Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors, 5 October

First topic message reminder :

Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
 
Saturday 5 October 2013, KO: 18:30
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
 
Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (FIR, 8th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Chris Williams, Phil Fear (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Ray Wilton (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)
 
LIVE on S4C/BBC ALBA
 
A. Teams:
 
I. Scarlets


15 Liam Williams
14 Nick Reynolds
13 Jon Davies (c)
12 Gareth Maule
11 Jordan Williams
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Rhodri Williams

1 Phil John
2 Ken Owens
3 Jacobie Adriaanse
4 George Earle
5 Joe Snyman
6 Josh Turnbull
7 John Barclay
8 Rob McCusker

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Aaron Shingler, Aled Davies, Steve Shingler, Adam Warren.

 
II. Glasgow


15. Sean Maitland
14. Niko Matawalu
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
9. Chris Cusiter

1. Ryan Grant
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Moray Low
4. Tim Swinson
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Robert Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Richie Vernon

16. Fraser Brown
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Jon Welsh
19. James Eddie
20. Adam Ashe
21. Scott Wight
22. Gabriel Ascarate
23. DTH van der Merwe
 
B. Form - head to head:
 
22 Played 22
12 Wins 10
10 Losses 12
0 Draws 0
61 Tries 58
30 Conversions 41
56 Penalties 50
1 Drop Goals 2
536 Points 528
24 Avg. Age 25
 
C. Form - last season:
 
Friday 7 September 2012, 19:35: Scotstoun
Glasgow Warriors 13 - 18 Scarlets
 
Friday 12 April 2013, 19:05:Parc y Scarlets
Scarlets 29 - 6 Glasgow Warriors
 
D. Glasgow fans lexicon:
 
Alphabetty Spaghetti - D.T.H. van der Merwe, wing
Angel - Gabriel Ascarate, centre
Angela - Jon Welsh, prop
Barry - Byron McGuigan, wing
Big Boab - (see Ginger Tackle Monster, the)
Big Mike - (see Coo, the)
Big Naka - Leone Nakarawa, lock/loosie
Bluto - Josh Strauss, loosie/no.8
Centre, the - (see Lesser Messiah, the)
Coo, the - Michael Cusack, prop
Cooseetah - (see Cus)
Cus - Chris Cusiter, scrum half
DTH - (see Alphabetty Spaghetti)
Flippy - (see Toonie)
Fozzy - Christopher Fusaro, loosie
Furra Lineeeee - Peter Horne, centre
Ginger Tackle Monster, the - Rob Harley, loosie
Guns - Tim Swinson, lock
Henners - Henry Pyrgos, scrum half
Hoggy - Stuart Hogg, full back/wing/centre
Ickle Jon - Jonny Gray, lock
Jedi - James Eddie, loosie
Lesser Messiah, the - Richie Vernon, loosie/no.8
Mark of Nazareth - (see Messiah, the)
Meatball, the - Duncan Weir, fly half
Messiah, the/  - Mark Bennett, centre
Niko - Nikola Matawalu, scrum half
Niko's Mate - Jerry Yanuyanutawa, prop
No Maits - Sean Maitland, wing
Rhubarb - Ruaridh Jackson, fly half
Ruck Inspector, the - Alastair Kellock, lock
Schlong - Sean Lamont, centre/wing
Sherlock - Tyrone Holmes, loosie
Shrek - Gordon Reid, prop
Toonie - Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE, head coach
Wee P - Pat MacArthur, hooker
Weegie from Fiji, the - (see Niko)
 
Now that we've beaten Leinster and Ulster, could Scarlets correctly be described as Glasgow's bogey team?
 
I think that the only other side which beat us home and away last season was Leinster.

Teams are usually announced by now.

Conspiracy! I blame the PRL.

GC , I'd blame the delay on it being a Saturday game.

That being said, I'd expect the Edinburgh squad to be announced sometime next Monday morning...

Teams have to be anounced by noon the day before the game. very few teams go more than an hour or two before that.

Only Friday games would be announced on a Thur

We like to announce the team retrospectively. If you tell the fans in advance that Lee Jones is starting, they won't show up.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Teams have to be anounced by noon the day before the game. very few teams go more than an hour or two before that.

Only Friday games would be announced on a Thur

Forgot it was on a Saturday, Glasgow games normally being on Friday.

By the way folks, there's a thread discussing the Scotland squad for the AIs over in the International section, if you want to take a gander.

There's an international section?

Would like to see Townsend go for his strongest side, they've not really got out of first gear in attack and a bit of continuity ahead of Toulon could help.

Few people calling for Hogg to be benched, two average performances doesn't merit dropping one of your best players in my book.

I'd personally start Gray ahead of Kellock, obviously you lose out on leadership but Gray has been the form player so far this season.

Time to get Niko back at 9, his own brand of off the cuff nuttiness could be just the spark that the attack needs.  Great to see Cusiter back, tough couple of seasons but he's a quality player.

When is Weir likely to be back?  Don't think Scott Wright has done particularly well with his opportunities, would prefer Hogg covered 10 until Weir is back to provide competition.

15 - Hogg
14 - Maitland
13 - Bennett
12 - Dunbar
11 - DTH
10 - Jackson
9 - Matawalu
8 - Strauss
7 - Fusaro
6 - Harley (c)
5 - Gray
4 - Swinson
3 - Welsh
2 - MacArthur
1 - Grant

16 - Hall
17 - Yanuyanutawa
18 - Low
19 - Kellock
20 - Vernon
21 - Cusiter
22 - Ascárate
23 - Seymour

Was really impressed with the tries against Zebre, especially Hall's one in the corner.  Shame they just couldn't keep the intensity up in the 2nd half but that will have given Taylor and Munro plenty of ammunition this week to beast them.

Personally I think Glasgow should be using this game to rest up their whole HEC squad, and give a few teenagers a run out, just to see if they are up to the job.

Wishful thinking, Spidey?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Personally I think Glasgow should be using this game to rest up their whole HEC squad, and give a few teenagers a run out, just to see if they are up to the job.

Totally agree that Jonny Gray and Mark Bennett should play.

George Carlin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Personally I think Glasgow should be using this game to rest up their whole HEC squad, and give a few teenagers a run out, just to see if they are up to the job.

Totally agree that Jonny Gray and Mark Bennett should play.

Not a teenager any more....

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Personally I think Glasgow should be using this game to rest up their whole HEC squad, and give a few teenagers a run out, just to see if they are up to the job.

Totally agree that Jonny Gray and Mark Bennett should play.

Not a teenager any more....

Presumably he'll have an enforced retirement when he reaches 33.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Wishful thinking, Spidey?

No, I honestly think that it would be in the best interest of Glasgow to rest up all their good players. Then they would be fresh for the HEC, and would have lost their 100% win record, so technically lifting the pressure off them too.  

Realistically I can't see any reason why they would risk taking the Scarlets to lightly, we may not be on form at the moment, but its the away games again other top 6 sides that are key. And if they bring a good side down, then Glasgow should be pretty confident of picking up a minimum of a losing bonus point (most likely a win).

Suspect you are being a tad disingenious there Spiderman. As per previous I think Toonie get wicked and put out his strongest 23 and of course not bring on his replacements all at once and ruin the game plan - like last week.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Wishful thinking, Spidey?

No, I honestly think that it would be in the best interest of Glasgow to rest up all their good players.  Then they would be fresh for the HEC, and would have lost their 100% win record, so technically lifting the pressure off them too.  

Realistically I can't see any reason why they would risk taking the Scarlets to lightly, we may not be on form at the moment, but its the away games again other top 6 sides that are key.  And if they bring a good side down, then Glasgow should be pretty confident of picking up a minimum of a losing bonus point (most likely a win).

I completely endorse this product, event or service.

21stCentury -: I would imagine that both sides will feild their best sides available. I assume the Scarlets will look something like the following, providing the Shinglers' have recovered (which I believe they have)

Li Williams, Maule, Davies, Sc Williams, Jo Williams, Priestland, G Davies;
John, Owens, Lee, Ball, Snyman, A Shingler, Barclay, McCusker
(Bench-: E Phillips, Evans, Adriaanse, Earle, Turnbull, Rh Williams, S Shingler, Reynolds)

From what I have heard the weather should not be too bad, so it could be a pretty good showing of runing rugby by both sides. Hopefully the Italian ref will let it be a real showcase of how intense and skillful the Rabo can be.

Team named-:

Li Williams, Reynolds, J Davies, S WIlliams, J Williams, R Williams;
John, Owens, Adriaanse, Earle, Snyman, Turnbull, Barclay, McCusker
(bench Phillips, Evans, Jones, Ball, A Shingler, A Davies, S Shingler, Ad Warren)

Glasgow Warriors team to play Scarlets, RaboDirect PRO12, Parc Y Scarlets, Saturday 5 October (kick-off 6.30pm):

15. Sean Maitland
14. Niko Matawalu
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
9. Chris Cusiter

1. Ryan Grant
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Moray Low
4. Tim Swinson
5. Al Kellock (Captain)
6. Robert Harley
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Richie Vernon

Subs – 16. Fraser Brown 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa 18. Jon Welsh 19. James Eddie 20. Adam Ashe 21. Scott Wight22. Gabriel Ascarate 23. DTH van der Merwe

Like the look of that. Cus looked good last week. Nice to see meatball back. Matowalo to come in to SH later in the game. Meatball to do the whole game?

Good team, and only one non-Scot in the starting XV which is excellent.

Pleased to see Cusiter and Weir starting together, great to have them both back and fit to start.

Good team.

Great to see Weir back so soon, didn't realise he's only 22.

Shame that Strauss is injured but Vernon has done reasonably well so far this season.

Very excited to see the back-line attack, especially with Matawalu starting.

Big test for Bennett playing against the excellent Davies, a good performance could put him in pole position for Scotland 13 jersey.

Gray being rested for Toulon or punished for YC last week?

Wonder is Townsend has any idea of what his strongest XV is right now?

I am happy with that team.

However I still feel we have ridden our luck and dragged out wins. Some say it's a sign of a good team. I disagree.

I suspect this will be our first defeat of the season tomorrow.

Townsend must be loving the fact that he has so many quality options.

It looks a great back three but you could easily put Hogg, Seymour or DTH in there and it wouldn't bring down the quality.

As mentioned above, it's good to have weir back because Jackson has done well but the competition for the 10 jersey from Scott Wight hasn't been great, so to have the 2 Scotland fly halves fighting it out is good for Glasgow and for Scotland.

I think that Scarlets' pack could get on top of that Glasgow's pack.

For Glasgow, i find it strange that Matawalu plays on the wing, surely there are enough winger? He is the catalyst of the team but when he plays 9. Good to see Maitland at 15 instead of Hogg.

VinceWLB wrote:I think that Scarlets' pack could get on top of that Glasgow's pack.

For Glasgow, i find it strange that Matawalu plays on the wing, surely there are enough winger? He is the catalyst of the team but when he plays 9. Good to see Maitland at 15 instead of Hogg.

I think Niko playing on the wing may be a good idea, the Scarlets are playing a flyhalf/fullback on one wing and a centre on the other, so with Niko's elusive running style he may well punish the Scarlets for their lack of defensive experience on the wings. Also having the sledgehammer option of Lamont on the other wing, I think they will complement each other nicely.

I hope the Scarlets pack can do a job on Glasgow early doors, as I am not too confident of Rhodri Jones being converted to a tighthead, and it may come round to bite us in the bum if things are tight going into the last ten/twenty mins.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:I think that Scarlets' pack could get on top of that Glasgow's pack.

For Glasgow, i find it strange that Matawalu plays on the wing, surely there are enough winger? He is the catalyst of the team but when he plays 9. Good to see Maitland at 15 instead of Hogg.

I think Niko playing on the wing may be a good idea, the Scarlets are playing a flyhalf/fullback on one wing and a centre on the other, so with Niko's elusive running style he may well punish the Scarlets for their lack of defensive experience on the wings.  Also having the sledgehammer option of Lamont on the other wing, I think they will complement each other nicely.

I hope the Scarlets pack can do a job on Glasgow early doors, as I am not too confident of Rhodri Jones being converted to a tighthead, and it may come round to bite us in the bum if things are tight going into the last ten/twenty mins.

Also, I'd expect to see the Weegie from Fiji move of his wing to scrum half around the 55min mark, with Alphabet coming on in his stead as an out and out finisher

ASBO - that makes good sense. It just goes to show how good a player he is.

VinceWLB wrote:I think that Scarlets' pack could get on top of that Glasgow's pack.

For Glasgow, i find it strange that Matawalu plays on the wing, surely there are enough winger? He is the catalyst of the team but when he plays 9. Good to see Maitland at 15 instead of Hogg.

Wee bit harsh on young Hogg there Vince. He has not been at his best but he did set very high standards last season so will be back with a vengeance. Where is Jacko - is he injured ?

No Bluto Strauss is a big blow tbh  

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:No Bluto Strauss is a big blow tbh  

And a bit of a concern. The injury is mentioned as his head, didn't he have a suspected concussion a few weeks previously. Doesn't bode well. Hope its unrelated and Glasgow have him back for Toulon.

The man - Bluto - is a colossus though, as you know Manky, so hope he will make a quick recovery for next week. His playing style - kamikaze - does add a big risk of injury. Good to see young Adam Ashe get a bench place. Very promising back row player

Bluto will be missed. Not sure about Wight on the bench, Toonie must see something about him but I'm not as perspicacious as that. Most of the starting XV could be starting against Japan, how's that for motivation?
I would suggest that Henry, Ickle Jonny and Seymour are all in the squad for Toulon. Coo-seater and Niko have tonight to show, Hoggy possibly missing out.
Weegie by 6pts.

Why has Gareth Davies been dropped in favour of an average Aled Davies? It really doesn't make sense. I assume Gareth Owen missing out is just down to squad rotation? Because he offers a lot more than some of the players in the starting team.

Saint, Gareth Davies is still injured as are Scott Williams and Samson Lee. Not sure about Gareth Owen, I know he was injured against the dragons not sure whether he's recovered or been dropped/rested.

Ah that so explains it then.

Amazing to see Duncan Weir back. I hope that the little big man has a successful start. Broken legs are always nasty although he's healed incredibly well apparently. I remember being 22 as well.

Time also to see what Low is planning to bring this season. He could be devastating if he used his 20 stone as well as he did in his first season. Also, if Richie Vernon is serious about getting further Scotland caps, this is precisely the game where he needs to show us why he's better than Denton, Beattie or even Kelly Brown.

Really don't like seeing JB line up against us...

Aye George, you are right Barcs is a Glasgow man and it will feel wrong, just wrong.
The reasoning behind Meatball's selection is, surely, he must play before Toulon if he is to be on the bench. Ruaridh has obviously got the starting berth; in one of the most hostile environs in European rugby and coming up against as cold- eyed and clinical 10 as you will ever see. We have absolutely no reason to believe/fear that Mr Jackson will recreate his famous impersonation of a stale croissant in a wind tunnel. Ah but that's next week.
There's a better balance to the bench though we will probably see Harley in the second row and Jedi at 6. If Fozzie gets crocked the back row looks more unbalanced than Boris Johnson in stillettos.
Angel and DTH bring a lot to the backs but on current form Vernon might still end up playing at 10 if Meatball has to go off.
I still think Glasgow will be too good for them but if Barcs rises to the occasion we could have very little ball to play with and a lot of defending to do.

Jimbo, Barcs maybe has a grudge that he wasn't offered a better contract after all his efforts for Glasgow. Considering some of the worthless shi*e the SRU give big money to in Edinburgh he must have been particularly angry.

Tough one tomorrow v Scaaaaahlets. They have always been a hard nut to crack for us. Lets front up and give them a good old Glasgow kicking.

I wanna see a great performance from Barcs. this is his chance to claim a Scotland squad place

TJ, I don't want Barcs to play that well because I want Warriors to win and reclaim top of the league after Hairsprays losing bonus point last night.

I think the back rows will be crucial tonight. Richie Vernon has to convince us he can be an explosive 8 among the big boys and not a speed merchant in the 3/4s. Fozzie against Barcs; apprentice v Master. Harley just has to keep doing what he does. Will Arthur Ashe come on? Is there more to him than a good topspin forehand?

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:TJ, I don't want Barcs to play that well because I want Warriors to win and reclaim top of the league after Hairsprays losing bonus point last night.

Clearly I want him to be on the loosing side but I really really want to see him regain some form

I really hope Ashe gets some game time - he must be chomping at the bit to get involved, particularly when his U20s colleague Gray already has one Rabo MOM award to his credit.
 
Very difficult to predict how this will go - a couple of key members (like Williams) missing from the Scarlets backline so we won't have a better chance to get an away win, even without His Blutoness.
 
Edit: Gordon Reid (Aberdeen Grammar), Ed Kalman (Ayr), Sherlock (Glasgow Hawks) and Fin Gillies (Glasgow Hawks) are all playing this weekend. Crucially, for us Tom Ryder is also playing for Stirling County.  Can't wait to have him back as another 18 and half stones of boiler house brutality.

Good that is excellent news re Ryder GC.

PS did anyone watch Kevin Bridges 2012 show from the SECC on BBC last night? Classic definition of the Glaswegian use of HOW instead of WHY. WHY is to ponder - HOW is to demand ! So Warriors HOW many tries and points tonight and by HOW much will we win ?

BTW article in The Times states that Strauss and Hogg will both be fit for the Toulon game next Friday  

Hope you guys give Toulon a good beating.