New Edinburgh and Glasgow Teams Thread - 2013/2014

[George Carlin]

We exhausted the other thread, so here we go with a new one for all of your pre-season banter needs.
 
1. Edinburgh   
 
Chairman: Jim Calder
CEO: Craig Docherty
Coach: Alan Solomons  
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
 
(a) Squad:
 
Props
Geoff Cross, WP Nel, Lewis Niven, Alasdair Dickinson
 
Hookers
Ross Ford, Steven Lawrie, Aleki Lutui, Alun Walker,
 
Locks
Sean Cox, Grant Gilchrist, Perry Parker, Izak van der Westhuizen, Robert McAlpine,
 
Loose Forwards
Dimitri Basilaia, David Denton, Roddy Grant, Stuart McInally, Ross Rennie, Hamish Watson,
 
Half Backs
Alex Black, Greig Laidlaw, Chris Leck, Harry Leonard, Piers Francis,
 
Centres
Ben Atiga, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, John Houston, Matt Scott,
 
Back Three
Tom Brown, Lee Jones, Greig Tonks, Tim Visser, Nikki Walker, Dougie Fife, Jack Cuthbert
 
(b) Transfers 2013/2014:
 
Players In
 
Nikki Walker from Worcester Warriors
Jack Cuthbert from Bath Rugby
Aleki Lutui from Worcester Warriors
Alasdair Dickinson from Sale Sharks
 
Players Out
 
Richie Rees to Newport Gwent Dragons
Netani Talei to Newport Gwent Dragons
Sep Visser released
Mike Penn to Moseley
Andy Titterrell to London Welsh
John Yapp to London Irish
Allan Jacobsen retired
James King retired
Steven Turnbull retired
 
(c) Elite Development Players 2013/2014:
 
Alex Allan (Edinburgh Accies)
Chris Auld (Gala)*
Magnus Bradbury (Boroughmuir)*
Phil Cringle (Heriot’s)
Bruce Dick (Melrose)*
Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies)
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Heriot’s)
Neil Irvine Hess (Watsonians)*
Ewan McQuillin (Gala)*
George Turner (Heriot’s)
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Accies)
 
* = new EDP player 
 
2. Glasgow  
 
Chairman: Charles Shaw
CEO: Nathan Bomrys
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Alastair Kellock
 
(a) Squad:
 
Fraser Brown, Hooker
Finlay Gillies, Hooker
Dougie Hall, Hooker
Pat MacArthur, Hooker
Michael Cusack, Prop
Ryan Grant, Prop
Ed Kalman, Prop
Moray Low, Prop
Gordon Reid, Prop
Jon Welsh, Prop
Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Prop
 
Jonny Gray, Lock
Alastair Kellock, Lock
Tom Ryder, Lock
Tim Swinson, Lock
Leone Nakarawa, Lock
 
James Eddie, Flanker
Chris Fusaro, Flanker
Rob Harley, Flanker
Tyrone Holmes, Flanker
 
Ryan Wilson, Number 8
Richie Vernon, Number 8
Josh Strauss, Number 8
 
Chris Cusiter, Scrum-half
Nikola Matawalu, Scrum-half
Henry Pyrgos, Scrum-half
 
Ruaridh Jackson, Fly-half
Duncan Weir, Fly-half
Scott Wight, Fly-half
 
Gabriel Ascarate, Centre
Mark Bennett, Centre
Alex Dunbar, Centre
Peter Horne, Centre
Byron McGuigan, Centre
 
Sean Lamont, Wing
Sean Maitland, Wing
Tommy Seymour, Wing
D.T.H. van der Merwe, Wing
 
Stuart Hogg, Fullback
Peter Murchie, Fullback
 
(b) Player Transfers 2013/2014:
 
Players In
 
Richie Vernon from Sale Sharks
Tyrone Holmes from Petrarca Rugby
Jerry Yanuyanutawa from London Irish
Gabriel Ascarate from US Carcassonne
Leone Nakarawa from Fiji Barbarians
 
Players Out
 
John Barclay to Scarlets
Nick Campbell to Jersey
Ofa Fainga'anuku to Worcester Warriors
Taylor Paris to Agen
Graeme Morrison retired
Rory Lamont retired
 
(c) Elite Development Players 2013/2014:
 
Gavin Lowe (Ayr)
Rory Hughes (Stirling County)
Jack Steele (Dundee)
Finn Russell (Ayr)
Ali Price (Bedford Blues)
Adam Ashe (Stirling County)
Will Bordill (Sale Sharks)
Andrew Redmayne (Dundee)
Fergus Scott (Currie)
George Hunter (Ayr)
Darcy Rae (Ayr)

[tigertattie]

Is this where we come to talk about Veron playing at centre?

 

[funnyExiledScot]

Are Allan (prop) and Hunter (fly half) not part of the Edinburgh squad? I also thought Houston (centre) had gone, and that Cairns had been sent to the 7's or something like that.

Do we know if Richie McIver will be part of the squad this season?

I wonder what Solomons will make of his first Edinburgh training session. Hope he doesn't resign!

[funnyExiledScot]

Is this where we come to talk about Veron playing at centre?

 

...and why is Stuart Hogg listed at fullback. Only a few weeks back all the usual flakes on here were telling me that he should be used at fly half, because he was able to look half decent behind a world class scrum with almost unlimited front foot ball against some cobbled together group of Aussie semi-professionals without a proper defensive structure.

The OP doesn't take into account the true versatility of our players. Bradley thought Sean Cox was a flanker remember....  

[RDW]

I knew you were the right man for the job GC - great thread! 

[RDW]

Cairnsy has not had his contract renewed, but has been given the chance to train with the squad to prove his fitness and earn a new contract.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Is this where we come to talk about Veron playing at centre?

 

Juan Sebastian?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Cairnsy has not had his contract renewed, but has been given the chance to train with the squad to prove his fitness and earn a new contract.

OK, I reckon that it'll be Ally Donaldson of Currie getting an assistant role at Embra in that case, with Cairnsy stepping up to be Head Coach there

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

 Every Scottish thread must have at least one of these

[tigertattie]

 Every Scottish thread must have at least one of these

Bennett???

Over-rated  

[RDW]

Mark Bennet is nothing on Marcus Di Rollo – discuss.

[Weegie Wizard]

Edinburgh twitter announcing that Tonks has extended until 2015.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

 Every Scottish thread must have at least one of these

Bennett???

Over-rated  

New BOD

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

or new Jim Renwick if you prefer

[funnyExiledScot]

Mark Bennet is nothing on Marcus Di Rollo – discuss.

Very different players, so hard to compare and say which is the better player. For starters Di Rollo actually played professional rugby on a regular basis.....

 

[EWT Spoons]

Cairnsy has not had his contract renewed, but has been given the chance to train with the squad to prove his fitness and earn a new contract.

OK, I reckon that it'll be Ally Donaldson of Currie getting an assistant role at Embra in that case, with Cairnsy stepping up to be Head Coach there

Different Cairnsys at Edinburgh and Currie, so I'm not totally clear on the connection Aslo.  Unless there is something really subtle (or obvious) that I am missing, it's been known to happen.

[RDW]

Good news on Tonks, let’s hope he doesn’t suffer 2nd season syndrome (or as it is now called – Lee Jones syndrome), as seems to be epidemic at Edinburgh.

Mark Cairns is the Currie captain, Ben is his brother!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Cairnsy has not had his contract renewed, but has been given the chance to train with the squad to prove his fitness and earn a new contract.

OK, I reckon that it'll be Ally Donaldson of Currie getting an assistant role at Embra in that case, with Cairnsy stepping up to be Head Coach there

Different Cairnsys at Edinburgh and Currie, so I'm not totally clear on the connection Aslo.  Unless there is something really subtle (or obvious) that I am missing, it's been known to happen.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/ben-cairns-to-take-coaching-role-at-currie-1-2932164

[RDW]

He’s been made an assistant coach (his first ever coaching job), so I’d be surprised if they promoted him straight to head coach if Donaldson was brought in to Edinburgh. Plus, he may still have full time playing ambitions that might get in the way of being a head coach. He is only 27 / 28 afterall!

[EWT Spoons]

Ah i see now, I hadn't see the chat about Ben going back to coach at Currie.  Thank you

However, it would be quite a move for him if he goes to being head coach in his first coaching role.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

He’s been made an assistant coach (his first ever coaching job), so I’d be surprised if they promoted him straight to head coach if Donaldson was brought in to Edinburgh.  Plus, he may still have full time playing ambitions that might get in the way of being a head coach.  He is only 27 / 28 afterall!

He is officially out of contract at Embra, altho allowed to train with the team with hope of being offered a new one - can't see it happening myself. You're right that it would be a big step up, but I can't think of any other young Scottish coaches that might get the Embra assistant gig, hence my Donaldson prediction, and elevating Cairnsy fitted nicely into that scenario. If however, it turns out its an old stager that Embra take, then Ian Rankin would be my choice, altho I will laugh quite a lot if it is Peter Wright!

[George Carlin]

OP has been amended to add all of the EDPs, you pedantic bunch of plonkers.

[tigertattie]

I hope Ben manages to get his fitness back. The Edinburgh backline could be done with him. Would be great to get a few consistent seasons from Ben (good for Edinburgh, good for Ben)

[funnyExiledScot]

OP has been amended to add all of the EDPs, you pedantic bunch of plonkers.

Now you've listed Jamie Farndale twice. I'm not sure you're up to this......

[funnyExiledScot]

Sounds very much like Ben Cairns is off the playing radar. Shame, it leaves us short at 13 now. I suspect Fife will need to focus more on 13, with Farndale playing a more prominent role in covering the wing.

[RDW]

Maybe Cairnsy will be made an assistant at Edinburgh?? That would be a real kick in the nuts for Chalmers!

GC – that’s some commitment to a thread, you must be really bored at work today!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Chalmers in some aspects has brought his fate upon himself. He had the courage to publically criticise the SRU and how they run the show but he is an adult. He must have known his comments wouldn't endear him to the powerful within the SRU.

Losing Cairns is a pity. NDL would be first choice for most Edinburgh fans but behind him we have some inexperienced guys. I hope they can step up to the mark like the weagie lads.

[RDW]

Saying that, I have seen Cairnsy in the pictures from Edinburgh’s charity week in the community – so he is still involved in the squad

[HawkTheSlayersRubbish]

Some info for all you gamblers, been having a sniff round the odds for both teams in the H Cup, glasgow are 40/1 to win outright, our poor brothers in the east are 200/1. The odds for getting out the pools are quite interesting, clearly the bookies are anticipating the same as last season.


Toulon 4/1
Clermont Auvergne 5/1
Leinster 13/2
Toulouse 13/2
Saracens 9/1
Leicester 11/1
Ulster 14/1
Racing Metro 20/1
Munster 20/1
Harlequins 25/1
Northampton 28/1
Perpignan 28/1
Glasgow Warriors 40/1
Ospreys 40/1
Montpellier 50/1
Castres 55/1
Scarlets 80/1
Cardiff Blues 90/1
Gloucester 100/1
Exeter Chiefs 100/1
Edinburgh 200/1
Benetton Treviso 425/1
Connacht 500/1
Zebre 1000/1

HEINEKEN CUP POOL 2 WINNER
Pool Winner
Toulon 1/8
Glasgow Warriors 8/1
Exeter Chiefs 18/1
Cardiff Blues 18/1

HEINEKEN CUP POOL 6 WINNER
Pool Winner
Munster 10/11
Perpignan 5/2
Gloucester 10/3
Edinburgh 14/1

[GLove39]

Great news for those of us that live in the granite city, Glasgow are coming up next week to train with the FP's and then play a practice match against them.

[HawkTheSlayersRubbish]

and for the rabo........

Leinster 7/4
Ulster 3/1
Glasgow Warriors 5/1
Ospreys 6/1
Munster 7/1
Scarlets 18/1
Cardiff Blues 35/1
Benetton Treviso 40/1
Edinburgh 40/1
Connacht 80/1
Dragons 150/1
Zebre 500/1

[RDW]

So basically Glasgow are expected to come 2nd in the HK but probably not qualify, and Edinburgh are expected to come bottom? Seems about right!

Edinburgh 40/1 for the Rabbo - worth a tenner??

[whocares]

Glasgow 8/1 to get out of their group seem like a decent odd. keeping in mind they might be playing a 2nd string Blues team in Cardiff on the 6th of december (ie 6 days after the wales-australia game).

[RDW]

Good news - Raeburn plcae development has been given the final go ahead today:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/edinburgh-accies-stockbridge-stadium-plan-backed-1-3022904

Construction starts early next year!

[George Carlin]

Good news - Raeburn plcae development has been given the final go ahead today:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/edinburgh-accies-stockbridge-stadium-plan-backed-1-3022904

Construction starts early next year!

This despite FES' Stockbridge Massive getting their Boden knickers in a twist about it. Does this actually mean that Edinburgh Rugby will be playing there, though? It seems to be couched very much in terms of being an Accies facility only.

[RDW]

Given it is exactly what we need and the lack of viable alternates, I'd be pretty disappointed if we don't use it.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Good news - Raeburn plcae development has been given the final go ahead today:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/edinburgh-accies-stockbridge-stadium-plan-backed-1-3022904

Construction starts early next year!

I can only hope the intention will be to include Edinburgh in this development. We need out of Murrayfield.

[maestegmafia]

Is this where we come to talk about Veron playing at centre?

 

...and why is Stuart Hogg listed at fullback. Only a few weeks back all the usual flakes on here were telling me that he should be used at fly half, because he was able to look half decent behind a world class scrum with almost unlimited front foot ball against some cobbled together group of Aussie semi-professionals without a proper defensive structure.

The OP doesn't take into account the true versatility of our players. Bradley thought Sean Cox was a flanker remember....  

I think most of those were just happy to see someone with Hogg's limited game time in the position showing that he can naturally do exactly what Farrell could not.

[funnyExiledScot]

I quite like the Sarries odds for the Heineken Cup - 9/1, same with Leicester at 11/1. Quins at 25/1 and Saint at 28/1 are also interesting. In fact the odds for the English sides look pretty good. Not many sides defend the HC, so I wouldn't bother with Toulon at 4/1.

Edinburgh at 40/1 (same as Treviso) for the Rabo and Connacht at 80/1 doesn't look right to me at all. Glasgow at 5/1 isn't a bad bet.

Am very pleased about the Raeburn announcment - you can't have enough rugby stadia in a City. The artists impression (of course it'll look nothing like that) is a thing of beauty. Mrs fES takes the entirely contrary view - as always.

[George Carlin]

Looks nice:
http://www.michaellaird.co.uk/architects-portfolio.php?p=194&pn=Edinburgh+Academical+Club+Sports+Ground+Redevelopment&c=4&n=Retail%2C+Hotels+%26amp%3B+Leisure

[RDW]

Looks good, if a little strange to have the stands in that L-shaped arrangement.

It does however mean there's plenty room for temporary stands.

[funnyExiledScot]

Totally agree - I have no issues with this at all. At the moment it's a derelict house and a field with overgrown weeds and rubble.

One issue though - not enough barbour, tweed and cords included in the artists impression of the crowd. That sort of attention to detail ought to be there.

[funnyExiledScot]

Looks good, if a little strange to have the stands in that L-shaped arrangement.

It does however mean there's plenty room for temporary stands.

Or Glasgow fans can just stand on the grass on the other side......

[RDW]

I say there's no mention of Edinburgh, but if the council are happy that 5000 people isn't too many, and Edinburgh can show that crowds will probably be less than 5000, surely there won't be any problems...

[RuggerRadge2611]

Looks nice:
http://www.michaellaird.co.uk/architects-portfolio.php?p=194&pn=Edinburgh+Academical+Club+Sports+Ground+Redevelopment&c=4&n=Retail%2C+Hotels+%26amp%3B+Leisure

Could someone in the design industry please tell me why the pictures of people and children all need balloons?

[funnyExiledScot]

I suppose the one issue will be that alot of Edinburgh fans currently turn up without tickets and purchase on the day, so Edinburgh would have no way of knowing how many fans to expect for a particular game.

It would be ridiculous if the day came where a willing spectator turned up willing to pay, and there wasn't room. Mind you, he could always just pop into the Scran and Scallie instead and pay £6 for a pint of beer.....

[Weegie Wizard]

Edinburgh must be involved as accies have no need for the size of facility. I assume temporary stands will be used but the option is there for proper stands in the future.
In the space of 2 days you have a coach and potentially a new ground. Sooner or later you'll be a real team

[RDW]

But surely as long as they limit tickets to 5000 it doesn't matter how many turn up?

I'm assuming the balloons are to make it look nice and friendly.  Surely if anything can persuade 3200 Stockbridge residents it is balloons??

[funnyExiledScot]

But surely as long as they limit tickets to 5000 it doesn't matter how many turn up?

Umm, well it does matter if 4500 tickets are purchased in advance and 2000 people turn up on the day wanting to buy tickets. You have 1500 fans (I did that without a calculator) turning up in Stockbridge wanting to pay for a ticket and support Edinburgh, and yet being denied entry due to lack of capacity. That's a lot of money.

[RDW]

6500 for a Rabbo game - you been on the happy juice again?? 

You know what I mean though, there are ways of getting round it, i.e. if it looked like it was going to be a sell out then just say that if you don't buy your tickets in advance you won't get in.

Tell you what - if this has been done by deliberately not mentioning that Edinburgh are involved there will be outcry within the community!

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