Out with the old, in with the new at Edinburgh

Former Wasps & QPR boss appointed MD

Davies seems to have a good CV with experience in rugby. Also has experience in "building" stadiums.

It'll be interesting to hear Wasps/QPR fans view of him.

Apparently were losing Talei to the drag queens though. A mixed day for us.

New blood is always good and mixed sports sector experience is always something that adds value.

As long as he plans to bring Christian Wade with him and not Hugo Southwell, he's very welcome.

Sorry - but where is Talei supposedly off to?

On the appointment, sounds all very good.

On the possibility of a new stadium, have we discussed that on here before....

Confimred - Talei off to the Dragons. Gutted to see him go and really strange he has chosen the Dragons. They've obviously got big plans for the future but this really isn't the best time to be joining one of the Welsh regions!!

The Dragons!! Why on earth would he go there?? I realise that Edinburgh haven't set the heather on fire this season, but even after having one of our worst seasons in living memory, we're still better than the Dragons.

I can only assume there's a wadge of cash involved here. I was prepared to let him go a few weeks ago, but his last two performances have been much much better.

Shame. Still, chance for Denton to play regularly in his best position, with McInally backing him up. Chance also for us to see what Basilia can do.

Think we're now slightly light in back row resources. Let's hope this doesn't lead to any stupidity, like moving Cox or VDW (or MacAlpine) to 6.

Shows the difference a year can make - this time last year he was about to be shortlisted for HK player of the year, and probably could have got a move to a big English or French club.

Now he's not featured much all season and has got a move to the weakest Welsh region...

Great signing for the Dragons though!

I don't think the loss of Talei is too important, a back-row of MacInally, Rennie, Denton is still very good, especially with Basilaia and Grant also in the squad. It might be an idea for them to try to sign Ashe from Glasgow as it will bevery hard for him to break through there and Edinburgh will ned more depth.
Hopefully this new guy can get a new stadium soon, Edinburgh need to have a proper home and Murrayfield need to intimidate the opposition rather than being somewhere that foreign players come to and win easily in the Heineken cup and the Rabodirect.

Weve been linked to Kieron Murphy from the scarlets though. Born in Aberdeen, raised in wales. Another out and out 8 though as opposed to a 6.

I cant help but feel were missing a trick with Gary Graham from Gala. I watched him at the weekend and he is a machine. Think Roddy Grant circa 2009, but less squat,limpet 7, more of Kelly Browns body shape, with potential to add a bit with professional conditioning.

Very good signing for them - still can't quite believe that's where he's gone. I thought he'd at least go to England or France and play HC rugby next season.

We really need to sign a top quality 6 or 8 in the summer. A Strauss equivalent.

Numbers - I'm happy with our starting backrow but if Glasgow have shown anything this year it is the importance of strength in depth. Denton is a fantastic 8 but I think there is a big drop off to McInally or Basalaia, then an even bigger dropoff after that.

We need someone new to come in at 6 or 8 - no doubt about that.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Numbers - I'm happy with our starting backrow but if Glasgow have shown anything this year it is the importance of strength in depth. Denton is a fantastic 8 but I think there is a big drop off to McInally or Basalaia, then an even bigger dropoff after that.

We need someone new to come in at 6 or 8 - no doubt about that.

Fair enough, but I think it will be a long time until Edinburgh can compete with Glasgow again, whereas Glasgow have a squad capable of playing in the latter stages of European competition Edinburgh have a decent first choice side, with a few notable exceptions such as fly-half, but a very limited squad. I don't know where they're going to find a fly-half but they need to get a top class ten this summer. Piers Francis is useless, Harry Leonard and Hunter haven't proven themselves yet, and Laidlaw's a scrum half. Are there and good Scottish qualified fly-halves available in SuperRugby?

Tell you what, the one player that would solve all oru problems would be Ally Hogg. Can't see him leaving Newcastle if they get promoted but he's only just turned 30 so could still reasonably get back into the Scotland setup - and where better to do that then playing at Murrayfield week in week out?

I really don't think we need another young, small backrower - we've got plenty of those.

Hang on there. Glasgow will be capable of playing in the latter stages on European competition when it actually happens. Glasgow were nowhere near getting out their group this season.

I'm loving Glasgow's form at the moment, and in the Rabo12 they've been a consistent force for some time, but let's be honest, Glasgow have barely to register a ripple on European rugby so far.

To be fair to Francis he didn't start well but has actually looked pretty decent the last few games. He major failing though is still the fact that he is not Scottish so should we spend the time developing his game at the expense of those that are?

Agreed RDW - I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Another possible would be Ali Strokosch, if he's had enough of sunshine and earning proper money.

I don't know enough about IBDs suggestions above, in fact I know nothing about either of them, but I don't want anyone sub-17 stones as a matter of principle!

RDW_Scotland wrote:To be fair to Francis he didn't start well but has actually looked pretty decent the last few games. He major failing though is still the fact that he is not Scottish so should we spend the time developing his game at the expense of those that are?

I agree with this - he's been good in the last couple of games and I think he'll have a real go at Dan Parks on Friday. As a 10 he's not afraid to take the ball flat into contact, and I like that he looks to get his arms free and offload at every opportunity. He's quite an attacking fly half, and now that Rennie is back and Talei has woken up, we're getting a bit more front foot ball for him to work with.

What's his contract looking like? Is it another 3 year job with a view to him potentially qualifying?

I still don't think there's enough of a gap (if at all) between him and Leonard to justify his continued selection, but on the basis of his last two performances, I'm quite happy for him to play again against Connacht, and Atiga seems marginally better with him at 10 as well.

is on a 2 year deal, as is Atiga.

When I say hes got potential to fill out a bit more, I dont mean that hes small currently. He plays second row sometimes! What I mean is that hes got a big frame, but could easily be bigger. He's like Kelly Brown, not bursting out his top, but certainly big enough to be a blindside flanker.

And honestly, if you see this guy play, you wouldnt care. THe comparison to roddy grant was about work rate rather than size, I shouldve made that clear.

We go on about not giving local talent a chance, and theres a guy who could potentially be the grit weve needed in edinburgh, scottish, early 20's, part of a hard as nails pack...

Well I think we can be confident that we won't be seeing Atiga in a Scotland jersey - seems odd to give them 2 year contracts. I'd have thought either 1 year or 3 years would make more sense.

1 year for the unknowns - like Francis and Atiga, and 3 years for the knowns - like Strauss and Visser.

I suppose Francis is really playing for his future in Scotland in the next 3 games.

Well I'm sold IBD - I'd far rather we gave guys like this a two year contract! Give him a chance with professional coaching and conditioning to see what he can become. Especially good if he has the physique, or can develop the physique, to play 6.

We should also be having a very close look at the Championship for battle-hardened flankers with big workrates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgtMXLechjQ

here we go

Will need to watch that at home.....

Who is that former Scotland under 20s number 8 that plays in the championship? Totally forgotten his name. He's another one in the McInally build - not quite big enough for what we need.

Mitch Eadie!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Who is that former Scotland under 20s number 8 that plays in the championship? Totally forgotten his name. He's another one in the McInally build - not quite big enough for what we need.

Eadie? Hes about the same size as Johnnie Beattie.

Imperialbigdave wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Who is that former Scotland under 20s number 8 that plays in the championship? Totally forgotten his name. He's another one in the McInally build - not quite big enough for what we need.

Eadie? Hes about the same size as Johnnie Beattie.

Bristol website says he is 6ft 1 and 102kg....so no he's not!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Imperialbigdave wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Who is that former Scotland under 20s number 8 that plays in the championship? Totally forgotten his name. He's another one in the McInally build - not quite big enough for what we need.

Eadie? Hes about the same size as Johnnie Beattie.

Bristol website says he is 6ft 1 and 102kg....so no he's not!

thats like 3 Kilograms lighter. I could put that on with a sunday roast!

There's a massive difference between 6ft 4 and 106kg and 6ft 1 and 103kg for a top level number 8!

Pretty sure that would make Eadie even smaller than McInally.

McInally is supposedly 6ft 3 and 106kg - no chance!

Either way Eadie at 6ft 1 is too short to be a big enough number 8 or 6 - and there's not much he can do about his height!

I don't see height being such a big issue for a 6, weight and speed (and accordingly power) would strike me as more important. Particularly if you have a big bloke like Denton at 8.

Leinster have used SOB at 8 for example, with some success, and he's a pretty short chap.

I've only seen a small amount of Mitch Eadie, but from what I've seen he's a good footballer, reads the game well and makes his efforts count. He does seem to be a bit similar to McInally in that regard, but it's really a matter of assessing options.

At the moment we have Basilia, McInally and Denton as options at 6 and 8, with Rennie, Grant and Watson at 7. Grant can obviously "do a job" at 6 and 8, but for me is always a 7.

For me we really need a like for like replacement for Talei, a big ball carrying number 8, or a granite hard powerful number 6 (or both). If we sign Eadie as well, fine, but he's not the primary back row signing we need.

Imperialbigdave wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgtMXLechjQ

here we go

Impressive - he's a big boy.

Is Basilia not also on his way out?

Thought he was a 2 year?

I asked Andy titterell on Twitter if he was staying on and he said he'd like to but probably won't happen.

does that suggest Ford is staying on or merely that we're gonna be 2 hookers down??

I doubt we'd have signed Basilia on a one-year deal so hopefully he'll be around for another season. We should use him more, he tackles like he means it.

I haven't heard anything about Ford leaving - where has that come from? He should stay in my view.

Titterall has put in a good shift, but he's just too small, and he destabilises the scrum. Plus his lineout throwing has got worse since joining Edinburgh. He used to be reliable.

Lawrie is ready to step up to regular rugby, and Walker is an able understudy. We need Ford for a couple more seasons though, and we need him to regain his form from the early part of last season.

George Turner also looked good at the weekend. Got the gym monkey look of ford, but much, much more dynamic. He was on the macphail a few years ago and from what I saw, there is a reason why. Obviously need to see him in 15's to see what his set piece is like, but he was impressive at 7's.

I think there will probably be a few signings announcements in the next few weeks.
Talei decision to leave was known about a good couple of months ago by Edinburgh so there is players in the pipeline to replace him and the others outgoing.
I agree with a few others about Gary Graham, great player this season and with some pro conditioning he could be really good, already a hard worker and has the attitude.

I think Edinburgh need a good clear out (so to speak). If a few of the guys mentioned leave, I don't foresee armed mobs marching on Murrayfield to set fire to it.
Where the Weej are better than us in the depth of their squad. Take a hot and cold Denton out the picture, McInally is next best and he has struggled to fulfil his promise. Beyond that, we are mince
RDW - if you are there, can you change the title of this thread as no one gives a toss about the MD and we are talking about players leaving?

Aye that boy looks a decent prospect - how old is he?

Backrow is such a physical position at the highest level though I can see him taking a season just to get used to it. If he's young then is definitely worth a shout.

Injured - i I can change it if you want but people just moan that they are confused about the title change! Plus think most Edinburgh people are on here

Far enough, RDW. I can't get too excited about the title
Anyone know if there are any decent club players poised to sign for Edin or Glasgow? Accies seem to have quite a few decent, young players but reading what Simon Cross has to say, they are all quite small

Just tweeted at ally Hogg to ask him to come play for Edinburgh - pretty sure that will have swayed his decision...

<clang> name dropper on the loose
As god as Hogg is, I am not really a fan of players going back to a previous club. I don't know who he fell out with before that caused him to leave but if they were still at Murrayfield, there is no way Hogg woud come back

Ah you see injured that's the joy of Twitter - you don't actually need to know these guys to say something to them!

Denton has a 14 year old girl clearly stalking him on Twitter one direction style- it's quite funny and terrifying at the same time!

haha, I'm too chicken Poopie to tweet people, I just stare from a distance...

I think Dragons getting Talei is a huge boost for them. They lose Faletau every 6N and now they Talei to replace him which will be very useful. I actually think Talei is a better 8 anyway, bloody unstoppable when he is on good form.

There's a few samoans living around south wales too, I've actually walked past Andy Tuilagi several times since I moved to Cardiff, perhaps that might be another reason for him moving south?

Sad to see him go, but Denton will be getting more games so thats good too I guess. Bloody bradley.. what the hell was he trying to achieve this season? It was just a complete farce...

Grahams 21. Played in the JWC last year.

Of all the positions, backrow and 2nd row are the ones where I really dont want to see us sign foreigners unless they are of the absolute highest quality ala Strauss/Blackadder, or we are in need of experience to bring youngsters through. The club game in scotland is bursting with talent in these positions, yet at times it feels like the SRU's stance towards our Prem 1 coaches seeps into their stance towards prem 1 players.

This rants looking back at our season as a whole rather than anything happening right now.

bsando wrote:haha, I'm too chicken Poopie to tweet people, I just stare from a distance...

Ha ha, I know the feeling! It's worth doing though - you'd be surprised the responses you get. I got Mike Blair to wish my brother a happy birthday - serious bro points acquired.

I have been inspired by RDW.

I just tweeted the new pope and asked him how bad dogging is *really*.

If Grahams is 21 sign him up. I know we should be careful of highlights reels - Mike Penn (who?) - but he looks a big, strong aland aggressive player.

I do still think we need a new talei though - we can't rely on a young guy in his first pro season