The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Begbie]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

[Big D]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

They should be finishing top 2 in their conference and be competitive is most games.

[Biffer]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

That’s what I’m hoping for as well. A few new signings that could add something. Interesting to see how the style changes with Blair as HC.

[I like neeps]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

They should be finishing top 2 in their conference and be competitive is most games.

Expecting a good season from Glasgow. Edinburgh with a first year HC and a squad that's fairly unbalanced with a number of new backs will be more interesting.

Edinburgh need a really great forwards coach. Hope they have something lined up

[Tichtheid]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

They should be finishing top 2 in their conference and be competitive is most games.

Expecting a good season from Glasgow. Edinburgh with a first year HC and a squad that's fairly unbalanced with a number of new backs will be more interesting.

Edinburgh need a really great forwards coach. Hope they have something lined up

Out of interest, where do you see the imbalance in the Embra squad?

I think the new signings have made up for losing Duhan and Sau, we're maybe a wee bit light on the loosehead side if Schoey gets called up, I can't see Nel in the Scotland squad unless there are injuries, he's sixty three years old now (ish).

[I like neeps]

They should be finishing top 2 in their conference and be competitive is most games.

Expecting a good season from Glasgow. Edinburgh with a first year HC and a squad that's fairly unbalanced with a number of new backs will be more interesting.

Edinburgh need a really great forwards coach. Hope they have something lined up

Out of interest, where do you see the imbalance in the Embra squad?

I think the new signings have made up for losing Duhan and Sau, we're maybe a wee bit light on the loosehead side if Schoey gets called up, I can't see Nel in the Scotland squad unless there are injuries, he's sixty three years old now (ish).

I think the imbalance is in the backs. Boffeli is a great signing but he is playing TRC for the start of the season. Will take some time to be integrated properly. You also have Lang and Bennett/Lang and VdV who need to build partnerships

And the backs and forwards as well tbf going to have to adapt to a new gameplan and totally different coaching mentalities. I am expected quite a tough season at Edinburgh.

[Tichtheid]

I think the imbalance is in the backs. Boffeli is a great signing but he is playing TRC for the start of the season. Will take some time to be integrated properly. You also have Lang and Bennett/Lang and VdV who need to build partnerships

And the backs and forwards as well tbf going to have to adapt to a new gameplan and totally different coaching mentalities. I am expected quite a tough season at Edinburgh.

That's probably fair, though I'm not sure where Blair sees Boffelli playing, if it's back three he'll have to oust one of Darcy Graham, Kinghorn or Hoyland, maybe Moyano will be on Hoyland's wing.

Lang has been in Embra for a few weeks now, he'll be doing the full preseason, I hope Mike can get them all up to speed quickly

[Big D]

Expecting a good season from Glasgow. Edinburgh with a first year HC and a squad that's fairly unbalanced with a number of new backs will be more interesting.

Edinburgh need a really great forwards coach. Hope they have something lined up

Out of interest, where do you see the imbalance in the Embra squad?

I think the new signings have made up for losing Duhan and Sau, we're maybe a wee bit light on the loosehead side if Schoey gets called up, I can't see Nel in the Scotland squad unless there are injuries, he's sixty three years old now (ish).

I think the imbalance is in the backs. Boffeli is a great signing but he is playing TRC for the start of the season. Will take some time to be integrated properly. You also have Lang and Bennett/Lang and VdV who need to build partnerships

And the backs and forwards as well tbf going to have to adapt to a new gameplan and totally different coaching mentalities. I am expected quite a tough season at Edinburgh.

Edinburgh will on most weeks line up with an all international pack and backs they have spent money on to get in/retain (even though some will not be immediately available). Many know Mike Blair very well and be familiar with how he works from their time with Scotland and the aborted summer training. There may be some hiccups along the way but if they are losing every week or have a really hard year it would be far too easy to blame the new coaching arrangements and game plans. For some of these players, the excuses need to stop. It was different last year for Glasgow with no pre season and almost having to throw young guys in at the deep end. Edinburgh have a full pre season.

They play the Italians twice each, given the whole idea of this nonsense is that international windows wont clash with the games (although they do - Tonga) there is little excuse for either team.Both sides will have it hard in the cross conference games but there is little to no excuse at the outset of the season for not finishing ahead of the Italians despite them winning a friendly competition no one took seriously.

[I like neeps]

Out of interest, where do you see the imbalance in the Embra squad?

I think the new signings have made up for losing Duhan and Sau, we're maybe a wee bit light on the loosehead side if Schoey gets called up, I can't see Nel in the Scotland squad unless there are injuries, he's sixty three years old now (ish).

I think the imbalance is in the backs. Boffeli is a great signing but he is playing TRC for the start of the season. Will take some time to be integrated properly. You also have Lang and Bennett/Lang and VdV who need to build partnerships

And the backs and forwards as well tbf going to have to adapt to a new gameplan and totally different coaching mentalities. I am expected quite a tough season at Edinburgh.

Edinburgh will on most weeks line up with an all international pack and backs they have spent money on to get in/retain (even though some will not be immediately available). Many know Mike Blair very well and be familiar with how he works from their time with Scotland and the aborted summer training. There may be some hiccups along the way but if they are losing every week or have a really hard year it would be far too easy to blame the new coaching arrangements and game plans. For some of these players, the excuses need to stop. It was different last year for Glasgow with no pre season and almost having to throw young guys in at the deep end. Edinburgh have a full pre season.

They play the Italians twice each, given the whole idea of this nonsense is that international windows wont clash with the games (although they do - Tonga) there is little excuse for either team.Both sides will have it hard in the cross conference games but there is little to no excuse at the outset of the season for not finishing ahead of the Italians despite them winning a friendly competition no one took seriously.

Two weeks of a Scotland camp, Scotland camp where Blair is the skills coach and preseason are an easier environment though. This is Blair's first pre season so he'll surely be making a few mistakes anyway. A totally new gameplan to bed in. Yes it's a full international pack when all available but that isn't a guarantee of quality most had fairly poor seasons last year.

Yes it's just the Italians but they aren't total mugs. Italian teams are only getting better with the better youth structures in place. Bennetton finished above Edinburgh with Cockers in charge (the good champs cup year). It'll be a tough season I think. It's not the ideal hand over as Edinburgh were a mess last year. It's not Lineen handing Toonie a very very good not yet great squad. The second season is when to judge.

[dpedin]

Last season was a right off for both Embra and Weegies due to Covid - there was no chance to build competitive teams with half your senior players away in Scotland bubble, etc. So I reckon both teams have a blank sheet to work from.

Embra has retained the strength up front, albeit I would have liked to see Sutherland stay here. We should be at least competitive up front in games and should dominate more than most. However it will be interesting to see if Blair changes the style of play a little and look for faster ball and more off loading up front. In the backs we have had a lot of changes and lost our most potent strike runner in VdM, he will be missed as he was the one player every team feared and had to double man mark. The new signings look good and the signs are under Blair we will see a more expansive game and hopefully more phases from the backs. We didn't really have a lot of success with phase one back plays and looked lost when playing penalty advantages in opposition 22s for the last few seasons. We tended to play off 9 a lot and I am hoping we will see better balance between 9 and 10, with 10 lying flatter and and attacking the gain line more. I think this will suit VdW. Last season our backs struggled to get behind defences and tended to play lateral and in front of them and then resort to box kicking after a few phases. I suspect Blair will be looking for more ball retention, more phases and look to spread defences and look for gaps and mismatches. Cockers was all about box kicks to get behind defences and look for chances by competing for kicks and scoring off turnover ball.

Weegies look strong and had a chance to blood some of their new guys last season. They also had the likes of Steyn coming back from injury and I suspect he will be a star player for them and Scotland. Wilson didnt really have much chance to bed in last year but I think this year we will see a style of play emerge which won't be that dissimilar to the Weegies under Townsend and Rennie. They have strengthened up front but apart from Cummings look a bit weak in 2nd row? I also like McDonald but he seemed to be played as much at 6 as he did in the 2nd row - if he focuses on being a lock I reckon he and Cummings could be a good combination. However Gray snr hasn't set the heather alight and the likes of Bean are a bit journeyman quality, perhaps some of the young guys will step up - Gregor Brown looks a really good prospect.

For both teams a good pre season with full squads, newish coaching teams and some new players will be better than last years situation. A new stadium for Embra will help and season ticket sales for both teams have done well. I reckon both teams decided to use last years covid ridden season to make changes in squads and, by accident or design, gave some young guys a chance to get some experience under their belt. I reckon we will see big improvements in both (not difficult) but Embra might struggle a bit to get going whereas I expect the Weegies to be hot from the start of the season. With the SA teams it will be a tougher season but optimistic.

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

I read a few articles from Blair just before and after he retired from playing, He seems to be a real rugby thinker. Whilst I agree that Lawrie is relatively new at this level, he won't have sat there and absorbed nothing from Cockerill. I said elsewhere that we could use more experience in coaching the forwards, and I do think that is a priority, but then Blair has had experience of forwards coaches over a long period and he'll know what he needs.

It's a scunner to see Dicko coaching Glasgow, tbh, he was a phenomenal scrummager who punched way above his weight, and more importantly he really knew exactly what he was doing and how to pass that on.

Going through the pack itself, there is an opportunity for Bradbury to establish himself, if he can put in good performances he could be the answer Scotland needs at 8, but at the moment there is no chance he is going to be picked over Bill Mata, likewise as a hard carrying option at 6, Kunavula is getting to grips with XVs, and Nick Haining will be keen to stake his claim back for a Scotland shirt.
Add in Ritchie, Watson, Crosbie, Boyle and Muncaster and we should be okay in the backrow.
I thought Sykes really looked the part, he and Hodgson look to me to be the future for the Edinburgh boiler house, and perhaps further honours too. Glicho and Toolis will still be first choice, with Phillips and Young having to state their case.
Hooker is pretty well stocked - Rambo and Cherry are both going to be looking for more Scotland caps, though Turner might have stolen a march on all of them. Harris looked promising late last season, and to think he's, what, 18? The guy from Ulster will have his work cut out, I think.

Aside from the guys that have been with us for a while, I don't know the props, so I'll leave off them for now, but I'm quite happy with where we are, even though I can't help but feel that we might not have lost Sutherland if anyone had a crystal ball, possibly the same for Duhan.

[Big D]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

I get all that. I really do. But the game plan issues should result in small issues throughout the game that may lead to a defeat from a game that should be won or a 15 point loss rather than 7 point loss. Not humpings or folding like a pack of cards in games.

Fans aren't daft and will recognise the difference between issues bedding in new gameplans and new coaching issues compared to lacking basic skills and some of the shite under Cockerill (the lack of application in the Racing game was pathetic). I don't think anyone is expecting a magic bullet either. But with the new set up the Scottish teams should be targeting 1st and 2nd, maybe 1st and 3rd if we really want to give Edinburgh a little leeway. 4 wins probably guarantees 3rd.

A new coach isn't a free ride for players to half arse it and for some, the excuses need to stop.

It would be nice to have some experience in the coaching staff and I suspect some will come. But young head coaches are pretty normal these days especially players who are 6-7 years retired.

[dpedin]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

I read a few articles from Blair just before and after he retired from playing, He seems to be a real rugby thinker. Whilst I agree that Lawrie is relatively new at this level, he won't have sat there and absorbed nothing from Cockerill. I said elsewhere that we could use more experience in coaching the forwards, and I do think that is a priority, but then Blair has had experience of forwards coaches over a long period and he'll know what he needs.

It's a scunner to see Dicko coaching Glasgow, tbh, he was a phenomenal scrummager who punched way above his weight, and more importantly he really knew exactly what he was doing and how to pass that on.

Going through the pack itself, there is an opportunity for Bradbury to establish himself, if he can put in good performances he could be the answer Scotland needs at 8, but at the moment there is no chance he is going to be picked over Bill Mata, likewise as a hard carrying option at 6, Kunavula is getting to grips with XVs, and Nick Haining will be keen to stake his claim back for a Scotland shirt.
Add in Ritchie, Watson, Crosbie, Boyle and Muncaster and we should be okay in the backrow.
I thought Sykes really looked the part, he and Hodgson look to me to be the future for the Edinburgh boiler house, and perhaps further honours too. Glicho and Toolis will still be first choice, with Phillips and Young having to state their case.
Hooker is pretty well stocked - Rambo and Cherry are both going to be looking for more Scotland caps, though Turner might have stolen a march on all of them. Harris looked promising late last season, and to think he's, what, 18? The guy from Ulster will have his work cut out, I think.

Aside from the guys that have been with us for a while, I don't know the props, so I'll leave off them for now, but I'm quite happy with where we are, even though I can't help but feel that we might not have lost Sutherland if anyone had a crystal ball, possibly the same for Duhan.

Dont disagree with much of this. I had also forgotten that Berghan had moved along the M8 as well which does weaken out front row options a bit.

[robmatic]

Right, now that pish is over how we feeling about Embra and Glasgow's chances this season? I'm hoping for a bit of new stadium and new head coach bounce for Edinburgh.

They should be finishing top 2 in their conference and be competitive is most games.

Expecting a good season from Glasgow. Edinburgh with a first year HC and a squad that's fairly unbalanced with a number of new backs will be more interesting.

Edinburgh need a really great forwards coach. Hope they have something lined up

I actually think Edinburgh's squad is probably more balanced than it has been recently and recruitment has been good. We will see how things turn out with the new backs but on paper there are more varied and better options - plenty of pace, Lang for more distribution at 12, Immelman with the beefy running etc. Prop is probably the weakness in the squad now in terms of numbers.

Agreed that the forwards coaching will be crucial.

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

I get all that. I really do. But the game plan issues should result in small issues throughout the game that may lead to a defeat from a game that should be won or a 15 point loss rather than 7 point loss. Not humpings or folding like a pack of cards in games.

Fans aren't daft and will recognise the difference between issues bedding in new gameplans and new coaching issues compared to lacking basic skills and some of the shite under Cockerill (the lack of application in the Racing game was pathetic). I don't think anyone is expecting a magic bullet either. But with the new set up the Scottish teams should be targeting 1st and 2nd, maybe 1st and 3rd if we really want to give Edinburgh a little leeway. 4 wins probably guarantees 3rd.

A new coach isn't a free ride for players to half arse it and for some, the excuses need to stop.

It would be nice to have some experience in the coaching staff and I suspect some will come. But young head coaches are pretty normal these days especially players who are 6-7 years retired.

Agree I'm not expecting players half arsing it and I'm not expecting the collapses we saw under Cockers.

However, it will be a huge change tactically for the players to get used to. And for all the very bad gameplan the forwards were very well drilled. They're good players yes but they don't train and coach themselves.

I'm nervous about Blair and Lawrie being such raw coaches.

[clydecloggie]

Looking forward to a decent season by Glasgow. Should finish top of the geographic pool against the posh boys from the east and Italians. Some good signs near the end of last season and the Rainbow Cup. Probably not yet at a level where they will be able to do the business against Leinster and the Saffers when silverware is on offer, though. They do have the certified best 9 in Lions territory, though, that should spur them on and will give young Ross Thompson exactly the right guy next to him when he looks to make his mark this season. I'm also expecting much from the new Argentinian contingent once they get into the groove after the RC finishes.

No idea where Edinburgh stand, the games against Glasgow and Treviso will tell. As long as they keep their Scottish internationals fit and firing for the 6N and roll over to get their bellies tickled when playing Glasgow, I'm happy.

[Biffer]

Looking forward to a decent season by Glasgow. Should finish top of the geographic pool against the posh boys from the east and Italians. Some good signs near the end of last season and the Rainbow Cup. Probably not yet at a level where they will be able to do the business against Leinster and the Saffers when silverware is on offer, though. They do have the certified best 9 in Lions territory, though, that should spur them on and will give young Ross Thompson exactly the right guy next to him when he looks to make his mark this season. I'm also expecting much from the new Argentinian contingent once they get into the groove after the RC finishes.

No idea where Edinburgh stand, the games against Glasgow and Treviso will tell. As long as they keep their Scottish internationals fit and firing for the 6N and roll over to get their bellies tickled when playing Glasgow, I'm happy.

This has tended to be the other way around for the last few years.

[clydecloggie]

Looking forward to a decent season by Glasgow. Should finish top of the geographic pool against the posh boys from the east and Italians. Some good signs near the end of last season and the Rainbow Cup. Probably not yet at a level where they will be able to do the business against Leinster and the Saffers when silverware is on offer, though. They do have the certified best 9 in Lions territory, though, that should spur them on and will give young Ross Thompson exactly the right guy next to him when he looks to make his mark this season. I'm also expecting much from the new Argentinian contingent once they get into the groove after the RC finishes.

No idea where Edinburgh stand, the games against Glasgow and Treviso will tell. As long as they keep their Scottish internationals fit and firing for the 6N and roll over to get their bellies tickled when playing Glasgow, I'm happy.

This has tended to be the other way around for the last few years.

Not last season, but in general, yes - which needs to be rectified or Treviso will be very happy indeed.

[dpedin]

Edinburgh's pack is really good on paper but it's not a case of putting 8 of them on the park and they just dominate. Someone has to coach them set piece, breakdown, how their roles in both affect the wider gameplan. They do also have some question marks - a fair few new players to bed in. At prop: Schoeman had a poor year, Sutherland gone - Venter and Grahamslaw are raw depth, Nel is old, De Bruin played LH for Tigers last year but is a TH at Edinburgh. Second row GG and Toolis missed a lot of time last year - Young is in, Sykes and Hodgson need to keep their ascension going. Questions of balancing the back row and getting everyone gametime without the international windows.
There are questions and a lot of coaching and savvy management required. Mike Blair is inexperienced and unproven and more an attack, backs, skills coach. The forwards coach is the also inexperienced Steve Lawrie. Edinburgh need an experienced forwards coach I think.

I get all that. I really do. But the game plan issues should result in small issues throughout the game that may lead to a defeat from a game that should be won or a 15 point loss rather than 7 point loss. Not humpings or folding like a pack of cards in games.

Fans aren't daft and will recognise the difference between issues bedding in new gameplans and new coaching issues compared to lacking basic skills and some of the shite under Cockerill (the lack of application in the Racing game was pathetic). I don't think anyone is expecting a magic bullet either. But with the new set up the Scottish teams should be targeting 1st and 2nd, maybe 1st and 3rd if we really want to give Edinburgh a little leeway. 4 wins probably guarantees 3rd.

A new coach isn't a free ride for players to half arse it and for some, the excuses need to stop.

It would be nice to have some experience in the coaching staff and I suspect some will come. But young head coaches are pretty normal these days especially players who are 6-7 years retired.

Agree I'm not expecting players half arsing it and I'm not expecting the collapses we saw under Cockers.

However, it will be a huge change tactically for the players to get used to. And for all the very bad gameplan the forwards were very well drilled. They're good players yes but they don't train and coach themselves.

I'm nervous about Blair and Lawrie being such raw coaches.

I think the Weegies used last season to blood a lot of new young players and develop a newish gameplan, or at least a variation on their existing gameplan. Wilson also had a chance to watch players close up and bring in some of his own choices. It was a fortuitous and sensible use of what was essentially a write off season and they will benefit from this. I expect them to come quick out of the blocks playing some decent rugby.

Embra and Blair are in a different position and I think it will take a few games to get up and running. Blair has only just joined the squad and he has a lot of work to do establishing his style of play and integrating new players who he may not have necessarily brought in if he was in charge? I reckon it will take a few games for him to suss out the whole squad and establish his style of play. He will however be well prepared, have done his homework and be clear in what he wants, it will however be interesting if the players can adapt as quickly as he will want. Having said that I suspect many will be relieved of the change in style of play we expect will come. Whilst I hear the comments about lack of experienced coaches I am not so worried as others - MacCrea has done a decent job as defence coach and remember we have the likes of Strockosh in the background as strength and conditioning coach. Our main comments over last few seasons hasn't been about forwards or defence but our poor attack and need to refresh the coaching in that area - Blair will take on this responsibility now.

[I like neeps]

I agree dpoedin but for all that can be said of Richard Cockerill he's a great forwards coach. I don't think it's now the forwards are at a level fix the attack and the backs and it'll all be good. The forwards were that good yes be because they're good individuals but also because they were coached really well and the entire game was set up for them. It's going to be difficult with a new game plan and without such a strong forwards coach to maintain that level. I expect the forwards to regress slightly.

Danny Wilson is a good example look how difficult he found it and he's been a very successful under 20s and Cardiff HC before joining Glasgow. I think they'll have a good season - great pack, good balanced play style and some very good backs with a number of exciting youngsters to come in. Very excited by their attack coach Nigel Carolin as well - read articles on him he sounds a class act.

[Big D]

I get all that. I really do. But the game plan issues should result in small issues throughout the game that may lead to a defeat from a game that should be won or a 15 point loss rather than 7 point loss. Not humpings or folding like a pack of cards in games.

Fans aren't daft and will recognise the difference between issues bedding in new gameplans and new coaching issues compared to lacking basic skills and some of the shite under Cockerill (the lack of application in the Racing game was pathetic). I don't think anyone is expecting a magic bullet either. But with the new set up the Scottish teams should be targeting 1st and 2nd, maybe 1st and 3rd if we really want to give Edinburgh a little leeway. 4 wins probably guarantees 3rd.

A new coach isn't a free ride for players to half arse it and for some, the excuses need to stop.

It would be nice to have some experience in the coaching staff and I suspect some will come. But young head coaches are pretty normal these days especially players who are 6-7 years retired.

Agree I'm not expecting players half arsing it and I'm not expecting the collapses we saw under Cockers.

However, it will be a huge change tactically for the players to get used to. And for all the very bad gameplan the forwards were very well drilled. They're good players yes but they don't train and coach themselves.

I'm nervous about Blair and Lawrie being such raw coaches.

I think we are actually in agreement, other than what we may see as a hard season. I wouldn't see a series of close losses or slightly larger defeats as a big issue if it was clear they were proactively working through issues as there is value to that. To me a hard year would be getting pumped most weeks and as a team with plenty internationals in it that should not be happening.

Edinburgh will almost certainly regress. The two new(ish in Venters case) SA props haven't really impressed and Rambo, Gilchrist and Bradbury amongst others haven't been consistent for Edinburgh for a while. But then again, punting a lot of money into the back row will hurt the team elsewhere.

[Big D]

On another note, I don't see the league going ahead as intended. We are 4-6 weeks away from league start and no fixtures or comms have been forthcoming. Not to mention the quarantine issues with SA.

[KingBlairhorn]

On another note, I don't see the league going ahead as intended. We are 4-6 weeks away from league start and no fixtures or comms have been forthcoming. Not to mention the quarantine issues with SA.

Edinburgh have released their pre-season fixtures this morning which suggests it will at least start as planned. Wales online had an article yesterday, which I won’t link to because they are a scummy rag, which suggested SA will play amongst themselves to start which seems sensible.

I was delighted to see the SRU have given fans what they really want for pre-season at Edinburgh btw…another game against Benetton

[KingBlairhorn]

I also saw that BoD has ‘written’ another attack piece on Duhan, the 3rd in the last few months I think. I can only assume that he either has an extremely bruised ego after Duhan destroyed some of his old records during the 6N, or else Duhan shagged his mum.

[Big D]

I also saw that BoD has ‘written’ another attack piece on Duhan, the 3rd in the last few months I think. I can only assume that he either has an extremely bruised ego after Duhan destroyed some of his old records during the 6N, or else Duhan shagged his mum.

If it is similar to what he said on a podcast he does have a point about him not being able to pick a pass when they are on at times.

[Slick]

On another note, I don't see the league going ahead as intended. We are 4-6 weeks away from league start and no fixtures or comms have been forthcoming. Not to mention the quarantine issues with SA.

Edinburgh have released their pre-season fixtures this morning which suggests it will at least start as planned. Wales online had an article yesterday, which I won’t link to because they are a scummy rag, which suggested SA will play amongst themselves to start which seems sensible.

I was delighted to see the SRU have given fans what they really want for pre-season at Edinburgh btw…another game against Benetton

Just seen Accies advertising a pre season friendly on Saturday. Far more excited than i probably should be about that!

[Biffer]

I also saw that BoD has ‘written’ another attack piece on Duhan, the 3rd in the last few months I think. I can only assume that he either has an extremely bruised ego after Duhan destroyed some of his old records during the 6N, or else Duhan shagged his mum.

If it is similar to what he said on a podcast he does have a point about him not being able to pick a pass when they are on at times.

You can say that about at least half the wingers playing international rugby. They're wingers.

[Big D]

I also saw that BoD has ‘written’ another attack piece on Duhan, the 3rd in the last few months I think. I can only assume that he either has an extremely bruised ego after Duhan destroyed some of his old records during the 6N, or else Duhan shagged his mum.

If it is similar to what he said on a podcast he does have a point about him not being able to pick a pass when they are on at times.

You can say that about at least half the wingers playing international rugby. They're wingers.

Doesn't mean it isn't a fair criticism. BOD pinpointed the break on 67 min where he should have drawn the full back and passed to Aki, but cut back inside. It isn't as clear a scoring opportunity as BOD claims or the Williams one but it is still pretty basic stuff.

BODs criticism seems to be he is more an athlete than rugby player. He said on the pod "the jury is still out for me on him but at least he was busy looking for work and trying to carry ball. To me he comes across more as a running back than a rugby player. He is destructive, he is not going to pass it...". I don't think it is that far from the truth, how often does he pass other than when fielding kicks? It is just his athletic abilities and some rugby skill deficiencies outweigh the opposite of other options.

[JM2K6]

It is a fair criticism and it's something he can work on, but I think it's pretty much baked into what people expect of him. I don't think "he's a winger" is a defence, but he is that kind of winger - see also Julian Savea and players of that ilk. It's fine, it'll be to his detriment sometimes, but it's something you can carry and no-one needs to expect him to be a wonderfully rounded player when he has such extreme physicality. Just don't pick 2 of him in the back 3!

[Slick]

If it is similar to what he said on a podcast he does have a point about him not being able to pick a pass when they are on at times.

You can say that about at least half the wingers playing international rugby. They're wingers.

Doesn't mean it isn't a fair criticism. BOD pinpointed the break on 67 min where he should have drawn the full back and passed to Aki, but cut back inside. It isn't as clear a scoring opportunity as BOD claims or the Williams one but it is still pretty basic stuff.

BODs criticism seems to be he is more an athlete than rugby player. He said on the pod "the jury is still out for me on him but at least he was busy looking for work and trying to carry ball. To me he comes across more as a running back than a rugby player. He is destructive, he is not going to pass it...". I don't think it is that far from the truth, how often does he pass other than when fielding kicks? It is just his athletic abilities and some rugby skill deficiencies outweigh the opposite of other options.

I'm not sure what more he wants out of a winger than scoring more tries than anyone else ever has in a 6N tournament. I don't care if he is more athlete than rugby player as long as he does his primary function, scoring tries, well. I agree with Biffer here, a big so what. It might be more of a conversation if he was a centre or a back row.

[Big D]

You can say that about at least half the wingers playing international rugby. They're wingers.

Doesn't mean it isn't a fair criticism. BOD pinpointed the break on 67 min where he should have drawn the full back and passed to Aki, but cut back inside. It isn't as clear a scoring opportunity as BOD claims or the Williams one but it is still pretty basic stuff.

BODs criticism seems to be he is more an athlete than rugby player. He said on the pod "the jury is still out for me on him but at least he was busy looking for work and trying to carry ball. To me he comes across more as a running back than a rugby player. He is destructive, he is not going to pass it...". I don't think it is that far from the truth, how often does he pass other than when fielding kicks? It is just his athletic abilities and some rugby skill deficiencies outweigh the opposite of other options.

I'm not sure what more he wants out of a winger than scoring more tries than anyone else ever has in a 6N tournament. I don't care if he is more athlete than rugby player as long as he does his primary function, scoring tries, well. I agree with Biffer here, a big so what. It might be more of a conversation if he was a centre or a back row.

Any player on the pitch should be able to pick a pass. It is one thing saying you are ok with him not doing so but it is hardly unfair of someone calling him out when there was a good opportunity to make a lot of ground deep in SA territory but he couldn't, or worse didn't even look for the pass.

The bit in bold just isn't true.

[Slick]

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's not, is it...

[robmatic]

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's not, is it...

Not yet

[dpedin]

BOD is just pissed of that none of his Oirish wingers were chosen for Lions. Every winger has their strengths and weakness, difficult to be over critical of VdM given his track record in Pro14 and 6Ns though. He is what he is and that's seems enough to me.

[Jock42]

Doesn't mean it isn't a fair criticism. BOD pinpointed the break on 67 min where he should have drawn the full back and passed to Aki, but cut back inside. It isn't as clear a scoring opportunity as BOD claims or the Williams one but it is still pretty basic stuff.

BODs criticism seems to be he is more an athlete than rugby player. He said on the pod "the jury is still out for me on him but at least he was busy looking for work and trying to carry ball. To me he comes across more as a running back than a rugby player. He is destructive, he is not going to pass it...". I don't think it is that far from the truth, how often does he pass other than when fielding kicks? It is just his athletic abilities and some rugby skill deficiencies outweigh the opposite of other options.

I'm not sure what more he wants out of a winger than scoring more tries than anyone else ever has in a 6N tournament. I don't care if he is more athlete than rugby player as long as he does his primary function, scoring tries, well. I agree with Biffer here, a big so what. It might be more of a conversation if he was a centre or a back row.

Any player on the pitch should be able to pick a pass. It is one thing saying you are ok with him not doing so but it is hardly unfair of someone calling him out when there was a good opportunity to make a lot of ground deep in SA territory but he couldn't, or worse didn't even look for the pass.

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's something that I've found really frustrating, probably more so watching embra, is that he'll always look to take the contact or crab sideways at times.

[Big D]

I'm not sure what more he wants out of a winger than scoring more tries than anyone else ever has in a 6N tournament. I don't care if he is more athlete than rugby player as long as he does his primary function, scoring tries, well. I agree with Biffer here, a big so what. It might be more of a conversation if he was a centre or a back row.

Any player on the pitch should be able to pick a pass. It is one thing saying you are ok with him not doing so but it is hardly unfair of someone calling him out when there was a good opportunity to make a lot of ground deep in SA territory but he couldn't, or worse didn't even look for the pass.

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's something that I've found really frustrating, probably more so watching embra, is that he'll always look to take the contact or crab sideways at times.

It would actually make him more dangerous if he could spot a pass more. He attracts/beats so many people that not dying with the ball would put the defence under so much more pressure on the next phase of play.

[Yr Alban]

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's not, is it...

No. Had a quick look, and Jonny May scored 6 as recently as 2019. All-time record is 8, though that was pre-6N.

Regarding Duhan, he isn’t the greatest passer, but BOD’s comments are so determined to focus on a small weakness and ignore what he does bring to the team that they just look foolish. I don’t recall Lomu being a great passer either. Did anyone care?

[dpedin]

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's not, is it...

No. Had a quick look, and Jonny May scored 6 as recently as 2019. All-time record is 8, though that was pre-6N.

Regarding Duhan, he isn’t the greatest passer, but BOD’s comments are so determined to focus on a small weakness and ignore what he does bring to the team that they just look foolish. I don’t recall Lomu being a great passer either. Did anyone care?

Was thinking the same thing. One thing that happens when VdM is playing is that teams change tactics to try and negate his carrying power and put extra cover behind their defenders as they assume he is going to break at least the first and probably the second tackles. Embra use this a lot in getting him to carry hard into contact and then recycle quickly to exploit the gaps he makes in defences. Quite often they give him the ball out wide and he will run hard at an angle inside drawing winger/FB/ outside centre into tackle and then recycle quickly down the blind side where they will stack up and there will be a mismatch or a forward providing cover. As with every player on the pitch you have to use their strengths to max return.

[I like neeps]

The bit in bold just isn't true.

It's not, is it...

No. Had a quick look, and Jonny May scored 6 as recently as 2019. All-time record is 8, though that was pre-6N.

Regarding Duhan, he isn’t the greatest passer, but BOD’s comments are so determined to focus on a small weakness and ignore what he does bring to the team that they just look foolish. I don’t recall Lomu being a great passer either. Did anyone care?

Not sure Lomu is the best comparison point...

Jonny May is a good one. He never passes, his rugby understanding is limited and his basic skills are poor. Runs really fast and scores tries though. George North is another - big and fast, limited player. Jacob Stockdale - the list goes on.

One thing about big wingers though is their longevity isn't so good for whatever reason.