The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[clydecloggie]

Rumours that Russell off to Bath next season!!

Pretty sure he will stay in France, somewhere. He talked about getting residency and bringing his kid up there, seems to love it

Oh feck, here we go again. Fast forward 20 years, and we have a French or English born Russell Jr being standoffish about who they want to represent.

Don't worry, he'll play for his dad. If his dad calls him up, of course.

[Tichtheid]

Don't worry, he'll play for his dad. If his dad calls him up, of course.

It's funny how these stories linking players with other clubs come about when their contracts are up for renewal, eh?

La Rochelle is another club being mentioned. There's an interview where Russell is quoted as saying he likes France and the lifestyle - who doesn't? He could have three or four more years playing at the top level there, which could set him up for a good while, then go on to other pursuits, sounds like a good plan.

Does he strike anyone as a potential coach? There are some players you just know they will/would make great coaches, I always thought that about Leo Cullen, just from how he talked to referees and managed the game. When I read a couple of things from Mike Blair I was very impressed by his analysis, but I didn't see it in his playing days.

[Slick]

Don't worry, he'll play for his dad. If his dad calls him up, of course.

It's funny how these stories linking players with other clubs come about when their contracts are up for renewal, eh?

La Rochelle is another club being mentioned. There's an interview where Russell is quoted as saying he likes France and the lifestyle - who doesn't? He could have three or four more years playing at the top level there, which could set him up for a good while, then go on to other pursuits, sounds like a good plan.

Does he strike anyone as a potential coach? There are some players you just know they will/would make great coaches, I always thought that about Leo Cullen, just from how he talked to referees and managed the game. When I read a couple of things from Mike Blair I was very impressed by his analysis, but I didn't see it in his playing days.

I can see him retiring and setting up “Finns Bar” in Paris with a group of mates which becomes a Mecca for Scottish rugby fans where he sits at the end of the bar regaling us with stories whilst helping out coaching with the local D6 club.

Then in 2034 with Scottish rugby in the doldrums he is dramatically asked to coach the team to the World Cup, like Maradonna, giving us all hope before getting kicked out by Namibia in our last pool game.

Something like that

[Slick]

A bit more seriously, I’m not sure he has the communication skills for a head coach role, but I only know him off the telly. He does seem to have an incredible rugby brain though so maybe as some kind of attack coach or analyst. He doesn’t really seem the type but who knows

[inactionman]

Don't worry, he'll play for his dad. If his dad calls him up, of course.

It's funny how these stories linking players with other clubs come about when their contracts are up for renewal, eh?

La Rochelle is another club being mentioned. There's an interview where Russell is quoted as saying he likes France and the lifestyle - who doesn't? He could have three or four more years playing at the top level there, which could set him up for a good while, then go on to other pursuits, sounds like a good plan.

Does he strike anyone as a potential coach? There are some players you just know they will/would make great coaches, I always thought that about Leo Cullen, just from how he talked to referees and managed the game. When I read a couple of things from Mike Blair I was very impressed by his analysis, but I didn't see it in his playing days.

Yep, apparently Racing aren't offering him top terms for his renewal, so expect this is just his agent twisting their arms.

Talk of Barrett (B) off to France as well, which might influence things, although didn't think that would be Racing 92.

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 26 November (kick-off 1pm BST/2pm local) – live on Viaplay.

15. Henry Immelman (21)
14. Damien Hoyland (98)
13. Matt Currie (16)
12. James Lang (24)
11. Wes Goosen (2)
10. Charlie Savala (18)
9. Henry Pyrgos (76)
1. Boan Venter (32)
2. Stuart McInally (169)
3. Angus Williams (15)
4. Marshall Sykes (27)
5. Jamie Hodgson (44)
6. Nick Haining (29)
7. Luke Crosbie (75) CAPTAIN
8. Ben Muncaster (21)

Replacements
16. Paddy Harrison (6)
17. Jamie Jack*
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (27)
19. Glen Young (15)
20. Connor Boyle (24)
21. Ben Vellacott (24)
22. Jaco van der Walt (91)
23. Chris Dean (127)

Unavailable: Nick Auterac, Dave Cherry, Cammy Hutchison, Adam McBurney, Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson.

Internationalists: Mark Bennett, Emiliano Boffelli, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Viliame Mata, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe.

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

[SaintK]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 26 November (kick-off 1pm BST/2pm local) – live on Viaplay.

15. Henry Immelman (21)
14. Damien Hoyland (98)
13. Matt Currie (16)
12. James Lang (24)
11. Wes Goosen (2)
10. Charlie Savala (18)
9. Henry Pyrgos (76)
1. Boan Venter (32)
2. Stuart McInally (169)
3. Angus Williams (15)
4. Marshall Sykes (27)
5. Jamie Hodgson (44)
6. Nick Haining (29)
7. Luke Crosbie (75) CAPTAIN
8. Ben Muncaster (21)

Replacements
16. Paddy Harrison (6)
17. Jamie Jack*
18. Lee-Roy Atalifo (27)
19. Glen Young (15)
20. Connor Boyle (24)
21. Ben Vellacott (24)
22. Jaco van der Walt (91)
23. Chris Dean (127)

Unavailable: Nick Auterac, Dave Cherry, Cammy Hutchison, Adam McBurney, Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson.

Internationalists: Mark Bennett, Emiliano Boffelli, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Viliame Mata, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe.

*Edinburgh Rugby debut

Well I never! Broken again?

[Big D]

Given its an inter conference game there's no real reason Kinghorn couldn't play. He's been lightly raced over the last two weeks. Bennett too.

[Tichtheid]

Unavailable: Nick Auterac,

Well I never! Broken again?

Is that situation normal, then?

Given its an inter conference game there's no real reason Kinghorn couldn't play. He's been lightly raced over the last two weeks. Bennett too.

I know what you mean, but the other lads have been training together for four weeks and I think Blair has been really quite good at building depth, we need these guys to be up to scratch when it counts if there are any injuries or whatever, Cockerill was not good at it.

That's not too far off the Italy pack that Edinburgh will be facing, but we've certainly got some heft and aggression in our forwards.
I've liked what I've seen in Savala this season.

If you'd offered me that Embra backline four or five years ago I would have bitten your hand off


Plus, there is a long run of games to January after this where we are going to need the first team out every week

[SaintK]

Unavailable: Nick Auterac,

Well I never! Broken again?

Is that situation normal, then?

Would be interesting to see his unavailibility due to injury stats over his career. Certainly at Bath, Quins and Saints he appeared to be unavailble more times than he was aavailable. Wasn't a regular first choice at any of those so I may be doing him a bit of a disservice

[Big D]

Edinburgh need to tighten up their basic skills. Since they had a mad off its been pretty average stuff.

[Big D]

Benetton, down a man in the backs create an overlap of 1st phase ball to score.

[robmatic]

Benetton, down a man in the backs create an overlap of 1st phase ball to score.

They are looking the better team at the moment.

[Big D]

Benetton, down a man in the backs create an overlap of 1st phase ball to score.

They are looking the better team at the moment.

It's some of the poorest rugby from any Scottish side this season. Awful.

[Big D]

Lucky to be only 7 down v a team that has played 30min with 14.

[Tichtheid]

I hade to switch off, it was playing havoc with my mental health

[Big D]

Ferris talks some pish.

Barclay is right

[Big D]

Better this half.

[Big D]

I take that back.

[Yr Alban]

Jesus, they’re going to lose to a team playing with 14 men for 70 minutes.

[Tichtheid]

Fuckin brainless shite.

Secure the ball set up the maul and get it wide, it's not too difficult is it?


I expected to lose this, but Benetton were not as good as I thought, our second team were very very poor.

[Yr Alban]

There’s a downside to Wales throwing away a 21-point lead v Australia - they may sack Pivac and get someone good. And I NEED a win v Wales.

[Tichtheid]

I see Scotland won gold at the European Curling Championships
I’m considering switching sports

[Big D]

I see Scotland won gold at the European Curling Championships
I’m considering switching sports

Bruce and the team played very well this week but not at their best. Testament to how good they are.

[Jock42]

I hade to switch off, it was playing havoc with my mental health

Try watching it after a 12 hour shift

[I like neeps]

There’s a downside to Wales throwing away a 21-point lead v Australia - they may sack Pivac and get someone good. And I NEED a win v Wales.

Wales had their golden generation, did exceptionally well but that's over now and the games between us and them will become much more even. They have the same issues as us - football taking over, age grades a bit of a mess and the far bigger issue is their administration of the pro clubs.

I feel that culturally rugby is losing a huge amount with populations more city than region based. The Borders, the Valleys etc just aren't viable production lines anymore.

[Jock42]

Put the petition in the Doddie thread but thought I'd stick it in here too. Would be great to have a stand named for him.

https://chng.it/4jZ2MrJRnG

[westport]

London Scottish is delighted to announce that Max Williamson and Jamie Drummond will join the Club from Glasgow Warriors on short term loan deals.

Whilst at London Scottish, Max and Jamie will have the opportunity to train with Harlequins to further their development whilst in the English capital.

[laurent]

Rumours that Russell off to Bath next season!!

Pretty sure he will stay in France, somewhere. He talked about getting residency and bringing his kid up there, seems to love it

Oh feck, here we go again. Fast forward 20 years, and we have a French or English born Russell Jr being standoffish about who they want to represent.

Nah Aldritt has open the door :p

[westport]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

[Yr Alban]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

Would he get into the team? We have a number of good 9s.

[dpedin]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

Would he get into the team? We have a number of good 9s.

Agree, his boat has sailed some time ago.

[Tichtheid]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

Would he get into the team? We have a number of good 9s.

Agree, his boat has sailed some time ago.

I'm not so sure, I think he's still a quality player who is all about pace. He'd actually fit in well with Edinburgh. Scotland could pair him and Kinghorn for the Tonga and Romania as Cooney is a good goal kicker (I still think Kinghorn will become a good goal kicker if he gets the chance to develop that part of his game, but anyway...)

[Big D]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

Would he get into the team? We have a number of good 9s.

Definitely the squad. He would be at worst the 3rd scrum half in the squad.

[Tichtheid]

Embra v Munster

Schoey, Harrison, de Bruin, Hodgson, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Crosbie, Mata
Vellacott, Kinghorn, vd Merwe, Dean, Bennett, Graham, Goosen
Cruse, Venter, Nel, Sykes, Haining, Shiel, vd Walt, Lang


Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Patrick Campbell.

[Slick]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

I could just about stomach Jack Dempsey but not sure I could with this one.

[I like neeps]

John Cooney: Ireland scrum-half considering switch to Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63811086

I could just about stomach Jack Dempsey but not sure I could with this one.

Don't think the players would either.

[Tichtheid]

Cusiter's reply to his own post

[Tichtheid]

Part of me thinks, "No way, not ever" I was the same with Dempsey, and that part of me still would rather see Bradbury in that shirt.

However another part of me thinks, "is he better right now than White, Horne, Dobie, Vellacott, Shiel, Pyrgos? "

I think the answer is probably yes.

Price? probably. I think he's better than Gibson-Park and Murray too.

[I like neeps]

Cusiter's reply to his own post

I agree and said the same about Dempsey. I think for a fan it's different as Cusiter says here as he differentiates between fan and player. And so I think Cus believes it does somewhat demean the jersey and that's what I believe too. But if he scores the winning points yeah great.