Cardiff vs Edinburgh Discussion Thread

[RuggerRadge2611]

First topic message reminder :

Well my Welsh brothers and sisters it is nearly time for another Celtic Capital clash.

It sees a repeat of the first match of the Season for both clubs as Cardiff came to Edinburgh and convincingly hammered us in our own back yard. A few months later and things are a bit differant with Cardiff getting beaten by a truck load by Leinster. Whilst Edinburgh on the other hand mauled Aironi lst Friday and are sitting pretty at the top of the HC pool after hard fought wins against the Exiles and Racing Metro.

Taken in context it would seem Edinburgh are in the Ascendency however the last few meetings between the 2 teams have gone the way of the Welshmen, will Friday be any differant? Will the winner of the home and a way leg of these games go onto win the pool?

Cardiff Blues
15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Casey Laulala
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Chris Czekaj
10 Dan Parks
9 Lloyd Williams
8 Xavier Rush
7 Sam Warburton
6 Michael Paterson
5 Paul Tito (c)
4 Bradley Davies
3 Taufa'ao Filise
2 T Rhys Thomas
1 Gethin Jenkins

Substitutes
16 Ryan Tyrell
17 John Yapp
18 Scott Andrews
19 Maama Molitika
20 Josh Navidi
21 Richie Rees
22 Ceri Sweeney
23 Gavin Evans

Edinburgh
15 Chris Paterson
14 Lee Jones
13 Nick De Luca
12 James King
11 Tim Visser
10 Harry Leonard
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Geoff Cross
4 Sean Cox
5 Esteban Lozada
6 David Denton
7 Roddy Grant
8 Stuart McInally

Substitutes
16 Steve Lawrie
17 Kyle Traynor
18 Jack Gilding
19 Steven Turnbull
20 Ross Rennie
21 Mike Blair
22 John Houston
23 Tom Brown

[Cardiff Dave]

At the Arms Park; Cardiff by a country mile any day of the week.
At CCS; not so sure, but the starting XV are more than capable of getting a win and it's the HEC not the Pro12, so the players will be up for it big time.

[TJ1]

So will Edinburgh and the team is on a roll playing well - and top of the group :-)

[maestegmafia]

Jamie Roberts interview off the BBC confirming that the players know how important these weekends are to their season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16089608.stm

[RDW]

Have to say I'm not as confident now than when I was yesterday. That is a big Blues pack and you've got some strong runners in the backs. The only way I can see us winning is all out attack but, as we saw in the Racing game, that will mean we will ship a load of points too!

Just a bit worried we're going to be bullied a bit tonight, allowing Parks to keep the points ticking over.

[Imperialbigdave]

Have to say I'm not as confident now than when I was yesterday. That is a big Blues pack and you've got some strong runners in the backs. The only way I can see us winning is all out attack but, as we saw in the Racing game, that will mean we will ship a load of points too!

Just a bit worried we're going to be bullied a bit tonight, allowing Parks to keep the points ticking over.

Trust in his greatness, and Laidlaw shall reward ye.

[funnyExiledScot]

All I can say about Parks is come on man, do something for Scottish rugby. If you have a stinker no-one will suspect foul play - just chuck a couple of intercept passes, butcher a few overlaps by kicking the ball away and miss a few tackles - just like you do in a navy blue jersey.

Come on Edinburgh - I'll be sitting at my desk cheering you on.............

[maestegmafia]

Ha ha ha...!

[LordDowlais]

What has happened to Tom James ?

[Imperialbigdave]

All I can say about Parks is come on man, do something for Scottish rugby. If you have a stinker no-one will suspect foul play - just chuck a couple of intercept passes, butcher a few overlaps by kicking the ball away and miss a few tackles - just like you do in a navy blue jersey.

Come on Edinburgh - I'll be sitting at my desk cheering you on.............

at 8 o'clock on a friday? nae luck son.

[wales606]

What has happened to Tom James ?

Dropped

Both Czekaj and James have been playing well, but Halfpenny and Czekaj have a better defence and Czekaj is playing as a strike runner better than James at the moment.

[LordDowlais]

What has happened to Tom James ?

Dropped

Both Czekaj and James have been playing well, but Halfpenny and Czekaj have a better defence and Czekaj is playing as a strike runner better than James at the moment.

But not even a bench spot. Something must be wrong here. Tom has played well in the last two HC games.

[wales606]

What has happened to Tom James ?

Dropped

Both Czekaj and James have been playing well, but Halfpenny and Czekaj have a better defence and Czekaj is playing as a strike runner better than James at the moment.

But not even a bench spot. Something must be wrong here. Tom has played well in the last two HC games.

James doesnt play centre,

Evans can play centre and wing - so therefore he makes the bench over James and Hewitt who was better players than him.

[LordDowlais]

What has happened to Tom James ?

Dropped

Both Czekaj and James have been playing well, but Halfpenny and Czekaj have a better defence and Czekaj is playing as a strike runner better than James at the moment.

But not even a bench spot. Something must be wrong here. Tom has played well in the last two HC games.

James doesnt play centre,

Evans can play centre and wing - so therefore he makes the bench over James and Hewitt who was better players than him.

Fair enough. But now that you mention it, I think Tom James would make a good centre. He is big and fast and he carries well. Imagine Jamie Roberts offloading to him, that would make a good partnership.

[Knowsit17]

Right attitude from Roberts, hopefully now he and the other Blues will follow up words with action.

[Hollbeck Ghyll]

Anyone know of any links for the game? Apparently you can't get sky red button online...

[CurlyOsp]

Anyone know of any links for the game? Apparently you can't get sky red button online...

+1

[Scot Abroad]

try sportlemon.tv

or

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/22018/1/cardiff-blues-vs-edinburgh-rugby-live-stream-online.html

[Hollbeck Ghyll]

Brilliant, thanks a lot

[wales606]

Blues need to change the way they are going at the breakdown

And STOP KICKING!

[wales606]

Better from the Blues in the last few minutes.

[wales606]

DG Parks (think they should have run it though, there forwards were making ground)

3 - 0

[wales606]

M.Paterson what are you doing!!! Stupid pass in his 22 - soft 3pts for Edinburgh

3 - 3

[IanBru]

Thanks SA - good link

[wales606]

Playing a long advantage! That would have been an intercept try for Roberts,

VERY lucky Edinburgh

I dont like these long knock on advantages, fair enough if it was a penalty.

[wales606]

Dont know how Barnes thinks a breakdown should be refereed.

Barnes nullifying our entire forward pack and letting Edinburgh run the ball from anywhere.

[wales606]

Blues need to sort out the lineout - KEEP IT SIMPLE!

[wales606]

6 - 3

Very scrappy

Blues defence is good, but making too many errors at the moment.

[Knowsit17]

Horrible half judging from the radio cmtry. Three gaping holes the Blues need to make amends for and then some: 1) terrible lineout 2) too many soft penalties and 3) handing Edinburgh possession on a plate, particularly through shameful kicking out of hand. If Burnell and Baber want a future at the club they clearly need to get the message across.

Sounds like Edinburgh are playing like they want it more atm, Blues lucky to have snuck the lead considering. Isn't going to get any easier next week when Edinburgh have their home crowd behind them.

[wales606]

Horrible half judging from the radio cmtry. Three gaping holes the Blues need to make amends for and then some: 1) terrible lineout 2) too many soft penalties and 3) handing Edinburgh possession on a plate, particularly through shameful kicking out of hand. If Burnell and Baber want a future at the club they clearly need to get the message across.

Sounds like Edinburgh are playing like they want it more atm, Blues lucky to have snuck the lead considering. Isn't going to get any easier next week when Edinburgh have their home crowd behind them.

Yep.

Luckily the defence is good and Warbs is doing a number on Edinburgh's quick ball in attack.

[IanBru]

I'll admit, I never really rated Warburton before this game (I thought he was good, just not as good as many others thought), but I've been particularly impressed with him tonight.

He has been impressive in attack but totally disruptive in defence.

Humble pie is yummy.

[wales606]

hahaha

Gethin Jenkins flick pass gives the Blues their best attacking play.

Im sure he should be playing in the backs...

[wales606]

Edinburgh defence is good

Forced to go back for a penalty.

Blues forwards handling well though.

9 - 3

[wales606]

Bradley Davies is having a great game - his first for a while

Another penalty for the Blues - Edinburgh creaking defensively against the Blues forwards.

Parks slips, but it still goes over

12 - 3

[wales606]

Not 10 metres at the restart

Edinburgh looks shell shocked

[wales606]

Bradley Davies is changing the game for the Blues.

Another penalty to the Blues at the breakdown.

15 - 3

Parks kicking has been excellent 4/4

[wales606]

Gethin Jenkins chasing the up and under and almost turns it over...

He really wants to play 12.

[wales606]

Blues unlucky in the scrum gives Edinburgh their first attacking opportunity.

[wales606]

Edinburgh's chance ends in a forward pass.

[IanBru]

Honestly, do the BBC Wales commentators do any research?

They didn't know Laidlaw could play fly-half. Astonishing.

[wales606]

Lee Jones try for Edinburgh.

15 - 8

Momentum shifting...:/

[wales606]

Honestly, do the BBC Wales commentators do any research?

They didn't know Laidlaw could play fly-half. Astonishing.

The Sky ones are worse.

[wales606]

Cuthbert makes a great break from an up and under from Paterson (although the commentators keep calling him Czekaj, even on the replay) - Dan Parks uses the advantage for a DG

18 - 8

[wales606]

Now they are calling Czekaj, Cuthbert...awful

[Hollbeck Ghyll]

Edinburgh seem to be panicking a bit. Just need to settle down, still plenty of time...

[wales606]

Almost a breakaway try for Cuthbert (they got his name right this time)

[wales606]

It was a try!!! The ball wasnt knocked on at all - Barnes

[wales606]

Excellent counter-rucking from Bradley Davies - win the Blues possession at the breakdown

[wales606]

Warburton = MAGNIFICENT

[wales606]

Parks is short - first missed penalty and it was an important one.

Warburton immediately wins back possession though...

[wales606]

Parks tries to step...result - penalty Edinburgh

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