The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Yr Alban]

A win is a win and Bulls should have been down to 14. I am not one to normally rubbish referees but today's was not very good.

Same clown refereed Scotland vs England this year with similarly ridiculous decisions. He needs stood down.

I didn't realise it was the same guy. The non-red card was atrocious

Making Finn Russell take the conversion from a harder position than he should have may well have cost us the game.

[robmatic]

I didn't realise it was the same guy. The non-red card was atrocious

Which one? The one that should have been a straight red or the one from what should have been a second yellow?

[Tichtheid]

I didn't realise it was the same guy. The non-red card was atrocious

Which one? The one that should have been a straight red or the one from what should have been a second yellow?

Yeah, well both really, but the total bottle shown for the second one should preclude him from refereeing a professional game ever again - unless of course it's a directive they've been given and I've seen enough this weekend to think it is just that.

[KingBlairhorn]

I watched the game back later last night as I was out with the kids yesterday. It was an interesting game and I actually think Edinburgh did well to push through and win, it wasn’t mediocre players coming off the bench for the Bulls. Random thoughts:

If Ashman could be taught to throw he would be an exceptional rugby player. He is excellent in the loose but he is also very good in tight exchanges and around the ruck. If he was a bit younger I would be suggesting an inverse Richardson and a move to back row.

Matt Curry was very good, particularly in the first half. Some of his running angles have the slightest whiff of Huw Jones about them, but he also has a formidable physique and a great defensive skill set.

I thought Ross Thompson was good in that game. His kicking was good but he also moved his backline around well and made a number of flat late passes to put players through gaps. He is looking very competent which is enough for Edinburgh right now.

Is there a game plan emerging for Edinburgh in attack? Whisper it but it seems there is a bit of structure all of a sudden. Has it taken the players forever to understand what was wanted, was there a change in direction from the coaching staff or have the players simply found a bit of confidence? Who knows but long may it continue.

[Yr Alban]

The way things are at the moment is that Edinburgh are a mediocre team who occasionally put out an excellent performance, and Glasgow are the opposite.

Here’s the thing with Ashman: I was a hopeless rugby player. I was undersized and I couldn’t tackle properly. But I could still have learned to throw in to a lineout properly. It doesn’t require immense physical strength and nobody is trying to flatten you whilst you do it. So why aren’t they working with him every day until he can?

[Jock42]

Is there a game plan emerging for Edinburgh in attack? Whisper it but it seems there is a bit of structure all of a sudden. Has it taken the players forever to understand what was wanted, was there a change in direction from the coaching staff or have the players simply found a bit of confidence? Who knows but long may it continue.

Without wanting to sound negative I'm just waiting for (another) complete capitulation and of course they need to be able to do it away as well.

[robmatic]

Is there a game plan emerging for Edinburgh in attack? Whisper it but it seems there is a bit of structure all of a sudden. Has it taken the players forever to understand what was wanted, was there a change in direction from the coaching staff or have the players simply found a bit of confidence? Who knows but long may it continue.

We probably shouldn't get too ahead of ourselves, but some of the tries in recent weeks have been really well put together.

[Tichtheid]

So Edinburgh play the winner of Bath v Glaws and the other semifinal is Racing v Lyon.

Both the French teams looked beatable yesterday and whoever else makes it to the final will fancy their chances

[robmatic]

So Edinburgh play the winner of Bath v Glaws and the other semifinal is Racing v Lyon.

Both the French teams looked beatable yesterday and whoever else makes it to the final will fancy their chances

I can't decide who I want in the semi. Bath for the Scottish interest or Gloucester because our weakened team did well against them earlier in the season.

[Slick]

Are we really getting the Boat Race on BBC1 and the English women’s football on 2 instead of the Scotland Women’s rugby?

[Slick]

Are we really getting the Boat Race on BBC1 and the English women’s football on 2 instead of the Scotland Women’s rugby?

[Slick]

Ref simply not good enough in the Scotland game, for either team

[Slick]

Doesn’t help that Scotland are also awful

[Blackmac]

Doesn’t help that Scotland are also awful

Our kicking, out of the hand and place kicking is just so bad.

[Slick]

Doesn’t help that Scotland are also awful

Our kicking, out of the hand and place kicking is just so bad.

Much improved from last year, amazingly

[Jock42]

Have just noticed the SF is at the hive. Surely it needs moved to Murrayfield

[Biffer]

Have just noticed the SF is at the hive. Surely it needs moved to Murrayfield

We were talking about this last night. Do you want maybe five thousand extra tickets, a big slab of whom are Bath fans, with no home atmosphere, or do you actually want some home advantage? I’ll take the latter.

[Big D]

So Edinburgh play the winner of Bath v Glaws and the other semifinal is Racing v Lyon.

Both the French teams looked beatable yesterday and whoever else makes it to the final will fancy their chances

I can't decide who I want in the semi. Bath for the Scottish interest or Gloucester because our weakened team did well against them earlier in the season.

Will be interesting if Bath send the 1s. Have to think they will but yesterday might have been about game time and beating a local rival.

[robmatic]

So Edinburgh play the winner of Bath v Glaws and the other semifinal is Racing v Lyon.

Both the French teams looked beatable yesterday and whoever else makes it to the final will fancy their chances

I can't decide who I want in the semi. Bath for the Scottish interest or Gloucester because our weakened team did well against them earlier in the season.

Will be interesting if Bath send the 1s. Have to think they will but yesterday might have been about game time and beating a local rival.

You would think they would for a semi-final, even if it is just the diddy cup. They also only have Newcastle and Exeter in the preceding weeks so they can probably manage their squad then.

[Biffer]

In other Scottish sport, Bruce Mouat and his guys are in the final of the World Curling championships on Sunday.

Mouat won the grand slam tournament this weekend to have what is the best season any curler has ever had. Won four out of five grand slam tournaments, plus the World championships. No one has ever won four GS tournaments in a season before. And the other one was won by another Scottish rink.

Hope he can take the good form over into next season with the Olympics coming up.

Edit - just had a wee look at this, and since 2020 there have been 22 GS tournaments, Mouat has won nine of them and two world championships. He’s the dominant player in men’s curling atm.

[Big D]

In other Scottish sport, Bruce Mouat and his guys are in the final of the World Curling championships on Sunday.

Mouat won the grand slam tournament this weekend to have what is the best season any curler has ever had. Won four out of five grand slam tournaments, plus the World championships. No one has ever won four GS tournaments in a season before. And the other one was won by another Scottish rink.

Hope he can take the good form over into next season with the Olympics coming up.

Edit - just had a wee look at this, and since 2020 there have been 22 GS tournaments, Mouat has won nine of them and two world championships. He’s the dominant player in men’s curling atm.

I watched a good bit of it. All four are phenomenal at their specific roles. McMillian Jnr looked like the best curler in the world over the last two competitions. Could count the shots he missed on one hand.

The Mouat team and Team Homan on the ladies side are so far ahead at the top of the rankings at the moment.

[Yr Alban]

I should know better, but I looked at a ruck.co.uk clickbait headline, claiming that ‘time is running out’ for Duhan re: Lions selection.

Here’s the thing: DVDM is one of two players (Russell being the other) who I am absolutely 100% certain will be in the squad, unless he is actually ruled out through injury. If he’s anywhere near fit, he’s going. He just has that X-factor. I literally can’t see him being left behind.

[KingBlairhorn]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

[Jock42]

Have just noticed the SF is at the hive. Surely it needs moved to Murrayfield

We were talking about this last night. Do you want maybe five thousand extra tickets, a big slab of whom are Bath fans, with no home atmosphere, or do you actually want some home advantage? I’ll take the latter.

It's a fair point

[Yr Alban]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

[Slick]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

[Dogbert]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Lancaster not going to Glasgow, he is SQ - through Grandmother I believe, and Murchie would know.

I would have been surprised - Glasgow are a selling club with the state of the SRU finances.

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... lf-puzzle/

[robmatic]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Through his grandmother apparently. His dad played age grade rugby for Scotland.

[KingBlairhorn]

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Through his grandmother apparently. His dad played age grade rugby for Scotland.

I thought his dad just played for Scottish universities, I had always presumed you simply needed to attend a Scottish university to qualify for them?

Anyway, Dan himself has played age-grade for Scotland, U18 to be specific.

[robmatic]

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Through his grandmother apparently. His dad played age grade rugby for Scotland.

I thought his dad just played for Scottish universities, I had always presumed you simply needed to attend a Scottish university to qualify for them?

Anyway, Dan himself has played age-grade for Scotland, U18 to be specific.

According to Wikipedia, Stuart played U19 and U21 as well.

[KingBlairhorn]

Through his grandmother apparently. His dad played age grade rugby for Scotland.

I thought his dad just played for Scottish universities, I had always presumed you simply needed to attend a Scottish university to qualify for them?

Anyway, Dan himself has played age-grade for Scotland, U18 to be specific.

According to Wikipedia, Stuart played U19 and U21 as well.

Ah, didn’t know that, fair enough.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Saw some rumours today of Dan Lancaster to Glasgow. I haven’t watched any of Racing but I’ve read he has actually been pretty decent following his ropey/nepotistic start. If he’s good then his ability to cover the same positions as Jordan make him potentially a good pick up.

His agent knows nothing about those rumours and you can't prove anything

[Yr Alban]

Another SQ 10 is always good, and as you say he plays the same positions as Jordan. I’ve never seen him play though.

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Lancaster not going to Glasgow, he is SQ - through Grandmother I believe, and Murchie would know.

I would have been surprised - Glasgow are a selling club with the state of the SRU finances.

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... lf-puzzle/

Agreed. He wouldn’t have come cheap from Racing.

[Biffer]

Edinburgh semifinal sold out. I assume there's a fairly big contingent of Bath fans, might be wrong but regardless the usual Edinburgh whinging will emerge a week before the game about why it's not being played in the main bowl.

[I like neeps]

Is he SQ then? He was in the T14 team of the week a couple of weeks ago so must be doing something right

Lancaster not going to Glasgow, he is SQ - through Grandmother I believe, and Murchie would know.

I would have been surprised - Glasgow are a selling club with the state of the SRU finances.

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... lf-puzzle/

Agreed. He wouldn’t have come cheap from Racing.

He went to Racing because his Dad was the coach. Previous to Racing he was with Ealing. He won't be on big euro.

[Biffer]

Sharks lineup for Friday is pretty full on

[Tichtheid]

Sharks lineup for Friday is pretty full on

and we are missing 9 from our strongest match day 23

What could possibly go wrong?

[robmatic]

Sharks lineup for Friday is pretty full on

Nae bother for the new, improved Edinburgh.

Dunno if that is the Edinburgh that will turn up though.

[Yr Alban]

Sharks lineup for Friday is pretty full on

Oh good. I’m considering getting a ticket. Just seeing whether my 20yo is free or not.

Is Darcy injured or being rested? (Edit: never mind. Scrolled down a bit and it confirmed he and Mish are being rested).

[Yr Alban]

Feck it - the 20yo and I are going. I’m quite excited as I’ve not been to the Hive for a game before. We have terrace tickets as there weren’t two seated ones together except in the far corner.