The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[Big D]

Apropos of nothing, I just returned from my uncle's memorial service in Edinburgh. He was a teacher at Merchiston Castle for many years and very involved with rugby there. I met Fraser Brown's dad. I imagine the list of Merchiston alumni who played for Scotland has a few names on it.

Sorry for your loss.

[Yr Alban]

Highlights of the Edinburgh game not up yet. Grrr.

[KingBlairhorn]

Perilously close to shitting the bed in that second half

They were, but equally Benetton aren’t a bad side, they were a bawhair from a semi-final last year, losing to Bulls who of course then beat Leinster and played in the final. Despite their lowish position in the table just now I expect them to be there or thereabouts when the final playoff positions are decided.

If you had told me the score and I hadn’t seen the match I would have said good result.

[Yr Alban]

Highlights of the Edinburgh game not up yet. Grrr.

Still nothing. Oi, Premier Sports - where’s my bloody game? Aren’t you meant to have all URC games available?

(I checked. ‘Every game from every round of the URC’. So where the hell is it?)

[Slick]

Perilously close to shitting the bed in that second half

They were, but equally Benetton aren’t a bad side, they were a bawhair from a semi-final last year, losing to Bulls who of course then beat Leinster and played in the final. Despite their lowish position in the table just now I expect them to be there or thereabouts when the final playoff positions are decided.

If you had told me the score and I hadn’t seen the match I would have said good result.

True. But they absolutely gawdawful for the first 40 last night

[robmatic]

Perilously close to shitting the bed in that second half

They were, but equally Benetton aren’t a bad side, they were a bawhair from a semi-final last year, losing to Bulls who of course then beat Leinster and played in the final. Despite their lowish position in the table just now I expect them to be there or thereabouts when the final playoff positions are decided.

If you had told me the score and I hadn’t seen the match I would have said good result.

True. But they absolutely gawdawful for the first 40 last night

They were poor enough overall to ship 50 points against Edinburgh of all teams.

Edinburgh did well to regain control of the game towards the end when the momentum (and wind) were against them but they did give away some soft tries at the beginning of the second half.

[KingBlairhorn]

Perilously close to shitting the bed in that second half

They were, but equally Benetton aren’t a bad side, they were a bawhair from a semi-final last year, losing to Bulls who of course then beat Leinster and played in the final. Despite their lowish position in the table just now I expect them to be there or thereabouts when the final playoff positions are decided.

If you had told me the score and I hadn’t seen the match I would have said good result.

True. But they absolutely gawdawful for the first 40 last night

They were horrendous first half but second half is more how I expected the game to go. Point being, and in the spirit of our new found thread optimism, did Edinburgh shit the bed or did Benetton stop shitting the bed.

[Yr Alban]

They were, but equally Benetton aren’t a bad side, they were a bawhair from a semi-final last year, losing to Bulls who of course then beat Leinster and played in the final. Despite their lowish position in the table just now I expect them to be there or thereabouts when the final playoff positions are decided.

If you had told me the score and I hadn’t seen the match I would have said good result.

True. But they absolutely gawdawful for the first 40 last night

They were horrendous first half but second half is more how I expected the game to go. Point being, and in the spirit of our new found thread optimism, did Edinburgh shit the bed or did Benetton stop shitting the bed.

Highlights finally up. Got the impression that Edinburgh thought the job was throughly done in the first half (well, you would) and didn’t quite know how to handle it when Benetton came flying at them at the start of the second half.

[Slick]

True. But they absolutely gawdawful for the first 40 last night

They were horrendous first half but second half is more how I expected the game to go. Point being, and in the spirit of our new found thread optimism, did Edinburgh shit the bed or did Benetton stop shitting the bed.

Highlights finally up. Got the impression that Edinburgh thought the job was throughly done in the first half (well, you would) and didn’t quite know how to handle it when Benetton came flying at them at the start of the second half.

Yup, it happens from the most grassroots of grassroots to international. When you are leading that much at half time you just do subconsciously ease up

[weegie01]

One of my cousins has just proudly posted a photo of her grandson at a Scottish Rugby Regional Development day ......................... at Malvern College in Worcestershire.

I knew the SRU kept tabs on players down south, but not early / mid teenagers.

[I like neeps]

One of my cousins has just proudly posted a photo of her grandson at a Scottish Rugby Regional Development day ......................... at Malvern College in Worcestershire.

I knew the SRU kept tabs on players down south, but not early / mid teenagers.

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

[Yr Alban]

One of my cousins has just proudly posted a photo of her grandson at a Scottish Rugby Regional Development day ......................... at Malvern College in Worcestershire.

I knew the SRU kept tabs on players down south, but not early / mid teenagers.

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

[I like neeps]

One of my cousins has just proudly posted a photo of her grandson at a Scottish Rugby Regional Development day ......................... at Malvern College in Worcestershire.

I knew the SRU kept tabs on players down south, but not early / mid teenagers.

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

I know Roebuck was born in Scotland but who else was?

And I think the camps in England started around the time suspiciously Gary Graham got picked by England. I'm sure to this day it was Eddie Jones and the RFU responding to a very public unveiling of the SQ programme in England...

[Big D]

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

I know Roebuck was born in Scotland but who else was?

And I think the camps in England started around the time suspiciously Gary Graham got picked by England. I'm sure to this day it was Eddie Jones and the RFU responding to a very public unveiling of the SQ programme in England...

Bevan Rodd is Scots born but not sure he's in the squad anymore.

[Biffer]

One of my cousins has just proudly posted a photo of her grandson at a Scottish Rugby Regional Development day ......................... at Malvern College in Worcestershire.

I knew the SRU kept tabs on players down south, but not early / mid teenagers.

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

Also, starting at that age means the parents might have more of an influence and they are more likely to feel the pull of the old country

[Slick]

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

I know Roebuck was born in Scotland but who else was?

And I think the camps in England started around the time suspiciously Gary Graham got picked by England. I'm sure to this day it was Eddie Jones and the RFU responding to a very public unveiling of the SQ programme in England...

I think they really upped the Anglo Scots stuff 6 or 7 years ago. Amazed it wasn’t a lot earlier to be honest. In my day you either had to play for London Scottish or have a Scottish PE teacher who liked rugby and lobbied on your behalf - like I did!

[Yr Alban]

They need to know who to keep tabs on! I think the camps start at under15

TBH you can’t blame them. We know Scotland rely on our diaspora for depth, but given that the wider England squad contains two players born in Scotland and two born to Scottish parents in England, presumably they think they need to start the recruitment process earlier.

I know Roebuck was born in Scotland but who else was?

And I think the camps in England started around the time suspiciously Gary Graham got picked by England. I'm sure to this day it was Eddie Jones and the RFU responding to a very public unveiling of the SQ programme in England...

It was Bevan Rodd I meant. If England have discarded him then great - we might get him back in a couple of years, we always need props, and it would up the number of Scots-born players in our squad! (I’m only half joking)

Agree that Gary Graham was Eddie Jones trolling us.

[Big D]

Jamie Hodgson signs on loan for Bristol. Decent move.

[weegie01]

Jamie Hodgson signs on loan for Bristol. Decent move.

Apparently on a wee bit of a shoogly peg at Edinburgh. He's not failed, but he has not kicked on either and the space is needed for younger (and cheaper) players to grow into. This may be a win win as Bristol get a hole filled and he gets to put himself in the shop window.

[weegie01]

For the first time in years we're going throught to Glasgow for the Sale match. I am a wee bit surprised at how many seats are still free. It's not a huge number but the there are seats together in decent spots.

Having said that, there are a truly shocking number available for Edinburgh v Bayonne. The Bayonne fans made it one of the games of the season last year.

[robmatic]

Jamie Hodgson signs on loan for Bristol. Decent move.

Apparently on a wee bit of a shoogly peg at Edinburgh. He's not failed, but he has not kicked on either and the space is needed for younger (and cheaper) players to grow into. This may be a win win as Bristol get a hole filled and he gets to put himself in the shop window.

I think he is a solid player but we have a lot of international capped locks when they are all fit. This could be a decent chance for him when Bristol are going well.

[Big D]

For the first time in years we're going throught to Glasgow for the Sale match. I am a wee bit surprised at how many seats are still free. It's not a huge number but the there are seats together in decent spots.

Having said that, there are a truly shocking number available for Edinburgh v Bayonne. The Bayonne fans made it one of the games of the season last year.

It's a tough one to be fair. November and 6N tickets are now ridiculously priced for the average punter so a challenge cup match in December is one that can be reasonably seen as disposable. Especially with the M8 cup both having matches in stadiums with plenty of capacity.

November to March is an expensive stretch for a rugby fan.

[Big D]

Hastings has undergone surgery on his face.

[robmatic]

For the first time in years we're going throught to Glasgow for the Sale match. I am a wee bit surprised at how many seats are still free. It's not a huge number but the there are seats together in decent spots.

Having said that, there are a truly shocking number available for Edinburgh v Bayonne. The Bayonne fans made it one of the games of the season last year.

It's a tough one to be fair. November and 6N tickets are now ridiculously priced for the average punter so a challenge cup match in December is one that can be reasonably seen as disposable. Especially with the M8 cup both having matches in stadiums with plenty of capacity.

November to March is an expensive stretch for a rugby fan.

Challenge Cup pool games aren't very meaningful either. I doubt either team will be going full noise for the game.

[Biffer]

For the first time in years we're going throught to Glasgow for the Sale match. I am a wee bit surprised at how many seats are still free. It's not a huge number but the there are seats together in decent spots.

Having said that, there are a truly shocking number available for Edinburgh v Bayonne. The Bayonne fans made it one of the games of the season last year.

It's a tough one to be fair. November and 6N tickets are now ridiculously priced for the average punter so a challenge cup match in December is one that can be reasonably seen as disposable. Especially with the M8 cup both having matches in stadiums with plenty of capacity.

November to March is an expensive stretch for a rugby fan.

Challenge Cup pool games aren't very meaningful either. I doubt either team will be going full noise for the game.

Yeah, Edinburgh had their strongest team out against Bennetton and will want the same again for the two Glasgow games. So most of them will be rested this week or next.

[Biffer]

Freddy Douglas on to a full pro contract.

[dkm57]

Freddy Douglas on to a full pro contract.

Good

[robmatic]

It's a tough one to be fair. November and 6N tickets are now ridiculously priced for the average punter so a challenge cup match in December is one that can be reasonably seen as disposable. Especially with the M8 cup both having matches in stadiums with plenty of capacity.

November to March is an expensive stretch for a rugby fan.

Challenge Cup pool games aren't very meaningful either. I doubt either team will be going full noise for the game.

Yeah, Edinburgh had their strongest team out against Bennetton and will want the same again for the two Glasgow games. So most of them will be rested this week or next.

I am currently debating with myself whether it is worth splashing out 50 Euros for the EPCR TV season pass when Edinburgh will be resting players for the group games.

[dpedin]

Challenge Cup pool games aren't very meaningful either. I doubt either team will be going full noise for the game.

Yeah, Edinburgh had their strongest team out against Bennetton and will want the same again for the two Glasgow games. So most of them will be rested this week or next.

I am currently debating with myself whether it is worth splashing out 50 Euros for the EPCR TV season pass when Edinburgh will be resting players for the group games.

It's rugby and better than 'I'm a Celebrity' and Xmas movies!!!!

[The Party Line]

I'm fairly certain that both the Challenge and Champions cup is on premier sports.

[Big D]

Challenge Cup pool games aren't very meaningful either. I doubt either team will be going full noise for the game.

Yeah, Edinburgh had their strongest team out against Bennetton and will want the same again for the two Glasgow games. So most of them will be rested this week or next.

I am currently debating with myself whether it is worth splashing out 50 Euros for the EPCR TV season pass when Edinburgh will be resting players for the group games.

I paid £59.99 for the year this past weekend. Finally caved in.

[robmatic]

I'm fairly certain that both the Challenge and Champions cup is on premier sports.

I live overseas so have different subscription options. I subscribe to URC TV for the regular league games but will have to shell out separately for the European competitions.

[Tichtheid]

It's usually worth watching Glasgow (typed through gritted teeth ). I'm not sure they have enough to win the tournament, but they could have a real whack at it

[Tichtheid]

You're going to have to take my word on this, or not I was going to post a team prediction, but as it was five minutes to one I thought I'd just wait - I only got two wrong - I thought Cherry would start and I had Dodd at 8 instead of Bradbury

[Tichtheid]

Among the subs, Carmichael is about six foot fourteen and for my money McConnell is just as big a prospect as young Freddy there

edit, actually I got tons wrong now that I've read it accurately. I didn't count on Sweeney playing, or Price being rested or Crosbie being injured

Unavailable: Pierre Schoeman, Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, Ali Price, Ewan Ashman, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie (rest protocol), Ben Muncaster (Illness), Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (knee), Luke Crosbie (calf), Robin Hislop (calf), Harry Paterson (hamstring), Glen Young (calf).

[Slick]

Is Skinner just back from an injury? Haven’t heard his name yet n ages

[robmatic]

It's usually worth watching Glasgow (typed through gritted teeth ). I'm not sure they have enough to win the tournament, but they could have a real whack at it

I do usually end up watching Glasgow as well but they also tend to underperform in the Heineken Cup. They have only managed a couple of quarter finals in the last decade or so of being a decent team.

[robmatic]

Is Skinner just back from an injury? Haven’t heard his name yet n ages

Yeah, he has been out for a while.

[inactionman]

Cam Redpath starting for Bath against La Rochelle - a nice easy one to get going with.

He's at 13, which I didn't expect.

[Big D]

You're going to have to take my word on this, or not I was going to post a team prediction, but as it was five minutes to one I thought I'd just wait - I only got two wrong - I thought Cherry would start and I had Dodd at 8 instead of Bradbury

I though Bradbury was pretty poor on the defensive side of the ball last week, as was Sykes. Really want Sykes to kick on.