Glasgow Warriors vs Montpellier Herault

Looks like the French T14 runners-up could be without captain and backrow star Fulgence Ouedraogo, plus locks Thibault Privat and Mickael De Marco (both awaiting results of scans):

Teams will be posted when they are announced:

Glasgow Warriors
Stuart Hogg; Federico Aramburu, Peter Murchie, Graeme Morrison, Rory Lamont; Duncan Weir, Chris Cusiter; Jon Welsh, Pat MacArthur, Mike Cusack; Richie Gray, Al Kellock (captain); Rob Harley, John Barclay, Ryan Wilson
SUBSTITUTES: Dougie Hall, Ryan Grant, Ed Kalman, Tom Ryder, Chris Fusaro, Henry Pyrgos, Troy Nathan, Ruaridh Jackson

Montpellier Herault
J-B Peyras; M Bustos Moyano, T Combezou, P Bosch, P Bérard; S Fernandez, E Escande; G Shvelidze, M Ladhuie, G Jgenti/K Kervarec, J Tuineau, D Hancke, V Bost, R Martin (capt), A Tulou.

Tis a big ask for Glasgow to overcome Montpellier. Glasgow have been playing well and were unlucky not to get a win down in Newport on Sunday.

However Glasgow will be bringing out their big guns from the start on this one. Is Rory Lamont good to go as far as the HC is concerned? If so do we think he'll feature in this match?

Radge, Not sure on Ramont - don't think he was registered for Toulon, but is there cause to allow Glasgow to register him and has there been time? Sensitive point for Lineen after last season's Beattie man sausage-up!! Am expecting the worst in this one given Montpol's recent form, although if its a wet, cold afternoon, they may simply not be interested?

Hopefully the weather will keep the French subdued - it's a must win game for Glasgow if they are to maintain aspirations of the next round.

Even were Rory Lamont to be fit and available, I wouldn't start him. Perhaps have him on the bench. Stuart Hogg has been too good to omit. I just hope Nathan gets to play in the centre, Glasgow play a smarter game in midfield when he's involved.

Ramont hasn't played since his one game in the WC so I doubt he's ready to make the squad yet. I'd be surprised if he gets a spot on the bench but you never know. Agree Nathan should play 12 as Morrison is useless. But I guess it'll depend on how Lineen wants to play it. It's a must win game if we're going to have any chance of progressing in the HEC or dropping down to the Amlin.

fES - the weather is so bad the bloody game might not go ahead. I know Thistle have underground heating but the access roads are / were deadly. Forecast for more snow tomorrow.

Saw Big Al K today and he looks raring to go Sunday.

You don't need roads when more cars will assemble on an average night outside Tesco.

Hopefully it'll be nice and frosty for the French, with likes of Kellock and Harley ready to role up sleeves and stick it to them.

A win puts Glasgow right back on track.

funnyExiledScot wrote:You don't need roads when more cars will assemble on an average night outside Tesco.

Hopefully it'll be nice and frosty for the French, with likes of Kellock and Harley ready to role up sleeves and stick it to them.

A win puts Glasgow right back on track.

classic!

Scot Abroad wrote:
Ramont hasn't played since his one game in the WC so I doubt he's ready to make the squad yet. I'd be surprised if he gets a spot on the bench but you never know. Agree Nathan should play 12 as Morrison is useless. But I guess it'll depend on how Lineen wants to play it. It's a must win game if we're going to have any chance of progressing in the HEC or dropping down to the Amlin.

True, Scot Abroad, altho I believe that he did start training with them today

Accordsing to glasgowwarriors.org, Ramont has been registered as an additional player for the HEC, replacing David McCall, and is available for selection this weekend. He's also taken part in his first full training session so maybe there is a space for him on the bench.

Guys,
Ramont was even given the statutory BBC Scotland 20 second interview after a session at Scotstoun today. Then over to Stenhousemuir for some important breaking wendyball news !

Even better!

Although I left Scotland 8 months ago, I’ve seen an increase in the amount of press coverage rugby has been getting recently. Even going as far as having an article in the dailyrecord (although they did get some of their facts wrong). STV have a highlights program that I have unsuccessfully tried to watch and it’s being covered by the BBC. However small the news segments are at least they’re growing in number.

Interesting to note that Lineen delayed the Lemi for McCall switch for European rugby when he heard that Ramont was on his way out of Toulon, and the latter has now been switched in at the expense of the little Samoan (at least until after the pool games)

That actually surprises me. Given the form Hogg is in I'd have thought Lemi the better and more suitable bet. But I suspect in order to lure Rory Lamont they had to be smart and be able to offer instant HC action.

Hopefully not too instant. He should be no more than a replacement this weekend in my view. Needs game time in the Rabo first. This is a must win for Glasgow.

I was surprised too but it’s probably a mix of making HEC rugby available to Lamont and the fact that he can cover all back three spots. Could give Hogg the chance to move to centre and get more of the ball.

But would Lineen be brave enough to pick, say, Cusiter-Weir-Seymour or Aramburu-Nathan-Hogg-Shaw-Ramont?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:But would Lineen be brave enough to pick, say, Cusiter-Weir-Seymour or Aramburu-Nathan-Hogg-Shaw-Ramont?

Morrison will be nailed on to start this one methinks

Realistically, he will, Radge

Fully agree with you though As, Glasgow are now starting to develop a backline that can base itself around guile, flair and pace instead of relying on the bludgeoning force of Dewey and Morrison.







Next thing you know on Frozen Planet tonight David Attenborough will be reporting on Winged Swine.

I expect the backs to look something like this

9 Cusiter
10 Weir
11 Arambaru
12 Morrison
13 Nathan
14 Shaw
15 Hogg

20 Pyrgos
21 Jackson
22 Ramont

In Ramont we have cover for the back three, Nathan can play either centre position and Hogg can play 13 if needed. That gives us a number of different attacking options if things aren’t going our way and we need to mix it up.

Abroad, true, that line-up is a good shout. Nathan could cover 10 as well, which would allow Horne or Murchie ahead of Jackson on the bench?

All you need to do now is sort out your centres and start playing with a bit more zing.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Abroad, true, that line-up is a good shout. Nathan could cover 10 as well, which would allow Horne or Murchie ahead of Jackson on the bench?

Forgot about that Asbo. Is it too early for Jackson to be included in the squad for the HEC? He didn’t shower himself in glory against the Dragons, but his game wasn’t helped by Pyrgos’ passing. I’d prefer Murchie or Horne to be there but I think Lineen will want to give Jackson game time, even if it’s the last 15 or 10 mins. Having all these options is a good thing for Glasgow but must give Lineen a bit of a headache!

Montpelier list of missing players increase with the new additions of:
- gorgodze
- Trinh-Duc
- Audrin

Really, whocares? I'm sorry for Montpol, but that's fantastic for Glasgow. Mind you, sometimes replacements come in with a huge chance to prove themselves and really perform - oh well, am slightly more optimistic than before (which was not very optimistic!)

yeah its not even actual real injuries: Gorgodze and Audrin are just too tired after playing 3 games in the last 10 days (and 3 wins)... TD actually having a compulsory week off
if you look at the results of MHR during the RWC you will find that without their internationals they are pretty average and soulless...

real shame for the team who worked so hard to play HC rugby and now has to throw the towel...

whocares wrote:yeah its not even actual real injuries: Gorgodze and Audrin are just too tired after playing 3 games in the last 10 days (and 3 wins)... TD actually having a compulsory week off
if you look at the results of MHR during the RWC you will find that without their internationals they are pretty average and soulless...

real shame for the team who worked so hard to play HC rugby and now has to throw the towel...

Yes, I did wonder about the logic behind the midweek games in France, hasn't done any of those teams any favours, and I can understand why MHRC now want to concentrate on T14 rugby - thanks again

I dont know to be honest - they still had good chance of going through the next round... T14 schedule is so congested that when you have one game delayed for soem reason, you end up playing 3 games in a row at one point.

Scotabroad/funnyexiledscot/Aslongasbut100ofus.
I do hope at some stage you guys get to see Troy Nathan play in either the number 10 or 15 jersey.

It's a long shot at both really, Rory Lamont and Stuart Hogg are likely to nail down the 15 jersey and at 10 there's going to be a fierce contest between Weir and Jackson.

That said, small squads need versatile players, and in Nathan and Gregor in particular Glasgow certainly have that, plus there's DTH as well who will hopefully come back from injury to be a star turn at 13.

Auckland Troy Nathan looks the real deal wherever he has played- a good signing by Lineen.

I like Nathan, he brings something else to the table rather than the continuous crash ball of Morrison and Dewey. If all goes to plan and Weir, Hogg and Jackson are included in the 6N squad, we may well get a chance to see Nathan at 10 or even 15. Can’t see it happening before that, barring injury.

As for the injuries/omissions, that’s a bonus for Glasgow. I don’t think Montpellier are ignoring the HEC and concentrating on the Top14. They’re currently in 8th place, 16 points behind leaders Toulouse. The group is Leinster’s but 2nd place is up for grabs and they still have to play us and Bath at home. If we can get a win and maybe a LBP out of the two games I’d be very happy indeed.

Team Announced :

15 Stuart Hogg

14 Federico Aramburu
13 Peter Murchie
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Rory Lamont

10 Duncan Weir
9 Chris Cusiter

1 Jon Welsh
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Mike Cusack
4 Richie Gray
5 Al Kellock (captain)
6 Rob Harley
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson

SUBSTITUTES

16 Dougie Hall
17 Ryan Grant
18 Ed Kalman
19 Tom Ryder
20 Chris Fusaro
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Troy Nathan
23 Ruaridh Jackson

That team actually looks quite good on paper. Ramont slots into 11 and Hogg remains at 15. Powerful strike runners will have to go looking for the ball though since we still have everyones favourite crash ball merchant at 12.

Montpellier starting XV in the OP as well as the Warriors team too now

Big(ger) calls for me are Welsh over Grant, Wilson over Beattie, Murchie over Nathan, Ramont over Seymour and Shaw - can't disagree with any of them tbh. Wouldn't have bothered with Jackson on the bench, but imagine that's an edict from HQ, no place for Moray Low as Kalman is preferred - looks like a decent team to be taking on an understrength Montpol in probably attrocious conditions

I don't really know enough about the Montpellier squad, but aren't they missing a few of their big names?

Liking the look of the Glasgow 15, but including Ramont is a big call, as is Murchie at 13.

I'd also question having Fusaro (who is only covering Barcs) on the bench, rather than Beattie. I realise Fus has form but Beatts would be anyone's definition of an impact player, even if he's only been on form for the last few games.

nick, suspect Barclay will be used to cover 6&8

Not so sure about Murchie at 13, would much prefer to see Nathan there, and I'm surprised by Lamont's rapid promotion, but Lineen must be confident that he's fit.

The better news is the Mont line-up. Quite a number of star players missing.

Decent enough team, pity Beattie has not made the team. I am not sold on Wilson as much as most seem to be, certainly not at this stage of his career. Low not even making the squad is a blow to him, what a massive step backwards he has taken in the past year or so. Hall losing his starting role is another kick in the teeth for an international in the squad. That said good on lineen for picking on form not reputation.

Hope that lineen does not bring on jackson just for the sake of it on Sunday, like seems to happen when teams name two specialists tens, well certainly scottish teams.

Hardest job over the weekend is for the ground staff, it will be massive job to get the pitch playable considering the rain that ha fallen and is forecast to.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Hall losing his starting role is another kick in the teeth for an international in the squad. That said good on lineen for picking on form not reputation.

Dougie Hall had a reputation?

The only reputation I was aware he had is that a blind man wearing mittens would throw in better at a line out. If his accuracy at the lineout is anything to go by, I would hate to see what kind of state his toilet at home is in.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Hall losing his starting role is another kick in the teeth for an international in the squad. That said good on lineen for picking on form not reputation.

Dougie Hall had a reputation?

The only reputation I was aware he had is that a blind man wearing mittens would throw in better at a line out. If his accuracy at the lineout is anything to go by, I would hate to see what kind of state his toilet at home is in.

Bit harsh on Hall. Not international classbut a decent club performer. McArthur is hardly Phil Taylor with his darts at the lineout!

I’m surprised at Beattie’s absence. As mentioned before, he is the perfect impact player. As is Nathan though, so I can understand why he’s on the bench. Lineen is showing a lot of faith in Lamont by giving him a start. I hope he’s fit and has a good game (a couple of tries would be nice). How’s the forecast looking in Glasgow over the weekend? Could we see more of a running game if it’s too windy for the boot?

Good lord - Montpellier without Gorgodze, Ouedraogo or Nagusa?

Montpellier are currently second from bottom in the Top 14 as well at the moment. Perhaps I'm missing something but on paper, we won't get a better chance to take a bonus point win over French opposition. As Dot says, would be a crying shame if the match doesn't take place because of the conditions.

I have no problem with Lamont being thrown in - in the Herald's interview with him, he said that he'd been training his nuts off, so let's see how he does. Shame for Lemi, but there we have it.

Dorothy, I also noted the absence of Beattie. I am not completely sold on Wilson either - he needs to step up in matches like this - however, what is the case is that he's the incumbent and whilst JB showed plenty of reasonable stuff in his last game, I think that it's reasonable to suggest that it wasn't enough.

Where the smeg is Mr Moray Low?

George Carlin wrote:Good lord - Montpellier without Gorgodze, Ouedraogo or Nagusa?

Montpellier are currently second from bottom in the Top 14 as well at the moment. Perhaps I'm missing something but on paper, we won't get a better chance to take a bonus point win over French opposition. As Dot says, would be a crying shame if the match doesn't take place because of the conditions.

Montpellier are 8th in the Top14 just now having hit a run of decent form. Without their internationals they really struggled at the start of the season and went a long time with only 1 win under thier belt. They now have 5 wins, a draw and 6 losses. They're still dangerous and I don't think we should be underestimating them and mentioning BPs. I can see us winning, but I don't see us running away with it.

Scot Abroad wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Good lord - Montpellier without Gorgodze, Ouedraogo or Nagusa?

Montpellier are currently second from bottom in the Top 14 as well at the moment. Perhaps I'm missing something but on paper, we won't get a better chance to take a bonus point win over French opposition. As Dot says, would be a crying shame if the match doesn't take place because of the conditions.

Montpellier are 8th in the Top14 just now having hit a run of decent form. Without their internationals they really struggled at the start of the season and went a long time with only 1 win under thier belt. They now have 5 wins, a draw and 6 losses. They're still dangerous and I don't think we should be underestimating them and mentioning BPs. I can see us winning, but I don't see us running away with it.

You're correct, Scot Abroad.

I think that the real question is - where exactly are you ("abroad" being impressively non-committal)? I suppose that Guernsey is abroad? Or the Isle of Arran? Certainly overseas.

George Carlin wrote:

Scot Abroad wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Good lord - Montpellier without Gorgodze, Ouedraogo or Nagusa?

Montpellier are currently second from bottom in the Top 14 as well at the moment. Perhaps I'm missing something but on paper, we won't get a better chance to take a bonus point win over French opposition. As Dot says, would be a crying shame if the match doesn't take place because of the conditions.

Montpellier are 8th in the Top14 just now having hit a run of decent form. Without their internationals they really struggled at the start of the season and went a long time with only 1 win under thier belt. They now have 5 wins, a draw and 6 losses. They're still dangerous and I don't think we should be underestimating them and mentioning BPs. I can see us winning, but I don't see us running away with it.

You're correct, Scot Abroad.

I think that the real question is - where exactly are you ("abroad" being impressively non-committal)? I suppose that Guernsey is abroad? Or the Isle of Arran? Certainly overseas.

An interesting question indeed. I'm about 3300 miles west of Glasgow in a little know place called Canada. Been here for 8 months and love it. Serious lack or rugby but I still manage to catch the Glasgow games on line.

Scot Abroad wrote:An interesting question indeed. I'm about 3300 miles west of Glasgow in a little know place called Canada. Been here for 8 months and love it. Serious lack or rugby but I still manage to catch the Glasgow games on line.

Well you get to see exactly the same amount of Scottish rugby as the rest of us outside Glasgow and Edinburgh in that case!

The disappearance of Low is a real blow to Scottish rugby. If a match were on a Sunday and Cross injured then our scrum would effectively be useless. To have Kalman picked ahead of you is effectively saying you're 100% rubbish (Kalman being 99.9% rubbish).

Still, like the starting line-up other than Murchie, hopefully Weir is out there as I type, practising kicking the ball in a freezing howling gale.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Scot Abroad wrote:An interesting question indeed. I'm about 3300 miles west of Glasgow in a little know place called Canada. Been here for 8 months and love it. Serious lack or rugby but I still manage to catch the Glasgow games on line.

Well you get to see exactly the same amount of Scottish rugby as the rest of us outside Glasgow and Edinburgh in that case!

The disappearance of Low is a real blow to Scottish rugby. If a match were on a Sunday and Cross injured then our scrum would effectively be useless. To have Kalman picked ahead of you is effectively saying you're 100% rubbish (Kalman being 99.9% rubbish).

Still, like the starting line-up other than Murchie, hopefully Weir is out there as I type, practising kicking the ball in a freezing howling gale.

Lineen must think Murchie can do a job, I’m not as convinced. The image of Weir practicing reminds me of a kick from Dan Carter a couple of years ago, where he hit it low and bent it back between the posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXomOLcaJM

Can’t get onto youtube in work over here but I think this is the one.

After this storm I would be surprised if Firhill is still standing. Still blowing like a bloody rhinocerous (spe?) here. When are the Monte P team flying in - good luck to them !!!!