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)

[justified sinner]

No, but in common with Edinburgh's theme of finding players new positions we're going to turn Atiga into a 6 with the 2 new Aussie locks moving to centre, Laidlaw back to 10, and Cuthbert to 9, all sorted

[George Carlin]

Always thought that Lee Jones at tighthead was an experiment that Andy Robinson really wanted to try.

[funnyExiledScot]

Actually it is Richie Vernon that Edinburgh really needed:

1. A bit lightweight and tackle shy - would have fitted in well with the Edinburgh pack "ethos".

2. Covers both the entire backrow and both centre positions.

3. Has good pace, so he could sprint out of the tunnel really quickly to the loud music, which is frankly the high point for us Edinburgh fans.

Why does Glasgow get all the good players.....

[tigertattie]

Joking aside, I think Atiga should move to 6!

[funnyExiledScot]

Joking aside, I think Atiga should move to 6!

Not sure he has the pace!

[justified sinner]

Actually our 6 problem could be solved if we got Scott Newlands back from Oyonnax. Played well in their win v Clermont. I still don't know why we let him go, probably too much time trying to play him at 5 rather than 6.

[RDW]

You know what, I was actually remembering about Newlands yesterday.

He would be a good guy to bring back but can’t see him wanting to come back with the Top 14 challenge ahead of him – especially since we ditched him a couple of seasons ago.

I don’t think he ever played 5 – he just wasn’t getting much gametime and was released. He was always a solid if unspectacular player and he wasn’t exactly hard done by but not having his contract renewed, based on his performances.

I’m amazed he’s done so well in France because he isn’t overly big, unless he’s really packed the muscle on over there.

[justified sinner]

Iirc Moffat was moving him about with several 2nd row appearances, just because he was a good line out man and so he could field his warped idea of a back row

[Majestic83]

Looking at the Hilterbrand signing it makes the signing of Latui even more bizarre. I am guessing Edinburgh are seeing Hilterbrand as more of a prop but his few games for the force were at hooker. From the guys I know at the force they have said he is a good guy and a very promising player.
The USA tried to get him capped last year but he pulled out at the last moment from a training camp with the USA national team.
Think he should be a good signing, thinking it will be as a LH but will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Not the player I was expecting to be signed from the force but I think there could be another player possibly on the way. Lachlan McCaffrey! He is not going to be with the team next season and from what i understand he is going to be playing overseas!

[RDW]

Is Lachlan SQ?

[George Carlin]

Is Lachlan SQ?

Don't know. He's played for the U20 Wallabies only - is that their official Second Team?

Maj/Bsando - can you tell us more about him?

[Majestic83]

As far as I am aware Lochy is Scottish qualified via grandparents.
Waratahs tried to sign him but the Force beat them too it. Been stuck behind, pocock, hodgson, McCalman and Richard Brown the past couple seasons.
Big ball carrier and very physical, rucks very hard and is very good in the lineout, he is about 6ft4 and 115kg but is pretty agile and athletic around the park, think mostly due to the fact he is into surfing.
Would be a great signing for Edinburgh and would compliment Denton and Rennie. Has been a standout performer in the shute shield recently.

[bsando]

I'm not sure either. Is he really leaving force/Australia? I thought he was pretty settled. I don't think Australia have an A team anymore, so I suppose under 20's must be the second string team just now.

[tigertattie]

Maybe we have all these hookers to try and teach Ford how to throw?

[nickj]

Looking at the Hilterbrand signing it makes the signing of Latui even more bizarre. I am guessing Edinburgh are seeing Hilterbrand as more of a prop but his few games for the force were at hooker. From the guys I know at the force they have said he is a good guy and a very promising player.
The USA tried to get him capped last year but he pulled out at the last moment from a training camp with the USA national team.
Think he should be a good signing, thinking it will be as a LH but will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Not the player I was expecting to be signed from the force but I think there could be another player possibly on the way. Lachlan McCaffrey! He is not going to be with the team next season and from what i understand he is going to be playing overseas!

Maj mate - I would love to see McCaffrey come over.

Good to know he's talking about going overseas. I just hope its to us.

When did that little development happen?

[funnyExiledScot]

As far as I am aware Lochy is Scottish qualified via grandparents.
Waratahs tried to sign him but the Force beat them too it. Been stuck behind, pocock, hodgson, McCalman and Richard Brown the past couple seasons.
Big ball carrier and very physical, rucks very hard and is very good in the lineout, he is about 6ft4 and 115kg but is pretty agile and athletic around the park, think mostly due to the fact he is into surfing.
Would be a great signing for Edinburgh and would compliment Denton and Rennie. Has been a standout performer in the shute shield recently.

Sounds ideal!

[George Carlin]

Do Edinburgh fans feel that new signings will be made before the start of the season now? Realistically? We all know Edinburgh needs a centre and a blindside but will the SRU actually deliver?

[tigertattie]

Eh George! Really? SRU deliver???

Silly boy  

Edinburgh will convert one of their many locks to cover 6 (most likely cox)

In the centre we will need to pray that Cairns gets back to fitness and form or we will see cuthbert or somone else moved from position when Scott (and maybe De Luca) get called up for Scotland duties! That or we hope Atiga gets his finger out!

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

De Luca? For Scotland ? Nooooooooooooooooo

[RDW]

Injuries permitting I think we could just about make do in the centre this year. We desperately need another 6/8 though.

[IanBru]

Do Edinburgh fans feel that new signings will be made before the start of the season now? Realistically? We all know Edinburgh needs a centre and a blindside but will the SRU actually deliver?

No, no, the SRU are far too busy coming up with such blinders as this: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfO4mNyhs7c 

I'm genuinely speechless.

[George Carlin]

Do Edinburgh fans feel that new signings will be made before the start of the season now? Realistically? We all know Edinburgh needs a centre and a blindside but will the SRU actually deliver?

No, no, the SRU are far too busy coming up with such blinders as this: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfO4mNyhs7c 

I'm genuinely speechless.

Jesus. Good thing Mr Tonks had the sense to cover his face in that video.

[justified sinner]

I was wondering what it was, best I could do without the video advice was a body warmer for a small dog.

Still might make a useful extra layer for my neck on some of the colder match days.

[funnyExiledScot]

I've just received my polyester bandana as well. Luckily Mrs fES has a birthday coming....

[George Carlin]

If they gave them away to Glasgow fans, I am wondering how quickly they would be used to cover the season ticket holder's face to make a handy aide to robbing their local offie*.

* I am making this joke now to get it out of the way with before anyone else does.

[justified sinner]

Thought bookies were more the thing these days.

[reallybored]

Don't see why Edinburgh would be looking for a SQ blind-side (kind of doubt we'll sign one anyway), surely it'd be better for Edinburgh to get a guy who won't be away for parts of the season.  Scotland are pretty well stocked in that area anyway with Brown, Strokosh, Harley, Denton, Wilson, Vernon and Strauss come 2015.

Would prefer they just focused on finding the right player for this current Edinburgh side, someone with a bit of experience in Top 14 or AP and preferably a bit nasty too.

Realistically do people think the young guys like Walker, Allan, Kennedy, Leonard, Fife and Farndale will get many opportunities this season?

[EST]

High fashion out east - they will compliment the burgundy chinos and Barbour jackets perfectly!

I think some of those young players mentioned will get an opportunity, Leonard, Fife and Farndale (Old Town solicitors) will be looking to push on. If Farndale doesn't move ahead of Lee Jones this year, I will eat me Harris Tweed scarf.

[George Carlin]

I dimly recall that Fife has done a stint at centre and anyone who can walk upright and play centre (including my diabetic and casually racist Uncle Dougie) will presumably see some action this season.

[RDW]

Really bored - you raise a good point about a nsq 6/8. As you say Scotland are well stocked in that department so it's not an immediate necessity to get a Scottish qualified player. Indeed I'm fairly sure we'll have at least 1 lined up.

Where I am concerned is that we don't have any young back rowers coming through. It would be great if we had a young Scottish 6/8 who could develop with the squad and play the odd game. Don't think we have that.

[George Carlin]

Really bored - you raise a good point about a nsq 6/8. As you say Scotland are well stocked in that department so it's not an immediate necessity to get a Scottish qualified player.  Indeed I'm fairly sure we'll have at least 1 lined up.

Where I am concerned is that we don't have any young back rowers coming through. It would be great if we had a young Scottish 6/8 who could develop with the squad and play the odd game. Don't think we have that.

Agreed - Ashe and Bordill fit that description but unfortunately they're at the wrong club.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Really bored - you raise a good point about a nsq 6/8. As you say Scotland are well stocked in that department so it's not an immediate necessity to get a Scottish qualified player.  Indeed I'm fairly sure we'll have at least 1 lined up.

Where I am concerned is that we don't have any young back rowers coming through. It would be great if we had a young Scottish 6/8 who could develop with the squad and play the odd game. Don't think we have that.

Mitch Eadie at Brizzle would be the name that springs to mind

[RDW]

He would indeed, and people have previously mentioned McIver (who we’ve discussed to death) and Graham at Gala.

I do hope Edinburgh are seriously considering these guys and if they decide not to sign them on there’s a good reason. As I said in the past maybe McIver was judged to not cut it at this level after his time with the squad, or he didn’t like the contract they were offering him!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

He would indeed, and people have previously mentioned McIver (who we’ve discussed to death) and Graham at Gala.

I do hope Edinburgh are seriously considering these guys and if they decide not to sign them on there’s a good reason.  As I said in the past maybe McIver was judged to not cut it at this level after his time with the squad, or he didn’t like the contract they were offering him!

I'd be looking at Graham if I was Alan Solomons, true that

[RDW]

I suspect he's not been considered though, surely they would have brought him in at the start of pre-season to get him physically up to shape.

[RDW]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

[tigertattie]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

[jimbopip]

Morning boys. Feeling very sore this morn... After three and a half weeks eating junk food in huge portions stateside I decided I needed a gym session before training last night. I am paying for it today, inching to the loo like a walking dead, Achilles tendons like piano wire. Blisters from new boots.
Two incidents last night; I engaged Zac our lightning fast flanker in a discussion re. introvert and extravert personality types and how this relates to rugby positions- I could see he was struggling so I condensed it, " Effron that's a winger's haircut there." He agreed so I've got the no.7 jersey now. Joel the 2nd team skipper said, "Good, he's faster on the wing and you're more spiteful in the pack"
Secondly; we are training with the Sixth formers from our local school so no contact! About five weeks ago they all pitched up and there he was a big lad, good looking wearing a Tiger's no 10 jersey and bossing/bullying them all around. Two minutes into our first touch session and as I turn away from him to lay off a pass he belts me with both hands to my shoulder putting me on my arse. So, last night in touch I made a classic two hands on his waist touch and what do you know he decided to just keep running! I have a lovely bruise on my left shoulder where his sternum became inexplicably impaled. Later on in a four on three drill as I closed him down he threw the ball away without looking, I couldn't help adopting my best teacher's voice and lecturing, "Don't be scared, ignore the defender, concentrate on your pass" Funny enough he was a lot quieter after that.
Club website says first match is a week on Saturday, can I lose half a stone and gain half a yard by then?
Guys, I hope you don't mind but I'm considering posting little diary type snippets as the season goes on. As our resident geriatric fantasist they might be of some interest to you younger athletic types.

[George Carlin]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

Maybe he uses the same Physio as Mike Cusack and Chris Cusiter use at Glasgow.

[Captain_Sensible]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

Yes, it is. He was out for a very long time with a knee injury, came back, and was one of the best opensides on the planet until his shoulder injury. There's no reason to suggest that he won't come back from this.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Morning boys. Feeling very sore this morn... After three and a half weeks eating junk food in huge portions stateside I decided I needed a gym session before training last night. I am paying for it today, inching  to the loo like a walking dead, Achilles tendons like piano wire. Blisters from new boots.
Two incidents last night; I engaged Zac our lightning fast flanker in a discussion re. introvert and extravert personality types and how this relates to rugby positions- I could see he was struggling so I condensed it, " Effron that's a winger's haircut there." He agreed so I've got the no.7 jersey now. Joel the 2nd team skipper said, "Good, he's faster on the wing and you're more spiteful in the pack"
Secondly; we are training with the Sixth formers from our local school so no contact! About five weeks ago they all pitched up and there he was a big lad, good looking wearing a Tiger's no 10 jersey and bossing/bullying them all around. Two minutes into our first touch session and as I turn away from him to lay off a pass he belts me with both hands to my shoulder putting me on my arse. So, last night in touch I made a classic two hands on his waist touch and what do you know he decided to just keep running! I have a lovely bruise on my left shoulder where his sternum became inexplicably impaled. Later on in a four on three drill as I closed him down he threw the ball away without looking, I couldn't help adopting my best teacher's voice and lecturing, "Don't be scared, ignore the defender, concentrate on your pass" Funny enough he was a lot quieter after that.
Club website says first match is a week on Saturday, can I lose half a stone and gain half a yard by then?
Guys, I hope you don't mind but I'm considering posting little diary type snippets as the season goes on. As our resident geriatric fantasist they might be of some interest to you younger athletic types.

Lone may they continue, J-pip, always enjoy the updates

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

Yes, it is. He was out for a very long time with a knee injury, came back, and was one of the best opensides on the planet until his shoulder injury. There's no reason to suggest that he won't come back from this.

Is he just unlucky or is he prone to injury given his body and his playing style and simply heals slowly? This shoulder injury was from the first AI last season - seems like a long time, mind you Cus has been similar

[Captain_Sensible]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

Yes, it is. He was out for a very long time with a knee injury, came back, and was one of the best opensides on the planet until his shoulder injury. There's no reason to suggest that he won't come back from this.

Is he just unlucky or is he prone to injury given his body and his playing style and simply heals slowly?  This shoulder injury was from the first AI last season - seems like a long time, mind you Cus has been similar

It could quite easily be a mix of all three. We'll just have to sit tight and hope for the best re his recovery.

[RDW]

In other news, read in the Scotsman this morning that Ross Rennie is out for another 8 weeks still.

How can that possibly be? Is it too early to talk about whether he's'ever going to come back "properly"?

Yes, it is. He was out for a very long time with a knee injury, came back, and was one of the best opensides on the planet until his shoulder injury. There's no reason to suggest that he won't come back from this.

Is he just unlucky or is he prone to injury given his body and his playing style and simply heals slowly?  This shoulder injury was from the first AI last season - seems like a long time, mind you Cus has been similar

He came back from that shoulder injury in March, played 2 games then buggered it again away to Zebre – that is the current injury he is recovering from.

[funnyExiledScot]

He would indeed, and people have previously mentioned McIver (who we’ve discussed to death) and Graham at Gala.

I do hope Edinburgh are seriously considering these guys and if they decide not to sign them on there’s a good reason.  As I said in the past maybe McIver was judged to not cut it at this level after his time with the squad, or he didn’t like the contract they were offering him!

I suspect they asked him to "model" the new bandanas and he replied "no contract is worth that sort of lasting humiliation"....

[funnyExiledScot]

So frustrating about Rennie - such a talented player but I'm wondering whether we'll ever get him back to his best.

Time for a Scotland "sick note" XV:

1.Dickinson 2.F Thompson 3.Low 4.Metcalfe 5.Weir 6.White 7.Rennie 8.Taylor 9.Cusiter 10.Weir 11.T Evans 12.Horne 13.Cairns 14.C Murray 15.R Lamont (c)

[tigertattie]

Lamont as Captain!

sore one

(pun intended)

[George Carlin]

1. Jimbopip - all rants, verbal braindroppings and cordial gibbering are appreciated and will definitely be read by me.

2. So we're hoping to hell that Fozzy has a massive year for Glasgow, then? Either that, or Will Bordill gets his jackal on.

[funnyExiledScot]

There's still Barclay at 7, a very decent option obviously. Still, it would be good if Fusaro can step up to the plate this season as a genuine international contender, and Watson and Bordill getting some gametime would be handy as well.

I suspect that we'll see more of Strokosch and Brown on the flanks, regrettably.

Unless we're overlooking Richie Vernon.....

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