The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

Not the smartest from Glasgow at the end there. Ulster not great at all, Glasgow thick.

[KingBlairhorn]

Revisiting the discussion a couple of weeks ago about pre-season, I think if Glasgow had had some proper pre-season games against interesting opposition they would not have lost that. An untestable theory of course, but they just looked undercooked to me. Clearly better but weren’t able to use the dominance.

Any word on Fagerson? Franco said post-match it was a bang to the hip but I’ve seen suggestions on twitter he’s shagged his knee…? Terrible luck if he has, end of last season and into the game last night he looked excellent.

[Slick]

These girls are something else

[Big D]

Revisiting the discussion a couple of weeks ago about pre-season, I think if Glasgow had had some proper pre-season games against interesting opposition they would not have lost that. An untestable theory of course, but they just looked undercooked to me. Clearly better but weren’t able to use the dominance.

Any word on Fagerson? Franco said post-match it was a bang to the hip but I’ve seen suggestions on twitter he’s shagged his knee…? Terrible luck if he has, end of last season and into the game last night he looked excellent.

I think there is merit in this theory to be honest. In the NFL it feels like there is a large number of injuries (maybe it is just the number of high profile players) and they don't play anything like the number of minutes during the preseason that they used to and the preseason games are of a far lower intensity.

[Slick]

Revisiting the discussion a couple of weeks ago about pre-season, I think if Glasgow had had some proper pre-season games against interesting opposition they would not have lost that. An untestable theory of course, but they just looked undercooked to me. Clearly better but weren’t able to use the dominance.

Any word on Fagerson? Franco said post-match it was a bang to the hip but I’ve seen suggestions on twitter he’s shagged his knee…? Terrible luck if he has, end of last season and into the game last night he looked excellent.

I think there is merit in this theory to be honest. In the NFL it feels like there is a large number of injuries (maybe it is just the number of high profile players) and they don't play anything like the number of minutes during the preseason that they used to and the preseason games are of a far lower intensity.

I don't know. Glasgow looked on it for large parts of that game and were completely outpowering Ulster, they just didn't score. It was, as I've said above, a very odd game.

[KingBlairhorn]

Revisiting the discussion a couple of weeks ago about pre-season, I think if Glasgow had had some proper pre-season games against interesting opposition they would not have lost that. An untestable theory of course, but they just looked undercooked to me. Clearly better but weren’t able to use the dominance.

Any word on Fagerson? Franco said post-match it was a bang to the hip but I’ve seen suggestions on twitter he’s shagged his knee…? Terrible luck if he has, end of last season and into the game last night he looked excellent.

I think there is merit in this theory to be honest. In the NFL it feels like there is a large number of injuries (maybe it is just the number of high profile players) and they don't play anything like the number of minutes during the preseason that they used to and the preseason games are of a far lower intensity.

I don't know. Glasgow looked on it for large parts of that game and were completely outpowering Ulster, they just didn't score. It was, as I've said above, a very odd game.

That's my point though, they were clearly better for large parts of the game but just weren't able to use it. If that was a football game the manager would have talked about a 'lack of match sharpness' afterwards. There is a difference between running lines in training and doing it in a match setting - having a couple of decent friendly matches under the belt prior to the first game of the season could be what they were missing.

As I say though, completely untestable.

[Dogbert]

URC 2023-2024 Champions Team for Benneton

15 Josh McKay (50)

14 Kyle Steyn (Captain) (78)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (56)
12 Tom Jordan (51)
11 Kyle Rowe (17)

10 Adam Hastings (54)
9 Jamie Dobie (69)

1 Nathan McBeth (43)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (10)
3 Zander Fagerson (150)
4 Max Williamson (20)
5 Richie Gray (116)
6 Euan Ferrie (21)
7 Rory Darge (49)
8 Matt Fagerson (112)

Substitutes

16 Johnny Matthews (74)
17 Rory Sutherland (0)
18 Sam Talakai (1)
19 Alex Samuel (16)
20 Scott Cummings (126)
21 Gregor Brown (21)
22 George Horne (119)
23 Duncan Weir (150)

Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (foot), Allan Dell (arm), Jack Dempsey (back), Huw Jones (calf), Stafford McDowall (calf), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Henco Venter (thigh), Murphy Walker (neck)

Back to Scotstoun for the first home game since winning the championship.

Good to see that Matt F has recovered so quickly , Hastings must has been in contact with his witch doctor , hopefully we will see the same sort of performance that was showed against Ulster, but with a bit more of a cutting edge.

[C T]

Almost unbelievable to see M Fagerson in there, I thought he was going to be our for a while seeing how much pain he was in at the time.

Looking forward to Hastings starting, will be a tough game.

[weegie01]

How on earth has Jordan got to 51 caps already?

He's only played two seasons for Glasgow so must have played in pretty nearly every single game.

[GrahamWa]

How on earth has Jordan got to 51 caps already?

He's only played two seasons for Glasgow so must have played in pretty nearly every single game.

He did.

[Biffer]

Last minute subscription to Premier Sport to watch the Edinburgh game tonight. Used a discount code of EPCR70 to reduce the upfront annual cost from £120 to £70. Thought I'd share in case there was others interested.

Cheers. Code is still valid if anyone wants to use it.

[KingBlairhorn]

This Glasgow game is a right laugh.

[KingBlairhorn]

I have a novel idea Glasgow might want to try when they are two or three men up. Try having your wingers on the wings finishing tries, not your backrows. Also, in a similar vein, it might be best to have your backrows hitting rucks, not your wingers.

Just a thought.

[KingBlairhorn]

lol, well obviously a back row on the wing gets the final try after that comment.

I’d be a bit worried about that performance tbh, that should have been a 60+ point win. Very wasteful.

[Tichtheid]

lol, well obviously a back row on the wing gets the final try after that comment.

I’d be a bit worried about that performance tbh, that should have been a 60+ point win. Very wasteful.

Aye, they were trying to score off every ball, rather than tie in a defender or two and run it in - I have to say that was poor on-pitch decision making. As I said on the Weedgie board, I know that sounds harsh but when you are defending a title the standards are higher.

[weegie01]

Glasgow have put up stills from the 'A' game, Edinburgh a report.

Edinburgh won 33-14.


https://edinburghrugby.org/news-and-fea ... e-try-win/

[Begbie]

Edinburgh are a pathetic excuse for a rugby team. Absolutely awful all over the pitch.

[Dogbert]

Championships are neither won or lost in September….

Did Glasgow leave a shed load of points out a Scostoun on Friday night - probably – does it matter , definitely not.

We can still see a fair bit of rust in some of the players, but others have really hit the ground running.

Matt Fagerson was immense- at 8 , even if he is only holding position for Jack Dempsey.

The Dobie try was such a thing of beauty. Solid scrum going forward controlled at the back by Fagerson – penalty coming , but Matt picks the ball , make 4 metres, and with an outrageous outside flick of the wrist offloads it to Dobie – if Rusell has made that pass, it would have been played to death on a highlights reel – Dobie takes it up the line passed to Captain Fantastic, Kyle busts an inside line, gets tackled, but as he goes down , he offloads with a pop pass to Dobie – Peter Hornesque , Dobie pins back his ears with a takes it for a mazy run before dotting down at the posts - East Stand then explodes- Magical

Dobie is another one who is getting better and better, he was always a good prospect, but he’s becoming a much more complete player – really is showing how much of a gifted scrum half he is.

Was Richie Vernon a poor mans Euan Ferrie ?– only time will tell , but obviously Franco thinks highly of this young man- exciting times ahead.

As for Edinburgh – I have no skin in the game – but Championships are neither won or lost in September….

[clydecloggie]

Edinburgh still appears to be Edinburgh, with the players they have it's just not good enough. They should be fighting it out with the Ospreys, Connacht etc. to get a play off spot and to be fair probably still will. But that shouldn't be their ceiling.

Glasgow looked like a team colouring by numbers but because their ceiling is ridiculously high, there was some champagne rugby there and it was an easy win.

[Biffer]

Edinburgh still appears to be Edinburgh, with the players they have it's just not good enough. They should be fighting it out with the Ospreys, Connacht etc. to get a play off spot and to be fair probably still will. But that shouldn't be their ceiling.

Glasgow looked like a team colouring by numbers but because their ceiling is ridiculously high, there was some champagne rugby there and it was an easy win.

To be completely fair to Edinburgh, home to Leinster and then two away games in South Africa is a pretty rough start to a season! If they manage to somehow get a win this weekend, they’d have seven or eight points from that opening, which I would bite your hand off for.

[robmatic]

Edinburgh still appears to be Edinburgh, with the players they have it's just not good enough. They should be fighting it out with the Ospreys, Connacht etc. to get a play off spot and to be fair probably still will. But that shouldn't be their ceiling.

Glasgow looked like a team colouring by numbers but because their ceiling is ridiculously high, there was some champagne rugby there and it was an easy win.

To be completely fair to Edinburgh, home to Leinster and then two away games in South Africa is a pretty rough start to a season! If they manage to somehow get a win this weekend, they’d have seven or eight points from that opening, which I would bite your hand off for.

I dunno, at the start of the season I would have said "Eh, not bad" at the idea of 3 bonus points so far but they have still been a frustrating watch. A lot of that has been due to Price playing like a drain and Ashman not being able to throw in, mind.

I am expecting Lions to be another tough match.

[Slick]

Championships are neither won or lost in September….

Did Glasgow leave a shed load of points out a Scostoun on Friday night - probably – does it matter , definitely not.

We can still see a fair bit of rust in some of the players, but others have really hit the ground running.

Matt Fagerson was immense- at 8 , even if he is only holding position for Jack Dempsey.

The Dobie try was such a thing of beauty. Solid scrum going forward controlled at the back by Fagerson – penalty coming , but Matt picks the ball , make 4 metres, and with an outrageous outside flick of the wrist offloads it to Dobie – if Rusell has made that pass, it would have been played to death on a highlights reel – Dobie takes it up the line passed to Captain Fantastic, Kyle busts an inside line, gets tackled, but as he goes down , he offloads with a pop pass to Dobie – Peter Hornesque , Dobie pins back his ears with a takes it for a mazy run before dotting down at the posts - East Stand then explodes- Magical

Dobie is another one who is getting better and better, he was always a good prospect, but he’s becoming a much more complete player – really is showing how much of a gifted scrum half he is.

Was Richie Vernon a poor mans Euan Ferrie ?– only time will tell , but obviously Franco thinks highly of this young man- exciting times ahead.

As for Edinburgh – I have no skin in the game – but Championships are neither won or lost in September….

So great to see Dobie being trusted with game time and progressing rapidly. I think I’ve been consistent in saying I think he was going to be our best 9 for Scotland and think he now is

[Dogbert]

Championships are neither won or lost in September….

Did Glasgow leave a shed load of points out a Scostoun on Friday night - probably – does it matter , definitely not.

We can still see a fair bit of rust in some of the players, but others have really hit the ground running.

Matt Fagerson was immense- at 8 , even if he is only holding position for Jack Dempsey.

The Dobie try was such a thing of beauty. Solid scrum going forward controlled at the back by Fagerson – penalty coming , but Matt picks the ball , make 4 metres, and with an outrageous outside flick of the wrist offloads it to Dobie – if Rusell has made that pass, it would have been played to death on a highlights reel – Dobie takes it up the line passed to Captain Fantastic, Kyle busts an inside line, gets tackled, but as he goes down , he offloads with a pop pass to Dobie – Peter Hornesque , Dobie pins back his ears with a takes it for a mazy run before dotting down at the posts - East Stand then explodes- Magical

Dobie is another one who is getting better and better, he was always a good prospect, but he’s becoming a much more complete player – really is showing how much of a gifted scrum half he is.

Was Richie Vernon a poor mans Euan Ferrie ?– only time will tell , but obviously Franco thinks highly of this young man- exciting times ahead.

As for Edinburgh – I have no skin in the game – but Championships are neither won or lost in September….

So great to see Dobie being trusted with game time and progressing rapidly. I think I’ve been consistent in saying I think he was going to be our best 9 for Scotland and think he now is

Dobie Still behind Horne - as far as Glasgow is concerned , but not too far off, and both will get a decent amount of game time - Edinburgh tapped up the wrong Glasgow nine - but the way Franco uses both Dobie & Horne compliments each other

Watched the 2nd half of the ST against Bordeaux , or the Blair V Jonny show - Blair did score a run in in the first half , but also picked up a yellow card.

Anyway , Blair fairly anonymous in the 2nd half - Jonny played well lasting 65 minutes - good in the lineout , the usual hard tackling and a good few carries.

Bordeaux came out on top , with a close away win in Toulouse.

[Tichtheid]

For me the major difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent years has been in the centres, well one of quite a few differences but the Glasgow midfield has given the whole team so much attacking prowess that if they can hold on up front they are always in with a chance.

When Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow it's been when Chris Dean has been playing out of his skin or Matt Scott was running hard lines - both of whom were discarded of course, I think they would both have been much better players at Glasgow.

I don't know why players like Price come to Edinburgh and see their form fall off a cliff, but right now he shouldn't be within a million miles of the Scotland squad for November, Vellacott is way ahead of him and to be honest I'd rather see Shiel get a run for Edinburgh, or one of the young lads.

Bradbury looked decent on Saturday, if Scotland was playing next weekend I'd start him with Fagerson and Ritchie.

[Yr Alban]

Last minute subscription to Premier Sport to watch the Edinburgh game tonight. Used a discount code of EPCR70 to reduce the upfront annual cost from £120 to £70. Thought I'd share in case there was others interested.

Cheers. Code is still valid if anyone wants to use it.

I used it too - many thanks!

How many fans do URC matches draw in SA? Loftus Versfeld looked virtually empty.

[fishfoodie]

Last minute subscription to Premier Sport to watch the Edinburgh game tonight. Used a discount code of EPCR70 to reduce the upfront annual cost from £120 to £70. Thought I'd share in case there was others interested.

Cheers. Code is still valid if anyone wants to use it.

I used it too - many thanks!

How many fans do URC matches draw in SA? Loftus Versfeld looked virtually empty.

The actual number probably isn't too bad, but they're playing inside a massive stadium, which isn't in the best part of town, so it's not ideal if your planning on attending.

There's a theme for all the member nations that for those derby matches they can pack out those national stadiums, but for the majority of the games they'd be better off with a ~15k stadium where they can get an atmosphere going & make the whole experience better for the punter, & probably do so for a lot less money than what it costs to do so in that big barn.

I do like that period around Christmas where they cut down on travel & do a series of derbies, & you have match-ups that are real grudge matches & the crowds are packed in & fully invested.; you get sucked in as a fan, even if you've no skin in the particular game.

[Biffer]

Last minute subscription to Premier Sport to watch the Edinburgh game tonight. Used a discount code of EPCR70 to reduce the upfront annual cost from £120 to £70. Thought I'd share in case there was others interested.

Cheers. Code is still valid if anyone wants to use it.

I used it too - many thanks!

How many fans do URC matches draw in SA? Loftus Versfeld looked virtually empty.

Same problem we had at Murrayfield.

[I like neeps]

For me the major difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent years has been in the centres, well one of quite a few differences but the Glasgow midfield has given the whole team so much attacking prowess that if they can hold on up front they are always in with a chance.

When Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow it's been when Chris Dean has been playing out of his skin or Matt Scott was running hard lines - both of whom were discarded of course, I think they would both have been much better players at Glasgow.

I don't know why players like Price come to Edinburgh and see their form fall off a cliff, but right now he shouldn't be within a million miles of the Scotland squad for November, Vellacott is way ahead of him and to be honest I'd rather see Shiel get a run for Edinburgh, or one of the young lads.

Bradbury looked decent on Saturday, if Scotland was playing next weekend I'd start him with Fagerson and Ritchie.

Price is at Edinburgh because the SRU use Edinburgh as a holding pen for internationals who can't get a contract. It's the reason Edinburgh have an imbalanced squad and often go through the motions.

[Dogbert]

For me the major difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent years has been in the centres, well one of quite a few differences but the Glasgow midfield has given the whole team so much attacking prowess that if they can hold on up front they are always in with a chance.

When Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow it's been when Chris Dean has been playing out of his skin or Matt Scott was running hard lines - both of whom were discarded of course, I think they would both have been much better players at Glasgow.

I don't know why players like Price come to Edinburgh and see their form fall off a cliff, but right now he shouldn't be within a million miles of the Scotland squad for November, Vellacott is way ahead of him and to be honest I'd rather see Shiel get a run for Edinburgh, or one of the young lads.

Bradbury looked decent on Saturday, if Scotland was playing next weekend I'd start him with Fagerson and Ritchie.

Price is at Edinburgh because the SRU use Edinburgh as a holding pen for internationals who can't get a contract. It's the reason Edinburgh have an imbalanced squad and often go through the motions.

Price was under contract at Glasgow when he was poached , however you could say the same about Hastings and Glasgow, and Kyle Rowe for that matter

[Yr Alban]

Cheers. Code is still valid if anyone wants to use it.

I used it too - many thanks!

How many fans do URC matches draw in SA? Loftus Versfeld looked virtually empty.

Same problem we had at Murrayfield.

Exactly. The atmosphere at Edinburgh games seems to have changed out of all recognition since they erected the smaller stadium. I keep meaning to go along to a game and sample it myself…

[Tichtheid]

For me the major difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent years has been in the centres, well one of quite a few differences but the Glasgow midfield has given the whole team so much attacking prowess that if they can hold on up front they are always in with a chance.

When Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow it's been when Chris Dean has been playing out of his skin or Matt Scott was running hard lines - both of whom were discarded of course, I think they would both have been much better players at Glasgow.

I don't know why players like Price come to Edinburgh and see their form fall off a cliff, but right now he shouldn't be within a million miles of the Scotland squad for November, Vellacott is way ahead of him and to be honest I'd rather see Shiel get a run for Edinburgh, or one of the young lads.

Bradbury looked decent on Saturday, if Scotland was playing next weekend I'd start him with Fagerson and Ritchie.

Price is at Edinburgh because the SRU use Edinburgh as a holding pen for internationals who can't get a contract. It's the reason Edinburgh have an imbalanced squad and often go through the motions.

There certainly seems to be a bit of that going on - but that would have been said about Vellacott, who is to my way of seeing things right up there for selection for the AIs at the moment, early as it is in the season.

I don't know if it's the proximity to the SRU or if it's just plain hiring coaches who aren't up to the job, but in terms of the sum of the parts, Edinburgh play way less than it. There are good players there who have played well for Scotland or who are conspicuous by their absence in the international shirt, but who do not produce the goods at club level - Edinburgh could and should have won their first two games against seriously tough clubs, title contender teams who were fielding far from their first choices and were playing way below par.

Yet we fucked it again, a decent "team" would have been on nine points from those two games, we're on three.

It's beyond frustrating.

[Slick]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

[Tichtheid]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

That’s quite lovely

[westport]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

That is absolutely brilliant of Rhona to give her the time and the jersey too

[Blackmac]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

That's absolutely brilliant.

[Jock42]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

That's superb.

[I like neeps]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

Amazing story, Rhona is a great representative for Scotland.

[inactionman]

I’ve talked a fair bit about how amazing the women’s team are with kids and other supporters, well…..

My daughter, in P2, was set a project on “someone who you admire and inspires you” and she decided to do it on Rhona Lloyd as she is mad into her rugby and we’ve been to watch them quite a few times.

I know Rhona’s cousin so I asked if she could help us send some questions for her. Anyway, FaceTime rings tonight and it’s Rhona calling from SA to speak with my daughter! She was absolutely stunned and still grinning an hour later.

Then just to top it off she finished with “I’m playing Japan on Saturday so look out for me in the 14 jersey because I’m sending it to you after the game”

I’m quite emotional I must say.

Awesome!

[I like neeps]

For me the major difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow in recent years has been in the centres, well one of quite a few differences but the Glasgow midfield has given the whole team so much attacking prowess that if they can hold on up front they are always in with a chance.

When Edinburgh have beaten Glasgow it's been when Chris Dean has been playing out of his skin or Matt Scott was running hard lines - both of whom were discarded of course, I think they would both have been much better players at Glasgow.

I don't know why players like Price come to Edinburgh and see their form fall off a cliff, but right now he shouldn't be within a million miles of the Scotland squad for November, Vellacott is way ahead of him and to be honest I'd rather see Shiel get a run for Edinburgh, or one of the young lads.

Bradbury looked decent on Saturday, if Scotland was playing next weekend I'd start him with Fagerson and Ritchie.

Price is at Edinburgh because the SRU use Edinburgh as a holding pen for internationals who can't get a contract. It's the reason Edinburgh have an imbalanced squad and often go through the motions.

There certainly seems to be a bit of that going on - but that would have been said about Vellacott, who is to my way of seeing things right up there for selection for the AIs at the moment, early as it is in the season.

I don't know if it's the proximity to the SRU or if it's just plain hiring coaches who aren't up to the job, but in terms of the sum of the parts, Edinburgh play way less than it. There are good players there who have played well for Scotland or who are conspicuous by their absence in the international shirt, but who do not produce the goods at club level - Edinburgh could and should have won their first two games against seriously tough clubs, title contender teams who were fielding far from their first choices and were playing way below par.

Yet we fucked it again, a decent "team" would have been on nine points from those two games, we're on three.

It's beyond frustrating.

It is true of Vellacott too yes, I'd be surprised if he got in the Scotland 23 regularly. He'd just been released and so the SRU gave him a contract so he was an option for Scotland. He wasn't signed to improve Edinburgh. See also, recently retired Scott Steele. With Price that's most of the Edinburgh scrum halfs from this and last season.

It's because performance for Edinburgh isn't what gets them picked for Scotland. Their performances for Scotland are. It's hard to build a team when the priorities of the players aren't with that team they're with the international one.

[clydecloggie]

Price is at Edinburgh because the SRU use Edinburgh as a holding pen for internationals who can't get a contract. It's the reason Edinburgh have an imbalanced squad and often go through the motions.

There certainly seems to be a bit of that going on - but that would have been said about Vellacott, who is to my way of seeing things right up there for selection for the AIs at the moment, early as it is in the season.

I don't know if it's the proximity to the SRU or if it's just plain hiring coaches who aren't up to the job, but in terms of the sum of the parts, Edinburgh play way less than it. There are good players there who have played well for Scotland or who are conspicuous by their absence in the international shirt, but who do not produce the goods at club level - Edinburgh could and should have won their first two games against seriously tough clubs, title contender teams who were fielding far from their first choices and were playing way below par.

Yet we fucked it again, a decent "team" would have been on nine points from those two games, we're on three.

It's beyond frustrating.

It is true of Vellacott too yes, I'd be surprised if he got in the Scotland 23 regularly. He'd just been released and so the SRU gave him a contract so he was an option for Scotland. He wasn't signed to improve Edinburgh. See also, recently retired Scott Steele. With Price that's most of the Edinburgh scrum halfs from this and last season.

It's because performance for Edinburgh isn't what gets them picked for Scotland. Their performances for Scotland are. It's hard to build a team when the priorities of the players aren't with that team they're with the international one.

All of that is true...but it's not meaningfully different at Glasgow; Scotland performances get you into the Scotland team, yet Glasgow appears to have a culture where even the most senior players are willing to give their absolute all for the club jersey. And that cannot be completely down to Franco Smith alone as it existed before him.

I'm guessing it might be something to do with culture leaders within the club not being regular Scotland starters - the likes of Al Kellock and Ryan Wilson got their caps, but were never really nailed on 1st XV guys - while being central to the culture at Glasgow. I'm not sure who their equivalents at Edinburgh were and are?