The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

They’ve been wrong before but they also definitely have contacts in the Edinburgh camp so there may be something to this.

On McCallum, I read somewhere he has been playing tighthead again and looking good. The Edinburgh depth at tighthead isn’t bad (Nel, De Bruin, Atalifo, Williams, Gamble) with lots of bodies, but I wouldn’t say any of those beyond the first two are notable. Given only 2 are SQ (as far as I know), adding in McCallum might be worthwhile. If nothing else it gives us a further opportunity to wrap Nel in cottonwool, bubble wrap, blankets and anything else soft we can find pre-WC.

I guess circumstances are dictating this but I am genuinely pretty satisfied with the options we already have in both of those positions.

If the SRU have that kind of cash kicking around, Glasgow would be much more improved by picking those two up.

For me, Nel is excellent but aging. De Bruin is very good but not (and never will be) SQ. Atalifo is okay, Williams is a backup at best and Gamble has huge promise but hasn't made any real breakthrough yet. If a resurgent McCallum could slot in at third choice, possibly fourth tighthead it would be overall good for both Edinburgh and Scotland.

I agree on McCallum, especially considering we've barely seen De Bruin on the pitch.

[KingBlairhorn]

Ah yeah, sorry, I see now your comment was on Sutherland and Duhan. Yes, Edinburgh are very well stocked in both those positions. I would go as far as saying Shoeman, Sutherland, Venter would be as strong a three at loosehead in the URC. Equally, picking three from Goosen, Graham, Boffelli and Duhan would be pretty tough and Hoyland and Immelman aren't shit either.

[Tichtheid]

Duhan only plays wing, Immelman plays fullback or centre. Graham and Hoyland are wingers/fullbacks. Goosen is a winger/centre/fullback. Boff is a wing/fullback.

Between the five of them we’d be able to put out a very strong back three at almost all points in the season, injuries allowing, plus accounting for rest weeks.

Same if Sutherland came back, but to be honest I’m less impressed with de Bruin on the tight as I am with Venter on the loosehead. McCallum would be high on my shopping list to come home.

[I like neeps]

They’ve been wrong before but they also definitely have contacts in the Edinburgh camp so there may be something to this.

On McCallum, I read somewhere he has been playing tighthead again and looking good. The Edinburgh depth at tighthead isn’t bad (Nel, De Bruin, Atalifo, Williams, Gamble) with lots of bodies, but I wouldn’t say any of those beyond the first two are notable. Given only 2 are SQ (as far as I know), adding in McCallum might be worthwhile. If nothing else it gives us a further opportunity to wrap Nel in cottonwool, bubble wrap, blankets and anything else soft we can find pre-WC.

I guess circumstances are dictating this but I am genuinely pretty satisfied with the options we already have in both of those positions.

If the SRU have that kind of cash kicking around, Glasgow would be much more improved by picking those two up.

McCallum makes sense at either - I'd prefer him at Edinburgh as they have fewer SQs (Williams isn't good and Gamble seems to be hit or miss in the s6).

Van Der Merwe makes Edinburgh a contender. A backline of Kinghorn, Duhan, Dean, Bennett, Graham and Bofelli is close to the best in the league. Duhan running the support lines? Yes please.

[robmatic]

They’ve been wrong before but they also definitely have contacts in the Edinburgh camp so there may be something to this.

On McCallum, I read somewhere he has been playing tighthead again and looking good. The Edinburgh depth at tighthead isn’t bad (Nel, De Bruin, Atalifo, Williams, Gamble) with lots of bodies, but I wouldn’t say any of those beyond the first two are notable. Given only 2 are SQ (as far as I know), adding in McCallum might be worthwhile. If nothing else it gives us a further opportunity to wrap Nel in cottonwool, bubble wrap, blankets and anything else soft we can find pre-WC.

I guess circumstances are dictating this but I am genuinely pretty satisfied with the options we already have in both of those positions.

If the SRU have that kind of cash kicking around, Glasgow would be much more improved by picking those two up.

McCallum makes sense at either - I'd prefer him at Edinburgh as they have fewer SQs (Williams isn't good and Gamble seems to be hit or miss in the s6).

Van Der Merwe makes Edinburgh a contender. A backline of Kinghorn, Duhan, Dean, Bennett, Graham and Bofelli is close to the best in the league. Duhan running the support lines? Yes please.

Wes Goosen on the bench.

[KingBlairhorn]

Anyone else had trouble with the Premier Sports Player subscription? I got an email twice saying my subscription renewal had failed because my card details were out of date. I updated them and made the payment both times. I know it should have been successful as I had to approve via my banking app however both times the final payment was never taken. This morning they cancelled my subscription. I logged into their website again and made a direct payment again and they have restarted the subscription, but now I am paying £99 for the year rather than £129. Very odd, their shite IT has done them out of 25% of their sub.

[weegie01]

I heard from the proverbial reliable source that SRU has informally offered the Scots qualified Worcester players use of SRU facilities for training, physio etc. This is unrelated to any contract talks. Players have been told it is a stop gap to tide them over, they still need to sort out their futures.

If true, and regardless if any take them up on this, it's a good move by the SRU. Hardly any cost to them and enhances their image as being supportive of Scottish players.

[SaintK]

I heard from the proverbial reliable source that SRU has informally offered the Scots qualified Worcester players use of SRU facilities for training, physio etc. This is unrelated to any contract talks. Players have been told it is a stop gag to tide them over, they still need to sort out their futures.

If true, and regardless if any take them up on this, it's a good move by the SRU. Hardly any cost to them and enhances their image as being supportive of Scottish players.

That's a fair old drive and back from Worcestershire

[Tichtheid]

I heard from the proverbial reliable source that SRU has informally offered the Scots qualified Worcester players use of SRU facilities for training, physio etc. This is unrelated to any contract talks. Players have been told it is a stop gag to tide them over, they still need to sort out their futures.

If true, and regardless if any take them up on this, it's a good move by the SRU. Hardly any cost to them and enhances their image as being supportive of Scottish players.

That's a fair old drive and back from Worcestershire

It's not like they are doing anything else, though.

[Slick]

Anyone else had trouble with the Premier Sports Player subscription? I got an email twice saying my subscription renewal had failed because my card details were out of date. I updated them and made the payment both times. I know it should have been successful as I had to approve via my banking app however both times the final payment was never taken. This morning they cancelled my subscription. I logged into their website again and made a direct payment again and they have restarted the subscription, but now I am paying £99 for the year rather than £129. Very odd, their shite IT has done them out of 25% of their sub.

Just that it’s shite. Had lots of trouble with the on demand service at the weekend

[GrahamWa]

Anyone else had trouble with the Premier Sports Player subscription? I got an email twice saying my subscription renewal had failed because my card details were out of date. I updated them and made the payment both times. I know it should have been successful as I had to approve via my banking app however both times the final payment was never taken. This morning they cancelled my subscription. I logged into their website again and made a direct payment again and they have restarted the subscription, but now I am paying £99 for the year rather than £129. Very odd, their shite IT has done them out of 25% of their sub.

Just that it’s shite. Had lots of trouble with the on demand service at the weekend

They are a bit low rent. I had an issue subscribing to the premier player instead of linking my sky viewing card. Called them and they gave me a refund and took another payment of £80 to resubscribe. Bit convoluted but okay. Try 0333 003 3773 during office hours the one I spoke to was very helpful.

[KingBlairhorn]

Anyone else had trouble with the Premier Sports Player subscription? I got an email twice saying my subscription renewal had failed because my card details were out of date. I updated them and made the payment both times. I know it should have been successful as I had to approve via my banking app however both times the final payment was never taken. This morning they cancelled my subscription. I logged into their website again and made a direct payment again and they have restarted the subscription, but now I am paying £99 for the year rather than £129. Very odd, their shite IT has done them out of 25% of their sub.

Just that it’s shite. Had lots of trouble with the on demand service at the weekend

They are a bit low rent. I had an issue subscribing to the premier player instead of linking my sky viewing card. Called them and they gave me a refund and took another payment of £80 to resubscribe. Bit convoluted but okay. Try 0333 003 3773 during office hours the one I spoke to was very helpful.

It'll be interesting to see if there are any changes over the coming year following their acquisition. Whilst Premier Sports are low rent, Viaplay definitely aren't. With the size of the Viaplay business (market cap c. £1.3b) they should be in a position to invest.

[Big D]

I heard from the proverbial reliable source that SRU has informally offered the Scots qualified Worcester players use of SRU facilities for training, physio etc. This is unrelated to any contract talks. Players have been told it is a stop gap to tide them over, they still need to sort out their futures.

If true, and regardless if any take them up on this, it's a good move by the SRU. Hardly any cost to them and enhances their image as being supportive of Scottish players.

Important the SRU keep then engaged and supported.

I'm not sure we'll see those guys playing for Scotland in thr November games if their situation isn't resolved. Can they risk getting injured then the separate company that seems to hold the Worcs players going bust?

[earl the beaver]

Any word in Scotland about John Cooney's eligibility for you or is it just in Irish papers?

[weegie01]

Any word in Scotland about John Cooney's eligibility for you or is it just in Irish papers?

First I have heard of it.

Edit, I have done a Google and it looks awfully like someone putting two and two together to get 5. He could declare for Scotland, and is a very good player, but we are not short of scrum halves so I can't see why we'd be keen to accommodate him.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors Team For the Ospreys

15 Cole Forbes

14 Sebastian Cancelliere
13 Sione Tuipulotu
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rufus McLean

10 Tom Jordan
9 Ali Price (Captain)

1 Jamie Bhatti
2 Fraser Brown
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Scott Cummings
5 Richie Gray
6 Gregor Brown
7 Tom Gordon
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 George Turner
17 Oli Kebble
18 Simon Berghan
19 JP du Preez
20 Sintu Manjezi
21 Ryan Wilson
22 Sean Kennedy
23 Domingo Miotti

Interesting to see how Gregor Brown goes in the back row not much change apart form the enforced change at 7 - Gordon looked good when he came on last week

Still a 6/2 split - hope that doesn't bite us in the arse

Franco rotating at the backs , Horne drops out completely , and Rufus & Sam having their first starts

Lets hope for a similar result from last week

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship

Saturday 1 October (kick-off 1pm BST/ 2pm local) – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (18)
14. Darcy Graham (52)
13. Mark Bennett (73)
12. James Lang (21)
11. Damien Hoyland (96)
10.Blair Kinghorn (120)
9. Ben Vellacott (23)
1. Pierre Schoeman (85)
2. Stuart McInally (167)
3. WP Nel (173)
4. Sam Skinner (2)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (177)
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN (87)
7. Hamish Watson (132)
8. Nick Haining (26)

Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (59)
17. Boan Venter (27)
18. Luan de Bruin (9)
19. Glen Young (13)
20. Ben Muncaster (16)
21. Henry Pyrgos (72)
22. Charlie Savala (13)
23. Chris Dean (122)

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Wes Goosen, Jaco van der Walt

[Biffer]

I heard from the proverbial reliable source that SRU has informally offered the Scots qualified Worcester players use of SRU facilities for training, physio etc. This is unrelated to any contract talks. Players have been told it is a stop gap to tide them over, they still need to sort out their futures.

If true, and regardless if any take them up on this, it's a good move by the SRU. Hardly any cost to them and enhances their image as being supportive of Scottish players.

Important the SRU keep then engaged and supported.

I'm not sure we'll see those guys playing for Scotland in thr November games if their situation isn't resolved. Can they risk getting injured then the separate company that seems to hold the Worcs players going bust?

Difficult choice for them but if the SRU has insurance to compensate clubs then surely this could be redirected to the player and SRU resources used for rehab. And the flip side is putting themselves into the shop window for potential new clubs. And if you're not getting paid any way, well....

[KingBlairhorn]

Any word in Scotland about John Cooney's eligibility for you or is it just in Irish papers?

First I have heard of it.

Edit, I have done a Google and it looks awfully like someone putting two and two together to get 5. He could declare for Scotland, and is a very good player, but we are not short of scrum halves so I can't see why we'd be keen to accommodate him.

There was a fair amount of chat about this 4 or 5 years ago, and that might have made sense, but capping a 32 year old back who won't be first choice (IMO at least) seems slightly dirty to me.

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship

Saturday 1 October (kick-off 1pm BST/ 2pm local) – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (18)
14. Darcy Graham (52)
13. Mark Bennett (73)
12. James Lang (21)
11. Damien Hoyland (96)
10.Blair Kinghorn (120)
9. Ben Vellacott (23)
1. Pierre Schoeman (85)
2. Stuart McInally (167)
3. WP Nel (173)
4. Sam Skinner (2)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (177)
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN (87)
7. Hamish Watson (132)
8. Nick Haining (26)

Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (59)
17. Boan Venter (27)
18. Luan de Bruin (9)
19. Glen Young (13)
20. Ben Muncaster (16)
21. Henry Pyrgos (72)
22. Charlie Savala (13)
23. Chris Dean (122)

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Wes Goosen, Jaco van der Walt

I'm genuinely starting to get a bit excited about what a full noise Edinburgh might be able to do...

[robmatic]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship

Saturday 1 October (kick-off 1pm BST/ 2pm local) – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (18)
14. Darcy Graham (52)
13. Mark Bennett (73)
12. James Lang (21)
11. Damien Hoyland (96)
10.Blair Kinghorn (120)
9. Ben Vellacott (23)
1. Pierre Schoeman (85)
2. Stuart McInally (167)
3. WP Nel (173)
4. Sam Skinner (2)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (177)
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN (87)
7. Hamish Watson (132)
8. Nick Haining (26)

Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (59)
17. Boan Venter (27)
18. Luan de Bruin (9)
19. Glen Young (13)
20. Ben Muncaster (16)
21. Henry Pyrgos (72)
22. Charlie Savala (13)
23. Chris Dean (122)

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Wes Goosen, Jaco van der Walt

I'm genuinely starting to get a bit excited about what a full noise Edinburgh might be able to do...

Don't jinx it.

[Dogbert]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship

Saturday 1 October (kick-off 1pm BST/ 2pm local) – live on Premier Sports

15. Henry Immelman (18)
14. Darcy Graham (52)
13. Mark Bennett (73)
12. James Lang (21)
11. Damien Hoyland (96)
10.Blair Kinghorn (120)
9. Ben Vellacott (23)
1. Pierre Schoeman (85)
2. Stuart McInally (167)
3. WP Nel (173)
4. Sam Skinner (2)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (177)
6. Jamie Ritchie CO-CAPTAIN (87)
7. Hamish Watson (132)
8. Nick Haining (26)

Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (59)
17. Boan Venter (27)
18. Luan de Bruin (9)
19. Glen Young (13)
20. Ben Muncaster (16)
21. Henry Pyrgos (72)
22. Charlie Savala (13)
23. Chris Dean (122)

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Wes Goosen, Jaco van der Walt

I'm genuinely starting to get a bit excited about what a full noise Edinburgh might be able to do...

Aye , those sweetie papers won't rustle all by themselves

[LenCohen]

Must really suck to be left behind in Edinburgh during these SA tours

[dkm57]

Well, that's been a weekend of sh!te.

[Yr Alban]

Well, that's been a weekend of sh!te.

It has indeed. Particularly given I went to watch Hearts v Rangers* yesterday.

[Yr Alban]

Any word in Scotland about John Cooney's eligibility for you or is it just in Irish papers?

First I have heard of it.

Edit, I have done a Google and it looks awfully like someone putting two and two together to get 5. He could declare for Scotland, and is a very good player, but we are not short of scrum halves so I can't see why we'd be keen to accommodate him.

There was a fair amount of chat about this 4 or 5 years ago, and that might have made sense, but capping a 32 year old back who won't be first choice (IMO at least) seems slightly dirty to me.

I reckon he’s just noising up the Ireland selectors. The fact that he might be technically available doesn’t mean Scotland would take him - we have a variety of candidates to play 9. Dempsey, on the other hand, is exactly the sort of player we’re missing. Things seem to have gone a bit quiet on that front though.

[Tichtheid]

First I have heard of it.

Edit, I have done a Google and it looks awfully like someone putting two and two together to get 5. He could declare for Scotland, and is a very good player, but we are not short of scrum halves so I can't see why we'd be keen to accommodate him.

There was a fair amount of chat about this 4 or 5 years ago, and that might have made sense, but capping a 32 year old back who won't be first choice (IMO at least) seems slightly dirty to me.

I reckon he’s just noising up the Ireland selectors. The fact that he might be technically available doesn’t mean Scotland would take him - we have a variety of candidates to play 9. Dempsey, on the other hand, is exactly the sort of player we’re missing. Things seem to have gone a bit quiet on that front though.

Dempsey was quoted in the press recently saying he’d made his decision and it will be announced in rhe next week or so.

I guess the AI squads will be announced soon, so we’ll hear then.

I’m still not the keen on Dempsey playing for us, but if he improves the side I’ll get over it.

The Cooney thing is gold for me to use to wind up a Norn Irn mate

[westport]

Now that Worcester players are free agents i hope some money can be found to get a few players back

[weegie01]

Now that Worcester players are free agents i hope some money can be found to get a few players back

Just heard that DvdM has signed for Edinburgh for an eyewatering amount.

[westport]

Now that Worcester players are free agents i hope some money can be found to get a few players back

Just heard that DvdM has signed for Edinburgh for an eyewatering amount.

That doesn't surprise me

[Tichtheid]

If this is true, then Graham, Boff, Duhan, Goosen, Hoyland, Immelman & Blain is quite the back three pool.

[westport]

If this is true, then Graham, Boff, Duhan, Goosen, Hoyland, Immelman & Blain is quite the back three pool.

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

[Tichtheid]

If this is true, then Graham, Boff, Duhan, Goosen, Hoyland, Immelman & Blain is quite the back three pool.

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

[I like neeps]

If this is true, then Graham, Boff, Duhan, Goosen, Hoyland, Immelman & Blain is quite the back three pool.

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

I think Sutherland is a luxury as Schoeman and Venter are as good as it gets in the URC already.

vdm best signing a Scottish pro team has made ever?

[Slick]

Great for Scotland as well

[GrahamWa]

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

when he was signed the first time, he was a "rugby risk" rescued from oblivion in France. He owes a lot, if not everything, to the SRU for his rehabilitation.

I think Sutherland is a luxury as Schoeman and Venter are as good as it gets in the URC already.

vdm best signing a Scottish pro team has made ever?

[Big D]

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

I think Sutherland is a luxury as Schoeman and Venter are as good as it gets in the URC already.

vdm best signing a Scottish pro team has made ever?

Venter OOC end of season.

[weegie01]

If this is true, then Graham, Boff, Duhan, Goosen, Hoyland, Immelman & Blain is quite the back three pool.

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

McCallum apparently going to Glasgow. I've heard nothing about Sutherland.

[Tichtheid]

True

https://edinburghrugby.org/the-clubhous ... MuW5hYE_LY

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

McCallum apparently going to Glasgow. I've heard nothing about Sutherland.

That's the wrong move, imo, McCallum would get more game time at Edinburgh

[KingBlairhorn]

Whilst it’s very sad that Wuss have been shafted by those owners, it’s great to see Duhan back.

I hope we get Muzza too, Sutherland would be a total luxury, but if we have the dosh then bring it on.

McCallum apparently going to Glasgow. I've heard nothing about Sutherland.

That's the wrong move, imo, McCallum would get more game time at Edinburgh

Depends what he's moved as. If he's moved as a loosehead I think he'll struggle. As a tighthead, obviously Zander is number one, but Berghan has been a non-entity for a couple of years now, Sordoni I know little about and Murphy Walker is predominantly a loosehead. Is there anyone else? From that list I would put him at number two or three, which would mean plenty gametime you would think.