NPR

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 3:45 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 2:35 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 2:20 pm

Which Tests? I cancelled Sky Sports a while back.

RG= Argie = Argentina.

Summer Tour this year was confirmed today - 3 tests 2/9/16 July

Seriously, FFS. When I cancelled Sky Sports it was because I hardly ever watched it and I was sick of funding the EPL. Since then, the Lions tour, all of the Scotland football games and now the Scotland tour have all been o Sky.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:07 pm With the URC announcing the final will be at the home of the highest ranked team at the end of the season, Glasgow have even more incentive to put some points on the board over the next few games.

Even though they’ve sent a B squad to SA, Leinster will likely finish top. It’s not out of the bounds of possibility that they don’t make the final though, so Glasgow really want to finish above ulster and Munster.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:32 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:07 pm With the URC announcing the final will be at the home of the highest ranked team at the end of the season, Glasgow have even more incentive to put some points on the board over the next few games.

Even though they’ve sent a B squad to SA, Leinster will likely finish top. It’s not out of the bounds of possibility that they don’t make the final though, so Glasgow really want to finish above ulster and Munster.

I think it's not overly likely that they will win both games in SA. But one win and then beating the Burghers should see them finish top-4 - you're then hoping for the Saffer teams and Edinburgh to do a number on the Irish big-3 in the quarters before Glasgow can entertain thoughts of home (semi-)finals.

And in all honesty, I can see the Stormers or Sharks with all the Springboks available getting a result in Ireland.

But it's odds on that the final is in Dublin and Leinster take the win.

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:12 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:32 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:07 pm With the URC announcing the final will be at the home of the highest ranked team at the end of the season, Glasgow have even more incentive to put some points on the board over the next few games.

Even though they’ve sent a B squad to SA, Leinster will likely finish top. It’s not out of the bounds of possibility that they don’t make the final though, so Glasgow really want to finish above ulster and Munster.

I think it's not overly likely that they will win both games in SA. But one win and then beating the Burghers should see them finish top-4 - you're then hoping for the Saffer teams and Edinburgh to do a number on the Irish big-3 in the quarters before Glasgow can entertain thoughts of home (semi-)finals.

And in all honesty, I can see the Stormers or Sharks with all the Springboks available getting a result in Ireland.

But it's odds on that the final is in Dublin and Leinster take the win.

Totally agree. It was more a comment on the potential for deprioritising the league / resting players / motivation etc. that an actual expectation that it is likely.

As an aside, I really hate the URC tendency (and they have done this many times now) to make announcements like this mid-season. It should be clear and unambiguous what the arrangements are before anyone kicks a ball, regardless of whether anyone feels it makes a difference to the final table or not.

As a second aside, there have now been 11 Prox/URC finals of which 9 have been in Ireland and two in Scotland. That is very poor. Leinster have played and won 5 finals in Dublin at either the RDS or Aviva (both of which I would consider to be home venues for them) and played and lost in another two there. 7 finals from a total of 11 at home for a single team is very very poor from the organisers, regardless of the rules. They have not lost a final in Dublin since 2012. They have been in 8 finals since that loss, 5 at home. They have played 2 finals where the other team was at home (Thomond Park in 2011 and Glasgow in 2019) and won one lost one. All this to say that a) finals should really be at a neutral venue and b) Leinster should play fewer finals at home - it gives them an unfair advantage when they are already easily the best team in the competition.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:56 pm I think Glasgow should be looking to get Hastings back as a matter of urgency

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:59 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:56 pm I think Glasgow should be looking to get Hastings back as a matter of urgency

Doubt they could.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:02 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:59 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:56 pm I think Glasgow should be looking to get Hastings back as a matter of urgency

Doubt they could.

Hmm, I’ve heard he has had a really tough time down there and wants to come back to Scotland

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:17 pm Not sure about Owsley, I just don't think he has the basic skills. That's a try if you can catch and pass.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:27 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:17 pm Not sure about Owsley, I just don't think he has the basic skills. That's a try if you can catch and pass.

Your point kind of made there on that try. Although Kinghorn is comically bad in defence as well

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:30 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:27 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:17 pm Not sure about Owsley, I just don't think he has the basic skills. That's a try if you can catch and pass.

Your point kind of made there on that try. Although Kinghorn is comically bad in defence as well

Agree as well. We’ve seen it in football too, a player with insane speed but little else can make it as a pro but will never be top class. Basic skills are always required.

robmatic wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:46 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:30 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:27 pm

Your point kind of made there on that try. Although Kinghorn is comically bad in defence as well

Agree as well. We’ve seen it in football too, a player with insane speed but little else can make it as a pro but will never be top class. Basic skills are always required.

If he does a job as a pro that's a decent outcome though. I think in Scotland terms he could be a real asset to the 7s team.

Kinghorn not having a great game so far.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:52 pm That's dirty by Marshall Sykes.

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm It’s probably a bit unfair that the focus always goes back to Kinghorn but there are just too many compromises at the moment to have him at 10.

Down to 14 you need your 10 to be controlling things but he was totally anonymous in the 2nd half. His defence is pretty diabolical and you need a place kicked to be shoehorned into the team somewhere.

When he does his thing he’s magic but hard to see it being worth it at the moment.

Young had a good game, Pyrgos was decent, Schoooo deserved MoM

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm His defence is pretty diabolical

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:54 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm It’s probably a bit unfair that the focus always goes back to Kinghorn but there are just too many compromises at the moment to have him at 10.

Down to 14 you need your 10 to be controlling things but he was totally anonymous in the 2nd half. His defence is pretty diabolical and you need a place kicked to be shoehorned into the team somewhere.

When he does his thing he’s magic but hard to see it being worth it at the moment.

Young had a good game, Pyrgos was decent, Schoooo deserved MoM

His play in attack is why Edinburgh have had such a good season are such an exciting team. He's not the type to control a tight game from 10 but you've every chance to gamebreak it which can be just as if not more valuable. Edinburgh wouldn't be where they are with vdw (who played well today) Savala or Chamberlain.

Also there's nowhere else to play him, simply isn't as good as Bofelli or even Immelman at 15. He's never been a winger either. I think the experiment has been a success. The whole team was poor today - they clearly underestimed Zebre. .

I think Edinburgh need to move on from Owsley - he is very clearly a sprinter who took up rugby two years ago. Complete waste of a spot. He's 24 he's hardly young either. They should play Jacob Henry an age grade standout who played very well in the super6 our development league.

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:16 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm His defence is pretty diabolical

I've always thought this and have never understood why GT praises it. Does he mistake "big guy" for "good defender"?

weegie01 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:22 pm That match was a great example of why Bath were confident. Edinburgh fans are frankly delusional about the pack. Sutherland, Berghan and Toolis going has weakened it. The first choice front five are still excellent, but when either Nel or Schoeman go, we are in trouble. We have got away with it, but tonight the scrummaging powerhouse of Zebre showed the issues.

I do not want to watch if Nel retires.

Once the control up front goes, it is amplified in the backs. They look great running pretty patterns against sides that give them space, but remove the forward platform, shut down the space, and more often than not, the control goes, they can't batten down and play percentages and the wheels come off.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:20 pm

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:16 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm His defence is pretty diabolical

I've always thought this and have never understood why GT praises it. Does he mistake "big guy" for "good defender"?

I really don't see the defensive liability that others seem to.

Hamish Watson, Hamish fucking Watson, let the Zebre winger in for a soft try after missing a bread and butter tackle tonight

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:30 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:22 pm That match was a great example of why Bath were confident. Edinburgh fans are frankly delusional about the pack. Sutherland, Berghan and Toolis going has weakened it. The first choice front five are still excellent, but when either Nel or Schoeman go, we are in trouble. We have got away with it, but tonight the scrummaging powerhouse of Zebre showed the issues.

I do not want to watch if Nel retires.

Once the control up front goes, it is amplified in the backs. They look great running pretty patterns against sides that give them space, but remove the forward platform, shut down the space, and more often than not, the control goes, they can't batten down and play percentages and the wheels come off.

Our pack hasn't been done over too often this season.

Nel is exceptional, Schoey very good, but De Bruin and Venter are also top class in league terms. We were fielding third and fourth choice tighheads and likewise after Schoeman on the lefthand side.

The one thing that I thought tonight is how much we miss Gilchrist when he's not there - it's not a popular viewpoint, but it happens so often that the pack under performs without him that it seems obvious to me.

The pack was also missing Bill Mata and Jamie Ritchie, btw.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:18 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:54 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm It’s probably a bit unfair that the focus always goes back to Kinghorn but there are just too many compromises at the moment to have him at 10.

Down to 14 you need your 10 to be controlling things but he was totally anonymous in the 2nd half. His defence is pretty diabolical and you need a place kicked to be shoehorned into the team somewhere.

When he does his thing he’s magic but hard to see it being worth it at the moment.

Young had a good game, Pyrgos was decent, Schoooo deserved MoM

His play in attack is why Edinburgh have had such a good season are such an exciting team. He's not the type to control a tight game from 10 but you've every chance to gamebreak it which can be just as if not more valuable. Edinburgh wouldn't be where they are with vdw (who played well today) Savala or Chamberlain.

Also there's nowhere else to play him, simply isn't as good as Bofelli or even Immelman at 15. He's never been a winger either. I think the experiment has been a success. The whole team was poor today - they clearly underestimed Zebre. .

I think Edinburgh need to move on from Owsley - he is very clearly a sprinter who took up rugby two years ago. Complete waste of a spot. He's 24 he's hardly young either. They should play Jacob Henry an age grade standout who played very well in the super6 our development league.

Not sure about the paragraph on Owsley, that's not to say I disagree, just that I'm not sure. He's only played, what three games? He made a good attacking kick early on

I totally agree on Kinghorn regarding him at 10, we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are without him at fly half this season.

I tend to agree with Toonie and Blair, he can play pretty much anywhere outside 9 at international level, let alone Edinburgh.

His concentration is the one thing that lets him down but I think it's improving. He still makes howlers in his passing, but his running is better than any other ten we have had for a very long time

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:37 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:20 pm

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:16 pm

I've always thought this and have never understood why GT praises it. Does he mistake "big guy" for "good defender"?

I really don't see the defensive liability that others seem to.

Hamish Watson, Hamish fucking Watson, let the Zebre winger in for a soft try after missing a bread and butter tackle tonight

I can compromise on a lot of your previous post but this is madness! I reckon there was at the very least 6 occasions this evening where his defence was shown to be very poor

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:18 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:54 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:46 pm It’s probably a bit unfair that the focus always goes back to Kinghorn but there are just too many compromises at the moment to have him at 10.

Down to 14 you need your 10 to be controlling things but he was totally anonymous in the 2nd half. His defence is pretty diabolical and you need a place kicked to be shoehorned into the team somewhere.

When he does his thing he’s magic but hard to see it being worth it at the moment.

Young had a good game, Pyrgos was decent, Schoooo deserved MoM

His play in attack is why Edinburgh have had such a good season are such an exciting team. He's not the type to control a tight game from 10 but you've every chance to gamebreak it which can be just as if not more valuable. Edinburgh wouldn't be where they are with vdw (who played well today) Savala or Chamberlain.

Also there's nowhere else to play him, simply isn't as good as Bofelli or even Immelman at 15. He's never been a winger either. I think the experiment has been a success. The whole team was poor today - they clearly underestimed Zebre. .

I think Edinburgh need to move on from Owsley - he is very clearly a sprinter who took up rugby two years ago. Complete waste of a spot. He's 24 he's hardly young either. They should play Jacob Henry an age grade standout who played very well in the super6 our development league.

Not sure about the paragraph on Owsley, that's not to say I disagree, just that I'm not sure. He's only played, what three games? He made a good attacking kick early on

I totally agree on Kinghorn regarding him at 10, we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are without him at fly half this season.

I tend to agree with Toonie and Blair, he can play pretty much anywhere outside 9 at international level, let alone Edinburgh.

His concentration is the one thing that lets him down but I think it's improving. He still makes howlers in his passing, but his running is better than any other ten we have had for a very long time

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 9:43 am
Re Kinghorn - I agree I think his concentration is getting there. I think his defence at 10 is better than when he's at 15 (admittedly harder defending at 15), he's a gamebreaker which we didn't see at 15. I can't see the justification of Kinghorn moving back to his old spot where he was probably about an average URC player and hadn't challenged Hogg or any of the wingers for Scotland and wasn't a gamebreaking force for Edinburgh as he was when he first broke through either.

I don't think he's going to be a top level controlling 10 ever. But he has undeniable advantages I think. In a pretty sh*te season for Scottish rugby the positives have been Blair and Kinghorn orchestrating some really exciting attacks and Rory Hutchinson lighting up the Prem.