The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

Edinburgh Rugby today issued the following squad update ahead of the club’s final pre-season fixture against Benetton Rugby in Treviso.

The club is pleased to report number 8 Viliame Mata (knee) has returned to full training and is once again available for selection, while tighthead prop Luan de Bruin (hamstring) is progressing well in his rehab and is expected to return to training in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately, newly-recruited wing Wes Goosen is expected to be side-lined until October, having sustained a calf injury in training.

All players are subject to the ongoing care and assessment of the Edinburgh Rugby medical team.

Stay tuned to the club’s social channels for all official team news and updates.

Bugger, I was really looking forward to seeing Goosen, but a few more weeks is not too bad, I guess.

It will be good to see Big Bill back in action.

Goosen out coincides with Boffelli still being away, which is additionally frustrating. A back 3 of Immelman, Graham and Hoyland is not too shabby though.

I hope Mata gets right back into it, I think with the misery of the last Cockerill season and him being out for a while we've forgotten how good he is.

[pjm1]

So, does anyone know what's going on with rugby participation this season? My game (U18s) was called off at the weekend so I ended up reffing a development game between three clubs (West Regional leagues 2 & 3) whose opposition had called off because of player numbers. Some of the cancellations were pretty popular/bigger clubs yet the Men's 1st XV couldn't field a team. One of the clubs that did make it couldn't field a front row (as in had zero front row players) either!

Not a great sign if clubs can't get teams for the first league match. Are we really at such a low point of player participation?!

[KingBlairhorn]

From reading between the lines Blair was talking about a situation where these players found themselves without a contract or an offer, then money might be found.

Duhan won't be short of a club. The one I want to see in Scotland is Sutherland, given his injury record I'd like him looked after and his fitness managed in the run up to the RWC

Looks like it won’t be France

[Tichtheid]

[Slick]

So, does anyone know what's going on with rugby participation this season? My game (U18s) was called off at the weekend so I ended up reffing a development game between three clubs (West Regional leagues 2 & 3) whose opposition had called off because of player numbers. Some of the cancellations were pretty popular/bigger clubs yet the Men's 1st XV couldn't field a team. One of the clubs that did make it couldn't field a front row (as in had zero front row players) either!

Not a great sign if clubs can't get teams for the first league match. Are we really at such a low point of player participation?!

No great insight to add here, but the first couple of weeks of the season have always been hard for junior clubs to get sides out. In saying that, the above is really concerning

[Big D]

So, does anyone know what's going on with rugby participation this season? My game (U18s) was called off at the weekend so I ended up reffing a development game between three clubs (West Regional leagues 2 & 3) whose opposition had called off because of player numbers. Some of the cancellations were pretty popular/bigger clubs yet the Men's 1st XV couldn't field a team. One of the clubs that did make it couldn't field a front row (as in had zero front row players) either!

Not a great sign if clubs can't get teams for the first league match. Are we really at such a low point of player participation?!

Posted this before as to reasons why I think the grass roots game is struggling, points 2, 5 and maybe 6 swapping kids for adults would be my likely answer in this case It has been a slow decline and covid seems to have sped it up a bit.

1. Lack of rugby in schools. Fewer kids are being exposed to trying rugby at primary school and there are fewer schools teams. Teachers have far more on their plates than before and there are no random English, computing, science etc teachers taking rugby at school and PE teachers aren't teaching it during PE.
2. Player retention from junior rugby to senior rugby. Players moving to Uni's, starting weekend work, socialising etc.
3. Asking players, certainly in the Caley region to travel daft distances for an 80min run about.
4. Societal change. Many time in many clubs I have heard conversations about players missing games due to "modern" issues like child care with the old "back in my day I left the kids with the wife..."
5. Work. More people need to work on Saturday, and some of the leagues require quite a bit of travel.
6. More sports are accessible to kids these days.
7. The need for 15 players (+subs) to put out a team.
8. The fact that it is a physically demanding sport. How many of us still carry aches and pains from when we played?

[Big D]

Best wishes to Kenny Logan after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He had an op in Feb to remove it and says he's 90% back to normal.

[Slick]

Best wishes to Kenny Logan after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He had an op in Feb to remove it and says he's 90% back to normal.

Best wishes indeed. Was never is greatest fan as a player but he is a top bloke. His kids play at a club I am connected with down south and every Sunday he has on the hi-vis to help in the car park and Gabby is in the kitchen helping out with the food, very nice people.

[Tichtheid]

Best wishes to Kenny Logan after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He had an op in Feb to remove it and says he's 90% back to normal.

Best wishes indeed. Was never is greatest fan as a player but he is a top bloke. His kids play at a club I am connected with down south and every Sunday he has on the hi-vis to help in the car park and Gabby is in the kitchen helping out with the food, very nice people.

The thing I liked about Kenny Logan was that even when others around were dispirited and downbeat during another hiding, he refused to lie down. He was always cajoling those around him to stick in, his head never went down.
He took on the goal kicking when no one else would do it, that is one of the situations that showed the lack of professionalism at the SRU during that time, that we didn't have specialist coaches.

He always comes across as a good guy.

I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

[pjm1]

Best wishes to Kenny Logan after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He had an op in Feb to remove it and says he's 90% back to normal.

Best wishes indeed. Was never is greatest fan as a player but he is a top bloke. His kids play at a club I am connected with down south and every Sunday he has on the hi-vis to help in the car park and Gabby is in the kitchen helping out with the food, very nice people.

Totally agree. Heard a horrific stat yesterday that when they've done post mortems on large groups of people of certain ages, 50% of over 75s have actual prostate cancer and 90% (!) of over 90s have it. Diagnosed or not. F*cking terrifying

[dpedin]

Best wishes to Kenny Logan after his prostate cancer diagnosis. He had an op in Feb to remove it and says he's 90% back to normal.

Best wishes indeed. Was never is greatest fan as a player but he is a top bloke. His kids play at a club I am connected with down south and every Sunday he has on the hi-vis to help in the car park and Gabby is in the kitchen helping out with the food, very nice people.

Totally agree. Heard a horrific stat yesterday that when they've done post mortems on large groups of people of certain ages, 50% of over 75s have actual prostate cancer and 90% (!) of over 90s have it. Diagnosed or not. F*cking terrifying

Ive always understood that most folk died with prostate cancer rather than because of it. Not sure that is accurate but for many living with it in later years rather than invasive treatment is a more sensible and humane option.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Best wishes indeed. Was never is greatest fan as a player but he is a top bloke. His kids play at a club I am connected with down south and every Sunday he has on the hi-vis to help in the car park and Gabby is in the kitchen helping out with the food, very nice people.

Totally agree. Heard a horrific stat yesterday that when they've done post mortems on large groups of people of certain ages, 50% of over 75s have actual prostate cancer and 90% (!) of over 90s have it. Diagnosed or not. F*cking terrifying

Ive always understood that most folk died with prostate cancer rather than because of it. Not sure that is accurate but for many living with it in later years rather than invasive treatment is a more sensible and humane option.

My understanding too. Although not for my mate's dad, sadly. He was diagnosed after collapsing with a nasty bladder/kidney problem - the cancer was quite advanced by then and there were limited treatment options, as far as I know. This was 20 odd years ago though, so maybe things are better now. But still highlights the importance of early diagnosis (as with all cancers - see Tom Smith), so hopefully Kenny got treatment early enough. Best wishes to him.

[westport]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo
Friday 9 September, kick-off 6.30pm BST/ 7.30pm local

15. Henry Immelman
14. Jack Blain
13. Matt Currie
12. Chris Dean VICE-CAPTAIN
11. Damien Hoyland
10. Jaco van der Walt
9. Ben Vellacott
1. Nick Auterac
2. Dave Cherry VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Angus Williams
4. Marshall Sykes
5. Glen Young
6. Jamie Ritchie CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Ben Muncaster

Replacements: Boan Venter, Jamie Jack, Adam McBurney, Patrick Harrison, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Dan Gamble, Pierce Phillips, Sam Skinner, Jamie Hodgson, Nick Haining, Connor Boyle, Bill Mata, Henry Pyrgos, Charlie Shiel, Charlie Savala, Jake Henry, Cammy Hutchison, Cammy Scott, Harry Paterson.

It is being live steamed on edinburghrugby.org

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo
Friday 9 September, kick-off 6.30pm BST/ 7.30pm local

15. Henry Immelman
14. Jack Blain
13. Matt Currie
12. Chris Dean VICE-CAPTAIN
11. Damien Hoyland
10. Jaco van der Walt
9. Ben Vellacott
1. Nick Auterac
2. Dave Cherry VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Angus Williams
4. Marshall Sykes
5. Glen Young
6. Jamie Ritchie CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Ben Muncaster

Replacements: Boan Venter, Jamie Jack, Adam McBurney, Patrick Harrison, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Dan Gamble, Pierce Phillips, Sam Skinner, Jamie Hodgson, Nick Haining, Connor Boyle, Bill Mata, Henry Pyrgos, Charlie Shiel, Charlie Savala, Jake Henry, Cammy Hutchison, Cammy Scott, Harry Paterson.

It is being live steamed on edinburghrugby.org

It's a difficult balance, there is a long season stretching ahead for the international guys, from now till the end of Oct '23 (okay end of Oct may be optimistic for Scotland, but you get my drift).
We have Dragons at home as a season opener and then we have two games in South Africa, we'll need the Scotland players match-ready by then, though Blair has been vociferous in wanting to build depth right enough

[robmatic]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo
Friday 9 September, kick-off 6.30pm BST/ 7.30pm local

15. Henry Immelman
14. Jack Blain
13. Matt Currie
12. Chris Dean VICE-CAPTAIN
11. Damien Hoyland
10. Jaco van der Walt
9. Ben Vellacott
1. Nick Auterac
2. Dave Cherry VICE-CAPTAIN
3. Angus Williams
4. Marshall Sykes
5. Glen Young
6. Jamie Ritchie CAPTAIN
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Ben Muncaster

Replacements: Boan Venter, Jamie Jack, Adam McBurney, Patrick Harrison, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Dan Gamble, Pierce Phillips, Sam Skinner, Jamie Hodgson, Nick Haining, Connor Boyle, Bill Mata, Henry Pyrgos, Charlie Shiel, Charlie Savala, Jake Henry, Cammy Hutchison, Cammy Scott, Harry Paterson.

It is being live steamed on edinburghrugby.org

It's a difficult balance, there is a long season stretching ahead for the international guys, from now till the end of Oct '23 (okay end of Oct may be optimistic for Scotland, but you get my drift).
We have Dragons at home as a season opener and then we have two games in South Africa, we'll need the Scotland players match-ready by then, though Blair has been vociferous in wanting to build depth right enough

I think the Dragons game is effectively a third 'pre-season' game to bring in the internationals.

[inactionman]

For anyone interested, Cam Redpath starting at 12 for Bath at Bristol tomorrow night

On BT Sport , although I can't guarantee the quality of the game.

eta: Just checked teams and I was totally unaware Magnus Bradbury had signed for Brizzle. He's starting at 8.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Team for the Ulster Match on Friday

Glasgow Warriors

15 Cole Forbes

14 Kyle Steyn (Captain)
13 Stafford McDowall
12 Tom Jordan
11 Walter Fifita

10 Domingo Miotti
9 George Horne

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Murphy Walker
4 Lewis Bean
5 Richie Gray
6 Sintu Manjezi
7 Tom Gordon
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Lucio Sordoni, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Sione Vailanu, Euan Ferrie, Cameron Jones, Duncan Weir, Sam Johnson, Ross McKnight, Sebastian Cancelliere

[KingBlairhorn]

Glasgow Team for the Ulster Match on Friday

Glasgow Warriors

15 Cole Forbes

14 Kyle Steyn (Captain)
13 Stafford McDowall
12 Tom Jordan
11 Walter Fifita

10 Domingo Miotti
9 George Horne

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Murphy Walker
4 Lewis Bean
5 Richie Gray
6 Sintu Manjezi
7 Tom Gordon
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Lucio Sordoni, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Sione Vailanu, Euan Ferrie, Cameron Jones, Duncan Weir, Sam Johnson, Ross McKnight, Sebastian Cancelliere

As far as I am aware this has been cancelled. Christ knows why.

The Edinburgh game is currently still on afaik. For that one Edinburgh have been tweeting all week that you can stream it, but only dropped in the news that it’s a fiver yesterday

[Tichtheid]

Now confirmed that the game tonight is on.

[KingBlairhorn]

Don’t want to upset people and happy to remove if it’s felt this is overly ‘political’, but this is the correct way to mark the passing of a public figure:



The impact to hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who have spent hard earned money to see sport for it to be cancelled with less than 24hrs notice is disgraceful IMO.

[Biffer]

Don’t want to upset people and happy to remove if it’s felt this is overly ‘political’, but this is the correct way to mark the passing of a public figure:



The impact to hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who have spent hard earned money to see sport for it to be cancelled with less than 24hrs notice is disgraceful IMO.

No doubt some twats will give us pelters for it though.

[Dogbert]

Don’t want to upset people and happy to remove if it’s felt this is overly ‘political’, but this is the correct way to mark the passing of a public figure:



The impact to hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who have spent hard earned money to see sport for it to be cancelled with less than 24hrs notice is disgraceful IMO.

No doubt some twats will give us pelters for it though.

Hundreds of Thousands - Its Edinburgh Rugby not Real Madrid

Anyway Preseason Results

Edinburgh lost all fixtures - Glasgow remain unbeaten

[KingBlairhorn]

Don’t want to upset people and happy to remove if it’s felt this is overly ‘political’, but this is the correct way to mark the passing of a public figure:



The impact to hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who have spent hard earned money to see sport for it to be cancelled with less than 24hrs notice is disgraceful IMO.

No doubt some twats will give us pelters for it though.

Hundreds of Thousands - Its Edinburgh Rugby not Real Madrid

Anyway Preseason Results

Edinburgh lost all fixtures - Glasgow remain unbeaten

You’ll see I referred to sport, not to Edinburgh rugby. All of the English Premier League games are off too, for instance. That’s not just all the people who were going to see those games impacted, some of whom would have spent extremely large amounts of money for the privilege. That’s also all the zero hours contract catering, stewarding etc. employees who work pay heck to pay check who now have to go several weeks without wages during a cost of living crisis. It’s nonsense and might not even have been what the queen herself would have wanted anyway.

[Tichtheid]

From an interview in TOL with Mish

In common with some of the other Edinburgh players who toured with Scotland in the summer, Watson may still have two or three weeks’ strength-and-conditioning work to go through before he plays again.

That's a bit concerning given the league starts this coming weekend and we have two games in South Africa after Dragons on Saturday.

[robmatic]

From an interview in TOL with Mish

In common with some of the other Edinburgh players who toured with Scotland in the summer, Watson may still have two or three weeks’ strength-and-conditioning work to go through before he plays again.

That's a bit concerning given the league starts this coming weekend and we have two games in South Africa after Dragons on Saturday.

Going on tour to SA without the internationalists seems unwise.

[inactionman]

For those who have been to the DAM Stadium - does it approach sell-out, or are tickets usually easy to get? Appreciate it's still pre-season so might not know what new term brings.

I've mates threatening a trip up to Edinburgh and it seems as though tickets are only on general sale a month or so out, which makes planning a bit tricky. I'm a lapsed season ticket holder so I don't get any rights to advance tickets.

Looking provisionally at Munster game in early Dec, but not fixed yet (relies on others getting fingers out with flight booking)

[Biffer]

For those who have been to the DAM Stadium - does it approach sell-out, or are tickets usually easy to get? Appreciate it's still pre-season so might not know what new term brings.

I've mates threatening a trip up to Edinburgh and it seems as though tickets are only on general sale a month or so out, which makes planning a bit tricky. I'm a lapsed season ticket holder so I don't get any rights to advance tickets.

Looking provisionally at Munster game in early Dec, but not fixed yet (relies on others getting fingers out with flight booking)

Depends on the game. If its Munster it might end up close to it but you should t ha e a problem getting tickets

[Dogbert]

Yeah - Rugby's back

Bennetton at home are no longer the easy 5 pointer - could be a tough night for Glasgow shorn of a clutch of Internationals

Best guess for a starting line up

1 Bhatti
2. Matthews
3. Walker
4. R Gray
5. JP du Preez
6. Manjezi
7. Gordon
8. Dempsey
9. Horne
10. Moitti
11. Cancelliere.
12. Johnston
13. Tuipulotu
14. Steyn
15. Forbes

Now that Thomson is injured and Hodgson has departed - looking really light for 10's
Hopefully Weir can discover some form , because last year was not exactly vintage

[Slick]

Yeah - Rugby's back

Bennetton at home are no longer the easy 5 pointer - could be a tough night for Glasgow shorn of a clutch of Internationals

Best guess for a starting line up

1 Bhatti
2. Matthews
3. Walker
4. R Gray
5. JP du Preez
6. Manjezi
7. Gordon
8. Dempsey
9. Horne
10. Moitti
11. Cancelliere.
12. Johnston
13. Tuipulotu
14. Steyn
15. Forbes

Now that Thomson is injured and Hodgson has departed - looking really light for 10's
Hopefully Weir can discover some form , because last year was not exactly vintage

There was an article in the ST last week that just breezily mentioned that Glasgow would miss Dempsey, amongst others, during international weeks. Is this now a done deal?

[Dogbert]

Demspey in a Scotland shirt not a done deal .. yet

https://www.theoffsideline.com/jack-dem ... nd-switch/

I sat across from him at the February Benetton Game at Scotstoun when he was substituted

He has the biggest knees I have ever seen on a human being

[Biffer]

Anyone see the meteor last night?

[clydecloggie]

Anyone see the meteor last night?

Big massive thing with an interesting hue to the flamey tail. Bet it had bigger knees than Dempsey.

[Slick]

Demspey in a Scotland shirt not a done deal .. yet

https://www.theoffsideline.com/jack-dem ... nd-switch/

I sat across from him at the February Benetton Game at Scotstoun when he was substituted

He has the biggest knees I have ever seen on a human being

Actually quite difficult to read anything into that!

[Big D]

Demspey in a Scotland shirt not a done deal .. yet

https://www.theoffsideline.com/jack-dem ... nd-switch/

I sat across from him at the February Benetton Game at Scotstoun when he was substituted

He has the biggest knees I have ever seen on a human being

Actually quite difficult to read anything into that!

I think it has repercussions for Glasgow. It sounds like Rennie/Oz have been in touch. That would sugges he either declares for Scotland, and stays at Glasgow/in Europe or keeps Oz open and goes back to try and get back in there at end of his deal.

[Slick]

Demspey in a Scotland shirt not a done deal .. yet

https://www.theoffsideline.com/jack-dem ... nd-switch/

I sat across from him at the February Benetton Game at Scotstoun when he was substituted

He has the biggest knees I have ever seen on a human being

Actually quite difficult to read anything into that!

I think it has repercussions for Glasgow. It sounds like Rennie/Oz have been in touch. That would sugges he either declares for Scotland, and stays at Glasgow/in Europe or keeps Oz open and goes back to try and get back in there at end of his deal.

Isn't he 28/29 now? I'd say it's pretty unlikely he would go back at the end of the deal to try and get back, might struggle to make the next WC.

[Big D]

Actually quite difficult to read anything into that!

I think it has repercussions for Glasgow. It sounds like Rennie/Oz have been in touch. That would sugges he either declares for Scotland, and stays at Glasgow/in Europe or keeps Oz open and goes back to try and get back in there at end of his deal.

Isn't he 28/29 now? I'd say it's pretty unlikely he would go back at the end of the deal to try and get back, might struggle to make the next WC.

He specifically mentions he has had contact from both camps, suggesting there is at least some dialogue about him being available for Australia.

[Slick]

I think it has repercussions for Glasgow. It sounds like Rennie/Oz have been in touch. That would sugges he either declares for Scotland, and stays at Glasgow/in Europe or keeps Oz open and goes back to try and get back in there at end of his deal.

Isn't he 28/29 now? I'd say it's pretty unlikely he would go back at the end of the deal to try and get back, might struggle to make the next WC.

He specifically mentions he has had contact from both camps, suggesting there is at least some dialogue about him being available for Australia.

yup, just think it is more likely they are talking about brining him in for this WC as a special case rather than saying he has to come home and play for a club first. No idea, just speculating.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Team out- and the big news with Miotti out injured is is that Tom Jordon comes straight in as Fly -Half with Weir on the bench

That's one hell of bench though

Getting excited now

Bhatti
Brown
Sordoni
Bean
R Gray
Manjezi
Fagerson
Dempsey
Horne
Jordan
Steyn
McDowell
Tuipulotu
Cancelliere
Forbes

Kebble
Matthews
Fagerson
Cummings
Darge
Gordon
Price
Weir

[robmatic]

Glasgow Team out- and the big news with Miotti out injured is is that Tom Jordon comes straight in as Fly -Half with Weir on the bench

That's one hell of bench though

Getting excited now

Bhatti
Brown
Sordoni
Bean
R Gray
Manjezi
Fagerson
Dempsey
Horne
Jordan
Steyn
McDowell
Tuipulotu
Cancelliere
Forbes

Kebble
Matthews
Fagerson
Cummings
Darge
Gordon
Price
Weir

I guess the summer tourists are being eased back into playing duties but it's not a bad set of 'finishers'.

Glasgow do have a decent group of players if they can be persuaded to play for 80 minutes.

[Jock42]

Glad to see Bean and Horne get a start. Is Jordan the Super 6 ex Ulster lad?