3rd Scottish team in the Heineken next season

by 123456789 Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:31 am

If Edinburgh win the whole tournament Scotland will be obliged to entre a third team into next year's tournament, we only have two pro teams therefore we have a number of options:
Give up the place to another country or pro12 team
Entre the winner of premier 1, possibly the fairest option but will they be able to afford it
Create a team based on the best from the amateur teams and the academies
Entre the u20s except those playing for pro sides already
Recreate a pro team for the tournament to see how it would work in Aberdeen or the Borders with a view to make it a full time side

by 3rdGrandslamCame Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:45 am

Give it to Cardiff Blues.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:56 am

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Give it to Cardiff Blues.

You really think the Dragons will overhaul the blues?

by IanBru Mon 09 Apr 2012, 12:08 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Give it to Cardiff Blues.

I'm not sure I get this joke. The Blues have already qualified, surely?

My heart would love to see a Melrose, Ayr or Gala squaring off against Clermont or Toulouse, playing balls-to-the-wall, fearless running rugby. In all honesty, they'd probably get tanked, but it would be a real marker to those outside Scotland that the old borders clubs are still going strong.

Alternatively, this could be a useful opportunity to advance the long-term goal of reviving a third pro club, . As you suggest, Numbers, we could create an invitational club with the best players from Premier 1, playing at Netherdale, and funded with the money that Edinburgh have made during this season's HC run (incidentally, how much more have they made by playing in the semi-final?).

by 3rdGrandslamCame Mon 09 Apr 2012, 12:10 pm

IanBru wrote:
3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Give it to Cardiff Blues.
I'm not sure I get this joke. The Blues have already qualified, surely?

My heart would love to see a Melrose, Ayr or Gala squaring off against Clermont or Toulouse, playing balls-to-the-wall, fearless running rugby. In all honesty, they'd probably get tanked, but it would be a real marker to those outside Scotland that the old borders clubs are still going strong.

Alternatively, this could be a useful opportunity to advance the long-term goal of reviving a third pro club, . As you suggest, Numbers, we could create an invitational club with the best players from Premier 1, playing at Netherdale, and funded with the money that Edinburgh have made during this season's HC run (incidentally, how much more have they made by playing in the semi-final?).

It is a complicated joke for grown ups.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Mon 09 Apr 2012, 1:20 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:
IanBru wrote:
3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Give it to Cardiff Blues.
I'm not sure I get this joke. The Blues have already qualified, surely?

My heart would love to see a Melrose, Ayr or Gala squaring off against Clermont or Toulouse, playing balls-to-the-wall, fearless running rugby. In all honesty, they'd probably get tanked, but it would be a real marker to those outside Scotland that the old borders clubs are still going strong.

Alternatively, this could be a useful opportunity to advance the long-term goal of reviving a third pro club, . As you suggest, Numbers, we could create an invitational club with the best players from Premier 1, playing at Netherdale, and funded with the money that Edinburgh have made during this season's HC run (incidentally, how much more have they made by playing in the semi-final?).

It is a complicated joke for grown ups.

It's one you have to be a follower of Welsh rugby to get Wink

by Feckless Rogue Mon 09 Apr 2012, 2:10 pm

If Edinburgh won the HEC, the SRU should grab the chance to enter a third team. Either revive Borders for the tournament or Caledonia Reds based in Aberdeen. Not sure. Borders has the strong rugby tradition. But Aberdeen has a larger population to support a potential future pro team.

They should fill the team with the best Scottish club players and have it managed and coached by people from the club game. Obviously they wouldn't set the tournament on fire. But it wouldn't be that costly to field a team for 6 games. They might even take a bit of money in if they're drawn against a big, glamorous side like Toulouse. And it would give the SRU some useful information on the potential for a 3rd full time pro team in the future.

This sort of pro-active step would be very unlike the SRU though. They'd probably just give the spot to another country to try and save money.

by Coleman Mon 09 Apr 2012, 2:15 pm

Outside of The Borders and Caledonia. Did the Scots not create such a team for the first season of the B&I Cup? Gale Force or Gael Force? From what i remember they were made of the of the U-20's of Edin and Glasgow.

by Cryptoyourisan Mon 09 Apr 2012, 2:59 pm

Coleman wrote:Outside of The Borders and Caledonia. Did the Scots not create such a team for the first season of the B&I Cup? Gale Force or Gael Force? From what i remember they were made of the of the U-20's of Edin and Glasgow.

Yes, although I think it was based in Stirling.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 09 Apr 2012, 4:42 pm

Kiwireddevil wrote:
3rdGrandslamCame wrote:
IanBru wrote:
3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Give it to Cardiff Blues.
I'm not sure I get this joke. The Blues have already qualified, surely?

My heart would love to see a Melrose, Ayr or Gala squaring off against Clermont or Toulouse, playing balls-to-the-wall, fearless running rugby. In all honesty, they'd probably get tanked, but it would be a real marker to those outside Scotland that the old borders clubs are still going strong.

Alternatively, this could be a useful opportunity to advance the long-term goal of reviving a third pro club, . As you suggest, Numbers, we could create an invitational club with the best players from Premier 1, playing at Netherdale, and funded with the money that Edinburgh have made during this season's HC run (incidentally, how much more have they made by playing in the semi-final?).

It is a complicated joke for grown ups.

It's one you have to be a follower of Welsh rugby to get

There is a possibility that those to statements could be mutually exclusive in a significant minority of cases

by **RDW** Mon 09 Apr 2012, 5:38 pm

Discussing the finances here:

https://www.606v2.com/t27428-what-should-the-sru-spend-all-this-extra-income-on

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:36 pm

If Edinburgh win the HEC, or if a French side does (as they are definately going to win the Amlin), then I believe the 'spare' HEC slot goes to the highest rated non-qualified team in the Official ERC rankings. Sorry.

by red_stag Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:42 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:If Edinburgh win the HEC, or if a French side does (as they are definately going to win the Amlin), then I believe the 'spare' HEC slot goes to the highest rated non-qualified team in the Official ERC rankings. Sorry.

It'll be either Biarritz, Perpignan or Wasps so.

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:48 pm

123456789 wrote:If Edinburgh win the whole tournament....

There you go you see. At this point it was a waste of time carrying on with any discussion ;-)

by offload Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:50 pm

Nah, if Edinburgh win, give the extra place to England. With 7 or 8 teams in it they might have a better chance of a semi finalist. Might even shut them up about restructuring the competition. Wink

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:50 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:
123456789 wrote:If Edinburgh win the whole tournament....

There you go you see. At this point it was a waste of time carrying on with any discussion ;-)

Well everyone thought they would be bottom of their pool. They won it.

Everyone thought Toulouse would beat them, they didn't.

See where this is going? Wink

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:52 pm

Yep, Scottish disappointment i'm afraid.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 12:56 pm

I dare say if Edinbrugh can beat Toulouse we can beat Ulster.

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:04 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I dare say if Edinbrugh can beat Toulouse we can beat Ulster.

You just keep holding on to that dream.

I suppose 'Burgh could do it..... but an up for it Ulster at Ravenhill is a different proposition to a mis-firing Toulouse at Murrayfield.

Lets just say some old biddy dies and wills Edinburgh the win in Belfast, do you honestly (now come on) think that they would beat either Clermont or Leinster at Twickenham?

Why isn't there a cuckoo icon!

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:07 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I dare say if Edinbrugh can beat Toulouse we can beat Ulster.

You just keep holding on to that dream.

I suppose 'Burgh could do it..... but an up for it Ulster at Ravenhill is a different proposition to a mis-firing Toulouse at Murrayfield.

Lets just say some old biddy dies and wills Edinburgh the win in Belfast, do you honestly (now come on) think that they would beat either Clermont or Leinster at Twickenham?

Why isn't there a cuckoo icon!

Shame the game will be played at the Aviva in Dublin then Headscratch

by Irish Londoner Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:14 pm

Firstly Ulster are not playing at Ravenhill they are playing in Dublin.

Also whilst I bow to no man in my wish to see an all Ireland final at Twickenham it's not a given yet, one off games have a habit of not panning out - there's all sorts of things that can happen. Hopefully no-one in the North is counting chickens just yet.........

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:26 pm

Irish Londoner wrote:Firstly Ulster are not playing at Ravenhill they are playing in Dublin.

My mistake - not that it will make any difference to the outcome of this match. Probably.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:31 pm

I find it strange how a team panned with having no chance to make it this far are still given no chance when their next opponents lack the class, pedigree and international talent that their last opponents had.

chin

I am by no means saying Edinburgh WILL win. I'm saying they CAN win.

I don't think it's wise to write Edinburgh off. Toulouse did, so did Metro and London Irish. Look what happened to them.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:34 pm

To be fair Edinburgh stand a better chance of getting to the final and winning it if they are against opposition who they play regularly, as they should have less to feel pressured about, as they will know their opposition. I do not think that they will win the HEC but if they did win it I would not be totally suprised.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:36 pm

What is encouraging from an Edinburgh perspective is that the Edinburgh attack is so varied and unpredictable. It's difficult to definitively shut out the fast offloading game that Edinburgh adopt and in some ways it will negate the powerful Ulster defence we saw shut down Munster (a more predictable attacking outfit) Sure, the Ulster attack will certainly cause Edinburgh problems, and Edinburgh certainly can't afford another two yellow cards, particularly one as daft as the Chunk yellow. But this match is not a foregone conclusion by any means.

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 1:58 pm

I dunno, you get the feeling that Scotland - whether it is the international side or Edinburgh/Glasgow have the one odd good game in them - and I can't help feeling that was Edinburgh's.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 10 Apr 2012, 2:02 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:I dunno, you get the feeling that Scotland - whether it is the international side or Edinburgh/Glasgow have the one odd good game in them - and I can't help feeling that was Edinburgh's.

Edinburgh have had quite a few "one odd good game" this season, as have Glasgow (check out the Rabo12).

As for the international side, I'm still waiting for it....

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 2:04 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:I dunno, you get the feeling that Scotland - whether it is the international side or Edinburgh/Glasgow have the one odd good game in them - and I can't help feeling that was Edinburgh's.

It seems Edinburgh have had a few "good games" in the ERC though. Beating LI away and thumping them at home. Beating RM at home and away and beating Toulouse.

I can't help feeling Edinburgh have a bit of momentum right now and will quite rightly be fancying their chances of turning Ulster over. Sure it's at the Aviva, the new home of Irish rugby but Edinburgh have had an ok record on the road in the HC this year.

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 3:01 pm

Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 3:03 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Quite the Stormcrow eh?

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 10 Apr 2012, 3:04 pm

Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Ulster have won the HEC, and Clermont have not!

by Equo Troiano Tue 10 Apr 2012, 3:12 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Quite the Stormcrow eh?

Quite the realist.

Good luck though. It would be nice to see the cup go somewhere new.

by **Notch** Tue 10 Apr 2012, 3:24 pm

If Edinburgh win the Heineken Cup the place will go to the highest ranked side in Europe who haven't already qualified

by Majestic83 Tue 10 Apr 2012, 8:52 pm

I would love to see a 3rd scottish pro team set up. Think the best place for them to be based would be Aberdeen who have the set up and population to support a team. Will it happen? I doubt it just now but in the near future hopefully.
This is just in theory but a potential 1st xv could be something like this.

1. Grant Shiells
2. Fergus Thompson
3. Euan Murray
4. Jim Hamilton
5. Big Foreign lock Dannie Rossouw for example
6. Al Strokosh
7. A MacDonald
8. Blair Cowan
9. Brendan McKibbin
10.Ruraidh Jackson
11. Max Evans
12. Robbie Fergusson
13. Joe Ansbro
14. Sean Maitland
15. Robbie Robinson

16. Sean Crombie 17. Mike MacDonald 18. Bruce Douglas 19. Josh Brown 20 Michael Maltman 21. Grayson Hart 22 Lee Millar 23 Bryan Rennie

Think potentially there is the depth to get a 3rd team as plenty of players playing outside Scotland who could comeback and there is a fair bit of young talent coming through now.

by 123456789 Wed 11 Apr 2012, 12:41 am

We could even push for a fourth...

1. Dickinson
2. Lawson
3. Kalman
4. McKenzie
5. J. Gray
6. White
7. Hogg
8. Taylor
9. Gregor
10. A. Blair
11. Danielli
12. Grove
13. Fife
14. Walker
15. Thompson

My knowledge of age-grade and club teams is poor so add to that 5-6 foreign players, 7-8 age grade players and 9-10 club players then you have a decent squad all that is left is the money, the fans, the stadium and the SRU to back it. Would the other Rabodirect clubs allow us to bring in 1-2 teams?

by **George Carlin** Wed 11 Apr 2012, 6:16 am

Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Equo - it would help me a lot when reading your various rather snotty digs to be even roughly aware of your overall point.

Are you suggesting that Edinburgh fans should not take a moment to be happy with a good Heineken Cup run? Or is your point that no team should be happy with anything other than a Cup win? Either way, just because Edinburgh's run was unexpected at the start of the season does not diminish its merit in any way. The fact that Scotland fans have had little to cheer this season makes your remarks all the more graceless and unconstructive.

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 11 Apr 2012, 8:23 am

George Carlin wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Equo - it would help me a lot when reading your various rather snotty digs to be even roughly aware of your overall point.

Are you suggesting that Edinburgh fans should not take a moment to be happy with a good Heineken Cup run? Or is your point that no team should be happy with anything other than a Cup win? Either way, just because Edinburgh's run was unexpected at the start of the season does not diminish its merit in any way. The fact that Scotland fans have had little to cheer this season makes your remarks all the more graceless and unconstructive.

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

+1

by beshocked Wed 11 Apr 2012, 8:32 am

If Edinburgh win the Heineken Cup then yes Scotland should get a 3rd team.

I think it's great for Scottish rugby that Edinburgh are in the HC semi finals.

Odd that a HC semi finalist can be 11th in their league though.

by Equo Troiano Wed 11 Apr 2012, 8:50 am

George Carlin wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Equo - it would help me a lot when reading your various rather snotty digs to be even roughly aware of your overall point.

Are you suggesting that Edinburgh fans should not take a moment to be happy with a good Heineken Cup run? Or is your point that no team should be happy with anything other than a Cup win? Either way, just because Edinburgh's run was unexpected at the start of the season does not diminish its merit in any way. The fact that Scotland fans have had little to cheer this season makes your remarks all the more graceless and unconstructive.

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

Hilarious. Of course your rather graceless comments are re-defining hypocrasy (sp) but it matters not, the outcome on the pitch will favour my opinion (of that i'm sure). I think it also rather ironic that someone can start talking about a Scottish team winning the HC and a new club being formed when Edinburgh are the worst of the four left, with Scottish Rabo clubs hardly setting the world alight and the Scottish international team the worst in the 6N. The SRU can hardly sustain 2 main clubs, let alone another, or even more laughably, a fourth (as some have suggested). One swallow does not make a Summer .... etc.

Graciousness doesn't come into it. Practicality does however.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 11 Apr 2012, 8:55 am

Edinburgh fans should be delighted at what has been a really good Heineken campaign.

It makes sense for SRU to at least start to consider what they would do should Edinburgh win two more matches.

However Edinbugh are the outsiders to win the tournament. Even Bookies in Scotland have them a long way back in their odds.

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:20 am

Equo Troiano wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Equo - it would help me a lot when reading your various rather snotty digs to be even roughly aware of your overall point.

Are you suggesting that Edinburgh fans should not take a moment to be happy with a good Heineken Cup run? Or is your point that no team should be happy with anything other than a Cup win? Either way, just because Edinburgh's run was unexpected at the start of the season does not diminish its merit in any way. The fact that Scotland fans have had little to cheer this season makes your remarks all the more graceless and unconstructive.

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

Hilarious. Of course your rather graceless comments are re-defining hypocrasy (sp) but it matters not, the outcome on the pitch will favour my opinion (of that i'm sure). I think it also rather ironic that someone can start talking about a Scottish team winning the HC and a new club being formed when Edinburgh are the worst of the four left, with Scottish Rabo clubs hardly setting the world alight and the Scottish international team the worst in the 6N. The SRU can hardly sustain 2 main clubs, let alone another, or even more laughably, a fourth (as some have suggested). One swallow does not make a Summer .... etc.

Graciousness doesn't come into it. Practicality does however.

Ah yes Glasgow, that town in North Wales, I'm sure they are in contention for a play off place in the pro 12 aren't they?

If only one of the Scottish clubs were in that position. Doh

by eirebilly Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:23 am

Of course Edinburgh can beat Ulster, i dont think that they will but they certainly can.

Scottish fans have had an absolutely horrid year with their national side but Edinburgh and Glasgow have been shining lights and good luck to them and their fans, you should enjoy the moment.

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to bet against any of the 4 remaining sides winning the HC, they have all done incredibly well to get to this stage so they are all in with a chance.

by Equo Troiano Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:29 am

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:Don't get too precious, Scottish rugby is hardly enjoying a rennaisance.

Its moot anyway, because whoever wins the tie at the Aviva will probably get well beaten by the winner of the other semi-final, as nither Ulster nor Edinburgh are as good as Clermont or Leinster and neither team has much experience of knock out rugby.

Equo - it would help me a lot when reading your various rather snotty digs to be even roughly aware of your overall point.

Are you suggesting that Edinburgh fans should not take a moment to be happy with a good Heineken Cup run? Or is your point that no team should be happy with anything other than a Cup win? Either way, just because Edinburgh's run was unexpected at the start of the season does not diminish its merit in any way. The fact that Scotland fans have had little to cheer this season makes your remarks all the more graceless and unconstructive.

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

Hilarious. Of course your rather graceless comments are re-defining hypocrasy (sp) but it matters not, the outcome on the pitch will favour my opinion (of that i'm sure). I think it also rather ironic that someone can start talking about a Scottish team winning the HC and a new club being formed when Edinburgh are the worst of the four left, with Scottish Rabo clubs hardly setting the world alight and the Scottish international team the worst in the 6N. The SRU can hardly sustain 2 main clubs, let alone another, or even more laughably, a fourth (as some have suggested). One swallow does not make a Summer .... etc.

Graciousness doesn't come into it. Practicality does however.

Ah yes Glasgow, that town in North Wales, I'm sure they are in contention for a play off place in the pro 12 aren't they?

If only one of the Scottish clubs were in that position.

Look, don't get all upset with me, just because Scottish rugby couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

by beshocked Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:30 am

Eirebilly of course they all in with a chance but one would expect Leinster and Clermont to have a better chance than Ulster and Edinburgh.

Ulster and Edinburgh can believe though.

by eirebilly Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:33 am

My point being, beshocked, is that this is in the knockout stages and no side will take eachother for granted. Toulouse where much more fancied than Edinburgh and they still lost. Anything can happen and even if Edinburgh are the least favoured side, they have as much chance as any of the other 3.

by **RDW** Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:35 am

Equo Troiano wrote:

Look, don't get all upset with me, just because Scottish rugby couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

Equo - if it is your opinion that Edinburgh don't stand a chance then fair enough. However your tone and attitude is not acceptable on the forum as you are clearly just trying to wind people up. You are more than welcome to give your opinion, as long as you don't seek to antagonise people in the process.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:36 am

eirebilly wrote:My point being, beshocked, is that this is in the knockout stages and no side will take eachother for granted. Toulouse where much more fancied than Edinburgh and they still lost. Anything can happen and even if Edinburgh are the least favoured side, they have as much chance as any of the other 3.

I disagree with that last bit as it effectively assumes that team quality is irrelevant and knock out rugby is a lottery. Past performances would indicate edinburgh are not as good as the other 3, so while they have a chance it is not as high as the other 3.

what we can say however is that Edinburgh's chances are infinitely higher than that of an English or Welsh team winning.

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:37 am

Equo Troiano wrote:
Look, don't get all upset with me, just because Scottish rugby couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

I'm not getting upset with you. Just do your damn homework/research before making comments that are not backed up by facts.

Scottish clubs are doing pretty well with Edinburgh in the Semi's of the Heineken cup and Glasgow in contention for the playoffs in the Pro12.

It's also worth noting Edinburgh were expected to come last in their group. They won it, and in a pretty convincing way securing a home quarter against Toulouse who everyone expected us to get beat by. We beat them too. I would say Edinburgh have just as much chance as any of the others.

I'm not looking past Ulster, they are a tough team to play, especialy in Ireland. However there is no reason the Edinburgh players and fans shouldn't have beleif in the team that has made the bookies look like rookies for the entirety of this years ERC.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:39 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Equo Troiano wrote:

Look, don't get all upset with me, just because Scottish rugby couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.

Equo - if it is your opinion that Edinburgh don't stand a chance then fair enough. However your tone and attitude is not acceptable on the forum as you are clearly just trying to wind people up. You are more than welcome to give your opinion, as long as you don't seek to antagonise people in the process.

RDW, while Equo is guilty as charged, surely he was also provoked by commentsd such as

On the other hand, if your piles are playing up, your girlfriend's just left you and you've just had your brogues pooed on by an enthusiastic young labradoodle, then by all means fill your boots.

by eirebilly Wed 11 Apr 2012, 9:41 am

LondonTiger wrote:
eirebilly wrote:My point being, beshocked, is that this is in the knockout stages and no side will take eachother for granted. Toulouse where much more fancied than Edinburgh and they still lost. Anything can happen and even if Edinburgh are the least favoured side, they have as much chance as any of the other 3.

I disagree with that last bit as it effectively assumes that team quality is irrelevant and knock out rugby is a lottery. Past performances would indicate edinburgh are not as good as the other 3, so while they have a chance it is not as high as the other 3.

what we can say however is that Edinburgh's chances are infinitely higher than that of an English or Welsh team winning.

No thats not what i am saying at all. I am saying that Edinburgh have got to the semi finals on merit, no luck or lottery, merit. I am saying that they may be the least fancied side but they have the quality to cause an upset. No side has gotton to this stage based on luck or lottery.

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