NPR

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:04 pm Ah lads, talk now that Scotland will poach John Cooney during the 6N. He last played for Ireland mid Feb 2000, so becomes eligible in February.

Whatever about Healy, who's not been capped, tapping up 32 year old John Cooney, (who was never quite good enough at Leinster, Connacht, Ulster or Ireland) looks more than a bit desperate.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:15 pm

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:04 pm Ah lads, talk now that Scotland will poach John Cooney during the 6N. He last played for Ireland mid Feb 2000, so becomes eligible in February.

Whatever about Healy, who's not been capped, tapping up 32 year old John Cooney, (who was never quite good enough at Leinster, Connacht, Ulster or Ireland) looks more than a bit desperate.

This has been on the cards for a while now, the last I heard Cooney had to sort out his contract at Ulster before making a comitment to Scoltand.

It's not true that he was never good enough, he's been the best scrum half in Ireland on and off for years, the story out here is that there is bad blood between him and Sexton, to the extend that his selection for Ireland has been vetoed.

westport wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:54 pm Young Steeley has been back playing for the past few weeks, with LS and back with Quins at the weekend so we are not short of SH's

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:54 pm Young Steeley has been back playing for the past few weeks, with LS and back with Quins at the weekend so we are not short of SH's

He's almost 30!

C T wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 8:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:54 pm Young Steeley has been back playing for the past few weeks, with LS and back with Quins at the weekend so we are not short of SH's

He's almost 30!

On this note, wee George Horne (who is still 22 in my mind) is apparently 27.

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:51 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:15 pm

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:04 pm Ah lads, talk now that Scotland will poach John Cooney during the 6N. He last played for Ireland mid Feb 2000, so becomes eligible in February.

Whatever about Healy, who's not been capped, tapping up 32 year old John Cooney, (who was never quite good enough at Leinster, Connacht, Ulster or Ireland) looks more than a bit desperate.

This has been on the cards for a while now, the last I heard Cooney had to sort out his contract at Ulster before making a comitment to Scoltand.

It's not true that he was never good enough, he's been the best scrum half in Ireland on and off for years, the story out here is that there is bad blood between him and Sexton, to the extend that his selection for Ireland has been vetoed.

Without getting into any sort of fight, he left Leinster because of Luke McGrath, and Connacht because Caolin Blade, both of whom were preferred ahead of him. He played his best rugby at Ulster, where he took over from Ruan Pienaar (to much abuse from Ulster fans who thought he was being palmed off on him by the IRFU). He plays a similar style to Pienaar, in that the game flows through him, rather than the OH meaning that because he is so otherwise engaged, he's not the quickest at ruck time. Which, in truth is probably the main reason he left Leinster, who were beginning to adopt that style, and hasn't had much of a look in Ireland under Farrell since Ireland also adopted that style. Indeed 11 caps at 32 years of age, with the last three years ago is probably about right, and shows where he was in the Irish SH rankings.

Anyway best of luck to him, he's either been told, or seen the writing on the wall regarding his Ireland career, and players need to look after themselves first and foremost. Today, Charlie Ryan, a highly rated 23 yr old Leinster second row (he captained the 2019 Ireland under 20s to the grand slam), announced his immediate retirement from the game due to a long standing knee injury. You never know the day nor the hour.

But, imo, it's still not a good look for the SRU, and must be infuriating for any young Scottish SH's.

C T wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 8:39 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:54 pm Young Steeley has been back playing for the past few weeks, with LS and back with Quins at the weekend so we are not short of SH's

He's almost 30!

On this note, wee George Horne (who is still 22 in my mind) is apparently 27.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:40 pm

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:51 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:15 pm


This has been on the cards for a while now, the last I heard Cooney had to sort out his contract at Ulster before making a comitment to Scoltand.

It's not true that he was never good enough, he's been the best scrum half in Ireland on and off for years, the story out here is that there is bad blood between him and Sexton, to the extend that his selection for Ireland has been vetoed.

Without getting into any sort of fight, he left Leinster because of Luke McGrath, and Connacht because Caolin Blade, both of whom were preferred ahead of him. He played his best rugby at Ulster, where he took over from Ruan Pienaar (to much abuse from Ulster fans who thought he was being palmed off on him by the IRFU). He plays a similar style to Pienaar, in that the game flows through him, rather than the OH meaning that because he is so otherwise engaged, he's not the quickest at ruck time. Which, in truth is probably the main reason he left Leinster, who were beginning to adopt that style, and hasn't had much of a look in Ireland under Farrell since Ireland also adopted that style. Indeed 11 caps at 32 years of age, with the last three years ago is probably about right, and shows where he was in the Irish SH rankings.

Anyway best of luck to him, he's either been told, or seen the writing on the wall regarding his Ireland career, and players need to look after themselves first and foremost. Today, Charlie Ryan, a highly rated 23 yr old Leinster second row (he captained the 2019 Ireland under 20s to the grand slam), announced his immediate retirement from the game due to a long standing knee injury. You never know the day nor the hour.

But, imo, it's still not a good look for the SRU, and must be infuriating for any young Scottish SH's.

Never gonna happen

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 8:15 am There are two things for me on the Cooney thing (and the others).

1. That's the rules. I don't like it but if they're eligible then the coach has to pick the best he thinks is available.

2. If the other Scottish 9s aren't ahead of Cooney then that isn't Cooney or Townsends fault. It's on the players. Professional sport is hard and spots should be earned. You earn it by convincing selectors you're the best available.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 8:40 am

Big D wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 8:15 am There are two things for me on the Cooney thing (and the others).

1. That's the rules. I don't like it but if they're eligible then the coach has to pick the best he thinks is available.

2. If the other Scottish 9s aren't ahead of Cooney then that isn't Cooney or Townsends fault. It's on the players. Professional sport is hard and spots should be earned. You earn it by convincing selectors you're the best available.

I pretty much agree with this. I like the pro version of the sport, though it is a long way from perfect, but there are things I don't particularly like and will put up with, such as the selection of players like Dempsey and Cooney if he is brought in.

It's almost funny though, that fans will quite happily watch their teams cheat like fuck on the park and then bleat like a wounded goat about the legal selection of players for other international sides.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:16 pm New cunning plan - beat Ireland with players not good enough to be selected for Ireland.

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:51 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:15 pm

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:04 pm Ah lads, talk now that Scotland will poach John Cooney during the 6N. He last played for Ireland mid Feb 2000, so becomes eligible in February.

Whatever about Healy, who's not been capped, tapping up 32 year old John Cooney, (who was never quite good enough at Leinster, Connacht, Ulster or Ireland) looks more than a bit desperate.

This has been on the cards for a while now, the last I heard Cooney had to sort out his contract at Ulster before making a comitment to Scoltand.

It's not true that he was never good enough, he's been the best scrum half in Ireland on and off for years, the story out here is that there is bad blood between him and Sexton, to the extend that his selection for Ireland has been vetoed.

Without getting into any sort of fight, he left Leinster because of Luke McGrath, and Connacht because Caolin Blade, both of whom were preferred ahead of him. He played his best rugby at Ulster, where he took over from Ruan Pienaar (to much abuse from Ulster fans who thought he was being palmed off on him by the IRFU). He plays a similar style to Pienaar, in that the game flows through him, rather than the OH meaning that because he is so otherwise engaged, he's not the quickest at ruck time. Which, in truth is probably the main reason he left Leinster, who were beginning to adopt that style, and hasn't had much of a look in Ireland under Farrell since Ireland also adopted that style. Indeed 11 caps at 32 years of age, with the last three years ago is probably about right, and shows where he was in the Irish SH rankings.

Anyway best of luck to him, he's either been told, or seen the writing on the wall regarding his Ireland career, and players need to look after themselves first and foremost. Today, Charlie Ryan, a highly rated 23 yr old Leinster second row (he captained the 2019 Ireland under 20s to the grand slam), announced his immediate retirement from the game due to a long standing knee injury. You never know the day nor the hour.

But, imo, it's still not a good look for the SRU, and must be infuriating for any young Scottish SH's.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:36 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:16 pm New cunning plan - beat Ireland with players not good enough to be selected for Ireland.

To be fair we've been trying to do that for some time now.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:36 pm McLean has been punted.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:16 pm New cunning plan - beat Ireland with players not good enough to be selected for Ireland.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:59 am Pete Horne has been draughty in to the Scotland camp on a temporary basis. Along with Brad Mooar he will be looking after the Scotland attack
https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... rad-mooar/

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:59 am Pete Horne has been draughty in to the Scotland camp on a temporary basis. Along with Brad Mooar he will be looking after the Scotland attack
https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... rad-mooar/

Given the way Glasgow's attack has been operating lately, I consider this to be A Good Thing.

Always liked Pete Horne as a player, in fact he was my favourite in the great 2015 team; good to see he's making strides as a coach.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:59 am Pete Horne has been draughty in to the Scotland camp on a temporary basis. Along with Brad Mooar he will be looking after the Scotland attack
https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... rad-mooar/

Given the way Glasgow's attack has been operating lately, I consider this to be A Good Thing.

Always liked Pete Horne as a player, in fact he was my favourite in the great 2015 team; good to see he's making strides as a coach.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:59 am Pete Horne has been draughty in to the Scotland camp on a temporary basis. Along with Brad Mooar he will be looking after the Scotland attack
https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... rad-mooar/

Given the way Glasgow's attack has been operating lately, I consider this to be A Good Thing.

Always liked Pete Horne as a player, in fact he was my favourite in the great 2015 team; good to see he's making strides as a coach.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 1:15 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:59 am Pete Horne has been draughty in to the Scotland camp on a temporary basis. Along with Brad Mooar he will be looking after the Scotland attack
https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... rad-mooar/

Given the way Glasgow's attack has been operating lately, I consider this to be A Good Thing.

Always liked Pete Horne as a player, in fact he was my favourite in the great 2015 team; good to see he's making strides as a coach.

One thing I really hope is that Horne has experience outside of Scotland as a coach before getting the Glasgow or Edinburgh job when it next comes up. I like what Blair and Townsend have done but I can't help but feel coaching outside of Scotland would give them a few strings to their bow.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 2:04 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 1:15 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Given the way Glasgow's attack has been operating lately, I consider this to be A Good Thing.

Always liked Pete Horne as a player, in fact he was my favourite in the great 2015 team; good to see he's making strides as a coach.

One thing I really hope is that Horne has experience outside of Scotland as a coach before getting the Glasgow or Edinburgh job when it next comes up. I like what Blair and Townsend have done but I can't help but feel coaching outside of Scotland would give them a few strings to their bow.

Pete Horne coaching Edinburgh is just wrong, even if he is originally from Fife. Clearly a Glasgow man through-and-through.

Agree that he would benefit from a few seasons abroad. Attack coach in France perhaps?

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 11:23 am Leicester v Edinburgh Friday 31st March. Would have preferred the Saturday but it's better than Sunday.

Trains and hotel booked, doubt it'll sell out.

On Crosbie’s best position – openside or blindside?
“I think he’s equally [good]. We do things a little bit differently with how we run our back row. We drop them into where they suit with our lineout in particular.
“So Luke’s done the eight role with our lineout before, whereas six, seven and eight off the scrum is obviously a little bit different.
“We’d happily select Luke at six or seven. He doesn’t have a huge amount of experience as an eight off the scrum but I can’t see why he can’t do that as well.”

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:53 pm Of course I'm in fucking Edinburgh (or near it at least) that weekend.


Anyhoo, on to a hobby horse of mine.

Mike Blair from the Embra press release

On Crosbie’s best position – openside or blindside?
“I think he’s equally [good]. We do things a little bit differently with how we run our back row. We drop them into where they suit with our lineout in particular.
“So Luke’s done the eight role with our lineout before, whereas six, seven and eight off the scrum is obviously a little bit different.
“We’d happily select Luke at six or seven. He doesn’t have a huge amount of experience as an eight off the scrum but I can’t see why he can’t do that as well.”

I've been saying for a while that I think Crosbie could make a superb No.8. He is a good line out jumper, has lots of pace, he is a hard bastard who carries abrasively, the one thing I'd like to see him add to his game is distribution.

dpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:42 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:53 pm Of course I'm in fucking Edinburgh (or near it at least) that weekend.


Anyhoo, on to a hobby horse of mine.

Mike Blair from the Embra press release

On Crosbie’s best position – openside or blindside?
“I think he’s equally [good]. We do things a little bit differently with how we run our back row. We drop them into where they suit with our lineout in particular.
“So Luke’s done the eight role with our lineout before, whereas six, seven and eight off the scrum is obviously a little bit different.
“We’d happily select Luke at six or seven. He doesn’t have a huge amount of experience as an eight off the scrum but I can’t see why he can’t do that as well.”

I've been saying for a while that I think Crosbie could make a superb No.8. He is a good line out jumper, has lots of pace, he is a hard bastard who carries abrasively, the one thing I'd like to see him add to his game is distribution.

Agree with your assessment of Crosbie, he is a hard man that doesnt know how to go backwards. I would like to see him get some more game time with Scotland probably at 6 for me but not disagreeing that he could make a fine 8 as well.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:38 pm Maybe 8 is his best chance for Scotland as I think Matt Fagerson at 6 and Ritchie at 7 should be close to nailed on (especially with Hamish still coming back from injury).

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:38 pm Maybe 8 is his best chance for Scotland as I think Matt Fagerson at 6 and Ritchie at 7 should be close to nailed on (especially with Hamish still coming back from injury).

Slick wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 8:31 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:38 pm Maybe 8 is his best chance for Scotland as I think Matt Fagerson at 6 and Ritchie at 7 should be close to nailed on (especially with Hamish still coming back from injury).

Really? I see Ritchie as a 6 if everyone is fit.