The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Slick]

No idea who has decided that Ryan Wilson is someone the rugby public want to hear from.

I think he's a breath of fresh air. Paterson is like an automaton trotting out the same old pish about lessons and faux positivity. Wilson and Barcs are great.

I think he’s been fine but I also think his shtick is going to get boring quite quickly. Although it’s probably not aimed at me

[Biffer]

Utter shit from Edinburgh. Better side for the first twenty or so minutes with ball in hand, so we decided to kick it away from that point on. Including when they were on a yellow card, and we decided to take one phase and then box kick from the halfway line. All the old shite about us being a holding pen for Scotland internationals is back again, saw it happening while Blair was in charge. No leadership, the players were barely talking to each other and nobody, as ever, trying to get the guys going at the end when we're trying to win. And why the fuck would you go for the drop after a couple of Le of phases rather than trucking it up for ten or fifteen, when they're a man down and that man is a lock? For fucks sake, get half a yard every phase for ten or fifteen so he's not trying to drop it from forty metres out.

Fucking shambolic, and I'm pretty sure that loss will be the difference between champions cup and challenge cup next season.

[weegie01]

You could go and make a cup of tea come back and Vellacott still won't have played the ball.

Yeah, don’t understand it at all

Vellacott has been slow at the base ever since he came to Edinburgh. He gets credit for speeding up the game by running around like a headless chicken (though to be fair, sometimes to good effect) but he is slow at the basics of getting the ball away from the breakdown. Every time.

[robmatic]

Jaco starting at 10 for the Bulls today after not being able to get a game for Embra last season.

[Big D]

That's arguably 5 dropped points over the last two games for Edinburgh. Should have had a BP in the win last week and last night they were in a position where they should have had a BP win too.

[Biffer]

That's arguably 5 dropped points over the last two games for Edinburgh. Should have had a BP in the win last week and last night they were in a position where they should have had a BP win too.

We got the bonus point last week. Yesterday was a shit show though

[weegie01]

Jaco starting at 10 for the Bulls today after not being able to get a game for Embra last season.

Man of the match.

He had a dip in form a couple of seasons back, and just never got the head of the queue at Edinburgh at 10 after that. Which was odd as the few times he did get a game he was at the very least dependable.

[Big D]

That's arguably 5 dropped points over the last two games for Edinburgh. Should have had a BP in the win last week and last night they were in a position where they should have had a BP win too.

We got the bonus point last week. Yesterday was a shit show though

Sorry, memory playing tricks. Definitely 4 points dropped last night.

[KingBlairhorn]

Good win that for Glasgow after a terrible start. It was brilliant to see Zander dominate the Ulster scrum for 50 minutes and then keep the scrum solid as a rock for another 30 when Kitsoff and Moore came on.

I thought Kennedy was good and McDowall is just a classy rugby player. Lots of good performances through the team.

I wonder what it is about Matthews that makes Toonie not fancy him.

[Yr Alban]

Jaco starting at 10 for the Bulls today after not being able to get a game for Embra last season.

Man of the match.

He had a dip in form a couple of seasons back, and just never got the head of the queue at Edinburgh at 10 after that. Which was odd as the few times he did get a game he was at the very least dependable.

I got curious and had a look. He got two caps for us, and the first was on 5th Dec 2020. Not sure when the second was, but presumably he is nearing the 3-year stand-down period after which he would become eligible for SA again!

[Yr Alban]

Good win that for Glasgow after a terrible start. It was brilliant to see Zander dominate the Ulster scrum for 50 minutes and then keep the scrum solid as a rock for another 30 when Kitsoff and Moore came on.

I thought Kennedy was good and McDowall is just a classy rugby player. Lots of good performances through the team.

I wonder what it is about Matthews that makes Toonie not fancy him.

Yeah, that makes me feel slightly better after the Edinburgh shitshow.

[KingBlairhorn]

Really enjoying Ryan Wilson’s reporting style around the Glasgow boys in particular. This is how you do it, don’t try and pretend you are impartial and lean into the relationships in the right way (Ferris).

https://x.com/viaplaysportsuk/status/17 ... UZjzgAiO2Q

[SomersetJock]

For the sake of the sport Johnny Matthews should be handed a lifetime ban immediately!

He’s just taking the pi55 now

[Yr Alban]

Some finish there!

I was impressed by Tom Jordan. Haven’t seen him play much. Was pleased to discover he will be Scotland eligible in a year. You can’t have too many good players.

[Slick]

Jaco starting at 10 for the Bulls today after not being able to get a game for Embra last season.

He was utterly dogshit when he first came and for a while after. Then at the start of last season ( or was it the one before) he looked really great for 2 or 3 games but they suddenly decided Kinghorn was going to play 10 and he was dropped never to be seen again

[Tichtheid]

Jaco consistently missed a 100m touchline when going for the corner, it wasn't just once or twice, it was touch and go, so to speak, if he'd actually get us a lineout.

We do not have anything like the cutting edge of the time Kinghorn played at ten, we shipped a whole load of tries and we were not a winning team, but when Kinghorn was the pivot we looked very dangerous in attack.

Last night we looked to have a very good structure in attack, it was far less off the cuff than what I've just described with Kinghorn, it was all off the training paddock with Healy making some excellent choices and executing those choices very well.

However, having said that, I've rarely seen such a clown car performance from a professional rugby team as Edinburgh on Friday. There were two 14 point turnarounds when were are in attack and should have gotten over the line, but basic mistakes ended with Benetton scoring at the other end of the park. There was another one where we fucked it up at about the level of ten year olds, but luckily Benetton didn't score from that particular Laurel and Hardy effort. It was like watching a drunk man trying to tie his shoelaces in a revolving door, the one that ended up with Kinghorn more or less making a really good pass off the deck to the on-rushing Benetton attack was the cherry on top, and all from an attacking lineout a few meters from the Italian line.

Fuck Edinburgh Rugby. This has been happening every season that I've been able to watch them regularly from tv coverage, which is since the win over Toulouse in the Heineken cup over ten years ago. There is no hard centre in that team, no matter who coaches it or who plays for it.

[LenCohen]

Really enjoying Ryan Wilson’s reporting style around the Glasgow boys in particular. This is how you do it, don’t try and pretend you are impartial and lean into the relationships in the right way (Ferris).

https://x.com/viaplaysportsuk/status/17 ... UZjzgAiO2Q

Hask lite

[westport]

Good to see Boff and Darcy back training

[Tichtheid]

Good to see Boff and Darcy back training

I'm not sure what difference it will make. I'm still raging over the game on Friday. Edinburgh threw that game away with two howlers from a strong lead, the defence for their Benetton's first try was non-existent and the series of fuck ups later were amateur hour stuff, the clown car moments from Venter being stripped of the ball to Nel regathering and knocking on, it squirting through Lang's legs to be hacked on from where Kinghorn made the worst defensive error I've ever seen from him (it's a crowded field) and then to lose a lineout when pressing late in the game, it's infuriating to watch. The cherry on top was going for a drop goal from around 40m instead of showing patience and getting closer.

We really need to get Ali Price to stay.

I also think Ritchie chirped his way out of the Scotland captaincy with his constant bickering at the ref, or at least he should be taken aside and quiet word be given.

[Dogbert]

Finally managed to re-watch the Glasgow game, just about recovered from the hangover from having some of the Methody 79 schools cup team – signs of being old – length of hangovers !

Firstly , Ulster are going through a transition year , but the physicality they brought to the game was a notch above our other opponents so far this year, their young back row has bags of talent. Losing Burns early on didn’t do them any favours , and Addison is still pretty rusty after such a long layoff ,but good to see him back.

Edinburgh could well be tested a Ravenhill this weekend.

Probably the best performance as a team so far this season

Sione was MOTM , but plenty others put their hand up , Zander was just fantastic, and Sean Kennedy just slotted in as though he has played regularly for years . Special thanks to Mrs Kennedy for giving birth the day before so that Sean could play.

Jordan continues to improve , he has obviously working on his kicking

Even when Ulster came out of the blocks and dominated for 20 minutes , Glasgow didn’t panic and trusted to their gameplan. The counter rucking at times from Sione , Seba and Stafford was great.

The difference this year so far is the physicality that Glasgow are bringing to their game, not really surprising when you have Franco in charge.

Oh , and best of luck to Horne senior , really sorry to see him go – Scotland’s gain is Glasgow’s loss

[Tichtheid]

Finally managed to re-watch the Glasgow game, just about recovered from the hangover from having some of the Methody 79 schools cup team – signs of being old – length of hangovers !

Firstly , Ulster are going through a transition year , but the physicality they brought to the game was a notch above our other opponents so far this year, their young back row has bags of talent. Losing Burns early on didn’t do them any favours , and Addison is still pretty rusty after such a long layoff ,but good to see him back.

Edinburgh could well be tested a Ravenhill this weekend.

Probably the best performance as a team so far this season

Sione was MOTM , but plenty others put their hand up , Zander was just fantastic, and Sean Kennedy just slotted in as though he has played regularly for years . Special thanks to Mrs Kennedy for giving birth the day before so that Sean could play.

Jordan continues to improve , he has obviously working on his kicking

Even when Ulster came out of the blocks and dominated for 20 minutes , Glasgow didn’t panic and trusted to their gameplan. The counter rucking at times from Sione , Seba and Stafford was great.

The difference this year so far is the physicality that Glasgow are bringing to their game, not really surprising when you have Franco in charge.

Oh , and best of luck to Horne senior , really sorry to see him go – Scotland’s gain is Glasgow’s loss

It was a strange thing to be watching a team ship two tries so early and still feel that Glasgow were going to come back and win.

Edinburgh could well be tested a Ravenhill this weekend.

If "tested" is a synonym for "thrashed", you could well be right.

[KingBlairhorn]

Apparently Premier Sports have agreed a deal to buy back the business they sold to Viaplay. It’ll revert back in early 2024. Hopefully retaining the technology upgrades Viaplay put in place.

[SaintK]

Another one heading to France?

Exeter Chiefs face competition to keep hold of Scotland international lock Jonny Gray from Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles according to the latest reports.
This week, leading French publication Midi Olympique report that Bordeaux have Gray in their sights as a potential replacement for Jandré Marais and Kane Douglas who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

[KingBlairhorn]

Another one heading to France?

Exeter Chiefs face competition to keep hold of Scotland international lock Jonny Gray from Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles according to the latest reports.
This week, leading French publication Midi Olympique report that Bordeaux have Gray in their sights as a potential replacement for Jandré Marais and Kane Douglas who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

It’s the Gray way. Boss it at Glasgow, slightly underwhelm in England, sign for a couple of not quite top French clubs and then back to Glasgow to finish your career.

More interestingly I see Cam Redpath is a target for one of the Scottish teams. Given the depth in the centres at Glasgow it must be Edinburgh. That’s an excellent midfield if they pull it off. If it can get the backline motoring maybe we might see a decent Edinburgh side.

[charltom]

Another one heading to France?

Exeter Chiefs face competition to keep hold of Scotland international lock Jonny Gray from Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles according to the latest reports.
This week, leading French publication Midi Olympique report that Bordeaux have Gray in their sights as a potential replacement for Jandré Marais and Kane Douglas who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

It’s the Gray way. Boss it at Glasgow, slightly underwhelm in England, sign for a couple of not quite top French clubs and then back to Glasgow to finish your career.

More interestingly I see Cam Redpath is a target for one of the Scottish teams. Given the depth in the centres at Glasgow it must be Edinburgh. That’s an excellent midfield if they pull it off. If it can get the backline motoring maybe we might see a decent Edinburgh side.

Yep, but I'd rather see Cam develop his on-field relationship with Finn further...

[charltom]

Another one heading to France?

It’s the Gray way. Boss it at Glasgow, slightly underwhelm in England, sign for a couple of not quite top French clubs and then back to Glasgow to finish your career.

More interestingly I see Cam Redpath is a target for one of the Scottish teams. Given the depth in the centres at Glasgow it must be Edinburgh. That’s an excellent midfield if they pull it off. If it can get the backline motoring maybe we might see a decent Edinburgh side.

Yep, but I'd rather see Cam develop his on-field relationship with Finn further...

... although TBF doing the same with BH might be more fruitful long term.

[Dogbert]

Another one heading to France?

Exeter Chiefs face competition to keep hold of Scotland international lock Jonny Gray from Top 14 side Bordeaux Begles according to the latest reports.
This week, leading French publication Midi Olympique report that Bordeaux have Gray in their sights as a potential replacement for Jandré Marais and Kane Douglas who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

It’s the Gray way. Boss it at Glasgow, slightly underwhelm in England, sign for a couple of not quite top French clubs and then back to Glasgow to finish your career.

More interestingly I see Cam Redpath is a target for one of the Scottish teams. Given the depth in the centres at Glasgow it must be Edinburgh. That’s an excellent midfield if they pull it off. If it can get the backline motoring maybe we might see a decent Edinburgh side.

Depth at centre at Glasgow . you jest surely

Glasgow have 3 quality centres - Sione , Stafford & Shuggy - and with Shuggy injured , Glasgow have had to start Sione & Stafford for the past 4 consecutive games.

Other than that we have Thomson (19 ) and Stirrat (21) . neither of whom have even started a Pro game for Glasgow.

Probably Sione / Stafford & Shuggy wil be called up come the 6 nations.

Glasgow maybe top of the league, but they have no depth at centre

[TartanBear]

Not sure Redpath helps depth during the 6N if he’s in camp?

[Dogbert]

Not sure Redpath helps depth during the 6N if he’s in camp?

During 6N no that's true , but outwith that it would allow Glasgow to rest a player - I think Mcdowall has played every minute of all this seasons URC games - that's not any depth at centre,

If Redpath came to Glasgow he would also probably be playing with his Scotland centre partner

[KingBlairhorn]

Another one heading to France?

It’s the Gray way. Boss it at Glasgow, slightly underwhelm in England, sign for a couple of not quite top French clubs and then back to Glasgow to finish your career.

More interestingly I see Cam Redpath is a target for one of the Scottish teams. Given the depth in the centres at Glasgow it must be Edinburgh. That’s an excellent midfield if they pull it off. If it can get the backline motoring maybe we might see a decent Edinburgh side.

Depth at centre at Glasgow . you jest surely

Glasgow have 3 quality centres - Sione , Stafford & Shuggy - and with Shuggy injured , Glasgow have had to start Sione & Stafford for the past 4 consecutive games.

Other than that we have Thomson (19 ) and Stirrat (21) . neither of whom have even started a Pro game for Glasgow.

Probably Sione / Stafford & Shuggy wil be called up come the 6 nations.

Glasgow maybe top of the league, but they have no depth at centre

You also have Steyn who is an excellent Pro14 level centre when he plays there, nevertheless you are correct - I should have said quality not depth. When compared against Bennet, Lang, Dean and Currie the Glasgow quality is lightyears ahead.

[Tichtheid]

I think if anyone was to step back from being an Edinburgh or Glasgow fan and look at the job the SRU have to do, ie make both teams successful, then Edinburgh would be the obvious place for Redpath to go, if indeed the rumour is true and not just an agent's move to get a better deal for their client.

The same injury and rotation caveats apply to both teams, albeit non-internationals don't have to be rested after 5 games (I don't know if it's still 5, it used to be). Glasgow have Tuipolotu, Jones, MacDowall and Steyn before they go looking at the likes of Dunn, oh and I read on the Weedgie board that Tom Jordan is actually an inside centre.

Edinburgh have Lang and Dean at 12, Bennett and Currie at 13 - which side would be most improved with the addition of Redpath?

If Thompson ain't it, Glasgow should be looking for a fly half


ach, I got distracted half way though my post and KBH made the same points

(I do have high hopes for Currie at outside centre, I think he is one to watch)

[Dogbert]

I hope Redpath stays at Bath, with only 2 Pro teams in Scotland it makes more sense to have Redpath stay where he is , in an improving Bath team , playing along side Russell.

Edinburgh’s solution it its constant underperformance is to bring in Scottish International Players, (often established Internationals ) from other high profile clubs

Ashman – from Sale
Skinner from Exeter
Healy from Munster
Price from Glasgow
Bringing back Duhan from Worcester

Even with that , and along with your other Scottish Internationals ( some of which we are told are ‘world class) – Darcy/ Schoemann / Duhan / Gilchrist/ Watson / Ritchie – Edinburgh still contrive to manage to lose to Benneton – at home ( in the nice new stadium )

The issue with Edinburgh is not the ‘we need another shiny new toy, and everything will be fine’

If your going to class Jordon as in IC , and Styn as an OC , we might as well class Johnny Matthews as a winger ( he will score more tries that the Edinburgh Wingers combined )

Thompson may well be the 10 , but Franco doesn’t feel he is ready yet, and lets face it after the Edinburgh spending , how much is left to bring in a quality 10 for Glasgow-

How much did Jordan cost, How much did Matthews cost, How much did Venter cost

If you want a successful Glasgow , for the good of Scottish Rugby - and by successful that means at least getting to a final , you still need to invest,

Personally I would be grateful for hot water in the bogs at Scotstoun

[Tichtheid]

If your going to class Jordon as in IC , and Styn as an OC , we might as well class Johnny Matthews as a winger ( he will score more tries that the Edinburgh Wingers combined )

Ha! The Jordan as IC came from the Glasgow board, just like I said. His profile on All Rugby lists him as a centre, his Wiki page has him as a centre/fly half.

Steyn is listed as an outside centre on the Glasgow Warriors site.

In a sport where hookers score lot of tries off the maul Mathews is prolific right enough, over thirty tries I think so far, but you'd be better off saying that he scores more than the Glasgow wingers combined, he's not scored more than van der Merwe and Graham.

[Tichtheid]

Ashman – from Sale - direct replacement for Rambo's retirement, but he's nowhere near Rambo as a player yet.

Skinner from Exeter - in the last couple of seasons Edinburgh have lost Ben Toolis, Fraser MacKenzie, Lewis Carmichael and Andrew Davidson (not sure what happened with him, he looked the part)

Healy from Munster - everyone was roarin and greetin about the Blair Switch Project, Edinburgh didn't have a fly half, Jaco certainly wasn't it and neither was Savala. Scott could be in the future

Price from Glasgow - that seems to have suited Price and Scotland as well as Edinburgh, but there was no gun held to his head, he didn't swither about it, he chose to go in a matter of days.

Bringing back Duhan from Worcester, - well, English premiership rugby had its casualties for sure, Kyle Rowe was another one,

[Dogbert]

Oh Every Team needs to look to improve ,part of which is to bring in new blood

But the issue with such an underperforming Edinburgh lies much deeper - grabbing high profile players like a kid in a sweetie shop- at a cost which not only affects Edinburgh , unless the SRU have a magic money tree- doesn't appear to be the solution,

Would Price have moved if he hadn't been tapped up ?

I take it , it would not bother you if Glasgow approached Darcy.

[Biffer]

Oh Every Team needs to look to improve ,part of which is to bring in new blood

But the issue with such an underperforming Edinburgh lies much deeper - grabbing high profile players like a kid in a sweetie shop- at a cost which not only affects Edinburgh , unless the SRU have a magic money tree- doesn't appear to be the solution,

Would Price have moved if he hadn't been tapped up ?

I take it , it would not bother you if Glasgow approached Darcy.

Your weeg paranoia is showing. Edinburgh didn’t tap up Price it was either Townsend or he fell out with the coach, depending on who you believe. Glasgow got plenty of money to retain Hogg and Gray back in the day, and have signed Scotland internationals as well.

[Tichtheid]

Oh Every Team needs to look to improve ,part of which is to bring in new blood

But the issue with such an underperforming Edinburgh lies much deeper - grabbing high profile players like a kid in a sweetie shop- at a cost which not only affects Edinburgh , unless the SRU have a magic money tree- doesn't appear to be the solution,

I explained those particular replacements. There are other issues in the SRU keeping international players close and under the protection of rotation and clubs in England looking to off-load non EQ players.
My guess is that you wouldn't complain if any or all of these players had gone to Glasgow?

Would Price have moved if he hadn't been tapped up ?

No one knows the full story out here, it's been said that he was encouraged to move to ensure his starting position and so remain in contention for the 6N. I can fully understand why this grates with Glasgow supporters.

I take it , it would not bother you if Glasgow approached Darcy.

Of course it would, but in order for it to be the same circumstance as Price, Darcy would have to slip to second or third choice at Edinburgh among two other Scotland-qualified right wingers.

On the other hand I had no problem with Darge moving to Glasgow, it was best for everyone, he was no where near starting at Edinburgh and he took his chance with both hands. I think Boyle would have done exactly the same if he had been the one to go.

I still don't think he's made his mark in a Scotland jersey, but he's playing better than Watson or Crosbie (at times) and I think Boyle could force his way ahead of Watson unless Mish ups his game.

[Dogbert]

Glasgow Team for Munster

Some 'interesting' choices - Ollie Smith on the wing, some enforced by injury

I'd take a loosing bonus point at this stage ( and no further injuries )


1 Nathan McBeth (26 )
2 Johnny Matthews (56)
3 Lucio Sordoni (21)
4 Sintu Manjezi (14)
5 Scott Cummings (110)
6 Sione Vailanu (25)
7 Rory Darge (36)
8 Henco Venter (4)
9 Sean Kennedy (27)
10 Duncan Weir (138)
11 Ollie Smith (35)
12 Stafford McDowall (C) (63)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (40)
14 Kyle Rowe (5)
15 Josh McKay (31)

Replacements

16 Angus Fraser (7)
17 Oli Kebble (89)
18 Zander Fagerson (132)
19 Greg Peterson (38)
20 Max Williamson (1)
21 Thomas Gordon (67)
22 Ben Afshar (1)
23 Tom Jordan (30)

[Dogbert]

Oh Every Team needs to look to improve ,part of which is to bring in new blood

But the issue with such an underperforming Edinburgh lies much deeper - grabbing high profile players like a kid in a sweetie shop- at a cost which not only affects Edinburgh , unless the SRU have a magic money tree- doesn't appear to be the solution,

I explained those particular replacements. There are other issues in the SRU keeping international players close and under the protection of rotation and clubs in England looking to off-load non EQ players.
My guess is that you wouldn't complain if any or all of these players had gone to Glasgow?

Funnily enough believe it , or not, I wouldn't have wanted any of then at Glasgow , None of them really fit into the 'Glasgow' mould
Edinburgh need them more than Glasgow

Would Price have moved if he hadn't been tapped up ?

No one knows the full story out here, it's been said that he was encouraged to move to ensure his starting position and so remain in contention for the 6N. I can fully understand why this grates with Glasgow supporters.

Actually I'm pretty OK with Price moving across , He's obviously not committed to Glasgow anymore , nad above all I think Franco looks for a commitment & to a certain extent Loyalty- Price is such an improvement on what Edinburgh have currently - Not sure how I would feel if I was Ben Vellacott , or Charlie Shiel though

I take it , it would not bother you if Glasgow approached Darcy.

Of course it would, but in order for it to be the same circumstance as Price, Darcy would have to slip to second or third choice at Edinburgh among two other Scotland-qualified right wingers.

On the other hand I had no problem with Darge moving to Glasgow, it was best for everyone, he was no where near starting at Edinburgh and he took his chance with both hands. I think Boyle would have done exactly the same if he had been the one to go.

I still don't think he's made his mark in a Scotland jersey, but he's playing better than Watson or Crosbie (at times) and I think Boyle could force his way ahead of Watson unless Mish ups his game.

[Tichtheid]

Ashman – very quick around the park, good hands and scores tries

Skinner - a grunt player from Exeter's league and European Cup winning side

Healy - a player who some think of as a good boot, but his hard flat pass, overall distribution and decision making to go with or against the grain has been on show to good effect in an underperforming Edinburgh team

Duhan - a player that even the World Cup wining Boks have admitted that he's one that got away.


Any of them would fit into any side, let alone Glasgow. Ashman is the one with ground to make up but he's young.


Anyway, the "Edinburgh need him more than Glasgow" can certainly be applied to Redpath, which is what started this.