The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[OomStruisbaai]

I have to say that this is the first season that I’ve really got into the club rugby and enjoyed following a team. I’ll definitely be going to more games next season and would love to get to a couple of away ones (probably Ulster and an Italian one top of my list).

I think that as well of encouraging a type of rugby that we all want to watch, Blair has managed to create a buzz around following the team - in no small part the stadium has obviously helped.

So all in all, agree, a positive first season

Visit South Africa next season.

From a neutral point of view, Kinghorn is a good 10. Apart from the throw away pass, he shown his worth against the Sharks.

Just make all the EdinBokke the national Scots team, problem solved.

Hard luck Slicky, your team put up a good show.

[I like neeps]

Summer tour squad predictions - squad is out Wednesday:

Back 3: Huw Jones, Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Kyle Rowe, Damien Hoyland
Centre: Mark Bennett, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipolotu
Fly half: Blair Kinghorn, Adam Hastings
Scrum half: Ben Vellacott, Ben White, George Horne
Prop: Jamie Bhatti, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Simon Berghan, D'Arcy Rae
Hooker: George Turner, Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry (not sure if Brown/Mcinally fit)
Locks: Jonny Gray (C), Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson
Back row: Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ben Muncaster, Andy Christie, Connor Boyle (presuming Matt F, Bayliss, Richardson, Ritchie, Haining are all still injured)

I'd ask the guys you want for a world cup like potentially Roebuck and Chapman. I'm sure family trees are being scoured.

A team is more interesting - not many players to pick from if we're doing two different squads;

Props: there are none. Murphy Walker is TH, LH is anyone's guess - the lesser spotted Allan Dell?! We're perhaps going to see guys like Harrison Courtney and Angus Williams get a cap and this is what happens when the strategy is residency South Africans. You could see someone like a Nick Auterac or Will Hurd in here but are you going to give away your EQP for an A team fixture Vs Chile if you're far from established? I would not. Bad business. I guess we have Javan Sebastian lol.
Hookers: Adam McBurney (liked him a lot for Edinburgh), Jonny Matthews (maybe Glasgow's best performer this season)
Locks: Marshall Sykes, Kiran McDonald, I'd genuinely give Max Williamson the bench here. Cameron Henderson if fit which I think he is then take him with the main squad.
Back row: Gregor Brown, Tom Gordon, Boyle and Muncaster to play this match before joining the squad
Scrum Halfs: Charlie Shiel, Jamie Dobie
Fly half: Ross Thompson, Charlie Savala
Centre: Matt Currie, Stafford McDowall, Cameron Huchison
Back three: Rufus McLean, Cole Forbes (don't think we have a third as Glasgow and Edinburgh have stocked up on NSQ back threes) so maybe chuck in a Hoyland or Ollie Smith. Could go very rogue and play Jordan Edmunds.

Notable omissions are the injured, the Lions and Oli Kebble and Sam Johnson who both need to buck up their ideas and fast.

[Big D]

Summer tour squad predictions - squad is out Wednesday:

Back 3: Huw Jones, Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Kyle Rowe, Damien Hoyland
Centre: Mark Bennett, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipolotu
Fly half: Blair Kinghorn, Adam Hastings
Scrum half: Ben Vellacott, Ben White, George Horne
Prop: Jamie Bhatti, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Simon Berghan, D'Arcy Rae
Hooker: George Turner, Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry (not sure if Brown/Mcinally fit)
Locks: Jonny Gray (C), Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson
Back row: Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ben Muncaster, Andy Christie, Connor Boyle (presuming Matt F, Bayliss, Richardson, Ritchie, Haining are all still injured)

I'd ask the guys you want for a world cup like potentially Roebuck and Chapman. I'm sure family trees are being scoured.

A team is more interesting - not many players to pick from if we're doing two different squads;

Props: there are none. Murphy Walker is TH, LH is anyone's guess - the lesser spotted Allan Dell?! We're perhaps going to see guys like Harrison Courtney and Angus Williams get a cap and this is what happens when the strategy is residency South Africans. You could see someone like a Nick Auterac or Will Hurd in here but are you going to give away your EQP for an A team fixture Vs Chile if you're far from established? I would not. Bad business. I guess we have Javan Sebastian lol.
Hookers: Adam McBurney (liked him a lot for Edinburgh), Jonny Matthews (maybe Glasgow's best performer this season)
Locks: Marshall Sykes, Kiran McDonald, I'd genuinely give Max Williamson the bench here. Cameron Henderson if fit which I think he is then take him with the main squad.
Back row: Gregor Brown, Tom Gordon, Boyle and Muncaster to play this match before joining the squad
Scrum Halfs: Charlie Shiel, Jamie Dobie
Fly half: Ross Thompson, Charlie Savala
Centre: Matt Currie, Stafford McDowall, Cameron Huchison
Back three: Rufus McLean, Cole Forbes (don't think we have a third as Glasgow and Edinburgh have stocked up on NSQ back threes) so maybe chuck in a Hoyland or Ollie Smith. Could go very rogue and play Jordan Edmunds.

Notable omissions are the injured, the Lions and Oli Kebble and Sam Johnson who both need to buck up their ideas and fast.

Have they said it will be two distinct squads? Not sure it makes sense flying 15 guys to Chile for 1 game, without keeping them with the squad.

I wouldn't have Tuipolotu anywhere near the squad. Agree that Sutherland might be the Lion to tour but I would still leave him at home.

Dean should be rewarded with a place in the squad too. Been very good recently.

[I like neeps]

Summer tour squad predictions - squad is out Wednesday:

Back 3: Huw Jones, Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Kyle Rowe, Damien Hoyland
Centre: Mark Bennett, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipolotu
Fly half: Blair Kinghorn, Adam Hastings
Scrum half: Ben Vellacott, Ben White, George Horne
Prop: Jamie Bhatti, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Simon Berghan, D'Arcy Rae
Hooker: George Turner, Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry (not sure if Brown/Mcinally fit)
Locks: Jonny Gray (C), Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson
Back row: Magnus Bradbury, Luke Crosbie, Ben Muncaster, Andy Christie, Connor Boyle (presuming Matt F, Bayliss, Richardson, Ritchie, Haining are all still injured)

I'd ask the guys you want for a world cup like potentially Roebuck and Chapman. I'm sure family trees are being scoured.

A team is more interesting - not many players to pick from if we're doing two different squads;

Props: there are none. Murphy Walker is TH, LH is anyone's guess - the lesser spotted Allan Dell?! We're perhaps going to see guys like Harrison Courtney and Angus Williams get a cap and this is what happens when the strategy is residency South Africans. You could see someone like a Nick Auterac or Will Hurd in here but are you going to give away your EQP for an A team fixture Vs Chile if you're far from established? I would not. Bad business. I guess we have Javan Sebastian lol.
Hookers: Adam McBurney (liked him a lot for Edinburgh), Jonny Matthews (maybe Glasgow's best performer this season)
Locks: Marshall Sykes, Kiran McDonald, I'd genuinely give Max Williamson the bench here. Cameron Henderson if fit which I think he is then take him with the main squad.
Back row: Gregor Brown, Tom Gordon, Boyle and Muncaster to play this match before joining the squad
Scrum Halfs: Charlie Shiel, Jamie Dobie
Fly half: Ross Thompson, Charlie Savala
Centre: Matt Currie, Stafford McDowall, Cameron Huchison
Back three: Rufus McLean, Cole Forbes (don't think we have a third as Glasgow and Edinburgh have stocked up on NSQ back threes) so maybe chuck in a Hoyland or Ollie Smith. Could go very rogue and play Jordan Edmunds.

Notable omissions are the injured, the Lions and Oli Kebble and Sam Johnson who both need to buck up their ideas and fast.

Have they said it will be two distinct squads? Not sure it makes sense flying 15 guys to Chile for 1 game, without keeping them with the squad.

I wouldn't have Tuipolotu anywhere near the squad. Agree that Sutherland might be the Lion to tour but I would still leave him at home.

Dean should be rewarded with a place in the squad too. Been very good recently.

Think they will as having decent players Vs Chile is just a training run. And they recently did take a squad to Canada/US and a totally different one to SA - Cotter's first tour maybe?

Sutherland hasn't played much rugby and we just don't have enough props. First second and third priority for the pro teams has to be play Scottish props. Wasps have as many professional SQ props as Edinburgh, Worcester have as many born in Scotland as Glasgow.

Agree on Dean, I think Tuipolotu will go - he's been fine for Glasgow and for Scotland he adds something different. There aren't too many centre choices really considering Johnson's lack of form, I guess Scott will miss out as we know he's not the answer.

[Big D]

Think they will as having decent players Vs Chile is just a training run. And they recently did take a squad to Canada/US and a totally different one to SA - Cotter's first tour maybe?

Sutherland hasn't played much rugby and we just don't have enough props. First second and third priority for the pro teams has to be play Scottish props. Wasps have as many professional SQ props as Edinburgh, Worcester have as many born in Scotland as Glasgow.

Agree on Dean, I think Tuipolotu will go - he's been fine for Glasgow and for Scotland he adds something different. There aren't too many centre choices really considering Johnson's lack of form, I guess Scott will miss out as we know he's not the answer.

I just wondered if they'll take a bigger than normal squad of say 40 and pick from that. It is only a 2 hour flight from Chile to Argentina too so they are reasonably short travel times too. Guys like Hodgson, Sykes, Dobie, Thomson etc would all benefit from being involved with the squad all summer.

Prop is an issue, bit of a no win situation for Edinburgh and Glasgow due to how important a position it is at set piece especially if getting pumped at the scrum, they can't just play Scottish props if they aren't up to it. Granted their job is to get them to a required standard, but presumably they do try.

I think I defended Tuiplolotu in the 6N but he just doesn't have the skills required of an international centre at the moment. Can't pass that well (relative to needed standard) or kick. Chris Harris lacks some of those skills too but is one of the best defensive 13s about. We really need to start getting our back 3 in the game in open play when attacking. Too often the ball dies with Tuipolotu or Harris when they play. Harris gets a partial pass due to how good his defence is.

Edit - Is Dempsey allowed to train but not play or is even training a no go? He and GT should know whether he plans to commit to the national team and if he is then having him attend any session in Scotland before departing would be useful.

[Biffer]

Danny Wilson has been stood down from Glasgow coahing duties. Not surprising.

[KingBlairhorn]

Danny Wilson has been stood down from Glasgow coahing duties. Not surprising.

That is a surprise to me, given only yesterday he said he intended to stay another year. IWhen you say stood down do you mean sacked? That may have serious implications on the quality of replacement given the SRU aren't particularly flush with cash. I would hope they had a replacement lined up already prior to pulling the trigger.

[Biffer]

Danny Wilson has been stood down from Glasgow coahing duties. Not surprising.

That is a surprise to me, given only yesterday he said he intended to stay another year. IWhen you say stood down do you mean sacked? That may have serious implications on the quality of replacement given the SRU aren't particularly flush with cash. I would hope they had a replacement lined up already prior to pulling the trigger.

Bascially I think what they mean is they're going to punt him into another role because he isn't cutting it at Glasgow. They don't want him doing that job but won't break his contract and as such no paying additional money to him.

[I like neeps]

Danny Wilson has been stood down from Glasgow coahing duties. Not surprising.

That is a surprise to me, given only yesterday he said he intended to stay another year. IWhen you say stood down do you mean sacked? That may have serious implications on the quality of replacement given the SRU aren't particularly flush with cash. I would hope they had a replacement lined up already prior to pulling the trigger.

Bascially I think what they mean is they're going to punt him into another role because he isn't cutting it at Glasgow. They don't want him doing that job but won't break his contract and as such no paying additional money to him.

Surely means sacked? Unless he swaps places with John Dalziel.

[Camroc2]

Danny Wilson has been stood down from Glasgow coahing duties. Not surprising.

That is a surprise to me, given only yesterday he said he intended to stay another year. IWhen you say stood down do you mean sacked? That may have serious implications on the quality of replacement given the SRU aren't particularly flush with cash. I would hope they had a replacement lined up already prior to pulling the trigger.

Bascially I think what they mean is they're going to punt him into another role because he isn't cutting it at Glasgow. They don't want him doing that job but won't break his contract and as such no paying additional money to him.

Sacked according to the Warriors website.

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/da ... w-warriors

[Dogbert]

No one could legitimately survived the Leinster result, especially after the 1872 debacle.

God knows who replaces him though

[Slick]

Stuart Lancaster?

[I like neeps]

Stuart Lancaster?

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

[Slick]

Stuart Lancaster?

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

[KingBlairhorn]

Stuart Lancaster?

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

[I like neeps]

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

Is Blair out of a job? I do agree about Edinburgh generally but Blair isn't going anywhere. And Glasgow doesn't have the same potential for sustained success.

Lancaster is in the ideal set up - he'll have turned down DoR roles - and will wait for the post WC coaching carousel.

[sockwithaticket]

Stuart Lancaster?

You'd have to offer a fuck off big carrot to get him out of Leinster or hope that he gets sick of so much winning and wants a challenge.

[KingBlairhorn]

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

Is Blair out of a job? I do agree about Edinburgh generally but Blair isn't going anywhere. And Glasgow doesn't have the same potential for sustained success.

Lancaster is in the ideal set up - he'll have turned down DoR roles - and will wait for the post WC coaching carousel.

Haha, that post is full of shit! The travails of posting whilst watching paw patrol with a 3 year old!

What I was trying to say is that there is a chance in Edinburgh (in particular) to create a system similar to Leinster and to do that someone who knows how the Leinster system works would be very helpful. The players can then go from there to whichever pro team. Lancaster could bring more to the role than just being Glasgow coach…although I think that’s what Mallinder is supposed to be doing.

[Big D]

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

I am not sure the SRU will go too far off the beaten track for the next appointment. Wouldn't surprise me if Murchie got the gig even though it would be too early IMO.

There are some major issues at Glasgow and I am not sure it is a short term fix. Wilson was a problem but far from the only one. For example the recruitment over the last 4 seasons has been very poor:
2018/19
Tamielau, Flockhart (end of loan at SN), Henderson (end of loan at SN), Frisby, Kevin Bryce, Davidson (loan), Du Plessis

2019/20
Davidson, Steyn, Dunbar, Dolokoto, Vakaloloma, Iscaro, Kennedy, O'Toole, Matthews, Seiuli, Reid (emergency), Nakarawa (the shot version), Cortes, McQuillan, Evans

2020/21
Gray, Pieretto, Bain, Lokotui, Ioane, Bean, Keatley, Scott, Forbes, Darge

2021/22
Weir, Bhatti, Berghan, Dempsey, McKay, Tuipolotu, Miller, Miotti, Cancelliere, McCallum, Fergusson, Fifita, McBeth,

The above doesn't include academy graduates like Dobie, but there haven't been large number of successes. They badly need their Saffas, Vailanu and Jones to make a big impression next year. Even then, was 8 a position they needed to spend on?

[KingBlairhorn]

I was looking at the Glasgow forum earlier and was quite surprised to see a lot of ire directed at Kellock too. The prevailing opinion was he got the job as one of the boys and he is pretty unqualified to do it, particularly for the high 6 figures he presumably gets for it. That kind of salary in Glasgow would attract some pretty high caliber candidates.

[I like neeps]

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

I am not sure the SRU will go too far off the beaten track for the next appointment. Wouldn't surprise me if Murchie got the gig even though it would be too early IMO.

There are some major issues at Glasgow and I am not sure it is a short term fix. Wilson was a problem but far from the only one. For example the recruitment over the last 4 seasons has been very poor:
2018/19
Tamielau, Flockhart (end of loan at SN), Henderson (end of loan at SN), Frisby, Kevin Bryce, Davidson (loan), Du Plessis

2019/20
Davidson, Steyn, Dunbar, Dolokoto, Vakaloloma, Iscaro, Kennedy, O'Toole, Matthews, Seiuli, Reid (emergency), Nakarawa (the shot version), Cortes, McQuillan, Evans

2020/21
Gray, Pieretto, Bain, Lokotui, Ioane, Bean, Keatley, Scott, Forbes, Darge

2021/22
Weir, Bhatti, Berghan, Dempsey, McKay, Tuipolotu, Miller, Miotti, Cancelliere, McCallum, Fergusson, Fifita, McBeth,

The above doesn't include academy graduates like Dobie, but there haven't been large number of successes. They badly need their Saffas, Vailanu and Jones to make a big impression next year. Even then, was 8 a position they needed to spend on?

Their recent has been excellent: Bhatti, Matthews Dempsey, McKay, Darge, Cancilliere have been excellent. R Gray has been excellent - good, Tuipolotu, Forbes and Berghan have been good. Miller and Mioti maybe unlucky not to play more.

The problem for Glasgow is their Scotland internationals with the exceptions of Bhatti, Turner, maybe Tuipolotu for club, Steyn (not really a winger) and Darge of course have all been mostly crap. Kebble, Fagersons, Cummings, Price, Johnson and the likes should all be amongst the best at their position in the league and none of them have been.

[Slick]

They need Cockers!

[Dogbert]

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

I am not sure the SRU will go too far off the beaten track for the next appointment. Wouldn't surprise me if Murchie got the gig even though it would be too early IMO.

There are some major issues at Glasgow and I am not sure it is a short term fix. Wilson was a problem but far from the only one. For example the recruitment over the last 4 seasons has been very poor:
2018/19
Tamielau, Flockhart (end of loan at SN), Henderson (end of loan at SN), Frisby, Kevin Bryce, Davidson (loan), Du Plessis

2019/20
Davidson, Steyn, Dunbar, Dolokoto, Vakaloloma, Iscaro, Kennedy, O'Toole, Matthews, Seiuli, Reid (emergency), Nakarawa (the shot version), Cortes, McQuillan, Evans

2020/21
Gray, Pieretto, Bain, Lokotui, Ioane, Bean, Keatley, Scott, Forbes, Darge

2021/22
Weir, Bhatti, Berghan, Dempsey, McKay, Tuipolotu, Miller, Miotti, Cancelliere, McCallum, Fergusson, Fifita, McBeth,

The above doesn't include academy graduates like Dobie, but there haven't been large number of successes. They badly need their Saffas, Vailanu and Jones to make a big impression next year. Even then, was 8 a position they needed to spend on?

Their recent has been excellent: Bhatti, Matthews Dempsey, McKay, Darge, Cancilliere have been excellent. R Gray has been excellent - good, Tuipolotu, Forbes and Berghan have been good. Miller and Mioti maybe unlucky not to play more.

The problem for Glasgow is their Scotland internationals with the exceptions of Bhatti, Turner, maybe Tuipolotu for club, Steyn (not really a winger) and Darge of course have all been mostly crap. Kebble, Fagersons, Cummings, Price, Johnson and the likes should all be amongst the best at their position in the league and none of them have been.

Er no in the URC games Glasgow has 8 losses -Cummings was only on the losing side twice - Ulster Away at the start of the season , and Cardiff Away .

Hit harsh to call someone crap when he wasn't actually playing

[I like neeps]

I am not sure the SRU will go too far off the beaten track for the next appointment. Wouldn't surprise me if Murchie got the gig even though it would be too early IMO.

There are some major issues at Glasgow and I am not sure it is a short term fix. Wilson was a problem but far from the only one. For example the recruitment over the last 4 seasons has been very poor:
2018/19
Tamielau, Flockhart (end of loan at SN), Henderson (end of loan at SN), Frisby, Kevin Bryce, Davidson (loan), Du Plessis

2019/20
Davidson, Steyn, Dunbar, Dolokoto, Vakaloloma, Iscaro, Kennedy, O'Toole, Matthews, Seiuli, Reid (emergency), Nakarawa (the shot version), Cortes, McQuillan, Evans

2020/21
Gray, Pieretto, Bain, Lokotui, Ioane, Bean, Keatley, Scott, Forbes, Darge

2021/22
Weir, Bhatti, Berghan, Dempsey, McKay, Tuipolotu, Miller, Miotti, Cancelliere, McCallum, Fergusson, Fifita, McBeth,

The above doesn't include academy graduates like Dobie, but there haven't been large number of successes. They badly need their Saffas, Vailanu and Jones to make a big impression next year. Even then, was 8 a position they needed to spend on?

Their recent has been excellent: Bhatti, Matthews Dempsey, McKay, Darge, Cancilliere have been excellent. R Gray has been excellent - good, Tuipolotu, Forbes and Berghan have been good. Miller and Mioti maybe unlucky not to play more.

The problem for Glasgow is their Scotland internationals with the exceptions of Bhatti, Turner, maybe Tuipolotu for club, Steyn (not really a winger) and Darge of course have all been mostly crap. Kebble, Fagersons, Cummings, Price, Johnson and the likes should all be amongst the best at their position in the league and none of them have been.

Er no in the URC games Glasgow has 8 losses -Cummings was only on the losing side twice - Ulster Away at the start of the season , and Cardiff Away .

Hit harsh to call someone crap when he wasn't actually playing

When he played he wasn't as good as he had been in 2019/20.

[Camroc2]

Nae chance.

As next Scotland HC however...

Why do you not think so? Would he not be looking for a HC role?

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

I agree with this, and had many discussions with Scottish posters in t'other place many years ago about same. It needs to be bottom up though, the schools, pupils and parents need to buy into it 100%. It won't work top down.

[Big D]

I think he might be tempted by a return to a HC role. Gives us a chance to get his lad back in the SRU system too!

If not him, Clarke Laidlaw from NZ sevens might work? He’s also coming from the type of performance environment we seem to struggle with.

From the perspective of Lancaster in particular, Edinburgh is one of the few places in the world with a real chance to try to emulate Leinster’s system. The (metro) population is much smaller (around 50% smaller), but the budget and reach of the independent school system is potentially similar to Leinster in many respects. I think it would be very hard to get near what Leinster have, but if he could produce a ‘budget’ version that churns out good quality international players every year then Edinburgh could certainly be a team like Munster challenging in all competitions every year. The potential is definitely there IMO.

I am not sure the SRU will go too far off the beaten track for the next appointment. Wouldn't surprise me if Murchie got the gig even though it would be too early IMO.

There are some major issues at Glasgow and I am not sure it is a short term fix. Wilson was a problem but far from the only one. For example the recruitment over the last 4 seasons has been very poor:
2018/19
Tamielau, Flockhart (end of loan at SN), Henderson (end of loan at SN), Frisby, Kevin Bryce, Davidson (loan), Du Plessis

2019/20
Davidson, Steyn, Dunbar, Dolokoto, Vakaloloma, Iscaro, Kennedy, O'Toole, Matthews, Seiuli, Reid (emergency), Nakarawa (the shot version), Cortes, McQuillan, Evans

2020/21
Gray, Pieretto, Bain, Lokotui, Ioane, Bean, Keatley, Scott, Forbes, Darge

2021/22
Weir, Bhatti, Berghan, Dempsey, McKay, Tuipolotu, Miller, Miotti, Cancelliere, McCallum, Fergusson, Fifita, McBeth,

The above doesn't include academy graduates like Dobie, but there haven't been large number of successes. They badly need their Saffas, Vailanu and Jones to make a big impression next year. Even then, was 8 a position they needed to spend on?

Their recent has been excellent: Bhatti, Matthews Dempsey, McKay, Darge, Cancilliere have been excellent. R Gray has been excellent - good, Tuipolotu, Forbes and Berghan have been good. Miller and Mioti maybe unlucky not to play more.

The problem for Glasgow is their Scotland internationals with the exceptions of Bhatti, Turner, maybe Tuipolotu for club, Steyn (not really a winger) and Darge of course have all been mostly crap. Kebble, Fagersons, Cummings, Price, Johnson and the likes should all be amongst the best at their position in the league and none of them have been.

I still think some of the newer signings were found wanting at the business end of the season in winnable games that could have seen them finish as high as 4th.
Too many of them have a touch of flat track bully about them. Might be being harsh though. And I'll hold my hands up if so.

[Dogbert]

Certainly the some of the newer / younger signings have had a drop off in the last games of the season , but I don't think that's been the main issue.

Cummings and Fagerson M have been injured for most of the season , and their back up's have been Harley & Wilson

Both Harley & Wilson are Club institutions - but this season has been one too many - I can't think of one game where either have had a dominant performance - It's not that the attitude isn't there - but they are both unfortunately passed their sell by date

You can just about get away with playing them against the weaker URC teams - but not against the better URC teams , where they become exposed at that level

Thompson has suffered a bit from second season syndrome - but has had bugger all back up - Weir has been mince & Mioti has barely played - an it's not been clear why , what was meant to be a significant signing , has not been on the team sheet more often

[Biffer]

I’ve always thought there is a small, very vocal segment of the Glasgow support who are, quite frankly, a little bit football minded - or rather Rangers minded. An expectation of some kind of right to success and any money that’s going regardless of consequence.

[Dogbert]

I’ve always thought there is a small, very vocal segment of the Glasgow support who are, quite frankly, a little bit football minded - or rather Rangers minded. An expectation of some kind of right to success and any money that’s going regardless of consequence.

Nah - Maybe after winning the Pro 12 , and being runners up in the Pro 14 in 2018-19 , we have become a little less accepting of mediocrity that often seems endemic in Scottish Pro rugby - which is no bad thing.

Lets not bring a 'Rangers' slant on this - If there is one thing as a season ticket holder over the past 10 years - the sectarian problem that clouds Glasgow , is not one that I have ever seen in at Scotstoun or Firhill

[clydecloggie]

Not a bad weekend to be off the grid. For the first time in a long while I didn't feel remotely tempted to catch up with a Warriors game I'd missed.

Undeniably the right call to get rid of Wilson - Glasgow became a 'first-half only' team this season and declined rapidly . A few seasons back "Whatever It Takes" was more than just a PR slogan, it succinctly said what the club was all about - you could rely on them giving their all until the last play, a real Clydebuilt mentality. Now they go under a banner that reads 'Privileged to Play' or some drivel like it - more of an Edinburgh private school nonce slogan for prancing ponies primarily looking to create a few tall tales to tell in the third half.

The club now needs more Glasgow, more dug than doggie - essentially they need to go back to what Munster fans believe they are. A team full of shits who will do whatever it takes.

[KingBlairhorn]

[I like neeps]

Not a bad weekend to be off the grid. For the first time in a long while I didn't feel remotely tempted to catch up with a Warriors game I'd missed.

Undeniably the right call to get rid of Wilson - Glasgow became a 'first-half only' team this season and declined rapidly . A few seasons back "Whatever It Takes" was more than just a PR slogan, it succinctly said what the club was all about - you could rely on them giving their all until the last play, a real Clydebuilt mentality. Now they go under a banner that reads 'Privileged to Play' or some drivel like it - more of an Edinburgh private school nonce slogan for prancing ponies primarily looking to create a few tall tales to tell in the third half.

The club now needs more Glasgow, more dug than doggie - essentially they need to go back to what Munster fans believe they are. A team full of shits who will do whatever it takes.

Glasgow have a lot of niggle in their pack: Fagersons, Turner, Bhatti, Harley, Wilson, Dempsey is a bit of that. But it's a fine line between niggle and petulance which as a team they've yet to work out. I think the difference is mainly winning though.

[Dogbert]

Cometh the Hour ......

[Slick]

Not a bad weekend to be off the grid. For the first time in a long while I didn't feel remotely tempted to catch up with a Warriors game I'd missed.

Undeniably the right call to get rid of Wilson - Glasgow became a 'first-half only' team this season and declined rapidly . A few seasons back "Whatever It Takes" was more than just a PR slogan, it succinctly said what the club was all about - you could rely on them giving their all until the last play, a real Clydebuilt mentality. Now they go under a banner that reads 'Privileged to Play' or some drivel like it - more of an Edinburgh private school nonce slogan for prancing ponies primarily looking to create a few tall tales to tell in the third half.

The club now needs more Glasgow, more dug than doggie - essentially they need to go back to what Munster fans believe they are. A team full of shits who will do whatever it takes.

Glasgow have a lot of niggle in their pack: Fagersons, Turner, Bhatti, Harley, Wilson, Dempsey is a bit of that. But it's a fine line between niggle and petulance which as a team they've yet to work out. I think the difference is mainly winning though.

Yup, they were the wrong side of that line in the Edinburgh game. I don't think it will take a huge amount of fixing to be honest and agree with Clydecloggie that the least you should expect from any Glasgow sporting side is a bit of dug.

[KingBlairhorn]

Really poor form from Barclay this. If only ex-pros were allowed an opinion it would be a pretty dull game. I’m sure the next time he wants to voice an opinion on anything outside rugby he’ll enjoy all the ‘keep to sports’ comments he’ll get.

In other news, I’ve heard two intriguing rumours this week. 1). Jamie Dobie is heading to Edinburgh and 2). Fin Smith has decided to throw his lot in with Scotland, and will be in the squad names tomorrow.

[Jock42]

Pyrgos' contract isn't up is it? Not good for Shiel either way.

Have only seen little bits of Smith but that's great news.

Bennett and Boffelli get player of the season and players player of the season respectively.

[Big D]

Really poor form from Barclay this. If only ex-pros were allowed an opinion it would be a pretty dull game. I’m sure the next time he wants to voice an opinion on anything outside rugby he’ll enjoy all the ‘keep to sports’ comments he’ll get.

In other news, I’ve heard two intriguing rumours this week. 1). Jamie Dobie is heading to Edinburgh and 2). Fin Smith has decided to throw his lot in with Scotland, and will be in the squad names tomorrow.

Some of the replies to Barclays initial post were nonsense to be fair. One even mentioned Wilson being terrible as Scotlands defence coach..

All the 9s behind Price at Glasgow have stalled or gone backwards, and not just under Wilson. Something has to give and Dobie would benefit from being coached by Blair and Baber who was a 9 IIRC.

Around the time the Thistle put up the list of Dingwall, Smith, Stevenson and Chapman I thought Smith was an outside bet simply given his age but it makes a lot of sense and would be a easant surprise. He'd almost be back up to Russell immediately when all available. Following his Grandads footsteps all the way to the Lions would be good :-)

We might see Chapman and Roebuck involved too.

[KingBlairhorn]

I read them and I agree they were nonsense, but that’s irrelevant. Barclay’s point was, even if the comments were insightful and interesting, that they should be ignored unless you are a professional rugby player who has been coached by Wilson. That’s what made it poor form. As I said, I’m sure Barclay will find he is reminded of it constantly now, so a pretty thick thing to do. Maybe he should have stuck to rugby rather than trying to be a journalist.

[Tichtheid]

This is conjecture on my part since I ignore the worst of Twitter, but I can imagine how bad it got on that platform regarding comments on Danny Wilson. This is a guy Warburton and Barclay know and obviously respect.

I see Barclay’s comments as being a response to some of the outpouring of vilification after the Leinster result, rather than a dismissal of anyone who is not a professional rugby player.

[KingBlairhorn]

Nothing I saw was vile, just the usual black and white opinions (I.e. he’s terrible, shocking, worst ever etc.). Regardless, that still isn’t the point. If Barclay has a problem with that he can say ad hominem attacks are unacceptable. What he said was unless you are a professional sportsperson your view is worthless.