The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[weegie01]

I thought Jordan did pretty well - the service he was getting from Price was pretty laboured all night - and his big tackle was a highlight! Tuipolotu was solid again and Fagerson was feisty.

The extent to which TJ was being talked up by the commentators was quite remarkable, even suggesting that he should be in the Scotland squad for experience (until it was pointed out that it is November before he becomes eligible).

He plays at Farrell levels of phisicality, but with better technique. Have a look at his tackle on Mata just before 14 mins at MF. Technically, it is a thing of beauty, but it is what he does next that is significant. He gets back up and drives Crosbie and Pyrgos off the ball. There are not many 10s making that tackle, let along getting into the ruck.

But he is a long way off the finished article. His kicking needs work, and he still needs more time to get used to the various challenges of pro rugby.

[Slick]

I thought Jordan did pretty well - the service he was getting from Price was pretty laboured all night - and his big tackle was a highlight! Tuipolotu was solid again and Fagerson was feisty.

The extent to which TJ was being talked up by the commentators was quite remarkable, even suggesting that he should be in the Scotland squad for experience (until it was pointed out that it is November before he becomes eligible).

He plays at Farrell levels of phisicality, but with better technique. Have a look at his tackle on Mata just before 14 mins at MF. Technically, it is a thing of beauty, but it is what he does next that is significant. He gets back up and drives Crosbie and Pyrgos off the ball. There are not many 10s making that tackle, let along getting into the ruck.

But he is a long way off the finished article. His kicking needs work, and he still needs more time to get used to the various challenges of pro rugby.

Agree with this. I like him and his rise has been incredibly impressive. In saying that, my feeling at the moment is that this is probably his level and I’m not sure he will make the leap to international standard.

[Tichtheid]

I thought Tuipulotu was more than solid last night, he's developing into a very good player.

If this was a trial between him and Redpath, the Weegie was way ahead.


There was a mention of Jim Telfer on the tennis thread - anyone see The Grudge last night?

My recording didn't get the last few minutes, I knew that would happen as soon as it started with a review of the fucking Leicester match, BT pricks. It was a good film, though, it set out the cultural and political background to the match.

I was on the terrace at the clock end, Tony Stanger scored just down to our left. I had been ill for two weeks with really bad food poisoning and it was my first day out. I wish I could have celebrated properly, but the win will do.

IIRC the team went down to celebrate at a reception at Goldenacre, it was televised and as the players walked in they all made a bee line for Iain Milne who was standing at the bar.

Telfer's treatment of Derek White was awful.

[robmatic]

I don't know anything about him, anyone any insight?

I don't know anything about him either but I'm presuming he's better than de Bruin.

And Edinburgh must have concluded that he is better than McCallum.

I don't know why, but McCallum has been at both Edinburgh and Glasgow and neither coaching setup seems to rate him. At least he's gotten picked up by Newcastle though.

[robmatic]

I thought Jordan did pretty well - the service he was getting from Price was pretty laboured all night - and his big tackle was a highlight! Tuipolotu was solid again and Fagerson was feisty.

The extent to which TJ was being talked up by the commentators was quite remarkable, even suggesting that he should be in the Scotland squad for experience (until it was pointed out that it is November before he becomes eligible).

He plays at Farrell levels of phisicality, but with better technique. Have a look at his tackle on Mata just before 14 mins at MF. Technically, it is a thing of beauty, but it is what he does next that is significant. He gets back up and drives Crosbie and Pyrgos off the ball. There are not many 10s making that tackle, let along getting into the ruck.

But he is a long way off the finished article. His kicking needs work, and he still needs more time to get used to the various challenges of pro rugby.

He's really stepped up well to pro rugby. As you say, his kicking game isn't there yet but his overall play is solid. You could see him being a good option at this level as a 12 as well.

I wonder what the fly half situation will be at Glasgow next season. I'd expect Miotti to move on based on the limited time he's had on the pitch over his time there, and Weir just isn't cutting it these days. They probably need someone else alongside Thompson and Jordan.

[weegie01]

I don't know why, but McCallum has been at both Edinburgh and Glasgow and neither coaching setup seems to rate him. At least he's gotten picked up by Newcastle though.

Becaue he used to take very relaxed attitude to training and nutrition. Supposed to have changed now.

[Tichtheid]

oops posted that on the wrong thread

[Simian]

I don't know why, but McCallum has been at both Edinburgh and Glasgow and neither coaching setup seems to rate him. At least he's gotten picked up by Newcastle though.

Becaue he used to take very relaxed attitude to training and nutrition. Supposed to have changed now.

At least at Glasgow, I'd heard from a few folk that what you're referring to had a negative effect on some of the other players' habits too.

[Jock42]

I thought Tuipulotu was more than solid last night, he's developing into a very good player.

If this was a trial between him and Redpath, the Weegie was way ahead.

Yeah I'll hold my hands up, I was never impressed with him. He's been great this season and should start.

My recording didn't get the last few minutes

I'm glad you've mentioned that, haven't tried watching yet but will stick the next showing on record.

[clydecloggie]

Looks like Glasgow ended up finishing second in their pool, with Cardiff and Connacht both getting nothing from today's match. Does that mean home ties all the way to the semi-finals?

I know it's only the nappy cup, but wouldn't mind a Friday night in Dublin watching Glasgow and Toulon battle it out for silverware.

[Yr Alban]

Looks like Glasgow ended up finishing second in their pool, with Cardiff and Connacht both getting nothing from today's match. Does that mean home ties all the way to the semi-finals?

I know it's only the nappy cup, but wouldn't mind a Friday night in Dublin watching Glasgow and Toulon battle it out for silverware.

In the entire history of Pro rugby, a Scottish team has lifted silverware once.

I don’t much care what the tournament is, I’d just like to see one of our teams win something. Felt the same when it was Embra a few years ago.

[KingBlairhorn]

Looks like Glasgow ended up finishing second in their pool, with Cardiff and Connacht both getting nothing from today's match. Does that mean home ties all the way to the semi-finals?

I know it's only the nappy cup, but wouldn't mind a Friday night in Dublin watching Glasgow and Toulon battle it out for silverware.

In the entire history of Pro rugby, a Scottish team has lifted silverware once.

I don’t much care what the tournament is, I’d just like to see one of our teams win something. Felt the same when it was Embra a few years ago.

Absolutely agree. If nothing else, winning things sticks in the public consciousness like nothing else. Yer man on the Yoker omnibus doesn’t know what the challenge cup is, but they know what winning is and will notice if Glasgow do it.

[I like neeps]

Cotter: I just had a word with Gregor Townsend who says watch out for Luke Crosbie against Ben Earl....

Ben Earl immediately beats him one on one. Unfortunate timing!

[Jock42]

Should be a card

[Jock42]

And another

[fishfoodie]

How is he saying there's a low degree of danger ?


fucking mystifying

[Jock42]

"Didn't lead with the head" was mentioned both times.

[Tichtheid]

Cotter: I just had a word with Gregor Townsend who says watch out for Luke Crosbie against Ben Earl....

Ben Earl immediately beats him one on one. Unfortunate timing!

Crosbie was the best player on the park in that half

[Slick]

What the score? How are they playing?

[Tichtheid]

What the score? How are they playing?

10-6 to us, playing well but finding it difficult to score

[Slick]

What the score? How are they playing?

10-6 to us, playing well but finding it difficult to score

Thank you

[I like neeps]

Cotter: I just had a word with Gregor Townsend who says watch out for Luke Crosbie against Ben Earl....

Ben Earl immediately beats him one on one. Unfortunate timing!

Crosbie was the best player on the park in that half

I didn't comment on his performance, it was just funny timing.

Fwiw whilst his carrying has been excellent, his work at the breakdown is very questionable.

[I like neeps]

Pyrgos is throwing this away.

It's a shame Dobie doesn't get a match and Edinburgh's 9s are poor.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

So typically Scottish

[Yr Alban]

So typically Scottish

I was about to deny this, but I hadn’t realised they had blown the chance of a home tie in the next round.

FFS.

Well, at least Hearts beat Hibs 3-0

[Tichtheid]

Well, we ran them very close away and should have won, we beat them at home.

Saracens are totally dominant in the English league.

The atmosphere was excellent. Some really good performances, but we really miss our first choice back three.

[Yr Alban]

Just went back and checked TOTM’s chart. They had to win by 7 for a home tie. They won by 6. I have to admit that this is about as Scottish as it gets.

[robmatic]

So typically Scottish

That was immensely frustrating, given how much possession and go forward Embra had, should have been out of sight.

That said, I'm kind of happy to avoid Munster, even at home. I know they are not as strong as they used to be, but I'd worry more about them sneaking a result against us.

[I like neeps]

Well, we ran them very close away and should have won, we beat them at home.

Saracens are totally dominant in the English league.

The atmosphere was excellent. Some really good performances, but we really miss our first choice back three.

Miss the starting back three and playing Kinghorn at 10, I thought Blain was pretty good.

Good win, not impossible to beat Leicester these days.

[fishfoodie]

Well, we ran them very close away and should have won, we beat them at home.

Saracens are totally dominant in the English league.

The atmosphere was excellent. Some really good performances, but we really miss our first choice back three.

Miss the starting back three and playing Kinghorn at 10, I thought Blain was pretty good.

Good win, not impossible to beat Leicester these days.

Yep. Get the injured players back, & get thru the 6N, & see where you stand

[Biffer]

Incidentally, it was great having a full, noisy stadium tonight. Let’s hope that result gets a whack of them coming back.

The Minifield has been a success I reckon. Now, let’s get the money to make some of these stands permanent.

[Slick]

Incidentally, it was great having a full, noisy stadium tonight. Let’s hope that result gets a whack of them coming back.

The Minifield has been a success I reckon. Now, let’s get the money to make some of these stands permanent.

Would be interesting to know what difference it has made to SRU finances

[dpedin]

Good win for Embra but frustrating that we didnt get try bonus point. Well on top for almost whole of the game, possession stats were through the roof.

Sarries were poor, cynical and pretty indisciplined throughout. Their constant moaning and cheating was not a good reflection on them and another ref would have issued at least one red and a few more yellows. They pushed the ref all the way and it wasn't a good image they presented. Seems like they dont like going behind and getting a drubbing up front - the bullies didnt like being bullied! The Jamie George incident was a poor reflection on their back room staff who seemed willing to put a player at serious risk by claiming he was only 'winded' when he clearly had a serious head knock and was groggy after his attempted high tackle and yellow card. Thankfully the independent doc sorted things out but I hope there is some sort of action against Sarries medical team.

Embra bullied Sarries up front and were well on top throughout, every one of the forwards deserves plaudits but Crosbie really put his hand up for the 6Ns with a hugely dominant display, his running into contact was so very strong. We got a bit lost in the backs at times and I am sure if Graham, VdM and Bofelli were on the pitch then we would have had the TBP. Having said that Blain had one of his best games and Immelman was his usual steady as a rock game at FB.

Over all a good performance against a top team who have only been beaten once this season, and remember we should have beaten them in the first leg too. OK we slipped up and let them in for a LPB but in the scheme of things the match was an excellent example of what we are capable of when we keep focused on our own game. Plaudits must also go to Blair and back room staff for prepping the team.

[Tichtheid]

Schooey got a lot of well-deserved plaudits last night, but Bill Mata was back to his terrific best.

Number of carries;

Shoeman - 21
Mata - 20
Crosbie - 13 - he was also excellent
Cherry - 9
Skinner - 8
Ritchie - 7
Gilchrist - 6
Nel - 3

Sarries entire pack - 30, 9 of which was Vunipola.

That's good work rate from us.

It's a bit disappointing that we couldn't get that extra try, Duhan, Darcy and Boff would have made a huge difference, as dp says, but you can only play the cards you're dealt etc

https://www.epcrugby.com/report/edinbur ... statistics

[weegie01]

Embra bullied Sarries up front and were well on top throughout, every one of the forwards deserves plaudits but Crosbie really put his hand up for the 6Ns with a hugely dominant display, his running into contact was so very strong. We got a bit lost in the backs at times and I am sure if Graham, VdM and Bofelli were on the pitch then we would have had the TBP. Having said that Blain had one of his best games and Immelman was his usual steady as a rock game at FB.

Apparently the pack were incensed by some of the verbals from Sarries in London. They were after payback and they got it. I also noticed them giving the Sarries pack more than the usual level of chat.

[Tichtheid]

Embra bullied Sarries up front and were well on top throughout, every one of the forwards deserves plaudits but Crosbie really put his hand up for the 6Ns with a hugely dominant display, his running into contact was so very strong. We got a bit lost in the backs at times and I am sure if Graham, VdM and Bofelli were on the pitch then we would have had the TBP. Having said that Blain had one of his best games and Immelman was his usual steady as a rock game at FB.

Apparently the pack were incensed by some of the verbals from Sarries in London. They were after payback and they got it. I also noticed them giving the Sarries pack more than the usual level of chat.

Very much so, that and the celebration of penalties and scrums - most unusual, but it was a pretty intense game.

I'd rather we didn't get drawn into the shithousery, but it must be very difficult against a side that is relentless in that regard

The Embra FB fans group had a pic this morning of a presentations of a pennant by their counterparts from Saracens, so well done them.

[weegie01]

Incidentally, it was great having a full, noisy stadium tonight. Let’s hope that result gets a whack of them coming back.

The Minifield has been a success I reckon. Now, let’s get the money to make some of these stands permanent.

I was not able to get there yesterday so my son took one of his chums. He said it was possibly the loudest Edinburgh crowd he has ever heard.

[I like neeps]

I'll be interested to see if Crosbie is picked Vs England. I think the obvious choice is Dempsey, Ritchie, Matt Fagerson in the backrow. It was recently Crosbie was outplayed by both the Glasgow boys in the second 1872. He was amazing carrying yesterday but a few turnovers by Sarries was because he missed the clear out (I appreciate moving Billy Vunipola is very difficult) and he misses a few tackles because he's defending wider.

[Biffer]

Not rugby, but Jenners is currently on fire on Princes St.

[Camroc2]

Ah lads, talk now that Scotland will poach John Cooney during the 6N. He last played for Ireland mid Feb 2000, so becomes eligible in February.

Whatever about Healy, who's not been capped, tapping up 32 year old John Cooney, (who was never quite good enough at Leinster, Connacht, Ulster or Ireland) looks more than a bit desperate.