Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 8:29 am
A place where escape goats go to play
https://notplanetrugby.com/
Ramos covers 10 and 15 so is an ideal bench option ... a bit ironic really?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 12:26 pm Blair Kinghorn starts for Toulouse in the semi final over one Tomas Ramos. That's impressive!
I mean, he's been an ideal starting 15 for them the last few years so this is a statement of what Toulouse think of Kinghorn's performances.dpedin wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 4:04 pmRamos covers 10 and 15 so is an ideal bench option ... a bit ironic really?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 12:26 pm Blair Kinghorn starts for Toulouse in the semi final over one Tomas Ramos. That's impressive!
An old teacher of mine was at Heriot’s with Andy Irvine and told me he was an absolute arsehole. I was at Uni with a guy who played against Toony and said he was the most arrogant player he’d ever met. Immense talent on the rugby pitch often seems to go along with being a toxic person. I’m just glad this stuff didn’t all come out whilst he was still representing Scotland.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 9:10 pm Fuck me, he’s not quite a childhood hero of mine (that’d be big Gav) given he’s a decade younger than me but Hoggy was a formative part of my rugby psyche. To learn he’s (allegedly) a proper wrong un is tough.
It's weird though because whenever you meet these guys they are brilliant. I've been in social situations with loads of internationals (mostly charity stuff so I'm sure they are on their best behaviour) and they've always been dead on - I suppose these guys are able to put on a persona at will. I've never met Toonie individually nor Hogg, but have spent a decent amount of time (i.e. sat at a table with them for dinner) with my childhood heroes like the Hastings brothers, Andy Nicol and Chris Patterson as well as more contemporary players like Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton and they've never been anything short of lovely. It's a sad old world I suppose.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:10 pmAn old teacher of mine was at Heriot’s with Andy Irvine and told me he was an absolute arsehole. I was at Uni with a guy who played against Toony and said he was the most arrogant player he’d ever met. Immense talent on the rugby pitch often seems to go along with being a toxic person. I’m just glad this stuff didn’t all come out whilst he was still representing Scotland.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 9:10 pm Fuck me, he’s not quite a childhood hero of mine (that’d be big Gav) given he’s a decade younger than me but Hoggy was a formative part of my rugby psyche. To learn he’s (allegedly) a proper wrong un is tough.
It took Sione a wee while to settle in and when he did he kicked on to a remarkable degree.Begbie wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 9:05 am Tui Jr confirmed
https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... etes-move/
There is a pic on the Not Heine thread - it looks really painful. I had a look and it happened right a the very end of the game, the clock had gone 80. It was just an accidental collision.
I can confirm the Andy Irvine story, very driven individual. However I suspect rugby players are just a cross section of society at large mostly nice folk but there is always an arsehole in every group. I have had beers with many ex rugby and football internationals and by far most are good guys but there is always an arsehole in every group/team. If you dont think your friendship group/team has its arsehole ... then it's probably you!KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:15 pmIt's weird though because whenever you meet these guys they are brilliant. I've been in social situations with loads of internationals (mostly charity stuff so I'm sure they are on their best behaviour) and they've always been dead on - I suppose these guys are able to put on a persona at will. I've never met Toonie individually nor Hogg, but have spent a decent amount of time (i.e. sat at a table with them for dinner) with my childhood heroes like the Hastings brothers, Andy Nicol and Chris Patterson as well as more contemporary players like Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton and they've never been anything short of lovely. It's a sad old world I suppose.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:10 pmAn old teacher of mine was at Heriot’s with Andy Irvine and told me he was an absolute arsehole. I was at Uni with a guy who played against Toony and said he was the most arrogant player he’d ever met. Immense talent on the rugby pitch often seems to go along with being a toxic person. I’m just glad this stuff didn’t all come out whilst he was still representing Scotland.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 9:10 pm Fuck me, he’s not quite a childhood hero of mine (that’d be big Gav) given he’s a decade younger than me but Hoggy was a formative part of my rugby psyche. To learn he’s (allegedly) a proper wrong un is tough.
Probably Curripulotu if MT gets a start.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 9:15 amIt took Sione a wee while to settle in and when he did he kicked on to a remarkable degree.Begbie wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 9:05 am Tui Jr confirmed
https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... etes-move/
Mosese is 22, Matt Currie has just turned 23, they could have ten years at Edinburgh. Cammy Scott is 23, Harry Paterson 22, Jake Henry 23, that's just the ones who I think can be very good players for Edinburgh and put pressure on the senior guys in their positions. Whether they are just "good enough for Edinburgh", or good enough to improve Edinburgh's perpetual mediocrity is another matter.
btw, what will it be, Curripulotu? Bennipulotu? Deanopulotu? Langipolotu?
It only takes one bad experience for it to go round that so and so is an arsehole, particularly in a small place like Scottish rugby. I’ve got to know Scott Hastings quite well over the years as some good mates of mine are also good mates of his,and we’ve had him come over to our group at various bars here and abroad loads of times for a bit of a time out as folk are getting on his tits. It must be very difficult being a nice bloke all the time when most of the time you are meeting pissed up blokes in bars.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:15 pmIt's weird though because whenever you meet these guys they are brilliant. I've been in social situations with loads of internationals (mostly charity stuff so I'm sure they are on their best behaviour) and they've always been dead on - I suppose these guys are able to put on a persona at will. I've never met Toonie individually nor Hogg, but have spent a decent amount of time (i.e. sat at a table with them for dinner) with my childhood heroes like the Hastings brothers, Andy Nicol and Chris Patterson as well as more contemporary players like Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton and they've never been anything short of lovely. It's a sad old world I suppose.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:10 pmAn old teacher of mine was at Heriot’s with Andy Irvine and told me he was an absolute arsehole. I was at Uni with a guy who played against Toony and said he was the most arrogant player he’d ever met. Immense talent on the rugby pitch often seems to go along with being a toxic person. I’m just glad this stuff didn’t all come out whilst he was still representing Scotland.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 9:10 pm Fuck me, he’s not quite a childhood hero of mine (that’d be big Gav) given he’s a decade younger than me but Hoggy was a formative part of my rugby psyche. To learn he’s (allegedly) a proper wrong un is tough.
Didn’t mean to start a long thread with this! TBH sometimes people just don’t get along, and also it’s a bit unfair judging people on what they were like at school (as would have been the case with both Irvine and GT here). Many people were dicks at school and turned into decent folk later on.Slick wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 2:26 pmIt only takes one bad experience for it to go round that so and so is an arsehole, particularly in a small place like Scottish rugby. I’ve got to know Scott Hastings quite well over the years as some good mates of mine are also good mates of his,and we’ve had him come over to our group at various bars here and abroad loads of times for a bit of a time out as folk are getting on his tits. It must be very difficult being a nice bloke all the time when most of the time you are meeting pissed up blokes in bars.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 8:15 pmIt's weird though because whenever you meet these guys they are brilliant. I've been in social situations with loads of internationals (mostly charity stuff so I'm sure they are on their best behaviour) and they've always been dead on - I suppose these guys are able to put on a persona at will. I've never met Toonie individually nor Hogg, but have spent a decent amount of time (i.e. sat at a table with them for dinner) with my childhood heroes like the Hastings brothers, Andy Nicol and Chris Patterson as well as more contemporary players like Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton and they've never been anything short of lovely. It's a sad old world I suppose.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:10 pm
An old teacher of mine was at Heriot’s with Andy Irvine and told me he was an absolute arsehole. I was at Uni with a guy who played against Toony and said he was the most arrogant player he’d ever met. Immense talent on the rugby pitch often seems to go along with being a toxic person. I’m just glad this stuff didn’t all come out whilst he was still representing Scotland.
FWIW, I’ve met Andy Irvine and Toony a few times, when alcohol was and wasn’t involved, and they have been great every time.
Like was said above, it soon gets round who’s a genuine twat
Aye, & I'd add having a family into the list of events that transform guys who were previously obnoxious dickheads into ones you can happily spend time with !Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 7:50 pm Didn’t mean to start a long thread with this! TBH sometimes people just don’t get along, and also it’s a bit unfair judging people on what they were like at school (as would have been the case with both Irvine and GT here). Many people were dicks at school and turned into decent folk later on.
Have already seen a bit too much hype about a player who could be the next Sep Visser. A handful of pro appearances does not make him a "phenomenal" addition to the squad.Begbie wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 9:05 am Tui Jr confirmed
https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... etes-move/
topofthemoon wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 1:35 pm Happy birthday to Pierre Schoeman. On a related note, as of today there are no capped Scottish loosehead props who are under 30 years of age.
If we are allowing technicalities then Murray McCallum has also packed down at loosie on occasion. Still, very slim pickings for young props. The SRU MUST ensure that Murphy Walker makes it at tighthead and Mikey Jones at loosehead, but then they MUST also ensure that Norrie, Deans and Blyth-Lafferty make it through or we will be importing players again. As it stands, beyond Fagerson (and Sutherland if he can get fit) I expect all our props are going to end up being reared outside of Scotland for the foreseeable (Fagerson, Hurd, Sebastian, Millar-Mills probably the frontrunners at tighthead and Schoe, Hepburn, McBeth at loosehead).Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 2:19 pmtopofthemoon wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 1:35 pm Happy birthday to Pierre Schoeman. On a related note, as of today there are no capped Scottish loosehead props who are under 30 years of age.
I expect McBeth will tour in the summer, but your point stands, there isn't exactly a conveyor belt of talented props coming through. Venter still has two years to qualify and I think he'll be 29 by then.
Mikey Jones looks promising, but it's only that at the moment. Given De Bruin is moving on I hope to see more game time for Jones next season. For the other side, Everitt is making all the right noises about Ollie B-L, but he's only just turned 18 so he is a ways from being a regular option.
Might already be too late for Walker, 25 later this year, but generally I agree. Jones, the B-L boys, Deans, Norrie, Banatavala, Smyth, must all get game time. And we need to find ways to help lads like O'Driscoll and Young in the English system as well.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed May 08, 2024 7:46 amIf we are allowing technicalities then Murray McCallum has also packed down at loosie on occasion. Still, very slim pickings for young props. The SRU MUST ensure that Murphy Walker makes it at tighthead and Mikey Jones at loosehead, but then they MUST also ensure that Norrie, Deans and Blyth-Lafferty make it through or we will be importing players again. As it stands, beyond Fagerson (and Sutherland if he can get fit) I expect all our props are going to end up being reared outside of Scotland for the foreseeable (Fagerson, Hurd, Sebastian, Millar-Mills probably the frontrunners at tighthead and Schoe, Hepburn, McBeth at loosehead).Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 2:19 pmtopofthemoon wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 1:35 pm Happy birthday to Pierre Schoeman. On a related note, as of today there are no capped Scottish loosehead props who are under 30 years of age.
I expect McBeth will tour in the summer, but your point stands, there isn't exactly a conveyor belt of talented props coming through. Venter still has two years to qualify and I think he'll be 29 by then.
Mikey Jones looks promising, but it's only that at the moment. Given De Bruin is moving on I hope to see more game time for Jones next season. For the other side, Everitt is making all the right noises about Ollie B-L, but he's only just turned 18 so he is a ways from being a regular option.
Bit of an update on this and an attempt to predict the outcome if Glasgow and Edinburgh can both return 2 wins from 3 in their remaining URC regular season fixtures:topofthemoon wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 6:23 pm A wee look at the URC run-in. Glasgow and Edinburgh's remaining fixtures - and their previous records against the same opponents; what the targets might be for maximising finishing positions; and some possible permutations for the playoffs.
https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/news/ ... edinburgh/
inactionman wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 3:22 pm Russell and Redpath both on for starts for Bath at Newcastle tomorrow night.
From an English perspective, unfortunate that Redpath's spot comes at Ojomoh's expense. I also note Cammy Hutchison in at centre for Newcastle, I recall his name from international age grade but he seems to have fallen off international radar?
Josh Bayliss also on the bench for Bath, it's a very strong starting Bath back row so him and Miles Reid are riding a fair old bit of pine at the minute.
Apparently it's only the 4th time that Lang and Bennett have started together this season, which I think might have contributed to our less than sparkling back play. To me, they are our best combination in the centres. For example, I like Currie a lot but he's been playing at 12 when he is probably more suited to 13 (at least at the moment).Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 11:07 am Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 10 May (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (29)
14. Matt Currie (36)
13. Mark Bennett (105)
12. James Lang (54)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (89)
10. Ben Healy (20)
9. Ali Price (14)
1. Pierre Schoeman (112)
2. Ewan Ashman (17)
3. WP Nel (204)
4. Sam Skinner (22)
5. Grant Gilchrist (202) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (111)
7. Hamish Watson (156)
8. Viliame Mata (135)
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (90)
17. Boan Venter (63)
18. Javan Sebastian (14)
19. Marshall Sykes (59)
20. Luke Crosbie (97)
21. Ben Vellacott (58)
22. Cammy Scott (9)
23. Chris Dean (150)
Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (back), Tom Dodd (bicep), Darcy Graham (groin), Jake Henry (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee), Harry Paterson (quad), D’Arcy Rae (ankle), Scott Steele (hip), Nathan Sweeney (groin), Glen Young (ankle).
Hutchison was a solid enough pro at Edinburgh when he eventually got picked up, but he spent a bit of time at lower levels first. He was competent but nowhere near international standard I would have said, and that's without even considering the strong competition in his position.inactionman wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 3:22 pm
From an English perspective, unfortunate that Redpath's spot comes at Ojomoh's expense. I also note Cammy Hutchison in at centre for Newcastle, I recall his name from international age grade but he seems to have fallen off international radar?
robmatic wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 7:08 pm
Apparently it's only the 4th time that Lang and Bennett have started together this season, which I think might have contributed to our less than sparkling back play. To me, they are our best combination in the centres. For example, I like Currie a lot but he's been playing at 12 when he is probably more suited to 13 (at least at the moment).
Bennett has now played a lot more for Edinburgh than he did for Glasgow. Excellent player.Tichtheid wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 7:15 pmrobmatic wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 7:08 pm
Apparently it's only the 4th time that Lang and Bennett have started together this season, which I think might have contributed to our less than sparkling back play. To me, they are our best combination in the centres. For example, I like Currie a lot but he's been playing at 12 when he is probably more suited to 13 (at least at the moment).
Lang at his best is very good, but he's made of glass. I've been watching Mark Bennett very closely recently and he's proved very wrong - I was ready to write him off.
Having said that, I'm quite excited about the prospect of Mosese reaching the standards Sione had thrown down and Curripulotu being our centres for several years to come (apologies for repeating the joke, but Currie looks very much the part, if Mosese can emulate his brother that will be a huge fillip for this team)