The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[robmatic]

Edinburgh Rugby today completed the signing of Scotland international and English Premiership winning scrum-half Scott Steele who will join the capital club on a one-year deal this summer.

I'm sure he'll be fine but the definition of a journeyman pro - I can't see him being a significant step up on anything Edinburgh have had in the last few years. As far as I can see he has started 1 Prem game since 2019/20 with all other appearances from the bench.

Just very very meh.

Some of these signings you have to view as the SRU providing some security/reassurance to SQ players in other leagues. It does potentially harm their employability when they declare for Scotland so it makes sense for the SRU to become a backstop for them. And presumably Pyrgos must be close to hanging up his boots so Edinburgh need someone else in the squad, numbers wise.

The disappointing thing is that this probably means Dobie isn't coming over from Glasgow as people have been speculating. He's third choice there but I think genuinely better than the options at Edinburgh.

[weegie01]

A one year deal raises the possibility that the real target has a year left on their contract and this is a stop gap to save money on buying out a contract.

Anyone know what fellow London irish SH White's contract status is? Or Gus Warr who wants to come north?

[Biffer]

I'm guessing either Henry is retiring of he's had an offer for a big money end of career thing in France or Japan.

[westport]

Sprint series being broadcast on Beeb

https://scottishrugby.org/bbc-continue- ... Xk5ubvL5ns

[LenCohen]

Edinburgh Rugby today completed the signing of Scotland international and English Premiership winning scrum-half Scott Steele who will join the capital club on a one-year deal this summer.

I'm sure he'll be fine but the definition of a journeyman pro - I can't see him being a significant step up on anything Edinburgh have had in the last few years. As far as I can see he has started 1 Prem game since 2019/20 with all other appearances from the bench.

Just very very meh.

Some of these signings you have to view as the SRU providing some security/reassurance to SQ players in other leagues. It does potentially harm their employability when they declare for Scotland so it makes sense for the SRU to become a backstop for them. And presumably Pyrgos must be close to hanging up his boots so Edinburgh need someone else in the squad, numbers wise.

The disappointing thing is that this probably means Dobie isn't coming over from Glasgow as people have been speculating. He's third choice there but I think genuinely better than the options at Edinburgh.

Yeh that might be relevant in some cases (Ashman, for instance) but Steele is not SQ, he's just Scottish!

[KingBlairhorn]

I'm sure he'll be fine but the definition of a journeyman pro - I can't see him being a significant step up on anything Edinburgh have had in the last few years. As far as I can see he has started 1 Prem game since 2019/20 with all other appearances from the bench.

Just very very meh.

Some of these signings you have to view as the SRU providing some security/reassurance to SQ players in other leagues. It does potentially harm their employability when they declare for Scotland so it makes sense for the SRU to become a backstop for them. And presumably Pyrgos must be close to hanging up his boots so Edinburgh need someone else in the squad, numbers wise.

The disappointing thing is that this probably means Dobie isn't coming over from Glasgow as people have been speculating. He's third choice there but I think genuinely better than the options at Edinburgh.

Yeh that might be relevant in some cases (Ashman, for instance) but Steele is not SQ, he's just Scottish!

Yeah, he was one half of a half-back pairing at Merchiston, the other half (at 10) was Sam Hidalgo-Clyne. He has never been EQ as far as I am aware.

[I like neeps]

Some of these signings you have to view as the SRU providing some security/reassurance to SQ players in other leagues. It does potentially harm their employability when they declare for Scotland so it makes sense for the SRU to become a backstop for them. And presumably Pyrgos must be close to hanging up his boots so Edinburgh need someone else in the squad, numbers wise.

The disappointing thing is that this probably means Dobie isn't coming over from Glasgow as people have been speculating. He's third choice there but I think genuinely better than the options at Edinburgh.

Yeh that might be relevant in some cases (Ashman, for instance) but Steele is not SQ, he's just Scottish!

Yeah, he was one half of a half-back pairing at Merchiston, the other half (at 10) was Sam Hidalgo-Clyne. He has never been EQ as far as I am aware.

I'd be surprised if Steele wasn't EQ. He'd been in engerland for residency qualification even if he didn't have some heritage.

It's less about Scottish or English more about he's now more expensive for English clubs who are cash strapped and can probably find a back up 9 cheaper elsewhere.

[KingBlairhorn]

Much more interestingly, Ashman confirmed to Edinburgh on a 4 year deal. Edinburgh must have paid a transfer fee. That is a much more exciting signing, although I would guess it means the end for McInally at the relatively young age of 32. His career kind of slipped away at the end as he struggled with injuries but at his peak he was a monster for Edinburgh and Scotland.

[SomersetJock]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

[I like neeps]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

It's easier as the SRU can pay more than English clubs nowadays.

[Blackmac]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

It's easier as the SRU can pay more than English clubs nowadays.

Really. It's incredible how badly the English club model seems to have faltered. Sugar daddies not prepared to stump up indefinitely.

[Biffer]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

Great mov for all involved I reckon. Ashman, Cherry and Harrison is a pretty good set of hookers to have imo.

[KingBlairhorn]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

Great mov for all involved I reckon. Ashman, Cherry and Harrison is a pretty good set of hookers to have imo.

And McBurney unless he is moving on and I’ve missed it…?

[Biffer]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

Great mov for all involved I reckon. Ashman, Cherry and Harrison is a pretty good set of hookers to have imo.

And McBurney unless he is moving on and I’ve missed it…?

Forgot about him. Can't say I recall having seen much of him.

[KingBlairhorn]

Great mov for all involved I reckon. Ashman, Cherry and Harrison is a pretty good set of hookers to have imo.

And McBurney unless he is moving on and I’ve missed it…?

Forgot about him. Can't say I recall having seen much of him.

He's a depth player. I'd expect it to be 1. Ashman, 2. Cherry, 3. McBurney, 4. Harrison (development slot)

Ashman will have to work hard to ensure he is number 1 over Cherry though who for some unknown (to me) reason seems to be considered as a not quite international level player

[Biffer]

And McBurney unless he is moving on and I’ve missed it…?

Forgot about him. Can't say I recall having seen much of him.

He's a depth player. I'd expect it to be 1. Ashman, 2. Cherry, 3. McBurney, 4. Harrison (development slot)

Ashman will have to work hard to ensure he is number 1 over Cherry though who for some unknown (to me) reason seems to be considered as a not quite international level player

I reckon Harrison goes past McBurney this coming season.

[SomersetJock]

Great to see Ashman heading to Edinburgh next season. With player welfare now being taken seriously I wonder if players like Ashman will be easier to convince to move North where he will be looked after better as a Scotland international player and rested properly.

I think Edinburgh have got an absolute belter of a player here !

It's easier as the SRU can pay more than English clubs nowadays.

Wow, hard to believe that it would be possible that they have got themselves into such a mess, but long may it continue !

[Margin__Walker]

For what it's worth, Kyle Rowe is back fit again. Has shown up in training pictures and apparently played in a behind closed doors friendly against Leinster A last week. Back three is pretty busy depth wise for LI, but he could potentially be involved in the last few games of the season.

Good to see Steele get a move back home. As a squad player for Quins, getting those caps will have made contract negotiations a little more challenging with the EQP quotas due to go up.

[westport]

Been a couple of good days for Edinburgh/SRU first with Scott, his mum and dad will be delighted he is moving back up and not so far to visit from Dumfries, and then Ewan

[Biffer]

So now we know what an 'A' team looks like. Glasgow A has a few old heads - Kebble, Miller, Kennedy, Weir - and a thong of young bucks.

[Yr Alban]

So now we know what an 'A' team looks like. Glasgow A has a few old heads - Kebble, Miller, Kennedy, Weir - and a thong of young bucks.

I did raise an eyebrow at an A team containing two full international props and a 10 who has 30 caps.

[robmatic]

Forgot about him. Can't say I recall having seen much of him.

He's a depth player. I'd expect it to be 1. Ashman, 2. Cherry, 3. McBurney, 4. Harrison (development slot)

Ashman will have to work hard to ensure he is number 1 over Cherry though who for some unknown (to me) reason seems to be considered as a not quite international level player

I reckon Harrison goes past McBurney this coming season.

Potentially. Harrison's set piece isn't there yet compared to the other hookers in the squad, which is to be expected at his age, but as soon as he's cracked that he's got a very high ceiling given his athleticism and attitude.

[SomersetJock]

Two year extension for Gregor incoming, also confirming they sounded out Gatland earlier in the year.

Probably the right decision for me (the Gregor part, there is no probably in it about the Gatland part)

[Jock42]

Two year extension for Gregor incoming, also confirming they sounded out Gatland earlier in the year.

Probably the right decision for me (the Gregor part, there is no probably in it about the Gatland part)

I'm happy enough atm given he put the tombola in the garage. Having a settled team has definitely helped this 6N. I'm not sure how I'll feel if they shit the bed against SA/Ireland and they don't get out the group again though.

[Slick]

So now we know what an 'A' team looks like. Glasgow A has a few old heads - Kebble, Miller, Kennedy, Weir - and a thong of young bucks.

I did raise an eyebrow at an A team containing two full international props and a 10 who has 30 caps.

Surely they are going to absolutely smash a semi pro set up?

[robmatic]

So now we know what an 'A' team looks like. Glasgow A has a few old heads - Kebble, Miller, Kennedy, Weir - and a thong of young bucks.

I did raise an eyebrow at an A team containing two full international props and a 10 who has 30 caps.

Surely they are going to absolutely smash a semi pro set up?

Depends how good the fringe pros in the A team really are.

[Punter15]

Bit of a random question - does anyone know where I can find kicking stats for Hoggy and also Chris Patterson. Or any comparable stats for the two when in blue?

Thanks

[Slick]

Bit of a random question - does anyone know where I can find kicking stats for Hoggy and also Chris Patterson. Or any comparable stats for the two when in blue?

Thanks

Kevin Millar - top of the moon - on Twitter or here occasionally is your best bet

[Big D]

Bit of a random question - does anyone know where I can find kicking stats for Hoggy and also Chris Patterson. Or any comparable stats for the two when in blue?

Thanks

Can't find % but for Internationals:
Conversions:
Hogg - 9
Paterson - 90

Penalties:
Hogg - 5
Paterson - 107

Drop Goals:
Hogg - 1
Paterson - 3

Caps:
Hogg - 100+2
Paterson - 109

Tries:
Hogg - 27
Paterson - 22

50 of Patersons caps were on the wing and 14 at FH, and one at each position for Hogg. Possibly relevant for try totals as Hogg has played in sides where wings score plenty and Hoggs try rate has slowed; Seymour (20), Maitland (15), Graham (16) and Duhan (17) have all scored more than Lamont (14), Lamont (6), Evans brothers (4), Webster (8).

[Big D]

Looking back at the records has sort of showed how lucky we are in terms of seeing the number of tries etc.

The current back 3 and Seymour are all in the top 10 try list for Scotland, with Maitland one off. Tait, Townsend, Hastings are all still on there with only Paterson from the era in between.

[westport]

Edinburgh ‘A’ team to face Heriot’s at Goldenacre in the FOSROC Super Series Sprint
Saturday 8 April, kick-off 5pm

15. Nathan Sweeney*

14. Finn Douglas*
13. Cameron Scott* (VC)
12. Chris Dean
11. Jack Blain

10. Charlie Savala
9. Charlie Shiel

1. Mikey Jones*
2. Adam McBurney
3. Angus Williams
4. Pierce Phillips
5. Jamie Hodgson (VC)
6. Glen Young
7. Liam McConnell* (C)
8. Rudi Brown*

Replacements

16. Patrick Harrison*
17. Jamie Jack
18. Dan Gamble*
19. Harri Morris*
20. Jae Linton
21. Finn Burgess
22. Bruce Houston
23. Cammy Hutchison

*Academy player

[Dogbert]

No huge surprises for the Glasgow team this week.

Personally - after last weeks performance I'm surprised that Jonny Matthews was not selected for a spot on the wing


1 Jamie Bhatti (83)
2 George Turner (89)
3 Zander Fagerson (122)
4 Scott Cummings (100)
5 Richie Gray (96)
6 Matt Fagerson (89)
7 Rory Darge (26)
8 Jack Dempsey (34)
9 George Horne (94)
10 Domingo Miotti (17)
11 Jamie Dobie (48)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (32)
13 Huw Jones (54)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (60)
15 Ollie Smith (29)
Replacements
16 Johnny Matthews (44)
17 Nathan McBeth (19)
18 Simon Berghan (28)
19 JP du Preez (19)
20 Lewis Bean (35)
21 Thomas Gordon (64)
22 Ali Price (124)
23 Tom Jordan (19)
Unavailable for selection: Sebastian Cancelliere (knee), Facundo Cordero (hamstring), Cole Forbes (quadricep), Sintu Manjezi (knee), Jack Mann (head), Josh McKay (foot), Enrique Pieretto (chest), Lucio Sordoni (ankle), Ross Thompson (foot), Sione Vailanu (knee).

[KingBlairhorn]

Two year extension for Gregor incoming, also confirming they sounded out Gatland earlier in the year.

Probably the right decision for me (the Gregor part, there is no probably in it about the Gatland part)

I'm happy enough atm given he put the tombola in the garage. Having a settled team has definitely helped this 6N. I'm not sure how I'll feel if they shit the bed against SA/Ireland and they don't get out the group again though.

Unsurprised?

[KingBlairhorn]

I did raise an eyebrow at an A team containing two full international props and a 10 who has 30 caps.

Surely they are going to absolutely smash a semi pro set up?

Depends how good the fringe pros in the A team really are.

It's going to be pretty interesting actually. Some of the guys playing are capped internationals and many are extremely experienced pros - if they don't utterly dominate it suggests the level in S6 is maybe higher than we might expect. If they do dominate it maybe suggests the level of movement between S6 and pro level is likely to remain small and that U20 players might still not be getting the level they require when stepping down to play in S6.

[Wylie Coyote]

Surely they are going to absolutely smash a semi pro set up?

Depends how good the fringe pros in the A team really are.

It's going to be pretty interesting actually. Some of the guys playing are capped internationals and many are extremely experienced pros - if they don't utterly dominate it suggests the level in S6 is maybe higher than we might expect. If they do dominate it maybe suggests the level of movement between S6 and pro level is likely to remain small and that U20 players might still not be getting the level they require when stepping down to play in S6.

I saw the pre-season Glasgow vs Ayr game in Inverness, I appreciate it was a pre-season match and the Glasgow team was pretty rusty but it was striking how the cohesion of the Ayr team almost enabled them to steal a famous victory. Some of the fringe Glasgow players looked very limited - Walter Fifita for instance. These A games will be interesting for sure.

[Biffer]

Looking back at the records has sort of showed how lucky we are in terms of seeing the number of tries etc.

The current back 3 and Seymour are all in the top 10 try list for Scotland, with Maitland one off. Tait, Townsend, Hastings are all still on there with only Paterson from the era in between.

Yeah, we also have Jones on 16 and Kinghorn on 13.

I reckon Darcy is a good bet to beat Higgs record.

[Dogbert]

Depends how good the fringe pros in the A team really are.

It's going to be pretty interesting actually. Some of the guys playing are capped internationals and many are extremely experienced pros - if they don't utterly dominate it suggests the level in S6 is maybe higher than we might expect. If they do dominate it maybe suggests the level of movement between S6 and pro level is likely to remain small and that U20 players might still not be getting the level they require when stepping down to play in S6.

I saw the pre-season Glasgow vs Ayr game in Inverness, I appreciate it was a pre-season match and the Glasgow team was pretty rusty but it was striking how the cohesion of the Ayr team almost enabled them to steal a famous victory. Some of the fringe Glasgow players looked very limited - Walter Fifita for instance. These A games will be interesting for sure.

And how many games had Walter played for Warriors after that .......

[KingBlairhorn]

Loads of Edinburgh leavers confirmed:

Winger Damien Hoyland, stand-off Jaco van der Walt, scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and flanker Nick Haining will all exit.

Winger Jack Blain and centre Cammy Hutchison will also move on, as will full-back Henry Immelman, who agreed a move to the Bulls earlier this season.

Lee-Roy Atalifo, Harrison Courtney, Pierce Phillips, Jamie Jack, Bruce Houston and Nick Auterac will exit too.

A few surprises in there. Surprised to see Hoyland go who has been a good club player for Edinburgh, as well as Haining who I suppose has struggled with injury this year. Blain never quite fulfilled the promise of his U20 and early Edinburgh career - I hope he manages to pick up a pro deal elsewhere but may struggle.

5 props confirmed leaving (Atalifo (TH) 35 now so no surprise and Courney (LH), Auterac (LH) and Jack (?) made limited/little/no impact) suggests there are a fair few coming in. McCallum (both) is confirmed as leaving too and Nel (TH) would surprise me if he does another year. Only Sebastian (TH) confirmed joining as far as I know.

The Only SQ props not at Edinburgh/Glasgow I can think of are Sutherland (LH) (I've not heard any rumours but it would be very unsurprising) Bomber Hislop (LH), Jack Owlett (TH), Will Hurd (TH). Obviously not clear yet how many looseheads or tightheads needed but looks like 2 or 3 of each with only one TH confirmed, there is still quite a bit to do there. Fingers crossed they uncover some SQ behemoth .

[I like neeps]

[quote=KingBlairhorn post_id=276495 time=1680880863 user_id=465]
Loads of Edinburgh leavers confirmed:

[quote]Winger Damien Hoyland, stand-off Jaco van der Walt, scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and flanker Nick Haining will all exit.

Winger Jack Blain and centre Cammy Hutchison will also move on, as will full-back Henry Immelman, who agreed a move to the Bulls earlier this season.

Lee-Roy Atalifo, Harrison Courtney, Pierce Phillips, Jamie Jack, Bruce Houston and Nick Auterac will exit too.[/quote]

A few surprises in there. Surprised to see Hoyland go who has been a good club player for Edinburgh, as well as Haining who I suppose has struggled with injury this year. Blain never quite fulfilled the promise of his U20 and early Edinburgh career - I hope he manages to pick up a pro deal elsewhere but may struggle.

5 props confirmed leaving (Atalifo (TH) 35 now so no surprise and Courney (LH), Auterac (LH) and Jack (?) made limited/little/no impact) suggests there are a fair few coming in. McCallum (both) is confirmed as leaving too and Nel (TH) would surprise me if he does another year. Only Sebastian (TH) confirmed joining as far as I know.

The Only SQ props not at Edinburgh/Glasgow I can think of are Sutherland (LH) (I've not heard any rumours but it would be very unsurprising) Bomber Hislop (LH), Jack Owlett (TH), Will Hurd (TH). Obviously not clear yet how many looseheads or tightheads needed but looks like 2 or 3 of each with only one TH confirmed, there is still quite a bit to do there. Fingers crossed they uncover some SQ behemoth .
[/quote]

Hislop is signing for Edinburgh next year.

Real shame about Hoyland leaving, I guess Edinburgh have about 5 highly paid back three players so it's a numbers game.

I guess the others, it's a shame it's probably the end of the road for Pyrgos as he's been a good pro in Scotland, probably time for vdw and Haining - Haining especially has given Scotland some good moments. Blain I don't think ever really had the athleticism for pro winger.

Quite surprised that Rudi Brown got released, he's still u20 eligible and played quite well for the young team in a bad year. Real shame about Dan Gamble too, he was earmarked for big things but just didn't break right.

[KingBlairhorn]

I must have missed the Hislop news, that’s a decent signing.

Completely missed Gamble and Brown both being released too. I’m also surprised by Brown, I wonder if he has something lined up because he is that unusual thing in Scottish rugby, an absolute giant specimen. He seemed to have the skills too, so quite disappointed if he falls out the game.

Gamble was at London Scottish on loan this year was he not? I wonder if he’ll take the now established route for Scottish age grade props and join Jersey Reds.

I see there is a Blyth-Lafferty at tighthead for the U18s. The elder is a very good hooker at u20 level so hopefully the younger is just as good at prop.