Scottish Pro team thread

by 123456789 Mon 27 May 2013, 5:50 pm

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

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:00 am

Currently I think Edinburgh could do a lot worse than G-Dog. He's never been my favourite player but I certainly think he could tighten up the far from intimidating Edinburgh defence.

We need someone to instill a bit of grit, fight and balls into the team. We seem to be high on skill but low on physicallity.

Never thought I would say a team that contained the likes of Cross, Ford, Denton, Cox and DeLuca would lack physicallity.

The players I mentioned above are the ones who really need to put their hands up this year. Ford should be our best player, he needs to be this year if Edinburgh are to be taken seriously.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:08 am

This just gets worse. Surely Dodson and McKay need to move on now. I'm struggling to think of a decent appointment they've made. Even Toonie, who has been relatively successful, was a colossal gamble at the time, based on little more than a hunch. Bradley was a disaster, as was the handling of his dismissal. Moffatt was a disaster. They took far too long to sack Robinson, and made a total hash of replacing him. The Cotter debacle was an amateur farce.

mad

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:11 am

We seem to be high on skill but low on physicallity.

High on skill!? You need to come to more Edinburgh games my friend. I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking that just because we have lots of small and underpowered players, that they must be skillful!

Scott has tried to add some bulk to the backs by adding Walker and Cuthbert, and you certainly can't accuse either of them of being low on physicality and high on skill!

by **George Carlin** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:12 am

I'm just waiting to see the new Scotland strip on 1 August, with 'Tampax' written in huge blue writing on the front. Presumably the shirt will also have "For all day freshness" written on the back.

by EWT Spoons Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:14 am

On your point radge, I don't know if anyone saw on Twitter but Gilchrist posted a picture of Tom Brown after his fake tan has been taken off after putting his hand in a bucket of turps following the charity work they had been doing.*

Fake tan!! I despair I really do.

*This might have been a wind up admittedly, I only saw the picture on my phone and really I couldn’t see the difference between his arm (fake tanned) and his hand (fake tan free).

by jimbopip Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:17 am

What have the SRU been doing?

picard

[/quote]

Apparently they have been searching for a replacement for Scott Hastings, and we can expect an announcement "soonish".

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:18 am

I hope that isn't true, but if it is the message to Tom Brown should be this: spend less time on the hair gel and fake tan, and more time practising catching the high ball. His performances last season were awful, which was a real shame as I had rated him a very good prospect previously. Hopefully he can come back strongly this season, because I have low expectations of Jack Cuthbert at 15.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:31 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:
We seem to be high on skill but low on physicallity.

High on skill!? You need to come to more Edinburgh games my friend. I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking that just because we have lots of small and underpowered players, that they must be skillful!

Scott has tried to add some bulk to the backs by adding Walker and Cuthbert, and you certainly can't accuse either of them of being low on physicality and high on skill!

Well I haven't seen Walker and Cuthbert play for Edinburgh yet, so what I said it true of last season. Perhaps my comment would be better suited for the pack. Guys like Cross, Nel, Cox, Roddy Grant and even Rennie aren't the bruisers that Ryan Grant, Welsh/Cusack, Swinson or Strauss are at the Weeg (just using the soap dodgers as an example but I could extend the comparrison to other teams).

Certainly at the backs I have seen very little skill from them in a long time. The tactic seems to be pass the ball to Visser. I worry with the additions of Walker and Cuthbert it may just be pass the ball to any of the 3 guys mentioned. Granted we'll have more options though.

I should add Denton coming back on form and hungry should help our pack in the loose, but Ford needs to get his physical game back too. He is probably one of Edinburgh's most destructive carriers and he needs to step up this season. Who knows, a new baby for him might have given him a new drive we need him at his best.

Talei departing for Newport has opened the door for Dozer Denton, if he want's Beattie's Scotland Jersey he has to start well. He showed in the game against Italy flashes of what he can do.

by jimbopip Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:32 am

Fake tan!! FFS:erm:
Last week I was perusing my club's newly posted fixtures list when I noticed we are playing King's Cross Steelers home and away this season. For those of you not in the know they are an openly gay and Bi rugby club. My own take on this is that they are rugby playing men, (which as a breed I tend to like), first and foremost and what they do after the match is none of my business. So, having never played against them I thought I would check out their website.
Everything was exactly as you would expect and my inner voice was purring quietly to itself with thoughts of a new clubhouse to drink in and new opponents to thump and then talk rubbish with after the game. Then I noticed the description of the second team jerseys
Moonlight Silver and Royal Blue
Moonlight Silver???
I never knew the MFL had a sister club in that London. Still Tom Brown would fit in.

by **George Carlin** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:58 am

On an unrelated note, these updates on the UK's foremost news story should be of interest

:

http://www.panarabiaenquirer.com/wordpress/royal-baby-to-be-named-qatar-airways-after-landmark-sponsorship-deal/

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/22/royal-baby-spoof_n_3634135.html?utm_hp_ref=tw#slide=1959191

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 10:59 am

I'm actually not too worried about physicality in the Edinburgh side, the problem in my opinion has been more getting the pack to work as a collective. It's in the backs that we really lacked physicality last season. We conceded far too many turnovers when backs got isolated and we rarely had the power to get over the advantage line with slow ball - something even the best sides in the world need to do from time to time.

This is our 1st XV for next season in my opinion:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.VDW 6.Basilia 7.Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Leonard 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.NDL 14.Walker 15.Tonks

I personally don't think that side lacks physicality. The key will be getting the attitude and collective work ethic going in the pack. All too often last season the defensive system broke down, with the opposition getting cheap yards through the middle, or around the fringes where someone had stopped concentrating. That, combined with restarts and the lineout, are the key areas for the forwards to work on.

In the backs I'm actually more upbeat. Laidlaw is getting settled back at 9, and against SA in the summer we saw his best performance at 9 for a long while, and I really like Kennedy as an impact sub. Scott is an international class 12, and NDL an international class 13 - I think they make a strong partnership both in defence and attack. Visser is Visser, can't defend but a great finisher, and Tonks is a good solid allrounder. I think Walker will give us a strong crash ball option if we use him properly, and he's scored plenty tries at Rabo level in the past if used correctly. He'll draw in defenders which should leave room for others.

There's a good team there. It just needs a top class coach to eek every last drop of potential out. Sadly I have zero faith in Dodson and McKay.

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:04 am

Fear not – I genuinely had a dream last night that I was watching Edinburgh play and saw Atiga bounce off two players, side step another and beat the full back for pace to score a try. Maybe it’s an incite into the future??

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:05 am

And before someone says it, yes I do have crap dreams!

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:09 am

Are you sure that wasn't in training he did that?

Were the players getting bounced not Lee Jones and Tim Visser, with Nikki Walker rooted to the spot by Atiga's epic side step and Jack Cuthbert burned by his searing pace for the finish? That somehow sounds more likely!

by GLove39 Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:20 am

Great news everyone!
Edinburgh have hinted on twitter that they'll announce some coach related news this afternoon...
https://twitter.com/edinburghrugby/status/359591285943828481

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:25 am

GLove39 wrote:Great news everyone!
Edinburgh have hinted on twitter that they'll announce some coach related news this afternoon...
https://twitter.com/edinburghrugby/status/359591285943828481

GLove, I saw that - apparently the guy they want will be available post RWC 2015, so yous'll just have to bumble along on on yer own till then laughing

Back to painting (me and the Embra players!!)

by **George Carlin** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:26 am

GLove39 wrote:Great news everyone!
Edinburgh have hinted on twitter that they'll announce some coach related news this afternoon...
https://twitter.com/edinburghrugby/status/359591285943828481

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:28 am

"Coach related news"??

Mark Dodson: "I'm delighted to announce that we are in discussions with a number of mediocre candidates, none of whom have a winning track record as head coach. When I say "in discussions", I really mean that I saw the "candidate" from a distance whilst on holiday and in response to me waving at him like a lunatic, he made brief eye contact and didn't run for the hills. On this basis it is my view that we are close to agreeing terms. Watch this space. In the meantime, Steve Scott is a coach and has a pulse, so there isn't really any rush".

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:56 am

GLove39 wrote:Great news everyone!
Edinburgh have hinted on twitter that they'll announce some coach related news this afternoon...
https://twitter.com/edinburghrugby/status/359591285943828481

It took me embarrassingly long to work out your witty joke - I couldn't see a Tweet regarding a new coaching team anywhere! picard

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 23 Jul 2013, 11:59 am

Chin up, Embra fans, your festival will be along soon!

by **George Carlin** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 12:20 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Chin up, Embra fans, your festival will be along soon!

The tram might take slightly longer though, allegedly. Run

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 23 Jul 2013, 12:22 pm

I like trams, GC - don't need to paint any road markings for them zen

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue 23 Jul 2013, 1:02 pm

Townsend has been on Twitter mentioning #thepen which usually suggests some signing news.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue 23 Jul 2013, 1:08 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'm actually not too worried about physicality in the Edinburgh side, the problem in my opinion has been more getting the pack to work as a collective. It's in the backs that we really lacked physicality last season. We conceded far too many turnovers when backs got isolated and we rarely had the power to get over the advantage line with slow ball - something even the best sides in the world need to do from time to time.

This is our 1st XV for next season in my opinion:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.VDW 6.Basilia 7.Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Leonard 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.NDL 14.Walker 15.Tonks

Its a decent First XV but if you were to compare to combine the Glasgow First XV and the Edinburgh one. Based on them all being fit and in decent form. I think Ford, Rennie and Scott would make the Combined First XV.

Very subjective I know and I am a few omissions are close calls, but my Combined 1st XV would be.

1.Grant 2.Ford 3.Cusack 4.Swinson 5.Kellock 6.Harley 7.Rennie 8.Strauss 9.Niko 10.Jackson 11.DTH 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 1:16 pm

DOT - I'm pretty much in agreement.

Based on your "fit and in decent form" caveat though, I'd probably switch Strauss to 6 and have Denton at 8, but still, that's 4 from Edinburgh and 11 from Glasgow, which is probably fair (and based on last season you'd have a strong case for MacArthur ahead of Ford).

The point I was making was more that Edinburgh can do alot better with the players they have - based on our personnel I feel we are underachieving. We won't be challenging for the play-offs with the players we have, but we should certainly not be in the bottom three.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue 23 Jul 2013, 1:31 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:DOT - I'm pretty much in agreement.

Based on your "fit and in decent form" caveat though, I'd probably switch Strauss to 6 and have Denton at 8, but still, that's 4 from Edinburgh and 11 from Glasgow, which is probably fair (and based on last season you'd have a strong case for MacArthur ahead of Ford).

The point I was making was more that Edinburgh can do alot better with the players they have - based on our personnel I feel we are underachieving. We won't be challenging for the play-offs with the players we have, but we should certainly not be in the bottom three.

As I said there are couple of changes that you could argue, but as you say the split is pretty much in Glasgow's favor.

On reflection I have what point I was trying to prove. But I agree, Edinburgh do have the makings of a decent squad, a couple new players or a couple existing players stepping up could make all the difference. Getting a head coach in would not hurt as well.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:08 pm

It's the "couple of players stepping up" that I'm most keen to see. In no particular order of priority:

1. Laidlaw needs to stop counting to 20 before passing the ball, and inject some tempo into the game. He's become a top class goal kicker and has great vision in broken play, but his basic distribution speed needs to step up a notch from last season (his performance against South Africa in the summer proved he can do it).

2. Denton needs to pull his finger out, pure and simple. A genuine talent who can really hurt teams with ball in hand, but his tendancy to go missing in defence and slip out of games when it matters was more apparent last season, leading to him losing his Scotland place to Beattie and Wilson.

3. Rennie needs to stay fit for this season. He's an absolute gem of a player, probably too good for Edinburgh if I'm being honest, but whilst we have him we really need him out there and playing.

4. Ford is very much in the Denton camp. On top form a Lions quality hooker; last season he was outplayed by Steven Lawrie. Can do an awful lot better.

5. NDL is a very important player for Edinburgh. Strong defence and his ability to put Visser into space was sorely missed in the second half of the season. We need him fully fit and firing, and building a strong relationship with Matt Scott. If those two can click next season then we'll be onto something.

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:11 pm

I'd add Matt Scott to that list FES - last season he looked significantly better for Scotland than for Edinburgh (although he was one of Edinburgh's better players), which I suppose is the better way round to have things, but he could potentially become a world class 12 if he carries on his development. That won't happen if he's coasting along at Edinburgh all season - he really needs to push on and build on his Scotland performances, making them regular occurrences for both Edinburgh and Scotland.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:15 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'd add Matt Scott to that list FES - last season he looked significantly better for Scotland than for Edinburgh (although he was one of Edinburgh's better players), which I suppose is the better way round to have things, but he could potentially become a world class 12 if he carries on his development. That won't happen if he's coasting along at Edinburgh all season - he really needs to push on and build on his Scotland performances, making them regular occurrences for both Edinburgh and Scotland.

In fairness to young Scott, didn't he get messed around at 13 a fair bit, with big Ben preferred at 12? Headscratch

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:18 pm

I've got less beef with Scott. He was messed about between 12 and 13, and very rarely did he get more than two consecutive games with the same stand-off. Very difficult to find rhythm and familiarity with such a disjointed backline. He also had to play 13 outside Atiga, which can't be particularly easy - especially when you combine that factor with slow ball from Laidlaw, and the fact that you can't pass to your winger, because that man is Lee Jones, and he'll only contrive to give the ball back to the opposition. Scott showed in Scotland colours and in the summer that he's becoming a top international class 12. Edinburgh need to sit down, pick their first choice backline, and let it develop accordingly. That means Matt Scott always playing 12.

The reason I included NDL was more that when we really needed him to comeback strongly after injury, he did a stupid spear tackle and got himself suspended - not what you need from your senior players.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:20 pm

Wow - I've managed to find myself in agreement with ASBO! That road paint must be going to his head! Laugh

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:21 pm

A player I would like to see the back off is Francis. He has never done anything that has made me impressed or happy that we signed him. Leonard and Hunter should be given all the game time possible to develop their abilities.

Francis is one of thes NSQ journeymen we really don't need.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:23 pm

He does qualify for Scotland in two years......

Sorry, that wasn't funny.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:26 pm

Actually, to be fair to Francis he wasn't much worse than Leonard or Hunter. Hunter actually had a pretty naff game after which he was finally dropped last season, and Francis did show the odd flash of creativity, in particular a willingness to take the ball flat and look to offload in contact.

I do agree though that we need to continue to give Hunter changes, and I would personally start the season with Leonard as first choice 10. I'm not sure whether he'll develop into an international player, but I'd rather find out by giving him a run in the side, rather an alternating fly halves week in week out throughout the entire season, messing Laidlaw around as well.

by Captain_Sensible Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:30 pm

Glasgow sign Argentinian Gabriel Ascarate on a one-year deal - http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/13/07/23/argentine-international-ascarate-agrees-glasgow-deal

by **George Carlin** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:31 pm

Glasgow have signed a young Puma called Gabriel Ascarate as injury cover for Peter Horne:

Argentine international Ascarate agrees Glasgow deal

Glasgow Warriors have added versatile Argentine back Gabriel Ascarate to their squad for next season.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the RaboDirect PRO12 side and subject to a medical will join his new teammates for pre-season training next week.

Ascarate, who is comfortable playing at inside or outside centre as well as at full-back, has eight caps for Argentina and recently featured for his country in the double header against England.

He joins from French ProD2 team Carcassonne and previously spent three seasons playing with the Pampas XV, competing in South Africa's Vodacom Cup.

Gabriel Ascarte said: “This is a great move for me. I’m excited about the prospect of playing in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup with Glasgow next season.

“I should be able to settle in quickly after playing in Europe last season and then in the summer against England. I’m happy that I’ll have a month of training with the squad before the new season gets underway, which will give me plenty of time to get to know my new teammates.

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend said: “Since Peter Horne injured his knee, we've conducted a global search to find the ideal replacement for the start of the season.

“Gabriel can play in a number of positions in the backline, is very strong in defence and has an intelligent kicking game.

“He has played at a high level and most recently played at inside centre for Argentina in their second Test against England, so he should be in good condition for the new season.

“He will be an excellent addition to our squad, to help us compete in both the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup next season."

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:33 pm

To be fair to Francis, the last 5 games (with Stevie Scott in charge), he didn't actually look to bad. In fact I'd even go as far to say that he looked good in a couple of games! Much better than any performance from Leonard or Hunter anyway.

Saying that, Francis has been given significantly more game time and more chances to show what he can do - don't think Leonard or Hunter had more than 2 games in a row.

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:35 pm

Captain_Sensible wrote:Glasgow sign Argentinian Gabriel Ascarate on a one-year deal - http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/13/07/23/argentine-international-ascarate-agrees-glasgow-deal

Sounds like more squad cover, and they are maintaining their stance of one year deals (take note Edinbrugh!)

Not the most impressive CV, and indeed the shambles of their summer tests against England are a massive black mark on his name, but will be interesting to see how he gets on.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:38 pm

George Carlin wrote:Glasgow have signed a young Puma called Gabriel Ascarate as injury cover for Peter Horne:

Argentine international Ascarate agrees Glasgow deal

Glasgow Warriors have added versatile Argentine back Gabriel Ascarate to their squad for next season.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the RaboDirect PRO12 side and subject to a medical will join his new teammates for pre-season training next week.

Ascarate, who is comfortable playing at inside or outside centre as well as at full-back, has eight caps for Argentina and recently featured for his country in the double header against England.

He joins from French ProD2 team Carcassonne and previously spent three seasons playing with the Pampas XV, competing in South Africa's Vodacom Cup.

Gabriel Ascarte said: “This is a great move for me. I’m excited about the prospect of playing in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup with Glasgow next season.

“I should be able to settle in quickly after playing in Europe last season and then in the summer against England. I’m happy that I’ll have a month of training with the squad before the new season gets underway, which will give me plenty of time to get to know my new teammates.

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend said: “Since Peter Horne injured his knee, we've conducted a global search to find the ideal replacement for the start of the season.

“Gabriel can play in a number of positions in the backline, is very strong in defence and has an intelligent kicking game.

“He has played at a high level and most recently played at inside centre for Argentina in their second Test against England, so he should be in good condition for the new season.

“He will be an excellent addition to our squad, to help us compete in both the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup next season."

Not a bad signing in terms of depth, altho didn't think much of the Arg backline against England - fairly porous, altho to be fair, this lad was just one component. 1m85cm (6'1" in old money) and 94kg (fatter than me)

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 2:39 pm

Good deal for Glasgow - with Horne injured Dunbar was the only specialist grown-up centre left in the squad.

Agree with that RDW - Francis didn't disgrace himself in the last few games, and his early appearances against Glasgow game far too early for him. He'd have barely had any time to train with the squad. Bradley really was a plonker. I still hold high hopes for Leonard though. Hopefully Leonard can start games next season with Francis on the bench to liven things up if we need him. Hunter is probably rightly third choice at the moment, but he did show some good things last season, particularly that booming kick of his which is a handy weapon in the wet and windy months (i.e. the rugby season in Edinburgh).

by EST Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:21 pm

A solid, if unspectacular signing from Glasgow - he should provide good depth across the back line, something we have needed since Horne was injured. It looks as if Dunbar will be very much the first choice 12, something i'm happy about, I feel he plays his best rugby there.

by jimbopip Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:35 pm

GLove39 wrote:Great news everyone!
Edinburgh have hinted on twitter that they'll announce some coach related news this afternoon...
https://twitter.com/edinburghrugby/status/359591285943828481

I checked this out and there is a picture of Glove39. Only mentioning it because GC seems to have an unhealthy fetish about imagining what we all look like.
Glove39 the product of a sweaty one night stand between Rob Harley and Nicole Kidman, with a little help from Ewan McGregor.

by IanBru Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:36 pm

Wait, wait... This is too much.

The archangel Gabriel and the Messiah forming a centre pairing? Is our Heino salvation at hand?

All we need is the three wise men, come from afar (Niko, Alphabite and No Maits) and King Herod in the squad (Strauss), and we're ready for our own 1872 nativity play!

Now all we need is a donkey. Dodson, where are you?

by jimbopip Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:38 pm

EST wrote:A solid, if unspectacular signing from Glasgow - he should provide good depth across the back line, something we have needed since Horne was injured. It looks as if Dunbar will be very much the first choice 12, something i'm happy about, I feel he plays his best rugby there.

I tend to agree, EST, but does this mean that Scotland has an either Scott or Dunbar situation at 12? Or one of them out of position?
OR
10. Scott
12. Dunbar
13. angel

It could work you know.

by jimbopip Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:42 pm

IanBru wrote:Wait, wait... This is too much.

The archangel Gabriel and the Messiah forming a centre pairing? Is our Heino salvation at hand?

All we need is the three wise men, come from afar (Niko, Alphabite and No Maits) and King Herod in the squad (Strauss), and we're ready for our own 1872 nativity play!

Now all we need is a donkey. Dodson, where are you?

A classic Ian, a classic.
p.s. hope you like the three kings: I am experiencing a little local difficulty locating a virgin here in Essex.

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:43 pm

Alphabite?

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:45 pm

Brilliant - more suggestions to move our best players out of position!! A very Scottish rugby tradition.

by EST Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:47 pm

If Dunbar plays all his rugby at 12 for us Jimbo, I think it should be a straight shoot out for the Scotland position between both him and Scott. At international level Dunbar is just a touch to slow for 13 and is susceptible to an outside break. They also offer a nice contrast of styles......leaving a space open at 13 for a certain .. angel

Scott at 10 is an interesting one, his game has flourished at 12 after moving outside from 10, and for me thats where he should stay - I think he has the ability to be very good indeed. Interestingly I don't see him kick often? Have I not been watching enough Edinburgh games? As an ex fly half, I thought this would be a huge part of his game, but I have rarely seen him put boot to ball.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:53 pm

It's because he gets the ball so rarely for Edinburgh that he never wants to kick it away. Laidlaw does most of the kicking from the base of the ruck.

I completely agree. Scott is a nailed on 12, and based on his recent Scotland form one of the first names on the teamsheet. He was outstanding in the summer, and one of our best backs in the 6 Nations. It's a no brainer.

The legitimate debate is at 13. Dunbar is currently the incumbent, but most fans (myself included) think he's a better 12. He can do a job at 13, but I suspect that a strong season at 13 from either Bennett or NDL (or Grove) will see Dunbar seen as more of a 12, where he can compete with Scott. Horne's injury really opens the way for Dunbar to cement his place at 12 with Glasgow.

Whatever happens, let's not shift anyone out of position. In particular that means Scott at 12, Maitland on the wing and Hogg at 15. They are our best backs!

by EST Tue 23 Jul 2013, 3:56 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Brilliant - more suggestions to move our best players out of position!! A very Scottish rugby tradition.

I agree that Scott should stay at 12, fEs, but you could argue that Scott was moved out of position from 10 to 12 in the first place...that move has resulted in one of the most exciting players Scotland has had in years, so the principle of players moving position shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

by Sponsored content