Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:23 am
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would be a good pickup
A place where escape goats go to play
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Glasgow have had Davidson on their books as recently as 2020 and Sykes in their academy. Just daft they didn't keep a hold of them, or in Davidsons case "rehabilitate" him the way Cockerill did. Edinburgh either outbid them or took them without a fight.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:19 amI would say a pro team should have a minimum of 1 or 2 international quality, 1 or 2 high quality league pro, 1 or 2 promising youngsters who are pro ready and tested and will be one of the top two categories with game time and 1 filler to help with injuries etc. with 6 established pros across those categories.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:39 pmAgree... But they have Ferrie who played well in the s6 and Williamson who is one of the very few playing well for the 20s.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:25 pm
Glasgow’s lock roster is exceptionally poor. Cummings is obviously very good, Gray may still have something about him, McDonald is poor IMO (big but very poor skills), Bean is a championship level journeyman and Bain, who knows. That’s it.
What's the point in playing Bean (great story to him) over an academy player Vs bennetton's second team? What does Scottish rugby gain? Nothing, imo.
Arguably Glasgow have:
International quality: Cummings
High quality league pro: Gray
Promising youngsters: none as they haven’t played (Hamish Bain 1 start, Ferrie no starts, Williamson no starts, Alex Samuel is also in the academy and highly rated) so it’s impossible to say if they are pro quality.
Filler: Bean, McDonald
So 4 full time pros (is Bain on a pro contract?) of which 2 are emergency options.
In contrast Edinburgh have:
International quality: Gilchrist
High quality league pro: Toolis, Young
Promising youngsters: Sykes, Hodgson
Filler: Pierce
So 6 full time pros of which 1 is an emergency option.
Glasgow need to ditch one of Bean or McDonald, give game time to at least one promising lock or bring one in to develop plus bring in at least one more established pro (which they already have lined up for next season tbf). They aren’t far away if they can bring through one of the young players for next season, but they should never have gone into this season so weak in a key position.
Not so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:04 am Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.
Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.
Wasn't a comment on the relative strength of the countries.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:38 pmNot so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:04 am Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.
Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.
Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.
2027? 2023 will be a strong squad - but we haven't beaten Ireland since Cotter was in charge and we haven't beaten SA since Scott Johnson?charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:38 pmNot so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:04 am Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.
Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.
Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.
You may be right. However, personal experience in a different sport tells me that the first approach counts for a lot.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:50 pmWasn't a comment on the relative strength of the countries.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:38 pmNot so sure he'd be mad. Hopefully when GT talks to such prospects, he refers to the superb likely strength of the 2027 (and to a certain extent 2023) RWC squad.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:04 am Unless playing for Scotland is a big dream of his, he'd be mad to switch now.
Maybe in a few years if he's not broken through for England. Who knows though.
Besides, it's natural for a player with a choice to make to opt for the country that more often wins matches between the two. And in this case, that's Scotland.
If he's born here, schooled here, at a club here and very much on the up, he'd have to have a really strong desire to play for Scotland to make the switch at 19.
No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I like your posts about LI on here Margin - always informative.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pmNo, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
Yeah, circumstances will obviously differ massively. A kid like Redpath who despite doing English age grade is the son of a Scottish rugby legend, would probably have an easier decision to make at the young age he did.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:24 pmI like your posts about LI on here Margin - always informative.Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pmNo, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
Don't worry about the Scottish debate - it's been getting more entrenched recently. I agree with the thrust of your post that unless he's like Ashman and considered himself Scottish from the jump he's 19 with first team games already for LI doesn't make sense to declare for Scotland unless the SRU offer him silly money to join Glasgow/Edinburgh. Anyway if it's public knowledge now Scotland fancy him watch him get asked to train with England.
Cummings is also crocked so it's most likely to be Skinner coming in with Hodgson on the bench.Begbie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:13 pm Jonny Gray out injured
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/
He hasn’t exactly been showing his best form recently - if Cummings weren’t ruled out too, I’d argue it didn’t weaken the team.Begbie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:13 pm Jonny Gray out injured
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/
The Edinburgh backline is quite funny: Edinburgh U18: 15. Jack Brown (George Watsons), 14. Alastair Holmes (George Watsons), 13. Jamie Littlefield (George Watsons), 12. Ben Somerville (Boroughmuir RFC), 11. Nick Alder (Boroughmuir RFC), 10. Rory Cockburn (George Watsons), 9. Conor McAlpine (George Watsons);
I’ve actually watched that Watsons U18 side a few times this year, some good players but nothing really outstanding. Except the 15, if it’s the one I’m thinking of, who was always the best player on the park and a couple of years younger than the restI like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:31 pmThe Edinburgh backline is quite funny: Edinburgh U18: 15. Jack Brown (George Watsons), 14. Alastair Holmes (George Watsons), 13. Jamie Littlefield (George Watsons), 12. Ben Somerville (Boroughmuir RFC), 11. Nick Alder (Boroughmuir RFC), 10. Rory Cockburn (George Watsons), 9. Conor McAlpine (George Watsons);
5/7 at Watson's! And they didn't make the school's cup final losing to Stew Mel - wonder what happened there.
Townsend's son is playing 10 for the borders u18 and one of Doddie Weir's sons is in the boiler room too. I'd absolutely love to see one of Doddies sons make it to full international.
Charming!Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pmNo, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
It was a very un-Gray like performance against Wales - I wonder if he was rushed back too soon. He tackled a lot, that's standard for him, but otherwise did very little. I think he made 1 meter from his carries which, despite the justifiable criticism over his carrying over the years is well below his best.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:15 pmHe hasn’t exactly been showing his best form recently - if Cummings weren’t ruled out too, I’d argue it didn’t weaken the team.Begbie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:13 pm Jonny Gray out injured
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jonny-gr ... th-france/
It's up on BT website
Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:43 pmCharming!Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pmNo, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.
I think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:16 amUnfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:43 pmCharming!Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pm
No, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.
Happily it seems like you've missed a couple of Welsh trolls (and a few others)!Slick wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:46 amI think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:16 amUnfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:43 pm
Charming!
Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.
There aren't many other options to hold bags at training. Gray is probably done at internationals given his tooing and frooing and Young hasn't played a huge amount of rugby.
Definitely a tackle bag selection IMO - if it was a selection for the squad it would have been someone who's been around the squad like Alex Craig picked?
I think as you say there is very much a difference between good posters (such as yourself, SaintK etc.) who add to the discussion when they drop by and the trolls who don't. I very much hope the recent hostility doesn't reduce the good posters from visiting as I, at least, very much enjoy the value they/you bring.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:57 amHappily it seems like you've missed a couple of Welsh trolls (and a few others)!Slick wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:46 amI think that was an obvious misunderstanding. Really it's only Toga who has abused this.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:16 am
Unfortunately in the last few weeks there's been a lot more "fuck off from our thread" attitudes in the various national threads either spurred on by gloating trolls, or the same line being yelled by needlessly twattish people at those posting entirely normally. Hopefully you can forgive MW for assuming you were making a jab at him for posting in here. I for one thoroughly appreciate being able to post in the national threads and that until very recently they were less a safe space to be protected at all costs from hordes of dribbling idiots and more just a place where you can find specialist knowledge from those passionate about that country.
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:59 pmI think as you say there is very much a difference between good posters (such as yourself, SaintK etc.) who add to the discussion when they drop by and the trolls who don't. I very much hope the recent hostility doesn't reduce the good posters from visiting as I, at least, very much enjoy the value they/you bring.
As TH says I think Craig has been injured. CHH wasn't involved with Sarries this weekend. Unsure if injured or form just not there.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:54 pmDefinitely a tackle bag selection IMO - if it was a selection for the squad it would have been someone who's been around the squad like Alex Craig picked?
Sorry, been out today.charltom wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:43 pmCharming!Margin__Walker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 4:14 pmNo, clearly not. No need to be a prick about it.
I won't bother you again.
Not being a prick, MW. Never have been, on NPR, to anyone. I had no idea where you were from. Neeps has made it clearer. It's like when people say "we" about their club team, and I rarely have a clue which one they support. Guess I don't spend enough time here.
Not yet. He's only 22 off the back of a significant knee injury, I think it was inevitable he'd pick up a knock or two or the way back.
My worry with Redpath isn't so much the injuries - although he might be a bit on the small side for international rugby when all is said and done. It's that Bath have a really fantastic young 12 in Max Ojomoh and van Graan is apparently bringing De Allende with him to the Rec. Seems like Redpath might have to move again or won't be getting much gametime for his club.