, the Scottish had scored more points at home than Nottingham and the Knights only managed to score 20 points against Nottingham; after conceding 14. The Knights worked hard to score 3 tries against the Green and Whites and their defence isn’t as strong as the Scottish exiles. Scottish had conceded the fifth fewest points at their RAG home in the Championship, the Knights had conceded more at Castle Park. Defence of their try line was even better; they were equal fourth with Coventry with the fewest tries conceded. The Knights had conceded 7 more than Scottish. Unfortunately for the Scottish, it’s their try-scoring and point-scoring that have let them down up to present.
Last time out Scottish lost 35-12 away at Ampthill. Scottish try-scorers were ex-Knight fly half Alec Lloyd-Seed and No. 8 Tom Marshall (an ex-Scottish U20’s player, of English origin).
The Knights welcomed Coventry to a game that was predicted to see some retribution for their 51-7 thrashing at Butts Park Arena last November. Unfortunately, perhaps the Knights were unsettled after their Director of Rugby (DoR) Steve Boden left unexpectedly. Whatever the reason, Cov managed to do the double over the Knights, returning home 12-27 winners. Knight try-scorers on this occasion were fly half Billy McBride and substitute winger Nat Greenwood. Nat is on short term loan from Newcastle Falcons. Knights’ new DoR/Head Coach Joe Ford acknowledged that the Knights were overpowered in the scrum but praised the team for their resilient effort. Consultant DoR Sir Ian McGeechan similarly praised the effort and attitude of the players. Hopefully it’s a case of lessons learned but the aptitude is already present.
According to the 4th March Free Press, Sir Ian McGeechan, Joe Ford, forwards coach Glen Kenworthy and Tyson Lewis, in charge of defence, have met to urge an improvement of the Doncaster pack. It Focused on the front row, which was ruined by Coventry who were awarded six scrum penalties.
Championship games taking place this weekend.
Friday 8th March
Nottingham (8) v Hartpury University (6)
Saturday 9th March
Cambridge RFC (10) v Bedford Blues (5)
Cornish Pirates (2) v Ampthill (7)
Coventry (3) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
London Scottish (11) v Doncaster Knights (4)
Caldy (9) were due to play Jersey Reds.
Cov, the Knights, Hartpury, Caldy and Cambridge have played 13 games.
Trailfinders, Pirates, Blues, Ampthill and Nottingham have played 12 games.
London Scottish have played 11 games.
A Knight W would see them regain third place if Cov lose to Trailfinders.
A Knight W with a try bonus point would see us rise to second if the Pirates also lose to Ampthill.
A Knight L would see us drop to fifth or sixth if the Blues beat Cambridge and/or Hartpury beat Nottingham.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
London Scottish v Doncaster Knights 9th March, KO 1pm, Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG).
Eleventh-placed Scottish exiles welcome fourth-placed Knights to their RAG.
Before last Saturday’s results, the Scottish had scored more points at home than Nottingham and the Knights only managed to score 20 points against Nottingham; after conceding 14. The Knights worked hard to score 3 tries against the Green and Whites and their defence isn’t as strong as the Scottish exiles. Scottish had conceded the fifth fewest points at their RAG home in the Championship, the Knights had conceded more at Castle Park. Defence of their try line was even better; they were equal fourth with Coventry with the fewest tries conceded. The Knights had conceded 7 more than Scottish. Unfortunately for the Scottish, it’s their try-scoring and point-scoring that have let them down up to present.
Last time out Scottish lost 35-12 away at Ampthill. Scottish try-scorers were ex-Knight fly half Alec Lloyd-Seed and No. 8 Tom Marshall (an ex-Scottish U20’s player, of English origin).
The Knights welcomed Coventry to a game that was predicted to see some retribution for their 51-7 thrashing at Butts Park Arena last November. Unfortunately, perhaps the Knights were unsettled after their Director of Rugby (DoR) Steve Boden left unexpectedly. Whatever the reason, Cov managed to do the double over the Knights, returning home 12-27 winners. Knight try-scorers on this occasion were fly half Billy McBride and substitute winger Nat Greenwood. Nat is on short term loan from Newcastle Falcons. Knights’ new DoR/Head Coach Joe Ford acknowledged that the Knights were overpowered in the scrum but praised the team for their resilient effort. Consultant DoR Sir Ian McGeechan similarly praised the effort and attitude of the players. Hopefully it’s a case of lessons learned but the aptitude is already present.
According to the 4th March Free Press, Sir Ian McGeechan, Joe Ford, forwards coach Glen Kenworthy and Tyson Lewis, in charge of defence, have met to urge an improvement of the Doncaster pack. It Focused on the front row, which was ruined by Coventry who were awarded six scrum penalties.
Championship games taking place this weekend.
Friday 8th March
Nottingham (8) v Hartpury University (6)
Saturday 9th March
Cambridge RFC (10) v Bedford Blues (5)
Cornish Pirates (2) v Ampthill (7)
Coventry (3) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
London Scottish (11) v Doncaster Knights (4)
Caldy (9) were due to play Jersey Reds.
Cov, the Knights, Hartpury, Caldy and Cambridge have played 13 games.
Trailfinders, Pirates, Blues, Ampthill and Nottingham have played 12 games.
London Scottish have played 11 games.
A Knight W would see them regain third place if Cov lose to Trailfinders.
A Knight W with a try bonus point would see us rise to second if the Pirates also lose to Ampthill.
A Knight L would see us drop to fifth or sixth if the Blues beat Cambridge and/or Hartpury beat Nottingham.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
