The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[weegie01]

I ahve no idea if the Castres team is full noise, anyone know?

Is Nakarawa usually captain?

[Slick]

I presume Jaco has pissed in Blair's chips since he isn't even getting on the bench these days.

He was an unused sub last week, but with Boff and Kinghorn on the park we have our first choice kicker starting plus our first choice stand off to call on if Savala gets injured.


We'll need to see serious improvement across the whole team to stand a chance on Sunday

Seems odd to have the first choice stand off not playing stand off

[Tichtheid]

I seen to be the only person who does not think Vellacott added anything when he came on against Zebre. The subs as a whole stepped up the pace, but Vellacott was no quicker than Shiel at getting the ball away, made no breaks and his box kicking was no better (disregarding the one Shiel put out on the full). So I am glad to see him starting again.

I'm less impressed with de Bruin starting. My scrummaging advisor, i.e. my ex TH son, does not rate him at all. Said son cannot get his head round why McCallum has not been picked up when de Bruin is getting starts. He is a long time chum of McCallum and is well aware that McCallum was never the fittest player around at Edinburgh and Glasgow. But he sorted himself out at Worcester, and became very decent indeed. Becoming a Dad has also helped. He thinks McCallum is being judged on his past rather than what he is capable of now.

I really like Shiel, I think he has a great pass, imo his is the best pass of any Scottish SH.

I share your son's view of De Bruin, iirc he's played a lot on the loosehead, I don't know if that is his primary position but for a big man he doesn't do half of what Nel can do in the tight.

I assume there are contractural issues with McCallum in that we just can't afford him at the moment, the emergency budget was probably blown in bringing van der Merwe back on a long term deal - Cruse is only with Embra until after the Sharks game I believe, so not even for the rest of the season.
I would hope to see Muzza come back over the summer

[Tichtheid]

I presume Jaco has pissed in Blair's chips since he isn't even getting on the bench these days.

He was an unused sub last week, but with Boff and Kinghorn on the park we have our first choice kicker starting plus our first choice stand off to call on if Savala gets injured.


We'll need to see serious improvement across the whole team to stand a chance on Sunday

Seems odd to have the first choice stand off not playing stand off

Not that odd given the injuries to the back three players. It's a balance, given the resources available it's the best lineup we can put out

[Slick]

He was an unused sub last week, but with Boff and Kinghorn on the park we have our first choice kicker starting plus our first choice stand off to call on if Savala gets injured.


We'll need to see serious improvement across the whole team to stand a chance on Sunday

Seems odd to have the first choice stand off not playing stand off

Not that odd given the injuries to the back three players. It's a balance, given the resources available it's the best lineup we can put out

Would it not make more sense to have BK at 10, Blain on the wing and Savala on the bench?

[Tichtheid]

Seems odd to have the first choice stand off not playing stand off

Not that odd given the injuries to the back three players. It's a balance, given the resources available it's the best lineup we can put out

Would it not make more sense to have BK at 10, Blain on the wing and Savala on the bench?

I think this lineup is stronger, if just one of Graham, Goosen, Hoyland or maybe even Paterson (but I doubt it) was available then Kinghorn would be starting at 10.


edit, Who knows, maybe there was a nod and a wink from next door to have Kinghorn play on the wing for a couple of weeks?

[Tichtheid]

Going back to the tighthead theme, I wonder if we'll see Sebastian back for the 6N?

He's started 6 out of 10 Scarlets' games so far this season, 4 on the pine. I thought he was good in Argentina and was surprised that he wasn't included in the Autumn. With Walker and Fagerson injured, he could well feature for us.

[Tichtheid]

I ahve no idea if the Castres team is full noise, anyone know?

Is Nakarawa usually captain?

Soz, missed this post.

From looking around it's a different team to the one that came to Edinburgh, but also quite different from the one that was at home to Exeter in the first round - so maybe a bit of a mix?

[robmatic]

Seems odd to have the first choice stand off not playing stand off

Not that odd given the injuries to the back three players. It's a balance, given the resources available it's the best lineup we can put out

Would it not make more sense to have BK at 10, Blain on the wing and Savala on the bench?

That would make quite a lot of sense, yes. Especially considering that Savala is a non-kicking fly half who hasn't played that well the last couple of games.

[KingBlairhorn]

Going back to the tighthead theme, I wonder if we'll see Sebastian back for the 6N?

He's started 6 out of 10 Scarlets' games so far this season, 4 on the pine. I thought he was good in Argentina and was surprised that he wasn't included in the Autumn. With Walker and Fagerson injured, he could well feature for us.

It's been disappointing not to see much of Murphy Walker (injured?) as this period was potentially a big opportunity for him. I think D'arcy Rae will be in, and Nel will surely take a place. Berghan has started to turn up in and around the 23 for Glasgow recently so he may get in, Eliott Millar-Mills has a few appearances this year so may be an option and most interestingly Will Hurd seems to be starting quite a few games for Leicester (mostly in the cup) and benching in the prem and champs cup. Berghan, Millar-Mills and Sebastian are all journeymen with an unfavourable age profile. Hurd may be a Prem level starting prop and is still only 23 - he would be my pick as 3rd choice with the massive whopping caveat that I am selecting only on the basis of who he has played for and have not seen him play nor do I know why he is playing (injury crisis or whatever might be the case).

[KingBlairhorn]

I seen to be the only person who does not think Vellacott added anything when he came on against Zebre. The subs as a whole stepped up the pace, but Vellacott was no quicker than Shiel at getting the ball away, made no breaks and his box kicking was no better (disregarding the one Shiel put out on the full). So I am glad to see him starting again.

I'm less impressed with de Bruin starting. My scrummaging advisor, i.e. my ex TH son, does not rate him at all. Said son cannot get his head round why McCallum has not been picked up when de Bruin is getting starts. He is a long time chum of McCallum and is well aware that McCallum was never the fittest player around at Edinburgh and Glasgow. But he sorted himself out at Worcester, and became very decent indeed. Becoming a Dad has also helped. He thinks McCallum is being judged on his past rather than what he is capable of now.

I really like Shiel, I think he has a great pass, imo his is the best pass of any Scottish SH.

I share your son's view of De Bruin, iirc he's played a lot on the loosehead, I don't know if that is his primary position but for a big man he doesn't do half of what Nel can do in the tight.

I assume there are contractural issues with McCallum in that we just can't afford him at the moment, the emergency budget was probably blown in bringing van der Merwe back on a long term deal - Cruse is only with Embra until after the Sharks game I believe, so not even for the rest of the season.
I would hope to see Muzza come back over the summer

On McCallum, surely if he was that good he would be in high demand right now like Sutherland and not on trial at a D2 club?

[Slick]

Not that odd given the injuries to the back three players. It's a balance, given the resources available it's the best lineup we can put out

Would it not make more sense to have BK at 10, Blain on the wing and Savala on the bench?

That would make quite a lot of sense, yes. Especially considering that Savala is a non-kicking fly half who hasn't played that well the last couple of games.

Yes, it’s a bit confusing. I’m pretty certain that the BK10 project is now largely over, but if Jaco is completely out the frame then BK is still clearly the best option at 10 so why stop playing him there while we wait for the Irish chap to arrive.

Tichtheid might be right that they have been asked to play him there ahead of the 6N but I would have thought these games are more important than giving him a run out in a position he knows well anyway

[Jock42]

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, James Lang, Stuart McInally, Ben Muncaster, Harry Paterson, Pierce Phillips, Duhan van der Merwe, Hamish Watson, Angus Williams.

I seen to be the only person who does not think Vellacott added anything when he came on against Zebre. The subs as a whole stepped up the pace, but Vellacott was no quicker than Shiel at getting the ball away, made no breaks and his box kicking was no better (disregarding the one Shiel put out on the full). So I am glad to see him starting again.

I'm less impressed with de Bruin starting. My scrummaging advisor, i.e. my ex TH son, does not rate him at all. Said son cannot get his head round why McCallum has not been picked up when de Bruin is getting starts. He is a long time chum of McCallum and is well aware that McCallum was never the fittest player around at Edinburgh and Glasgow. But he sorted himself out at Worcester, and became very decent indeed. Becoming a Dad has also helped. He thinks McCallum is being judged on his past rather than what he is capable of now.

I agree on Shiel, I think he was one of those neglected by Cockerill. We'll never know where he'd be at now if he'd has more game time.

I also think de Bruin is a waste if a wage however, there's clearly a reason he's in the ProD2. I also don't blame the SRU if they are judging him on his past, they were his employer and he fell below what they expected and he agreed to.

[robmatic]

I didn't understand Cockerill not playing Shiel and now Blair doesn't seem keen on him either. For me, he's very quick, has a good pass and a decent box kick (I suspect he had to practice this a lot during the Cockerill era) and I'd be very comfortable with him starting more games but I am also not a professional rugby coach.

[westport]

With the ban on alcohol sponsors in France, bit of a change for Sunday

Edinburgh Rugby
37 m ·
Brilliant work from sponsors Glen Moray Distillery and Uhuru, who've kindly donated their on-kit sponsor positions to My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and Tusk for Sunday's European mach in France!
Find out more about each sponsor's chosen charity below!
Uhuru x Tusk bit.ly/UhTusk
Glen Moray x My Name'5 Doddie bit.ly/GlMDodd

[Slick]

That’s great

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors Team for USAP

Good to see Sammy J back , some bold selections by Franco , and we need some of these players to get game time , and others need a break

Franco building a squad with depth

Brilliant to see Ferrie & McBeath starting, Tom Gordon will be chomping at the bit to come on

15 Josh McKay

14 Cole Forbes
13 Stafford McDowall (Captain)
12 Sam Johnson
11 Ollie Smith

10 Domingo Miotti
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Lucio Sordoni
4 JP du Preez
5 Richie Gray
6 Euan Ferrie
7 Cameron Neild
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Angus Fraser
17 Jamie Bhatti
18 Simon Berghan
19 Lewis Bean
20 Alex Samuel
21 Tom Gordon
22 Sean Kennedy
23 Duncan Weir

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (head), Gregor Brown (foot), Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee)

[Jock42]

[Jock42]

Glasgow Warriors Team for USAP

Good to see Sammy J back , some bold selections by Franco , and we need some of these players to get game time , and others need a break

Franco building a squad with depth

Brilliant to see Ferrie & McBeath starting, Tom Gordon will be chomping at the bit to come on

15 Josh McKay

14 Cole Forbes
13 Stafford McDowall (Captain)
12 Sam Johnson
11 Ollie Smith

10 Domingo Miotti
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Lucio Sordoni
4 JP du Preez
5 Richie Gray
6 Euan Ferrie
7 Cameron Neild
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Angus Fraser
17 Jamie Bhatti
18 Simon Berghan
19 Lewis Bean
20 Alex Samuel
21 Tom Gordon
22 Sean Kennedy
23 Duncan Weir

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (head), Gregor Brown (foot), Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee)

Has McDowell been capt before?

[Tichtheid]

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Warriors Team for USAP

Good to see Sammy J back , some bold selections by Franco , and we need some of these players to get game time , and others need a break

Franco building a squad with depth

Brilliant to see Ferrie & McBeath starting, Tom Gordon will be chomping at the bit to come on

15 Josh McKay

14 Cole Forbes
13 Stafford McDowall (Captain)
12 Sam Johnson
11 Ollie Smith

10 Domingo Miotti
9 Jamie Dobie

1 Nathan McBeth
2 Johnny Matthews
3 Lucio Sordoni
4 JP du Preez
5 Richie Gray
6 Euan Ferrie
7 Cameron Neild
8 Jack Dempsey

Substitutes

16 Angus Fraser
17 Jamie Bhatti
18 Simon Berghan
19 Lewis Bean
20 Alex Samuel
21 Tom Gordon
22 Sean Kennedy
23 Duncan Weir

Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (head), Gregor Brown (foot), Scott Cummings (foot), Rory Darge (ankle), Zander Fagerson (hamstring), Oli Kebble (shoulder), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Ross Thompson (ankle), Murphy Walker (neck), Ryan Wilson (knee)

Has McDowell been capt before?

I believe that this is his first time as captain but according to the Galsgow Podcats / Players interviews he one of the most vocal and good motivator during training - big game for Miotti to show what he can do as well

[Biffer]

Unavailable: Luke Crosbie, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, James Lang, Stuart McInally, Ben Muncaster, Harry Paterson, Pierce Phillips, Duhan van der Merwe, Hamish Watson, Angus Williams.

I seen to be the only person who does not think Vellacott added anything when he came on against Zebre. The subs as a whole stepped up the pace, but Vellacott was no quicker than Shiel at getting the ball away, made no breaks and his box kicking was no better (disregarding the one Shiel put out on the full). So I am glad to see him starting again.

I'm less impressed with de Bruin starting. My scrummaging advisor, i.e. my ex TH son, does not rate him at all. Said son cannot get his head round why McCallum has not been picked up when de Bruin is getting starts. He is a long time chum of McCallum and is well aware that McCallum was never the fittest player around at Edinburgh and Glasgow. But he sorted himself out at Worcester, and became very decent indeed. Becoming a Dad has also helped. He thinks McCallum is being judged on his past rather than what he is capable of now.

Well, he has the opportunity now to prove he’s turned a corner.

[Tichtheid]

Matt Scott opens the scoring in Clermont!

[Jock42]

Timed his run very well.

[KingBlairhorn]

Not too shabby from Glasgow, despite some interesting calls from the ref.

I maintain Jamie Debbie has by far the best pass and probably the best all-court game of all the Scottish 9s.

Edit: ah good, I’m able to post again :)

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Not too shabby from Glasgow, despite some interesting calls from the ref.

I maintain Jamie Debbie has by far the best pass and probably the best all-court game of all the Scottish 9s.

Edit: ah good, I’m able to post again :)

Only saw the last 15 mins or so, but every time Glasgow got the ball wide they looked pretty dangerous. I thought Johnson looked quite classy. If he & Jones are putting together some form, it would be great to see.

[Dogbert]

One hates to be judgemental on a bonus point away win in France - but that second half from Glasgow really wasn't great , and I suspect that Franco will be having a quiet word with a few of the players.

The number of dumb penalties was frustrating , though the yellow cards for Forbes and Gordon were probably more down to both players having had little proper game time ( not their fault , as both starting games for the first time since coming back from injury ).

The pack were gernerally fine , Sardonin is getting better game by game , and will be an important player for the warriors if he continues on this upward trajectory. Good to see Gordon back , and Demspey is now proving to be a real crash ball / making hard yards number 8 , which hopefully he can take through to the internationals.

Dobie was class tonight , and offers something diffrerent to both Price & Horne , his jackel in the first half , just after call the end to a penalty advantage was sublime. Sammy feeling his way back was generally effective , but quiet,Captain Stafford played some nice stuff , and has a boot on him as well.

Ollie Smith , is not a winger , but he grows every game he plays in , and just has that bit of X factor about him- he's so much better than last season.

Fly-half is an issue , hopefully Miotti is OK , he seemed to be growing into the game until he went of injured - clutching the small of his back - so hopefully nothing to serious - if fit , I would like to see him start against Bath.

Anyway - onwards ( and hopefully upwards )

IFWT ( in Franco we trust )

[fishfoodie]

One hates to be judgemental on a bonus point away win in France - but ......

I had an old Boss who coined a great phrase.

When giving Praise; don't show your Butt !

Focus for today on win, & a great result !

The guys who screwed up know it, & the review can wait till Monday.

[Dogbert]

The trouble is mistakes will probably cost us a home draw in the next round,

Only Top 4 get a home tie. Points difference kills us,so in all likelyhood the best we can hope for is 5th

[KingBlairhorn]

The trouble is mistakes will probably cost us a home draw in the next round,

Only Top 4 get a home tie. Points difference kills us,so in all likelyhood the best we can hope for is 5th

Unlikely, if they win six other results all have to go against them for them to miss out on a home tie.



Kevin always has the answers.

[dkm57]

The trouble is mistakes will probably cost us a home draw in the next round,

Only Top 4 get a home tie. Points difference kills us,so in all likelyhood the best we can hope for is 5th

Unlikely, if they win six other results all have to go against them for them to miss out on a home tie.



Kevin always has the answers.

Only result in that list I can see going Glasgow's way is Brive to beat Cardiff.

Great win by Weegies though so hopefully

Glasgow to beat Bath
Brive to beat Cardiff

[dpedin]

One hates to be judgemental on a bonus point away win in France - but that second half from Glasgow really wasn't great , and I suspect that Franco will be having a quiet word with a few of the players.

The number of dumb penalties was frustrating , though the yellow cards for Forbes and Gordon were probably more down to both players having had little proper game time ( not their fault , as both starting games for the first time since coming back from injury ).

The pack were gernerally fine , Sardonin is getting better game by game , and will be an important player for the warriors if he continues on this upward trajectory. Good to see Gordon back , and Demspey is now proving to be a real crash ball / making hard yards number 8 , which hopefully he can take through to the internationals.

Dobie was class tonight , and offers something diffrerent to both Price & Horne , his jackel in the first half , just after call the end to a penalty advantage was sublime. Sammy feeling his way back was generally effective , but quiet,Captain Stafford played some nice stuff , and has a boot on him as well.

Ollie Smith , is not a winger , but he grows every game he plays in , and just has that bit of X factor about him- he's so much better than last season.

Fly-half is an issue , hopefully Miotti is OK , he seemed to be growing into the game until he went of injured - clutching the small of his back - so hopefully nothing to serious - if fit , I would like to see him start against Bath.

Anyway - onwards ( and hopefully upwards )

IFWT ( in Franco we trust )

I agree about Sardoni - he is growing into a real player and still relatively young for a prop. Is he likely to be a project player and play for us once he has residency?

[Jock42]

De Bruin out Nel in. Who's Sweeney at 23?

[weegie01]

De Bruin out Nel in. Who's Sweeney at 23?

My reaction as well, I only remembered him when I looked him up.

He is an Academy back three player who has had a long term injury. Personally I'd have been throwing Matt Davidson in there instead. He has been training with Edinburgh most of the season but has been told they have no place in the squad for him. But he is an ex Scotland age grade and sevens player, and one of the better Super 6 players last season so has actually played some rugby in the recent past. Edit, he was also contracted to Glasgow for a while.

But I suppose Sweeney is contracted and Davidson isn't.

I keep forgetting we have Atalifo. I and when I remember I wonder why de Bruin starts ahead of him. Atalifo is a journeyman, but a solid one.

[Jock42]

Cheers

[dkm57]

F#ck Embra defence is porous. otherwise they'd be romping this.

And stupid unnecessary penalties

[westport]

Much better in the second half and in control

[dkm57]

Bonus point win. Still not nailing first up tackles but discipline much better.

[Jock42]

Bonus point win. Still not nailing first up tackles but discipline much better.

I've said it a few times but they need to pick their moments better. Giving too much ground away trying to rip the ball.

Good 2nd half. Ritchie, Mata and Hutchinson my stand outs.

[Slick]

Didn’t see any of it, how did Savala go this week?