The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh have six senior locks. Your average international will play 10-15 games for Edinburgh in the regular season at most, so you need 4 ‘first choice’ for the league alone, assuming no injuries and no loss of form. Factoring in European games and play-offs (hopefully), it’s probably five required. That doesn’t leave a lot of margin for error. I think one more top option is needed.

There are only 6 to be fair with two of them being injured most of the season but they've managed fine. Glen Young was brought up the road to be that 4th lock, but whilst he and Toolis have been injured Hodgson and Sykes have took the shirts and made them their own as 2 of the 3 matchday locks. I don't think they've been short in the position so far with those 2 to come back in and a couple back rows who can cover on emergency.

The second row has been a bright spot amongst many bright spots for Edinburgh this season. I'm a bit surprised he isn't heading to Glasgow as Edinburgh are definitely stronger in the position.

Both Gilchrist and Toolis are OOC I think. Perhaps one will be off.

I think that’s the point though. They have 6 currently. Of those 6, 2 have been injured all season (Toolis, Young), 2 were expected to be in the transition into the team phase (Hodgson, Sykes), and one is only really there as squad cover (Phillips). Edinburgh have been extremely lucky to have made it to this point in the season with no injuries to the 3 that have played, and also extremely lucky that Sykes has gone as well as he has. Next season an extra body is needed who is a first choice, even if Gilcho and Toolis both stay (and I think both will, neither will get a bigger contract than at Edinburgh).

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh have six senior locks. Your average international will play 10-15 games for Edinburgh in the regular season at most, so you need 4 ‘first choice’ for the league alone, assuming no injuries and no loss of form. Factoring in European games and play-offs (hopefully), it’s probably five required. That doesn’t leave a lot of margin for error. I think one more top option is needed.

There are only 6 to be fair with two of them being injured most of the season but they've managed fine. Glen Young was brought up the road to be that 4th lock, but whilst he and Toolis have been injured Hodgson and Sykes have took the shirts and made them their own as 2 of the 3 matchday locks. I don't think they've been short in the position so far with those 2 to come back in and a couple back rows who can cover on emergency.

The second row has been a bright spot amongst many bright spots for Edinburgh this season. I'm a bit surprised he isn't heading to Glasgow as Edinburgh are definitely stronger in the position.

Both Gilchrist and Toolis are OOC I think. Perhaps one will be off.

I think that’s the point though. They have 6 currently. Of those 6, 2 have been injured all season (Toolis, Young), 2 were expected to be in the transition into the team phase (Hodgson, Sykes), and one is only really there as squad cover (Phillips). Edinburgh have been extremely lucky to have made it to this point in the season with no injuries to the 3 that have played, and also extremely lucky that Sykes has gone as well as he has. Next season an extra body is needed who is a first choice, even if Gilcho and Toolis both stay (and I think both will, neither will get a bigger contract than at Edinburgh).

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh have six senior locks. Your average international will play 10-15 games for Edinburgh in the regular season at most, so you need 4 ‘first choice’ for the league alone, assuming no injuries and no loss of form. Factoring in European games and play-offs (hopefully), it’s probably five required. That doesn’t leave a lot of margin for error. I think one more top option is needed.

There are only 6 to be fair with two of them being injured most of the season but they've managed fine. Glen Young was brought up the road to be that 4th lock, but whilst he and Toolis have been injured Hodgson and Sykes have took the shirts and made them their own as 2 of the 3 matchday locks. I don't think they've been short in the position so far with those 2 to come back in and a couple back rows who can cover on emergency.

The second row has been a bright spot amongst many bright spots for Edinburgh this season. I'm a bit surprised he isn't heading to Glasgow as Edinburgh are definitely stronger in the position.

Both Gilchrist and Toolis are OOC I think. Perhaps one will be off.

I think that’s the point though. They have 6 currently. Of those 6, 2 have been injured all season (Toolis, Young), 2 were expected to be in the transition into the team phase (Hodgson, Sykes), and one is only really there as squad cover (Phillips). Edinburgh have been extremely lucky to have made it to this point in the season with no injuries to the 3 that have played, and also extremely lucky that Sykes has gone as well as he has. Next season an extra body is needed who is a first choice, even if Gilcho and Toolis both stay (and I think both will, neither will get a bigger contract than at Edinburgh).

[KingBlairhorn]

Edinburgh have six senior locks. Your average international will play 10-15 games for Edinburgh in the regular season at most, so you need 4 ‘first choice’ for the league alone, assuming no injuries and no loss of form. Factoring in European games and play-offs (hopefully), it’s probably five required. That doesn’t leave a lot of margin for error. I think one more top option is needed.

There are only 6 to be fair with two of them being injured most of the season but they've managed fine. Glen Young was brought up the road to be that 4th lock, but whilst he and Toolis have been injured Hodgson and Sykes have took the shirts and made them their own as 2 of the 3 matchday locks. I don't think they've been short in the position so far with those 2 to come back in and a couple back rows who can cover on emergency.

The second row has been a bright spot amongst many bright spots for Edinburgh this season. I'm a bit surprised he isn't heading to Glasgow as Edinburgh are definitely stronger in the position.

Both Gilchrist and Toolis are OOC I think. Perhaps one will be off.

I think that’s the point though. They have 6 currently. Of those 6, 2 have been injured all season (Toolis, Young), 2 were expected to be in the transition into the team phase (Hodgson, Sykes), and one is only really there as squad cover (Phillips). Edinburgh have been extremely lucky to have made it to this point in the season with no injuries to the 3 that have played, and also extremely lucky that Sykes has gone as well as he has. Next season an extra body is needed who is a first choice, even if Gilcho and Toolis both stay (and I think both will, neither will get a bigger contract than at Edinburgh).

[KingBlairhorn]

Not sure what happened there, but I don’t think it was a good enough post to feature 4 times!

[Big D]

Not sure what happened there, but I don’t think it was a good enough post to feature 4 times!

Which one do I answer?

I don't think I'm against the 7th lock idea so much as sinking a lot of budget into it. Speculating a bit Toolis and GG are approaching last big contract age. They may not get a bigger offer elsewhere but that would perhaps mean the Edinburgh offers would be too big if both resign. Adding a 7th lock of the quality and cost of Skinner while retaining the other experience internationals probably ties up a lot of budget when they've shown the current 6, even with two missing can be enough.

Hodgson and Sykes are of an age now where they are no longer prospects and are playing well enough to plan them in as being part of the 6/7. Potentially they two might take the jerseys outright. Granted they may not have expected Sykes to come through as quickly, but he has and they both have a case to stay ahead of Toolis and Young.

I say all the above as a massive Skinner fan. The fact he is signing is great.

[Biffer]

I reckon one of Gilchrist or Toolis is away.

[I like neeps]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

[Slick]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

Have to say, I completely disagree with that. He has been incredibly unlucky with injuries and I think with a decent run he would easily slip into that top bracket. Very different type of 2nd row to Gray and Cummings and I think would compliment one of them in a team.

[I like neeps]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

Have to say, I completely disagree with that. He has been incredibly unlucky with injuries and I think with a decent run he would easily slip into that top bracket. Very different type of 2nd row to Gray and Cummings and I think would compliment one of them in a team.

That's true he's been injured a bit recently. I just think he lacks the bulk and relentlessness of Jonny and the athleticism and dynamism of Cummings. I think he's a slightly less good Gilchrist recently.

Hopefully he does improve. Gilchrist and Skinner in the second row immediately makes Edinburgh's second row as good as most in the league.

[Big D]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

That's not that expensive for a good lock. When Gray moved to Sale in 2012/13 ish he was on £200k pa and the wage inflation has increased massively since then. I am sure I read Andrew Davidson was offered a lot of money (relatively speaking) by Gloucester when he moved. For the highest paid position there is a premium to be paid. I would think most of the internationals (who signed contracts when internationals) are in the £250-350k bracket.

Given Gilchrist's age (32 when Skinner joins) and injury history, and Toolis being OOC, the contract negotiations with the pair of them will be interesting. I think one of them, probably Toolis should go.

I am not sure he is that far below the two mentioned. He has played his part in two of the 3 big wins this year (France and Australia) and in both he was good*. Rob Baxter has been happy at times to give him the start is the big games and Skinner has rarely let him down. I think focusing only on second row would help as he could try and bulk up without worrying about playing back row. He was at 7 on Saturday.

*He and Gilchrist are actually quite a nice pairing. I suspect Sykes and Skinner would be too.

[I like neeps]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

That's not that expensive for a good lock. When Gray moved to Sale in 2012/13 ish he was on £200k pa and the wage inflation has increased massively since then. I am sure I read Andrew Davidson was offered a lot of money (relatively speaking) by Gloucester when he moved. For the highest paid position there is a premium to be paid. I would think most of the internationals (who signed contracts when internationals) are in the £250-350k bracket.

Given Gilchrist's age (32 when Skinner joins) and injury history, and Toolis being OOC, the contract negotiations with the pair of them will be interesting. I think one of them, probably Toolis should go.

I am not sure he is that far below the two mentioned. He has played his part in two of the 3 big wins this year (France and Australia) and in both he was good*. Rob Baxter has been happy at times to give him the start is the big games and Skinner has rarely let him down. I think focusing only on second row would help as he could try and bulk up without worrying about playing back row. He was at 7 on Saturday.

*He and Gilchrist are actually quite a nice pairing. I suspect Sykes and Skinner would be too.

It is expensive considering I'm pretty sure the top salary the SRU have paid was 350k for Hoggy.

Very much doubt many players in Scotland are on more than 250k. I'm pretty sure there was a salary report in the budgets last year and only 7 players and coaches were on salaries over 200k

[Biffer]

Good work from Glasgow here

[Big D]

Telegraph reporting that Skinner will be on £280,000 which presumably makes him one of the better paid players in Scotland. Just not sure he's worth it. I like Skinner but he's a level below the top international locks we've had - JGray and Cummings. Not sure he's much better than Gilchrist and I really think Sykes is going to be very very good.

That's not that expensive for a good lock. When Gray moved to Sale in 2012/13 ish he was on £200k pa and the wage inflation has increased massively since then. I am sure I read Andrew Davidson was offered a lot of money (relatively speaking) by Gloucester when he moved. For the highest paid position there is a premium to be paid. I would think most of the internationals (who signed contracts when internationals) are in the £250-350k bracket.

Given Gilchrist's age (32 when Skinner joins) and injury history, and Toolis being OOC, the contract negotiations with the pair of them will be interesting. I think one of them, probably Toolis should go.

I am not sure he is that far below the two mentioned. He has played his part in two of the 3 big wins this year (France and Australia) and in both he was good*. Rob Baxter has been happy at times to give him the start is the big games and Skinner has rarely let him down. I think focusing only on second row would help as he could try and bulk up without worrying about playing back row. He was at 7 on Saturday.

*He and Gilchrist are actually quite a nice pairing. I suspect Sykes and Skinner would be too.

It is expensive considering I'm pretty sure the top salary the SRU have paid was 350k for Hoggy.

Very much doubt many players in Scotland are on more than 250k. I'm pretty sure there was a salary report in the budgets last year and only 7 players and coaches were on salaries over 200k

Sorry perhaps I am crossing wires a tad, I was meaning to talk in terms of second rows and international second rows. I get the point about the SRU pay structure but I am always suspicious of the way things are written in the accounts. From memory it talks about "base salary" and has £100k bands for £100k-£200k and £200k-£300k, which are quite wide and presumably "base salary" doesn't include any perks, bonuses, match fees etc which the media would almost certainly be including in any figure quoted. The total costs of player wages etc would be included in the domestic and international rugby part so I wouldn't put it past the SRU having a fair few players on £185k+ base but with add ons being in the £200k+ category.

Of course that is all idle speculation on a dull December Monday.

I think there is a difference though to the guys already in Scotland. Skinner is a 26 year old, 15cap, league and European Cup winner who has proven at least to above average for Scotland. The SRU haven't tried to bring many players up north that fit that bill and given he plays in the most expensive position in Europe I suppose it was always going to be costly.

[I like neeps]

That's not that expensive for a good lock. When Gray moved to Sale in 2012/13 ish he was on £200k pa and the wage inflation has increased massively since then. I am sure I read Andrew Davidson was offered a lot of money (relatively speaking) by Gloucester when he moved. For the highest paid position there is a premium to be paid. I would think most of the internationals (who signed contracts when internationals) are in the £250-350k bracket.

Given Gilchrist's age (32 when Skinner joins) and injury history, and Toolis being OOC, the contract negotiations with the pair of them will be interesting. I think one of them, probably Toolis should go.

I am not sure he is that far below the two mentioned. He has played his part in two of the 3 big wins this year (France and Australia) and in both he was good*. Rob Baxter has been happy at times to give him the start is the big games and Skinner has rarely let him down. I think focusing only on second row would help as he could try and bulk up without worrying about playing back row. He was at 7 on Saturday.

*He and Gilchrist are actually quite a nice pairing. I suspect Sykes and Skinner would be too.

It is expensive considering I'm pretty sure the top salary the SRU have paid was 350k for Hoggy.

Very much doubt many players in Scotland are on more than 250k. I'm pretty sure there was a salary report in the budgets last year and only 7 players and coaches were on salaries over 200k

Sorry perhaps I am crossing wires a tad, I was meaning to talk in terms of second rows and international second rows. I get the point about the SRU pay structure but I am always suspicious of the way things are written in the accounts. From memory it talks about "base salary" and has £100k bands for £100k-£200k and £200k-£300k, which are quite wide and presumably "base salary" doesn't include any perks, bonuses, match fees etc which the media would almost certainly be including in any figure quoted. The total costs of player wages etc would be included in the domestic and international rugby part so I wouldn't put it past the SRU having a fair few players on £185k+ base but with add ons being in the £200k+ category.

Of course that is all idle speculation on a dull December Monday.

I think there is a difference though to the guys already in Scotland. Skinner is a 26 year old, 15cap, league and European Cup winner who has proven at least to above average for Scotland. The SRU haven't tried to bring many players up north that fit that bill and given he plays in the most expensive position in Europe I suppose it was always going to be costly.

Match fees is a great shout to be fair, that does make a lot of sense.

I just don't think Skinner's market in England would be great as all the teams have to cut a marquee player and 1.5m. Who knows really, I'm sure it'll work out well though.

[Big D]

It is expensive considering I'm pretty sure the top salary the SRU have paid was 350k for Hoggy.

Very much doubt many players in Scotland are on more than 250k. I'm pretty sure there was a salary report in the budgets last year and only 7 players and coaches were on salaries over 200k

Sorry perhaps I am crossing wires a tad, I was meaning to talk in terms of second rows and international second rows. I get the point about the SRU pay structure but I am always suspicious of the way things are written in the accounts. From memory it talks about "base salary" and has £100k bands for £100k-£200k and £200k-£300k, which are quite wide and presumably "base salary" doesn't include any perks, bonuses, match fees etc which the media would almost certainly be including in any figure quoted. The total costs of player wages etc would be included in the domestic and international rugby part so I wouldn't put it past the SRU having a fair few players on £185k+ base but with add ons being in the £200k+ category.

Of course that is all idle speculation on a dull December Monday.

I think there is a difference though to the guys already in Scotland. Skinner is a 26 year old, 15cap, league and European Cup winner who has proven at least to above average for Scotland. The SRU haven't tried to bring many players up north that fit that bill and given he plays in the most expensive position in Europe I suppose it was always going to be costly.

Match fees is a great shout to be fair, that does make a lot of sense.

I just don't think Skinner's market in England would be great as all the teams have to cut a marquee player and 1.5m. Who knows really, I'm sure it'll work out well though.

I always knew us second rows were important to the team so good to see them get paid! Shame I never made it pro

[westport]

Good work from Glasgow here

They will all turn up in See You Jimmy hats instead

[westport]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

[KingBlairhorn]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

[I like neeps]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

[Slick]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

Very good player who I really liked watching. Always felt that with a bit more love he could have been more consistent and have had more caps

[Biffer]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

Yeah. Every time Sykes come on the pitch I find myself thinking 'look of the size of that fucker, he's huge'. Even though statistically he's maybe not any bigger, he just looks like an absolutely massive slab of human.

[Yr Alban]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

Very good player who I really liked watching. Always felt that with a bit more love he could have been more consistent and have had more caps

Horne’s problem was that he was an underrated 12, but a mediocre 10. I think his displays at 10 tarnished his good displays at 12. Scotland played some very good attacking rugby with him at 12 and Bennett at 13.

[Yr Alban]

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

Yeah. Every time Sykes come on the pitch I find myself thinking 'look of the size of that fucker, he's huge'. Even though statistically he's maybe not any bigger, he just looks like an absolutely massive slab of human.

He’s got that ‘carved out of a mountainside’ look to him that I always associate with South African locks.

[I like neeps]

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

Yeah. Every time Sykes come on the pitch I find myself thinking 'look of the size of that fucker, he's huge'. Even though statistically he's maybe not any bigger, he just looks like an absolutely massive slab of human.

He’s got that ‘carved out of a mountainside’ look to him that I always associate with South African locks.

And he's got the aggression of them as well. An absolute beast.

[robmatic]

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

Yeah. Every time Sykes come on the pitch I find myself thinking 'look of the size of that fucker, he's huge'. Even though statistically he's maybe not any bigger, he just looks like an absolutely massive slab of human.

He's wide. Saw a picture of him stood next to Schoeman and Sykes looks broader.

[robmatic]

After 13 years with Glasgow Warriors, Pete Horne has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby in the New Year, after taking up the role of Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach.

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

I've been really impressed with Hodgson this season, don't think he is naturally gifted like some players but his workrate and involvement is excellent.

[Tichtheid]

A great servant and a great club man.

Hodgson and Sykes have both signed new contracts at Edinburgh, so if someone is leaving (beyond Phillips) it will be Toolis or Gilchrist as previously speculated.

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

I've been really impressed with Hodgson this season, don't think he is naturally gifted like some players but his workrate and involvement is excellent.

They compliment each other pretty well, Hodgson is the canny lineout operator, Sykes hits rucks and shifts them

[Tichtheid]

A Wee Darcy show reel that turned up on Rugby Dump

[Yr Alban]

A Wee Darcy show reel that turned up on Rugby Dump

Love watching Darcy. He scores tries he simply has no right to be scoring. He has that magic slipperiness that makes him particularly hard to tackle. He’s another of those players I think would be celebrated much more widely if he played for another team (LRZ went straight into the Lions squad, for example).

[KingBlairhorn]

Sykes is an absolute monster. I think he's the young player in Scotland I'm most excited about.

Hodgson is a good solid professional as well.

I've been really impressed with Hodgson this season, don't think he is naturally gifted like some players but his workrate and involvement is excellent.

They compliment each other pretty well, Hodgson is the canny lineout operator, Sykes hits rucks and shifts them

Totally agree with the views here - a massive unit and very effective of a type we rarely have in Scotland. Glad we capped him already as he is very EQ.

[Big D]

So Toolis is going to Japan. He's been a great servant.

Good move all round. He'll do well, get paid well and Edinburgh look likely to bring in a quality replacement who is younger and international ambitions.

Good work by all parties.

[Tichtheid]

So Toolis is going to Japan. He's been a great servant.

Good move all round. He'll do well, get paid well and Edinburgh look likely to bring in a quality replacement who is younger and international ambitions.

Good work by all parties.

I've just seen that. I agree on all counts, he's been really good for Edinburgh and deserves a few quid, I hope he can get himself fit.

He was one of, if not, the best lineout operator in the league statistically for a season or two iirc.

[robmatic]

So Toolis is going to Japan. He's been a great servant.

Good move all round. He'll do well, get paid well and Edinburgh look likely to bring in a quality replacement who is younger and international ambitions.

Good work by all parties.

I've just seen that. I agree on all counts, he's been really good for Edinburgh and deserves a few quid, I hope he can get himself fit.

He was one of, if not, the best lineout operator in the league statistically for a season or two iirc.

Great in the setpiece all round. I'm no scrum expert but he's been part of a really strong scrumming unit for many years.

[dpedin]

So Toolis is going to Japan. He's been a great servant.

Good move all round. He'll do well, get paid well and Edinburgh look likely to bring in a quality replacement who is younger and international ambitions.

Good work by all parties.

I've just seen that. I agree on all counts, he's been really good for Edinburgh and deserves a few quid, I hope he can get himself fit.

He was one of, if not, the best lineout operator in the league statistically for a season or two iirc.

Great in the setpiece all round. I'm no scrum expert but he's been part of a really strong scrumming unit for many years.

Pleased for Toollis although sad to see him go. Hope he is fit and healthy for his Japan experience. He was a top player for us and easily one of the best line out jumpers in the league. He will do well in Japan and deserves the hopefully big pay day.

[dpedin]

I've been really impressed with Hodgson this season, don't think he is naturally gifted like some players but his workrate and involvement is excellent.

They compliment each other pretty well, Hodgson is the canny lineout operator, Sykes hits rucks and shifts them

Totally agree with the views here - a massive unit and very effective of a type we rarely have in Scotland. Glad we capped him already as he is very EQ.

Both Hodgson and Sykes have really developed in the last few months. Both work incredibly hard and don't take a backward step. They will be regular internationalists for years to come. With them, GC, Skinner, Young and Phillips we now look well stocked in 2nd row.

[KingBlairhorn]

What a result for Glasgow. Gutted to have missed it whilst visiting family, but fortunately it appears nobody who watched on tv or in person saw it either.

[Slick]

Didn’t see the game, how did Ross Thompson and Darge go?

[charltom]

Didn’t see the game, how did Ross Thompson and Darge go?

Both very well indeed, from what I could see (in every sense).

[GrahamWa]

Didn’t see the game, how did Ross Thompson and Darge go?

Thompson missed one kinda easy kick (rattled the post) and then kicked a further two harder kicks one almost immediately after. Very assured performance, put plenty in defence and not too shabby tactically in attack.

Darge was fantastic again. Dempsey took MotM probably for metres ran along with his breakdown work but Darge must have been a very close 2nd.

Wasn't looking forward to the derbies but if Glasgow keep to that level they are going to be epic with the form that Edinburgh are in.