Scottish Pro team thread

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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

[George Carlin]

On the subject of what we all look like, I see 21st Century Schizoid man has volunteered to dust off the old boots to replace the injured Peter Horne. A weight of Toonie's mind...

Good old Bumface.

[funnyExiledScot]

Aye, wouldn't want to dirty your maroon corduroys or your mustard argyle knit jumpers - fair do's

I did take a bus once, it arrived two minutes late and the raggamuffin driving the bus refused to break my £50 note. Never again.

[EWT Spoons]

Anyone would think we're just killing time on this thread

Also I fear I may not be an 'official' Edinburgh fan.  I don't own a wicker basket, an assortment of coloured trousers and I quite frequently take public transport.  I think I’ve let the side down.

Maybe I could create a youtube video montage of me going out buying these items.  Ending in a ‘Rocky’ theme, with me running being chauffer driven (sorry about that) to Murrayfield and waving my basket and  trousers in celebration.  All to the crazy beat of “Donald where’s your troosers”.

Wish Edinburgh would hurry up and announce a new head coach…

Back to rugby, Scott needs to be left alone to develop at 12, moving him to 13 to accommodate Atiga, was a daft idea given how good Scott can be at 12.  Also he doesn’t think he has the kicking game to play 10 (he said this in an article earlier this year/end of last) so probably best to leave him be.

With regards to Atiga, he was getting better last year, but still a long way from any real quality, do folks reckon this year after a full season to get fit, he might actually show some abilty/fitness this season to justify us signing him?

Will Edinburgh make any more signings?  -  If we want to avoid finishing in the bottom 3 again, then I think there needs to be some strengthening, but by the time we actually get a coach, I would suspect the better players will be tied up to contracts and we’ll be left with the dregs, is it worth it?  Should we just accept what we have for this season and look to build for next?

Glasgow – Do you need anyone else? Honest question, you seem to have an amazing starting line up (when fit) and some decent levels of depth. However, is there position(s) that concern you?

[RDW]

On Atiga, the fitter he was, the better a player he looked. Therefore after a full season and a proper pre-season he will be fitter than he's every been, so here's hoping he will be a better player than he's ever been!

I seriously hope he becomes a viable backup option - we really are screwed if he proves not to be considering him and Scott are the only out and out 12s in the squad (why let Houston and King go??).

[EWT Spoons]

I like and agree with your logic on Atiga, I guess this season really needs to be the year he steps up.

[funnyExiledScot]

Unless there is another Sean Maitland or Strass out there, or Tommy Allen, Ali Strokosch (despite his new shiny contract) and Jim Hamilton suddently declare an urge to move back to Edinburgh, I don't want Edinburgh making anymore signings until we have a new coach.

If that means players like McIver filling in for the season, and forcing Scott to use players such as Basilia, then so be it. No signings are better than bad signings. With Lutui, Dickinson, Walker and Cuthbert already through the door, I don't think we're so short in any particular position that we won't be able to cope. If we need emergency cover, then for goodness sake let's keep the contract down to 6 months or a year.

[RDW]

FES – I think we can ‘cope’ just about everywhere apart from centre. Our only centres on the books are Scott, de Luca, Atiga and Fife. Bearing in mind Scott and De Luca are likely to only be able to play around 2/3 of the games, that means we’re relying on 2 players to play at least 1/3 with no backup. Tonks can play 13 at a push and Cairnsy will hopefully recover fully to re-sign, but we desperately need a decent squad cover 12 or 13, and most definitely only on a one season deal.

Are there any good Prem 1 player who could fill in if required? i.e. genuine options who should be able to step up?

Still don’t know why Houston was let go to the 7s – fair enough King because he was always injured, but Houston would be exactly what we needed.

[funnyExiledScot]

On Atiga, the fitter he was, the better a player he looked.  Therefore after a full season and a proper pre-season he will be fitter than he's every been, so here's hoping he will be a better player than he's ever been!

I seriously hope he becomes a viable backup option - we really are screwed if he proves not to be considering him and Scott are  the only out and out 12s in the squad (why let Houston and King go??).

Remember Scott used Francis at 12 towards the end of last season, so I guess he's another possible option. I'd like us to have a look at Robbie Ferguson this season as well, although as you say, hopefully Atiga will be ready to play properly this season. He showed the odd glimpse of form towards the end of last season, running hard and picking some decent lines. He's good in contact as well, which is something we've not been good at generally across the backline.

Last season my expectations were high. This season my expectations are that we finish higher than Zebre in the league. Hopefully I won't be as disappointed come the end of the season.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

On Atiga, the fitter he was, the better a player he looked.  Therefore after a full season and a proper pre-season he will be fitter than he's every been, so here's hoping he will be a better player than he's ever been!

I seriously hope he becomes a viable backup option - we really are screwed if he proves not to be considering him and Scott are  the only out and out 12s in the squad (why let Houston and King go??).

Remember Scott used Francis at 12 towards the end of last season, so I guess he's another possible option. I'd like us to have a look at Robbie Ferguson this season as well, although as you say, hopefully Atiga will be ready to play properly this season. He showed the odd glimpse of form towards the end of last season, running hard and picking some decent lines. He's good in contact as well, which is something we've not been good at generally across the backline.

Last season my expectations were high. This season my expectations are that we finish higher than Zebre in the league. Hopefully I won't be as disappointed come the end of the season.

Can I suggest another foreign journeyman on a long contract (3+ years), ideally over the age of 33, on a vastly inflated salary, and two crocked knees? - sounds perfect

[funnyExiledScot]

I think we'll have Henson on our books by Christmas, after Bath have sacked him for being a complete idiot.

He'll miss the 1872 games due to his Christmas TV committments, then break an eyelash in January rendering him unable to play for the rest of his life.

Either that or Steve Scott will just play Laidlaw in the centres instead.

[InjuredYetAgain]

Makes my morning commute so much better when I come on here and read the gibberish that has been sprouted in my absence! 

Two things - you actually work? I was sure you said you were a civil engineer or something equally poncey. And given the amount if time, you spend in these boards during a day, I can only assume you are on the tram project, only taking time off from picking your nose or ar$e long enough to post here
Secondly, therecwas "gibberish sprouted in your absence" because when you were AWOL, the rest of us had to pick up the slack and cover for the gibberish you normally post

Anyway, I see Steve Bates is now coach at Fettes. He did a good job at the Borders before getting unceremoniously and unnecessarily dumped. I don't imagine he would want anything to do with the SRU after that but he would have been a good coach for Edinburgh.

[RDW]

Jeez injured, don't hold back now!  

My excuse (and I'm sticking to it) is at work I'm often sitting about waiting for my computer to run complicated things (I'd explain it but what's the point, you're a forward!), allowing me the odd minute to catch up on rugby goings on!

And if you class poncy as a profession that, directly or indirectly, provides the world with buildings, roads, bridges, power, water, sanitation, food, drainage, ports, harbours, stadiums and airports then fair enough! 

[Imperialbigdave]

Jeez injured, don't hold back now!  

My excuse (and I'm sticking to it) is at work I'm often sitting about waiting for my computer to run complicated things (I'd explain it but what's the point, you're a forward!), allowing me the odd minute to catch up on rugby goings on!

And if you class poncy as a profession that, directly or indirectly, provides the world with buildings, roads, bridges, power, water, sanitation, food, drainage, ports, harbours, stadiums and airports then fair enough! 

always a good day when youve got a simulation to run in the background while you turn your attention to the more important things.

[bsando]

Sounds pretty cruisey, I've just graduated and looking for a job in music/tv/film industry.. which basically means I will be someones bi**h for the next 2 years, may not be on here as often as i want anymore  

anyone seen this video of highlights from Glasgow's newest Argentinian?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8yI7pHDaZM

[jimbopip]

[quote="EWT Spoons"]Anyone would think we're just killing time on this thread

There you are GC. We now know who EWT looks like; Samuel Becket.
Don't the MFL contingent know we are all just waiting for Godot, or a new coach to be announced?
Old Miseryguts could have penned the MFL club motto, "Dear old Endgame lost of old. Play and lose and be done with losing."
Thankfully in Glasgow we never read anything more demanding than the back of bus tickets, which did engender a slightly more positive outlook on life; we are going somewhere and we will get there. It says so right here, just below the fare.

[IanBru]

We are going somewhere and we will get there.
It says so right here, just below the fare.

That's some kick-ass poetry right there, brother. I love the mid-line shift from trochaic trimeter to cretic dimeter. Top marks.

Time for sleeps, Ian.

[George Carlin]

I think that this thread can be about whatever we want until we get some rugby to talk about.

Postulation: Keira Knightly will be the great screen beauty of her generation.

Discuss.

[RDW]

I think that this thread can be about whatever we want until we get some rugby to talk about.

Postulation: Keira Knightly will be the great screen beauty of her generation.

Discuss.

Disagree - her constant pouting makes her look special and she could do with a good meal.

P.s. injured - I've written this on the hour and a bit long commute to work, if that's ok?

[InjuredYetAgain]

RDW - your PC system runs hypothetical situations, does it? Mmmmmm. Go and plug in "Edinburgh with a head coach" and see what it spits out

[RDW]

RDW - your PC system runs hypothetical situations, does it? Mmmmmm. Go and plug in "Edinburgh with a head coach" and see what it spits out

"Error - no results found"

[InjuredYetAgain]

System upgrade required, mate. There were plenty of results - it's just most of them were heavy defeats.
Back to Steve Bates - I would like to have seen him involved even on a trial basis

[RDW]

Has he not been in the wilderness for a while?

Maybe I'm aiming too high but I'd like a coach with some sort of record of success, not season after season of mid table mediocrity.

[George Carlin]

So have we agreed what a 'poncey' profession is?
 
Dancing instructor? Florist? Salesman in Porsche showroom? Motivational speaker? Stockbrocker? Being head of the SRU? Lots of lawyers on here like me and FES, which I would imagine brings the Ponceometer right off the scale.

Bsando - what did you graduate in and what kind of job do you want?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I think that this thread can be about whatever we want until we get some rugby to talk about.

Postulation: Keira Knightly Natalie Portman will be the great screen beauty of her generation.

Discuss.

Fixed it for you, GC, no extra charge this morning

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So have we agreed what a 'poncey' profession is?
 
Dancing instructor? Florist? Salesman in Porsche showroom? Motivational speaker? Stockbrocker? Being head of the SRU? Lots of lawyers on here like me and FES, which I would imagine brings the Ponceometer right off the scale.

Road marking distributor?

[funnyExiledScot]

"distributor"?? Check you. Have you been promoted?

[funnyExiledScot]

Screen beauty of her generation: Eva Green.

No doubt  

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

"distributor"?? Check you. Have you been promoted?

I'm just trying it out in the Stockbridge lingo - what d'ya reckon? Think they'll let me into the Patisserie for a cup of coffee?

[funnyExiledScot]

I'd like to think I don't work in a "poncey" profession, but then I look at the trainees in our firm.

Why wear a scarf indoors???? I give up.

[funnyExiledScot]

"distributor"?? Check you. Have you been promoted?

I'm just trying it out in the Stockbridge lingo - what d'ya reckon?  Think they'll let me into the Patisserie for a cup of coffee?

Only if you use the trade entrance.

[funnyExiledScot]

Incidentally I've seen Simon Taylor out and about quite a bit recently in Edinburgh. I know he has businesses here but maybe just maybe we're getting him on a one year deal to cover our back row for the season?? I certainly wouldn't object to that as long as it's just one year. Come back Simon!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Cusiter, Taylor, Ansbro and Evans... who knows what heights these guys could have made it to had injury not robbed them of the chances they had.

[funnyExiledScot]

The loss of Thom Evans was particularly keenly felt. Imagine the player he'd be now in that Glasgow backline - they'd probably have shifted DTH to 13 by now and had a back three of Thom Evans, Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg. With Matawalu at 9, Jackson at 10 and Dunbar at 12 I'd wager that to be one of the quickest back divisions around.

He'd certainly be giving Tim Visser a run for his money for the Scotland 11 jersey.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Cusiter and Taylor are the worst ones to swallow. I think both of them had a distinct chance to be world class in their positions.

Almost constant injury has sadly disrupted that.

[funnyExiledScot]

Whilst I agree that Taylor would have been some player (not that he played badly for us when he was fit), to a degree we've covered the position pretty well with Ali Hogg, Johnnie Beattie and David Denton.

Similarly Cusiter, with Mike Blair (who for periods was absolutely top class), Rory Lawson and now Greg Laidlaw.

Since Visser has been available we've been ok on the left wing, but Thom Evans was more elusive and quicker off the mark. With someone like him on the wing I think our back play would have developed quicker and put us in a better position at this stage. Sean Lamont and Simon Danielli weren't bad players at all, but neither had out and out speed. When you have that the whole backline thinks differently, and it gives players the confidence to try things. We're ok now, but I think he'd have got us moving sooner (as would CP at 10, but that's a different story).

[George Carlin]

I also really miss Thom Evans. He was a class act and terrified defences (although his try scoring record should have been better for a man of his talents).
 
Does anyone think that with the Falcons promotion to the Jeff and the increased visibility which that brings, Ally Hogg may play himself back into Scotland contention?
 
It's not outwith the realms of possibility (unlike another excellent player for the Toon, Scott MacLeod who must be about a thousand by now and whose Scotland time has surely now gone with the coming of Gray and Swinson).
 
I also really think that Edinburgh's time to buy Grant Shiells was this year as his price tag will shoot up at the end of this season once everyone sees how well he can hold his own against fat boy Castro and the likes.

[funnyExiledScot]

If Denton continues to fop around all season then I think Hogg has every chance. Beattie is injury prone and Wilson is out, so unless ASBO's favourite player Richie Vernon has a strong season, then Hogg should very much be back in the frame.

Form is everything, age is nothing.

I'd have loved Edinburgh to sign Grant Shiells, an outstanding prospect. Still, with Yapp and Dickinson on the books we should have enough, plus young Hislop on standbye. Shiells would have probably shot straight to first choice though, and had the opportunity to play with Ford (Scotland 1st XV hooker) and Cross (Scotland bench tighthead). Would have been good to get that combination playing together regularly.

Shiells should develop nicely under Dean Richards at Newcastle this season, and against the likes of Cole, Wilson, Doran-Jones, Johnstone et al he'll learn plenty.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I also really miss Thom Evans. He was a class act and terrified defences (although his try scoring record should have been better for a man of his talents).
 
Does anyone think that with the Falcons promotion to the Jeff and the increased visibility which that brings, Ally Hogg may play himself back into Scotland contention?
 
It's not outwith the realms of possibility (unlike another excellent player for the Toon, Scott MacLeod who must be about a thousand by now and whose Scotland time has surely now gone with the coming of Gray and Swinson).
 
I also really think that Edinburgh's time to buy Grant Shiells was this year as his price tag will shoot up at the end of this season once everyone sees how well he can hold his own against fat boy Castro and the likes.

Has moved on to Toulon, GC

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

If Denton continues to fop around all season then I think Hogg has every chance. Beattie is injury prone and Wilson is out, so unless ASBO's favourite player Richie Vernon has a strong season, then Hogg should very much be back in the frame.

Form is everything, age is nothing.

I'd have loved Edinburgh to sign Grant Shiells, an outstanding prospect. Still, with Yapp and Dickinson on the books we should have enough, plus young Hislop on standbye. Shiells would have probably shot straight to first choice though, and had the opportunity to play with Ford (Scotland 1st XV hooker) and Cross (Scotland bench tighthead). Would have been good to get that combination playing together regularly.

Shiells should develop nicely under Dean Richards at Newcastle this season, and against the likes of Cole, Wilson, Doran-Jones, Johnstone et al he'll learn plenty.

Not to do him down at all, but he really isn't international class - he would have 0 caps for any other top 10 nation

[Captain_Sensible]

If Denton continues to fop around all season then I think Hogg has every chance. Beattie is injury prone and Wilson is out, so unless ASBO's favourite player Richie Vernon has a strong season, then Hogg should very much be back in the frame.

Form is everything, age is nothing.

I'd have loved Edinburgh to sign Grant Shiells, an outstanding prospect. Still, with Yapp and Dickinson on the books we should have enough, plus young Hislop on standbye. Shiells would have probably shot straight to first choice though, and had the opportunity to play with Ford (Scotland 1st XV hooker) and Cross (Scotland bench tighthead). Would have been good to get that combination playing together regularly.

Shiells should develop nicely under Dean Richards at Newcastle this season, and against the likes of Cole, Wilson, Doran-Jones, Johnstone et al he'll learn plenty.

Not to do him down at all, but he really isn't international class - he would have 0 caps for any other top 10 nation

He's 23 years old. How old was Ryan Grant when first capped?

[funnyExiledScot]

According to Wiki Vernon is 26, which sounds about right. Thought 23 was a bit young.

I think he's an excellent signing for Glasgow given his skillset and their style of rugby, and the question of international rugby comes down to form and who is performing. You can't blame Vernon for his caps, the issue is with the other candidates who weren't performing well enough to keep him out.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

True that

[Captain_Sensible]

According to Wiki Vernon is 26, which sounds about right. Thought 23 was a bit young.

I think he's an excellent signing for Glasgow given his skillset and their style of rugby, and the question of international rugby comes down to form and who is performing. You can't blame Vernon for his caps, the issue is with the other candidates who weren't performing well enough to keep him out.

Ah b*ll*cks. Thought you were talking about Shiells, didn't spot the bold 'Vernon'.

Silly me. 'Pologies.

[funnyExiledScot]

Not to worry Captain_Sensible, although you should know ASBO better than that.

He loves to see unproven pheoti (plural of phoetus?) playing for Scotland - Shiells is probably a bit past it by his reckoning.....

[jimbopip]

Guys, guys... Just got back from Gatwick collecting Mrs Pip's sister who's holidaying wth us, still.
Anyhoo, we're sitting having massively overpriced hot beverages outside the arrivals gate when I spot a bloke I recognise and am halfway out my seat to say hello when I realise it's Scott Johnson.
Did I (a) sit back down and behave
(b) pretend I was getting up to check the arrivals board and do just that
(c) give a complete stranger the bigg hello and tell him to keep up the good work ?

Mrs Pip is still shaking her head and muttering under her breath some three hours later. I don't care cos he called me "mate" and you never hear an Aussie say that unless he really really means it.
p.s. wonder what he's doing in London?

[George Carlin]

Guys, guys... Just got back from Gatwick collecting Mrs Pip's sister who's holidaying wth us, still.
Anyhoo, we're sitting having massively overpriced hot beverages outside the arrivals gate when I spot a bloke I recognise and am halfway out my seat to say hello when I realise it's Scott Johnson.
Did I (a) sit back down and behave
       (b) pretend I was getting up to check the arrivals board and do just that
       (c) give a complete stranger the bigg hello and tell him to keep up the good work ?

Mrs Pip is still shaking her head and muttering under her breath some three hours later. I don't care cos he called me "mate" and you never hear an Aussie say that unless he really really means it.
p.s. wonder what he's doing in London?

 Good man. Did you tell him tha mullets are quite Last Season?

[funnyExiledScot]

Good work Jimbo.

I suspect he's on a secret mission from the SRU to convince Kelly Brown to leave his cushy existence at Sarries and come and save Edinburgh. In fact I'm almost certain that's what he's up to.

Either that or he's looking for a better job than Director of Rugby at the SRU, if that's possible.....

[jimbopip]

Strange to say George we never discussed matters tonsorial. Main impression was he looks a lot bigger on TV, also he seems to go through life with that , "Jeez isn't life great" smile on his face. And looks you in the eye and gives a firm handshake; genuine bloke or world class Tony Blair type? He seemed genuine, but then so am I on very brief acquaintance.

[jimbopip]

Can we get to page 16 sharpish, the constant appearance of Bumchin every time I open this page is beginning to take on the qualities of a bad acid flashback.

[George Carlin]

Say what you want about his rugby and management skills but the man has seen a bit of life. He brought up two children virtually single-handedly, when his wife Lesley died of leukaemia in her late 20s. That's one tough b@stard.
 
He still needs to cut his hair, mind.

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