The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

I thought Miller would have played more than he has at Glasgow. Not as a first choice selection, but as a very useful bench option when he is very versatile as a back rower.

[Biffer]

Jonny Gray apparently off to Bordeaux next season.

Shame - would have like to have seen him back at Glasgow =- but as all money have been spunked on the perennial under performers on the east coast , I guess its not to be.

The Edinburgh players get champagne after each game and it's charged to the Glasgow account.

The highlight was Miller out sprinting the French winger, for his try

Another Edinburgh export along the M8, you're welcome

Yeah, I was in conversation with some Edinburgh players and they confirmed they get a 25% uplift on Glasgow salaries for being educated at private schools.

[Slick]

The highlight was Miller out sprinting the French winger, for his try - the new rRchie Vernon ??

Just seen that, cracking try. The French winger did not want to make that tackle

[weegie01]

Edinburgh 27-7 up at halftime playing with the wind.

Castres red card after 10mins should have probably been yellow. Castres scrum being destroyed so a yellow for a prop and Edinburgh contriving to make hard work of it.

[Tichtheid]

It finishes Embra winning 34-21

The wind was a big factor in the game, satisfactory performance from Edinburgh, there is some nice rugby there and the defence was sorely tested with Cstres battering away on the Embra line for about half an hour

Matt Currie is coming along nicely

[Biffer]

Edinburgh 27-7 up at halftime playing with the wind.

Castres red card after 10mins should have probably been yellow. Castres scrum being destroyed so a yellow for a prop and Edinburgh contriving to make hard work of it.

Looked red immediately to me in the ground, what was the mitigation?

[weegie01]

Edinburgh 27-7 up at halftime playing with the wind.

Castres red card after 10mins should have probably been yellow. Castres scrum being destroyed so a yellow for a prop and Edinburgh contriving to make hard work of it.

Looked red immediately to me in the ground, what was the mitigation?

We were on the other side of the pitch, and the replays are poor but we thought he bounced onto the head rather than direct contact.

I'll look again when I get home.

[Jock42]

Felt they switched off in the 2nd half but good win nonetheless. Ritchie would have been in line for motm if he'd stayed on but Currie was great.

[dpedin]

Edinburgh 27-7 up at halftime playing with the wind.

Castres red card after 10mins should have probably been yellow. Castres scrum being destroyed so a yellow for a prop and Edinburgh contriving to make hard work of it.

Castres red card was definitely a red - tackler went in upright when he had a chance to lower his tackle and it was direct head on head with the Castres guy accelerating and upwards into the tackle. He had every chance to go lower with the tackle but chose not to. Ref was absolutely correct when going through the checklist for red v yellow. There were no mitigating factors. Like it or not thems the rules and everyone knows them.

Even with 14 players Castres are a big powerful team who currently sit in top 3 in the league after 9 games in, they are no mugs and were looking for something from this game. To take 5 points and concede none in blustery conditions was an excellent result for Embra.

[weegie01]

Castres red card was definitely a red - tackler went in upright when he had a chance to lower his tackle and it was direct head on head with the Castres guy accelerating and upwards into the tackle. He had every chance to go lower with the tackle but chose not to. Ref was absolutely correct when going through the checklist for red v yellow. There were no mitigating factors. Like it or not thems the rules and everyone knows them.

Even with 14 players Castres are a big powerful team who currently sit in top 3 in the league after 9 games in, they are no mugs and were looking for something from this game. To take 5 points and concede none in blustery conditions was an excellent result for Embra.

Given the poor quality of the replays I'll not argue either way.

Not sure what 'like it of not' implies', especially since I was sitting next to a son whose playing days were ended by concussion (not that you have any reason to know that).

[weegie01]

As a complete side, what were the 'Georgia' hoardings advertising? Georgia the US state, Georgia the country, something else?

There was a logo with the word, but it meant nothing to me.

[robmatic]

As a complete side, what were the 'Georgia' hoardings advertising? Georgia the US state, Georgia the country, something else?

There was a logo with the word, but it meant nothing to me.

Georgia the country, I think, if it was a red and white logo. Makes sense with a Georgian team in the competition this year.

[dpedin]

Castres red card was definitely a red - tackler went in upright when he had a chance to lower his tackle and it was direct head on head with the Castres guy accelerating and upwards into the tackle. He had every chance to go lower with the tackle but chose not to. Ref was absolutely correct when going through the checklist for red v yellow. There were no mitigating factors. Like it or not thems the rules and everyone knows them.

Even with 14 players Castres are a big powerful team who currently sit in top 3 in the league after 9 games in, they are no mugs and were looking for something from this game. To take 5 points and concede none in blustery conditions was an excellent result for Embra.

Given the poor quality of the replays I'll not argue either way.

Not sure what 'like it of not' implies', especially since I was sitting next to a son whose playing days were ended by concussion (not that you have any reason to know that).

Nothing meant mate - apologies if offence taken.

[dpedin]

Castres red card was definitely a red - tackler went in upright when he had a chance to lower his tackle and it was direct head on head with the Castres guy accelerating and upwards into the tackle. He had every chance to go lower with the tackle but chose not to. Ref was absolutely correct when going through the checklist for red v yellow. There were no mitigating factors. Like it or not thems the rules and everyone knows them.

Even with 14 players Castres are a big powerful team who currently sit in top 3 in the league after 9 games in, they are no mugs and were looking for something from this game. To take 5 points and concede none in blustery conditions was an excellent result for Embra.

Given the poor quality of the replays I'll not argue either way.

Not sure what 'like it of not' implies', especially since I was sitting next to a son whose playing days were ended by concussion (not that you have any reason to know that).

Nothing meant mate - apologies if offence taken.

[weegie01]

Castres red card was definitely a red - tackler went in upright when he had a chance to lower his tackle and it was direct head on head with the Castres guy accelerating and upwards into the tackle. He had every chance to go lower with the tackle but chose not to. Ref was absolutely correct when going through the checklist for red v yellow. There were no mitigating factors. Like it or not thems the rules and everyone knows them.

Even with 14 players Castres are a big powerful team who currently sit in top 3 in the league after 9 games in, they are no mugs and were looking for something from this game. To take 5 points and concede none in blustery conditions was an excellent result for Embra.

Given the poor quality of the replays I'll not argue either way.

Not sure what 'like it of not' implies', especially since I was sitting next to a son whose playing days were ended by concussion (not that you have any reason to know that).

Nothing meant mate - apologies if offence taken.

No problems, it is just a sensitive subject for me and sometimes I overreact.

[SaintK]

Mallinder moving on in June

Jim Mallinder has announced that he will step down as Scotland’s performance director in June 2024 after five years in the role.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jim-m ... scotland/

[KingBlairhorn]

Mallinder moving on in June

Jim Mallinder has announced that he will step down as Scotland’s performance director in June 2024 after five years in the role.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jim-m ... scotland/

Hard to see any evidence whatsoever of *something* he has achieved in his time at the SRU. To be honest its hard to say what his job even is.

Was he responsible for Super6? I still think that will prove to be a good initiative despite early teething issues. Was he responsible for funding the professional women's players? Also a good initiative.

Has he effectively provided a pathway for young players to move into professional rugby and a means to increase the player base from its current low level? I can't say that he has. I think this is one of his key objectives and unfortunately due to the time lag on this kind of work we will not know if he did anything particularly great for perhaps another 5 years.

[westport]

Mallinder moving on in June

Jim Mallinder has announced that he will step down as Scotland’s performance director in June 2024 after five years in the role.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jim-m ... scotland/

Hard to see any evidence whatsoever of *something* he has achieved in his time at the SRU. To be honest its hard to say what his job even is.

Was he responsible for Super6? I still think that will prove to be a good initiative despite early teething issues. Was he responsible for funding the professional women's players? Also a good initiative.

Has he effectively provided a pathway for young players to move into professional rugby and a means to increase the player base from its current low level? I can't say that he has. I think this is one of his key objectives and unfortunately due to the time lag on this kind of work we will not know if he did anything particularly great for perhaps another 5 years.

From Scottish Rugby site

Mallinder referenced the evolution of the Scotland Women team as it moved from amateur to full-time contracts as one of the points of progress he was proud to be associated with during his tenure.

He also oversaw the delivery of the Super6 competition as it emerged after the Covid pandemic and then evolved into the Super Series which saw Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ teams, as well as the Fosroc Futures join the tournament.

In the women’s game the development of the Celtic Challenge featuring aspiring players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland was also launched earlier this year and will now continue into 2024 with two Scottish teams aligned to the pro teams.

Mallinder has also contributed to a recent review of the youth male pathways programmes following the disappointing progress by Scotland U20s in the World Junior Trophy tournament last summer.

[GrahamWa]

As I said on the Weeg forum until there is greater openness from the Politburo at Murrayfield it is anyone's guess what he has achieved. Even from the positive spin put it to show value for money for the wages he has been paid for 5 years only show that he contributed to delivering Super 6 (which may come good but the inception is/was a mess particularly locations), funding improvement in the womens game which anyone in the "top" tier of rugby could see had to happen similar to when the game went professional and attended a meeting "contributing" to a discussion on why the U20s are under performing on his watch.

[Biffer]

As I said on the Weeg forum until there is greater openness from the Politburo at Murrayfield it is anyone's guess what he has achieved. Even from the positive spin put it to show value for money for the wages he has been paid for 5 years only show that he contributed to delivering Super 6 (which may come good but the inception is/was a mess particularly locations), funding improvement in the womens game which anyone in the "top" tier of rugby could see had to happen similar to when the game went professional and attended a meeting "contributing" to a discussion on why the U20s are under performing on his watch.

Yeah - got to ask if it was his decision to completely shut down the age group stuff during the pandemic.

[westport]

Club stalwart, centurion and co-captain Grant Gilchrist has put pen-to-paper on a new deal, keeping him in the capital until at least June 2025.
And Sam Skinner extended until 2026

[Biffer]

Two strong teams for the first leg of the 1872

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 22 December (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Viaplay

15. Wes Goosen (19)

14. Darcy Graham (61)
13. Matt Currie (25)
12. James Lang (44)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (81)

10. Ben Healy (8)
9. Ali Price (4)

1. Pierre Schoeman (104)
2. Ewan Ashman (8)
3. WP Nel (193)
4. Glen Young (31)
5. Grant Gilchrist (194) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (102)
7. Hamish Watson (145)
8. Viliame Mata (123)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry (78)
17. Boan Venter (52)
18. D’Arcy Rae (1)
19. Marshall Sykes (50)
20. Luke Crosbie (90)
21. Ben Vellacott (46)
22. Mark Bennett (95)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (31)

Unavailable: Luan de Bruin (back), Jake Henry (knee), Jamie Hodgson (ankle), Cam Neild (knee), Harry Paterson (concussion), Javan Sebastian (knee), Scott Steele (hip), Tim Swiel (concussion).

Glasgow Warriors team to face Edinburgh Rugby at Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 22 December, kick-off 7.35pm. You can watch the match on Viaplay Sports or follow all the action on our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (95)
2 George Turner (95)
3 Zander Fagerson (135)
4 Scott Cummings (112)
5 Richie Gray (108)
6 Ally Miller (20)
7 Rory Darge (38)
8 Sione Vailanu (27)

9 George Horne (104)
10 Ross Thompson (42)
11 Kyle Rowe (7)
12 Stafford McDowall (65)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (42)
14 Huw Jones (63)
15 Josh McKay (34)

Replacements

16 Johnny Matthews (58)
17 Nathan McBeth (29)
18 Oli Kebble (92)
19 Greg Peterson (41)
20 Max Williamson (4)
21 Henco Venter (5)
22 Ben Afshar (3)
23 Tom Jordan (33)

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Jack Dempsey (face), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Matt Fagerson (face), Sintu Manjezi (foot), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Lucio Sordoni (shoulder), Kyle Steyn (ankle), Murphy Walker (knee).

[clydecloggie]

Has there been any news on the severity of Ollie Smith's knee injury? It looked a bad one,.

[Dogbert]

Has there been any news on the severity of Ollie Smith's knee injury? It looked a bad one,.

I'm hearing months , rather than weeks

[clydecloggie]

Has there been any news on the severity of Ollie Smith's knee injury? It looked a bad one,.

I'm hearing months , rather than weeks

That's what I feared when I saw it happen. Looking at his movement, the one saving grace is that it's possibly not a cruciate ligament injury, but a medial ligament one - they're a lot less messy, usually.

[Slick]

My best mates son has just been called in to the Scotland U18 squad, so delighted for all concerned.

Madly though, the call up came with a request to join a 2 day training camp on 29th/30th December and half the kids are away. Seems bizarrely amateurish

[weegie01]

My best mates son has just been called in to the Scotland U18 squad, so delighted for all concerned.

Madly though, the call up came with a request to join a 2 day training camp on 29th/30th December and half the kids are away. Seems bizarrely amateurish

And this surprises you?

[Biffer]

Talk of a record crowd for the Murrayfield leg, 30k+

[Simian]

Has there been any news on the severity of Ollie Smith's knee injury? It looked a bad one,.

I'm hearing months , rather than weeks

Looking like 8 months to a year, apparently. Poor guy.

[weegie01]

Glasgow is sold out for tonight. It is hard to say what the Murrayfield crowd will be, but it looks good.

There seemes to have been less excitement around the clubs than in previous years so those crowds are gratifying.

Edit
I have just noticed that Edinburgh are saying the 30k record may be broken.

[Biffer]

Glasgow is sold out for tonight. It is hard to say what the Murrayfield crowd will be, but it looks good.

There seemes to have been less excitement around the clubs than in previous years so those crowds are gratifying.

Edit
I have just noticed that Edinburgh are saying the 30k record may be broken.

The entire lower bowl of Murrayfield is on sale, along with the east upper. Woulnt be surprised to see some more on sale next week

[topofthemoon]

If anyone wants some pre-match reading:

https://ontopofthemoon.com/2023/12/22/n ... w-2023-24/

[Slick]

Has there been any news on the severity of Ollie Smith's knee injury? It looked a bad one,.

I'm hearing months , rather than weeks

Looking like 8 months to a year, apparently. Poor guy.

Very upset for the guy. He must have felt this was his time

[Dogbert]

If anyone wants some pre-match reading:

https://ontopofthemoon.com/2023/12/22/n ... w-2023-24/

Should be an easy 5 pointer for the East Coasters - Edinburgh at Full strength, with Glasgow missing 5 first choice players - Fagerson ( who has been the outstanding backrow for Glasgow this season), Dempsey Steyn, Cancelliere, and now Ollie Smith
( not to mention the starting Scottish and British Lions 9 - currently away on loan.)

Edinburgh's big money signings with Healy and Ashman must be licking their lips , Not to mention their world class back row ,and wings
Men versus boys

Not sure its worth Glasgow showing up , might as well just give Edinburgh the 5 points and the trophy now

For any East Coasters turning up tonight , the Portaloos are reserved for your use

[Tichtheid]

If anyone wants some pre-match reading:

https://ontopofthemoon.com/2023/12/22/n ... w-2023-24/

Should be an easy 5 pointer for the East Coasters - Edinburgh at Full strength, with Glasgow missing 5 first choice players - Fagerson ( who has been the outstanding backrow for Glasgow this season), Dempsey Steyn, Cancelliere, and now Ollie Smith
( not to mention the starting Scottish and British Lions 9 - currently away on loan.)

Edinburgh's big money signings with Healy and Ashman must be licking their lips , Not to mention their world class back row ,and wings
Men versus boys

Not sure its worth Glasgow showing up , might as well just give Edinburgh the 5 points and the trophy now

For any East Coasters turning up tonight , the Portaloos are reserved for your use

Shameless underdogging.

But for once on the subject of Glasgow/Edinburgh, I hope you are correct.

[Yr Alban]

Ref has been a bit of a homer so far.

[Yr Alban]

Ref has been a bit of a homer so far.

Might have to take that back. Not sure Nel was over there.

[Tichtheid]

Ref has been a bit of a homer so far.

Might have to take that back. Not sure Nel was over there.

I think Nel got the ball on the edge of the line with the first placement, and then when he got a dunt from behind it was moved over the line - it was a fair score for me.

Embra didn't get many calls in that first period but to be fair there weren't many controversial decisions imo, maybe the scrum call against Schoeman for driving up, which means Fagerson couldn't stand the pressure.

[Big D]

Not the best game but weather didn't help. Glasgow with a couple of pieces of nice play at the right time to win it.