Glasgow sign Angus Macdonald

Despite having one of the most Scottish Qualified names I have heard in a while, new signing Angus MacDonald is a twice capped All Black, back row forward.

Still only 31 he has been in Japan for the past couple of seasons and his arrival I assume confirms that John Barclay is for the off.

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/content/view/5270/2/

Crikey I thought he'd retired a while ago!

Yes, although AM is really a blindside, I presume he is being recruited to replace Barclay.

Mintie - he seems to have an excellent pedigree?

I'm assuming that you have to be reasonable to captain the Blues.

I don't think you could get a more Scottish name - his dad was called Hamish too!

If his body is still willing then this looks like yet another fantastic signing for Glasgow. Where's all this money come from??

RDW_Scotland wrote:I don't think you could get a more Scottish name - his dad was called Hamish too!

If his body is still willing then this looks like yet another fantastic signing for Glasgow. Where's all this money come from??

Last season we lost Thom and Max Evans from the wage bill, they were the 2nd and 3rd highest earners at the club. This season Beattie (not been offered a deal) and Barclay (does not want to stay) both will come off the wage bill, both are high earners (in realtive terms), whose wages if they don't fully cover their SH replacements, will be dam close to it.

I am not suggesting that our budget has not been increased, I just think that it's not grown (compared to 2 seasons ago) as massively as it appears with all the signings.

Things are starting to take shape for next season. With less players away with the Scotland squad, it might mean we don't suffer as much at the international periods.

With a fully fit squad we could be looking next season at something like.

Hogg
R Lamont
DTH
Morrison
S Lamont
Weir
Cusiter

Welsh
McArthur
Cusack (Low is out of contract in the Summer I think.)
Swinson/Ryder
Kellock
Harley
MacDonald
Ma'afu

Hall
Grant
Kalman
Ryder/Swinson
Fusaro
Pygros
Jackson
Dunbar/Murchie/Nathan/Horne

Still think we could do with signing a decent scrum half to cover for and provide competition to Cusiter. Also a OC would be ideal, so DTH can play on the wing. With so few options for Scotland in the Centres, I can't see a full time Overseas established player coming in and taking one of the slots away from a Scottish centre, which I can understand.

Aye, I dont understand the resigning of Pyrgos either, especially since it came on the back of a run of dire performances.

I think that Henry has struggled with the physicality in his first pro season. I actually think that he'll improve with time.

Dorothy - you are offie quiet on these boards.

Can I ask you - what has been the reaction near the club to Lineen being forced out? I am assuming that this b*llocks about there having been a 'consultation' about the position of head coach was nonsense?

George Carlin wrote:I think that Henry has struggled with the physicality in his first pro season. I actually think that he'll improve with time.

Dorothy - you are offie quiet on these boards.

Can I ask you - what has been the reaction near the club to Lineen being forced out? I am assuming that this b*llocks about there having been a 'consultation' about the position of head coach was nonsense?

Just been one of these periods when I have not been on the forum. Now that the 6 Nations is over I feel that I can come out of hiding!

As for Lineen, I know most of the players only found out about Lineen going in a hastly arranged meeting when they found out the Scotsman had the story.

I think its a disgrace the way Lineen has been treated, not saying he is the worlds best coach or anything close. But having had to work with such a limited budget and having any sort of squad he has assembled ripped up infront of his own eyes, while all the time be forced to face the media and play the party "postive" line. I think its a shame he has not been given at least a year, at the new ground and with a realtively settled team.

Why Toonie has been handed the job uncontested is beyond me. However I think everyone should get behind him 100%, as he will be the head coach.

I feel sorry for Gary Mercer who I know is well respected by the players, has done a top job as our defence coach and at the moment out of all the coaches in the SRU, he is the only one out of a job next season.

George Carlin wrote:I think that Henry has struggled with the physicality in his first pro season. I actually think that he'll improve with time.

This is his second season, although it is his first where he has had regular game time. I am not saying throw the towel in on him just yet, I just don't think he is good enough at the moment to seriously put pressure on Cusiter and considering Chris is away for a large number of games per season, I think we could do with another option.

Rumours that Beattie has not being offered a new contract and is in negotiations with Montpellier, but Barclay has been offered one and is currently considering his options

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I think that Henry has struggled with the physicality in his first pro season. I actually think that he'll improve with time.

This is his second season, although it is his first where he has had regular game time. I am not saying throw the towel in on him just yet, I just don't think he is good enough at the moment to seriously put pressure on Cusiter and considering Chris is away for a large number of games per season, I think we could do with another option.

Maybe he SRU will switch McKibbin to Glasgow if Blair decides to stay at Edinburgh?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Rumours that Beattie has not being offered a new contract and is in negotiations with Montpellier, but Barclay has been offered one and is currently considering his options

Heard that too As. Montpellier would be a good destination for Beattie. See if he can get fit, get his head on straight and get stuck in. Denton did us proud but seeing Beattie in full flow in a Scotland top would be amazing. Barclay needs a new start as well. He’s been out of form and played out of position. Apparently looking at France as well. Would be nice if they both went to the same club, to maintain that connection. Imagine if we had the Killer Bs back with Rennie and Denton…..OK I’m drooling now, time to stop.

Lets not forget the cash the SRU is saving by moving Glasgow away from Firhill. They pay 1m a year to use the stadium and I suspect Scotstoun is substantially cheaper. They’ve finally loosened the purse strings this season. Lets hope it’s not a one off and it continues. I suspect there will be a few signings for Edinburgh during the summer. Especially since Blair is likely to leave.

Also losing Ritchie this season, who was probably on decent money. Glasgow didn't lose that many big earners last season, compared to Edinburgh, so would expect with the leavers / poss leavers they've freed up some dosh which they're reinvesting. Will also get half of the Edinburgh HEC money and hopefully half of the Rabo play off money, so some additional funds available.

Nice to see them investing in some experience to help bring on the young guys. Waiting with anticipation to see what Edinburgh do, lots of new deals for existing players, but not much new blood so far. Will probably also free up funds with Webbo, Lozada, Blair, MacDonald all possibly going or gone and Mossy maybe retiring.

Scot Abroad wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Rumours that Beattie has not being offered a new contract and is in negotiations with Montpellier, but Barclay has been offered one and is currently considering his options

Heard that too As. Montpellier would be a good destination for Beattie. See if he can get fit, get his head on straight and get stuck in. Denton did us proud but seeing Beattie in full flow in a Scotland top would be amazing. Barclay needs a new start as well. He’s been out of form and played out of position. Apparently looking at France as well. Would be nice if they both went to the same club, to maintain that connection. Imagine if we had the Killer Bs back with Rennie and Denton…..OK I’m drooling now, time to stop.

Lets not forget the cash the SRU is saving by moving Glasgow away from Firhill. They pay 1m a year to use the stadium and I suspect Scotstoun is substantially cheaper. They’ve finally loosened the purse strings this season. Lets hope it’s not a one off and it continues. I suspect there will be a few signings for Edinburgh during the summer. Especially since Blair is likely to leave.

There is a saving from the move to Scotsoun but, its nowhere near the figures quoted. Partick Thistle are not getting anywhere near £1m a year from renting Firhill to Glasgow, its far nearer £100k than £1m!

Barclay has been offered a very good deal to stay at Glasgow, I can understand why he wants to move. Beattie has not been offered a deal and its perfectly reasonable why, he really has offered very little over the past two, very well paid seasons.

Both will get contracts in France based on what the might offer their new employers and I hope for Scotland's sake both get back to what they are capable of. In Barclays case I do feel sorry for him, he lost most of the first half of last season to injury, then when he was just finding form, Robbo decided to stand him down for best part of ten weeks. As he admitted himself he needed games and he never got them and when the World Cup came around he was too wound up, as its all that he had to focus on for the best of the previous six months!

Dot,

just shy of £250,000 per annum rental for Firhill - still fair sum of dosh. They are getting Scotstoun gratis from GCC as part of the 7s Commonwealth Games deal thingy.

Will be sorry to see the 2 JBs going - Barclay has been consistently good for the Warriors and Beattie in his pomp was tremendous. I am going to the next 3 home games to cheer SL & Warriors inthe hope of play-offs but that is it from me. This whole Townsend thing is nothing short of disgraceful so I've had it - I know I am not alone as a few of the other guys are not re-newing season tickets. I really feel for Lineen and Big Al Kellock - guys who live and breath the Warriors. Gary Mercer too - wish he could meet Townsend on a dark night up at Firhill ! Only one winner there !

Not sure about all of that, there a lot of GW supporters on other sites who have been shouting for Lineen's head for ages, primarily for the style of rugby he plays. Agree the whole thing has been handled horribly and not sure that the Townsend switch is a good move. Give it a chance though. You sound Welsh with your reaction here; it's not how my village want to do it so I'm not going. Apologies to my more enlightened Welsh friends

Oh yeah - name them then - I mean refer to them ! Not sure Townsend is a good move ????? What is it you are not sure about FFS ? He is like Robinson useless and will drag Glasgow backwards !

On other forums, so won't namecheck here, but apart from posts you have to guess that posters with sigs of 'Lineen out' and 'Lineen must go' are not too unhappy with that development. Townsend untried, might actually be a good thing. Don't prejudge is all I'm saying.

Sinner,

What will he (Townsend) bring to the Warriors ? He had the temerity to claim career highlights (as coach) were the win over Australia, South Africa and Argentina twice. How many tries did our esteemed coach manage to eek out of his charges in these 4 games - one - which from memory was a forwards try by Al Kellock v Argentina. If Lineen had to go why not get Chick Chalmers up - he has proved himself at Melrose whereas Townsend has contributed nothing to Scotland but drag them further down (along with Robinson). He will not be a good thing as he has no experience. Out game is in tatters thanks to the likes of Townsend, Robinson and the numpties at the SRU. The Glasgow fans do not want him -pure and simple !

I'm not a big fan of Townsend as a coach but i'd have to say he would be better than 'Chic Chalmers' who not only rubs a lot of officials up the wrong way but also many of the players who play under him. Melrose have done well under him but its not purely down to him.
Away from the townsend/lineen switch, Macdonald is a great signing for Glasgow, seen him play a few times and is good hard working 6, similar to Todd Blackadder but with a bit more pace. Glasgow are going to be a strong team next season with a very strong pack.

21C you miss the basis of my arguent, which is don't prejudge him. Might be rubbish, might turn out well - who knows. Just think throwing the teddy out of the pram is a bit extreme. Keep supporting your guys! That's why I'll be at Murrayfield on Friday watching our 2nds gettingshamed by the Dragons.

Ps if you get through to Embra let's do beer.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I don't think you could get a more Scottish name - his dad was called Hamish too!

If his body is still willing then this looks like yet another fantastic signing for Glasgow. Where's all this money come from??

Last season we lost Thom and Max Evans from the wage bill, they were the 2nd and 3rd highest earners at the club. This season Beattie (not been offered a deal) and Barclay (does not want to stay) both will come off the wage bill, both are high earners (in realtive terms), whose wages if they don't fully cover their SH replacements, will be dam close to it.

I am not suggesting that our budget has not been increased, I just think that it's not grown (compared to 2 seasons ago) as massively as it appears with all the signings.

Things are starting to take shape for next season. With less players away with the Scotland squad, it might mean we don't suffer as much at the international periods.

With a fully fit squad we could be looking next season at something like.

Hogg
R Lamont
DTH
Morrison
S Lamont
Weir
Cusiter

Welsh
McArthur
Cusack (Low is out of contract in the Summer I think.)
Swinson/Ryder
Kellock
Harley
MacDonald
Ma'afu

Hall
Grant
Kalman
Ryder/Swinson
Fusaro
Pygros
Jackson
Dunbar/Murchie/Nathan/Horne

Still think we could do with signing a decent scrum half to cover for and provide competition to Cusiter. Also a OC would be ideal, so DTH can play on the wing. With so few options for Scotland in the Centres, I can't see a full time Overseas established player coming in and taking one of the slots away from a Scottish centre, which I can understand.

Not too sure about the pack there, don't get me wrong looks like a decent unit but 4 out of the 8 are not Scottish especially the back row (although I know Cusack, Swinson and Ryder may qualify). I know that the results will drop but surely we could be brining more Scottish talent through when we only have the 2 teams??
I just hope that if there are tallented young players not picked up they find a place in the English championship

SGD prop wrote:

Not too sure about the pack there, don't get me wrong looks like a decent unit but 4 out of the 8 are not Scottish especially the back row (although I know Cusack, Swinson and Ryder may qualify). I know that the results will drop but surely we could be brining more Scottish talent through when we only have the 2 teams??
I just hope that if there are tallented young players not picked up they find a place in the English championship

Swinson and Ryder are both Scottish Qualified already. I only left out Low as he at that point had not signed a new contract, now that he has I am happy to see him start. That means we have only 2 Non Scots in the pack and hopefully Wilson and Fusaro can push for a starting spot. Competition for places will hopefully drive the youngsters on.

I hope more can be made of Alex Dunbar at 13 next season. I prefer his direct running to whatever it is that Murchie does.

On the scrum half issue I think that Glasgow have really suffered with Colin Gregor basically being away all the time, but I'd persevere with Pyrgos. He does show glimpes of being a very good player sometimes, and although he can get bullied abit around the ruck, he does have a break on him.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I hope more can be made of Alex Dunbar at 13 next season. I prefer his direct running to whatever it is that Murchie does.

On the scrum half issue I think that Glasgow have really suffered with Colin Gregor basically being away all the time, but I'd persevere with Pyrgos. He does show glimpes of being a very good player sometimes, and although he can get bullied abit around the ruck, he does have a break on him.

It's called crabbing, fES, a technical term

I know they are both be Scottish qualified but I would rather the chance was given to someone who came through the Scottish system if I am honest. If we had more than the 2 teams I guess I would not be so concerned.

The simple fact is that if we are not producing the talent to keep 2 pro teams from going mainly from within, we might as well accept now that we have gone as far as we can and that we are a tier 2 nation.

Maybe it is the 6N blues talking but that is the way I am feeling right now

Sinner, I will be at the Cafe Royal pre and post the Embra match on 7 April. Maybe see you there

PS Anyone see Kevin Ferrie's column and letters in the Herald today - damning indictment of the SRU and shows the fury felt by very many Warrior supporters. Might be interesting tomorrow at Firhill chaps !

SGD prop wrote:I know they are both be Scottish qualified but I would rather the chance was given to someone who came through the Scottish system if I am honest. If we had more than the 2 teams I guess I would not be so concerned.

The simple fact is that if we are not producing the talent to keep 2 pro teams from going mainly from within, we might as well accept now that we have gone as far as we can and that we are a tier 2 nation.

Maybe it is the 6N blues talking but that is the way I am feeling right now

I do understand where you're coming from, but Glasgow is choked full of young talent that has come through the system, some may say too reliant on it. For young players to really thrive, they need to be in a competitive environment with senior established pros to learn from. A smattering of talented imports (Scots qualified or otherwise) is important to (a) bring through the youth as best we can, and (b) ensure our pro sides are competitive (which also assists with (a)).

I'd say Glasgow's (or rather Lineen's) signings have so far been pretty spot on. MacDonald will bring with him a wealth of experience for Fusaro and Harley to learn from, and with Beattie and Barclay likely both going, we'll need a couple of hard edged pros to ensure that teams like Munster and Leinster don't completely dominate us.

Glasgow still have Low, MacArthur, Welsh, Campbell, Harley, Fusaro, Wilson, Pyrgos, Weir, Jackson, Dunbar and Hogg next season, all players from within the system that they have developed, plus some old pros like the Lamonts coming back.

Provided Townsend doesn't screw things up, Glasgow should be a strong team next season.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

SGD prop wrote:I know they are both be Scottish qualified but I would rather the chance was given to someone who came through the Scottish system if I am honest. If we had more than the 2 teams I guess I would not be so concerned.

The simple fact is that if we are not producing the talent to keep 2 pro teams from going mainly from within, we might as well accept now that we have gone as far as we can and that we are a tier 2 nation.

Maybe it is the 6N blues talking but that is the way I am feeling right now

I do understand where you're coming from, but Glasgow is choked full of young talent that has come through the system, some may say too reliant on it. For young players to really thrive, they need to be in a competitive environment with senior established pros to learn from. A smattering of talented imports (Scots qualified or otherwise) is important to (a) bring through the youth as best we can, and (b) ensure our pro sides are competitive (which also assists with (a)).

I'd say Glasgow's (or rather Lineen's) signings have so far been pretty spot on. MacDonald will bring with him a wealth of experience for Fusaro and Harley to learn from, and with Beattie and Barclay likely both going, we'll need a couple of hard edged pros to ensure that teams like Munster and Leinster don't completely dominate us.

Glasgow still have Low, MacArthur, Welsh, Campbell, Harley, Fusaro, Wilson, Pyrgos, Weir, Jackson, Dunbar and Hogg next season, all players from within the system that they have developed, plus some old pros like the Lamonts coming back.

Provided Townsend doesn't screw things up, Glasgow should be a strong team next season.

He will, incompetent buffoon