New season, new Glasgow team

Well then - plenty of Irish and Welsh stuff on these boards so let's have a couple of threads about the Scottish clubs.

Glasgow first.

Sean gone, Toonie in - what do posters think our first XV is going to look like and how well are we going to do this season?

Possible options are as follows - likely first choice followed by other options:

1. Grant (Welsh is out for 6 months following surgery)
2. Hall (MacArthur, Gillies)
3. Cusack (Low, Kalman)
4. Kellock (Harley, Gray)
5. Swinson (Ryder, Campbell)
6. Harley (Macdonald)
7. Fusaro (Barclay)
8. Ma’afu (Wilson)

9. Cusiter (Matawalu, Pyrgos)
10. Weir (Jackson, Wight, Russell)
11. DTH (Shaw)
12. Dunbar (Morrison, Dick)
13. Shlamont (Nathan, McGuigan)
14. Ramont (Seymour, Paris)
15. Hogg (Murchie, Thomson)

Not bad cover levels all round.

Here's hoping that our new Tongan, Kiwi, Fijian, Canadian and Aussie brethren can do us proud.

And that Toonie keeps his yapper shut about his own personal philosophy that scoring tries is meaningless frippery.

Don't know anything about Paris, but would think that one of the Lamont's will start on the other wing from DTH.

Really exciting season for the Warriors, for once the squad has seen benefited from strong investment, resulting in some serious competition for places.

Grant: A shame that Welsh is out for so long.
MacArthur
Cusak
Swinson: Different player than Gray, but I think he could be a future fans favourite. Second row is an area of strength with Campbell and Gray JR waiting in the wings. Not a huge fan of big Al but he will probably be first choice.
Ryder.
Harley: I hope to see a big improvement in his ball carrying, under serious competition from ex 1 cap All Black MacDonald and James Eaddie.
Fusaro: Mouth watering battle between Fusaro and Barclay.
Ma'afu: What the team have been crying out far with Beattie being out of favour; a big ball carrier.

Cusiter
Weir: Hope to see a more expansive game from Duncan under Toonie, he has shown against the Saxons he has more to his game than just a big boot.
Schlong
Dunbar: Big season for the young centre, could find himself as a Scotland regular.
DTH: Would love to see the Canadian in the centre, would profit from Dunbar's half breaks.
Paris: This years Stuart Hogg?
Hogg

All in all this is the strongest Warriors squad I can remember - the first team is similar in quality to some predecessors, but the strength in depth has improved hugely. I think they are capable of a top 4 finish in the Rabo and, although it will be a massive ask, the quarters of the Heineken.

EST wrote:Really exciting season for the Warriors, for once the squad has seen benefited from strong investment, resulting in some serious competition for places.

Grant: A shame that Welsh is out for so long.
MacArthur
Cusak
Swinson: Different player than Gray, but I think he could be a future fans favourite. Second row is an area of strength with Campbell and Gray JR waiting in the wings. Not a huge fan of big Al but he will probably be first choice.
Ryder.
Harley: I hope to see a big improvement in his ball carrying, under serious competition from ex 1 cap All Black MacDonald and James Eaddie.
Fusaro: Mouth watering battle between Fusaro and Barclay.
Ma'afu: What the team have been crying out far with Beattie being out of favour; a big ball carrier.

Cusiter
Weir: Hope to see a more expansive game from Duncan under Toonie, he has shown against the Saxons he has more to his game than just a big boot.
Schlong
Dunbar: Big season for the young centre, could find himself as a Scotland regular.
DTH: Would love to see the Canadian in the centre, would profit from Dunbar's half breaks.
Paris: This years Stuart Hogg?
Hogg

All in all this is the strongest Warriors squad I can remember - the first team is similar in quality to some predecessors, but the strength in depth has improved hugely. I think they are capable of a top 4 finish in the Rabo and, although it will be a massive ask, the quarters of the Heineken.

+1 on all things, particularly the centre combo you have, EST. I expect to see the Lamonts and Seymour battling it out for the wing slot

Yeah, I think Dunbar and DTH would compliment each other perfectly. I think you are right about the wing slots, asbo, and wouldn't expect Paris to start. I actually forgot about Seymour, he has always looked dangerous when given the chance.

The good thing about this season are the options we have, which have not been the case before, there are mini battles for positions all over the place.

EST wrote:Yeah, I think Dunbar and DTH would compliment each other perfectly. I think you are right about the wing slots, asbo, and wouldn't expect Paris to start. I actually forgot about Seymour, he has always looked dangerous when given the chance.

The good thing about this season are the options we have, which have not been the case before, there are mini battles for positions all over the place.

Dead on, EST, much improved strength in depth

I’d probably prefer to see DTH at outside centre as well, with Seymour, the Lamonts and this Paris kid battling it out for the wing slots. Hogg should stay at 15 with Murchie and R Lamont as back ups.

I notice that no one has seen fit to include G Morrison in their XVs – I really hope that Dunbar displaces him for good at inside centre.

It’s great to see such depth in the forwards, even after losing Gray Snr and Beattie. The team couldn’t have coped with their departures a few seasons back. There isn’t as much depth in the backs, and I really hope that the team finds its creative spark this season. Need to retain that gnarly defensive attitude as well – combine that with an ability to regularly score tries and Glasgow will really become a team to fear.

Ma'afu is the player that could make a massive impact. When a game opens up, he will thrive.

Just a question, are Glasgow playing in that stadiums the 7s was in recently?

MBTGOG wrote:Ma'afu is the player that could make a massive impact. When a game opens up, he will thrive.

Just a question, are Glasgow playing in that stadiums the 7s was in recently?

They are indeed. I think the pitch is a little wider and longer than their previous home at Firhill, so that could encourage a slightly more expansive game plan this season.

I am going to go against the grain on this one and say I want DTH to remain on the wing. He is our only real try threat on the wing, being the only player in our squad I would bet to score 10+ tries a season. Moving him inside leaves a massive hole.

Of course you could argue that moving him to OC may open up more chances for others, but he is our best Wing so leave him there.

It is certainly the strongest squad in terms of depth that we have had, but in terms of the First XV I don't think it's has been strengthened enough to make the much needed step-up at HC level. So in the short term, I don't honestly see much changing, however the long term looks much brighter, with the new faces and youngsters being blooded in a team that is stable as opposed to constantly be stuck in a re-building phase.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:I am going to go against the grain on this one and say I want DTH to remain on the wing. He is our only real try threat on the wing, being the only player in our squad I would bet to score 10+ tries a season. Moving him inside leaves a massive hole.

Of course you could argue that moving him to OC may open up more chances for others, but he is our best Wing so leave him there.

It is certainly the strongest squad in terms of depth that we have had, but in terms of the First XV I don't think it's has been strengthened enough to make the much needed step-up at HC level. So in the short term, I don't honestly see much changing, however the long term looks much brighter, with the new faces and youngsters being blooded in a team that is stable as opposed to constantly be stuck in a re-building phase.

Dot, I know what you're saying, but then that leaves you a problem to my mind in the centre. I can see Schlong running in a fair few tries this season for the Weegies

Play the younger Scottish qualified guys in the centers, develop a decent partnership and provide them with a proven Try scorer on the wing. Doing this gives them the best chance to succeed and less excuses should they fail. I would think we will see Hogg playing OC more than DTH next season.

Sean Lamont will give us more options on the wing and will improve on what we had last season, I still don't see him scoring the type of tries that DTH can score.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Play the younger Scottish qualified guys in the centers, develop a decent partnership and provide them with a proven Try scorer on the wing. Doing this gives them the best chance to succeed and less excuses should they fail. I would think we will see Hogg playing OC more than DTH next season.

Sean Lamont will give us more options on the wing and will improve on what we had last season, I still don't see him scoring the type of tries that DTH can score.

If he can stay injury free, I'd maybe go for Troy Nathan at 12 and Dunbar at OC. Not sure that Horne or Murchie have the ability to step up, but more than happy to be proved wrong

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Play the younger Scottish qualified guys in the centers, develop a decent partnership and provide them with a proven Try scorer on the wing. Doing this gives them the best chance to succeed and less excuses should they fail. I would think we will see Hogg playing OC more than DTH next season.

Sean Lamont will give us more options on the wing and will improve on what we had last season, I still don't see him scoring the type of tries that DTH can score.

If he can stay injury free, I'd maybe go for Troy Nathan at 12 and Dunbar at OC. Not sure that Horne or Murchie have the ability to step up, but more than happy to be proved wrong

Dot, I can see your point of keeping DTH on the wing, but I think he will do the most damage through the middle latching onto Dunbar's offloads. For me that partnership has the best feel to it, and I think we now have enough quality on the wings to compensate for him going inside one, i.e Lamonts, James Johnstone, Seymour, Paris.

A good point was made about the quality of the starting XV remaining on par with previous seasons, thus making the possibility of us progressing slim; although on the face of it this might be true, I think we will see a big improvement in some of the younger players like Weir, Harley and Dunbar.

the new signings have definitely given the warriors the best squad they have ever had (real shame that Welsh will miss the first 6 months of the season).
A potential problem is that there are a huge number of permutations across the back line eg. Is our best 13 DTH, Dunbar, Hogg or Horne ?
Toonie is the man that needs to make these calls and that really worries me at the moment.
Hopefully Glasgow make a good start and give Townsend time to settle in to his role as head caoch and selector. If that doesnt happen then selection could end up being a nightmare scenario of chop and change in an attempt to get wins.
Time will tell.

Some real options for Glasgow this season in the backs. If DTH is indeed pencilled in as the strike option on the wing, you could see the following backline develop:

9.Matawalu 10.Jackson 11.S Lamont 12.Dunbar 13.Hogg 14.DTH 15.R Lamont

20.Cusiter 21.Weir 22.Morrison

Plenty pace in that line-up, with threatening runners all over the shop, plus a plan B option to play a tighter option on the bench.

Difficult to predict how Glasgow will do this season. They have much more depth, but as DOT notes above, is the 1st XV that much better? The return of DTH is huge, and I think the two signings of Ma'afu and Swinson will pay dividends. Whilst the loss of Richie Gray is a blow, I think a Swinson and Ryder combination, whilst a little short of power, could be just the ticket. Both are exceptionally hard working players, and both ruck extremely effectively, certainly better than a Gray/Kellock combination. This could mean some quick ball and some good turnover ball to work with. Ideal for a faster style of play.

The style of play the side adopts will be interesting. I've assumed with my team selection that Townsend will be coaching a fast paced and expansive style of play, with players given licence to try things and play spontaneously. That will be a tricky transition from the more conservative coaching style of Lineen, but I think Glasgow have the players to do this. They will likely leak more tries than last season, but could well end up in credit by scoring more, and a new style of play may well assist further in Europe, as it did Edinburgh last season.

FES - the larger question is whether you will now be forced to change your name to "Funny Scot".

Really like the look of the Glasgow squad for next season, hopefully they don’t lose the grittiness they had last season though. The signings that have been made look good, with Swinson, Ma'Afu and Matawalu especially pleasing.

The front-five looks really solid and I think Swinson will just add to the doggedness they had last season, plus there is strength in the back-row. Big fan of Rob Harley, if he continues to improve as well as carrying more ball he could push ahead of Brown and Strokosch in my opinion. Would be great to see Barclay get back to his best, he is still a top drawer player but Fusaro looks a more than capable replacement.

There is quality at half-back as well as variation in styles and strengths which is great. Centre looks a little light but the emergence of Dunbar is a massive boost for them and hopefully they can build an attack around him, preferably paired with DTH. The back-three looks good as well with genuine depth and class in the form of Hogg, will be interesting to see what Paris brings to the table.

Throughout the squad there's a good mix of youth (McArthur, Wilson, Weir, Dunbar, Hogg) and experience (Kellock, Barclay, Cusiter, Lamonts).

Optimistic about this Glasgow team, fingers crossed Townsend makes the step up and develops them into genuine Rabodirect challengers.

The trick for Townsend will be to succeed in getting Glasgow to be a more dangerous and open side in attack, without sacrificing the excellent work done by the last coaching team in both mindset and defense. That's a tough ask of any coach, particularly one with zero years experience in a top job.

Frankly same again in terms of results in the Rabo12 would be a fine achievement. Also worth noting that although Glasgow didn't qualify for the HC QFs, they did finish second in the group, coming above both Bath and Montpellier. That wasn't a bad set of results in truth. Really tough ask of Gregor to improve on last season.

The biggest thing for the Scottish game right now is winning some silverware, whether it's the Rabo, Amlin or Heineken Cup.

I believe we've got more chance of winning the Rabo than the other two, so would prefer if both team prioritised the league next season.

funnyExiledScot wrote:The trick for Townsend will be to succeed in getting Glasgow to be a more dangerous and open side in attack, without sacrificing the excellent work done by the last coaching team in both mindset and defense. That's a tough ask of any coach, particularly one with zero years experience in a top job.

Frankly same again in terms of results in the Rabo12 would be a fine achievement. Also worth noting that although Glasgow didn't qualify for the HC QFs, they did finish second in the group, coming above both Bath and Montpellier. That wasn't a bad set of results in truth. Really tough ask of Gregor to improve on last season.

Bang on fEs, Townsend has to tread a careful line, no doubt that Glasgow have to improve in attack, but this cant be at the expense of the attributes that fared them so well last season; a very difficult task. Anybody have any word on where about's Gary Mercer has ended up?

I have no idea, and I've been looking out for news of that as well. Hopefully there's a role for him in Scottish rugby somewhere. Under him Glasgow's defence had become nothing short of remarkable.

I don't want to dredge this up again but I'm going to. Glasgow really were a side moving in the right direction. With Parks and Morrison at 10 and 12 they were never going to set the heather on fire, but with Weir/Jackson and Dunbar at 10 and 12 things were looking up. Add a fit DTH back in the side and Sean Lamont adding grunt from the wing rather than choking up the backline from 12, then I think Lineen's Glasgow would have evolved nicely this season.

That's not to say Gregor can't make it work, Robinson has obviously seen something in him, but I still can't get my head around the logic of removing Lineen and Mercer.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I have no idea, and I've been looking out for news of that as well. Hopefully there's a role for him in Scottish rugby somewhere. Under him Glasgow's defence had become nothing short of remarkable.

Best defense in the league was testament to that, I think he more than anybody else can feel most aggrieved - just a ludicrous decision. As for Townsend, good luck to him - I really hope he can move Glasgow onto the next level, but the way the situation was handled has put him under big pressure right from the word go.

EST wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:The trick for Townsend will be to succeed in getting Glasgow to be a more dangerous and open side in attack, without sacrificing the excellent work done by the last coaching team in both mindset and defense. That's a tough ask of any coach, particularly one with zero years experience in a top job.

Frankly same again in terms of results in the Rabo12 would be a fine achievement. Also worth noting that although Glasgow didn't qualify for the HC QFs, they did finish second in the group, coming above both Bath and Montpellier. That wasn't a bad set of results in truth. Really tough ask of Gregor to improve on last season.

Bang on fEs, Townsend has to tread a careful line, no doubt that Glasgow have to improve in attack, but this cant be at the expense of the attributes that fared them so well last season; a very difficult task. Anybody have any word on where about's Gary Mercer has ended up?

Haven't heard, EST, but surely somebody will snap him up if he wants, the Glasgow defence was genuinely excellent

reallybored wrote:The biggest thing for the Scottish game right now is winning some silverware, whether it's the Rabo, Amlin or Heineken Cup.

I believe we've got more chance of winning the Rabo than the other two, so would prefer if both team prioritised the league next season.

I don't think any of the two Scottish teams are capable of a win in the HC. Whether either of the two will parachute into the Amlin is a guess. Can they get to the later stages if they do? Again a guess. Would they win? Don't think so as there will always be a couple of strong English and French teams in the knock-outs.

In the Rabo they will always struggle to be competitive away from home. That will be a big stumbling block.

Rava wrote:

reallybored wrote:The biggest thing for the Scottish game right now is winning some silverware, whether it's the Rabo, Amlin or Heineken Cup.

I believe we've got more chance of winning the Rabo than the other two, so would prefer if both team prioritised the league next season.

In the Rabo they will always struggle to be competitive away from home. That will be a big stumbling block.

Last year, Glasgow only lost three away games in the Regular season.

Away form not an issue. The most costly problem in the Rabo was failing to secure 4 try bonus points, and more generally converting pressure into tries.

The return of DTH will assist, as will the further developmen of Weir, Dunbar and Hogg.

Glasgow SHOULD be better next season, given the signings.

I think this its going to be Intresting, Glasgow, Ulster, Edinburgh and Scarlets, are all improving and chasing down the traditional big 3 Leinster Ospreys and Munster. Top 4 is going to be intresting this year.

Glasgows new home as well will be intresting, I wonder will the team take time to settle, new additions to the squad, with a new manager were always going to take a little while to gel, add in a new home ground and I wonder will it take Glasgow a little longer than others to settle this season?

Who'll finish higher?

Edinburgh or Glasgow

reallybored wrote:Who'll finish higher?

Edinburgh or Glasgow

Depends on how seriously Edinburgh take the pro 12.

If they treat it the same way they did last year, Glasgow will finish higher, comfortably. If Bradley wants to be taken seriously as a coach he has to make Edinbugh play better in the pro 12. If he does I call it evens.

Would be nice to win the Xmas and New year derby this year though

I think Edinburgh will be focusing on the Rabo this year, their Heineken group is a lot harder and no-one will be taking them for granted.

My heart says Edinburgh but head says Glasgow for some reason.

I think 1st XV against 1st XV it's very close, but as I'd back the Glasgow second string to grind out a win more so that the Edinburgh second string (better depth in the forwards), I think Glasgow's consistency will once again see them finish higher in the league than Edinburgh come the end of the season. The gap will be nothing like last season though.

To illustrate my point, Glasgow 2nd XV against Edinburgh 2nd XV:

1. Welsh - Yapp
2. Hall - Lawrie
3. Low - Cross
4. Campbell - Turnbull
5. Swinson - Cox
6. MacDonald - McInally
7. Fusaro - Grant
8. Wilson - Basilia

You've got to back that Glasgow pack.

9. Matawalu - Leck
10. Jackson - Leonard
11. Seymour - Farndale
12. Morrison - Atiga
13. Murchie - Cairns
14. Paris - Penn
15. R Lamont - Tonks

Closer, but I'd still say Glasgow are a touch stronger.

funnyExiledScot wrote:To illustrate my point, Glasgow 2nd XV against Edinburgh 2nd XV:

1. Welsh - Yapp
2. Hall - Lawrie
3. Low - Cross
4. Campbell - Turnbull
5. Swinson - Cox
6. MacDonald - McInally
7. Fusaro - Grant
8. Wilson - Basilia

You've got to back that Glasgow pack.

9. Matawalu - Leck
10. Jackson - Leonard
11. Seymour - Farndale
12. Morrison - Atiga
13. Murchie - Cairns
14. Paris - Penn
15. R Lamont - Tonks

Closer, but I'd still say Glasgow are a touch stronger.

fES think you've got that one wrong on a number of calls.

A - Welsh out for six months
B - not sure how Edinburgh's other 2 locks will train on and VDW won't be subject to international call ups so could play a lot.
C - similarly Talei will be pretty much available for all games, think Fiji have a couple of AI's.
D - there's a lot of other Embra backs in the mix, King, good last year, Fife, could be a breakthrough year for him, Houston still about and an underrated player..

So not convinced by that analysis. We'll have to see how the teams develop.

What players do people think need to make a step up this season to avoid slipping out of contention?

Last season, Pyrgos seem to be firing hot then cold. One match he would get a 'man of the match' award, the next he would be having a mare. With Matawalu joining the team, Pyrgos is no longer an automatic pick when Cusiter is unavailable with Scotland and Gregor is tied up with 7's duty. Hopefully the competition brings out the best in him.

Peter Horne, likewise, is another player I would like to see more of this season. With only one start last season I think he'll be looking forward to a new season and clean slate.

Manky
Agree with you that Pyrgos had a few weak games last season. Howver towards the tail end of the year his communication with the pack and his decision making really stepped up. I thought he was outplaying Cuister who looked really tight in the last few league matches.
The competition from Matawalu will hopefully help him raise his game even more.
Horne spent last season with the 7's squad so his chances for game time were limited.
I too hope he gets a decent chance to play 13 this year, he is a really skillful and intelligent player.

If Paris and McGuigan start playing well (and I think that Paris could well be another Lee Jones), then the Brothers Lamont may struggle to get first XV game time.

I think that Nathan looked excellent last season and he will push Sean for the centre berth (if that is where Toonie thinks that he should go).

Nice to have Ramont in case Hogg gets injured.

From a Glasgow perspective:

Welsh to return from injury and be in contention for end of 6 Nations
MacArthur to make himself the 2nd choice hooker in Scotland
Low to re-capture his form of 2 years ago
Harley to improve his ball carrying
Cusiter to have an injury free season
Jackson to deliver on the potential he's shown in the past and improve goal kicking
Dunbar to become a fixture at 12 and put pressure on Scott
Rory Lamont to have injury free season on the wing
Hogg to continue to develop and potentially become a World Class full-back

From Edinburgh perspective:

Ford to iron out occasional problems with his lineout throwing and be a Test Lion
Gilchrist to continue his development and be involved in 6 Nations
Rennie to stay injury free again and be a Test Lion
Denton to get more game-time at 8 but continue what he did last season
Laidlaw to control matches from 9
Leonard to nail down the 10 spot and be in contention for 6 Nations
Scott to develop into Kiwi second five eighths option at 12
Cairns to return from injury and provide competition for De Luca
Farndale to get some game-time and be in contention for summer tour
Brown to develop his game and provide genuine competition for Hogg

From Ex-pat perspective:

Murray to play consistently and be fully fit for 6 Nations
Hamilton to continue his form from last season with Gloucester
Gray to become a star of Aviva Premiership and Test Lion
McKenzie to partner Gray for Sale and be in contention for 6 Nations
Brown to return from injury and get back to his form of past couple seasons
Strokosch to start most weeks for Perpignan
Beattie to get interested again and be back in contention for AIs
Blair to single handedly get Brive promoted
Ansbro to be first choice 13 for London Irish and Scotland
Bennett to get game-time for Clermont 1st XV and be in contention for summer tour

reallybored wrote:From a Glasgow perspective:

Welsh to return from injury and be in contention for end of 6 Nations
MacArthur to make himself the 2nd choice hooker in Scotland
Low to re-capture his form of 2 years ago
Harley to improve his ball carrying
Cusiter to have an injury free season
Jackson to deliver on the potential he's shown in the past and improve goal kicking
Dunbar to become a fixture at 12 and put pressure on Scott
Rory Lamont to have injury free season on the wing
Hogg to continue to develop and potentially become a World Class full-back

From Edinburgh perspective:

Ford to iron out occasional problems in his throwing and Test Lion
Gilchrist to continue his development and be involved in 6 Nations
Rennie to stay injury free again and be Test Lion
Denton to get more game-time at 8 but continue what he did last season
Laidlaw to control matches from 9
Leonard to nail down the 10 spot and be in contention for 6 Nations
Scott to develop into Kiwi second five eighths option at 12
Farndale to get some game-time and be in contention for summer tour
Brown to develop his game and provide genuine competition for Hogg

From Ex-pat perspective:

Murray to play consistently and be fully fit for 6 Nations
Hamilton to continue his form from last season with Gloucester
Gray to become a star of Aviva Premiership and Test Lion
Brown to return from injury and get back to his form of past couple seasons
Strokosch to start most weeks for Perpignan
Beattie to get interested again and be back in contention for AIs
Blair to single handedly get Brive promoted
Ansbro to be first choice 13 for London Irish and Scotland
Bennett to get game-time for Clermont 1st XV and be in contention for summer tour

From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his freakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without snickering/taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admit that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

George Carlin wrote:

reallybored wrote:From a Glasgow perspective:

Welsh to return from injury and be in contention for end of 6 Nations
MacArthur to make himself the 2nd choice hooker in Scotland
Low to re-capture his form of 2 years ago
Harley to improve his ball carrying
Cusiter to have an injury free season
Jackson to deliver on the potential he's shown in the past and improve goal kicking
Dunbar to become a fixture at 12 and put pressure on Scott
Rory Lamont to have injury free season on the wing
Hogg to continue to develop and potentially become a World Class full-back

From Edinburgh perspective:

Ford to iron out occasional problems in his throwing and Test Lion
Gilchrist to continue his development and be involved in 6 Nations
Rennie to stay injury free again and be Test Lion
Denton to get more game-time at 8 but continue what he did last season
Laidlaw to control matches from 9
Leonard to nail down the 10 spot and be in contention for 6 Nations
Scott to develop into Kiwi second five eighths option at 12
Farndale to get some game-time and be in contention for summer tour
Brown to develop his game and provide genuine competition for Hogg

From Ex-pat perspective:

Murray to play consistently and be fully fit for 6 Nations
Hamilton to continue his form from last season with Gloucester
Gray to become a star of Aviva Premiership and Test Lion
Brown to return from injury and get back to his form of past couple seasons
Strokosch to start most weeks for Perpignan
Beattie to get interested again and be back in contention for AIs
Blair to single handedly get Brive promoted
Ansbro to be first choice 13 for London Irish and Scotland
Bennett to get game-time for Clermont 1st XV and be in contention for summer tour

From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his feakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admin that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

Absolutely brilliant, GC

justified sinner wrote:fES think you've got that one wrong on a number of calls.

A - Welsh out for six months
B - not sure how Edinburgh's other 2 locks will train on and VDW won't be subject to international call ups so could play a lot.
C - similarly Talei will be pretty much available for all games, think Fiji have a couple of AI's.
D - there's a lot of other Embra backs in the mix, King, good last year, Fife, could be a breakthrough year for him, Houston still about and an underrated player..

So not convinced by that analysis. We'll have to see how the teams develop.

I was listing out the 2nd XV (i.e. the second choices in each position), not the teams to play during the international windows, so I've assumed that Talei, VDW etc. will be in the 1st XV.

I was merely demonstrating that I believe Glasgow to have the edge in depth, if not in 1st XV standard.

Obviously things may change regards selection during the season, and I've deployed some guesswork here. I've no idea how good or bad some of the new players will be, and obviously Edinburgh do have some back up choices to make with Houston, King and Fife, all of whom I neglected to include above. Fife may well be ahead of Farndale in the pecking order, and King may well end up as back-up 12, with Atiga used in the back three.

You're right on Welsh though, it seems likely that the mighty Kalman (hardly a titan at his preferred position of tighthead) will cover for Grant in the first 6 months of the season.

I still maintain that a Glasgow 2nd string would edge an Edinburgh 2rd string.

George Carlin wrote:From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his freakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without snickering/taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admit that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

I can't change my name, I don't want to lose my "brand".

I promise I'll be nicer to Mark Bennett. This could be the season when the boy becomes a man, apparently his voice broke at the JWC....

funnyExiledScot wrote:

justified sinner wrote:fES think you've got that one wrong on a number of calls.

A - Welsh out for six months
B - not sure how Edinburgh's other 2 locks will train on and VDW won't be subject to international call ups so could play a lot.
C - similarly Talei will be pretty much available for all games, think Fiji have a couple of AI's.
D - there's a lot of other Embra backs in the mix, King, good last year, Fife, could be a breakthrough year for him, Houston still about and an underrated player..

So not convinced by that analysis. We'll have to see how the teams develop.

I was listing out the 2nd XV (i.e. the second choices in each position), not the teams to play during the international windows, so I've assumed that Talei, VDW etc. will be in the 1st XV.

I was merely demonstrating that I believe Glasgow to have the edge in depth, if not in 1st XV standard.

Obviously things may change regards selection during the season, and I've deployed some guesswork here. I've no idea how good or bad some of the new players will be, and obviously Edinburgh do have some back up choices to make with Houston, King and Fife, all of whom I neglected to include above. Fife may well be ahead of Farndale in the pecking order, and King may well end up as back-up 12, with Atiga used in the back three.

You're right on Welsh though, it seems likely that the mighty Kalman (hardly a titan at his preferred position of tighthead) will cover for Grant in the first 6 months of the season.

I still maintain that a Glasgow 2nd string would edge an Edinburgh 2rd string.

fES, altho Kalman could at a pinch cover both sides of the scrum, I hope that we see Gordon Reid (http://www.glasgowwarriors.com/articles/player/006729.php) continuing to develop and get some game time too.

Think you're right that Glasgow 'A' would just beat Edinburgh 'A' tho

funnyExiledScot wrote:I can't change my name, I don't want to lose my "brand".

I promise I'll be nicer to Mark Bennett. This could be the season when the boy becomes a man, apparently his voice broke at the JWC....

But he is still in nappies, fES!

No, he's moved onto an interim phase somewhere between fully toilet trained and occasionally letting a little bit of wee slip out.

Lions 13 next year??

funnyExiledScot wrote:No, he's moved onto an interim phase somewhere between fully toilet trained and occasionally letting a little bit of wee slip out.

Lions 13 next year??

Feic, that sounds frighteningly familiar!!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:No, he's moved onto an interim phase somewhere between fully toilet trained and occasionally letting a little bit of wee slip out.

Lions 13 next year??

Feic, that sounds frighteningly familiar!!

You're not there......yet.....

George Carlin wrote:

From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his freakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without snickering/taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admit that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!

George Carlin wrote:

reallybored wrote:From a Glasgow perspective:

Welsh to return from injury and be in contention for end of 6 Nations
MacArthur to make himself the 2nd choice hooker in Scotland
Low to re-capture his form of 2 years ago
Harley to improve his ball carrying
Cusiter to have an injury free season
Jackson to deliver on the potential he's shown in the past and improve goal kicking
Dunbar to become a fixture at 12 and put pressure on Scott
Rory Lamont to have injury free season on the wing
Hogg to continue to develop and potentially become a World Class full-back

From Edinburgh perspective:

Ford to iron out occasional problems in his throwing and Test Lion
Gilchrist to continue his development and be involved in 6 Nations
Rennie to stay injury free again and be Test Lion
Denton to get more game-time at 8 but continue what he did last season
Laidlaw to control matches from 9
Leonard to nail down the 10 spot and be in contention for 6 Nations
Scott to develop into Kiwi second five eighths option at 12
Farndale to get some game-time and be in contention for summer tour
Brown to develop his game and provide genuine competition for Hogg

From Ex-pat perspective:

Murray to play consistently and be fully fit for 6 Nations
Hamilton to continue his form from last season with Gloucester
Gray to become a star of Aviva Premiership and Test Lion
Brown to return from injury and get back to his form of past couple seasons
Strokosch to start most weeks for Perpignan
Beattie to get interested again and be back in contention for AIs
Blair to single handedly get Brive promoted
Ansbro to be first choice 13 for London Irish and Scotland
Bennett to get game-time for Clermont 1st XV and be in contention for summer tour

From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his freakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without snickering/taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admit that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

Not sure if that is a compliment or a dig!

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

reallybored wrote:From a Glasgow perspective:

Welsh to return from injury and be in contention for end of 6 Nations
MacArthur to make himself the 2nd choice hooker in Scotland
Low to re-capture his form of 2 years ago
Harley to improve his ball carrying
Cusiter to have an injury free season
Jackson to deliver on the potential he's shown in the past and improve goal kicking
Dunbar to become a fixture at 12 and put pressure on Scott
Rory Lamont to have injury free season on the wing
Hogg to continue to develop and potentially become a World Class full-back

From Edinburgh perspective:

Ford to iron out occasional problems in his throwing and Test Lion
Gilchrist to continue his development and be involved in 6 Nations
Rennie to stay injury free again and be Test Lion
Denton to get more game-time at 8 but continue what he did last season
Laidlaw to control matches from 9
Leonard to nail down the 10 spot and be in contention for 6 Nations
Scott to develop into Kiwi second five eighths option at 12
Farndale to get some game-time and be in contention for summer tour
Brown to develop his game and provide genuine competition for Hogg

From Ex-pat perspective:

Murray to play consistently and be fully fit for 6 Nations
Hamilton to continue his form from last season with Gloucester
Gray to become a star of Aviva Premiership and Test Lion
Brown to return from injury and get back to his form of past couple seasons
Strokosch to start most weeks for Perpignan
Beattie to get interested again and be back in contention for AIs
Blair to single handedly get Brive promoted
Ansbro to be first choice 13 for London Irish and Scotland
Bennett to get game-time for Clermont 1st XV and be in contention for summer tour

From a 606v2 Scottish Posters Perspective

Asbo to stop being distracted by Exeter Chiefs.

21st Centuty Schizoid Man to return from his padded cell and continue his polemic about Andy Robinson.

RDW_Scotland to continue his astonishingly effective policy of remaining entirely biased towards all things Scottish, but without demonstrating this publicly.

RuggerRadge to accept the fact that his team will not get the 1872 Cup back.

Justified Sinner to maintain his freakish knowledge of random Scottish young and club players.

FES to change his name at last and learn to say the words 'Mark Benett' without snickering/taking the p!ss immediately afterwards.

GLove to accept that only sheep and gingers live in Aberdeen.

Majestic83 - see above re: GLove in respect of Nairn.

Dorothy Mantooth to admit that his real name is Sean Lineen.

KickandChase to commit to actually being from somewhere.

Not sure if that is a compliment or a dig!

A comment about the closeness of your ear to the ground on Glasgow matters, MDM.