New Edinburgh and Glasgow Teams Thread - 2013/2014

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

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)

[RDW]

Article here

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/13/08/08/two-tahs-gun-edinburgh

No mention of length of deal. They are young and SQ so wouldn't mind if it was a more long term one. Unlike our 35 year old Tongan hooker on a 2 year deal...

[Captain_Sensible]

I think Hart will be particularly important. Laidlaw can't play every week, and whilst Kennedy is a big talent, he's still raw, and not an 80 minute player. I've never been wowed by Leck, bascially just a functional player, and Hidalgo-Clyne is probably a season away from being a valuable squad player.

Don't forget the Hart is Scots qualified. So, it might be that he and Laidlaw get called up to the national squad. If Hart ousts Pyrgos, I'll be a happy chappie. Pyrgos obviously works hard, but he's quite limited.

[RDW]

I was about to say let’s not get carried away and start talking about Scotland callups, but considering how limited our resources are I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the SQ players signed by Edinburgh or Glasgow go on top play for Scotland this year.

And let’s be honest the top 3 Scotland scrum halfs just now are Laidlaw, Cusiter Pyrgos – Cusiter is almost a guaranteed injury and it would only take another injury to Pyrgos or Laidlaw and Hart will be straight in there – who else is there??

Sean Kennedy will definitely get plenty gametime this year if Hart takes over Pyrgos in the Scotland pecking order. Let’s see him play first though eh!

[George Carlin]

All Hart needs to do to become an Edinburgh ligind is not be as poopie as Brendan Laney. So the boy should be home and hosed, really.

[RDW]

In chainsaw’s defence, he was quite good for Edinburgh!

[George Carlin]

He wasn't bad. He saved that for his Scotland outings. Seriously, with Hart we have more to be optimistic about. McKibben is quite an iconic player for the Tahs so even a very good talent wouldn't be enough to kick him out of the box seat. Let's'see how he goes for Edinburgh.

I note that poor Rory Lawson's'retirement has pretty much gone without comment on these boards although maybe I missed it.

[RDW]

https://www.606v2.com/t47036-rory-lawson-retires-from-rugby-due-to-a-chronic-wrist-injury

[funnyExiledScot]

Do we know if Hart can kick goals? From a brief look last season, Piers Francis can't. Leonard is a decent kicker though, as is Hunter, so it may open up an opportunity for those guys.

[justified sinner]

https://www.606v2.com/t47036-rory-lawson-retires-from-rugby-due-to-a-chronic-wrist-injury

Plus quite a bit on the Falcons thread.

[justified sinner]

Do we know if Hart can kick goals? From a brief look last season, Piers Francis can't. Leonard is a decent kicker though, as is Hunter, so it may open up an opportunity for those guys.

Might also try to develop Tonks as a kicker. Took a couple of long range efforts last season iirc and looks quite decent.

[RDW]

From memory Gregor Hunter is the best place kicker out the 10s, but the other two are probably better in most other aspects of play just now.

[George Carlin]

I see this Omar M........ (can't spell his name!) Bloke has been confirmed as defence and rucking coach at Edinburgh as expected.

Looks like a good appointment and Solomons speaks incredibly highly of him.

his main trait seems to be turning teams into brutal defensive units, and that's exactly what we need!

Just caught up with this news, RDW:

Solomons said: “Omar [Mouneimne] is a world-class rugby coach.

“He’s absolutely superb in his specialised field of defence and the breakdown, and is certainly the best I have ever worked with.

“He’s been my right-hand man and done a fantastic job during what was an extremely challenging Super Rugby season, just as he did in last season's unbeaten Currie Cup run.

“He is a really good bloke and a great team man. There is a terrific synergy between us and I’m really looking forward to continuing our partnership alongside forwards coach Stevie Scott at Edinburgh Rugby."

Edinburgh Rugby managing director, David Davies, added: “The appointment of Omar Mouneimne brings together what we believe is a well-balanced, passionate and experienced coaching team.

Very pleased to hear that he was able to bring a trusted colleague with him. And if it's one thing Tim Visser Edinburgh needs, it's a defensive shape that works for them, rather than some bastardised version of an irrelevant league structure.

[funnyExiledScot]

....or no structure at all, which is what we had last season.

If I only had a pound for every time Andy Titterall would leap out of the defensive line, leaving a nice gaping hole, only to miss the first up tackle.....

[George Carlin]

Sheepdefilers (sorryGLove) 0-53 Glasgow

Nobody able to kick penalties or conversions for nuts, apparently.

[GLove39]

Sheepdefilers (sorryGLove) 0-53 Glasgow

Nobody able to kick penalties or conversions for nuts, apparently.

 Yes, just back from Rubislaw. Erm, well we got stuffed, but then that was to be expected I guess. Glasgow just to strong and physical. Goal kicking though seems a big concern, Write didn't have a great game with the boot.

[Majestic83]

Just back from Rubislaw as well. Biggest difference between the 2 teams was the physicality. Glasgow were very physical and it did look like men against boys. Some of the new guys were impressive, ali price looked sharp at scrum half, robbie fergusson looked good at full back and Gavin Lowe when he came on at 15 looked rapid.
goal kicking was very poor, Scott Wight looked as if he had never kicked before and didn't look very interested!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Feckin hell how much like Mr Spock does  look like :-

http://www.glasgowwarriors.com/info.php?player=MarkBennett

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Scott Wight is becoming a bit of an enigma - except we are still waiting for the good game. He is a good 10 but seems to lack drive and confidence ! Ali Price sounds a find as does Fergusson

[IanBru]

Schiz, that's the best thing I've seen all week!

[RDW]

How did Adam ashe look? Grammar can count themselves lucky Strauss didn't play! 

[George Carlin]

How did Adam ashe look? Grammar can count themselves lucky Strauss didn't play! 

Ashe scored and look quite sharp, I think.

[RDW]

What strip was that Glasgow were wearing?

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Some very interesting stuff elsewhere on Warriors com. An Irish fella stated we are on the road that Munster took in the early 00's. If only we could .........

[George Carlin]

What strip was that Glasgow were wearing?

Might be the new one. All pre-season games will use it, allegedly although I thought that the first game where it was being wheeled out was the Chiefs one.

[GLove39]

What strip was that Glasgow were wearing?

A barbarians inspired number http://twitter.com/GLove39/status/365546211299708928/photo/1 basically a stopgap till the grand reveal on the 19th

[George Carlin]

Looks a lovely day in Aberdeen Graham - I see that your post got a reTweety on the Warriors website. Thanks for the pictures.

[George Carlin]

On a related note, the Torygraph continue to reiterate Edinburgh's link with John Hardie of the Highlanders:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/10231711/Edinburgh-promise-more-signings-as-Ollie-Atkins-and-Grayson-Hart-arrive.html

Don't know if they're just coming slightly late to the party on that one as we were talking about Hardie back at the beginning of June.

[GLove39]

Looks a lovely day in Aberdeen Graham - I see that your post got a reTweety on the Warriors website. Thanks for the pictures.

Yeah the sun came out (for the first half anyway!) No worries! Always fancied being a sports photographer. Got a few more pics from today's game on flickr if anyone's interested? http://www.flickr.com/photos/34983564@N07/sets/72157634985563715

[SlipperyAsAWetTrout]

Hey everyone, been a long time away. Nice to be back  

A few thoughts on Edinburgh's squad;

With Ollie Atkins coming in, that leaves Embra with 6 locks. That's Atkins, Cox, Gilchrist, Parker, van der Westhuizen and McAlpine. Too many? Or strength in depth?

Will Alex Black or Chris Leck be kept on with Grayson Hart coming in? I rate Leck over Black, but I'm all for giving the young SQ guys a shot rather than a NSQ journeyman like Leck.

And I think Embra need another centre without Cairns fully signed on, and I hope Atiga has found the ability to pull his thumb out from that dark place he keeps it hidden.   

Which current squad members does anyone think will leave with the new faces coming in?

Oh and half backs Sean Kennedy and Gregor Hunter are missing from the first post.

As for Glasgow, let's hope they manage their injuries well and keep that train steaming! They were hugely impressive last season and was so nice to see some of the younger boys step up (Pyrgos, Horne, Dunbar and of course  )

[funnyExiledScot]

Did Bennett score 5 tries or did he underachieve......

[tigertattie]

Did Bennett score 5 tries or did he underachieve......

I'd be happy if he managed to put in a couple of tackles and complete a few passes!

Mark Bennett - Over-rated since 2008

If Calsberg made rugby players......................... they wouldnt have made Bennett!

[Captain_Sensible]

Just you guys wait and see. Bennett will continue to deliver on his significant promise this season.

[Majestic83]

I have to say Bennett didn't score last night but he did look very classy and ran some very good lines. Also gave some very good passes to set up a few of the tries and defensively put in some very big hits.
I was impressed with Byron McGuigan on the wing, finished off very well to score in the corner and looked threatning when he had the ball.
The pick of the forwards i would say was Jon Welsh, carried well and scrummaged hard against Stuart Corsar. Also threw some very good punches when him and Corsar had a scuffle.

[funnyExiledScot]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Joking aside, pleased to hear that Jon Welsh played well. A strong start to the season and he should be on the Scotland bench. He's supposed to be ridiculously strong.

[Captain_Sensible]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Joking aside, pleased to hear that Jon Welsh played well. A strong start to the season and he should be on the Scotland bench. He's supposed to be ridiculously strong.

I still think he's a better loosehead that tighthead. I'd be happy for him to cover either, but benching as the loosehead prop would be best.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well hopefully he can become one of the rare beasts to master both sides of the scrum. Always handy when you get injuries.

I also hope that Murray Low departs his current funk. We need him back to top form offering an option at tighthead. Gordon Reid looks decent and is improving at loosehead, and Dickinson was useful earlier in the summer in South Africa.

Compared to our propping options a few years ago, we're in pretty decent shape.

[GLove39]

See that the attandence of yesterday's match was over 1,000 apparently. Which given there was like 0 advertising, apart from the odd tweet, is pretty good. Not to mention that it was midweek & at 6pm ie dinner time!
Clearly there's an appetite for rugby in the North East...

[RDW]

Did it actually look like 1000 Glove? You know what these attendance figures can be like...

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

[RDW]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

Using a hashtag outside of Twitter - you're not one of those guys are you?? 

[IanBru]

#yesiam

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

Using a hashtag outside of Twitter - you're not one of those guys are you?? 

#whome?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

See that the attandence of yesterday's match was over 1,000 apparently. Which given there was like 0 advertising, apart from the odd tweet, is pretty good. Not to mention that it was midweek & at 6pm ie dinner time!
Clearly there's an appetite for rugby in the North East...

Highlights on bo-obtube for those that are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pP4MymYOxc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUfjVoblfjaLPQYzKsCj_YeA

The Messiah's tackle/drive back and turnover for Ali Price's first try is worth paying to see

[RDW]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

Using a hashtag outside of Twitter - you're not one of those guys are you?? 

#whome?

#prayforASBO

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

Using a hashtag outside of Twitter - you're not one of those guys are you?? 

#whome?

#prayforASBO

#Iwouldnaebotherthereisnohope

[RDW]

So would you say, based on last nights performance, that Byron McGuigan and Mark Bennett are a similar calibre of player?

Nice try, fES #fail

Using a hashtag outside of Twitter - you're not one of those guys are you?? 

#whome?

#prayforASBO

#Iwouldnaebotherthereisnohope

#okthenIwont

#hashtag

[SlipperyAsAWetTrout]

There's me driving through town, and I hear my phone get an email, and another one, and another one. I'm thinking "Sh!t, client needs help with something at the end of this nice Friday afternoon".

Turns out it's just you lot who have all obviously got that Friday feeling!

#woohooitsfriday

[RDW]

On this topic, does anyone have a clue what the hell all the Glasgow and Edinburgh players are on about half the time on Twitter? Particularly the Edinburgh lot!

Every 2nd tweet between themsleves has a #saaaaaaaaaaaan #booooooooooooooi or #pfffft after it - obviously means something to them!

[tigertattie]

pfffft means "I object to the sentiment here"

Also.. Did you know some daft bint in engurlund called her kid hashtag!!! what in gods name!!!!!!!!!

[RDW]

Remember, this is a world where Michael Jackson's kid is called blanket...

[Sponsored content]