The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Biffer]

Charlie Shiel is someone who I thought would kick on but if I'm being totally honest he hasn't grasped his chances when they've presented themselves, I really want him to succeed but he just doesn't seem to have that extra half percent that sorts the good players from the professional level, never mind the international class. It was similar with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, I really wanted him to be the top player that looked like becoming, but despite years on the park he still had a wayward pass, he had everything else, but for a scrum half that one basic element is non-negotiable.

Props on both sides is a worrying situation, apart from Walker we don't have anyone beyond imports and a couple of kids in the academy who may or may not make the grade

SHC was a disappointment in particular because he played noticeably better when he needed a new contract.

[Biffer]

Meh, English born son of English born, Welsh Commonwealth Games representative choses to play age grade rugby for England while it directly benefits his employment status.

It is the entirely appropriate and sensible thing to do.

If I were a decent prospect outside the SRU system I wouldn't be in a hurry to get involved in that situation. The national team is doing well but the U20s are not in the elite competition again next year and it isn't obvious they will by the time Logan is u20s.

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not so sure on those particular examples, Crosbie is a member of the Scotland squad now, he is a year older than Matt Fagerson but has a similar number of club appearances to his name, but I'd say the competition for places in the backrow is and has been stronger at Edinburgh for quite some time, hence Darge and Miller going over and Darge immediately becoming a first choice pick. Edinburgh brought through a lot of good backrow players, I think even Watson joined as an academy player.

Sykes is 23 and has 45 appearances under his belt, including being in the 23 every game so far this season, Boyle has 36 Edinburgh caps, despite the same difficulties in getting game time that faced Darge, I think that now he is getting a clear run of games he will force his way into the team, Watson could well be the guy losing out to him.

Watson joined at 20, having been in the Academy at Leicester and then on a sevens contract.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Team for the Nordies

Looks like Scappy is back on his Hols - so potentially see Ben Afshar come on for his first Cap

With Horne out , who kicks - TJ needs to get that part of his game sorted

Weather looks a Tropical 0 degrees - but no wind - and dry !

Got to win the home games - this one will be tighter than last week against Benetton , who were poor

The noisy neighbours should be looking for a good five pointer tonight

1 Jamie Bhatti (92)
2 George Turner (92)
3 Zander Fagerson (131)
4 Greg Peterson (37)
5 Scott Cummings (109)
6 Matt Fagerson (98)
7 Rory Darge (35)
8 Jack Dempsey (39)

9 Sean Kennedy (26)
10 Tom Jordan (29)
11 Kyle Rowe (4)
12 Stafford McDowall (C) (62)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (39)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (29)
15 Josh McKay (30)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (55)
17 Oli Kebble (88)
18 Lucio Sordoni (20)
19 Richie Gray (105)
20 Sintu Manjezi (13)
21 Sione Vailanu (24)
22 Ben Afshar (0)
23 Duncan Weir (137)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Facundo Cordero (ankle),Jamie Dobie (ankle) Huw Jones (foot) JP du Preez (knee), Kyle Steyn (ankle)

[Tichtheid]

Meh, English born son of English born, Welsh Commonwealth Games representative choses to play age grade rugby for England while it directly benefits his employment status.

It is the entirely appropriate and sensible thing to do.

If I were a decent prospect outside the SRU system I wouldn't be in a hurry to get involved in that situation. The national team is doing well but the U20s are not in the elite competition again next year and it isn't obvious they will by the time Logan is u20s.

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not so sure on those particular examples, Crosbie is a member of the Scotland squad now, he is a year older than Matt Fagerson but has a similar number of club appearances to his name, but I'd say the competition for places in the backrow is and has been stronger at Edinburgh for quite some time, hence Darge and Miller going over and Darge immediately becoming a first choice pick. Edinburgh brought through a lot of good backrow players, I think even Watson joined as an academy player.

Sykes is 23 and has 45 appearances under his belt, including being in the 23 every game so far this season, Boyle has 36 Edinburgh caps, despite the same difficulties in getting game time that faced Darge, I think that now he is getting a clear run of games he will force his way into the team, Watson could well be the guy losing out to him.

Watson joined at 20, having been in the Academy at Leicester and then on a sevens contract.

The Embra site says he joined the "elite development programme", wasn't that what became the academy?

He was still 19 when he made his debut, if only just by about six weeks

[KingBlairhorn]

Meh, English born son of English born, Welsh Commonwealth Games representative choses to play age grade rugby for England while it directly benefits his employment status.

It is the entirely appropriate and sensible thing to do.

If I were a decent prospect outside the SRU system I wouldn't be in a hurry to get involved in that situation. The national team is doing well but the U20s are not in the elite competition again next year and it isn't obvious they will by the time Logan is u20s.

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not so sure on those particular examples, Crosbie is a member of the Scotland squad now, he is a year older than Matt Fagerson but has a similar number of club appearances to his name, but I'd say the competition for places in the backrow is and has been stronger at Edinburgh for quite some time, hence Darge and Miller going over and Darge immediately becoming a first choice pick. Edinburgh brought through a lot of good backrow players, I think even Watson joined as an academy player.

Sykes is 23 and has 45 appearances under his belt, including being in the 23 every game so far this season, Boyle has 36 Edinburgh caps, despite the same difficulties in getting game time that faced Darge, I think that now he is getting a clear run of games he will force his way into the team, Watson could well be the guy losing out to him.

Henderson is an interesting example given he was in the Glasgow academy prior to moving down south - would he have made the same breakthrough at Glasgow? Hard to say of course but he was well thought of - he didn't play any games for Glasgow as far as I know but went straight into the Leicester prem squad when he moved. His comparators at Glasgow would probably be Samuel, Williamson, Ferrie and Brown (both lock/flanker ala Skinner). Samuel is 3 years younger but starting to break into the Glasgow matchday squad. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have equal experience by the time he is 24. Ferrie and Brown are both 18 months younger with 9 and 14 starts respectively. Not too bad for their age especially given the injury Brown had on his debut. The one I'd be a bit disappointed in is Williamson who only has 1 start to his name so far - I think he is good enough to have had more. I'd certainly like to see Manjezi, Petterson and Du Preez phased out for home grown players over the next few years if possible and I suppose as Gray moves to retirement you would want the same for him.

In terms of Edinburgh, there hasn't been a single lock come through for them in recent years as far as I can remember. They do have Harrison (12 apps at 21), Boyle (32 at 23), Muncaster (27 at 22), Currie (18 at 22) and Patterson (4 at 22) all breaking into the squad though which is a decent cohort. Paterson is the most disappointing in terms of absolute numbers, but Boyle is probably the most disappointing in terms of appearances to talent ratio. I would have absolutely had him established in the matchday 23 much earlier. The proof of the pudding is whether any or all of these become first team regulars. Harrison should already be in my opinion, Boyle seems to be belatedly on the way, Muncaster has a very tough job with Mata and sometimes Crosbie in his way but plays a decent amount, Currie has played a lot this season and with Kinghorn away I presume we will see more of Paterson. That blocking by established international players is the rub though, the pathway is clear but the ability to execute on it as a young player breaking through is exceptionally difficult when you have an established international player or multiple such players between you and the gametime you need.

I think I am pretty on record as being disappointed with how much youth we manage to bring through but I do think there is enough there that we shouldn't be totally despondent. I would say it is quite some time since a player broke through like Kinghorn or Hogg who absolutely lit it up from day 1, I hope there is a poster that can tell us about the top youth prospects we might see do that in the next season or two. One of the big losses for me has been the games during international windows being scrapped - although that was terrible for the clubs in terms of having to play massively weakened teams, it did give much needed gametime for fringe players every year.

[westport]

On the BK thing, I think it is a great move all around, he gets to go to one of the top teams in Europe for 3 seasons which is great for him and hopefully he will improve even more. Edinburgh get a 6 figure sum and Toulouse get a seasoned pro.

[Tichtheid]

In terms of Edinburgh, there hasn't been a single lock come through for them in recent years as far as I can remember.

There was Callum Hunter-Hill, or did he come up through Glasgow? I can't remember.

There aren't a lot, Jamie Hodgson? I think there was a fair bit of talk about Jamie Campbell, but he's only made one appearance and he's 22 now.

[C T]

Glasgow Team for the Nordies

Looks like Scappy is back on his Hols - so potentially see Ben Afshar come on for his first Cap

With Horne out , who kicks - TJ needs to get that part of his game sorted

Weather looks a Tropical 0 degrees - but no wind - and dry !

Got to win the home games - this one will be tighter than last week against Benetton , who were poor

The noisy neighbours should be looking for a good five pointer tonight

1 Jamie Bhatti (92)
2 George Turner (92)
3 Zander Fagerson (131)
4 Greg Peterson (37)
5 Scott Cummings (109)
6 Matt Fagerson (98)
7 Rory Darge (35)
8 Jack Dempsey (39)

9 Sean Kennedy (26)
10 Tom Jordan (29)
11 Kyle Rowe (4)
12 Stafford McDowall (C) (62)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (39)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (29)
15 Josh McKay (30)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (55)
17 Oli Kebble (88)
18 Lucio Sordoni (20)
19 Richie Gray (105)
20 Sintu Manjezi (13)
21 Sione Vailanu (24)
22 Ben Afshar (0)
23 Duncan Weir (137)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Facundo Cordero (ankle),Jamie Dobie (ankle) Huw Jones (foot) JP du Preez (knee), Kyle Steyn (ankle)

Must be pretty intimidating for Ulster, knowing that they'll need to build a decent lead before Matthews comes on.

[weegie01]

There was Callum Hunter-Hill, or did he come up through Glasgow? I can't remember.

There aren't a lot, Jamie Hodgson? I think there was a fair bit of talk about Jamie Campbell, but he's only made one appearance and he's 22 now.

CHH and Hodgson are both Edinburgh, and indeed both Smellies. (Sewart Melville College).

Edit, both went to Edinburgh schools, but CHH did in fact start with Glasgow before going pro with Edinburgh.

[Big D]

Meh, English born son of English born, Welsh Commonwealth Games representative choses to play age grade rugby for England while it directly benefits his employment status.

It is the entirely appropriate and sensible thing to do.

If I were a decent prospect outside the SRU system I wouldn't be in a hurry to get involved in that situation. The national team is doing well but the U20s are not in the elite competition again next year and it isn't obvious they will by the time Logan is u20s.

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not so sure on those particular examples, Crosbie is a member of the Scotland squad now, he is a year older than Matt Fagerson but has a similar number of club appearances to his name, but I'd say the competition for places in the backrow is and has been stronger at Edinburgh for quite some time, hence Darge and Miller going over and Darge immediately becoming a first choice pick. Edinburgh brought through a lot of good backrow players, I think even Watson joined as an academy player.

Sykes is 23 and has 45 appearances under his belt, including being in the 23 every game so far this season, Boyle has 36 Edinburgh caps, despite the same difficulties in getting game time that faced Darge, I think that now he is getting a clear run of games he will force his way into the team, Watson could well be the guy losing out to him.

Henderson is an interesting example given he was in the Glasgow academy prior to moving down south - would he have made the same breakthrough at Glasgow? Hard to say of course but he was well thought of - he didn't play any games for Glasgow as far as I know but went straight into the Leicester prem squad when he moved. His comparators at Glasgow would probably be Samuel, Williamson, Ferrie and Brown (both lock/flanker ala Skinner). Samuel is 3 years younger but starting to break into the Glasgow matchday squad. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have equal experience by the time he is 24. Ferrie and Brown are both 18 months younger with 9 and 14 starts respectively. Not too bad for their age especially given the injury Brown had on his debut. The one I'd be a bit disappointed in is Williamson who only has 1 start to his name so far - I think he is good enough to have had more. I'd certainly like to see Manjezi, Petterson and Du Preez phased out for home grown players over the next few years if possible and I suppose as Gray moves to retirement you would want the same for him.

In terms of Edinburgh, there hasn't been a single lock come through for them in recent years as far as I can remember. They do have Harrison (12 apps at 21), Boyle (32 at 23), Muncaster (27 at 22), Currie (18 at 22) and Patterson (4 at 22) all breaking into the squad though which is a decent cohort. Paterson is the most disappointing in terms of absolute numbers, but Boyle is probably the most disappointing in terms of appearances to talent ratio. I would have absolutely had him established in the matchday 23 much earlier. The proof of the pudding is whether any or all of these become first team regulars. Harrison should already be in my opinion, Boyle seems to be belatedly on the way, Muncaster has a very tough job with Mata and sometimes Crosbie in his way but plays a decent amount, Currie has played a lot this season and with Kinghorn away I presume we will see more of Paterson. That blocking by established international players is the rub though, the pathway is clear but the ability to execute on it as a young player breaking through is exceptionally difficult when you have an established international player or multiple such players between you and the game time you need.

I think I am pretty on record as being disappointed with how much youth we manage to bring through but I do think there is enough there that we shouldn't be totally despondent. I would say it is quite some time since a player broke through like Kinghorn or Hogg who absolutely lit it up from day 1, I hope there is a poster that can tell us about the top youth prospects we might see do that in the next season or two. One of the big losses for me has been the games during international windows being scrapped - although that was terrible for the clubs in terms of having to play massively weakened teams, it did give much needed gametime for fringe players every year.

I think the above is a fair summary.

I wasn't disputing that there are some brought through but more specific examples. Boyle was a stand out under 20 and four seasons on he has 39caps but in terms of actual game time has less than 20 games worth of time on the park. He's nearly 24, not a young prospect anymore.

Sykes, again nearly 24, has averaged half an hour per appearance across last season and this.

Crosbie, may be an international but has he been given the best chance to fulfil his potential? I don't think he has.

23/24 is old enough to be starting most weeks. Some of the better talents need to be given game time earlier. Not sure if Harrison has been injured but he's yet to get a look in this year.

Was Scott Cummings the last Scottish second row to come through as a regular starter? He's 27 in two weeks.

[Big D]

Meh, English born son of English born, Welsh Commonwealth Games representative choses to play age grade rugby for England while it directly benefits his employment status.

It is the entirely appropriate and sensible thing to do.

If I were a decent prospect outside the SRU system I wouldn't be in a hurry to get involved in that situation. The national team is doing well but the U20s are not in the elite competition again next year and it isn't obvious they will by the time Logan is u20s.

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not so sure on those particular examples, Crosbie is a member of the Scotland squad now, he is a year older than Matt Fagerson but has a similar number of club appearances to his name, but I'd say the competition for places in the backrow is and has been stronger at Edinburgh for quite some time, hence Darge and Miller going over and Darge immediately becoming a first choice pick. Edinburgh brought through a lot of good backrow players, I think even Watson joined as an academy player.

Sykes is 23 and has 45 appearances under his belt, including being in the 23 every game so far this season, Boyle has 36 Edinburgh caps, despite the same difficulties in getting game time that faced Darge, I think that now he is getting a clear run of games he will force his way into the team, Watson could well be the guy losing out to him.

Fagerson has played nearly 1500 minutes more of club rugby than Crosbie according to All Rugby* stats at a year younger than Crosbie. Over 3600 minutes more including internationals. It is nearly 19 games more at club level and 45 full games of rugby more total in terms of time spent on the pitch which is massive for development. It took Fagerson time to step his game up a level to become a good international but was able to work it out as he went through game time. I'm using game time as I don't think appearances tell the whole story for some of the players for example Boyle has more club appearances than Darge but played 1700 minutes of rugby less than Darge if internationals are included at almost an identical age.

For talented young players like Boyle and Sykes we need to get them more game time earlier. Henderson is a year younger than Sykes and already started 50% more games and leaped ahead of him in Scotland reckoning. From what I have seen there isn't a big talent gap but Henderson has thrived from getting starts (was getting starts when he was a 20 year old).

Darge showed how quickly game time helps development. I understand this is possibly an Edinburgh problem but if Edinburgh had a George Martin or Jac Morgan on the books they'd probably have about 30 appearances averaging 25min a game rather than performing very well at a world cup at 22 and 23.

* assuming it is reliable

[Tichtheid]

BigD, I'm certainly not disputing that game time makes for better player, however your summary ignores the particular situation at Edinburgh. I've just had a look at Disco's depth chart for Edinburgh's back row from 2019/20

Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Bill Mata
John Barclay, Luke Crosbie, Magnus Bradbury
Nick Haining, Ally Miller, Mesulame Kunavula (I thought he was brilliant, another player who got better the more he played)
Ruan Steenlamp (short term contract) Rory Darge, Jack Mann
Charlie Jupp, Connor Boyle.

Even Rambo had been moved out of the backrow.

Lewis Carmichael was a 5/6 and Fraz McKenzie acquitted himself pretty well on the blindside when called upon.

Nick Haining was a full Scottish internationalist at that point and a pretty good one to boot. That group highlights the need for a third pro team, but we didn't have that depth in other positions, nothing like it and we don't have the money for another side or anywhere to place it - the Borders didn't support the Reivers and although I'd love to see a team in Inverness I'm not sure there is the support base for it, same with Aberdeen and even if there was we'd need to find a stadium.

Glasgow's depth chart for the same season

Ryan Wilson, Callum Gibbons, Matt Fagerson
Rob Harley, Thomas Gordon, Adam Ashe
Jale Vakaloloma (I don't remember him) Chris Fursaro, Bruce Flockhart,
Gregor Brown, Matt Smith.

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby
about an hour ago
·
Brilliant to see our 'A' team take a deserved 27-26 win at Scotstoun earlier this afternoon.
Ben Muncaster (2), Charlie Shiel and Liam Richman all crossed the whitewash in Glasgow

[Big D]

BigD, I'm certainly not disputing that game time makes for better player, however your summary ignores the particular situation at Edinburgh. I've just had a look at Disco's depth chart for Edinburgh's back row from 2019/20

Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Bill Mata
John Barclay, Luke Crosbie, Magnus Bradbury
Nick Haining, Ally Miller, Mesulame Kunavula (I thought he was brilliant, another player who got better the more he played)
Ruan Steenlamp (short term contract) Rory Darge, Jack Mann
Charlie Jupp, Connor Boyle.

Even Rambo had been moved out of the backrow.

Lewis Carmichael was a 5/6 and Fraz McKenzie acquitted himself pretty well on the blindside when called upon.

Nick Haining was a full Scottish internationalist at that point and a pretty good one to boot. That group highlights the need for a third pro team, but we didn't have that depth in other positions, nothing like it and we don't have the money for another side or anywhere to place it - the Borders didn't support the Reivers and although I'd love to see a team in Inverness I'm not sure there is the support base for it, same with Aberdeen and even if there was we'd need to find a stadium.

Glasgow's depth chart for the same season

Ryan Wilson, Callum Gibbons, Matt Fagerson
Rob Harley, Thomas Gordon, Adam Ashe
Jale Vakaloloma (I don't remember him) Chris Fursaro, Bruce Flockhart,
Gregor Brown, Matt Smith.

It does highlight a need for a 3rd pro team but also raises a question as to why Kunavula was signed for example. Was there a real need to sign Barclay when there was five other full cap internationals available for the same positions. At that time it was known Crosbie had potential and Darge and Boyle were age grade stand outs. Edit: Just remembered Barclay was signed the year before but the situation was created by Edinburgh signing additional back rows when other clubs might have taken a chance on Boyle and Darge getting game time at 19/20.

Was the McBurney extension really required when Harrison could have been 3rd choice by now? Even this season, Edinburgh signed and started Neild, ahead of Boyle. Would Boyle even have gotten a start but for the Neild injury? Talent ID and mapping their route to regular even semi regular game time should be accounted for when recruiting others.

Using the talented younger players has so many benefits and would help save budget to spend on positions of need like tight head, or a decent quality 12 (Lang isn't bad but could be improved upon) where there is a lack of SQ talent.

[Big D]

Edinburgh Rugby
about an hour ago
·
Brilliant to see our 'A' team take a deserved 27-26 win at Scotstoun earlier this afternoon.
Ben Muncaster (2), Charlie Shiel and Liam Richman all crossed the whitewash in Glasgow

Is Richman the full back that was involved with the squad in pre season?

[robmatic]

On a separate but semi related note I also worry the SRU/Edinburgh have bungled the development of some of our talented young players by not getting them enough game time earlier.

- Sykes for example is older than the three of the four main Leicester second rows (Martin, Chessum, Henderson), has already played fewer games and by the end of this season will have significantly less game time. They took a chance on quality younger players whereas Edinburgh since Sykes has been pro have brought in two senior second rows ahead of him.
- Crosbie - 27 by the end of the season and hasn't played 100 pro games yet.
- Boyle - Has spent the equivalent of less than 20 games on the pitch for Edinburgh and is nearly 24.

I'm not sure Crosbie is a great example of bungling. He's had a fairly consistent number of appearances each season since his first run of starting appearances when he was 20. Ideally he would have played more, but for most of that time that would have involved him playing instead of either the current Scottish captain or the only current Scottish backrow to be a B&I Lion. I don't see things panning out differently at many other clubs, given the playing roster available to Edinburgh.

Basically the solution for Edinburgh to do more in terms of developing young players would be to not to keep hold of their current internationalists but I don't think that would be palatable for either the punters or for the Scotland coaches, when they clearly see a strategic value in having the internationalists on the payroll.

[Big D]

Part of me thinks there needs to be a more robust process for signing players, even Scottish players, who are going to be squad filler.

I'd argue Neild, Steele, and Swiel weren't really needed and/or good enough to merit signing. Neild kept Boyle out the team in week one, Steele would probably have kept Shiel or a youngster form getting game time and probably wouldn't have been signed if Scottish, and Savala and Scott could have covered 10 rather than a NSQ journeyman 10.

Edit: Hopefully now Boyle is firmly ahead of Neild at least. Looking forward to a good performance tonight.

[weegie01]

An article on the BBC mentions that Kinghorn was going to Toulouse at the end of the season, and Edinburgh have received a six figure sum to let him go early (after the Ulster game).

[Slick]

In big news, I’ve succumbed to it all and renewed my Viaplay subscription so you will all get my in game and post game analysis back.

Pleasure.

[GrahamWa]

They're are doing the monthly cancellable subscription for £7.50 per month with the code BLACKFRIDAY. Last payment will be May, so cancel after that or it will go back to £14.99.

[Big D]

Shame the A team game wasn't publicised more. Not
team sheets released, no reports etc.

[Slick]

They're are doing the monthly cancellable subscription for £7.50 per month with the code BLACKFRIDAY. Last payment will be May, so cancel after that or it will go back to £14.99.

FFS!!!

[Slick]

Shame the A team game wasn't publicised more. Not
team sheets released, no reports etc.

Yeah, really odd

[Tichtheid]

A final thought on the bigger picture squad situation before the game tonight, the likes of Kunavula are vital signings, guys who can play when the internationals are either away or rested. I remember Ritchie made his Embra debut away to Leinster as a bum-fluffed 18 year old, if that, because of injuries. We had a Kiwi guy who did house removals for a living in the second row in that game also because of injuries.

The season before Miller and Darge moved West Miller was one of our standout players, and again that was due to injuries affording him game time, it doesn't take much for the fullest of cupboards to suddenly seem bare.

Anyway, on to tonight. This is a completely different Benetton team to the one that Glasgow faced last week, I counted only three starters from the Scotstoun game, this side seems stronger. We will need to be on it for 80 minutes.

[Tichtheid]

If you'd written that start from Kinghorn it would be dismissed as too cheesy

[Slick]

That kick off return from the BK try really frustrates me. I know they have a play - take it up, ruck, box kick - but when the player breaks a tackle and sends the defensive line scurrying back, surely these players have the wherewithal to change the call and have a go at the retreating defence.

[KingBlairhorn]

No way that second try is a try!

[KingBlairhorn]

Also, what’s with the heavy breathing tmo

[Tichtheid]

Pretty sure Crosbie got a head to head clash, but it wasn't looked at

[Simian]

Pretty sure Crosbie got a head to head clash, but it wasn't looked at

yeah, it was very odd

[KingBlairhorn]

Pretty sure Crosbie got a head to head clash, but it wasn't looked at

It looked high.

I would have given the Benneton try

[Tichtheid]

Benetton's tighthead is where the instability is rooted in the scrum

[Tichtheid]

Currie has been reading the game so well - he did a brilliant one defensively a few moments ago

[Tichtheid]

Well that's a pisser

[Slick]

Come on, every single one of their backline was offside there

[Simian]

ooft

[KingBlairhorn]

There was a very suspect tackle right before the turnover there

[Slick]

This is kind of what Wayne Barnes has been saying the last week. The Benetton try that wasn’t given for “no control”, the ref was happy to give it but the TMO pressurised her into not giving it.

But the try they did score looked to me like the whole defensive line was off side, but no TMO intervention- I doubt it was even considered

[KingBlairhorn]

This isn’t exactly an earth shattering revelation but Ben Healy is really fucking good. I had considered him to be a ‘kicking’ 10 before he came across but the quality of his passing and identification of space is exceptional.

[Simian]

another good half from Healy.