The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Jock42]

No Graham this weekend but Cherry, Watson and Skinner all training with embra this week.

[I like neeps]

I think Ireland are worth their current number one ranking, but they are no McCaw's and Carter's All Blacks, and even they could be beaten, if not very often.

The one thing we mustn't do is think we can't win.


The number 7 selection over the next two games is a conundrum, on the one hand you want Crosbie's abrasiveness and carrying ability, and perhaps even more so, to use him as a fourth jumper.
On the other hand, if Watson is fit and firing, you want him on the ground, killing their ruck speed and making a nuisance of himself.

So far Gray and Gilchrist have performed well in the lineout, we'll need to be even better against France and Ireland. We'll need to be squeaky clean around the park, I'm looking particularly at the older Fagerson here.

Clichés exist in rugby because they are true, if we get parity in the set piece and can hold our own at the breakdown and if we stick to our lines in defence, when we get a chance to pull the trigger we have some attacking moves

So we’ve exorcised the Twickenham bogey (twice) and we’ve beaten a Wales side under Gatland. There’s one more record I want rid of: I really don’t want Sexton to finish his career never having lost to any Scottish side. He doesn’t play many URC games any more, so basically we have two shots at it, and our best chance will be at MF.

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

[clydecloggie]

I think Ireland are worth their current number one ranking, but they are no McCaw's and Carter's All Blacks, and even they could be beaten, if not very often.

The one thing we mustn't do is think we can't win.


The number 7 selection over the next two games is a conundrum, on the one hand you want Crosbie's abrasiveness and carrying ability, and perhaps even more so, to use him as a fourth jumper.
On the other hand, if Watson is fit and firing, you want him on the ground, killing their ruck speed and making a nuisance of himself.

So far Gray and Gilchrist have performed well in the lineout, we'll need to be even better against France and Ireland. We'll need to be squeaky clean around the park, I'm looking particularly at the older Fagerson here.

Clichés exist in rugby because they are true, if we get parity in the set piece and can hold our own at the breakdown and if we stick to our lines in defence, when we get a chance to pull the trigger we have some attacking moves

So we’ve exorcised the Twickenham bogey (twice) and we’ve beaten a Wales side under Gatland. There’s one more record I want rid of: I really don’t want Sexton to finish his career never having lost to any Scottish side. He doesn’t play many URC games any more, so basically we have two shots at it, and our best chance will be at MF.

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

Against France the tactical kicking game needs to be at its absolute best as they'll run it back with interest if you get it wrong. For that reason alone, I'd go for Hogg as him and Russell together are a brilliant tactical kicking team. I don't think Kinghorn is at the same level yet in that respect.

[Biffer]

I think Ireland are worth their current number one ranking, but they are no McCaw's and Carter's All Blacks, and even they could be beaten, if not very often.

The one thing we mustn't do is think we can't win.


The number 7 selection over the next two games is a conundrum, on the one hand you want Crosbie's abrasiveness and carrying ability, and perhaps even more so, to use him as a fourth jumper.
On the other hand, if Watson is fit and firing, you want him on the ground, killing their ruck speed and making a nuisance of himself.

So far Gray and Gilchrist have performed well in the lineout, we'll need to be even better against France and Ireland. We'll need to be squeaky clean around the park, I'm looking particularly at the older Fagerson here.

Clichés exist in rugby because they are true, if we get parity in the set piece and can hold our own at the breakdown and if we stick to our lines in defence, when we get a chance to pull the trigger we have some attacking moves

So we’ve exorcised the Twickenham bogey (twice) and we’ve beaten a Wales side under Gatland. There’s one more record I want rid of: I really don’t want Sexton to finish his career never having lost to any Scottish side. He doesn’t play many URC games any more, so basically we have two shots at it, and our best chance will be at MF.

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

Nah, it was Jackson.

[Big D]

I think Ireland are worth their current number one ranking, but they are no McCaw's and Carter's All Blacks, and even they could be beaten, if not very often.

The one thing we mustn't do is think we can't win.


The number 7 selection over the next two games is a conundrum, on the one hand you want Crosbie's abrasiveness and carrying ability, and perhaps even more so, to use him as a fourth jumper.
On the other hand, if Watson is fit and firing, you want him on the ground, killing their ruck speed and making a nuisance of himself.

So far Gray and Gilchrist have performed well in the lineout, we'll need to be even better against France and Ireland. We'll need to be squeaky clean around the park, I'm looking particularly at the older Fagerson here.

Clichés exist in rugby because they are true, if we get parity in the set piece and can hold our own at the breakdown and if we stick to our lines in defence, when we get a chance to pull the trigger we have some attacking moves

So we’ve exorcised the Twickenham bogey (twice) and we’ve beaten a Wales side under Gatland. There’s one more record I want rid of: I really don’t want Sexton to finish his career never having lost to any Scottish side. He doesn’t play many URC games any more, so basically we have two shots at it, and our best chance will be at MF.

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

Crosbie v Watson is a difficult one to call. Watson hasn't been great (rather than OK or good) for a while. There are obvious mitigations for this as he has been injured at various points. But that being said, Crosbie has IMO been the form Edinburgh 7 this season.

For whatever reason the coaching staff haven't overly committed on the ground in defence. It has paid off in that the penalty count has been so much better recently at the risk of giving away quick ball. If they plan to continue that then they are as well sticking with Crosbie.

What ever call he makes on selection has to work as based on performance so far we have beaten two bottom half of table sides and the step up to Ireland and France is massive. As a minimum we need good performances.

[clydecloggie]

So we’ve exorcised the Twickenham bogey (twice) and we’ve beaten a Wales side under Gatland. There’s one more record I want rid of: I really don’t want Sexton to finish his career never having lost to any Scottish side. He doesn’t play many URC games any more, so basically we have two shots at it, and our best chance will be at MF.

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

Crosbie v Watson is a difficult one to call. Watson hasn't been great (rather than OK or good) for a while. There are obvious mitigations for this as he has been injured at various points. But that being said, Crosbie has IMO been the form Edinburgh 7 this season.

For whatever reason the coaching staff haven't overly committed on the ground in defence. It has paid off in that the penalty count has been so much better recently at the risk of giving away quick ball. If they plan to continue that then they are as well sticking with Crosbie.

What ever call he makes on selection has to work as based on performance so far we have beaten two bottom half of table sides and the step up to Ireland and France is massive. As a minimum we need good performances.

I'll agree with you on Wales who really are in a hole in almost every conceivable way. But while England may not be the force of a few years ago, they are still a good side who did not underperform against us. I don't think the step up to France away will be that massive - it's still a step up, but it's not night and day with England at Twickenham.

[Big D]

Did Sexton not play Vs Scotland in Cotter's last six nations I'm thinking 2016?

On TH's point I think that Watson will start 7 Vs France, what's been interesting with Crosbie is they haven't used him in the lineout much. I think he's been good overall but Watson can be great so I'd expect him back.

Kinghorn Vs Hogg is legitimately the biggest call I think. Takes a very brave coach to drop Hogg.

Crosbie v Watson is a difficult one to call. Watson hasn't been great (rather than OK or good) for a while. There are obvious mitigations for this as he has been injured at various points. But that being said, Crosbie has IMO been the form Edinburgh 7 this season.

For whatever reason the coaching staff haven't overly committed on the ground in defence. It has paid off in that the penalty count has been so much better recently at the risk of giving away quick ball. If they plan to continue that then they are as well sticking with Crosbie.

What ever call he makes on selection has to work as based on performance so far we have beaten two bottom half of table sides and the step up to Ireland and France is massive. As a minimum we need good performances.

I'll agree with you on Wales who really are in a hole in almost every conceivable way. But while England may not be the force of a few years ago, they are still a good side who did not underperform against us. I don't think the step up to France away will be that massive - it's still a step up, but it's not night and day with England at Twickenham.

That's the thing though, we under performed against England really which was in many ways the most encouraging part. Watching that game back, bar a few moments of magic we could have played better.

We are going to Paris after France have just been skelped by Ireland. They are going to be bang up for it.

[Biffer]

Crosbie v Watson is a difficult one to call. Watson hasn't been great (rather than OK or good) for a while. There are obvious mitigations for this as he has been injured at various points. But that being said, Crosbie has IMO been the form Edinburgh 7 this season.

For whatever reason the coaching staff haven't overly committed on the ground in defence. It has paid off in that the penalty count has been so much better recently at the risk of giving away quick ball. If they plan to continue that then they are as well sticking with Crosbie.

What ever call he makes on selection has to work as based on performance so far we have beaten two bottom half of table sides and the step up to Ireland and France is massive. As a minimum we need good performances.

I'll agree with you on Wales who really are in a hole in almost every conceivable way. But while England may not be the force of a few years ago, they are still a good side who did not underperform against us. I don't think the step up to France away will be that massive - it's still a step up, but it's not night and day with England at Twickenham.

That's the thing though, we under performed against England really which was in many ways the most encouraging part. Watching that game back, bar a few moments of magic we could have played better.

We are going to Paris after France have just been skelped by Ireland. They are going to be bang up for it.

They’ll be bang up for it, but a fickle Paris crowd, off the back of a loss, with high expectations of a home World Cup, might get on their backs if we can get at them early.

[Big D]

I'll agree with you on Wales who really are in a hole in almost every conceivable way. But while England may not be the force of a few years ago, they are still a good side who did not underperform against us. I don't think the step up to France away will be that massive - it's still a step up, but it's not night and day with England at Twickenham.

That's the thing though, we under performed against England really which was in many ways the most encouraging part. Watching that game back, bar a few moments of magic we could have played better.

We are going to Paris after France have just been skelped by Ireland. They are going to be bang up for it.

They’ll be bang up for it, but a fickle Paris crowd, off the back of a loss, with high expectations of a home World Cup, might get on their backs if we can get at them early.

I don't disagree with that. I am pretty confident they will be a good bit better than England were though.

[westport]

Update on Darcy from MB

“He’s still a while away. So we’re just waiting. Because he’s with us and Scotland, we’ve left those comms mainly up to Scotland on that.

“But he’s with us, he’s on his way back. My understanding of it is really that Scotland will probably have first pick at him if he’s fit. He’s moving on well, he’s in good form.

“You never look at injuries as being a positive. But you try and find some positives in it, so it’s a longer break than we would have liked, but he’s going to be refreshed coming back playing whether it’s at the tail end of the Six Nations or for us at the end of the season or going into the World Cup as well.

“He’s in with us. He’s not taking a full part in training – he’s working with the physios at the moment.”

[Tichtheid]

Update on Darcy from MB

“He’s still a while away. So we’re just waiting. Because he’s with us and Scotland, we’ve left those comms mainly up to Scotland on that.

“But he’s with us, he’s on his way back. My understanding of it is really that Scotland will probably have first pick at him if he’s fit. He’s moving on well, he’s in good form.

“You never look at injuries as being a positive. But you try and find some positives in it, so it’s a longer break than we would have liked, but he’s going to be refreshed coming back playing whether it’s at the tail end of the Six Nations or for us at the end of the season or going into the World Cup as well.

“He’s in with us. He’s not taking a full part in training – he’s working with the physios at the moment.”

He can't come back quick enough. I've just had a look and it was the 2nd of December when he got crocked v Ulster, if he doesn't make it back for the 6N, I hope we see him for the run in for Embra

[dpedin]

Update on Darcy from MB

“He’s still a while away. So we’re just waiting. Because he’s with us and Scotland, we’ve left those comms mainly up to Scotland on that.

“But he’s with us, he’s on his way back. My understanding of it is really that Scotland will probably have first pick at him if he’s fit. He’s moving on well, he’s in good form.

“You never look at injuries as being a positive. But you try and find some positives in it, so it’s a longer break than we would have liked, but he’s going to be refreshed coming back playing whether it’s at the tail end of the Six Nations or for us at the end of the season or going into the World Cup as well.

“He’s in with us. He’s not taking a full part in training – he’s working with the physios at the moment.”

He can't come back quick enough. I've just had a look and it was the 2nd of December when he got crocked v Ulster, if he doesn't make it back for the 6N, I hope we see him for the run in for Embra

I recently watched his 2022 highlights video on YouTube again and he is just phenomenal. In my biased opinion he must be the worlds best winger of 2022?

[JM2K6]

Arendse, Penaud, Villiere would all be in the argument but he's right up there with them

[Tichtheid]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

[I like neeps]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

No and even more confusingly I've never seen him listed on any teamsheet in the u20s, super6, premiership, and then even the academy intercity matches since second half of 2021. I presume he has some horrendous long term injury. ToL journos don't seem to know either what's up with him.

[Dogbert]

Ulster are coming off the back of 2 good results against Stormers & Sale , and will be less disrupted from missing 6Nations players .

Be interested to see who actually gets Game time from the released Scottish Glasgow Players

My best guess at the Glasgow Team would be

Bhatti
Matthews
Sordoni
Bean
du Preez
Gordon
Vailanu
Dempsey
Price
Jordan
Forbes
Johnson
McDowall
Cancelliere
Smith/McKay

No real 13 as the backline is a bit bare without Sione / Shuggie or Kyle.

In Franco we Trust
[/quote

Real Glasgow team for Ulster

Good to see Cummings getting a run out

Glasgow: Ollie Smith; Sebastian Cancelliere, Stafford McDowall, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Tom Jordan, Jamie Dobie; Nathan McBeth, Johnny Matthews, Lucio Sordoni; Lewis Bean, Scott Cummings; Thomas Gordon, Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey.

[KingBlairhorn]

Ulster are coming off the back of 2 good results against Stormers & Sale , and will be less disrupted from missing 6Nations players .

Be interested to see who actually gets Game time from the released Scottish Glasgow Players

My best guess at the Glasgow Team would be

Bhatti
Matthews
Sordoni
Bean
du Preez
Gordon
Vailanu
Dempsey
Price
Jordan
Forbes
Johnson
McDowall
Cancelliere
Smith/McKay

No real 13 as the backline is a bit bare without Sione / Shuggie or Kyle.

In Franco we Trust
[/quote

Real Glasgow team for Ulster

Good to see Cummings getting a run out

Glasgow: Ollie Smith; Sebastian Cancelliere, Stafford McDowall, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Tom Jordan, Jamie Dobie; Nathan McBeth, Johnny Matthews, Lucio Sordoni; Lewis Bean, Scott Cummings; Thomas Gordon, Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey.

That's a pretty decent side all things considered. Arguably first choice 12 to 15, maybe 11 to 15, Tom Jordan has been the best 10 at Glasgow this year. Matthews, Cummings and Dempsey all in a first 15 for Glasgow these days too I would say (Matthews seems to be picked ahead of Turner more often than not).

[Dogbert]

Ulster are coming off the back of 2 good results against Stormers & Sale , and will be less disrupted from missing 6Nations players .

Be interested to see who actually gets Game time from the released Scottish Glasgow Players

My best guess at the Glasgow Team would be

Bhatti
Matthews
Sordoni
Bean
du Preez
Gordon
Vailanu
Dempsey
Price
Jordan
Forbes
Johnson
McDowall
Cancelliere
Smith/McKay

No real 13 as the backline is a bit bare without Sione / Shuggie or Kyle.

In Franco we Trust
[/quote

Real Glasgow team for Ulster

Good to see Cummings getting a run out

Glasgow: Ollie Smith; Sebastian Cancelliere, Stafford McDowall, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes; Tom Jordan, Jamie Dobie; Nathan McBeth, Johnny Matthews, Lucio Sordoni; Lewis Bean, Scott Cummings; Thomas Gordon, Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey.

That's a pretty decent side all things considered. Arguably first choice 12 to 15, maybe 11 to 15, Tom Jordan has been the best 10 at Glasgow this year. Matthews, Cummings and Dempsey all in a first 15 for Glasgow these days too I would say (Matthews seems to be picked ahead of Turner more often than not).

Well, only if you don't think Steyn, Sione, Jone are not first team picks.

Still decent enough team though , be interesting to see who will go to RSA for the Lions match

[Jock42]

According to the Thistle pod guys, the top number of tackles in a 6N is 85. Fagerson is on 47.

[Yr Alban]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

Depends on which Healy you mean. Do you mean the highly rated young 10 that was tipped for a big future and thought not to have had enough of a chance? Or the 3rd choice Munster reject that Edinburgh are getting?

[Yr Alban]

According to the Thistle pod guys, the top number of tackles in a 6N is 85. Fagerson is on 47.

Didn’t Jonny Gray post ridiculous tackle stats when he was first choice?

[Biffer]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

Depends on which Healy you mean. Do you mean the highly rated young 10 that was tipped for a big future and thought not to have had enough of a chance? Or the 3rd choice Munster reject that Edinburgh are getting?

Ah yes. Schrodinger’s 10.

[robmatic]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

I've been assuming Jaco is off for a while, he's practically been frozen out of selection for the last few months.

I don't think Savala has been great in his recent starts, but I do like the way he plays ball in hand. Needs to work on his kicking game, but he's not the only 10 this is true for at the Scottish clubs.

[Tichtheid]

Charlie Savala signs on for three more years with Edinburgh (they seem to have reverted to mentioning the length of contracts now)

With Healy coming in this must spell the end of Jaco's stay in the capital

Has anyone seen Matt Russell play?

I've been assuming Jaco is off for a while, he's practically been frozen out of selection for the last few months.

I don't think Savala has been great in his recent starts, but I do like the way he plays ball in hand. Needs to work on his kicking game, but he's not the only 10 this is true for at the Scottish clubs.

They used to say that about Adam Hastings.

I think that stuff can be coached, you can't really coach pace or the eye that sees the gap. I don't think Finn had the kicking game he has now when he started. From what I hear about Schrodinger's 10 he is a guy that has the kicking game, having him and Kinghorn is perhaps a good balance, with Savala as back up.

I like Savala, I think he could become a very good fly half

[I like neeps]

The problem for Savala is there's just not very much gametime available when Healy and Kinghorn show up. I'd like to see him released to a super6 team and told to dominate the league so he's playing weekly as well as training hard at Edinburgh.

It's why the lack of games during AIs I think not ideal for Scotland. He'd have just had three game straight as starter with Kinghorn in camp. That's great for him.

[Tichtheid]

The problem for Savala is there's just not very much gametime available when Healy and Kinghorn show up. I'd like to see him released to a super6 team and told to dominate the league so he's playing weekly as well as training hard at Edinburgh.

It's why the lack of games during AIs I think not ideal for Scotland. He'd have just had three game straight as starter with Kinghorn in camp. That's great for him.

I think he'll get time, between injury, rotation and mandated rest periods there will be games available. There were similar worries over Luke Crosbie. Johnny Mathews over at Glasgow (his was the first name that sprung to mind) has made nine appearances so far this season, he made 19 last season

[dpedin]

The problem for Savala is there's just not very much gametime available when Healy and Kinghorn show up. I'd like to see him released to a super6 team and told to dominate the league so he's playing weekly as well as training hard at Edinburgh.

It's why the lack of games during AIs I think not ideal for Scotland. He'd have just had three game straight as starter with Kinghorn in camp. That's great for him.

I think he'll get time, between injury, rotation and mandated rest periods there will be games available. There were similar worries over Luke Crosbie. Johnny Mathews over at Glasgow (his was the first name that sprung to mind) has made nine appearances so far this season, he made 19 last season

Next season is a RWC season so there will be lots of National training camps, friendlies, rest periods, wrapped in cotton wool, etc for all the internationalists so Savala will get plenty of game time. The following season might be interesting though ....

[I like neeps]

The problem for Savala is there's just not very much gametime available when Healy and Kinghorn show up. I'd like to see him released to a super6 team and told to dominate the league so he's playing weekly as well as training hard at Edinburgh.

It's why the lack of games during AIs I think not ideal for Scotland. He'd have just had three game straight as starter with Kinghorn in camp. That's great for him.

I think he'll get time, between injury, rotation and mandated rest periods there will be games available. There were similar worries over Luke Crosbie. Johnny Mathews over at Glasgow (his was the first name that sprung to mind) has made nine appearances so far this season, he made 19 last season

Crosbie is a good point, I had a quick look and his first few seasons 2017-2020 a lot of the appearances are in November and February/March. A lot of gametime when the internationals are on was a key development tool because you had pro minutes available for usually your second and third string.

Matthews was injuries which of course are still possible. But I don't know if you want your development philosophy to be - we'll play him when there's injuries and not we'll play him so he's ready to cover injuries in the s6 etc.

[robmatic]

The problem for Savala is there's just not very much gametime available when Healy and Kinghorn show up. I'd like to see him released to a super6 team and told to dominate the league so he's playing weekly as well as training hard at Edinburgh.

It's why the lack of games during AIs I think not ideal for Scotland. He'd have just had three game straight as starter with Kinghorn in camp. That's great for him.

I think he'll get time, between injury, rotation and mandated rest periods there will be games available. There were similar worries over Luke Crosbie. Johnny Mathews over at Glasgow (his was the first name that sprung to mind) has made nine appearances so far this season, he made 19 last season

Crosbie is a good point, I had a quick look and his first few seasons 2017-2020 a lot of the appearances are in November and February/March. A lot of gametime when the internationals are on was a key development tool because you had pro minutes available for usually your second and third string.

Matthews was injuries which of course are still possible. But I don't know if you want your development philosophy to be - we'll play him when there's injuries and not we'll play him so he's ready to cover injuries in the s6 etc.

I think even with the current season setup there's probably more gametime for the second stringers than you might think given the inevitable injuries and rest periods, but I agree we should be a lot more proactive about getting players like Savala playing in the S6. It's been frustrating for the last two seasons that for players like him, taking part in pre-season with the pro club has been seen as more important than getting game time.

[Yr Alban]

Fairly strong looking Embra side to play Scarlets. Every time I think that, though, they seem to lose

[Tichtheid]

Fairly strong looking Embra side to play Scarlets. Every time I think that, though, they seem to lose

The team isn't too shabby despite missing so many starters and subs who would be in the first choice 23, we really need a win tomorrow, but it's not going to be easy.

[I like neeps]

I think he'll get time, between injury, rotation and mandated rest periods there will be games available. There were similar worries over Luke Crosbie. Johnny Mathews over at Glasgow (his was the first name that sprung to mind) has made nine appearances so far this season, he made 19 last season

Crosbie is a good point, I had a quick look and his first few seasons 2017-2020 a lot of the appearances are in November and February/March. A lot of gametime when the internationals are on was a key development tool because you had pro minutes available for usually your second and third string.

Matthews was injuries which of course are still possible. But I don't know if you want your development philosophy to be - we'll play him when there's injuries and not we'll play him so he's ready to cover injuries in the s6 etc.

I think even with the current season setup there's probably more gametime for the second stringers than you might think given the inevitable injuries and rest periods, but I agree we should be a lot more proactive about getting players like Savala playing in the S6. It's been frustrating for the last two seasons that for players like him, taking part in pre-season with the pro club has been seen as more important than getting game time.

There's some opportunity but certainly fewer opportunities, injuries will probably be similar-ish volumes yearly and rest periods were there anyway. So the pro clubs have lost about 5 or 6 gameweeks where internationals were played so it's just a lot of gametime for development lost.

I agree about the super6, I think that's as a result to covid causing the URC and S6 calendars into disarray but for a high standard you need reserve pro players involved.

[I like neeps]

Sutherland (and Cooney) have been awful for Ulster tonight.

On the plus side, Glasgow were superb. Dempsey and Bhatti really good.

[Tichtheid]

Sutherland (and Cooney) have been awful for Ulster tonight.

Whit?

He destroyed Berghan in two scrums and then went back in one which looked to be led from the other side - I'm more than happy to look at that one again

[Tichtheid]

Also, Glasgow's kicking was woeful, it put them under pressure, when Price came on and played the conditions they pulled away

[I like neeps]

Sutherland (and Cooney) have been awful for Ulster tonight.

Whit?

He destroyed Berghan in two scrums and then went back in one which looked to be led from the other side - I'm more than happy to look at that one again

Numerous penalties, numerous knock ons, no dynamism, Glasgow won the scrum battle including one against the head - not a good look for the entire front row.

Bhatti was superb, should continue in the 17 for Scotland.

[Tichtheid]

Numerous?

Sutherland was on for about fifteen minutes, the replacement loosehead handled the ball numerous times and knocked it on every single time, or was so involved in play during the quarter of an hour that he gave away numerous penalties?

[KingBlairhorn]

Numerous?

Sutherland was on for about fifteen minutes, the replacement loosehead handled the ball numerous times and knocked it on every single time, or was so involved in play during the quarter of an hour that he gave away numerous penalties?

Andrew Warwick came on as the replacement tighthead and got absolutely beasted. Probably be a use he is actually a loosehead.

[Dogbert]

So. I have just about dried out after last nights soaking

Firstly , Bunnets off to all the Ulster Supporters who made it over last night , they were great craic , made lots of noise . and made it a great atmosphere - though snaffling all the pies at half time was a bit of a cheek.

The first half was a bit of an arm wrestle dictated by the conditions and Glasgow went toe to toe with a determined Ulster side . the 2nd half was better . and the quality of the Glasgow bench turned the game.

Good to see Cummings back , but he needs more game time to get up to speed.

Dobie /Jordon didn't have the greatest of games , but that will have been good experience, the kicking game needs to be more accurate ( even in those conditions) , hopefully Thomson will be back soon , he has a stronger kicking game , and last nights conditions would have suited the game plan better.

The defensive display of the backs was really impressive , and frustrated Ulster no end.

Finally thanks to Jack Dempsey for having a chat with us last night just after the game - really sound bloke

The last words was that I told him to 'Give them Hell in Paris next week' , He just smiled , gave a chuckle , and said 'Yeh , no worries mate ' and gave a wink to my daughter - Just magical

[Slick]

This is awful. Shiel I’m particular has been unusually poor