The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

Whats happened to our other SA wing? The young lad built like a tank.

Maybe he was a centre?

Venter? He's only just actually arrived, I think. He is a centre apparently although he's built like a loose forward.

He’s only 17 and signed on a pro contract only because he is not Scottish and therefore ineligible for an academy contract. Don’t expect to see him any time soon.

[KingBlairhorn]

Fair enough, cheers

Sorry if that came across as abrupt. Just been reading the cesspit of Facebook and the general feeling is Duhan has somehow duped, used and discarded the SRU. Which is nonsense IMO.

He didn't even come to Edinburgh as a project player. He was a gamble on an unproven and possibly injured player with physical potential.

If anything it's turned out to be good business for the SRU. I imagine his first contract was relatively cheap and he made a pretty much immediate playing impact, and then he ended up qualified.

Absolutely good business I would think. Blain will step in and step up and another will hopefully roll off the production line behind him. It’s how it has to be for the short term at least until such time as the finances are back under control. Either that or one of Scotland/Edinburgh’s numerous extremely wealthy residents needs to step up and make a difference.

[Slick]

Edinburgh only offered him contracts to that end. Hardly his fault.

He was either out of contract or sold. Either way the SRU have allowed it to happen.

Fair enough, cheers

Sorry if that came across as abrupt. Just been reading the cesspit of Facebook and the general feeling is Duhan has somehow duped, used and discarded the SRU. Which is nonsense IMO.

Not at all, I didn’t know that

[Biffer]

Duhan off to Worcester, unless they get relegated

He didn’t reside here longer than necessary... don’t like this.

Edinburgh only offered him contracts to that end. Hardly his fault.

He was either out of contract or sold. Either way the SRU have allowed it to happen.

I don’t blame him, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth for me. Sooner the longer qualification period is enforced the better.

[Big D]

He didn’t reside here longer than necessary... don’t like this.

Edinburgh only offered him contracts to that end. Hardly his fault.

He was either out of contract or sold. Either way the SRU have allowed it to happen.

I don’t blame him, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth for me. Sooner the longer qualification period is enforced the better.

I get that, and understand why the whole situation may leave a bad taste but the way people are talking, all be it on Facebook and the likes you'd think he has duped the SRU somehow. He signed three different contracts with Edinburgh and played there the same length of time Richie Gray did for Glasgow before he moved for similar reasons.

I think the current economic situation makes it a no brainer and more understandable too. We don't want to pay a winger 300k pa and he doesn't want to turn it down. The SRU haven't really opened contract discussions with anyone apparently. It will be the same for any international whether they are born here or not, if we get blown out the water on wages they are likely to go as per RGray and his 200k offer at the time.

Sadly I don't think the changing of the residency period will help all that much whether they leave 4 years or 6 years in, they are still moving after being capped.

[dpedin]

This season was always going to be a write-off, and that applies to signing players as well as on the field. The SRU are cash strapped and the reality is that the top players will leave to get the big money on offer elsewhere. However VdM repaid the work we put into him and honoured his commitment to Scotland and for that we should be thankful. I wish him well. Is Worcester the right place for him? Not in my opinion but probably better than France who would break him again. Good luck to him and I look forward to seeing him in the dark blue in the 6Ns.

[Slick]

I guess it's fair to say that most moves away have had mainly positive impacts on players returning to play for Scotland, or at the very least neutral.

I do worry about Hastings mind you.

[westport]

Edinburgh only offered him contracts to that end. Hardly his fault.

He was either out of contract or sold. Either way the SRU have allowed it to happen.

I don’t blame him, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth for me. Sooner the longer qualification period is enforced the better.

I get that, and understand why the whole situation may leave a bad taste but the way people are talking, all be it on Facebook and the likes you'd think he has duped the SRU somehow. He signed three different contracts with Edinburgh and played there the same length of time Richie Gray did for Glasgow before he moved for similar reasons.

I think the current economic situation makes it a no brainer and more understandable too. We don't want to pay a winger 300k pa and he doesn't want to turn it down. The SRU haven't really opened contract discussions with anyone apparently. It will be the same for any international whether they are born here or not, if we get blown out the water on wages they are likely to go as per RGray and his 200k offer at the time.

Sadly I don't think the changing of the residency period will help all that much whether they leave 4 years or 6 years in, they are still moving after being capped.

Similar thing is happening in Ireland with regard to contract negotiations. The other day on BT Sport they had a players agent on, can't remember his name, he was saying he would normally have had several signed up but the negotiations were only going to start this week.

[clydecloggie]

This season was always going to be a write-off, and that applies to signing players as well as on the field. The SRU are cash strapped and the reality is that the top players will leave to get the big money on offer elsewhere. However VdM repaid the work we put into him and honoured his commitment to Scotland and for that we should be thankful. I wish him well. Is Worcester the right place for him? Not in my opinion but probably better than France who would break him again. Good luck to him and I look forward to seeing him in the dark blue in the 6Ns.

Arguably, if you're a Saffer with the potential of McMerwe, ending up playing for Scotland is maybe not the highest honour you ever dreamed of. There must be some sort of pride and sense of belonging involved for guys like him to don the Thistle.

But it does make a mockery of the residency rule that he disappears again after four years.

[westport]

Edinburgh lock Andrew Davidson will join English Premiership side Gloucester in the summer of 2021.

[I like neeps]

This season was always going to be a write-off, and that applies to signing players as well as on the field. The SRU are cash strapped and the reality is that the top players will leave to get the big money on offer elsewhere. However VdM repaid the work we put into him and honoured his commitment to Scotland and for that we should be thankful. I wish him well. Is Worcester the right place for him? Not in my opinion but probably better than France who would break him again. Good luck to him and I look forward to seeing him in the dark blue in the 6Ns.

Arguably, if you're a Saffer with the potential of McMerwe, ending up playing for Scotland is maybe not the highest honour you ever dreamed of. There must be some sort of pride and sense of belonging involved for guys like him to don the Thistle.

But it does make a mockery of the residency rule that he disappears again after four years.

Do we expect VdM to take less money to play for Edinburgh because Scotland picked him? Not forgetting we picked him not because we thought he was "Scottish" but because he's really good.

[clydecloggie]

This season was always going to be a write-off, and that applies to signing players as well as on the field. The SRU are cash strapped and the reality is that the top players will leave to get the big money on offer elsewhere. However VdM repaid the work we put into him and honoured his commitment to Scotland and for that we should be thankful. I wish him well. Is Worcester the right place for him? Not in my opinion but probably better than France who would break him again. Good luck to him and I look forward to seeing him in the dark blue in the 6Ns.

Arguably, if you're a Saffer with the potential of McMerwe, ending up playing for Scotland is maybe not the highest honour you ever dreamed of. There must be some sort of pride and sense of belonging involved for guys like him to don the Thistle.

But it does make a mockery of the residency rule that he disappears again after four years.

Do we expect VdM to take less money to play for Edinburgh because Scotland picked him? Not forgetting we picked him not because we thought he was "Scottish" but because he's really good.

I guess it's impossible to blame either the SRU or McMerwe for doing this - so that only leaves the regulations to blame.

[westport]

Cockers saying that there will be good news coming out in the next few days on the signing and re-signing front in the next few days, and is confident when all player deals are complete, the squad will be in good shape.

"I think we will be competitive," he explained. "Will we be stronger? We are yet to see because there will be guys we have to bring in, guys we have to promote and guys we have to keep developing.

"We will lose some players that we won't replace, that's simply the economics of where we're at.

"We are a strong squad, we will try and keep as many players as we can to reinforce us in certain positions, some Scottish-qualified, some not.

"Some of those guys will come from the Premiership so maybe there's going to be a mass exodus of guys from the Premiership to Scottish rugby."

[Slick]

Cockers saying that there will be good news coming out in the next few days on the signing and re-signing front in the next few days, and is confident when all player deals are complete, the squad will be in good shape.

"I think we will be competitive," he explained. "Will we be stronger? We are yet to see because there will be guys we have to bring in, guys we have to promote and guys we have to keep developing.

"We will lose some players that we won't replace, that's simply the economics of where we're at.

"We are a strong squad, we will try and keep as many players as we can to reinforce us in certain positions, some Scottish-qualified, some not.

"Some of those guys will come from the Premiership so maybe there's going to be a mass exodus of guys from the Premiership to Scottish rugby."

That sounds a bit depressing to be honest

[I like neeps]

Cockers saying that there will be good news coming out in the next few days on the signing and re-signing front in the next few days, and is confident when all player deals are complete, the squad will be in good shape.

"I think we will be competitive," he explained. "Will we be stronger? We are yet to see because there will be guys we have to bring in, guys we have to promote and guys we have to keep developing.

"We will lose some players that we won't replace, that's simply the economics of where we're at.

"We are a strong squad, we will try and keep as many players as we can to reinforce us in certain positions, some Scottish-qualified, some not.

"Some of those guys will come from the Premiership so maybe there's going to be a mass exodus of guys from the Premiership to Scottish rugby."

That sounds a bit depressing to be honest

Or exciting...

Edinburgh have suffered for a long time from failing to coach up or identify really good young Scottish talent.

It's great watching Mata, VdM, Schoeman, Nel etc. It's less fun watching Groom, VdW, Willemse and the likes. And it's exciting when young guys Shiel, Graham, Taylor has been good come through.

Watching Edinburgh developing guys like Chamberlain or Savala, give increased chances to young Scottish developed guys like Blain, Lang if he joins, Boyle/Sarge, Hodgson and Sykes. Whoever else is the academy is fine.

Scotland's best 10 of the last two decades Finn Russell had a decent under20s career and played for Falkirk. There's players out there that deserve chances they aren't getting because you can sign a 20 cap Super Rugby saffer for cheap.

For too long Edinburgh have been happy to sign cheap South Africans and Glasgow second teamers. If this sharpens the mind and they can no do that great. Even if it means they aren't quite as competitive as semi finals for a bit.

[Slick]

Cockers saying that there will be good news coming out in the next few days on the signing and re-signing front in the next few days, and is confident when all player deals are complete, the squad will be in good shape.

"I think we will be competitive," he explained. "Will we be stronger? We are yet to see because there will be guys we have to bring in, guys we have to promote and guys we have to keep developing.

"We will lose some players that we won't replace, that's simply the economics of where we're at.

"We are a strong squad, we will try and keep as many players as we can to reinforce us in certain positions, some Scottish-qualified, some not.

"Some of those guys will come from the Premiership so maybe there's going to be a mass exodus of guys from the Premiership to Scottish rugby."

That sounds a bit depressing to be honest

Or exciting...

Edinburgh have suffered for a long time from failing to coach up or identify really good young Scottish talent.

It's great watching Mata, VdM, Schoeman, Nel etc. It's less fun watching Groom, VdW, Willemse and the likes. And it's exciting when young guys Shiel, Graham, Taylor has been good come through.

Watching Edinburgh developing guys like Chamberlain or Savala, give increased chances to young Scottish developed guys like Blain, Lang if he joins, Boyle/Sarge, Hodgson and Sykes. Whoever else is the academy is fine.

Scotland's best 10 of the last two decades Finn Russell had a decent under20s career and played for Falkirk. There's players out there that deserve chances they aren't getting because you can sign a 20 cap Super Rugby saffer for cheap.

For too long Edinburgh have been happy to sign cheap South Africans and Glasgow second teamers. If this sharpens the mind and they can no do that great. Even if it means they aren't quite as competitive as semi finals for a bit.

That sounds brilliant and what I hope will happen. However, it sounds more to me like they will be getting Premiership journeymen, maybe a Saracen or two, and none that are SQ. I hope I'm wrong!

[westport]

Mish has re-signed

[robmatic]

Cockers saying that there will be good news coming out in the next few days on the signing and re-signing front in the next few days, and is confident when all player deals are complete, the squad will be in good shape.

"I think we will be competitive," he explained. "Will we be stronger? We are yet to see because there will be guys we have to bring in, guys we have to promote and guys we have to keep developing.

"We will lose some players that we won't replace, that's simply the economics of where we're at.

"We are a strong squad, we will try and keep as many players as we can to reinforce us in certain positions, some Scottish-qualified, some not.

"Some of those guys will come from the Premiership so maybe there's going to be a mass exodus of guys from the Premiership to Scottish rugby."

That sounds a bit depressing to be honest

Or exciting...

Edinburgh have suffered for a long time from failing to coach up or identify really good young Scottish talent.

It's great watching Mata, VdM, Schoeman, Nel etc. It's less fun watching Groom, VdW, Willemse and the likes. And it's exciting when young guys Shiel, Graham, Taylor has been good come through.

Watching Edinburgh developing guys like Chamberlain or Savala, give increased chances to young Scottish developed guys like Blain, Lang if he joins, Boyle/Sarge, Hodgson and Sykes. Whoever else is the academy is fine.

Scotland's best 10 of the last two decades Finn Russell had a decent under20s career and played for Falkirk. There's players out there that deserve chances they aren't getting because you can sign a 20 cap Super Rugby saffer for cheap.

For too long Edinburgh have been happy to sign cheap South Africans and Glasgow second teamers. If this sharpens the mind and they can no do that great. Even if it means they aren't quite as competitive as semi finals for a bit.

Personally I quite enjoy seeing the young players coming through but all it takes is a couple of losses - and these are almost inevitable when you are developing talent - and the mood of the typical Edinburgh supporter switches from mild indifference to total whinge fest.

There is also the problem that if the young player is actually half decent there is a very short window before they start disappearing away for Scotland duty. Cockerill actually had it easy in some ways at the beginning because the Glasgow squad was significantly better and he wasn't losing too many players, but now that Glasgow are rank, he has to be much more careful about squad depth.

[Jock42]

Mish has re-signed

Good news, finally.

[Big D]

Mish has re-signed

Good news, finally.

It is a sign of the times that I don't know how I feel about it.

It is undoubtedly great from a purely we have a good player nailed down, but from a budget POV I wonder where the money is coming from for a "long term" deal. If Mata is going that will have freed up a lot of money, but what compromises have had to be made elsewhere. I would be thinking the same whoever resigns, just worried any time we put a lot of money into one player.

Looking at the player pool in the back row, it makes me wonder whether Boyle and Darge may get shifted to Glasgow and the block of players ahead of them seems to still be there.

[Tichtheid]

Mish has re-signed

Good news, finally.

It is a sign of the times that I don't know how I feel about it.

It is undoubtedly great from a purely we have a good player nailed down, but from a budget POV I wonder where the money is coming from for a "long term" deal. If Mata is going that will have freed up a lot of money, but what compromises have had to be made elsewhere. I would be thinking the same whoever resigns, just worried any time we put a lot of money into one player.

Looking at the player pool in the back row, it makes me wonder whether Boyle and Darge may get shifted to Glasgow and the block of players ahead of them seems to still be there.

I'm in the "undecided" camp regarding Mish signing on, of course it's good news, but it's the position we are strongest in, and as you say it could stunt the development of the younger backrow guys.
On the other hand, it only takes a few knocks and international duty and we are looking a bit thin, even at flanker.
Kunavula is a guy I'd like to see more of, he looked the part when he got game time recently.

Speaking of guys that look the part, I think Jack Blain could develop into a classy player, he's not as powerful as vdM but he knows where the try line is and he is quick.

I hope Gilcho being fit helps sort our lineout for Friday, Big Richie bullied our throw at the weekend there.

[Slick]

Strong shift last night, Biffer

[Slick]

Anyone signed up to this?

https://doddieaid.com/

[Jock42]

Anyone signed up to this?

https://doddieaid.com/

I have.

Thanks for reading my post

[Slick]

Anyone signed up to this?

https://doddieaid.com/

I have.

Thanks for reading my post

Fuck off N00b

[robmatic]

Bit of rotation in the Edinburgh team for tomorrow night:

15. Blair Kinghorn (94)
14. Eroni Sau (15)
13. Mark Bennett (46)
12. Chris Dean (101)
11. Jack Blain (7)
10. Jaco van der Walt (65)
9. Nic Groom (20)
1. Rory Sutherland (89)
2. Stuart McInally CO-CAPTAIN (151)
3. Simon Berghan (87)
4. Andrew Davidson (10)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (153)
6. Jamie Ritchie (73)
7. Hamish Watson (116)
8. Viliame Mata (79)

Substitutes:

16. David Cherry (29)
17. Pierre Schoeman (54)
18. WP Nel (149)
19. Jamie Hodgson (14)
20. Magnus Bradbury (87)
21. Henry Pyrgos (42)
22. Nathan Chamberlain (6)
23. James Johnstone (58)

[KingBlairhorn]

Bit of rotation in the Edinburgh team for tomorrow night:

15. Blair Kinghorn (94)
14. Eroni Sau (15)
13. Mark Bennett (46)
12. Chris Dean (101)
11. Jack Blain (7)
10. Jaco van der Walt (65)
9. Nic Groom (20)
1. Rory Sutherland (89)
2. Stuart McInally CO-CAPTAIN (151)
3. Simon Berghan (87)
4. Andrew Davidson (10)
5. Grant Gilchrist CO-CAPTAIN (153)
6. Jamie Ritchie (73)
7. Hamish Watson (116)
8. Viliame Mata (79)

Substitutes:

16. David Cherry (29)
17. Pierre Schoeman (54)
18. WP Nel (149)
19. Jamie Hodgson (14)
20. Magnus Bradbury (87)
21. Henry Pyrgos (42)
22. Nathan Chamberlain (6)
23. James Johnstone (58)

Glasgow too:

1. Oli Kebble (52)
2. George Turner (55)
3. Zander Fagerson (96)
4. Richie Gray (52)
5. Scott Cummings (74)
6. Ryan Wilson (C) (180)
7. Tom Gordon (26)
8. Matt Fagerson (67)

9. Ali Price (92)
10. Ross Thompson (1)
11. Rufus McLean (0)
12. Robbie Fergusson (6)
13. Nick Grigg (80)
14. Lee Jones (86)
15. Huw Jones (44)

Replacements

16. Johnny Matthews (6)
17. Aki Seiuli (21)
18. Enrique Pieretto (9)
19. Lewis Bean (5)
20. TJ Ioane (8)
21. Jamie Dobie (14)
22. Brandon Thomson (31)
23. Glenn Bryce (33)

Quite heartening to see a few of the highly touted young guys involved. Blain and Chamberlain at Edinburgh and Thompson, McLean and Dobie at Glasgow.

[clydecloggie]

Let's see what Ross Thompson can do at 10 for Glasgow. Hope the extra P in his name means he can kick penalties.

If Richie Gray backs up his performance from last week by also seeing off Gilchrist tomorrow, he should be close to the 19 shirt for the 6N. Gray/Skinner as 19/20 would give some proper quality from the bench.

But overall - please not another turgid inept game in attack from both teams.

[Dogbert]

Really hoping for Ross Thompson to add a bit of a spark to the Glasgow attack - will he be kicking ??

Hoping that Kebble will add a bit more solidity to the scrum.

Gray Snrs performance in the line out last week was reminiscent of when Jim Hamilton got Rory Best's head at an Sco-Ire international many years ago

I do worry that Gray was part of the issue with the Glasgow under-powered scum last week - Swings and Roundabouts I suppose

[I like neeps]

The other side of the project player debate:

WP Nel: “I would love to work with the younger generation, and to bring them through. If there’s some way I can work with them I’d love that, but I would also love to play another year so let’s see what the next step is for me.

“I was helping at Watsonians before lockdown, and I’m trying to work with the younger boys at Edinburgh at the moment, just doing the odd thing here and there and giving them some pointers. The aim for me is to give back to the younger players so that they can hopefully make them better players.”

Capped 40 times by Scotland after moving here from South Africa in 2012, Nel added that he was likely to stay in this country after retirement in any case. “You really miss your extended family: it’s not easy to be away from them. But then Scotland’s also done a lot for me and I’ve fallen in love with this place.

“My family’s happy, and the kids are starting in school now. Scotland’s all that they know, so it will come down to a family decision. I’m quite happy either way – although we’ll probably end up staying in Scotland, because my wife is very happy here.”

[Slick]

Quite heartening to see a few of the highly touted young guys involved. Blain and Chamberlain at Edinburgh and Thompson, McLean and Dobie at Glasgow.

Yes, having seen very little of any of them I'm really looking forward to that. Hope Edinburgh let the backs see the ball.

[Slick]

The other side of the project player debate:

WP Nel: “I would love to work with the younger generation, and to bring them through. If there’s some way I can work with them I’d love that, but I would also love to play another year so let’s see what the next step is for me.

“I was helping at Watsonians before lockdown, and I’m trying to work with the younger boys at Edinburgh at the moment, just doing the odd thing here and there and giving them some pointers. The aim for me is to give back to the younger players so that they can hopefully make them better players.”

Capped 40 times by Scotland after moving here from South Africa in 2012, Nel added that he was likely to stay in this country after retirement in any case. “You really miss your extended family: it’s not easy to be away from them. But then Scotland’s also done a lot for me and I’ve fallen in love with this place.

“My family’s happy, and the kids are starting in school now. Scotland’s all that they know, so it will come down to a family decision. I’m quite happy either way – although we’ll probably end up staying in Scotland, because my wife is very happy here.”

A few years and we will be a nation of mutant unbeatable rugby players. Massive forwards with brains and a fully blonde backline.

It is nice to hear players saying that though and will undoubtably help our rugby.

[HKCJ]

I’ve had it up to here with bloody South Africans settling in Edinburgh.

[Slick]

I’ve had it up to here with bloody South Africans settling in Edinburgh.

Well, look what the cats dragged in.

But agreed, obnoxious lot.

[dkm57]

I've already started to anaesthetise myself for tonight's 1872 match.

[clydecloggie]

I've already started to anaesthetise myself for tonight's 1872 match.

I contemplated sticking a fork through my eyeballs as a preventative measure but have settled on half a bottle of Bhunnahabhain instead.

[Jock42]

Started on the Wild IPA

[Biffer]

Game off

Pitch not in suitable condition. Not sure how that happens on a plastic pitch.

[Jock42]

Ffs

[Biffer]

It's the travelling fans I feel sorry for