NPR

Whatever was said at HT has sunk in.

I like the fact Smith isn't scared to make early changes.

Jock42 wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 7:52 pm Whatever was said at HT has sunk in.

I like the fact Smith isn't scared to make early changes.

That, and the bench has had a big impact. Williamson and Jordan in particular big steps up.

It was certainly a potential banana skin, but in the end avoided, and a home quarter final secured , though the highlight reel will be pretty small.

Both McKay and Hiddleston got pass marks , and the defence was pretty decent

All the rested players who didn't play tonight , McBeath, Brown , and Horne will all probably start ( if fit ), as will Williamson and Darge.

Hastings getting hooked at halftime tells its own story though, and Jordan needs to start

The Bulls will be much stiffer competition, but at least we will be at home. The Bulls kicked a lot against Munster , and reaped rewards. Not sure that will prove so successful against McKay, Steyn and Cancelliere

Wylie Coyote wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:38 pm

I like neeps wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 7:45 am

Wylie Coyote wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:05 am

He looked great under the high ball, but he is seriously lacking pace for a young back three player. There is no professional future for such a slow winger. Fullback at a stretch, purely due to high ball skills, but Steward has shown that lacking pace is a fundamental obstacle for a back 3 player. He might end up a 12 or something. Patterson on the other hand looked excellent, great to watch him complete a game without getting injured, I’ve not seen that before from him.

Freddie Steward is a good player. We don't like him because of how over the top the hype around him was for England, but if Brown is as good as Steward he'll be Edinburgh's starter for a decade at 15.

Not if Patterson stays, he is light years ahead of Brown with only a few more professional starts. Brown also looked noticeably slower than Steward whose own lack of pace and agility is exposed almost every time he plays for England.

Stays fit you mean.

Why are we talking about England? Freddie Steward would start for Edinburgh if he shows up tomorrow, which is the level we're discussing.

Dogbert wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 10:24 pm It was certainly a potential banana skin, but in the end avoided, and a home quarter final secured , though the highlight reel will be pretty small.

Both McKay and Hiddleston got pass marks , and the defence was pretty decent

All the rested players who didn't play tonight , McBeath, Brown , and Horne will all probably start ( if fit ), as will Williamson and Darge.

Hastings getting hooked at halftime tells its own story though, and Jordan needs to start

The Bulls will be much stiffer competition, but at least we will be at home. The Bulls kicked a lot against Munster , and reaped rewards. Not sure that will prove so successful against McKay, Steyn and Cancelliere

I think Hastings was injured early on, got his foot strapped up but carried on. Jordan was stripped off and ready to come on but Hastings continued to half time before being subbed. In hindsight he should have come off earlier but perhaps better that Jordan waited to half time reset with a few others subs to make a difference?

dpedin wrote: Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:44 am

Dogbert wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 10:24 pm It was certainly a potential banana skin, but in the end avoided, and a home quarter final secured , though the highlight reel will be pretty small.

Both McKay and Hiddleston got pass marks , and the defence was pretty decent

All the rested players who didn't play tonight , McBeath, Brown , and Horne will all probably start ( if fit ), as will Williamson and Darge.

Hastings getting hooked at halftime tells its own story though, and Jordan needs to start

The Bulls will be much stiffer competition, but at least we will be at home. The Bulls kicked a lot against Munster , and reaped rewards. Not sure that will prove so successful against McKay, Steyn and Cancelliere

I think Hastings was injured early on, got his foot strapped up but carried on. Jordan was stripped off and ready to come on but Hastings continued to half time before being subbed. In hindsight he should have come off earlier but perhaps better that Jordan waited to half time reset with a few others subs to make a difference?

I think you are right, it was heavy strapping and on his dominant foot too.

I like neeps wrote: Sun Apr 20, 2025 7:54 am

Wylie Coyote wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:38 pm

I like neeps wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 7:45 am

Freddie Steward is a good player. We don't like him because of how over the top the hype around him was for England, but if Brown is as good as Steward he'll be Edinburgh's starter for a decade at 15.

Not if Patterson stays, he is light years ahead of Brown with only a few more professional starts. Brown also looked noticeably slower than Steward whose own lack of pace and agility is exposed almost every time he plays for England.

Stays fit you mean.

Why are we talking about England? Freddie Steward would start for Edinburgh if he shows up tomorrow, which is the level we're discussing.

Of course, but a 19 year old back 3 player should be quick, usually with other parts of their game needing work: high ball, positioning, defence etc. these are technical areas that can be developed. However they are developed on a bedrock of athletic ability - pace or power. On a couple of occasions he looked slow, one glaring one when the ball was turned over in Edinburgh’s half and he was given the ball with 65 yards out and no one in front of him. His instinct was kick as he was getting chased down almost immediately & not by their back 3 players. He needs to find a significant step up in pace from what I can see to make it at the top level. I’m not convinced such a step up is doable but perhaps he was caring an injury or was tiring a bit. It’d would’ve been interesting to see Freddie Owsley in that position. He was very, very raw, but there was a base level of athleticism there. I hope I am wrong, It just frustrates me how Scottish teams seem unable to develop back 3 players with that bedrock of pace.

I can see why he’s gotten where he has, his high ball work was excellent, I’m not dismissing him straight away but just not convinced on the evidence so far that he’s got what it takes. Happy to see him given more opportunities to prove me wrong!

Going by Twitter it seems Tandy is in the running for the Wales job.

Big D wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:02 am Going by Twitter it seems Tandy is in the running for the Wales job.

Can't imagine why anyone would want it

Biffer wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:36 am

Big D wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:02 am Going by Twitter it seems Tandy is in the running for the Wales job.

Can't imagine why anyone would want it

He's Welsh, it'll pay more than a D coach job and he can't really do any worse than the run he's been on.

It's a free hit. If he fails he can blame the WRU and his stock is decent as a defence coach.

If he goes, who do we fancy for Scotland defence coach? Try to get McRae back from Benneton?

For me the hypothetical signing of Freddy Steward at Edinburgh would see him fourth choice at best for fullback behind Boff who is hypothetically fit in this hypothetical situation, Goosen, Paterson and Graham, so fifth choice in fact.

As for pacey back three players brought on in Scotland, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Stuart Hogg, Rufus MacLean, Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Harry Paterson all have international level pace, though MacLean is no longer in the frame and Hogg is ancient in fullback terms. A few of the younger guys have yet to prove themselves but I haven’t honestly noticed a lack of pace in games I’ve seen on tv from the U20 lads, other just-gone players like Tom Brown were scarily quick when you saw them play in real life.
He’s really a centre but Matt Currie is quick enough to play on the wing.

Biffer wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:53 am If he goes, who do we fancy for Scotland defence coach? Try to get McRae back from Benneton?

I think I read on the Weedgie board that he’s taking over as head coach at Benetton from next season.

Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

Feel your pain, mate. Stormers had a similar sicknote pile back in October/November.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

True, and I think if those players go down there is a big drop off. But they are three decent players to be starting with in the back 3. I know it is not Currie's ideal position but he is a good player and can do a job there.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Steward as a medical joker?

Slick wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:28 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Steward as a medical joker?

We should bring Josh McKay over now that he's back playing

[quote=Biffer post_id=403562 time=1745304810 user_id=56]
If he goes, who do we fancy for Scotland defence coach? Try to get McRae back from Benneton?
[/quote]

He moved there for family reasons iirc.

Murchie is moving to Japan so he isn't an option. Would prefer a Scottish coach but not many options.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:02 am Edinburgh Rugby has issued the following squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (26 April, kick-off 7.35pm).

Wes Goosen (back) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ross McCann (foot) – Awaiting results of a scan
Dave Cherry (knee) – Awaiting results of a scan
Ben Vellacott (foot) – Expected back in early May
Mark Bennett (quad) – Has returned to training
Paul Hill (back) – Return to play still to be determined following scan.
Robert Carmichael (wrist) – Successfully underwent surgery. Return to play still to be determined.
Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) – Expected back during May.
Marshall Sykes (foot) – Expected back in late April.
Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring) – Remains week to week.
Jamie Hodgson (tricep) – Out until late April.
Matt Scott (neck) – Out until late April.
Luke Crosbie (pec) – Out until June.
Tom Dodd (shoulder) – Out until June.
Lewis Wells (ankle) – Out until May.
Connor Boyle (knee) – Expected back in September.


Just the 16 players unavailable then. It's lucky we don't have any important games coming up, eh?

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Is Sweeney still with the squad? I assume Hoylands shirt term deal was to cover pre Christmas.

Time for the academy lads to get a chance then. Brown and Moncrieff are the back 3 in the academy and fit.

Big D wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Is Sweeney still with the squad? I assume Hoylands shirt term deal was to cover pre Christmas.

Time for the academy lads to get a chance then. Brown and Moncrieff are the back 3 in the academy and fit.

Sweeney is on a full contract as far as I know. Brown played an hour against the Sharks on Friday.

Cammy Scott appeared at fullback a couple of times at the start of the season iirc.

I expect we'll start with Graham, Paterson and Currie in the back three and have Scott and Brown on the pine against Zebre.

Big D wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:55 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am

robmatic wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:55 am

It is mounting up but we have actually been doing alright recently despite the restricted squad. It is a convenient spread of injuries across the positions, at least.

Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Is Sweeney still with the squad? I assume Hoylands shirt term deal was to cover pre Christmas.

Time for the academy lads to get a chance then. Brown and Moncrieff are the back 3 in the academy and fit.

Sweeney is still with the squad but injured again.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:33 am

Slick wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:28 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 9:57 am


Back three is looking a bit thin at the moment, though. Right now we have Graham and Paterson available for the run in, plus Currie moving out from the centre.

Steward as a medical joker?

We should bring Josh McKay over now that he's back playing

Nice try , but Josh has just signed a 3 year deal with Glasgow, so staying at Scotstoun until at least the summer of 2028.

Of course as time is running out for Darcy to win some silverware ......

Edinburgh Rugby’s fixture against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi will now be played on Friday night (25 April, 7.35pm UK, 8.35pm local).

The match has been rearranged under Italian government instruction to facilitate an official day of mourning in Italy, with the funeral of Pope Francis set to be held on Saturday 26 April at 10am – the original day of the game.

Zebre Parma, the FIR and the Six Nations will issue further information on the Italy v Wales Womens Six Nations fixture which has also need to be rescheduled.

The match will still be broadcast via PremierSports, with full broadcast details to follow in due course.

The additional Edinburgh Rugby ‘A’ fixture against Zebre ‘A’ that was also scheduled to take place in Parma on Saturday will no longer be played.

Biffer wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 4:17 pm

Big D wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 4:11 pm

Wylie Coyote wrote: Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:38 pm

Not if Patterson stays, he is light years ahead of Brown with only a few more professional starts. Brown also looked noticeably slower than Steward whose own lack of pace and agility is exposed almost every time he plays for England.

Brown is 19 years old and did well last night. Wouldn't be writing him off yet. The national selectors clearly like him as they have given him an A cap. Even struggling for numbers they could have selected another player.

Paterson looks decent but we need to remember he is four years older than Brown and has lacked the important ability that is availability.

Both have a lot of work to do.

Exactly. People seem to want to write off a 19 year old in his second game, ridiculous comments from some folk on here, who seem to be such good talent scouts they know if someone can make it as a pro on the evidence of a single performance.

Further to this, I happened to read this report about the U20s game v France this evening. The writer makes specific mention of Jack Brown using his pace to score Scotland’s first try!

https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/202 ... s-france/I

Weegies have signed Alex Craig from the Scarlets. They must be pretty well stocked there?

Jock42 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 12:45 pm Weegies have signed Alex Craig from the Scarlets. They must be pretty well stocked there?

That will be JP du Preez off then.

So Williamson , Cummings, Samuel, Oguntibeju. and now Craig - This is the SRU SQ strategy for Glasgow & Edinburgh

Dogbert wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 3:21 pm

Jock42 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 12:45 pm Weegies have signed Alex Craig from the Scarlets. They must be pretty well stocked there?

That will be JP du Preez off then.

So Williamson , Cummings, Samuel, Oguntibeju. and now Craig - This is the SRU SQ strategy for Glasgow & Edinburgh

That'll be all 2nd rows SQ.

Teams have really cut back. Edinburgh have three non SQ players and one of those is SQ next season. Glasgow likely to be similar.

Although I do think we'll see some NSQ signings. Edinburgh need a 9 for starters.

Big D wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 3:27 pm

Dogbert wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 3:21 pm

Jock42 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 12:45 pm Weegies have signed Alex Craig from the Scarlets. They must be pretty well stocked there?

That will be JP du Preez off then.

So Williamson , Cummings, Samuel, Oguntibeju. and now Craig - This is the SRU SQ strategy for Glasgow & Edinburgh

That'll be all 2nd rows SQ.

Teams have really cut back. Edinburgh have three non SQ players and one of those is SQ next season. Glasgow likely to be similar.

Although I do think we'll see some NSQ signings. Edinburgh need a 9 for starters.

Unless there are NSQ signings, Paul Hill will be the only forward in the Edinburgh squad who isn't Scottish qualified.

There is definitely a policy being implemented. There were reasons why the pro team coaches like their NSQ players though, so hopefully alongside this we see some selection sensitivity in return at national level. It screws over the pro team coaches a bit if all the decent players they have in one position are not available due to Scotland duty. You could see this at loosehead for Edinburgh when Venter qualifies or with Glasgow at scrum half if Ben White is injured.

robmatic wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:17 am There is definitely a policy being implemented. There were reasons why the pro team coaches like their NSQ players though, so hopefully alongside this we see some selection sensitivity in return at national level. It screws over the pro team coaches a bit if all the decent players they have in one position are not available due to Scotland duty. You could see this at loosehead for Edinburgh when Venter qualifies or with Glasgow at scrum half if Ben White is injured.

I'd be open to either an 'exceptional quality' argument or a 'squad filler' argument (not both), it's the bit in the middle that causes Scotland issues.

If you go for an exceptional talent, a Jordie Barratt type standard, then the argument is they can raise standards across the board and perhaps show the way for the homegrown players to reach the peak of the game. These players can also be the difference makers in big games. The number of these players would have to be severely limited and the positions in which they can play carefully controlled.

On the other hand you could go the squad filler route to give the young players some seasoned pros around them to cover the cracks during international periods, when there are key injuries or when there are no academy players able to step into a squad place. With this strategy you run the risk of experience beating out younger players with a higher ceiling trying to break through, so again it would need to be carefully managed particularly in key positions.

What you can't have is the current 'no strategy' approach where squad management does not account for the overall requirements of Scottish rugby from academy level right through to the top internationals. This is what gives you situations like at tighthead where we have 1 international quality player in the country and are having to scrabble around to find journeymen to fill the gaps. Equally, it's what gives you players who are NSQ in key positions across the pro game again potentially stopping the development of homegrown players.

The elephant in the room in all of that though is can we adopt any coherent strategy and still have sufficient player numbers and of sufficient quality to keep the squads at current or a better standard whilst accepting we will never be able to (or at least cannot currently) fight off suitors for our best talent? I'm not sure we are there yet particularly with the academy system which continues to churn out U20 teams roundly beaten by their peers.

Biffer wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 5:33 pm

Big D wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 3:27 pm

Dogbert wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 3:21 pm

That will be JP du Preez off then.

So Williamson , Cummings, Samuel, Oguntibeju. and now Craig - This is the SRU SQ strategy for Glasgow & Edinburgh

That'll be all 2nd rows SQ.

Teams have really cut back. Edinburgh have three non SQ players and one of those is SQ next season. Glasgow likely to be similar.

Although I do think we'll see some NSQ signings. Edinburgh need a 9 for starters.

Unless there are NSQ signings, Paul Hill will be the only forward in the Edinburgh squad who isn't Scottish qualified.

Venter not SQ until well into next season. Goosen the only NSQ back. Although he has signed an extension through to when he would be SQ.

Unavailable: Ewan Ashman, Emiliano Boffellli, Connor Boyle, Robert Carmichael, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Tom Dodd, Wes Goosen, Jamie Hodgson, Paul Hill, Ross McCann, Jamie Ritchie (rest), Javan Sebastian, Pierre Schoeman (rest), Matt Scott, Marshall Sykes, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Vellacott, Lewis Wells.

Just the 19 out this week

Not a bad team all things considered.

Jock42 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:07 am Not a bad team all things considered.

Exciting young back line

Big, big game for Glasgow. Home semi on the line.

Some interesting choices, and Scott Cummings back on the bench. Still no sign of Huwipolotou, unfortunately.

clydecloggie wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:42 am

Big, big game for Glasgow. Home semi on the line.

Some interesting choices, and Scott Cummings back on the bench. Still no sign of Huwipolotou, unfortunately.

The big call is Ollie Smith over Josh Mckay at fullback, and Josh is not on the injured list

Slick wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:21 am

Jock42 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 11:07 am Not a bad team all things considered.

Exciting young back line

Let's hope Brown makes a lightning run at some point and put the pace issue to bed