The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[clydecloggie]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... oker-away/

England after Ashman. Should've capped him.

WTF is it about Eddie Jones and Scotland qualified players?

I’d be surprised if Ashman switched now. He’s been with Scotland since U16 and his dad is Scottish.

16 grand a week in camp to play for the world cup finalists though. If I'm 21 I'm not turning down a chance to make 50k for four weeks work.

Eddie Jones and the RFU are probably asking what is it with Scotland and EQP players too. Ashman, Rodd and Redpath are all exceptionally talented though. It's not like when he picked Gary Graham and Ben Vellacott.

Not capturing Ashman would be a disaster for us. We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money and he was as good a player I've seen for Scotland under 20s. It's Toonie's fault if we don't get him all it took would have been benching him Vs Italy.

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

[robmatic]

WTF is it about Eddie Jones and Scotland qualified players?

I’d be surprised if Ashman switched now. He’s been with Scotland since U16 and his dad is Scottish.

16 grand a week in camp to play for the world cup finalists though. If I'm 21 I'm not turning down a chance to make 50k for four weeks work.

Eddie Jones and the RFU are probably asking what is it with Scotland and EQP players too. Ashman, Rodd and Redpath are all exceptionally talented though. It's not like when he picked Gary Graham and Ben Vellacott.

Not capturing Ashman would be a disaster for us. We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money and he was as good a player I've seen for Scotland under 20s. It's Toonie's fault if we don't get him all it took would have been benching him Vs Italy.

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

I thought he was barely playing for Sale? Realistically he shouldn't be on England's radar as a genuine cap because they should have plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing.

[Slick]

We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money

Do you mean young hookers? Otherwise that's a bit of a mental statement

[KingBlairhorn]

16 grand a week in camp to play for the world cup finalists though. If I'm 21 I'm not turning down a chance to make 50k for four weeks work.

Eddie Jones and the RFU are probably asking what is it with Scotland and EQP players too. Ashman, Rodd and Redpath are all exceptionally talented though. It's not like when he picked Gary Graham and Ben Vellacott.

Not capturing Ashman would be a disaster for us. We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money and he was as good a player I've seen for Scotland under 20s. It's Toonie's fault if we don't get him all it took would have been benching him Vs Italy.

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

I thought he was barely playing for Sale? Realistically he shouldn't be on England's radar as a genuine cap because they should have plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing.

Exactly - and they do have plenty playing. There are plenty social media posts from knowledgeable English posters this morning a little bemused that numerous outstanding hookers aged 21 and under playing regularly might be overlooked and Ashman who is not playing picked.

Apart from the fact that he hopefully considers himself Scottish and only wants to play for us, he should be having a hard think about going up against Alfie Barbeary for the starting 2 shirt for England over the next 10-15 years. By all accounts Barbeary appears to be a generational talent, and even though his final position is not set yet (currently playing back row), the consensus seems to be that he will settle at hooker.

[I like neeps]

We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money

Do you mean young hookers? Otherwise that's a bit of a mental statement

I don't think it's as mad as it seems: Turner took him far too long to breakthrough not sure what Edinburgh were doing as he didn't play regular rugby until he was 25, Brown was overlooked until Glasgow picked him up from Heriot's - injuries played a role but was seen as a backrow originally, McInally backrow to hooker did well to get as good as he is, Cherry journeyman who was overlooked.

Then we have who? Grant Stewart - he's not very good, Jake Kerr - quit pro rugby to go to Loughborough university and worked himself to Tigers and doesn't play for them, a littany of Championship hookers in AP teams A side. No academy hooker of note coming through.

If not Ashman we have no clue who is next up at hooker.

[KingBlairhorn]

We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money

Do you mean young hookers? Otherwise that's a bit of a mental statement

Stick in the word 'currently' and it's fair. We haven't produced a genuinely international class hooker since McInally (sorry, Turner isn't IMO). McInally broke through 12 years ago (as a back row mind). That is a lot of trying with limited success.

I liked the look of Patrick Harrison in his brief appearance for Edinburgh. Wouldn't it be lovely to have two exciting prospects for hooker!

[Slick]

We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money

Do you mean young hookers? Otherwise that's a bit of a mental statement

I don't think it's as mad as it seems: Turner took him far too long to breakthrough not sure what Edinburgh were doing. Didn't play regular rugby until he was 25, Brown was overlooked until Glasgow picked him up from Heriot's - injuries played a role but was seen as a backrow originally, McInally backrow to hooker did well to get as good as he has, Cherry journeyman who was overlooked.

Then we have who? Grant Stewart - he's not very good, Jake Kerr - quit pro rugby to go to Loughborough university and worked himself to Tigers, a littany of Championship hookers in AP teams A side. No academy hooker of note coming through and not one has ever!

Fiar enough, both of you. I was just thinking of McInally being a nailed on Lion a couple of years back and Brown playing very well for a while, but when you both put it like that....

[Biffer]

Cherry demonstrates why we need more opportunities for guys who aren’t part of the select few. Say what you like about the Stade Nicois stuff, if it hadn’t been for that he wouldn’t be playing.

[JM2K6]

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

I thought he was barely playing for Sale? Realistically he shouldn't be on England's radar as a genuine cap because they should have plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing.

Exactly - and they do have plenty playing. There are plenty social media posts from knowledgeable English posters this morning a little bemused that numerous outstanding hookers aged 21 and under playing regularly might be overlooked and Ashman who is not playing picked.

Apart from the fact that he hopefully considers himself Scottish and only wants to play for us, he should be having a hard think about going up against Alfie Barbeary for the starting 2 shirt for England over the next 10-15 years. By all accounts Barbeary appears to be a generational talent, and even though his final position is not set yet (currently playing back row), the consensus seems to be that he will settle at hooker.

Some odd takes here. Barbeary has a lot of strings to his bow but none of them appear to be things like lineout throwing or scrummaging, from the few times I've seen him there. Plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing? Who? His Sale teammate Langdon is one of them. Capon when Thacker is broken. Aside from that, there's loads of foreign players or late-20s/early-30s playing hooker in the Premiership.

[KingBlairhorn]

I thought he was barely playing for Sale? Realistically he shouldn't be on England's radar as a genuine cap because they should have plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing.

Exactly - and they do have plenty playing. There are plenty social media posts from knowledgeable English posters this morning a little bemused that numerous outstanding hookers aged 21 and under playing regularly might be overlooked and Ashman who is not playing picked.

Apart from the fact that he hopefully considers himself Scottish and only wants to play for us, he should be having a hard think about going up against Alfie Barbeary for the starting 2 shirt for England over the next 10-15 years. By all accounts Barbeary appears to be a generational talent, and even though his final position is not set yet (currently playing back row), the consensus seems to be that he will settle at hooker.

Some odd takes here. Barbeary has a lot of strings to his bow but none of them appear to be things like lineout throwing or scrummaging, from the few times I've seen him there. Plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing? Who? His Sale teammate Langdon is one of them. Capon when Thacker is broken. Aside from that, there's loads of foreign players or late-20s/early-30s playing hooker in the Premiership.

On Barbeary, I've only seen him play very sporadically so am mostly going by what I have read so am happy to concede to your superior knowledge. It seemed to me there was a lot of excitement about him and expectation he was a generational talent. Is that misplaced?

On the young players who are playing aged 21 or under, the ones mentioned are Nic Dolly (Leicester), Will Capon (Bristol) and George Head (Quins). There are plenty under 24 also including Langdon who you mentioned, but also Oghre (Wasps), Walker (Gloucester), Blamire (Newcastle), Walker (Bath), Cornish (LI) and Fish (Northampton). They might not all be international class or have that as their ceiling, but they have all been involved in recent matches as much as or more than Ashman. Again, happy to acknowledge if this is not accurate - I am not an English rugby fan (clearly) so can only go by what I read.

[sockwithaticket]

Exactly - and they do have plenty playing. There are plenty social media posts from knowledgeable English posters this morning a little bemused that numerous outstanding hookers aged 21 and under playing regularly might be overlooked and Ashman who is not playing picked.

Apart from the fact that he hopefully considers himself Scottish and only wants to play for us, he should be having a hard think about going up against Alfie Barbeary for the starting 2 shirt for England over the next 10-15 years. By all accounts Barbeary appears to be a generational talent, and even though his final position is not set yet (currently playing back row), the consensus seems to be that he will settle at hooker.

Some odd takes here. Barbeary has a lot of strings to his bow but none of them appear to be things like lineout throwing or scrummaging, from the few times I've seen him there. Plenty of decent young hookers who are actually playing? Who? His Sale teammate Langdon is one of them. Capon when Thacker is broken. Aside from that, there's loads of foreign players or late-20s/early-30s playing hooker in the Premiership.

On Barbeary, I've only seen him play very sporadically so am mostly going by what I have read so am happy to concede to your superior knowledge. It seemed to me there was a lot of excitement about him and expectation he was a generational talent. Is that misplaced?

On the young players who are playing aged 21 or under, the ones mentioned are Nic Dolly (Leicester), Will Capon (Bristol) and George Head (Quins). There are plenty under 24 also including Langdon who you mentioned, but also Oghre (Wasps), Walker (Gloucester), Blamire (Newcastle), Walker (Bath), Cornish (LI) and Fish (Northampton). They might not all be international class or have that as their ceiling, but they have all been involved in recent matches as much as or more than Ashman. Again, happy to acknowledge if this is not accurate - I am not an English rugby fan (clearly) so can only go by what I read.

Barbeary is a real prospect - carries like a truck, has a turn of pace, capable of putting in chips and deft offloads - but we have yet to see him do any hooker things at senior level.

Behind Cruse and Taylor at Wasps, increasingly looks like he has a problem throwing clutch lineouts. Definitely doesn't look international quality.

The bolded doesn't really matter, Eddie doesn't give a fuck. He's capped a 19 year old lock/back row this 6 Nations with 7 Prem appearances under his belt at the time. Meanwhile reigning European player of the year and Prem/Champions cup double winner Sam Simmonds, who plays every Chiefs game he's available for, can't even get into the wider squad...

[westport]

Cherry demonstrates why we need more opportunities for guys who aren’t part of the select few. Say what you like about the Stade Nicois stuff, if it hadn’t been for that he wouldn’t be playing.

Cherry had a spell with London Scottish as well

[JM2K6]

I think whoever was saying that stuff was literally just googling for the names of players under a certain age. Nic Dolly has like one appearance for Tigers, having only just joined them from Coventry. George Head is something like 3rd/4th choice at Quins and has played about half an hour for us this season. Walker at Bath is getting games but is 24 now so you'd expect that, and hasn't shown anyhing to suggest he's international quality. Ditto Matt Cornish (also 24). Henry Walker at Glaws has 8 starts in 3 seasons and isn't exactly tearing up trees. Blamire is a good shout, easy to forget about him but he's impressed fairly often. James Fish has one start this season for Saints (and is 25).

Barbeary is incredible at certain things (i.e. ball in hand, and his breakdown work) but I don't think it's a surprise he's largely playing backrow. Oghre, who is nothing special, can throw and scrummage.

Not saying that Ashman has a clear path directly to international rugby, but for a guy who was a standout at U20 level and is starting to appear regularly for Sale, it's not a terrible shout by England to take a look at him. We might have lots of players but many of them will just be "good pro" standard.

[Big D]

WTF is it about Eddie Jones and Scotland qualified players?

I’d be surprised if Ashman switched now. He’s been with Scotland since U16 and his dad is Scottish.

16 grand a week in camp to play for the world cup finalists though. If I'm 21 I'm not turning down a chance to make 50k for four weeks work.

Eddie Jones and the RFU are probably asking what is it with Scotland and EQP players too. Ashman, Rodd and Redpath are all exceptionally talented though. It's not like when he picked Gary Graham and Ben Vellacott.

Not capturing Ashman would be a disaster for us. We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money and he was as good a player I've seen for Scotland under 20s. It's Toonie's fault if we don't get him all it took would have been benching him Vs Italy.

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

Hang on, he was in the 6N squad at the start of this years competition. Caps still need to be earned even JvDW "earned" his by being next best fit 10.

In the past have taken part in Toony bashing where I think it is deserved but he has called up Ashman to his full 6N squad on the back of next to no starts and few minutes on the pitch for Sale.

Ashman knows the SRU want him. They have included him in age grade teams and now a full international squad. They have done everything bar cap him. If he choses England, then sadly it is one of those things.

[KingBlairhorn]

I think whoever was saying that stuff was literally just googling for the names of players under a certain age. Nic Dolly has like one appearance for Tigers, having only just joined them from Coventry. George Head is something like 3rd/4th choice at Quins and has played about half an hour for us this season. Walker at Bath is getting games but is 24 now so you'd expect that, and hasn't shown anyhing to suggest he's international quality. Ditto Matt Cornish (also 24). Henry Walker at Glaws has 8 starts in 3 seasons and isn't exactly tearing up trees. Blamire is a good shout, easy to forget about him but he's impressed fairly often. James Fish has one start this season for Saints (and is 25).

Barbeary is incredible at certain things (i.e. ball in hand, and his breakdown work) but I don't think it's a surprise he's largely playing backrow. Oghre, who is nothing special, can throw and scrummage.

Not saying that Ashman has a clear path directly to international rugby, but for a guy who was a standout at U20 level and is starting to appear regularly for Sale, it's not a terrible shout by England to take a look at him. We might have lots of players but many of them will just be "good pro" standard.

Well that's a thoroughly depressing read from a Scottish POV if Ashman was with us for career development as opposed to actually thinking of himself as Scottish. I guess we will find out soon. I don't actually know how long he has spent in England (he was actually born in Canada). The longer he has spent the more likely he is to switch I would think.

[JM2K6]

I think whoever was saying that stuff was literally just googling for the names of players under a certain age. Nic Dolly has like one appearance for Tigers, having only just joined them from Coventry. George Head is something like 3rd/4th choice at Quins and has played about half an hour for us this season. Walker at Bath is getting games but is 24 now so you'd expect that, and hasn't shown anyhing to suggest he's international quality. Ditto Matt Cornish (also 24). Henry Walker at Glaws has 8 starts in 3 seasons and isn't exactly tearing up trees. Blamire is a good shout, easy to forget about him but he's impressed fairly often. James Fish has one start this season for Saints (and is 25).

Barbeary is incredible at certain things (i.e. ball in hand, and his breakdown work) but I don't think it's a surprise he's largely playing backrow. Oghre, who is nothing special, can throw and scrummage.

Not saying that Ashman has a clear path directly to international rugby, but for a guy who was a standout at U20 level and is starting to appear regularly for Sale, it's not a terrible shout by England to take a look at him. We might have lots of players but many of them will just be "good pro" standard.

Well that's a thoroughly depressing read from a Scottish POV if Ashman was with us for career development as opposed to actually thinking of himself as Scottish. I guess we will find out soon. I don't actually know how long he has spent in England (he was actually born in Canada). The longer he has spent the more likely he is to switch I would think.

I was totally unaware he'd actually been called up Scotland already, so I'd be surprised if he changes his mind now. A decent chunk of his rugby education has been in England (Sandbach is where he started playing rugby, then Sale) but there's enough Scottish stuff there too (age-group, Edinburgh loan) that I genuinely think he'll stick with Scotland. It could go either way and I don't think his Dad being born in Scotland will be that much of a draw, but I think it's really rare for a player to get as far as a senior squad callup and change their mind without extremely good reasons.

[I like neeps]

I think whoever was saying that stuff was literally just googling for the names of players under a certain age. Nic Dolly has like one appearance for Tigers, having only just joined them from Coventry. George Head is something like 3rd/4th choice at Quins and has played about half an hour for us this season. Walker at Bath is getting games but is 24 now so you'd expect that, and hasn't shown anyhing to suggest he's international quality. Ditto Matt Cornish (also 24). Henry Walker at Glaws has 8 starts in 3 seasons and isn't exactly tearing up trees. Blamire is a good shout, easy to forget about him but he's impressed fairly often. James Fish has one start this season for Saints (and is 25).

Barbeary is incredible at certain things (i.e. ball in hand, and his breakdown work) but I don't think it's a surprise he's largely playing backrow. Oghre, who is nothing special, can throw and scrummage.

Not saying that Ashman has a clear path directly to international rugby, but for a guy who was a standout at U20 level and is starting to appear regularly for Sale, it's not a terrible shout by England to take a look at him. We might have lots of players but many of them will just be "good pro" standard.

Agree it's strange everyone in Scotland thinks Ashman is one of our best prospects and also thinks Eddie is only picking him to tie him down rather than he thinks Ashman will become the excellent hooker at international level we all think he can be and wants that for England.

Under20s to pro is an inexact science but I struggle to think of a better player at under20s level we've had for a while. Maybe Darcy Graham or Blair Kinghorn. His combination of page, power, athleticism and core skills is very exciting

[Jock42]

Sounds like someone with genuine pace, not that that's something they've really lacked recently.

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

[Big D]

Sounds like someone with genuine pace, not that that's something they've really lacked recently.

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

24 and still in the Bristol academy? Not too hopeful on this one.

[robmatic]

Sounds like someone with genuine pace, not that that's something they've really lacked recently.

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

24 and still in the Bristol academy? Not too hopeful on this one.

To be fair he had four years out of rugby doing athletics, so there's a reason he hasn't progressed at that age in rugby terms. Probably needs a bit of coaching though.

[Slick]

Sounds like someone with genuine pace, not that that's something they've really lacked recently.

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

24 and still in the Bristol academy? Not too hopeful on this one.

To be fair he had four years out of rugby doing athletics, so there's a reason he hasn't progressed at that age in rugby terms. Probably needs a bit of coaching though.

That is seriously quick for a rugby player

[Jock42]

Was that not a similar time to what Evans posted when he turned to sprinting?

[Slick]

Was that not a similar time to what Evans posted when he turned to sprinting?

No idea. I've played against a few ex athletes that have turned to rugby and the difference in pace between them and a quick rugby player was very noticeable. I particularly remember Derek Redmond who did bugger all for most of the match then got a ball near the end and went outside all 15 of us. Also playing touch regularly with Dougie Walker was eyeopening!

[Jock42]

Redpath back tomorrow for Bath.

[Tichtheid]

The best time I found for Evans was 11.26, that's six and a half secs behind Owsley's time, which equates to around 7m behind over the 100m.

[Yr Alban]

16 grand a week in camp to play for the world cup finalists though. If I'm 21 I'm not turning down a chance to make 50k for four weeks work.

Eddie Jones and the RFU are probably asking what is it with Scotland and EQP players too. Ashman, Rodd and Redpath are all exceptionally talented though. It's not like when he picked Gary Graham and Ben Vellacott.

Not capturing Ashman would be a disaster for us. We can't produce a good hooker for love nor money and he was as good a player I've seen for Scotland under 20s. It's Toonie's fault if we don't get him all it took would have been benching him Vs Italy.

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

Hang on, he was in the 6N squad at the start of this years competition. Caps still need to be earned even JvDW "earned" his by being next best fit 10.

In the past have taken part in Toony bashing where I think it is deserved but he has called up Ashman to his full 6N squad on the back of next to no starts and few minutes on the pitch for Sale.

Ashman knows the SRU want him. They have included him in age grade teams and now a full international squad. They have done everything bar cap him. If he choses England, then sadly it is one of those things.

Yeah, I agree with this. Ashman made our 6N squad (and as a full member, not as an ‘invited to train’) and as he isn’t a regular starter for Sale yet, if we had included him in a match day squad, we would overtly have been doing it to tie him down rather than on merit. Yet.

I’m sure he isn’t stupid, though. McInally and Brown don’t have many years left, and after that the shirt is anyone’s for the taking.

[I like neeps]

He was sensational in a piss poor U20 side that got relegated. Like others have said, with all hookers on the wrong side of 30, he should have been a priority capture in the 6N. Perhaps Scotland never really thought he'd be on the England radar.

Hang on, he was in the 6N squad at the start of this years competition. Caps still need to be earned even JvDW "earned" his by being next best fit 10.

In the past have taken part in Toony bashing where I think it is deserved but he has called up Ashman to his full 6N squad on the back of next to no starts and few minutes on the pitch for Sale.

Ashman knows the SRU want him. They have included him in age grade teams and now a full international squad. They have done everything bar cap him. If he choses England, then sadly it is one of those things.

Yeah, I agree with this. Ashman made our 6N squad (and as a full member, not as an ‘invited to train’) and as he isn’t a regular starter for Sale yet, if we had included him in a match day squad, we would overtly have been doing it to tie him down rather than on merit. Yet.

I’m sure he isn’t stupid, though. McInally and Brown don’t have many years left, and after that the shirt is anyone’s for the taking.

If Turner or Cherry were unavailable I think Ashman would've got the call ahead of Stewart. 3rd choice at Sale Vs 3rd choice at Glasgow is a much of a muchness.

I also doubt English clubs would release invited to train players.

[KingBlairhorn]

The best time I found for Evans was 11.26, that's six and a half secs behind Owsley's time, which equates to around 7m behind over the 100m.

Might want to check your maths there champ! If we've just signed a guy that can run the 100m in less than 5 seconds we might be on to something!

I can't find an official time but Ben Robbins was also a sprinter when he was in our system. The best I could find was a 23 second 200m when he was U13 (!), so it's safe to assume he was also rapid. He is currently playing in the 3rd tier of English rugby I believe. Pace isn't everything.

[Tichtheid]

The best time I found for Evans was 11.26, that's six and a half secs behind Owsley's time, which equates to around 7m behind over the 100m.

Might want to check your maths there champ! If we've just signed a guy that can run the 100m in less than 5 seconds we might be on to something!

Ha!

I actually misread the times at first and changed that figure in my post from 0.8 seconds into words - words that I got completely wrong of course!

0.65 seconds is what I meant.

You're right that pace isn't everything but it can take you a long way if the team can get you into a bit of space.

We had an Aussie flier recently didn't we? I seem to recall he got testicular cancer or something horrible like that.

[Biffer]

I've always maintained that it's acceleration that really makes the difference, not top end speed. Being able to just take off and get away in a couple of paces is what makes the difference. Hogg has that, Bennett at his best, Darcy, Russell, Horne (G), Price. VdM is slightly different as he bulldozes people and then is off to the races.

[Slick]

I've always maintained that it's acceleration that really makes the difference, not top end speed. Being able to just take off and get away in a couple of paces is what makes the difference. Hogg has that, Bennett at his best, Darcy, Russell, Horne (G), Price. VdM is slightly different as he bulldozes people and then is off to the races.

Couldn't agree more, I'd advise any kid playing in the backs to work on his acceleration over top end speed.

[Big D]

Sounds like someone with genuine pace, not that that's something they've really lacked recently.

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

24 and still in the Bristol academy? Not too hopeful on this one.

To be fair he had four years out of rugby doing athletics, so there's a reason he hasn't progressed at that age in rugby terms. Probably needs a bit of coaching though.

That is true, but 4 years away at that age is an eternity. Perhaps being harsh, he is very quick for the average person and a rugby player but he rarely a dent in the British Championships. So he wasn't that successful as an athlete but he saw that as a better career than rugby at the time. And now Bristol clearly don't think he is up to it and Cockerill is hoping "an extended spell working with the coaches" in Edinburgh will do the trick? I am very doubtful on that.

I do wonder whether Dicko will have had a word with the SRU about him seeing as he is down there.

Edinburgh seem to be doing their best to pick up SQ players who are struggling to get contracts/regular game time elsewhere. Lang is no more than a jack of all trades Quins squad player, Vellacott hasn't pushed on and now a project on the wing. If the rumours about Bennett being off are true, an already shaky back line is getting worse.

[Big D]

The best time I found for Evans was 11.26, that's six and a half secs behind Owsley's time, which equates to around 7m behind over the 100m.

Might want to check your maths there champ! If we've just signed a guy that can run the 100m in less than 5 seconds we might be on to something!

I can't find an official time but Ben Robbins was also a sprinter when he was in our system. The best I could find was a 23 second 200m when he was U13 (!), so it's safe to assume he was also rapid. He is currently playing in the 3rd tier of English rugby I believe. Pace isn't everything.

Owsleys PB was with a 3m wind. Non wind assisted is 11.1 which is still rapid.

Evans was always a pro rugby player 1st and foremost wasn't he? To run 11.26 and not really be training as a sprinter is amazing really.

[Begbie]

On the subject of hookers, Adam McBurney is SQ. Anyone know if he's any good?

[SomersetJock]

Have been a bit manic this week and am only just catching up on rugby so might have missed it.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Jake Ball’s non citing?

I thought it would have been the most obvious of foul play citings and bans when I saw the clip. But obviously not.

[KingBlairhorn]

On the subject of hookers, Adam McBurney is SQ. Anyone know if he's any good?

He’s moving to Edinburgh next season so we’ll find out. My Brother in law is an Ulsterman, at the time of the signing he said:

“Edinburgh have just signed Adam McBurney from Ulster. That’s a nice signing. Young hooker, lot of ireland age group experience but Scottish qualified so probably thinks he has a shot. It’s a surprising one for us because we only really have one below herring, who started for ireland, in our depth. Unless we are picking up someone in the off-season. I suppose the most likely thing is he wanted to leave because he has a path to international caps which he doesn’t in ireland because there’s about 10 hookers ahead of him.”

[KingBlairhorn]

Have been a bit manic this week and am only just catching up on rugby so might have missed it.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Jake Ball’s non citing?

I thought it would have been the most obvious of foul play citings and bans when I saw the clip. But obviously not.

Red card every day of the week and twice on sundays. Outrageous. Presumably my opinion is why I am not a referee. I cannot understand how that is ok and Finn’s fend wasn’t, for instance. One is a pre-meditated smash on a player in a vulnerable position that results in direct head contact. The other is a rugby incident which in my opinion started as a forearm to the chest. Mad.

[Begbie]

On the subject of hookers, Adam McBurney is SQ. Anyone know if he's any good?

He’s moving to Edinburgh next season so we’ll find out. My Brother in law is an Ulsterman, at the time of the signing he said:

“Edinburgh have just signed Adam McBurney from Ulster. That’s a nice signing. Young hooker, lot of ireland age group experience but Scottish qualified so probably thinks he has a shot. It’s a surprising one for us because we only really have one below herring, who started for ireland, in our depth. Unless we are picking up someone in the off-season. I suppose the most likely thing is he wanted to leave because he has a path to international caps which he doesn’t in ireland because there’s about 10 hookers ahead of him.”

Yeah, knew he was on his way to Edinburgh, but have no clue about his ability. Hopefully turns out to be a good signing.

[Squidster]

Is anyone on this thread actually worried that Ewan will turn his back on us to go to England, knowing full well he will ruin his international career

Anyway, even if he did, we have Adam McBurney next in line or SRU would go out and find another SQ hooker to sign for Edinburgh or Glasgow!

I'm sure Gregor is going to call Ewan up in a couple of months anyway and EJ will have missed out yet again. There is not a chance in hell the SRU or Gregor are losing out on this lad!

[I like neeps]

Is anyone on this thread actually worried that Ewan will turn his back on us to go to England, knowing full well he will ruin his international career

Anyway, even if he did, we have Adam McBurney next in line or SRU would go out and find another SQ hooker to sign for Edinburgh or Glasgow!

I'm sure Gregor is going to call Ewan up in a couple of months anyway and EJ will have missed out yet again. There is not a chance in hell the SRU or Gregor are losing out on this lad!

A 25 year old Ulster second/third choice isn't the most exciting signing ever. Ashman has loads more potential.

I'm concerned about it. The reality is England offer players the chance to play for one of the top international nations. We can snear at that but they've won the six nations regularly recently, won grand slams, world cup finalists, always compete in the under20s as their talent pipeline is ridiculous. Oh and 16k per week you're in the squad.

I don't buy the whole ruining careers either. Mercer (who was qualified on residency so when he signed for Bath was no longer SQ) is competing with Vunipola, Hughes, Simmons, Dombrandt, I think Earl and Curry play 8. It's just much harder to get in the England team. I'm sure Ashman as an athlete has the confidence and drive to think he could be the best hooker in England.

Also Mercer isn't picked because he doesn't fit the style Eddie plays and was swiftly dropped. England aren't the only team to do that, Rory Hutchinson might tell you so. And now Mercer is making bank in the south of France for a few years. I'm sure he's gutted.