Is it a blue moon?

Christ Paterson missed a kick today! Does he not know who he is?!

I was hoping that you'd know better than that

Given that a match in rugby union lasts 80 minutes, it was a great pity that Scotland only began to play in about the 72nd minute against Wales this afternoon. You'll have noticed also that the player who scored 8 out of our (rather pathetic) total of 13, and who nearly scored a try in both halves, was.... Yes that's right, Chris Paterson. Frank Hadden, pay attention: Chris Paterson to be given total ownership of number 10 jersey and to start every game. Got it? And while you're at it, get Thom Evans on the starting list and well.

I think also we were missing Nathan Hines on the second row... didn't see much of Ally Hogg either.

Still, all credit to Wales. Even if Scotland were making silly mistakes all over the place.

Dilemma!

7 October, 8pm (GMT+1), Top Gear is back.

7 October, 9pm (GMT+2), rugby world cup quarter final, Scotland v Argentina.

What am I going to do?!?

Perfect Paterson

Scotland 18 - 16 Italy
That was close.

Good thing Chris Paterson was a reliable as ever with his right foot. And he's fairly easy on the eye for all the close ups when he's eyeing up the posts before kicking.

I (with no bias whatsoever!!) thought the Scots actually played a pretty decent game. Remember the lads were out there against SIXTEEN players and not the usual fifteen. And one of the players on the other team had a whistle and was allowed to make important decisions about the game. Such as not even giving Masi a talking-to after his rather late tackle on Rory Lamont. The poor guy really landed with a thump on his face. That could have had terrible consequences. He could have been badly injured or even lost his good looks! That would have been dreadful.

Other strange refereeing decisions included sin-binning Nathan Hines for a high-ish tackle in the second half having allowed Troncon to attempt to decapitate Dan Parks in the first half without so much as a stern look. I feel like trying to decapitate Parks at times too, but that's no excuse! Oh and ignoring much tripping by his fellow team-members. Er, I mean by the Italians.

That said, Scotland really do need to get their act together because they won't be able to muck around like that against the Argies and get away with it. The Argies have one thing the Italians didn't. No, not a referee, but discipline. And if I set aside all national affinity, I have to say them Argies are looking like a good rugby team. Hopefully they'll be feeling very unlike a good rugby team next Sunday, eh?

A little corner of Murrayfield

'Moan Scotland!!! We're no scared o' them All Black poofs. Stick it up them eh!!! Send them homewards tae think again and aw'.

And back in the real world... Let's hope we can improve our rucking and try and keep the points difference damage down.