Scarlets V Glasgow

First topic message reminder :

Ciao Juve, I've been away and the boards seem quiet as regards the Warriors so let's get started. Very much a must win for the Scarlet Women. Although four points may not even put them fourth. Whereas even an LBP will keep the Warriors in the top three. As for team selection, assuming everyone is fit ( where's UIG when you need him?) I'D start with
1.Grant
2. WeePee
3.Angela, although Muzza made a huge difference when he came on against the former Irish giants at Scotstoun.
4. Big Al
5. Swinson who seems to be betting better all the time
6. Bluto if we want to attack them from the off Harley if we want to take the sting out of them and then bring on Bluto
7. Barclay wears the jersey till he leaves just so we can appreciate him
8. Wilson
9. Niko/Henry same logic as 6
10. got to start with Rhurarb after Munster 51
11. DTH
12. Hornee furra Linee
13. Dunbar
14. NoMaits
15 Lion in Waiting
Murchie, Schlong and the Messiah can all feel hard done by OR could all play. If we come close to replicating the second 40 against Munster 51 then we will pocket 5 pts. If we reproduce the first 40 it could be a long, frustrating night.

Oh I know. But I'm sure he wouldn't mind getting one over on his former employers...

21st, yes Danboy Parks left us but only because we didn't love him enough.
As The Bespectacled Leithians say, "We should have held you we should have told you but you know our sense of timing we always wait too long".
I don't believe The Warriors would have evolved into the team they are now with him pulling the strings but his contribution to getting us here should not be undervalued. He is perfectly capable of ruining our season on the last day if we allow him to control the game. So much as I admired him as a fine kicking 10; when they have the ball Barclay drags him into "his own private sex dungeon", when we have the ball Bluto runs straight over him. Repeat as necessary.

jimbopip wrote:21st, yes Danboy Parks left us but only because we didn't love him enough.
As The Bespectacled Leithians say, "We should have held you we should have told you but you know our sense of timing we always wait too long".
I don't believe The Warriors would have evolved into the team they are now with him pulling the strings but his contribution to getting us here should not to undervalued. He is perfectly capable of ruining our season on the last day if we allow him to control the game, so much as I admired him as a fine kicking 10; when they have the ball Barclay drags him into "his own private sex dungeon", when we have the ball Bluto runs straight over him. Repeat as necessary.

Every time.

Dont worry to much about Dan Parks lads, there's the small matter of 2 Welsh teams with a point to prove 1st.
We caught you cold last time due to the nerves of the opening game in a new stadium, I expect this time to face a completely different Glasgow but at least we have an established front 5 now and home advantage.
Cant wait for Friday, it should be a cracker.

2ndtime

How much have your front 5 improved since the start of the season, when they were frankly poor? Any injuries at the moment or can Scarlets select from a full strength squad?

Agreed - Friday is the big test for Glasgow, nevermind Connacht on the last day. Hopefully Edinburgh will have rendered Parks' confidence a husk by then anyway. Big chance for Talei and Atiga to run hard at a soft target.

As for Glasgow vs Scarlets, both teams play nice rugby, so it should be a belter. Hopefully the week off won't affect Glasgow's rhythm - they were outstanding in the 2nd half against Munster.

jimbopip wrote:21st, yes Danboy Parks left us but only because we didn't love him enough.
As The Bespectacled Leithians say, "We should have held you we should have told you but you know our sense of timing we always wait too long".
I don't believe The Warriors would have evolved into the team they are now with him pulling the strings but his contribution to getting us here should not be undervalued. He is perfectly capable of ruining our season on the last day if we allow him to control the game. So much as I admired him as a fine kicking 10; when they have the ball Barclay drags him into "his own private sex dungeon", when we have the ball Bluto runs straight over him. Repeat as necessary.

Bluto will not have to run over DP as he (DP )would be so far out of the way if he saw that force of nature coming he may hide in the crowd. He did make a tackle once but that was v the MFLs so does not really count

Parks will be standing in the next postal code to keep out of the way of Strauss and Wilson - don't worry about him.

Bluto will not have to run over DP as he (DP )would be so far out of the way if he saw that force of nature coming he may hide in the crowd. He did make a tackle once but that was v the MFLs so does not really count [/quote]

Big chance for Talei and Atiga to run hard at a soft target.

That sounds like your average MFL training session going by your performances this season.

jimbopip wrote: Big chance for Talei and Atiga to run hard at a soft target.

That sounds like your average MFL training session going by your performances this season.

That is factually inaccurate. You are implying that Atiga has been running during training.

sensisball wrote:2ndtime

How much have your front 5 improved since the start of the season, when they were frankly poor? Any injuries at the moment or can Scarlets select from a full strength squad?

The front 5 now is probably the strogest we've had in years. We have gained a SA lock and TH since the last game plus our young TH Samson Lee has come through very succesfully. For the 1st time in years we have pushed other packs of the ball and actually been awarded penalty tries. I would hope we'd have at least parity there on Friday to enable our backline some front foot ball.
Its set to be a far better game than the same fixture last season when both teams seemed afraid to commit to much to attack.

Yeah its probably our best tight five since the days of Chris Wyatt and John Davies. Snyman and Earle both strike me as professional versions of Wyatt actually.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Yeah its probably our best tight five since the days of Chris Wyatt and John Davies. Snyman and Earle both strike me as professional versions of Wyatt actually.

Oh bollix!
Despite the fact that I have never played in the west when it wasn't phishing down, I would still quite like the Weej to get a 5 pointer here. If the Scarlets can keep the amount and quality of ball that the Weej's backs get, this could be very close

Ah yes Jimbo me old mucker we need to show some reverence to our west welsh brethren. They are a fine bunch and I like them more than the the rest . G

Ps good night with the ASBO fella - he likes his ale that laddie!

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Ah yes Jimbo me old mucker we need to show some reverence to our west welsh brethren. They are a fine bunch and I like them more than the the rest . G

Ps good night with the ASBO fella - he likes his ale that laddie!

Superb evening with C21st and the lovely Mrs C21st/Swanny, put the world to rights and now heading to my bed

I have just checked and Asbo's full title is actually "AsLongAsBut100OfUsBuyARoundWeCanKeepThisPubOpen".

Early night then, GC?!

With a 15 month old at home, Asbo, it's always an early night at the moment.

Official preview of this match is now up - some amazing stats showing how successful both teams have been this season:

Preview:
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
Scarlets have lost just one of their last seven matches in all competitions: 5-32 to Leinster at the RDS in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 23rd February.

The Llanelli based side have won their last four encounters at Parc y Scarlets, Scarlets are going for a clean sweep over Scottish opponents this season.

Glasgow Warriors only loss in their last nine PRO12 fixtures was 17-22 to Leinster at the RDS on 23rd March. The Warriors have won eight of their last nine encounters with the Welsh regions.

Glasgow have won just one of their last five matches against the Scarlets: 19-9 at Firhill in February 2012. Warriors have not won at Parc y Scarlets since May 2010.

At Parc y Scarlets , 7.05pm. Live on BBC Wales and BBC Alba
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

Three obvious things worth noting:

1. Clownshoes is in charge.
2. Scarlets could genuinely be said to be Glasgow's bogey team.
3. Parc y Scarlets not a happy hunting ground for us.

Tell you something gc. The beer flowed last night and 3 Glaswegians freely talked up about anything and everything Compare this to a bizarre evening in a nice pub in westminsterthe previous night, where it was full of peed up young conservatives - no not the MFLs on tour but actual obnoxious young conservatives from their nearby hq. What a bunch of total we kers. Thatchers legacy indeed !

I know the type exactly. Struggling through a pint of Fullers when they actually want a Pimms, regurgitating pissy little dribbles from their first year PPE textbooks as they don't have actual opinions of their own and trying get a job 'helping out' at Westminster through regular subscriptions to Nepotism Weekly. Hideous.

Not that some of the lawyers I trained with weren't as bad, though.

C21st stop boasting that you have a social life! Though I am glad you and ASBO found time to put the world to rights, and that he found Mrs C21st as charming as I did. On the Thatcher side: I can't believe some of the drivel "friends" are posting on Facebook, but then they have always lived in the south-east and think civilization ends at Watford. Actually it does, but not in the way they imagine.
Clownshoes, clownfckinshoes! You can only hold your breath and wonder.
When is the team announced? Where is UIG when we need him?

Clownshoes - we're doomed.

Leinster vs Ulster game, he blew time for the game to finish, then remembered he hadn't awarded the try!

A bit off topic....but on the scarlet's fans forum (scarletfever) a reliable source as stated that we are in discussions with john barclay. apparently his move to lyon might of fallen through due to them struggling to get promotion. has anyone heard anything similar from Glasgow's end?

Pioden, is this just black propaganda aimed at unsettling our & non-parreil before the match? If Lyon don't want him then I'm sure we would be happy to keep him.

why is he leaving out of interest? remember reading he wanted a fresh start or something? wouldn't be surprised if he resigned if his move to france has fallen through.

I'll let UiG, Dorothy M, Schiz or people closer to the club give you their view PG but the Barclay transfer has been a bit weird. He's been linked with Leicester as they lost out on Kvesic but we all assumed it would be a French club as they announced JB was off but didn't say where which is consistent with the FFR rule of not announcing until the transfer window formally opens.

As there were also mutterings that Tigers were after Msr Armitage, there was a lot of chattisphere received wisdom that Barclay may be headed to Toulon.

This is the first time I've heard Lyon mentioned? Is that from a good source?

Would be an amazing capture for the Scarlets but for most people, a surprising one.

Resigned or re-signed? You had me scratching my head for a moment there. I'm sure most Warrior fans would love to see him stay as on his day he is excellent. Also why replace the Boy George with a no.7?

Sorry jimbopip meant re- signed. Yeah It's a pretty reliable source. But only that we are speaking to him. Whether we' be offered him a contract I don't know. Reason for going after Barclay? We are desperate for an openside. Played most of the season with 3 6's in the backrow. The balance is all wrong, and it just doesn't work. Got the promising wales u20 Dan thomas coming through. But management feel he needs a mentor in the short term. Agree George he would be an excellent signing for us.

Would be a major signing for us, not that I believe it is likely, to much of a wage expectation on NH internationals and I doubt he would want to join the Scarlets for less than he could get elsewhere.

Stranger things have happened, 2ndtime - not least that Barclay's team mate and mucker Sean Lamont will probably have had only good things to say about his time there.

GC, I sincerely hope so, Monty was a real favourite down here and seems to have enjoyed been here,
If we released North to afford Barclay then it makes good sense to me, our weakest area is at the breakdown so a true 7 could really make the team tick.

I'm really looking forward to this game. I'm a Dragons fan and normally I'd be supporting the Scarlets, but since Glasgow trounced us the other month (my brother-in-law had a free ticket for that, the poor b@stard), I've been watching them on BBC Alba and they're a great team to watch, I love the brand of rugby they play. They have an offloading game but they have that priceless ability to know when it's on and when it's not. I'd love to see them go on and win the league.

Not sure it can be said that Matawalu has a priceless ability to know when it's on and when it's not - he'll attack from behind his own try line that lad.

Should be a belter this one - I'll watch it when I get home from Murrayfield.

Very much hoping for Glasgow to win, would be great to go and watch them in a home semi-final.

Matawalu is fantastic to watch. It must be a bit heart-in-mouth sometimes for Glasgow fans, but he's a gem of a player.

He certainly is. Great pace and side step, and completely fearless. I hope Townsend does nothing to curb his attacking instincts, because he's caused defences a whole world of bother.

Nice (and overdue) piece on Strauss in the Hootsmon - couldn't agree more - I realised at the time (because I watched the Lions' Currie Cup run) what a massive signing he was and thankfully he's proven to be as incredibly important as we all thought:

Glasgow’s position is testament to Josh Strauss
By IAIN MORRISON

Published on Sunday 7 April 2013 00:54

AT THE start of the season Glasgow Warriors announced that they had signed an exotic-sounding No.8 from the southern hemisphere, a big beast to carry the game to the opposition in every sense of the phrase. Perhaps now the rugby world would sit up and take notice?

Perhaps not. A few weeks later the Tongan breakaway Viliami Ma’afu quit Glasgow for “personal reasons” and returned home, only to be replaced by a latter-day Moses who has led Glasgow to the promised land otherwise known as the top of the RaboDirect Pro 12. Josh Strauss may not be the prophet himself but he does sport an Old Testament beard which is luxurious enough to be the setting for David Attenborough’s next wildlife series.

The South African Strauss got here in a hurry, a “project player” who will qualify to play for Scotland on the three-year residency rule on 19 September, 2015, a day after the Rugby World Cup kicks off. He arrived with a mixed resume because, after captaining the Golden Lions to Currie Cup victory in 2011, Strauss led the Lions to the bottom of the Super 15 ladder last season and out of the competition altogether because the Jo’berg franchise was controversially replaced by the Port Elisabeth-based Southern Kings. “We lost to South African politics,” says Strauss.

After a difficult period adjusting to his new surroundings, the No.8 has become increasingly impressive, one of the main reasons Glasgow top the league. Three more matches remain in the regular season and if Gregor Townsend’s team can capture home advantage in the play-offs they could become the first Scottish side to win something meaningful in the professional era.

There is clearly a lot at stake, although Strauss has also invested plenty of his own rugby capital in upping sticks and moving halfway across the globe to play for Glasgow. The South African swapped Ellis Park (capacity circa 56,000) for Scotstoun Stadium (capacity circa 50,000 fewer), pitches baked rock hard by the sun for pitches frozen solid by frost and a shot at the Springboks squad in 2015 for the chance to join Scotland’s World Cup campaign. Why?

“After spending a year in France when I was just 20 years old it was always my intention to return to either the UK or Europe to play rugby,” replies Strauss, who obviously suffers a little wanderlust. “Given the circumstances at the Lions after the franchise was relegated out of Super Rugby, it seemed the right thing to do. Gregor Townsend phoned me out of the blue and I had several extensive talks with him on Skype. I liked his enthusiasm and his vision for the club and Graham Lowe, who was then the high-performance director at Scottish Rugby, flew out to see me and my wife. It is always nice to feel wanted and that is what Glasgow did for me.

“When I was growing up in South Africa I always dreamed of becoming a Springbok player just like every other kid. I made the big training squad last summer for the trio of matches against England but I was cut from the smaller squad.

“I am a realistic guy and you can’t put your entire heart or your head on one thing. You can only play your best and hope for the best. The circumstances with the Lions made the move an obvious one, and while many people back home are saying I might have gone too soon I am enjoying [Glasgow], I am enjoying the players and if one day I make the Scotland squad I will be a very proud man but it’s just not my focus right now.”

In many ways Strauss is an atypical South African rugby player. His first year of senior, professional rugby was in France. He lists the irreverent South Park and Family Guy as two of his favourite television shows and he played guitar in various outfits including the punk band Something for Nothing back home. When the Lions were relegated he considered moves to New Zealand (Chiefs and Crusaders) or Ireland (Ulster). If he’s not Old Testament, his “have boots, will travel” attitude is decidedly old school.

With six months of European rugby under his belt, Strauss now admits that the move north was not all plain sailing. Playing back-to-back seasons probably didn’t help but the winter weather in Scotland would test the resolve of Captain Scott, never mind a sun-loving South African who at least had one pleasant surprise in store. “I did struggle with the weather,” admits the breakaway, “because I came from a climate where the lowest temperature in winter might be 8-10 degrees while in Glasgow it was really cold… below zero! Training on a wet field tells on the knees and the calves. I spoke to friends who were playing here and they said that I would get used to it but I should not expect to get off the plane and make the same impact as I did back home.

“I know I should not admit to this, but I was a little bit surprised at the professionalism at Glasgow. Coming from Super Rugby, where we have the feeling that everything is perfect, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the facilities here are world-class. The strength and conditioning was exceptional, the medical staff and everyone involved in the club had such high standards.”

He may have taken time to hit his straps but the best of the big man has proved worth waiting for. At 6’ 5” and almost 18 stones, the South African offers Glasgow exactly what they need, a big ball carrier whose barrelling runs get the team on the front foot. Attacking weapons out wide such as Peter Horne, Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland are eager and able to exploit fast go-forward ball. At their best, Glasgow make the game look easy.

Two other factors may just have helped Strauss settle in his adopted land because since signing for Glasgow he returned home in December to marry. He is now joined in Glasgow by the two girls in his life, his new wife, Tami-Lee, and his miniature Doberman Pincher, Della. As he says, he is committed to Glasgow for three years and he isn’t going to do it without his dog or, of course, his new missus.

Della is keeping any thoughts about the move to herself but there are plenty of doubters back home in South Africa who have flooded the rugby message boards with the worry that the Springboks have lost a captain in waiting.

“This was a hard as nails player who at least breaks the gain line almost always AND a great leader to boot,” was posted by Rooibaard2000 on one board, and that was followed up by Blokkies: “This man is an yster (made of steel) and I am very sad to see him go.”

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer admitted last year when asked about the exodus of South African rugby talent: “You would get an unbelievably strong Springboks side just from the players overseas.”

South Africa have a stack of riches to choose from but even their seemingly endless reserve of breakaways must be running low. Saracens’ South African No.8 Ernst Joubert has thrown his lot in with England, while Antoine Classens, son of the former Springbok skipper Wynand, has gone one better and played for France. Juan Smith has retired from the game due to injury and Ryan Kankowski has joined Toyota Verblitz in Japan on a six-month contract. There are plenty of pundits in South Africa who quietly think that Meyer was a little hasty in letting Strauss leave.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own land,” as the Bible has it, and Glasgow are grateful for that fact.

He's been a cracking signing. His lack of press and wider recognition outside of Scotstoun is probably only due to the fact that in Matawalu and Maitland, Glasgow made two equally fantastic signings in the same season.

Didn't realise Juan Smith has retired. Shame, exactly the sort of player I had in mind for Edinburgh this summer.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:He's been a cracking signing. His lack of press and wider recognition outside of Scotstoun is probably only due to the fact that in Matawalu and Maitland, Glasgow made two equally fantastic signings in the same season.

Didn't realise Juan Smith has retired. Shame, exactly the sort of player I had in mind for Edinburgh this summer.....

Even with one leg hanging off, he may well contribute more than Atiga.

Undoubtedly!

In fact with both legs chopped off he'd actually look a bit like Atiga....

agree strauss has been a phenomenal signing! to be fair matawalu and maitland have been great too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22093536

Should create an even better atmosphere especially if 4/5 points are earned against the Scarlets this weekend.

9,000 people at Scotstoun. God bless the Weegie 7s.

Would love to be part of that crowd.

George - if we can get a home semi can you not swing it for a wee trip home ? ASBO and Jimbo shaping up for a massive 606 Weegie re-union in the WE of Glasgow.

It would be worth the airfare for a 4 try victory, a meal at the Stravaign, a pint at the Uisge Beatha on Woodlands Road, some Guinness at Hubbards on Great Western Road and some Cashel Blue cheese from Ian Mellis, the amazing cheese shop a hundred yards up the road.

Maybe I'll have to wait for the grand final at Hampden. Miss all of that good stuff.

Edit: Nooooooooooooooo. Apparently the Uisge is now closed and has been replaced by thoses mansausages at Dram! Why would you DO that?

And then a massive celebratory pub crawl down Byres Road ?

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:George - if we can get a home semi can you not swing it for a wee trip home ? ASBO and Jimbo shaping up for a massive 606 Weegie re-union in the WE of Glasgow.

C21st, did I perhaps hint that I would be returning for the semi while we celebrated Munster 51?
Actually while I was at the gym being punished and lied to by my son today ("If you keep this up dad, you'll be faster next season than this." I thought I was supposed to tell him fairy stories?) I did suggest that I would take him to the final esp. if Glasgow are the home side. Can't possibly make a Friday/Sunday game but Saturday would be a possible.

jimbopip wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:George - if we can get a home semi can you not swing it for a wee trip home ? ASBO and Jimbo shaping up for a massive 606 Weegie re-union in the WE of Glasgow.

C21st, did I perhaps hint that I would be returning for the semi while we celebrated Munster 51?
Actually while I was at the gym being punished and lied to by my son today ("If you keep this up dad, you'll be faster next season than this." I thought I was supposed to tell him fairy stories?) I did suggest that I would take him to the final esp. if Glasgow are the home side. Can't possibly make a Friday/Sunday game but Saturday would be a possible.

Yes mate you did - you were as the saying goes "in yer cups " dude !

Looks like Toonie starts with Jacko and Wee Henry tomorrow - team up later :-

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/rug

ASBO/Jimbo - Picked up the ET at Glasgow Central on arrival from the Deep South and went straight to the rugby section - how sad after a week in Paris and London Ms.(?) Schizoid thinks I have lost it but I thought there would be some team news.