The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Tichtheid]

Interesting about Cherry and think I’ve mentioned it before
My mate is a specialist consultant on throwing and lineouts and has worked with both Edinburgh Glasgow and the national team for a number of years having previously worked for Cockerill at Tigers
He reckons that Cherry was and is currently easily the best line out thrower since he’s been doing it and that includes McInally and Brown

Rambos throwing was remarkably good considering he only transferred to hooker in 2013. Made a world cup squad within 2 years of the transition.

My mate thought McInally was an exceptionally bright rugby player and fast learner.
He also did the same with Steve Thompson when he transitioned from flanker to hooker. Three years later Thompson won a winners medal at the RWC, as did my mate who was in Woodward's inner circle coaching team by then!!!!

I saw Chris Paterson talking about Stuart McInally recently. He said he couldn't believe it when he heard he was being switched to hooker as he thought he was one of the best players he'd ever seen.

Of all the players Glasgow and Edinburgh had at the time the only player I'd read Irish and Welsh fans saying they would have him in their team was Rambo when he was playing in the back row.

Still, 49 internationals caps is not to be sniffed at. It worked out well for him, Edinburgh and Scotland. We were fairly strong in the back row and needed succession planning at hooker.
Fraser Brown also started in the back row.

[Jock42]

I see Dave Cherry is stating he remains available for selection for Scotland. It seems that his behaviour during the WC ruled that right out. It’s weird though - everyone (except me) seems to have heard a similar rumour about what happened, but nobody wants to talk about it and there is nothing online. I gather from dark hints (then and now) that it may have involved racial slurs about the current captain and a fracas with Dempsey?

I very much doubt if the worst of the rumours are true that he'd have a contract with the SRU.

Scotland players do seem to have a problem with the drink.

2 hands and 1 mouth?

[charltom]

It's pretty early days but this is nice to read about Byron McGuigan.

Maybe GT should be in touch in case Tandy goes to Wales, or.to get him in to assist?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... th-africa/

[SaintK]

It's pretty early days but this is nice to read about Byron McGuigan.

Maybe GT should be in touch in case Tandy goes to Wales, or.to get him in to assist?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... th-africa/

He certainly appears to have made a difference to Sale's defence since taking over
Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall

[I like neeps]

It's pretty early days but this is nice to read about Byron McGuigan.

Maybe GT should be in touch in case Tandy goes to Wales, or.to get him in to assist?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... th-africa/

He's only been a defence coach for about six months! Let's wait and see until coaches have more tape on him.

Would think Murchue is next Scotland defence coach. His work with Glasgow the last few years has been incredibly impressive.

[GrahamWa]

It's pretty early days but this is nice to read about Byron McGuigan.

Maybe GT should be in touch in case Tandy goes to Wales, or.to get him in to assist?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... th-africa/

He certainly appears to have made a difference to Sale's defence since taking over
Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall

https://archive.ph/XAaTU will work.

Always thought he had a higher opinion of himself than his actual ability when he played for Glasgow. As Neeps says lets see how the rest of the season plays out.

[SaintK]

It's pretty early days but this is nice to read about Byron McGuigan.

Maybe GT should be in touch in case Tandy goes to Wales, or.to get him in to assist?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... th-africa/

He certainly appears to have made a difference to Sale's defence since taking over
Unfortunately the article is behind a paywall

https://archive.ph/XAaTU will work.

Always thought he had a higher opinion of himself than his actual ability when he played for Glasgow. As Neeps says lets see how the rest of the season plays out.

Thanks.
Interesting article and interesting character

[Tichtheid]

This isn't to rub any salt into SaintK's wounds, or any other England fan, rather it's an appreciation of Stuart McInally - that is an international fly half, two international wingers and an international outside centre chasing a front row forward from 60m out.

[Jock42]

This isn't to rub any salt into SaintK's wounds, or any other England fan, rather it's an appreciation of Stuart McInally - that is an international fly half, two international wingers and an international outside centre chasing a front row forward from 60m out.

I was away with the army that weekend. Several people, who never text me about the rugby, text me asking how happy I was. I was raging that I'd found out Scotland had "won". Imagine how raging I was when I actually watched it back!

[Tichtheid]

This isn't to rub any salt into SaintK's wounds, or any other England fan, rather it's an appreciation of Stuart McInally - that is an international fly half, two international wingers and an international outside centre chasing a front row forward from 60m out.

I was away with the army that weekend. Several people, who never text me about the rugby, text me asking how happy I was. I was raging that I'd found out Scotland had "won". Imagine how raging I was when I actually watched it back!

It was probably the most Scottish performance I've seen - to be leading with minutes to go after everything that had happened that afternoon and then to not take the full points, only a draw - gahh!

[SomersetJock]

[quote=Jock42 post_id=386959 time=<a href="tel:1735946951">1735946951</a> user_id=66]
[quote=Tichtheid post_id=386954 time=<a href="tel:1735943422">1735943422</a> user_id=632]
This isn't to rub any salt into SaintK's wounds, or any other England fan, rather it's an appreciation of Stuart McInally - that is an international fly half, two international wingers and an international outside centre chasing a front row forward from 60m out.

I was away with the army that weekend. Several people, who never text me about the rugby, text me asking how happy I was. I was raging that I'd found out Scotland had "won". Imagine how raging I was when I actually watched it back!
[/quote]


It was probably the most Scottish performance I've seen - to be leading with minutes to go after everything that had happened that afternoon and then to not take the full points, only a draw - gahh!
[/quote]

I remember the feeling of despair upon realising that they had just blown what was going to be Scotlands best chance to get a win at Twickenham in the modern era. Something unlikely to happen again for maybe my entire lifetime !

Hard to believe what has happened since !

[Slick]

This isn't to rub any salt into SaintK's wounds, or any other England fan, rather it's an appreciation of Stuart McInally - that is an international fly half, two international wingers and an international outside centre chasing a front row forward from 60m out.

I was away with the army that weekend. Several people, who never text me about the rugby, text me asking how happy I was. I was raging that I'd found out Scotland had "won". Imagine how raging I was when I actually watched it back!

It was probably the most Scottish performance I've seen - to be leading with minutes to go after everything that had happened that afternoon and then to not take the full points, only a draw - gahh!

It was without a doubt the strangest feeling I’ve had after a game of rugby. I was literally seconds from turning it off and going for a walk when my wife decided to give the kids a bath and I decided I may as well sit and mope in peace. Ended up making the kids cry with my shouting…. Also genuinely thought I was about to have a heart attack when we went into the lead, can still feel the exhilaration typing this now.

The final try just felt inevitable and i just didn’t know what to do with myself for days after!

You’re right, it just summed up everything it feels to have supported Scotland at rugby for 40 years

[Punter15]

I was away with the army that weekend. Several people, who never text me about the rugby, text me asking how happy I was. I was raging that I'd found out Scotland had "won". Imagine how raging I was when I actually watched it back!

It was probably the most Scottish performance I've seen - to be leading with minutes to go after everything that had happened that afternoon and then to not take the full points, only a draw - gahh!

It was without a doubt the strangest feeling I’ve had after a game of rugby. I was literally seconds from turning it off and going for a walk when my wife decided to give the kids a bath and I decided I may as well sit and mope in peace. Ended up making the kids cry with my shouting…. Also genuinely thought I was about to have a heart attack when we went into the lead, can still feel the exhilaration typing this now.

The final try just felt inevitable and i just didn’t know what to do with myself for days after!

You’re right, it just summed up everything it feels to have supported Scotland at rugby for 40 years

I was there with my dad and two boys, a blue dot in a sea of white. The feeling as the tide turned was one of the best I’ve ever had at a match.

[Biffer]

I remember the feeling of despair upon realising that they had just blown what was going to be Scotlands best chance to get a win at Twickenham in the modern era. Something unlikely to happen again for maybe my entire lifetime !

Hard to believe what has happened since !

That's what's changed though, isn't it?

We would have always thought, even in the early nineties, that we'd lost tge opportunity if a rare win at Twickenham. No more.

[SomersetJock]

[quote=SomersetJock post_id=386967 time=<a href="tel:1735973846">1735973846</a> user_id=2145]
I remember the feeling of despair upon realising that they had just blown what was going to be Scotlands best chance to get a win at Twickenham in the modern era. Something unlikely to happen again for maybe my entire lifetime !

Hard to believe what has happened since !

That's what's changed though, isn't it?

We would have always thought, even in the early nineties, that we'd lost tge opportunity if a rare win at Twickenham. No more.
[/quote]

I suppose that’s what decades of disappointment and too often despair does to you. I genuinely felt after that day that despite not even being 50 then I wouldn’t get to see us win at Twickenham in my lifetime. Now I am slipping into that awful position of expecting to beat them every time we play

Why do we put ourselves through this !!!

[Slick]

[quote=SomersetJock post_id=386967 time=<a href="tel:1735973846">1735973846</a> user_id=2145]
I remember the feeling of despair upon realising that they had just blown what was going to be Scotlands best chance to get a win at Twickenham in the modern era. Something unlikely to happen again for maybe my entire lifetime !

Hard to believe what has happened since !

That's what's changed though, isn't it?

We would have always thought, even in the early nineties, that we'd lost tge opportunity if a rare win at Twickenham. No more.

I suppose that’s what decades of disappointment and too often despair does to you. I genuinely felt after that day that despite not even being 50 then I wouldn’t get to see us win at Twickenham in my lifetime. Now I am slipping into that awful position of expecting to beat them every time we play

Why do we put ourselves through this !!!
[/quote]

SJ, always great to have your contributions and you are a valuable member of the community, but I’m afraid until you learn to use the quote function you are barred.

I don’t make the rules.

[Biffer]

I even tidied the first one up for him!

[Tichtheid]

I even tidied the first one up for him!

[Slick]

I even tidied the first one up for him!

[Jock42]

Any Japanese rugby afficionados on here? How good are the D Rocks? They've had a pumping in each of their first 3 games. A reflection of Laidlaws coaching or is this expected?

[Slick]

Given we are winning the 6N this year I read a rather startling fact last night, it took us 95 years to win in Paris and London in the same year… Makes the victory even sweeter I guess

[Yr Alban]

After a draw and two wins in our last three visits to Twickenham, I have a very nasty feeling that it might be our undoing this time round.

[SomersetJock]

[quote=SomersetJock post_id=386974 time=<a href="tel:1735983290">1735983290</a> user_id=2145]
[quote=Biffer post_id=386971 time=<a href="tel:1735981325">1735981325</a> user_id=56]
[quote=SomersetJock post_id=386967 time=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1735973846">1735973846</a>">1735973846</a> user_id=2145]
I remember the feeling of despair upon realising that they had just blown what was going to be Scotlands best chance to get a win at Twickenham in the modern era. Something unlikely to happen again for maybe my entire lifetime !

Hard to believe what has happened since !

That's what's changed though, isn't it?

We would have always thought, even in the early nineties, that we'd lost tge opportunity if a rare win at Twickenham. No more.
[/quote]

I suppose that’s what decades of disappointment and too often despair does to you. I genuinely felt after that day that despite not even being 50 then I wouldn’t get to see us win at Twickenham in my lifetime. Now I am slipping into that awful position of expecting to beat them every time we play

Why do we put ourselves through this !!!
[/quote]

SJ, always great to have your contributions and you are a valuable member of the community, but I’m afraid until you learn to use the quote function you are barred.

I don’t make the rules.
[/quote]

[Tichtheid]

Crock watch


6 JAN 2025
NEWS
Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday's EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 match against RC Vannes at Stade de la Rabine.

Ben Vellacott (ankle) – Back fit and available for selection.
Paul Hill (calf) – Back fit and available for selection.
Ewan Ashman (shoulder) – Back fit and available for selection.
Harry Paterson (hamstring) – Back fit and available for selection.
Ross McCann (calf) – Out until early February
Freddy Douglas (ankle) – Out until early February.
Mark Bennett (pec) – Return to play still to be confirmed.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Return to play still to be confirmed post-surgery.
Emiliano Boffelli (back) – Out until late-February.

[Tichtheid]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

[I like neeps]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

[Big D]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

[Tichtheid]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

Injury has been Paterson's major hurdle - he showed against France last year that he is capable of playing at the highest level.

Without looking up the extent of his time out, he got injured soon after 6N, he was injured after a couple of appearances for Scotland in the Summer, he badly cut his foot on a shower door near the start of the season and then pinged his hamstring in training a month or so ago.

[Biffer]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

I think you lose one of Boff or Goossen, not both.

[Tichtheid]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

I think you lose one of Boff or Goossen, not both.

I think it will be Boff due to his ongoing back problems.

Currie can do a job on the wing, he has the pace, but I'd rather see him concentrate on the 13 jersey, I can see him being a long term successor to Jones, Currie is 23, Jones 31.

[Biffer]

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

I think you lose one of Boff or Goossen, not both.

I think it will be Boff due to his ongoing back problems.

Currie can do a job on the wing, he has the pace, but I'd rather see him concentrate on the 13 jersey, I can see him being a long term successor to Jones, Currie is 23, Jones 31.

Yeah. We're not hugely deep in the back three, Hoyland and McCann are filler really, and we've seen nothing of Sweeney. Three lads in the academy, not sure if they're at the step up stage or not.

[dpedin]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Watched him on telly for the first time at the weekend and he looked good. He controlled the game and kicked well and took his chances. He will end up as understudy to Finn and could be first choice in a few years. Good player.

[SaintK]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Watched him on telly for the first time at the weekend and he looked good. He controlled the game and kicked well and took his chances. He will end up as understudy to Finn and could be first choice in a few years. Good player.

He looked good behind a dominant Sarries pack last weekend, he looked gash when Bath demolished them the previous weekend.
Has been blowing hot and cold first half of the season though should settle in with Sarries quite well.

[robmatic]

Blair Kinghorn has apparently signed a contract extension with Toulouse until 2028.

It's been a terrific move for him, and for Scotland. Also for Edinburgh imo, he wasn't playing his best rugby and although Goosen has been our best player, now that Paterson is fit I'd like to see him get a run of games.

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

Injury has been Paterson's major hurdle - he showed against France last year that he is capable of playing at the highest level.

Without looking up the extent of his time out, he got injured soon after 6N, he was injured after a couple of appearances for Scotland in the Summer, he badly cut his foot on a shower door near the start of the season and then pinged his hamstring in training a month or so ago.

The lad is jinxed, he's barely been available since he got his international cap. It might be unwise to let players go without being confident about him being able to keep fit.

Embra are theoretically well-stocked in the back 3 but less so when you consider that Duhan is the only player there who hasn't had persistent injury issues in the last couple of seasons.

[Tichtheid]

Good move by Kinghorn, that will take him into his 13th or 14th year as a pro and he'll still only be 31!

Some interesting decisions ahead of the managements. Boff likely will leave and Goosen is OOC. Do they go ahead with Paterson as full time starter? He only has 15 pro games under his belt at 23, 24 at the start of next season. He has shown very encouraging glimpses but he really needs to kick on.

Injury has been Paterson's major hurdle - he showed against France last year that he is capable of playing at the highest level.

Without looking up the extent of his time out, he got injured soon after 6N, he was injured after a couple of appearances for Scotland in the Summer, he badly cut his foot on a shower door near the start of the season and then pinged his hamstring in training a month or so ago.

The lad is jinxed, he's barely been available since he got his international cap. It might be unwise to let players go without being confident about him being able to keep fit.

Embra are theoretically well-stocked in the back 3 but less so when you consider that Duhan is the only player there who hasn't had persistent injury issues in the last couple of seasons.

Agreed, but the SRU are having to tighten their belt and Boff and Goosen will both be on a decent wedge, Boff probably more so. That's why I can't see us keeping both, although I'd prefer them to stay.

[Big D]

Injury has been Paterson's major hurdle - he showed against France last year that he is capable of playing at the highest level.

Without looking up the extent of his time out, he got injured soon after 6N, he was injured after a couple of appearances for Scotland in the Summer, he badly cut his foot on a shower door near the start of the season and then pinged his hamstring in training a month or so ago.

I agree he has shown glimpses but he hasn't had the rigour of playing week in and week out (or every other week) but 25% of his pro starts have been his 3 caps. He has to show consistency at club level across a run of games.

I agree that Boff should be the one to go (if not both he and Goosen). He is expensive and has availability issues. Great player though. Losing both would mean they are short in the back 3 though.

[Big D]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Watched him on telly for the first time at the weekend and he looked good. He controlled the game and kicked well and took his chances. He will end up as understudy to Finn and could be first choice in a few years. Good player.

He looked good behind a dominant Sarries pack last weekend, he looked gash when Bath demolished them the previous weekend.
Has been blowing hot and cold first half of the season though should settle in with Sarries quite well.

Would anticipate it is Townsend having a look rather than intending to cap him immediately. Russell rarely leaves the pitch and Jordan and even Kinghorn leaves GT with scope for greater flexibility in the matchday 23.

[Yr Alban]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Ironically, the fact that we missed out on Fin Smith (Scottish dad, Scottish name, grandfather played for Scotland and the Lions) has probably given us the chance to get Burke. The more the merrier, I say

[I like neeps]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Ironically, the fact that we missed out on Fin Smith (Scottish dad, Scottish name, grandfather played for Scotland and the Lions) has probably given us the chance to get Burke. The more the merrier, I say

We'll see what Burke can do but Fin Smith is a special, special player.

[Yr Alban]

Telegraph reporting Fergus Burke will be called up for Scotland. Never seen him play but another option for the Finn succession plans.

Ironically, the fact that we missed out on Fin Smith (Scottish dad, Scottish name, grandfather played for Scotland and the Lions) has probably given us the chance to get Burke. The more the merrier, I say

We'll see what Burke can do but Fin Smith is a special, special player.

No argument. It’s a gut punch that he wants to be English. Though probably nowhere near as much to us as it is to his dad…