Pro 12 Round 7 Edinburgh (the numpties) vs. Scarlets Murrayfield Friday 26th Oct KO 19h35

Something tells me Murrayfiled will be even quieter than normal with a bitterly cold night forecast and a reasonable chance of snow.

As if our players playing so badly as to not even have scored a point in HC was reason enough to stay away.

Quite frankly I'd rather watch it at home on BBC Alba and not have to part with £20 for a ticket, £10 for my train fare and not have to get out of my onezie.

Also if we look rancid I can always go back to playing Skyrim.

Anyway here are the teams, with Bradley talking the talk and saying it's time to regnite the season.

“The PRO12 is really tight just now. All but the top and bottom teams are on two, three or four wins, so success can shoot you up the table very quickly. But we need to strike now.

“We know we have a lot of talent in our side and we know we’re a good rugby team, but we haven’t been able show it, so the key this week has been to focus on ourselves, and what we can control.”

Edinburgh
15 Greig Tonks
14 Lee Jones
13 Matt Scott
12 Nick De Luca
11 Tim Visser
10 Harry Leonard
9 Chris Leck

1 John Yapp
2 Andy Titterrell
3 Willem Nel
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Sean Cox CAPTAIN
6 David Denton
7 Ross Rennie
8 Stuart McInally

Substitutes
16 Ross Ford
17 Robin Hislop
18 Lewis Niven
19 Robert McAlpine
20 Roddy Grant
21 Richie Rees
22 John Houston
23 Tom Brown


Scarlets :
15 Liam Williams
14 George North
13 Nick Reynolds
12 Scott Williams
11 Morgan Stoddart
10 Aled Thomas
9 Gareth Davies

1 Phil John
2 Matthew Rees
3 Samson Lee
4 Sione Timani
5 Tomas Vallejos
6 Aaron Shingler
7 Johnathan Edwards
8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements:
16 Ken Owens
17 Shaun Hopkins
18 Deacon Manu
19 Richard Kelly
20 Kieran Murphy
21 Aled Davies
22 Rhys Priestland
23 Gareth Owen.

So are any of the phony tough or the crazy brave going to this one?

You know what, I think I will go! After Sunday I vowed I'd never go again, but they are my Team and I don't want to miss the game they finally click and run riot!

Not that I'm saying it'll be this game...


I'd normally say thats a strong Edinburgh team but I just can't tell anymore!

Interesting de Luca and Scott have swapped - seems a bit random? Andy Robinson influence?

Will be interesting to hear from Scarlets fans about their team - there's a few names I don't recognise there?

If we go behind early I can see this being a long, long night!

Just out of curiosity why are Nick DeLuca and Matt Scott playing their opposite positions?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Interesting de Luca and Scott have swapped - seems a bit random? Andy Robinson influence?

Dunno, maybe.

NDL has never really shone at 12 before though. Think it might be a typo on the part of the Edinburgh rugby website?

I suppose NDL has bulked up a lot since even a couple of seasons ago when he looked to struggle with the physicality of playing international 12 with Joe Ansbro.

Article on the Edinburgh website says its deliberate.

You are a braver man than me to consider going. At £30 inc my train fare it's a bit pricey to go and watch George North turn poor Lee Jones into roadkill.

I think Edinburgh will get a good win.

Wish we had your faith stag!

Starting to look short at back row now with talei and Basalaia out for 6 weeks

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/edinburgh-news/4496-medical-update-from-er

Denton will be away with Scotland so looks like we'll have to move cox to 6 and hope neither him nor mcinally get injured!

red_stag wrote:I think Edinburgh will get a good win.

Really?

As a Munster fan did you not see that our line out is a disgrace, we were toothless in attack, our scrum either wen't sideways or backwards, our breakdown work is sloppy, our carrier's were poor in the contact, we were turned over far too easily and fell of tackles? You missed all that Staggy?

After that abortion in Thormond and frankly the worst performance I have ever seen from Edinburgh the week before against the sarries this game is looking like a forgone conclusion.

No I don't think this will be a return to winning ways, certainly not with an experiment using NDL as a 12.

Rugger,

Dont worry it happens to most teams in Thomond Park. That was nothing we hadn't seen before. Even the gang tackle on Talei - we had been practicising that one since doing it to Chabal in 2005. The Georgian lads inability under the high ball - happened to Gloucester, Perpignan ans Wasps.

Week before? Lets just put it down to being worried about playing Munster

It was such a boring match. I found it like watching Barcelona playing Stoke in a game of football playing for a 0-0 draw.

I do think you'll beat Scarlets though

Man, I wish I had your confidence bud!

12. De Luca
13. Scott

I'll be driving to Wakefield for a wedding, so sadly I'll miss the usual process of walking to Murrayfield, talking myself into thinking Edinburgh might be half decent, then freezing my nuts off as I watch yet another abject and spineless capitulation. Oh well.

NDL has been tried at 12 before and it didn't work, and all Scott's best rugby has been at 12, not 13.

Bring back Moffatt.

To be honest I think that the Scarlets are going to have to improve on their last few performances (bar the CA match) if they are going to get anything out of this match. Edinburgh may be feeling a little bruised themselves after the openning weekends of the HEC. So hopefully that will mean both teams will be coming out to prove themselves, and we will have a real cracker of a match.

(p.s. Edinburgh fans shouldn't feel so down heartened, a few weeks ago there would have been a good dozen scarlets fans posting on this thread, and at the moment i am the only one, sob).

See guys, this is what I can't stand about the NH rugby calendar.


Last week was HC, this week it is RABO, and in two weeks it is Tests.


Just doesn't make any sense to me.

Thats the beauty of it Biltong.

no sorry Stag, but I like to follow one compeition through to its end, and then get onto the next one.

This is like watching a cameleon in a smartybox.

It's red, no wait, it's blue, no wait, it's green........



Ah, just get rid of the thing.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'll be driving to Wakefield for a wedding, so sadly I'll miss the usual process of walking to Murrayfield, talking myself into thinking Edinburgh might be half decent, then freezing my nuts off as I watch yet another abject and spineless capitulation. Oh well.

NDL has been tried at 12 before and it didn't work, and all Scott's best rugby has been at 12, not 13.

Bring back Moffatt.

FES, get some of these hand warmers and drop them down your trousers if it gets a bit nippy. At least it'll ease some of the torment.

Biltong wrote:no sorry Stag, but I like to follow one compeition through to its end, and then get onto the next one.

This is like watching a cameleon in a smartybox.

It's red, no wait, it's blue, no wait, it's green........



Ah, just get rid of the thing.

Blasphemy!!

Biltong wrote:no sorry Stag, but I like to follow one compeition through to its end, and then get onto the next one.

This is like watching a cameleon in a smartybox.

It's red, no wait, it's blue, no wait, it's green........

Ah, just get rid of the thing.

It drives us mad but thats what makes them special.

You lose in the Heineken Cup - you want to get out there and avenge it, prove a point. Tough you gotta let that anger stew and wait and wait.

The next round is weeks away the tension is building and building and building.

Excitement!

Biltong wrote:See guys, this is what I can't stand about the NH rugby calendar.


Last week was HC, this week it is RABO, and in two weeks it is Tests.


Just doesn't make any sense to me.

Completely agree, there is no real structure to the season, teams build up a bit of a head of steam in europe
then suddenly they don't play in that competition for a couple months and by that time have a few injuries. Would rather
the competions ran their full course like the super xv then itm/currie cup etc.

How come it's always the Edinburgh threads that digress into discussions about this, that and the next thing??

Probably cause there's not a lot to talk about with Edinburgh just now.....!

Exactly, there isn't much to talk about just now about from negatives going on with the team.
Not confident about the team at all at the moment and when you look at the signings Glasgow have made compared to ours it makes me even less confident.
Seems to be a really good team spirit being built there but the opposite at Edinburgh!

In the Heino though, if youre out after two weeks, itll be at least 4 until your'e back to playing games with anything other than pride riding on them. Fans just wont turn out. In this instance, at least we are only down but not out of the rabo.

Looking on the positive side for Edinburgh, it is the Scarlets you're playing. Trust me, if any team can help another team turn it's season around it's the Scarlets. We are recognised experts at going in to this type of fixture where, quite simply looking at those teams, we should win comfortably, and manage to hand the game to a team who are struggling. This is usually done by our going at least two scores up and looking good for the win with only 20 minutes gone and then, suddenly and inexplicably, imploding. Our preferred method of gifting the other side a try which suddenly gives them confidence, is either the charge down or an unnecessary interception. This changes the complexion of the game allowing the other team to come back, over take us and then deny us a LBP.

Also on the plus side for Edinburgh is that there are about 20 of us on a stag weekend coming up for the game. While this will of course have the disadvantage for you of having a noisy group of away fans present, it will at least have the advantage of doubling your gate receipts.

I'll look out for you! Any costumes??

talk of NDL and Scott swapping positions but what about Denton and MacInally?

I'd much rather see DENTON............. at 8 and visa versa!

Can see this being a game low on quality. Ediburgh have to fancy their chances against the Scarlets pack, and in the backs target Aled Thomas and Reynolds when you have ball in hand. Big ask for Scott Williams, would like to see him be less 'selfish', and play a team game, and North really needs to get involved more than the two HC games.

No idea how to call this. A great start to the season gave way to two below par performances against the Ospreys and Treviso, the latter being the most frustrating, and haven't been able to recapture the confidence since then. Looking at the pack, I think it's going to be a long winter for us, there simply isn't enough 'grizzle', although Adriaanse, Snyman and Vallejos are yet to be judged in my eyes, so hopefully they'll add something. Then again, we're up against a team who has been 'nilled' twice in a row.

As I said, no idea which way this is going to go, My prediction is a predominantly 'frustrating' game for both teams, punctuated by a few opportunistic tries for both teams. Scarlets win by 4, no BP.

tigertattie - I think Denton should play at 8, as that's where he plays for Scotland, but he plays 6 for Edinburgh most of the time.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'll look out for you! Any costumes??

No, apart from having to wear a Scarlets top. Penalties apply to those who don't and also if you have the same top as anyone else on the stag. Easiest way to spot us will be because we are almost guaranteed to have at least one of the group wearing a Blues top out of principle and taking the hit on the penalties.

miaow
Would probably agree with that although the Edinburgh pack does not look that strong. Our bench doesn't fill me with much confidence.

I'm sure you'll have it all planned but I'm sure we can help you out with boozer recommendations if you need it!

Whats the best rugby boozer in Edinburgh?

a plan? don't think anyone in our group has had a plan, ever.

boozer recommendations are always welcome.

Depends if you're after cheap and cheerful, or expensive and classy!

Being on a stag I suspect the former!

Big stag and hen doo destination is the grassmarket - lots of Irish bars and the like! 3 sisters is a good bar - lots of room and an outdoor beer garden for the smokers! Finish off at Espionage (over 5 levels I think 0 massive nightclub) and you may just about leave with some dignity intact!

Alternative is George street bars - fancy bars, cocktails, high class ladies! If that's what you want then Le Monde, Candy bar and Lulu is on the cards.

If you want to go to the 'rippers then go to the 'pubic triangle' just off Lothian road and just up from the grassmarket. If you go there you will understand why it gets its name!

As for before the game don't expect a rioting atmoshpere anywhere. The Murrayfield bar is a usual hanging out spot for people pre game.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Depends if you're after cheap and cheerful, or expensive and classy!

Being on a stag I suspect the former!

Big stag and hen doo destination is the grassmarket - lots of Irish bars and the like! 3 sisters is a good bar - lots of room and an outdoor beer garden for the smokers! Finish off at Espionage (over 5 levels I think 0 massive nightclub) and you may just about leave with some dignity intact!

Alternative is George street bars - fancy bars, cocktails, high class ladies! If that's what you want then Le Monde, Candy bar and Lulu is on the cards.

If you want to go to the 'rippers then go to the 'pubic triangle' just off Lothian road and just up from the grassmarket. If you go there you will understand why it gets its name!

As for before the game don't expect a rioting atmoshpere anywhere. The Murrayfield bar is a usual hanging out spot for people pre game.

That's a lot of choice!

How do all the Edinburgh fans decide which one to meet in before each game so they can all travel to the ground together in one minibus?



I know it was a really cruel thing to say but I thought this thread needed a bit of a laugh!!!!)

Best rugby pub is Teuchters hands down!

Teuchters is awesome, but kinda small for a large stag doo!

If I were to chose one of my recommendations it would be the grassmarket - lots of other stag and hen parties, you've got large stag friendly bars and you've got a few club options - plus the 'rippers!

Majestic83 wrote:Exactly, there isn't much to talk about just now about from negatives going on with the team.
Not confident about the team at all at the moment and when you look at the signings Glasgow have made compared to ours it makes me even less confident.
Seems to be a really good team spirit being built there but the opposite at Edinburgh!

I think you've got to credit Kellock, Lineen, an increased budget from the SRU and even Toonie with that. Heads could have dropped following the loss of Brown, Gray, Beattie and Lineen etc in consecutive seasons but the spirit still seems to be there.

Its a real shame Edinburgh seem to have lost a lot of their confidence to the extent there are rumours of an unhappy dressing room and a bit of finger pointing being alluded to at press conferences. But its early in the season. The international break could be arriving just at the right time. Things will start looking a lot different if we beat Scarlets even by a point or two.

Alex Alan, edp prop replaces niven on the bench.

He's a big lad for a 20 year old!

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/team/front-row/alex-allan

Thanks for the pub recommendations. Best tactic will be to try them all!

Pretty big injury lists for both sides. Edinburgh could almost field a team from those injured;
1 Chunk
2 Laurie
3 Cross
4 Parker
5 Turnbull
6 Basilaia
7 ?
8 Talei
9 Laidlaw
10 Hunter
11 Farndale
12 Atiga
13 Cairns
14 Baby Visser
15 ?

Plus Niven.

I make that about 6 or 7 that would be in my first pick 23, plus the rest.

I know Scarlets are badly hit as well, but can they get as close to a credible looking team?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:You are a braver man than me to consider going. At £30 inc my train fare it's a bit pricey to go and watch George North turn poor Lee Jones into roadkill.

Is visser not marking north?

Close, Visser wil be running over/through/around North (delete as applicable). Expecting that to be a cracking match up Jones Stoddart looks a bit more one sided unfortunately.

red_stag wrote:Whats the best rugby boozer in Edinburgh?

Any pub in Glasgow

Yeah, you'll go in for a laugh you'll leave in stitches.

Asbo you started it.

justified sinner wrote:Yeah, you'll go in for a laugh you'll leave in stitches.

Asbo you started it.

Cmon now, justified, we all know that Max Evans prefers the Embra scene!

justified sinner wrote:Close, Visser wil be running over/through/around North (delete as applicable). Expecting that to be a cracking match up Jones Stoddart looks a bit more one sided unfortunately.

Last time North and Visser faced up Visser came of best by far.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

justified sinner wrote:Yeah, you'll go in for a laugh you'll leave in stitches.

Asbo you started it.

Cmon now, justified, we all know that Max Evans prefers the Embra scene!

Nice one.

Bit behind here but I think the criticism of De Luca at 12 is a bit harsh - him and Cairnsy had a cracking partnership for a good couple of seasons before Cairns got injured. They worked really well together with De Luca at 12.

Still can't understand why he's swapped De Luca and Scott though...

RDW_Scotland wrote:Bit behind here but I think the criticism of De Luca at 12 is a bit harsh - him and Cairnsy had a cracking partnership for a good couple of seasons before Cairns got injured. They worked really well together with De Luca at 12.

Still can't understand why he's swapped De Luca and Scott though...

Sheer lunacy, if you ask me - Bradley has completely lost it. Last season's Heino run glossed over his failings as a coach, it's all being badly exposed now