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Where does he play in the BR? We seem to be producing a glut of excellent 7s (Darge, Boyle, Tait), and there are two very good 8s (Leatherbarrow and Muncaster) but I have little knowledge of top 6s breaking through.I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:04 pmHe was playing for Merchiston's first XV when he was 15 and was big then.
He's an 8, my concern is a bit he's such a physical freak playing 8 when you're the biggest lad in schoolboy rugby is a bit easier. We'll see how he translates but an exciting project.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:46 amWhere does he play in the BR? We seem to be producing a glut of excellent 7s (Darge, Boyle, Tait), and there are two very good 8s (Leatherbarrow and Muncaster) but I have little knowledge of top 6s breaking through.I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:04 pmHe was playing for Merchiston's first XV when he was 15 and was big then.
I still think he is an international class 15 who can get better. I saw that Blair also mentioned him at 13, that would interest me a lot more than 10.I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:52 amWhat is interesting is Blair confirmed it was a Scotland idea rather than an Edinburgh idea. It makes sense it was becoming obvious he probably wasn't an international class back 3 player.
Definitely. But on the other hand, learning to use your size seems to be an issue with Scottish players. Bradbury is bigger than almost all the opposition back rows renowned for their carrying ability (i.e. Aldritt, Jelonch, Woki, Conan, Dorris, Van der Flier, Curry) but is less effective than all of them IMO. Matt Fagerson is a similar size to most of those listed, but also less effective. Scottish S&C at U20 (and below) level was an issue for years - I remember watching us in the U20 competitions maybe 5+ years ago and it was like watching a group of schoolboys turn out against full grown men. There may or may not have been a skill deficit, but there was definitely a size deficit. That is no longer the case, but it would have been when the likes of Bradbury and to a lesser extent Fagerson broke through. If they never learned to use their frame early on, perhaps that explains why they still cannot do it now?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:49 amHe's an 8, my concern is a bit he's such a physical freak playing 8 when you're the biggest lad in schoolboy rugby is a bit easier. We'll see how he translates but an exciting project.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:46 amWhere does he play in the BR? We seem to be producing a glut of excellent 7s (Darge, Boyle, Tait), and there are two very good 8s (Leatherbarrow and Muncaster) but I have little knowledge of top 6s breaking through.I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:04 pm
He was playing for Merchiston's first XV when he was 15 and was big then.
I think that's a bit unfair on the likes of Bradbury and Matt Fagerson. I have seen both have carry well recently - M Fagerson was MotM against England for example and was easily the best back rower on the park. Bradbury has destroyed teams when playing for Edinburgh this season and was instrumental in the draw with England back in 2019. Sometimes it is the collective pack efforts that enable the big back row guys to carry the ball - tying the opposition into the mauls and rucks, carrying hard in earlier phases, etc.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:42 pmDefinitely. But on the other hand, learning to use your size seems to be an issue with Scottish players. Bradbury is bigger than almost all the opposition back rows renowned for their carrying ability (i.e. Aldritt, Jelonch, Woki, Conan, Dorris, Van der Flier, Curry) but is less effective than all of them IMO. Matt Fagerson is a similar size to most of those listed, but also less effective. Scottish S&C at U20 (and below) level was an issue for years - I remember watching us in the U20 competitions maybe 5+ years ago and it was like watching a group of schoolboys turn out against full grown men. There may or may not have been a skill deficit, but there was definitely a size deficit. That is no longer the case, but it would have been when the likes of Bradbury and to a lesser extent Fagerson broke through. If they never learned to use their frame early on, perhaps that explains why they still cannot do it now?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:49 amHe's an 8, my concern is a bit he's such a physical freak playing 8 when you're the biggest lad in schoolboy rugby is a bit easier. We'll see how he translates but an exciting project.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:46 am
Where does he play in the BR? We seem to be producing a glut of excellent 7s (Darge, Boyle, Tait), and there are two very good 8s (Leatherbarrow and Muncaster) but I have little knowledge of top 6s breaking through.
I'm still of the opinion our young guys don't play enough rugby and that is a key problem both for this type of player and for front rows.dpedin wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:36 pmI think that's a bit unfair on the likes of Bradbury and Matt Fagerson. I have seen both have carry well recently - M Fagerson was MotM against England for example and was easily the best back rower on the park. Bradbury has destroyed teams when playing for Edinburgh this season and was instrumental in the draw with England back in 2019. Sometimes it is the collective pack efforts that enable the big back row guys to carry the ball - tying the opposition into the mauls and rucks, carrying hard in earlier phases, etc.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:42 pmDefinitely. But on the other hand, learning to use your size seems to be an issue with Scottish players. Bradbury is bigger than almost all the opposition back rows renowned for their carrying ability (i.e. Aldritt, Jelonch, Woki, Conan, Dorris, Van der Flier, Curry) but is less effective than all of them IMO. Matt Fagerson is a similar size to most of those listed, but also less effective. Scottish S&C at U20 (and below) level was an issue for years - I remember watching us in the U20 competitions maybe 5+ years ago and it was like watching a group of schoolboys turn out against full grown men. There may or may not have been a skill deficit, but there was definitely a size deficit. That is no longer the case, but it would have been when the likes of Bradbury and to a lesser extent Fagerson broke through. If they never learned to use their frame early on, perhaps that explains why they still cannot do it now?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:49 am
He's an 8, my concern is a bit he's such a physical freak playing 8 when you're the biggest lad in schoolboy rugby is a bit easier. We'll see how he translates but an exciting project.
I agree that our S&C for age grades has improved massively in recent years but we are fishing in a small pool and sometimes we just don't have the big guys who mature at the right age - it is better for the player to take time when building them up. I am not that keen on seeing young guys trying to bulk up too early in their teens, it isn't very good for their physical development and longer term health to get them doing heavy weights etc too young. Some guys develop the physique in mid teens, others will be later and take time to grow into their frames and I would like to think that the SRU are driven more by the players best interests then the need to bulk them up earlier than they should. We don't want to end up like SA with the use of steroids widespread within schools and colleges! England just have the huge player pool and can pick big guys at that age.
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:22 pm Edinburgh utterly rotten for the first 25+ minutes, but scramble defence was resolute. They’ve now absolutely turned it on and are 21-8 into half time.
Kinghorn has been good, Boyle excellent, Muncaster pretty good too.
With his acceleration, pace, strength and agility it’s a very good tactic. Historically he has been a little erratic with his passing under pressure, if he can solve that his other attributes will give him a huge edge.Slick wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:39 pm Don’t know if it has happened since he has been with Scotland, but big difference with Kinghorn in this game so far is that he has stepped a metre flatter and not crabbing across. The defence is completely held by him which hasn’t been happening until now, really impressive
To be fair, even Immelmann looks good
This is the first time I’ve seen him put in a performance against a good side. This is a big step. If he can make that a regular occurrence and then start to turn it on against top sides then we might have a bit of a find.
I’m giving him a pass at the moment considering how terrible the first 25 was. But yeah, done well since
Really wonder how much spending the last month with Scotland and Toony has made a difference. Not a criticism of Blair in any way at all but you have to think spending all that time with our 2 best 10’s of the last 20 years must have helpedKingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:56 pmThis is the first time I’ve seen him put in a performance against a good side. This is a big step. If he can make that a regular occurrence and then start to turn it on against top sides then we might have a bit of a find.
It was comicalI like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:03 pmI missed the first 30 minutes!
I don’t think Duncy Weir has been in camp mateSlick wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:04 pmReally wonder how much spending the last month with Scotland and Toony has made a difference. Not a criticism of Blair in any way at all but you have to think spending all that time with our 2 best 10’s of the last 20 years must have helpedKingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:56 pmThis is the first time I’ve seen him put in a performance against a good side. This is a big step. If he can make that a regular occurrence and then start to turn it on against top sides then we might have a bit of a find.
By the way, the reference to Blair, was Mike, not e boy himselfKingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:06 pmI don’t think Duncy Weir has been in camp mateSlick wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:04 pmReally wonder how much spending the last month with Scotland and Toony has made a difference. Not a criticism of Blair in any way at all but you have to think spending all that time with our 2 best 10’s of the last 20 years must have helpedKingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:56 pm
This is the first time I’ve seen him put in a performance against a good side. This is a big step. If he can make that a regular occurrence and then start to turn it on against top sides then we might have a bit of a find.
Muncaster is best at 8 which is a problem because Edinburgh have 4 excellent 8s in Mata, Bradbury, Kunavula and now Muncaster. It would be a travesty if we finally uncovered a hard running 8 and converted him into a 6!Big D wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:28 pm 56 unanswered points is pretty special at this level even of Connacht were shite.
So many good performances. Initial thoughts are I'm not sure Crosbie and Haining should be ahead of Muncaster and Boyle when they are available for selection. Muncaster looks to the Manor born.
Morale boosting performance for Kinghorn too and how quickly have the Argentines settled? Bofelli has been great.
Back 5 in the scrum players missing, all internationals:
GG
Sykes
Hodgson
Toolis
Mata
Watson
Ritchie
Bradbury
Haining
Crosbie
And yet none of those playing looked out of place.
For Muncaster, getting him games is the important thing for now then we, well Blair, can worry about getting him time at 8. Mata has another year left too so he won't be around for ever.KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:39 pmMuncaster is best at 8 which is a problem because Edinburgh have 4 excellent 8s in Mata, Bradbury, Kunavula and now Muncaster. It would be a travesty if we finally uncovered a hard running 8 and converted him into a 6!Big D wrote: ↑Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:28 pm 56 unanswered points is pretty special at this level even of Connacht were shite.
So many good performances. Initial thoughts are I'm not sure Crosbie and Haining should be ahead of Muncaster and Boyle when they are available for selection. Muncaster looks to the Manor born.
Morale boosting performance for Kinghorn too and how quickly have the Argentines settled? Bofelli has been great.
Back 5 in the scrum players missing, all internationals:
GG
Sykes
Hodgson
Toolis
Mata
Watson
Ritchie
Bradbury
Haining
Crosbie
And yet none of those playing looked out of place.
There were strong rumours a while back that Bradbury has signed for Sarries. If true that would open a bit of a path for him.
