Glasgow v Zebre, 10 February

First topic message reminder :

At Stadio XXV Aprile , 3.05pm local time (2.05pm UK & Ireland)
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 19th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Matteo Liperini, Stefano Marrama
Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR)
TMO: Mauro Dordolo (FIR)

Live on Sportitalia and BBC ALBA

Glasgow :

15 Peter Murchie
14 Rory Lamont
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Byron McGuigan
10 Scott Wight
9 Niko Matawalu

8 Ryan Wilson (c)
7 John Barclay
6 Josh Strauss
5 Tim Swinson
4 Tom Ryder
3 Jon Welsh
2 Gerwyn Price
1 Gordon Reid

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ed Kalman
18 Ofa Fainga’anuku
19 Nick Campbell
20 James Eddie
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Finn Russell
23 Fraser Thomson

Not considered for selection due to injury:
Mike Cusack (shoulder), Chris Cusiter(shoulder),Chris Fusaro (groin), Finlay Gillies (neck), Angus MacDonald (neck), Tommy Seymour (ill), DTH Van Der Merwe (head).

Zebre :

15 Tito Tebaldi,
14 Andrea Bacchetti,
13 Roberto Quartaroli,
12 Matteo Pratichetti,
11 Alessandro Castagnoli,
10 Daniel Halangahu,
9 Alberto Chillon,
8 Dries van Schalkwyk,
7 Mauro Bergamasco (capt),
6 Filippo Cristiano,
5 Josh Sole,
4 Michael van Vuren,
3 David Ryan,
2 Andrea Manici,
1 Matias Aguero

Replacements:
16 Carlo Festuccia,
17 Salvatore Perugini,
18 Luca Redolfini,
19 Marco Bortolami,
20 Emiliano Caffini,
21 Filippo Ferrarini,
22 Alberto Chiesa,
23 Alberto Benettin

Waffle:

Zebre gained a first ever European Cup point last time out in losing 20-25 to Connacht in Galway.

The new franchise have just six league points in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season - five losing bonus points and one try bonus gained against table topping Ulster in Parma in the rearranged round four match.

Glasgow Warriors have won their last three PRO12 fixtures and have been victorious in their last half a dozen games against Italian opponents since losing 13-15 to Treviso at Firhill on 23 September 2011. The Warriors' only reversal in Italy since 1998 remains the 16-19 defeat in Treviso on 16 April 2011.

Glasgow won the round five encounter with Zebre, 22-19, at Scotstoun.

Mata is mental no doubt - but in a way that wins us games. We need him allied to the grit of Kellock et al and we can win the Rabo. Where was DTH today btw - he would have run riot !

George Carlin wrote:Please tell me that Rory got a full 80 in without tearing wrist ligaments tying his bootlaces.

Looked like someone coming back from injury and subbed for Kennedy, I think, about 60 mins in (with Niko going to the wing)

George Carlin wrote:Also - how was Barclay looking?

Rusty, GC

Fair do's.

Felt slightly bad for the referee, McNenemy (sp?), a Scot refereeing a Scottish team - I would say he felt compelled to be harsher on Glasgow on a couple of occasions to rule out any possible claims of bias - shame cos thought he mostly did a decent job

Too fussy a ref ASBO. See the SH ref at M field yesterday who helped make it an open game. There are no good NH refs as Clancy proved yesterday - a total idiot

My focus for Glasgow is having you beat the Dragons next weekend. You simply must for Edinburgh's sake.

Provided Cardiff put out 12-13 able bodied men they'll beat Edinburgh comfortably, so we're relying on you to keep the Dragons away from us in the table!

I will pass on your wishes to Mata and the guys fES. Think they might have a tad more to play for than Edinburgh's shame (or lack of !)

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:I will pass on your wishes to Mata and the guys fES. Think they might have a tad more to play for than Edinburgh's shame (or lack of !)

To be fair we had a great chance to do you a favour against Munster. Sadly Munster cheated by tackling and rucking and stuff.

Totally, FES. That's the reason it's just not cricket for Ireland to play someone like Madigan against us.

I've seen him. He can run and pass and all sorts. We shouldn't have to put up with that sh!t.

Having watched Finn Russell's contribution again, I have to say that it was very impressive. Very solid defence, good length on his clearance kicks and some very crisp passing. He still looks very lightweight, but there is plenty of time to fill out. Given a full pre-season I think he will be pressing Jackson and Weir very hard next season.

Yes Finn Russell looks like a find - 4 good FHs

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes Finn Russell looks like a find - 4 good FHs

Wight won't be there next season. None of the players who are out of contract have been offered new deals, yet. Only current player I believe who is out of contract and where discussions have began is DTH.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes Finn Russell looks like a find - 4 good FHs

Wight won't be there next season. None of the players who are out of contract have been offered new deals, yet. Only current player I believe who is out of contract and where discussions have began is DTH.

Good update Dot - they need to smash the Scotstoun piggy bank to keep DTH. I would go so far as to say he's the most important player in the entire Glasgow squad. He's certainly frequently the difference between Glasgow being a fair team and a good one.

Now that we've finally got the 3 Muskateers together (Hogg, Maitland, DTH) we have to do everything to keep them.

George Carlin wrote:Now that we've finally got the 3 Muskateers together (Hogg, Maitland, DTH) we have to do everything to keep them.

Is Mark 'the Messiah' Bennett D'Artagnan??

Shame about Wight.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Now that we've finally got the 3 Muskateers together (Hogg, Maitland, DTH) we have to do everything to keep them.

Is Mark 'the Messiah' Bennett D'Artagnan??

The young, arrogant upstart who, once he learns manners and respect, turns out to be more skilful than all of the others?
That might be true.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes Finn Russell looks like a find - 4 good FHs

Wight won't be there next season. None of the players who are out of contract have been offered new deals, yet. Only current player I believe who is out of contract and where discussions have began is DTH.

Dot, don't suppose you have a list by any chance? I think Barclay might be out of contract - have a feeling he only signed a one year extension? Hope everything is being done to keep DtH

Warriors should definitely hang onto Barclay. I know that Fusaro is good, but you need proper back-up at openside, otherwise you have to take the Edinburgh approach of having four Number 8's in your squad!

Although I hope everything is being done to keep DTH, does anybody else think that Paris might have been brought in a year early to develop as his replacement?

As for Barclay, although I would be sad to see him go, he hasn't really been at the top of his game for a couple of seasons - maybe a move to France would help him discover his top form again, it certainly hasn't done Beattie any harm.

Not sure about Paris - I think I've only seen him play once, and although he didn't do anything wrong, I don't remember him doing much right either.

Plenty pace by all accounts.

If DTH goes I imagine that we'll see either Seymour or Lamont (Rory or Sean) take up his wing slot.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Yes Finn Russell looks like a find - 4 good FHs

Wight won't be there next season. None of the players who are out of contract have been offered new deals, yet. Only current player I believe who is out of contract and where discussions have began is DTH.

Dot, don't suppose you have a list by any chance? I think Barclay might be out of contract - have a feeling he only signed a one year extension? Hope everything is being done to keep DtH

Jon Welsh
John Barclay
Scott Wight
Taylor Paris
Graeme Morrison
DTH van der Merwe

Welsh is a strange one, maybe waiting till he proves he is fit after so many injuries. Or maybe he is looking at proving he is back to full fitness to get offers from elsewhere.

Club know what DTH thinks is his value is, if they can find the cash he will stay if not he is off.

With Paris involved with Canada 15s and 7s, can't see the point in re-signing him. As he is missing for too many weeks.

Barclay I think will move on, hopefully the club can use the cash saved on him and MacDonald and bring in a proven NSQ backrow player and also a young Scottish player to beef up the backrow options.

Morrison has slipped way down the pecking order and from what has been said may be retiring.

I'd say of that grouping the priorities are DTH, Welsh and Barclay.

If you don't want Welsh we'll certainly take him at Edinburgh.

I wonder if London Scottish would be interested in either Wight or Morrison. I imagine Morrison could be pretty useful in that division, and would bring real international experience, and Wight isn't a bad player either.

No point in keeping Paris. Bennett can play a bit on the wing next season if needed there. Better he get game time on the wing than none at all. Plus you never know, Rory Lamont may be fit for more than 3 games next season.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd say of that grouping the priorities are DTH, Welsh and Barclay.

If you don't want Welsh we'll certainly take him at Edinburgh.

I wonder if London Scottish would be interested in either Wight or Morrison. I imagine Morrison could be pretty useful in that division, and would bring real international experience, and Wight isn't a bad player either.

No point in keeping Paris. Bennett can play a bit on the wing next season if needed there. Better he get game time on the wing than none at all. Plus you never know, Rory Lamont may be fit for more than 3 games next season.

I think Welsh will stay. He has been out all this year and I suppose even the SRU are not daft enough to hand out a 3 year contract to a guy who was on the sidelines with a long term injury.

True, but beggers can't be choosers, and we're close to begging in the prop stakes in Scottish rugby.

We had to use Kyle Traynor in the AIs don't forget.

We really need Welsh to stay at Glasgow and stay fit. When he's fully fit I think he runs Grant pretty close on the loosehead side, and he now seems to be being developed to cover tighthead as well. Could be pretty handy.

If injury is the big concern, then surely Rory Lamont and Chris Cusiter should makeway first!

I hope Welsh stays, before his injury I would have said he was at least the equal of Grant.

Out of that group I wouldn't be too fussed to see Morrison and Wight leave, we have ready made replacements in Dunbar and Russell. Paris is a strange signing, if DTH stays then I don't see much reason in keeping him, if he goes I think he should stay - somebody has seen something in him to warrant his contract, and he has proved himself on the sevens circuit.

EST wrote:somebody has seen something in him to warrant his contract

I wish I had your optimism. I'm convinced the SRU have signed a number of players without ever having scouted them properly....

I certainly think that is true of a number of players, read: Penn, Atiga, Francis, McGuigan. But I get a different impression with Paris, at a guess I would say DTH tipped somebody off about him.

It may just be me, but there's always something poignant and wistful when players are scythed down by the assassin Time.
John Barclay and Graham Morrison have unfailingly put their bodies on the line for Glasgow and their blood has helped put us where we are now.
We all bow to the inevitable and Time holds us all in his embrace, but there seems to be an almost indecent rush to replace them.
If there's a god in Heaven let the fire be rekindled in both their hearts and let them not go gently into that good night. Just for the remainder of this season let Barclay trap opposing back rows in his own private sex dungeon and let the G-Dog smash anything that dares come up the 10-12 channel.
If their time at Glasgow is ending let them leave with our thanks echoing from the rafters. Then we can debate their replacements.

funnyExiledScot wrote:True, but beggers can't be choosers, and we're close to begging in the prop stakes in Scottish rugby.

We had to use Kyle Traynor in the AIs don't forget.

We really need Welsh to stay at Glasgow and stay fit. When he's fully fit I think he runs Grant pretty close on the loosehead side, and he now seems to be being developed to cover tighthead as well. Could be pretty handy.

If injury is the big concern, then surely Rory Lamont and Chris Cusiter should makeway first!

I not saying that they should not offer him a contract because of his recent injury. More I understand why they did not offer a deal while he was out.

Cusiter when you take the massive salary he is on has really been a drain on resources in terms of games he has actually played in the past couple of years.

EST wrote:I hope Welsh stays, before his injury I would have said he was at least the equal of Grant.

Out of that group I wouldn't be too fussed to see Morrison and Wight leave, we have ready made replacements in Dunbar and Russell. Paris is a strange signing, if DTH stays then I don't see much reason in keeping him, if he goes I think he should stay - somebody has seen something in him to warrant his contract, and he has proved himself on the sevens circuit.

But if Paris is to stay then surely he has to give up the 7s duties with Canada. What is the point of signing a non qualified player who is missing for large parts of the season?

I would not re-sign him either way.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:

EST wrote:I hope Welsh stays, before his injury I would have said he was at least the equal of Grant.

Out of that group I wouldn't be too fussed to see Morrison and Wight leave, we have ready made replacements in Dunbar and Russell. Paris is a strange signing, if DTH stays then I don't see much reason in keeping him, if he goes I think he should stay - somebody has seen something in him to warrant his contract, and he has proved himself on the sevens circuit.

But if Paris is to stay then surely he has to give up the 7s duties with Canada. What is the point of signing a non qualified player who is missing for large parts of the season?

I would not re-sign him either way.

100% see where you are coming from, I would imagine he has been granted his time away as he hasn't been playing much for Glasgow; if he were to play a more prominent role he would have to give up the sevens.

But on the flip side, all of our other wingers are SQ, he wont be on a large salary and at some point in time somebody took a punt on DTH - look how that turned out. Having invested 1 year of development in a player, I would like to see if the has what it takes to repay that investment.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Cusiter when you take the massive salary he is on has really been a drain on resources in terms of games he has actually played in the past couple of years.

I think with Matawalu and Pyrgos in the squad, you could probably afford to let go of Cusiter. He seems more focused on a media career already (probably massively unfair on his rehabilitation efforts).

If you let him go and it allowed you to keep DTH then that would be worth doing - although unlikely given their contract periods aren't aligned.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Cusiter when you take the massive salary he is on has really been a drain on resources in terms of games he has actually played in the past couple of years.

I think with Matawalu and Pyrgos in the squad, you could probably afford to let go of Cusiter. He seems more focused on a media career already (probably massively unfair on his rehabilitation efforts).

If you let him go and it allowed you to keep DTH then that would be worth doing - although unlikely given their contract periods aren't aligned.

With him being in contract, unless another team were to pick up his contract then I can't see Cus agreeing to walk away from a six figure deal and why would he? especially as he is happy in Scotland. A move to Edinburgh?

Hopefully he can get himself fit and firing as he is an excellent player for us, when he is available.

DtH I'd be keen to keep, he's worth near-on a try a game he's played and creates a lot for others as well. Jon Welsh I'd like to stay too, but I'm curious about his current stint at TH, where altho he is showing his versatility, I'd rather see him back at LH pushing Grant. If he goes, I'd welcome him to Exe with open arms. As others have suggested, it may be the right time for John Barclay to do a Johnny Beattie and freshen up with a stint abroad. Wight could do a job for Edinburgh, but not sure at Scottish - with WCP as first choice and Mugford as able deputy, think he would be wasted. Also thought I heard Morrison was heading back to Uni - respect. Not fussed about Paris - hasn't done anything to earn a new contract as far as I've seen.

Dot, thanks for coming up with the list - much appreciated

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:DtH I'd be keen to keep, he's worth near-on a try a game he's played and creates a lot for others as well. Jon Welsh I'd like to stay too, but I'm curious about his current stint at TH, where altho he is showing his versatility, I'd rather see him back at LH pushing Grant. If he goes, I'd welcome him to Exe with open arms. As others have suggested, it may be the right time for John Barclay to do a Johnny Beattie and freshen up with a stint abroad. Wight could do a job for Edinburgh, but not sure at Scottish - with WCP as first choice and Mugford as able deputy, think he would be wasted. Also thought I heard Morrison was heading back to Uni - respect. Not fussed about Paris - hasn't done anything to earn a new contract as far as I've seen.

Dot, thanks for coming up with the list - much appreciated

ASBO,

we need to push the coffer boat out for DTH and Jon Welsh if necessary - both cracking players who can win us games in their own ways. Jon Welsh is another local Glasgow lad who is very popular with the Warrior faithful - like Wee Dunky and Richie Gray used to be. Barclay is a strange one - he seemed to go off the boil last season after all his contract negotiations when he put pen to paper for a year. The last of the Killer Bs - what a back row we had then! Cusiter seems to have drifted away - not even very conspicuous around the West End as he used to be with Barclay Beattie and Gray.

Anyone know how The Coo is coming along -we could do with him in the run in too ?

C'mon the Warriors

Agree that you need Cusack back for the play-offs. A real weapon for Glasgow.

Is there a consensus on Glasgow's strongest XV at the moment?

1.Grant 2.MacArthur 3.Cusack 4.Kellock 5.Swinson 6.Harley 7.Barclay 8.Strauss 9.Matawalu 10.Jackson 11.DTH 12.Horne 13.S Lamont 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Low 17.Hall 18.Welsh 19.Ryder 20.Wilson 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Dunbar

That's probably the best I could do - possibly switching Horne with Dunbar.

Great thread and thanks Dot for the list.

I take the point about Cus but he won't want to go. He's done his stint abroad with Perpignon and whilst it was great for her development as a player (he's won the Top 14 championship, let's not forget), he made it abundantly clear in interviews what he felt it was time for him to come home. I'm not being funny but Edinburgh should consider approaching him.

DTH really should be kept. Yet another good example of a competent player spotted by Lineen who has flourished into a bona fide star. Think about it. Whom else is out there who is reasonably affordable and is good for at least 6 tries per season, plus being comfortable in a Heineken Cup environment.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Agree that you need Cusack back for the play-offs. A real weapon for Glasgow.

Is there a consensus on Glasgow's strongest XV at the moment?

1.Grant 2.MacArthur 3.Cusack 4.Kellock 5.Swinson 6.Harley 7.Barclay 8.Strauss 9.Matawalu 10.Jackson 11.DTH 12.Horne 13.S Lamont 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

16.Low 17.Hall 18.Welsh 19.Ryder 20.Wilson 21.Cusiter 22.Weir 23.Dunbar

That's probably the best I could do - possibly switching Horne with Dunbar.

I would switch Dunbar and Schlong and bring in Pyrgos for Cusiter. Also Tommy Seymour has been playing a blinder so could force his way in to that 23

Oh and fES would probably have Chris Fusaro at 7 on current form too.

Problem for Seymour is that the first choice wingers are Maitland and DTH, so you're not going to take either of those guys off the pitch unless they are injured.

He's probably next in line for a wing slot, ahead of the Lamonts, but I don't think he makes the 23 purely because of the quality of the other wingers.

Agree that Barclay versus Fusaro is a mightly close call, and certainly on balance this season, given injury, Pyrgos deserves to go in ahead of Cusiter (although I do think Cusiter is the better player).

Looks like you guys have been loaned Alex Allan for the night as Kalmans expecting a baby. Hes looked pretty decent in the 30 minutes of rugby hes had for us this season.

Should this conversation,discussion not be on the Dragons post RD ?

so it should.