The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

Mata to Bristol at the end of the season

[westport]

It was only a Mata of time

[Big D]

Mata to Bristol confirmed.

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

[dpedin]

Mata to Bristol confirmed.

The right decision for both parties. Mata will rightfully want a last pay day and Edinburgh rightfully won't stump up another big money contract for him after giving him one at his last renewal. Especially as he was late to pro rugby.

This is exactly the right model for non Scotland qualified players. Bring them in, pay them well and get a really good few years from them and then let them get that last payday in their 30s elsewhere.

Both parties have been excellent for each other and there is nothing wring with shaking hands and going their separate ways

This! Big Bill has been a fantastic servant to the club and deserves his last big pay day. The club deserve huge credit in developing an obviously huge talent into a top class pro player and looking after him and his family as well as they have done. Hope he has a great time playing and living in Bristol.

[Big D]

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

I have it on good authority the Edinburgh wage bill has declined so much this year that it is now only 6 times Glasgow's!

[Biffer]

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

So we can expect the Fagerson brothers, Tuipolotou, Darge and Turner to be coming along the M8 next season? Jolly good.

[Big D]

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

I have it on good authority the Edinburgh wage bill has declined so much this year that it is now only 6 times Glasgow's!

When I was writing my post I was trying to think who the highest paid players actually are.

At Edinburgh Schoeman, Skinner and Ritchie will be on a wedge.

Zander must be one of the top 2 or 3, British Lion tight head with plenty caps. Dempsey would have had a strong bargaining position too given.we obviously wanted him for the national squad.

[I like neeps]

Edinburgh's wage budget will be going through a transition, Kinghorn gone, Nel will be on reducing contracts (if he resigns again), Gilchrist should be on less than he was given his age and with Mata going now the higher former higher earners will be on reduced deals or out the door.

I have it on good authority the Edinburgh wage bill has declined so much this year that it is now only 6 times Glasgow's!

When I was writing my post I was trying to think who the highest paid players actually are.

At Edinburgh Schoeman, Skinner and Ritchie will be on a wedge.

Zander must be one of the top 2 or 3, British Lion tight head with plenty caps. Dempsey would have had a strong bargaining position too given.we obviously wanted him for the national squad.

VdM and Boffeli will be two of the highest earners. When was Watson signed? Suspect he's up there too.

[KingBlairhorn]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

[I like neeps]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Is it surprising that Southern Hemisphere tier1 teams don't think a three match series with Scotland will get fans through the gates?

[KingBlairhorn]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Is it surprising that Southern Hemisphere tier1 teams don't think a three match series with Scotland will get fans through the gates?

Yeah, I presume that’s the reason. Will Wales get a 3 match tour though, for instance. They have been a substantially poorer team than us for what, 5 years now? Are they really that much more of a commercial draw than a team that hasn’t toured in 20+ years. I think NZ would be a stretch but surely Australia would be a decent tour for us?

[I like neeps]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Is it surprising that Southern Hemisphere tier1 teams don't think a three match series with Scotland will get fans through the gates?

Yeah, I presume that’s the reason. Will Wales get a 3 match tour though, for instance. They have been a substantially poorer team than us for what, 5 years now? Are they really that much more of a commercial draw than a team that hasn’t toured in 20+ years. I think NZ would be a stretch but surely Australia would be a decent tour for us?

Don't really agree Wales have been substantially poorer, the head to head results over the last 5 years don't suggest that either. And in that time Wales did win a grand slam.

Agree that Scotland Australia three match tour would be decent. But not for Australia, as it would not get the locals excited.

[Biffer]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Is it surprising that Southern Hemisphere tier1 teams don't think a three match series with Scotland will get fans through the gates?

Yeah, I presume that’s the reason. Will Wales get a 3 match tour though, for instance. They have been a substantially poorer team than us for what, 5 years now? Are they really that much more of a commercial draw than a team that hasn’t toured in 20+ years. I think NZ would be a stretch but surely Australia would be a decent tour for us?

We were scheduled to have a two test tour of New Zealand in 2020.

[Slick]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Will that not just be a B team tour now that we have this Global World Super Tedious Cup Shield thing?

[Jock42]

Twitter is suggesting we will have a three match American tour this summer; Canada, USA and Chile.

Whilst its great to see us playing Chile in particular, I am surprised we aren't doing a proper tier 1 tour. Outside of Argentina in 2022, what was our last proper 2/3 match tier 1 tour? I think it was 2016 to Japan and for a true tier 1 it was 2006 to South Africa?

Last tour vs each tier 1 nation:
Argentina 2022 (3 tests), 2008 (2 tests)
SA 2006 (2 tests)
NZ 2000 (2 tests plus a Maori game and club warmups)
Japan 2016 (2 tests)
Australia 2004 (2 tests plus Samoa)

Will that not just be a B team tour now that we have this Global World Super Tedious Cup Shield thing?

Probably not a bad thing, will allow Healy, Hastings and Smudge to fight out the number 2 spot. Plus the likes of VDM and Graham will need a break after the WC then Challenge and URC finals.

In other news I see that Mata and Kinghorn leaving has allowed the SRU to splash some cash on Sutherland for the Weegies.

[Biffer]

In other news I see that Mata and Kinghorn leaving has allowed the SRU to splash some cash on Sutherland for the Weegies.

That can't be true, the SRU would never spend money on Glasgow.

[fishfoodie]

In other news I see that Mata and Kinghorn leaving has allowed the SRU to splash some cash on Sutherland for the Weegies.

That can't be true, the SRU would never spend money on Glasgow.

A cunning plan to take advantage of Hogmanay hangovers in the SRU !

[Dogbert]

Hmm , of all the positions - loosehead is one of the least of Glasgow's concerns.

Even Dell is struggling to get game time.

The two Scottish Pro teams should not be a 'lifeboat' for pro players , who are out of contract.

I suspect that the SRU see things rather differently though

[Big D]

Hmm , of all the positions - loosehead is one of the least of Glasgow's concerns.

Even Dell is struggling to get game time.

The two Scottish Pro teams should not be a 'lifeboat' for pro players , who are out of contract.

I suspect that the SRU see things rather differently though

Has been an annoyance of mine for a while.

[I like neeps]

Hmm , of all the positions - loosehead is one of the least of Glasgow's concerns.

Even Dell is struggling to get game time.

The two Scottish Pro teams should not be a 'lifeboat' for pro players , who are out of contract.

I suspect that the SRU see things rather differently though

Has been an annoyance of mine for a while.

It annoys me as well. But the SRU haven't really done that with Sutherland, when Wuss went pop Duhan was quickly given a big deal but Sutherland was left to drift.

And if the SRU didn't backstop players in England who declare for Scotland it would probably make it harder to attract guys worried about their contracts after declaring.

[Big D]

Hmm , of all the positions - loosehead is one of the least of Glasgow's concerns.

Even Dell is struggling to get game time.

The two Scottish Pro teams should not be a 'lifeboat' for pro players , who are out of contract.

I suspect that the SRU see things rather differently though

Has been an annoyance of mine for a while.

It annoys me as well. But the SRU haven't really done that with Sutherland, when Wuss went pop Duhan was quickly given a big deal but Sutherland was left to drift.

And if the SRU didn't backstop players in England who declare for Scotland it would probably make it harder to attract guys worried about their contracts after declaring.

Sutherland and Duhan are a different case.

But McBurney,Vellacott, Steele and arguably Young wouldn't have been signed it they weren't Scottish/SQ.

Some might say Vellacott has been good but Edinburgh have effectively had to use they money saved on Kinghorn to bring in a better 9. Young has been good to be fair.

[I like neeps]

Has been an annoyance of mine for a while.

It annoys me as well. But the SRU haven't really done that with Sutherland, when Wuss went pop Duhan was quickly given a big deal but Sutherland was left to drift.

And if the SRU didn't backstop players in England who declare for Scotland it would probably make it harder to attract guys worried about their contracts after declaring.

Sutherland and Duhan are a different case.

But McBurney,Vellacott, Steele and arguably Young wouldn't have been signed it they weren't Scottish/SQ.

Some might say Vellacott has been good but Edinburgh have effectively had to use they money saved on Kinghorn to bring in a better 9. Young has been good to be fair.

Yes and very different salaries too.

Agreed, they wouldn't have been signed and bringing mediocre players to Scotland because they're SQ but won't get a very good club contract in England is something I disagree with. But if I was say James Lang or whoever I'd want to know that the SRU will give you a decent salary if you declare for Scotland.

[KingBlairhorn]

It annoys me as well. But the SRU haven't really done that with Sutherland, when Wuss went pop Duhan was quickly given a big deal but Sutherland was left to drift.

And if the SRU didn't backstop players in England who declare for Scotland it would probably make it harder to attract guys worried about their contracts after declaring.

Sutherland and Duhan are a different case.

But McBurney,Vellacott, Steele and arguably Young wouldn't have been signed it they weren't Scottish/SQ.

Some might say Vellacott has been good but Edinburgh have effectively had to use they money saved on Kinghorn to bring in a better 9. Young has been good to be fair.

Yes and very different salaries too.

Agreed, they wouldn't have been signed and bringing mediocre players to Scotland because they're SQ but won't get a very good club contract in England is something I disagree with. But if I was say James Lang or whoever I'd want to know that the SRU will give you a decent salary if you declare for Scotland.

I have a bit of a different view on this.

Firstly, I think a number of players and particularly the best players might not be in Scotland and particularly at Edinburgh if not for the central contracts. I don't know if Glasgow would have been a particularly attractive option for Sutherland if it wasn't for the benefits of playing in Scotland (particularly the player welfare benefits). I'd be surprised if Sutherland couldn't earn a bigger contract elsewhere and I presume he did earn a bigger contract than the SRU were willing to offer when he went to Ulster - I'd be surprised if they hadn't discussed a deal. Players like Duhan for instance will want to win things and, being extremely polite, they are unlikely to achieve that at Edinburgh. Duhan could have got a contract at almost any club he wanted I expect and it would have been larger than an SRU offer.

Secondly and probably more directly related to the posts above, I think bringing in SQ 'mediocre' players is good to an extent. I would much rather see the depth chart at Edinburgh and Glasgow stacked with SQ options than non SQ as when they turn out to be good they don't clog up a spot for the national team. For instance Johnny Matthews and Dave Cherry were both brought in as that kind of player and quite possibly one or both will be in the Six Nations squad come the end of the month. If they had been foreign they would have still been a barrier to young players breaking through but without the mitigation of also being available for Scotland. I might be wrong but I don't expect these players cost more than foreign equivalents so what damage are they doing by being in the squad? I would agree that it would be better if the squads were packed to the gunnels with world class talent but frankly that talent does not exist if you are limited to Scottish players only, if you pick NSQ world class players then you of course reduce the opportunities for SQ players.

Finally, our player pool is far too weak to allow any player who may be of benefit to the international team to exit the game entirely or to as good as do so by moving to ProD2, Japan, USA etc. We need to give these guys opportunities to be the best they can be and having them under the care of the SRU is a good strategy to give them this chance IMO.

[KingBlairhorn]

https://x.com/thistlerugbypod/status/17 ... UZjzgAiO2Q

Edit: I was sure this would show the tweet. Basically, Hastings to Glasgow is on.

[Dogbert]

https://x.com/thistlerugbypod/status/17 ... UZjzgAiO2Q

Edit: I was sure this would show the tweet. Basically, Hastings to Glasgow is on.

Certainly makes more sense than Sutherland, what I am hearing is that Glous would not be renewing his contract, so he's having to look for a new contract, Glasgow would be an easy option.

I would imagine that this would be Weir's last season, so Glasgow need cover for 10.

That would allow Hastings / Thompson being Glasgow's 10's , with Jordan moving to 12 , but covering 10 ( he really is a 12 currently playing 10.)

That would mean Glasgow would have McDowall & Jordan in the 12 shirt- remember, Sammy J was never really replaced

Always wondered why SJ didn't go to Edinburgh , as he would have been a really good signing for them.

[weegie01]

Certainly makes more sense than Sutherland, what I am hearing is that Glous would not be renewing his contract, so he's having to look for a new contract, Glasgow would be an easy option.

I would imagine that this would be Weir's last season, so Glasgow need cover for 10.

That would allow Hastings / Thompson being Glasgow's 10's , with Jordan moving to 12 , but covering 10 ( he really is a 12 currently playing 10.)

That would mean Glasgow would have McDowall & Jordan in the 12 shirt- remember, Sammy J was never really replaced

Always wondered why SJ didn't go to Edinburgh , as he would have been a really good signing for them.

Six days ago Skivington was saying they wanted to keep him and were in talks.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/dom ... -hastings/

[Dogbert]

Certainly makes more sense than Sutherland, what I am hearing is that Glous would not be renewing his contract, so he's having to look for a new contract, Glasgow would be an easy option.

I would imagine that this would be Weir's last season, so Glasgow need cover for 10.

That would allow Hastings / Thompson being Glasgow's 10's , with Jordan moving to 12 , but covering 10 ( he really is a 12 currently playing 10.)

That would mean Glasgow would have McDowall & Jordan in the 12 shirt- remember, Sammy J was never really replaced

Always wondered why SJ didn't go to Edinburgh , as he would have been a really good signing for them.

Six days ago was saying they wanted to keep him and were in talks.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/dom ... -hastings/

Skivington also just splashed the cash on Charlie Atkinson, who arrives from Leicester Tigers on a permanent deal, he has not been bought to ride the pine.

Skivington may well want to retain Hastings , but only at a cut down price

[weegie01]

Certainly makes more sense than Sutherland, what I am hearing is that Glous would not be renewing his contract, so he's having to look for a new contract, Glasgow would be an easy option.

I would imagine that this would be Weir's last season, so Glasgow need cover for 10.

That would allow Hastings / Thompson being Glasgow's 10's , with Jordan moving to 12 , but covering 10 ( he really is a 12 currently playing 10.)

That would mean Glasgow would have McDowall & Jordan in the 12 shirt- remember, Sammy J was never really replaced

Always wondered why SJ didn't go to Edinburgh , as he would have been a really good signing for them.

Six days ago was saying they wanted to keep him and were in talks.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/dom ... -hastings/

Skivington also just splashed the cash on Charlie Atkinson, who arrives from Leicester Tigers on a permanent deal, he has not been bought to ride the pine.

Skivington may well want to retain Hastings , but only at a cut down price

Which is not the same as not renewing his contract and him being forced to look elsewhere.

The attitude that he's only coming back as he's not good enough elsewhere annoys me. Every returning Scottish player seems to get tarred with this.

With the salary cap reductions every player in an English club will have their financial arrangements under scrutiny. There are a lot of stories of players having to take cuts and Hastings has been a bit of a sick note recently, so being offered a reduced contract would be no surprise.

It has been noted that the general reductions in salaries in English rugby has made Scottish rugby salaries much more competitive.

[Dogbert]

What I am hearing is that Gloucester have also been in conversation with Welsh flyhalf, Callum Sheedy as well , who is currently at Bristol

Who at 28 is the same age as Hastings - so the vibes suggest that Hastings position maybe on a bit of a shuggly peg.

That being said he could do a job at Glasgow, assuming he stays fit of course

[Jock42]

Six days ago was saying they wanted to keep him and were in talks.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/dom ... -hastings/

Skivington also just splashed the cash on Charlie Atkinson, who arrives from Leicester Tigers on a permanent deal, he has not been bought to ride the pine.

Skivington may well want to retain Hastings , but only at a cut down price

Which is not the same as not renewing his contract and him being forced to look elsewhere.

The attitude that he's only coming back as he's not good enough elsewhere annoys me. Every returning Scottish player seems to get tarred with this.

With the salary cap reductions every player in an English club will have their financial arrangements under scrutiny. There are a lot of stories of players having to take cuts and Hastings has been a bit of a sick note recently, so being offered a reduced contract would be no surprise.

It has been noted that the general reductions in salaries in English rugby has made Scottish rugby salaries much more competitive.

Being managed properly with injuries is another reason to seek a contract in Scotland for guys like him. Peter Wright said he was disappointed Graham resigned with Embra and thought he lacked ambition, as someone who's very injury prone I think it's a good move to stay where is.

[Tichtheid]

Skivington also just splashed the cash on Charlie Atkinson, who arrives from Leicester Tigers on a permanent deal, he has not been bought to ride the pine.

Skivington may well want to retain Hastings , but only at a cut down price

Which is not the same as not renewing his contract and him being forced to look elsewhere.

The attitude that he's only coming back as he's not good enough elsewhere annoys me. Every returning Scottish player seems to get tarred with this.

With the salary cap reductions every player in an English club will have their financial arrangements under scrutiny. There are a lot of stories of players having to take cuts and Hastings has been a bit of a sick note recently, so being offered a reduced contract would be no surprise.

It has been noted that the general reductions in salaries in English rugby has made Scottish rugby salaries much more competitive.

Being managed properly with injuries is another reason to seek a contract in Scotland for guys like him. Peter Wright said he was disappointed Graham resigned with Embra and thought he lacked ambition, as someone who's very injury prone I think it's a good move to stay where is.

There are too many people, like Wright, commenting from a narrow-minded and ill-informed point of view. There is nothing wrong in having ambition for Edinburgh or Glasgow and staying with those clubs.

Darcy Graham is best placed to decide what is best for Darcy Graham, and this will include everything that has been going on around him personally over the last few years.

Peter Wright is in no position to say Graham is wrong in his decision.

[Jock42]

Which is not the same as not renewing his contract and him being forced to look elsewhere.

The attitude that he's only coming back as he's not good enough elsewhere annoys me. Every returning Scottish player seems to get tarred with this.

With the salary cap reductions every player in an English club will have their financial arrangements under scrutiny. There are a lot of stories of players having to take cuts and Hastings has been a bit of a sick note recently, so being offered a reduced contract would be no surprise.

It has been noted that the general reductions in salaries in English rugby has made Scottish rugby salaries much more competitive.

Being managed properly with injuries is another reason to seek a contract in Scotland for guys like him. Peter Wright said he was disappointed Graham resigned with Embra and thought he lacked ambition, as someone who's very injury prone I think it's a good move to stay where is.

There are too many people, like Wright, commenting from a narrow-minded and ill-informed point of view. There is nothing wrong in having ambition for Edinburgh or Glasgow and staying with those clubs.

Darcy Graham is best placed to decide what is best for Darcy Graham, and this will include everything that has been going on around him personally over the last few years.

Peter Wright is in no position to say Graham is wrong in his decision.

Don't disagree with that. Perhaps Everitt can fully instill, and maintain, the edge that Embra have lacked. With the players they have I think they're underachievers.

[Biffer]

Being managed properly with injuries is another reason to seek a contract in Scotland for guys like him. Peter Wright said he was disappointed Graham resigned with Embra and thought he lacked ambition, as someone who's very injury prone I think it's a good move to stay where is.

There are too many people, like Wright, commenting from a narrow-minded and ill-informed point of view. There is nothing wrong in having ambition for Edinburgh or Glasgow and staying with those clubs.

Darcy Graham is best placed to decide what is best for Darcy Graham, and this will include everything that has been going on around him personally over the last few years.

Peter Wright is in no position to say Graham is wrong in his decision.

Don't disagree with that. Perhaps Everitt can fully instill, and maintain, the edge that Embra have lacked. With the players they have I think they're underachievers.

Yeah, there has to be an internal expectation at the club that top half of the league is the requirement, and not achieving that is failure. I don’t believe that’s there.

That’s a kind of slow build to get continued success. Once your expectation is top half and champions,league, and you’re doing that, then you deal with what you do from there - getting into knockouts in Europe and winning URC playoff games regularly. That’s whatGlasgow are trying to achieve now. After you achieve that, you can genuinely aim to compete for silverware regularly.

Sound simple, doesn’t it

[Big D]

Skivington also just splashed the cash on Charlie Atkinson, who arrives from Leicester Tigers on a permanent deal, he has not been bought to ride the pine.

Skivington may well want to retain Hastings , but only at a cut down price

Which is not the same as not renewing his contract and him being forced to look elsewhere.

The attitude that he's only coming back as he's not good enough elsewhere annoys me. Every returning Scottish player seems to get tarred with this.

With the salary cap reductions every player in an English club will have their financial arrangements under scrutiny. There are a lot of stories of players having to take cuts and Hastings has been a bit of a sick note recently, so being offered a reduced contract would be no surprise.

It has been noted that the general reductions in salaries in English rugby has made Scottish rugby salaries much more competitive.

Being managed properly with injuries is another reason to seek a contract in Scotland for guys like him. Peter Wright said he was disappointed Graham resigned with Embra and thought he lacked ambition, as someone who's very injury prone I think it's a good move to stay where is.

It can be that he's sacrificed ambition because he has weighed it up against the other factors. Wright can acknowledge a perceived lack of ambition but he should also acknowledge the benefits.

[Biffer]

At the Edinburgh Women's game today. Need for professionalism demonstrated. Sooooo many handling errors. Poor tackling. But the faults are thngs that more training and more. Concentration on development will fix, which demonstrates the need for pro players at this level. There's definitely skill there. The inside centre for Edinburgh in particular looks like a belter of a player, but needs physical conditioning to make the most of her skills and instincts.

[Tichtheid]

An article from week or so ago - interview with Mike Blair

https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/mike-bla ... p1dYiBvOf4

[Slick]

At the Edinburgh Women's game today. Need for professionalism demonstrated. Sooooo many handling errors. Poor tackling. But the faults are thngs that more training and more. Concentration on development will fix, which demonstrates the need for pro players at this level. There's definitely skill there. The inside centre for Edinburgh in particular looks like a belter of a player, but needs physical conditioning to make the most of her skills and instincts.

Was that the chunky one? Emma Orr is a hell of a player though

[Biffer]

At the Edinburgh Women's game today. Need for professionalism demonstrated. Sooooo many handling errors. Poor tackling. But the faults are thngs that more training and more. Concentration on development will fix, which demonstrates the need for pro players at this level. There's definitely skill there. The inside centre for Edinburgh in particular looks like a belter of a player, but needs physical conditioning to make the most of her skills and instincts.

Was that the chunky one? Emma Orr is a hell of a player though

Yeah, professionalism will improve her significantly. She has great hands, chose terrific running lines, tackled well and has a huge boot on her. Six months of pro conditioning will make her even better. Emma Orr was outside her at 13 - looked rusty, but it’s been a long injury lay-off so only to be expected.

[weegie01]

A non season ticketholder friend suggested he might come down with me to the Edinburgh v Gloucester match. I had a look for tickets and was surprised to discover the stands are effectively sold out with a few single seats available along with some standing.