Scottish Pro team thread

[123456789]

First topic message reminder :

There doesn't seem to be much going on but I thought it might be an idea to set up a thread devoted to transfers, coaching news and general new information to do with the Scottish pro clubs over the summer

[123456789]

I admire your optimism numbers, and if you think the Glasgow squad is bullet proof and they will have a relentless march to victory this season then fair enough.  I'm more of a realist though and with Wilson injured look at the 8 position and see vulnerability. It's great that a young Scottish player is probably going to get his chance, but I'm not sure you can rely on that if you are aiming for a top 2 finish.

Not bullet proof but to be in a situation where our third choice in a position is Scotland's first choice u20 number eight, there are issues at 10 and in the centre as a result of injuries and retirements but I don't think number 8 is a worry.

[Weegie Wizard]

I don't really see Glasgow's squad as any weaker than last season. We lost Barclay who looked like he was starting to find good form but signed 2 replacements and we'll have Fusaro fit again. A main reason for confidence is that none of the teams around us are any better and Scarlets and possbily Munster are worse.

Glasgow may suffer if they qualify from their HC group as that will test their squad more than previous seasons.

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

[funnyExiledScot]

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

That is a bold statement given the strength of Leinster and Ulster, and the fact that last year, when Glasgow were outstanding and played very well, you still didn't top the league. I know you had your injuries, but so did other sides.

I think Glasgow fans are getting slightly ahead of themselves, and you make a very good point about the HC. We've not seen how a run in the HC would test the Glasgow squad, and now that you're making up the lion's share of the Scotland 1st XV, this season will test your depth like no other (assuming you make a decent fist of the HC).

Leinster and Ulster have experience in juggling such matters, Glasgow do not. I think this season will be a real test for you - expectations are right up there as well. Failure to reach the HC QF and the Rabo semi will be seen as a disappointment. How Glasgow handle that will be interesting, and you can expect sides to be much wiser to Matawalu et al this season.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

That is a bold statement given the strength of Leinster and Ulster, and the fact that last year, when Glasgow were outstanding and played very well, you still didn't top the league. I know you had your injuries, but so did other sides.

I think Glasgow fans are getting slightly ahead of themselves, and you make a very good point about the HC. We've not seen how a run in the HC would test the Glasgow squad, and now that you're making up the lion's share of the Scotland 1st XV, this season will test your depth like no other (assuming you make a decent fist of the HC).

Leinster and Ulster have experience in juggling such matters, Glasgow do not. I think this season will be a real test for you - expectations are right up there as well. Failure to reach the HC QF and the Rabo semi will be seen as a disappointment. How Glasgow handle that will be interesting, and you can expect sides to be much wiser to Matawalu et al this season.

They cvan be as wise as they like, but they still won't know what he's about to do, nor catch him when he does it!

[George Carlin]

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

That is a bold statement given the strength of Leinster and Ulster, and the fact that last year, when Glasgow were outstanding and played very well, you still didn't top the league. I know you had your injuries, but so did other sides.

I think Glasgow fans are getting slightly ahead of themselves, and you make a very good point about the HC. We've not seen how a run in the HC would test the Glasgow squad, and now that you're making up the lion's share of the Scotland 1st XV, this season will test your depth like no other (assuming you make a decent fist of the HC).

Leinster and Ulster have experience in juggling such matters, Glasgow do not. I think this season will be a real test for you - expectations are right up there as well. Failure to reach the HC QF and the Rabo semi will be seen as a disappointment. How Glasgow handle that will be interesting, and you can expect sides to be much wiser to Matawalu et al this season.

All correct. But that's how sides improve. There's a reason that there's expectation around Glasgow and we need to get used to the pressure because that's what champions do. We need to see ourselves as HC quarter finalists and then get on and do it. If our reserves don't step up, then we'll know that we need better ones this season.
 
Not getting ahead of myself but the days when Glasgow needed to sit in the corner and politely ask other sides not to hurt us are long gone.

[funnyExiledScot]

Not getting ahead of myself but the days when Glasgow needed to sit in the corner and politely ask other sides not to hurt us are long gone..

I've never heard a Glaswegian politely ask for anything!!

I agree though, the new pressure created by expectation and success is a good thing, a natural step for a side on an upward trajectory. The big question is whether Glasgow can handle competing on all fronts for the first time, and handle that expectation to win games? Remember the disappointment around the Scarlets game last season. Big game, Glasgow needed a big performance, and were comprehensively outplayed.

It's a learning curve, but I'd certainly rather be in Glasgow's position, finding out whether you can take the next big step, than in Edinburgh's, finding out whether we can better manage the decline!

[jimbopip]

what does MFL actually stand for?

For reasons lost in the swirling damp mist of time, I seem to recall that it stands for Metrosexual Festival Luvvies. The general rationale is that Edinburgh remains the team for those supporters who have proper wicker picnic baskets and are not afraid to exfoliate [b]each other.
[b]There, I've fixed the bit you missed

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

*

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

what does MFL actually stand for?

For reasons lost in the swirling damp mist of time, I seem to recall that it stands for Metrosexual Festival Luvvies. The general rationale is that Edinburgh remains the team for those supporters who have proper wicker picnic baskets and are not afraid to exfoliate each other.
with loofahs

There, I've fixed  the bit you missed

Finished off your fixing for you, j-pip

[EST]

From a Glasgow perspective I still believe we are a couple of players short of really punishing the top teams.

10: Jackson and Weir, two very different players who both had mixed seasons last year (injury and massive dips in form). I am still unsure that either of them has what it takes at the top level, Jackson needs to develop some consistency and a kicking game while Weir will need to show some more attacking prowess. There is of course Wight, but I don't think he is necessarily the answer either - A good squad player, but not the type of guy I would want going down to Leicester in a Heine crunch game, for example. I would be ecstatic if Glasgow managed to bring in an experienced top level 10 - imagine the difference a Nick Evans would make. I am aware these guys are difficult to find, and that Glasgow will look to develop a Scottish 10 - but I think a top class player here would make a massive difference.

Hopefully Finn Russell gets a chance to develop after his stint in NZ, supposedly he has been very good out there.

12. We really only have Dunbar as an out and out 12 now that Horne has been ruled out for so long, after that we are looking at playing players out of position. A ball playing 12 in the NZ mould would take a lot of pressure from whoever plays 10. Somebody like Daniel Bowden of Leicester would be ideal. As I can't see someone of that quality coming in (the rumour of a Crusaders centre coming in appears to have dried up) then I noticed that Alex Blair is back playing in Australia in an effort to get some game time in prior to the new season with Edinburgh Accies. Young, talented, SQ and with a lot to prove - he could be a good fit. Also we seem to be quite good at accepting top quality, former youth star players that Edinburgh ditch - see Fraser Brown.

So, it's the midfield for me - get a couple of classy ball players in there and I would be very happy indeed.

[jebus]

Agree - second season syndrome looming for Toonie. Key factors are as follows:

1. Grant, Hogg and Maitland will have Lions fatigue having featured so heavily on the tour.

2. Wilson, Cusiter, Weir, Jackson and Horne are all broken.

3. Kellock's thesis on ruck inspection is due at the end of this season in order to complete his phD on the aforementioned topic.

4. Mike Cusack and Tim Swinson will leave for Edinburgh after Glasgow are whitewashed in the 1872 Cup citing that they "want to train with real men".

5. Mark Bennett will flop.

Bennett looked impressive in the games he featured - scored against Dragons, Munster and Leinster and set up a try against Ulster. Not bad for a 20 year old in his first season - potential there, just needs some experience and game time.

What are you basing your predictions on????

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Yes as Kevin Bridges says "what is a collective noun for people from Embra ?" :-

"C***s"

[Imperialbigdave]

I noticed  that Alex Blair is back playing in Australia in an effort to get some game time in prior to the new season with Edinburgh Accies.  Young, talented, SQ and with a lot to prove - he could be a good fit.  Also we seem to be quite good at accepting top quality, former youth star players that Edinburgh ditch - see Fraser Brown.

He played a lot at 13 for the age grade sides, and I remember Accies playing him in just about every position on the pitch a few years ago. Dont know if hed cut it as a pro centre though. Should stick to fly half.

[EST]

I noticed  that Alex Blair is back playing in Australia in an effort to get some game time in prior to the new season with Edinburgh Accies.  Young, talented, SQ and with a lot to prove - he could be a good fit.  Also we seem to be quite good at accepting top quality, former youth star players that Edinburgh ditch - see Fraser Brown.

He played a lot at 13 for the age grade sides, and I remember Accies playing him in just about every position on the pitch a few years ago. Dont know if hed cut it as a pro centre though. Should stick to fly half.

Yes, I remember him playing in an age grade international against England at 10 - he and Dunbar were the standouts by a country mile from the Scotland team (although I seem to remember Blair dropping the ball in the act of scoring?). Just a though re: Blair at 12 - Edinburgh did it with Matt Scott, so it is possible - he would obviously have to put in a huge amount of effort, but as a year long cover for Horne I think he could be a good option.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

Don't agree with that statement. I would say our First XV is closer to being the best in the league than it ever has, but I would still say we are a bit behind a few of the sides.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I still think our 1st choice XV would beat any other in the league.

Don't agree with that statement.  I would say our First XV is closer to being the best in the league than it ever has, but I would still say we are a bit behind a few of the sides.

i think that's true, Dot, difficult to say an unqualified 'best' - up there with the best would be my guess

[RDW]

Best team in the leage? Jeez you Weege are getting more and more like the Welsh every day! 

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Best team in the league? Jeez you Weege are getting more and more like the Welsh every day! 

That could be considered racialist?!?!

[tigertattie]

Should Pyrgos think about a move to Edinburgh?

If, and I really mean if, Cusiter can stay injury free for a period of time, I cannot see pyrgos getting any game time behind cus and Matalawuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu furra lineeeeeee

in fac, maybe cus should move to edinburgh? I cant see him getting much game time behind the wee game changer!

[RDW]

Don’t want Pyrgos – with Laidlaw first choice, Kennedy 2nd choice and Leck backup if required I think we’re OK. Plus I’m not a Pyrgos fan!

[funnyExiledScot]

Pyrgos is nothing more than a solid club option, and as RDW points out, with Laidlaw and Kennedy on our books, he'll get no more game time at Edinburgh than he will at Glasgow. I'd also like Hidalgo-Clyne to get some time at 9 for Edinburgh this season.

Cusiter is injury prone, and prone to getting his face on TV. Sadly I don't think we'll see him back to his best, I don't think the hunger is still there. Pyrgos will be needed at Glasgow, Matawalu can't play every minute of every game.

Agree about Glasgow fans becoming like the Welsh and English. In fact the more I read Schizoid's posts, I wonder whether he's a by-product of a sweaty clinch between Jiffy Davies and John Inverdale. Is Jimbopip actually Jeremy Guscott? Is DOT Austin Healy? Is ASBO really Gavin Henson?

I think I'm onto something here.

Best 1st XV in the league for sure.....

[George Carlin]

Best team in the leage? Jeez you Weege are getting more and more like the Welsh every day! 

Watch this space for news of Glasgow's' Moral Victories as the season progresses. Nobody ever beats us or has better players - they just occasionally Interfere With Destiny by scoring points than us.

[RDW]

Well the Edinburgh Twitter feed has said that there has been lots going on behind the scenes, and they hope to exciting news soon!

I can see what this exciting news is going to be – “Stevie Scott appointed new head coach, Brendan Laney comes out of retirement, ticket prices increased to £30”

[funnyExiledScot]

Watch this space for news of Glasgow's' Moral Victories as the season progresses. Nobody ever beats us or has better players - they just occasionally Interfere With Destiny by scoring points than us.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well it's good that things have been going on behind the scenes, because on stage nothing has happened for months. I'm pleased someone at Edinburgh and the SRU is doing something, they are well paid full time employees afterall!

If ticket prices were to go up by some much as a penny I'd withdraw my support instantly and start commuting to Scotstoun. At least that way I'd be guaranteed to see 15 world class players winning every other week.....

[EWT Spoons]

I hope when they are talking about stuff going on behind the scenes it doesn’t just relate to the charity announcement on the radio this morning.

If you missed it, Edinburgh Rugby have given up on focussing on rugby and seemingly have moved into the ‘handyman’ market.  The thinking is they are fit, motivated (debatable) and able.  Therefore for charity they are being hired out to the highest bidder to do odd jobs.  At least that’s what I understood of the advert when I was leaving the house this morning.

Which is all well and good and I’m all for them doing charity work, but at this stage I’d probably be more keen on them sorting out a head coach and getting ready for the upcoming season.

[RDW]

I might bid a tenner for Lee Jones and give him his ‘odd job’ of practicing catching and tackling all day

[funnyExiledScot]

This is excellent news. It must mean that they've already nailed the lineout, scrum, restarts and back line moves that were so dire last season. Phew. Time to relax.

[tigertattie]

Ah stuff it. I'm just ognna convert to being a soap dodger

Wait

No

I didn't mean that!

I'm gonna just stick to local rugby  

[George Carlin]

New Macron kits unveiled on 19 August apparently.
 
Rumours about them:

- the Glasgow kit will have three lions on the front, to commemorate the number of times that Al Kellock has entered a ruck;

- the Edinburgh kit will have four stars above the club logo to celebrate the number of times Allan Jacobson has eaten a salad;

- the Edinburgh kit will have the words 'bunga bunga' sewn into the neckline as an homage to the well dressed young women of Edinburgh being easy on the eye;

- the Glasgow kit will have 'Gonnae No Dae That' in Latin sewn into the waistband.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

New Macron kits unveiled on 19 August apparently.
 
Rumours about them:

- the Glasgow kit will have three lions on the front, to commemorate the number of times that Al Kellock has entered a ruck;

- the Edinburgh kit will have four stars above the club logo to celebrate the number of times Allan Jacobson has eaten a salad;

- the Edinburgh kit will have the words 'bunga bunga' sewn into the neckline as an homage to the well dressed young women of Edinburgh being easy on the eye;

- the Glasgow kit will have 'Gonnae No Dae That' in Latin sewn into the waistband.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Agree about Glasgow fans becoming like the Welsh and English. In fact the more I read Schizoid's posts, I wonder whether he's a by-product of a sweaty clinch between Jiffy Davies and John Inverdale. Is Jimbopip actually Jeremy Guscott? Is DOT Austin Healy? Is ASBO really Gavin Henson?

I think I'm onto something here.

Best 1st XV in the league for sure.....

How am I getting drawn into all this?  I am generally the merchant of doom when it comes to all things Glasgow.

[RDW]

How am I getting drawn into all this?  I am generally the merchant of doom realistic when it comes to all things Glasgow.

Think that sums you up better Dot!

[funnyExiledScot]

This is the pits, when on earth are Edinburgh going to announce some an appointment or some new players??

I reckon the SRU blazeratti are all at The Open for the week, soaking up the sun and spending my season ticket money!

[RDW]

FES I think you need to join Twitter so you can join me and Radge with some social media outrage.

[funnyExiledScot]

I can't access Twitter at work (for some reason 606v2 is fine), so my Twitter output would be too limited as I don't bother logging on in the evenings much. I'm on the Edinburgh Facebook site, but no-one has anything interesting to say on there, and they take this supporting malarky all very seriously.

[RDW]

You not got a phone you could use?

[funnyExiledScot]

I do, but since mobile phones removed the buttons and replaced them with a touch screen, my ability to type coherent messages on my phone diminished from poor to woeful.

Still, if it increases the audience for my pearls of rugby wisdom, I'll give it a shot....

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I do, but since mobile phones removed the buttons and replaced them with a touch screen, my ability to type coherent messages on my phone diminished from poor to woeful.

Still, if it increases the audience for my pearls of rugby wisdom, I'll give it a shot....

Hmm, perhaps it's already more of a problem than you realised?!

This is the pits, when on earth are Edinburgh going to announce some an appointment or some new players??

I reckon the SRU blazeratti are all at The Open for the week, soaking up the sun and spending my season ticket money!

[jimbopip]

Agree about Glasgow fans becoming like the Welsh and English. In fact the more I read Schizoid's posts, I wonder whether he's a by-product of a sweaty clinch between Jiffy Davies and John Inverdale. Is Jimbopip actually Jeremy Guscott? Is DOT Austin Healy? Is ASBO really Gavin Henson?

Having seen the Schizoid in all his 3D technicolour glory I must say it's more the result of a deviant coupling between Yootha Joyce and Alex Salmond. You just have to keep repeating Mrs Shiz's mantra, " I know but he's got a lovely personality."
As for Jeremy Guscott... I've got the grey hair, regularly talk utter nonsense and have been lined up to play in the centres this coming season, and Mrs Pip says I do like glancing in the mirror once in a while. But apart from that I can see no reason to propagate these vile libels.
Oh and by the way I believe Schiz's paternal grandfather to be W.C.Fields; he certainly is the soul of generousity when in the proximity of licensed premises.

[funnyExiledScot]

You just have to keep repeating Mrs Shiz's mantra, " I know but he's got a lovely personality."

[funnyExiledScot]

Oh and by the way I believe Schiz's paternal grandfather to be W.C.Fields; he certainly is the soul of generousity when in the proximity of licensed premises.

Well in that case I take it all back. I'll have to hunt him down next time Glasgow are at Murrayfield.

I take a rather "Aberdonian" approach when in the proximity of licensed premises....

[Imperialbigdave]

" I know but he's got a lovely personality."

ugh, Ive just sprayed cofee all over the keyboard.

[jimbopip]

IBD, no need to thank me. It's probably not the first time you've sprayed all over the keyboard, but it certainly will be for a sentence that included Yootha Joyce and Alex Salmon making the beast with two backs and propagating 21st.

[Imperialbigdave]

IBD, no need to thank me. It's probably not the first time you've sprayed all over the keyboard, but it certainly will be for a sentence that included Yootha Joyce and Alex Salmon making the beast with two backs and propagating 21st.

I dunno, ive seen things on the internet that make that look as racy as sense and sensibility.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Good news - Rabo fixtures out on Friday around lunchtime

[George Carlin]

IBD, no need to thank me. It's probably not the first time you've sprayed all over the keyboard, but it certainly will be for a sentence that included Yootha Joyce and Alex Salmon making the beast with two backs and propagating 21st.

[funnyExiledScot]

Good news - Rabo fixtures out on Friday around lunchtime

I've got my fingers crossed that through some scheduling error, Edinburgh play their first 5 fixtures against Zebre at Murrayfield......

[tigertattie]

[quote="Imperialbigdave]
ugh, Ive just sprayed cofee all over the keyboard.[/quote]

ASBO sprayed all over his screen.

But it wasnt coffee  

And it was when he was watching a Mark Bennett highlight reel!  

[funnyExiledScot]

A Mark Bennett highlight reel?? You'd be doing well to manage with such brief footage!

[Sponsored content]