NPR

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:42 am Has TotM made the switch? Any word on Frillage?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 6:30 pm Sounds good.

I'm sure TotM will be all over that if he made/makes the jump.

Chrysoprase wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 4:45 am We seem to be second only to the swarm in numbers here. Second to no-one in rugby knowledge and good looks.

walletoraccess wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:38 am Club rugby to start back October possibly on a regional basis

https://www.theoffsideline.com/club-rug ... cba1185463

Tattie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:50 pm For some unknown reason I was never able to register for PR despite trying a few times. So just ended up lurking for years.

dkm57 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:19 am

Tattie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:50 pm For some unknown reason I was never able to register for PR despite trying a few times. So just ended up lurking for years.

Same here, reckon they must've thought they already ticked the enough token Scots quota box

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:50 am

dkm57 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:19 am

Tattie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:50 pm For some unknown reason I was never able to register for PR despite trying a few times. So just ended up lurking for years.

Same here, reckon they must've thought they already ticked the enough token Scots quota box

Gatland as admin

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:00 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

I think it's a reasonable expectation, but I'd expect to be winning 3/4 games a year well within 10-15 years! We are never going to challenge consistently for the championship really

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:00 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

I think it's a reasonable expectation, but I'd expect to be winning 3/4 games a year well within 10-15 years! We are never going to challenge consistently for the championship really

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:04 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:00 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

I think it's a reasonable expectation, but I'd expect to be winning 3/4 games a year well within 10-15 years! We are never going to challenge consistently for the championship really

To be fair, I think KB was implying we are already part way through that 10-15 year transition. We've got to the stage where it's no longer a surprise for us to win 2 or 3, we now have to get to the stage where it's a surprise if we only win 1.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:51 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:00 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:45 am A bold prediction from Greeg:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53328809

My own view is we need to concentrate on consolidation as a team who isn't fighting it out for the wooden spoon every other year (which to be fair I think we are well on our way to doing). It's good to be optimistic for sure, but I think going from serial (away) chokers to championship winners is a big leap for a 3 year period. The first big requirement is an away win outside Italy, then its consistently winning 3 games including at least one away, then its still being in the running for a championship by the last gameday, then its challenging for the championship. A 10 to 15 year period to make that transition seems more reasonable and that's if everything goes our way and also assuming our domestic game doesn't disintegrate in the post-COVID world.

I think it's a reasonable expectation, but I'd expect to be winning 3/4 games a year well within 10-15 years! We are never going to challenge consistently for the championship really

I can totally accept not challenging consistently as long as we do it now and again. Even in our heyday in the 80s and 90s, we had crap years (lost every game the year after the 84 slam, for a start)

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:56 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:04 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:00 am

I think it's a reasonable expectation, but I'd expect to be winning 3/4 games a year well within 10-15 years! We are never going to challenge consistently for the championship really

To be fair, I think KB was implying we are already part way through that 10-15 year transition. We've got to the stage where it's no longer a surprise for us to win 2 or 3, we now have to get to the stage where it's a surprise if we only win 1.

Yes, apologies, I thought that was a quote from the article rather than KB's opinion.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:11 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:56 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:04 am

To be fair, I think KB was implying we are already part way through that 10-15 year transition. We've got to the stage where it's no longer a surprise for us to win 2 or 3, we now have to get to the stage where it's a surprise if we only win 1.

Yes, apologies, I thought that was a quote from the article rather than KB's opinion.

I probably wasn't very clear but Biffer is correct - I meant that we are on our way but to be consistently in the mix at the business end of the tournament is realistically a good few years away yet, even if everything goes our way. I honestly believe we are on the right track and that the quality of players we are now producing is good enough. The challenge will always be depth which is why I agree any success will be sporadic.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:47 pm We haven't really been wooden spoon contenders for the last few years, so I agree the transition is actually well on its way.

Realistically, Wales are going to hit a lean patch. Their sustained success under Gatland was a minor miracle, it'd be a full sainthood qualifier if Pivac managed to keep going at that level. Unfortunately France seem to be building nicely, but we still have their measure at Murrayfield at least.

I can see us being in the reckoning in a year where we play England and France at home and get results against them, and win away in Cardiff and Rome.

Which goes against the orthodoxy of winning in a triple home game season, but i can't see us winning a championship with away games in Twickenham and Paris.

So here's to Scotland, 2022 Six Nations Winners*.

(* OK ,so we came second in the 7N but the Springboks are in a different league, doesn't really count).

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:51 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:47 pm We haven't really been wooden spoon contenders for the last few years, so I agree the transition is actually well on its way.

Realistically, Wales are going to hit a lean patch. Their sustained success under Gatland was a minor miracle, it'd be a full sainthood qualifier if Pivac managed to keep going at that level. Unfortunately France seem to be building nicely, but we still have their measure at Murrayfield at least.

I can see us being in the reckoning in a year where we play England and France at home and get results against them, and win away in Cardiff and Rome.

Which goes against the orthodoxy of winning in a triple home game season, but i can't see us winning a championship with away games in Twickenham and Paris.

So here's to Scotland, 2022 Six Nations Winners*.

(* OK ,so we came second in the 7N but the Springboks are in a different league, doesn't really count).

I'm really looking forward to the Welsh lean patch. Gatland is the only thing they had going for them, well start to see the impact of their regions being shite before long.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:10 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:51 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:47 pm We haven't really been wooden spoon contenders for the last few years, so I agree the transition is actually well on its way.

Realistically, Wales are going to hit a lean patch. Their sustained success under Gatland was a minor miracle, it'd be a full sainthood qualifier if Pivac managed to keep going at that level. Unfortunately France seem to be building nicely, but we still have their measure at Murrayfield at least.

I can see us being in the reckoning in a year where we play England and France at home and get results against them, and win away in Cardiff and Rome.

Which goes against the orthodoxy of winning in a triple home game season, but i can't see us winning a championship with away games in Twickenham and Paris.

So here's to Scotland, 2022 Six Nations Winners*.

(* OK ,so we came second in the 7N but the Springboks are in a different league, doesn't really count).

I'm really looking forward to the Welsh lean patch. Gatland is the only thing they had going for them, well start to see the impact of their regions being shite before long.

Haha, as much as I would like to say Gatland was the only thing they had going for them I think that's a stretch. They have had many world class players and, importantly, they have competent depth in every position. While we are always a few injuries away from chucking in a 20 year old with 2 club appearances to his name or a journeyman jobber from the lower reaches of the Premiership, they will always have an at least competent replacement available. I suppose that's the benefit of four pro teams.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:10 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:51 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:47 pm We haven't really been wooden spoon contenders for the last few years, so I agree the transition is actually well on its way.

Realistically, Wales are going to hit a lean patch. Their sustained success under Gatland was a minor miracle, it'd be a full sainthood qualifier if Pivac managed to keep going at that level. Unfortunately France seem to be building nicely, but we still have their measure at Murrayfield at least.

I can see us being in the reckoning in a year where we play England and France at home and get results against them, and win away in Cardiff and Rome.

Which goes against the orthodoxy of winning in a triple home game season, but i can't see us winning a championship with away games in Twickenham and Paris.

So here's to Scotland, 2022 Six Nations Winners*.

(* OK ,so we came second in the 7N but the Springboks are in a different league, doesn't really count).

I'm really looking forward to the Welsh lean patch. Gatland is the only thing they had going for them, well start to see the impact of their regions being shite before long.

Haha, as much as I would like to say Gatland was the only thing they had going for them I think that's a stretch. They have had many world class players and, importantly, they have competent depth in every position. While we are always a few injuries away from chucking in a 20 year old with 2 club appearances to his name or a journeyman jobber from the lower reaches of the Premiership, they will always have an at least competent replacement available. I suppose that's the benefit of four pro teams.

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:34 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:11 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:56 am

Yes, apologies, I thought that was a quote from the article rather than KB's opinion.

I probably wasn't very clear but Biffer is correct - I meant that we are on our way but to be consistently in the mix at the business end of the tournament is realistically a good few years away yet, even if everything goes our way. I honestly believe we are on the right track and that the quality of players we are now producing is good enough. The challenge will always be depth which is why I agree any success will be sporadic.

Yup, agree. We have a core of Lions standard players and a very good group of young guys in key positions. My only slight worry is the standard coming through the age groups, there doesnlt seem to be many stand outs, but in fairness I don't follow it that much. I also love that we have some real magic spread around the team with Hoggy, Finn, Graham, Kinghorn etc and are trying to play the open game, it's great to see.

What will be interesting is that I think we have suffered more than most with injuries over the last 3-4 seasons, so will be great after this extended break to have all the first choice together and playing a few games in a row.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:26 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:10 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:51 pm

I'm really looking forward to the Welsh lean patch. Gatland is the only thing they had going for them, well start to see the impact of their regions being shite before long.

Haha, as much as I would like to say Gatland was the only thing they had going for them I think that's a stretch. They have had many world class players and, importantly, they have competent depth in every position. While we are always a few injuries away from chucking in a 20 year old with 2 club appearances to his name or a journeyman jobber from the lower reaches of the Premiership, they will always have an at least competent replacement available. I suppose that's the benefit of four pro teams.

I think a lot of Welsh players benefited enormously from coming into a winning environment. I honestly don't think, man-for-man, they have that many players that are clearly better than their Scottish counterpart, Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Jon Davies excepted. Put the others in the Scottish 'wooden spoon avoidance' environment and they...err..wouldn't have been Lions, so to speak.

And similarly, if Stuart McInally or Hamish Watson played for Wales, they would be Lions. and not just because of Gatland bias, but because they would have been proven winners.

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:11 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:10 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:51 pm

I'm really looking forward to the Welsh lean patch. Gatland is the only thing they had going for them, well start to see the impact of their regions being shite before long.

Haha, as much as I would like to say Gatland was the only thing they had going for them I think that's a stretch. They have had many world class players and, importantly, they have competent depth in every position. While we are always a few injuries away from chucking in a 20 year old with 2 club appearances to his name or a journeyman jobber from the lower reaches of the Premiership, they will always have an at least competent replacement available. I suppose that's the benefit of four pro teams.

I'd rather the Irish had a humbling dive

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:04 am When is mini Murrayfield expected to be finished? Hoping to check it out when I'm over next Easter.

westport wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:31 pm

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:04 am When is mini Murrayfield expected to be finished? Hoping to check it out when I'm over next Easter.

Update on the new stadium

https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... -rsCmBdf8s

Chrysoprase wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:31 pm

Caley_Red wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:04 am When is mini Murrayfield expected to be finished? Hoping to check it out when I'm over next Easter.

Update on the new stadium

https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... -rsCmBdf8s

I hadn't paid much attention to this before now but had made the assumption that they were actually building a new wee stadium along the lines of Scotstoun. Didn't realise it's all temporary seating. How much is this costing?

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:32 pm

Chrysoprase wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:31 pm


Update on the new stadium

https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... -rsCmBdf8s

I hadn't paid much attention to this before now but had made the assumption that they were actually building a new wee stadium along the lines of Scotstoun. Didn't realise it's all temporary seating. How much is this costing?

I'm not sure they've said how much it's costing.

It actually looks more impressive than I thought, it's a pity there are pillars on the stands though and the blue seats are a bit disappointing too. Hopefully they put significant effort into branding it up to make it more Edinburgh.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:32 pm

Chrysoprase wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 3:28 pm

westport wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:31 pm


Update on the new stadium

https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... -rsCmBdf8s

I hadn't paid much attention to this before now but had made the assumption that they were actually building a new wee stadium along the lines of Scotstoun. Didn't realise it's all temporary seating. How much is this costing?

I'm not sure they've said how much it's costing.

It actually looks more impressive than I thought, it's a pity there are pillars on the stands though and the blue seats are a bit disappointing too. Hopefully they put significant effort into branding it up to make it more Edinburgh.