The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Jock42]

Got a mate who is doing a the full thing online. Would have been good to watch over a couple of drinks but I'll have the joys of night shift instead.

[Yr Alban]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

And to you, mate.

Planning a little doo for the kids tonight. All getting dressed up, have the haggis being piped in and I'll address the haggis.

Kids absolutely no idea whats going on.

I addressed the haggis on Friday night (I’m on call tonight). My boys (16 and 13) didn’t understand a word of it. Sigh. Still, I probably wouldn’t have at their age either.

[clydecloggie]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

And to you, mate.

Planning a little doo for the kids tonight. All getting dressed up, have the haggis being piped in and I'll address the haggis.

Kids absolutely no idea whats going on.

Did our own Burns night yesterday. Oldest son volunteered to address the haggis for the second year running - he makes me proud. Had loads of fun blasting all sorts of Scottish stuff via Spotify. Although we collectively drew the line at Runrig.

[Yr Alban]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

And to you, mate.

Planning a little doo for the kids tonight. All getting dressed up, have the haggis being piped in and I'll address the haggis.

Kids absolutely no idea whats going on.

Did our own Burns night yesterday. Oldest son volunteered to address the haggis for the second year running - he makes me proud. Had loads of fun blasting all sorts of Scottish stuff via Spotify. Although we collectively drew the line at Runrig.

Love me some Runrig

[Biffer]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

And to you, mate.

Planning a little doo for the kids tonight. All getting dressed up, have the haggis being piped in and I'll address the haggis.

Kids absolutely no idea whats going on.

Did our own Burns night yesterday. Oldest son volunteered to address the haggis for the second year running - he makes me proud. Had loads of fun blasting all sorts of Scottish stuff via Spotify. Although we collectively drew the line at Runrig.

Take the Floor was still on when we started ours on Saturday. Proper heedrum hodrum.

[Big D]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

Sounds like a good night.

I have a deep dislike for Burns night probably stemming from being forced to learn and present poetry at school. No interest in it other than helping the kids with their school work.

However, that being said, happy Burns night to those who celebrate it.

[Tichtheid]

Take the Floor was still on when we started ours on Saturday. Proper heedrum hodrum.

Take the Floor reminds me of when I left school and was playing for the Colts, the then president of our club was an old "Gentleman Farmer" type who had that on the car radio when he drove some of us back from away games. Lovely old guy.

I had a McSween haggis on Saturday night, I'm the only meat eater in the house, so it goes a long way.

Hope everyone has a ball tonight.


Oh crap, I've just had a memory flash back, our club used to do a Burns supper. I attended, in fact I attended like fuck and got home around seven in the morning. I had a job interview at 9.
I was so drunk that I thought it was a good idea to cycle there, still in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before. On the plus side I didn't have to go on any roads to get to the interview, on the negative side I fell off the bike at least twice onto a gravel path and smacked my face off the ground.
So I turned up to the interview, about an hour late, drunk, stinking of booze and bleeding from my forehead.

I didn't get the job.

[Biffer]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

Sounds like a good night.

I have a deep dislike for Burns night probably stemming from being forced to learn and present poetry at school. No interest in it other than helping the kids with their school work.

However, that being said, happy Burns night to those who celebrate it.

One of my friends hosts one each year for about 12-14 people. That group of friends is all quite musical / artistic in some way so there's lots of wee turns, bit of a song, bit of fiddle music, poems, etc. All between friends so it's really good. We spent saturday night watching a few videos of past years while we were on the call, so it was really good.

[I like neeps]

I'm a vegetarian these days and the only time I miss meat is Burns night. Veggie haggis just ain't the same.

Have a good one folks!

[Yr Alban]

Take the Floor was still on when we started ours on Saturday. Proper heedrum hodrum.

Take the Floor reminds me of when I left school and was playing for the Colts, the then president of our club was an old "Gentleman Farmer" type who had that on the car radio when he drove some of us back from away games. Lovely old guy.

I had a McSween haggis on Saturday night, I'm the only meat eater in the house, so it goes a long way.

Hope everyone has a ball tonight.


Oh crap, I've just had a memory flash back, our club used to do a Burns supper. I attended, in fact I attended like fuck and got home around seven in the morning. I had a job interview at 9.
I was so drunk that I thought it was a good idea to cycle there, still in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before. On the plus side I didn't have to go on any roads to get to the interview, on the negative side I fell off the bike at least twice onto a gravel path and smacked my face off the ground.
So I turned up to the interview, about an hour late, drunk, stinking of booze and bleeding from my forehead.

I didn't get the job.

I could tell you a story involving about 25 first-year doctors and a Burns Supper in the doctors’ residence building in the middle of the old Royal Infirmary site in Edinburgh. But I’m not going to in case I bring the NHS into disrepute. (To be fair, it was almost a quarter century ago!)

[Slick]

Take the Floor was still on when we started ours on Saturday. Proper heedrum hodrum.

Take the Floor reminds me of when I left school and was playing for the Colts, the then president of our club was an old "Gentleman Farmer" type who had that on the car radio when he drove some of us back from away games. Lovely old guy.

I had a McSween haggis on Saturday night, I'm the only meat eater in the house, so it goes a long way.

Hope everyone has a ball tonight.


Oh crap, I've just had a memory flash back, our club used to do a Burns supper. I attended, in fact I attended like fuck and got home around seven in the morning. I had a job interview at 9.
I was so drunk that I thought it was a good idea to cycle there, still in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before. On the plus side I didn't have to go on any roads to get to the interview, on the negative side I fell off the bike at least twice onto a gravel path and smacked my face off the ground.
So I turned up to the interview, about an hour late, drunk, stinking of booze and bleeding from my forehead.

I didn't get the job.

Those were the days

[Tichtheid]

Take the Floor was still on when we started ours on Saturday. Proper heedrum hodrum.

Take the Floor reminds me of when I left school and was playing for the Colts, the then president of our club was an old "Gentleman Farmer" type who had that on the car radio when he drove some of us back from away games. Lovely old guy.

I had a McSween haggis on Saturday night, I'm the only meat eater in the house, so it goes a long way.

Hope everyone has a ball tonight.


Oh crap, I've just had a memory flash back, our club used to do a Burns supper. I attended, in fact I attended like fuck and got home around seven in the morning. I had a job interview at 9.
I was so drunk that I thought it was a good idea to cycle there, still in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before. On the plus side I didn't have to go on any roads to get to the interview, on the negative side I fell off the bike at least twice onto a gravel path and smacked my face off the ground.
So I turned up to the interview, about an hour late, drunk, stinking of booze and bleeding from my forehead.

I didn't get the job.

I could tell you a story involving about 25 first-year doctors and a Burns Supper in the doctors’ residence building in the middle of the old Royal Infirmary site in Edinburgh. But I’m not going to in case I bring the NHS into disrepute. (To be fair, it was almost a quarter century ago!)

Aye, the parties that the Edinburgh medics and veterinary students had were the stuff of legend - from the sounds of it the best bet was to put tarpaulins over everything and let them get on with it.

[Biffer]

Take the Floor reminds me of when I left school and was playing for the Colts, the then president of our club was an old "Gentleman Farmer" type who had that on the car radio when he drove some of us back from away games. Lovely old guy.

I had a McSween haggis on Saturday night, I'm the only meat eater in the house, so it goes a long way.

Hope everyone has a ball tonight.


Oh crap, I've just had a memory flash back, our club used to do a Burns supper. I attended, in fact I attended like fuck and got home around seven in the morning. I had a job interview at 9.
I was so drunk that I thought it was a good idea to cycle there, still in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before. On the plus side I didn't have to go on any roads to get to the interview, on the negative side I fell off the bike at least twice onto a gravel path and smacked my face off the ground.
So I turned up to the interview, about an hour late, drunk, stinking of booze and bleeding from my forehead.

I didn't get the job.

I could tell you a story involving about 25 first-year doctors and a Burns Supper in the doctors’ residence building in the middle of the old Royal Infirmary site in Edinburgh. But I’m not going to in case I bring the NHS into disrepute. (To be fair, it was almost a quarter century ago!)

Aye, the parties that the Edinburgh medics and veterinary students had were the stuff of legend - from the sounds of it the best bet was to put tarpaulins over everything and let them get on with it.

I think everyone who went to university has stories of medics being absolutely fucking lunatics.

[Big D]

Happy Burns night gents.

Had a zoom Burns Supper on Saturday. Still feeling a bit rough from it tbh.

Sounds like a good night.

I have a deep dislike for Burns night probably stemming from being forced to learn and present poetry at school. No interest in it other than helping the kids with their school work.

However, that being said, happy Burns night to those who celebrate it.

One of my friends hosts one each year for about 12-14 people. That group of friends is all quite musical / artistic in some way so there's lots of wee turns, bit of a song, bit of fiddle music, poems, etc. All between friends so it's really good. We spent saturday night watching a few videos of past years while we were on the call, so it was really good.

Sounds lovely. Anything that brings people together now is a good thing. As I said, just scared from my school days.

[Tichtheid]

PRO14 FIXTURES FOR SCOTTISH TEAMS

February

Fri 12: Dragons v Edinburgh (7.35pm)

Sat 13: Glasgow v Benetton (2.30pm)

Fri 19: Glasgow v Ulster (7.35pm)

Sat 20: Edinburgh v Munster (7.35pm)

Sat 27: Edinburgh v Scarlets (noon)

Sun 28: Leinster v Glasgow (5.30pm)

March

Sat 6: Zebre v Glasgow (1pm British time)

Sun 7: Edinburgh v Benetton (3.15pm)

Sat 13: Connacht v Edinburgh (7.35pm)

Fri 12: Glasgow v Ospreys (8pm)

Sun 21: Dragons v Glasgow (3pm)

Mon 22: Cardiff v Edinburgh (8pm)

[westport]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

[KingBlairhorn]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

[Tichtheid]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

I didn't think he'd stay, great stuff

[Biffer]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

Yeah, was surprised. Maybe the last year has made him think he’s better off where he is for another year.

If you said I could only keep one of Crosbie or Bradbury, I’d have Crosbie thanks.

[Big D]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

Yeah, was surprised. Maybe the last year has made him think he’s better off where he is for another year.

If you said I could only keep one of Crosbie or Bradbury, I’d have Crosbie thanks.

I suspect Crosbie is the one most likely to go and maybe Haining too. There is plenty of cover on the flanks and less so at 8.

I worry that Edinburgh are in danger of trying the same thing and expecting different results. Sinking a lot (presumably) of money into the same players, adding Harlequins rejects and keeping the same coaching staff doesn't really fill the heart with hope.

[KingBlairhorn]

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

Yeah, was surprised. Maybe the last year has made him think he’s better off where he is for another year.

If you said I could only keep one of Crosbie or Bradbury, I’d have Crosbie thanks.

I suspect Crosbie is the one most likely to go and maybe Haining too. There is plenty of cover on the flanks and less so at 8.

I worry that Edinburgh are in danger of trying the same thing and expecting different results. Sinking a lot (presumably) of money into the same players, adding Harlequins rejects and keeping the same coaching staff doesn't really fill the heart with hope.

Ally Miller and Kunavula must also be on the maybe going to Glasgow pile?

[Tichtheid]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

I'm not so sure tbh, there are around 12 weeks of the season that Watson and Ritchie won't be available, given international duty plus SRU-regulated rest periods. Big Bill will be away during the November tests, four weeks minimum.

Factor in average time off for any injuries etc and we are looking at having, by my estimate, a minimum of thirty to thirty five available league game slots for the other players to fill.

Just looking at past seasons, Watson and Ritchie played about half the number of league games Edinburgh had on a good run, Big Bill played around two thirds.

If Edinburgh are to compete seriously we have to keep all the guys like Bradbury and Crosbie plus the up and coming ones like Boyle and Darge, you have to replace like for as near as dammit like.

[Big D]

Bill Mata has penned a new deal and commits his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

I'm not so sure tbh, there are around 12 weeks of the season that Watson and Ritchie won't be available, given international duty plus SRU-regulated rest periods. Big Bill will be away during the November tests, four weeks minimum.

Factor in average time off for any injuries etc and we are looking at having, by my estimate, a minimum of thirty to thirty five available league game slots for the other players to fill.

Just looking at past seasons, Watson and Ritchie played about half the number of league games Edinburgh had on a good run, Big Bill played around two thirds.

If Edinburgh are to compete seriously we have to keep all the guys like Bradbury and Crosbie plus the up and coming ones like Boyle and Darge, you have to replace like for as near as dammit like.

The question isn't necessarily about the game time for some, it will be what games they are playing and whether they are happy being trotted out for Dragons away rather than Toulouse/Racing etc at home etc.

Crosbie and Bradbury, more so Crosbie at the moment, are capable of starting big games for other clubs. Wont be popular but for me Crosbie would instantly be Glasgow's best flanker.

[Big D]

Yeah, was surprised. Maybe the last year has made him think he’s better off where he is for another year.

If you said I could only keep one of Crosbie or Bradbury, I’d have Crosbie thanks.

I suspect Crosbie is the one most likely to go and maybe Haining too. There is plenty of cover on the flanks and less so at 8.

I worry that Edinburgh are in danger of trying the same thing and expecting different results. Sinking a lot (presumably) of money into the same players, adding Harlequins rejects and keeping the same coaching staff doesn't really fill the heart with hope.

Ally Miller and Kunavula must also be on the maybe going to Glasgow pile?

As an Edinburgh fan I'd say I wouldn't want to go. As a Scotland fan I'd say Crosbie needs to playing as much of the big games as possible, Miller needs regular game time and I don't care about Kunavula :)

[Tichtheid]

Just saw that, pretty surprising to be honest. I think almost everyone was resigned to him leaving.

Good business? Not sure, presumably he’s expensive and he hasn’t been all that this year. His dominance in the position is also a big part of the stunted growth we’ve seen in Bradbury IMO. It looks increasingly likely to me that one or more Edinburgh back rows will be off down the M8 though, there are too many to keep happy as it is, and the young players breaking through are too good to not develop.

I'm not so sure tbh, there are around 12 weeks of the season that Watson and Ritchie won't be available, given international duty plus SRU-regulated rest periods. Big Bill will be away during the November tests, four weeks minimum.

Factor in average time off for any injuries etc and we are looking at having, by my estimate, a minimum of thirty to thirty five available league game slots for the other players to fill.

Just looking at past seasons, Watson and Ritchie played about half the number of league games Edinburgh had on a good run, Big Bill played around two thirds.

If Edinburgh are to compete seriously we have to keep all the guys like Bradbury and Crosbie plus the up and coming ones like Boyle and Darge, you have to replace like for as near as dammit like.

The question isn't necessarily about the game time for some, it will be what games they are playing and whether they are happy being trotted out for Dragons away rather than Toulouse/Racing etc at home etc.

Crosbie and Bradbury, more so Crosbie at the moment, are capable of starting big games for other clubs. Wont be popular but for me Crosbie would instantly be Glasgow's best flanker.

We'll be playing the Sharks, Bulls, Lions and Stormers as well as the four Irish and Welsh sides. There won't be many easy games, not that there ever are for Edinburgh, I want us to field a formidable team whoever we have playing, Leinster and Munster manage it, that is what we should be aiming for.

If Crosbie wants to start for Edinburgh at the business end of the season then he has to earn it, but we have to get to that business end by being consistently good for every match.

[Big D]

I'm not so sure tbh, there are around 12 weeks of the season that Watson and Ritchie won't be available, given international duty plus SRU-regulated rest periods. Big Bill will be away during the November tests, four weeks minimum.

Factor in average time off for any injuries etc and we are looking at having, by my estimate, a minimum of thirty to thirty five available league game slots for the other players to fill.

Just looking at past seasons, Watson and Ritchie played about half the number of league games Edinburgh had on a good run, Big Bill played around two thirds.

If Edinburgh are to compete seriously we have to keep all the guys like Bradbury and Crosbie plus the up and coming ones like Boyle and Darge, you have to replace like for as near as dammit like.

The question isn't necessarily about the game time for some, it will be what games they are playing and whether they are happy being trotted out for Dragons away rather than Toulouse/Racing etc at home etc.

Crosbie and Bradbury, more so Crosbie at the moment, are capable of starting big games for other clubs. Wont be popular but for me Crosbie would instantly be Glasgow's best flanker.

We'll be playing the Sharks, Bulls, Lions and Stormers as well as the four Irish and Welsh sides. There won't be many easy games, not that there ever are for Edinburgh, I want us to field a formidable team whoever we have playing, Leinster and Munster manage it, that is what we should be aiming for.

If Crosbie wants to start for Edinburgh at the business end of the season then he has to earn it, but we have to get to that business end by being consistently good for every match.

I don't disagree that Edinburgh should be aiming for that, I am just saying we should be expecting the players (or the SRU) to feel the same way. Particularly if it ends up being that 3 or 4 of Scotland's best flankers are at the one club.

[Begbie]

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/na ... oin-ulster

Nakarawa off to Ulster next season. Any Glasgow fans that bothered? Hasn't really worked out the second time.

[Dogbert]

Yeah ..... but No

If we were losing a 2015 Nakarawa , then that would have been a big blow , but the 2021 version at 33 is a completely different proposition

Glasgow will always have fond memories , but it simply hasn't worked out , with the disruptive season , his fitness / possible attitude etc

Gray snr , looks to be the much better import from France ( assuming he stays fit ) , and along with Cummings , it forms the best 2nd row based in Scotland

Glasgow will need to pick up a suitable (younger )replacement , but I suspect that Nakawara going will have freed up a bit of cash

[robmatic]

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/na ... oin-ulster

Nakarawa off to Ulster next season. Any Glasgow fans that bothered? Hasn't really worked out the second time.

They've barely seen him, haven't they?

Glasgow's recruitment efforts have been pretty poor at the tail-end of Rennie's reign and with Wilson coming in. Richie Gray seems to be working out, and the Duncan Weir signing is fair enough, but the strategy doesn't seem to stretch far beyond spunking money on familiar former players.

[clydecloggie]

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/na ... oin-ulster

Nakarawa off to Ulster next season. Any Glasgow fans that bothered? Hasn't really worked out the second time.

They've barely seen him, haven't they?

Glasgow's recruitment efforts have been pretty poor at the tail-end of Rennie's reign and with Wilson coming in. Richie Gray seems to be working out, and the Duncan Weir signing is fair enough, but the strategy doesn't seem to stretch far beyond spunking money on familiar former players.

Aye, it's little more than glory day nostalgia. Just like the seasons leading up to the 2015 league win, we need to go all in on exciting young talent.

[westport]

Good news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55860080

[Slick]

Good news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55860080

That’s great news! I thought it was all over for him so wasn’t expecting to see this.

[Jock42]

What's the craic with these covid bubbles? I thought the reason that a few players weren't included was because they couldn't just jump between teams atm. Redpath, Gray and Hogg all in action though so was it just bullshit or me picking it up wrong (most likely this tbf)?

[C T]

Hogg and Gray through unscathed (presuming they've not picked up covid).

Good game by both. Weir too when he came on. Actually SHC when he came on too.

[Blackmac]

Good news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55860080

That’s great news! I thought it was all over for him so wasn’t expecting to see this.

I was delighted to see this as well. I played a couple of times with him at Dundee and met him
a few years back in Edinburgh. A gem of a guy.

[Begbie]

Good news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55860080

Excellent. It didn't sound good when the news broke last year, so this is really good to see.

[Begbie]

@thistlerugbypod
Hearing that Gary Graham in line to be given the nod ahead of Fagerson at 8 on Saturday Eyes #SixNations

Interesting. Could be bollocks mind.

[Slick]

@thistlerugbypod
Hearing that Gary Graham in line to be given the nod ahead of Fagerson at 8 on Saturday Eyes #SixNations

Interesting. Could be bollocks mind.

It pains me a bit, but I hope it's true. I just have visions of Fagerson getting rag dolled constantly, might be unfair.

[Begbie]

@thistlerugbypod
Hearing that Gary Graham in line to be given the nod ahead of Fagerson at 8 on Saturday Eyes #SixNations

Interesting. Could be bollocks mind.

It pains me a bit, but I hope it's true. I just have visions of Fagerson getting rag dolled constantly, might be unfair.

I'm with you there, I don't really rate Fagerson. I'd be more than happy for him to ram humble pie down my throat though.

[I like neeps]

@thistlerugbypod
Hearing that Gary Graham in line to be given the nod ahead of Fagerson at 8 on Saturday Eyes #SixNations

Interesting. Could be bollocks mind.

It pains me a bit, but I hope it's true. I just have visions of Fagerson getting rag dolled constantly, might be unfair.

I'm with you there, I don't really rate Fagerson. I'd be more than happy for him to ram humble pie down my throat though.

To be fair to Fagerson he is only 22 still. I think he'll be good, he's very useful at changing the point of contact. But at 22 he's maybe a bit lightweight for international rugby. Would rather him at 6 than Thomson if Ritchie is out though.