Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread II

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

A. Edinburgh
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Fri 30 Aug 2013, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 15 - 5 Newcastle Falcons
 
Fri 23 Aug 2013, 19:30
Northampton Saints 24 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby
 
2. 2013/2014 Season - Played
 
Sat 7 Sep, 19:15
Munster Rugby 34 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Sat 21 Sep, 18:30
Ospreys 44 - 10 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 9 - 22 Scarlets

Sun 6 Oct, 14:05
Cardiff Blues 29 - 12 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 25 Oct, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 13 Benetton Treviso

Fri 1 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 23 Zebre

Fri 22 Nov 19:05
Ulster Rugby 41 - 17 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 29 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 43 - 10 Connacht

Fri 20 Dec 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby 11 - 6 Leinster

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Sun 9 Feb 13:05
Newport Gwent Dragons  v  Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 15 Feb 17:00
Connacht Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 22 Feb 14:30
Scarlets v Edinburgh Rugby

B. Glasgow
 

 
1. Pre-season
 
Sat 31 Aug 2013, 15:00
Exeter Chiefs 26 - 29 Glasgow Warriors
 
2. 2013/2014 Season
 
Fri 6 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 22 - 15 Cardiff Blues
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:05
Ulster Rugby 12 - 13 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 20 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6 Leinster Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:30
Zebre 17 - 24 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 5 Oct, 18:30
Scarlets 12 - 17 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 25 Oct, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 6 - 13 Munster Rugby

Sat 2 Nov, 17:00
Connacht Rugby 12 - 19 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 22 Nov, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 23 Newport Gwent Dragons

Fri 29 Nov, 19:05
Ospreys 16 - 28 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 20 Dec, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors P - P Benetton Treviso

Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors

Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby

3. 2013/2014 Season - Next 3 Games
 
Sun 9 Feb 14:00
Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby

Sat 15 Feb 18:30
Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors

Sun 23 Feb 14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons   v   Glasgow Warriors
 
Any and all patter about these teams is welcome.
 
Any jingoism, sledging or graceless kicking of anyone whilst they are up or down will see posts deleted.
 
Be gracious and be constructive.

[BigGee]

Just watched Rotherham v Bristol to see how some of the exiles are getting on. Ross Rennie played very well and won MoM, which I guess we should not be to surprised about, but he does look like he is rediscovering himself down there.

Perhaps a little more surprisingly, Kyle Traynor also had a very good game and looks a completely different player, full of confidence, carrying, tackling and generally putting himself about. He played the full 80 mins and looked in decent shape at the end. Hislop put in a pretty good shift for Rotherham as well, they are a mobile fast off loading kind of side and he looks to be fitting in with that style very well. He held his own in the set plays as well.

McInally came on during the second half, but not so easy to judge how he is getting on, he certainly lost one against the head, but lineouts seemed solid. They have not started him yet, so probably don't think he is quite there yet.

[cakeordeath]

Just watched Rotherham v Bristol to see how some of the exiles are getting on. Ross Rennie played very well and won MoM, which I guess we should not be to surprised about, but he does look like he is rediscovering himself down there.

Perhaps a little more surprisingly, Kyle Traynor also had a very good game and looks a completely different player, full of confidence, carrying, tackling and generally putting himself about. He played the full 80 mins and looked in decent shape at the end. Hislop put in a pretty good shift for Rotherham as well, they are a mobile fast off loading kind of side and he looks to be fitting in with that style very well. He held his own in the set plays as well.

McInally came on during the second half, but not so easy to judge how he is getting on, he certainly lost one against the head, but lineouts seemed solid. They have not started him yet, so probably don't think he is quite there yet.

I was about to post something on the Scotland thread. Rennie played pretty well, and Barclay is playing well for the Scarlets.

[Notch]

Big game tonight;

https://www.606v2.com/t52283-leinster-vs-glasgow#2554614

[tigertattie]

Tell you what, the Glasgow forwards will get mullered by Edinburgh going on this weekends showings

[tigertattie]

Oooooft. Just saw Barclays interception. What a run. Why he's not in the scotland squad is beyond me!!!

[VinceWLB]

Tell you what, the Glasgow forwards will get mullered by Edinburgh going on this weekends showings

I'm not so sure about that, that was a strong Leinster pack and Glasgow showed up well, Yanuyanutawa scrummaged pretty well and Cusack will be fit and strong by then.

[BigGee]

Tell you what, the Glasgow forwards will get mullered by Edinburgh going on this weekends showings

Not so sure about that, Edinburgh did play well but Glasgow were on top of the Leinster pack by the end of the game, they just had the nous to close it out. There is a big difference playing an out of sorts Ospreys at home and Leinster in Dublin!

[BigGee]

Oooooft. Just saw Barclays interception. What a run. Why he's not in the scotland squad is beyond me!!!

He just needs to keep playing like that and he may well be. Maybe having to fight for his place is bringing out the best in him. He did not always try that hard!

[George Carlin]

They didn't win, but Glasgows performance was very good in Dublin and should bode well for the rest of the season if we carry that on from now on. Sadly, I think that a home playoff spot is looking almost entirely unlikely, although barring any complete disasters we should still make the playoffs

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Tell you what, the Glasgow forwards will get mullered by Edinburgh going on this weekends showings

  Bring it on Luvvie boy but I seriously doubt it

[funnyExiledScot]

Great to hear that Rennie and Barclay are thriving. Hopefully SJ is paying some attention.

Based on the weekend's rugby I think the 1872 match will be a humdinger. Both sides playing really physical rugby and looking to win the collisions.

[RDW]

Since when was Barclay so speedy??

An interception run in isn't usually what you base your selection of a 7 on - it is his breakdown work and link play you want to look at - but something like that sure as hell will get him noticed.

Sadly I don't think he's going to get a look in for this 6N thought barring injury.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-2013-14/rugby/story/216779.html

Laidlaw to Gloucester and, at least partially, as a 10 from the sounds of it. After seeing Hart's performance at the weekend it has to be the right move from an Edinburgh point of view, especially with Kennedy and H-C needing gametime. Wee Greig isn't going to enjoy himself if Gloucester's pack keep getting the sort of pumping they took off Northampton at the weekend though!

[BigGee]

http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-2013-14/rugby/story/216779.html

Laidlaw to Gloucester and, at least partially, as a 10 from the sounds of it. After seeing Hart's performance at the weekend it has to be the right move from an Edinburgh point of view, especially with Kennedy and H-C needing gametime. Wee Greig isn't going to enjoy himself if Gloucester's pack keep getting the sort of pumping they took off Northampton at the weekend though!

I think Laidlaw played his best rugby for Scotland as a 10 and it is increasingly looking like we are developing better options than him at 9, so this may not be a bad move for him and he can pursue his international ambitions at 10, where we are still a bit light!

Gloucester are beefing up their pack for next year, Afoa and Hibbard will certainly add something! So hopefully he will get some decent ball, he has a very good footballing brain does Greig and this may give him the chance to use it.

[nickj]

I think we'll see a few of the senior pros making this sort of move for next season. It makes complete sense IMHO too.

It widens the SQ playing pool and doesn't weaken the pro teams hugely, as they've already brought in ready-made replacements and given them a season or two to bed in.

Hopefully it will also reinvigorate some of the senior guys who look like they've lost their mojos in the goldfish bowl north of the border.

Hart looks like a cracking option at 9 and he will be ably backed up by SHC and Kennedy. I wonder whether the likes of Rennie, McInally and Hislop will make their moves permanent?

I'm not sure how I feel about Greig at 10 to be honest.

[MacKnocked-on]

I think we'll see a few of the senior pros making this sort of move for next season. It makes complete sense IMHO too.

It widens the SQ playing pool and doesn't weaken the pro teams hugely, as they've already brought in ready-made replacements and given them a season or two to bed in.

Hopefully it will also reinvigorate some of the senior guys who look like they've lost their mojos in the goldfish bowl north of the border.

Hart looks like a cracking option at 9 and he will be ably backed up by SHC and Kennedy. I wonder whether the likes of Rennie, McInally and Hislop will make their moves permanent?

I'm not sure how I feel about Greig at 10 to be honest.  

I expect Hart will quickly become a serious option for the Scotland 9 shirt as well, wouldn't be surprised if he overtakes Pyrgos in the pecking order and tours with Scotland in the summer.

[RDW]

Good move for Greig - Gloucester will be a great club for him to be at.

Sounds like Jimmy Cowan might be leaving, and I really hope he is considered a 9 and not a 10.

[BigGee]

I think we'll see a few of the senior pros making this sort of move for next season. It makes complete sense IMHO too.

It widens the SQ playing pool and doesn't weaken the pro teams hugely, as they've already brought in ready-made replacements and given them a season or two to bed in.

Hopefully it will also reinvigorate some of the senior guys who look like they've lost their mojos in the goldfish bowl north of the border.

Hart looks like a cracking option at 9 and he will be ably backed up by SHC and Kennedy. I wonder whether the likes of Rennie, McInally and Hislop will make their moves permanent?

I'm not sure how I feel about Greig at 10 to be honest.  

I expect Hart will quickly become a serious option for the Scotland 9 shirt as well, wouldn't be surprised if he overtakes Pyrgos in the pecking order and tours with Scotland in the summer.

I think he already has. Henry is proving to be a good club pro, but unfortunately not an international scrum half. Hart has looked good for Edinburgh now he has got some game time and has the potential to further improve. He will go on the summer tour this summer and will probably be capped.

[BigGee]

I think we'll see a few of the senior pros making this sort of move for next season. It makes complete sense IMHO too.

It widens the SQ playing pool and doesn't weaken the pro teams hugely, as they've already brought in ready-made replacements and given them a season or two to bed in.

Hopefully it will also reinvigorate some of the senior guys who look like they've lost their mojos in the goldfish bowl north of the border.

Hart looks like a cracking option at 9 and he will be ably backed up by SHC and Kennedy. I wonder whether the likes of Rennie, McInally and Hislop will make their moves permanent?

I'm not sure how I feel about Greig at 10 to be honest.  

If Ford is staying, as seems likely, then it would make much more sense for McInally to stay put down in Bristol. I don't think the situation with him and Rennie will become clear though until the end of the season, it would make no sense to stay unless they go up to the AP, which does seem the likely outcome of the championship race at the moment. It would be tough to lose Rennie, but at the end of the day the move does seem to be working for him and somewhat proves the benefit of moving clubs at some stage in your career.

Hislop is playing well down in Rotherham, getting plenty game time and developing, something he would not have done if he had stayed. Is he likely to get any more game time next year if he comes back, no is probably the answer to that, so he is probably better off staying put, or looking for another contract down south. He is young yet, especially in prop years and can afford to spend some more time developing. He is only going to do that by playing though!

[nickj]

Exactly. I seem to have missed the list of players who are currently out on loan from Edinburgh, maybe its a fair assumption they're all on their way out?

[funnyExiledScot]

If Laidlaw is going to messed about between 9 and 10 at Glaws then his international career is over. He was competent at 10, but no more than that. The bigger issue though was that in playing 10 some weeks and 9 the next, his basic skills as a 9 dropped away horribly. It's a specialist position and you can't dip in and out at the highest level.

With Hart, H-C and Kennedy I don't feel we need Laidlaw at Edinburgh, and provided he sticks at 9 for Glaws, it's a good move allround.

[RDW]

Having done an internet search Gloucester are saying they are specifically signing a 10 this week, and the only name mentioned anywhere is Laidlaw.

Really hope he won't be made to play 10, not just before a world cup.

[MacKnocked-on]

Having done an internet search Gloucester are saying they are specifically signing a 10 this week, and the only name mentioned anywhere is Laidlaw.

Really hope he won't be made to play 10, not just before a world cup.

Is Laidlaw's name just speculation at this point?

[RDW]

It is, but in pretty much every major newspaper and rugby site from what I saw on Google...

[George Carlin]

ESPN have actually reported that Laidlaw will be moving, so quite a few people are going to look very silly if it's not him. But it will be him.

[funnyExiledScot]

Having done an internet search Gloucester are saying they are specifically signing a 10 this week, and the only name mentioned anywhere is Laidlaw.

Really hope he won't be made to play 10, not just before a world cup.

There's clearly been some confusion. I think it's Piers Francis who will be moving to Glaws. Spread the rumour......

[Argybargy]

They didn't win, but Glasgows performance was very good in Dublin and should bode well for the rest of the season if we carry that on from now on. Sadly, I think that a home playoff spot is looking almost entirely unlikely, although barring any complete disasters we should still make the playoffs

GC - slightly off topic but from one Overseas Weege to another how to get to see games live ? Do you have some kind of slingbox/proxy server setup to watch on Iplayer or do you just have a recording flown out to you in the jet?    

[tigertattie]

Is there still no word on the rearranged Fiji vs SA 1872 cup game?

[TJ]

They didn't win, but Glasgows performance was very good in Dublin and should bode well for the rest of the season if we carry that on from now on. Sadly, I think that a home playoff spot is looking almost entirely unlikely, although barring any complete disasters we should still make the playoffs

GC - slightly off topic but from one Overseas Weege to another how to get to see games live ? Do you have some kind of slingbox/proxy server setup to watch on Iplayer or do you just have a recording flown out to you in the jet?    

I use various pirate feeds to watch live matches. PM me if you want a link although I am in the UK

[RDW]

Laidlaw confirmed off to Gloucester.

All the best to him - a great servant to Edinburgh helping the team through some dark, dark times.

[TJ]

I think that will be good for him. I just hope they don't ruin him mucking about at 9 and 10 and / or keeping him on the bench

[LondonTiger]

Well, Gloucester need a goal kicker - so Laidlaw fits that bill. However they need a 10 more than a 9 - so who knows what position they will want him to play.

[George Carlin]

They didn't win, but Glasgows performance was very good in Dublin and should bode well for the rest of the season if we carry that on from now on. Sadly, I think that a home playoff spot is looking almost entirely unlikely, although barring any complete disasters we should still make the playoffs

GC - slightly off topic but from one Overseas Weege to another how to get to see games live ? Do you have some kind of slingbox/proxy server setup to watch on Iplayer or do you just have a recording flown out to you in the jet?    

I use various pirate feeds to watch live matches.  PM me if you want a link although I am in the UK

As with TJ, there are a number of websites that offer live streaming, with various degrees of reliability. By virtue of the amazing world in which our arses currently sit, these tend to be free. I'll PM you these - I got them from Thomond years ago. I also have a very good VPN (details in the PM) which means that my URL can be from whichever of 200 servers in 50 countries I choose.  

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

I think that will be good for him.  I just hope they don't ruin him mucking about at 9 and 10 and / or keeping him on the bench

From all the reports so far it sounds like they're definitely wanting him to at least cover 10, and he's clearly going there knowing that so I don't think he can complain if he finds himself being shifted between the 2. Not the best from a Scotland point of view but fair enough for Gloucester, they need to make sure they have sufficient cover in their squad

[R!skysports]

Good move for him. I am still not convinced that he is up to speed as a 9 - so maybe a 10 is the better position for him (if not too small)

[MacKnocked-on]

I was hoping that perhaps Gloucester might have signed Heathcote to replace Burns, perhaps Bristol might be the club for him to go to.

[BigGee]

I was hoping that perhaps Gloucester might have signed Heathcote to replace Burns, perhaps Bristol might be the club for him to go to.

Yes surprising that they did not appear to have a look at Heathcote, out of sight out of mind it would appear. He must be lining something up though, to good a player to be left on the sidelines and he won't be staying at Bath. I am still hoping he will come to Edinburgh and they concentrate on him and Leonard as the two main 10's going forward.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Heathcote is still in contract for another year, so it could well be that Bath are asking for compensation if he leaves early?

[RDW]

I thought his contract was up? Seem to remember last summer the chat being he's got another year left...

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I thought his contract was up? Seem to remember last summer the chat being he's got another year left...

Could be, RDW, but thought I read otherwise in this weekend's Rugby Paper

[RDW]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16823253

Looks like he's got another year left. Baws.

[funnyExiledScot]

The last thing he needs is another wasted year. He hasn't even been getting on the bench regularly at Bath.

[RDW]

Agreed - he really is crying out for a move to Edinburgh, and I hope for his sake Bath don't get in the way of it.

Saying that, he might not want to come to Edinburgh...!

On another note, Laidlaw leaving is likely to free up quite a bit of cash for new players, I would assume he would be one of the top earners.

If we are probably jettisoning PJP, Basalaia, Cox (harsh but got better options now - he's been a real servant though), Cross (rumoured), Atiga, Francis, Leck, Black and Nikki Walker that is a lot of dead wood.

Hopefully instead of replacing those 9 guys with 9 average squad players we can target 4 or 5 really decent signings.

I know it is hard for Edinburgh to attract top players, but I hope to hell someone is putting all their efforts into it.

[Majestic83]

Agreed - he really is crying out for a move to Edinburgh, and I hope for his sake Bath don't get in the way of it.

Saying that, he might not want to come to Edinburgh...!

On another note, Laidlaw leaving is likely to free up quite a bit of cash for new players, I would assume he would be one of the top earners.

If we are probably jettisoning PJP, Basalaia, Cox (harsh but got better options now - he's been a real servant though), Cross (rumoured), Atiga, Francis, Leck, Black and Nikki Walker that is a lot of dead wood.

Hopefully instead of replacing those 9 guys with 9 average squad players we can target 4 or 5 really decent signings.

I know it is hard for Edinburgh to attract top players, but I hope to hell someone is putting all their efforts into it.

Yep those are the guys that i would like to be leaving Edinburgh this summer as well. Possibly McAlpine too as he doesn't seem up to it even at prem 1 level. Also Gregor Hunter isn't up to it at stand off either.

If Edinburgh don't get Heathcote I would definitely move for Lee Millar who is more than up to it. He is only on a one year deal at London Scottish. If he came to Edinburgh and got given a chance i think he'd be pushing for Scotland honours within a year!

A player I keep on hearing about coming to Scotland is Lachlan Mitchell from the Rebels. His mum is Scottish and is a very good player. Very quick, strong and direct. Can play 12,13 and both wings and would be a great addition to the squad.

[RDW]

To be fair to Hunter, he's been injured all season!

Him and Leonard were pretty much the same level, and barely ever got regular gametime under Bradley. Then Leonard gets a run of games and looks a good propsect while Hunter is injured.

If we sign Heathcoat or another 10 we probably don't need Hunter as well, but I'd rather have Hunter as squad cover than some random journeyman...

[Majestic83]

If you look at Hunters performances the season before they weren't that good. He played a lot for Gala and then Currie and he really didn't shine at prem 1 level either. Quite often he was out played by the opposition or moved position to accomodate better players at 10 like at Gala when Millar started at 10 and Hunter was switched to 15 instead.

Think this is Hunters 3rd season at Edinburgh and I haven't seen any real development over the first 2 years. Fair enough he is injured this season but just don't think he will cut it at pro level. Think there are better options else where for someone to come in and be 3rd choice 10 who will develop and threaten and move up the pecking order.

[RDW]

Not disagreeing on Hunter, but he hasn't ever really had a chance to get regular gametime.

Still, pro rugby is a harsh world and if he's not had a chance then that's tough!

Also worth remember we've signed this Nick Mclennan chap, who is a bit of a midget but can apparently play stand off, centre or wing. Not got much of a pedigree so not expecting much from him.

[George Carlin]

Agreed - he really is crying out for a move to Edinburgh, and I hope for his sake Bath don't get in the way of it.

Saying that, he might not want to come to Edinburgh...!

On another note, Laidlaw leaving is likely to free up quite a bit of cash for new players, I would assume he would be one of the top earners.

If we are probably jettisoning PJP, Basalaia, Cox (harsh but got better options now - he's been a real servant though), Cross (rumoured), Atiga, Francis, Leck, Black and Nikki Walker that is a lot of dead wood.

Hopefully instead of replacing those 9 guys with 9 average squad players we can target 4 or 5 really decent signings.

I know it is hard for Edinburgh to attract top players, but I hope to hell someone is putting all their efforts into it.

Yep those are the guys that i would like to be leaving Edinburgh this summer as well. Possibly McAlpine too as he doesn't seem up to it even at prem 1 level. Also Gregor Hunter isn't up to it at stand off either.

If Edinburgh don't get Heathcote I would definitely move for Lee Millar who is more than up to it. He is only on a one year deal at London Scottish. If he came to Edinburgh and got given a chance i think he'd be pushing for Scotland honours within a year!

A player I keep on hearing about coming to Scotland is Lachlan Mitchell from the Rebels. His mum is Scottish and is a very good player. Very quick, strong and direct. Can play 12,13 and both wings and would be a great addition to the squad.

Yes, I dimly recall Lauchy from his Wasps days - he was only a bairn when he came over though. He is pretty firmly embedded in the Rebels set up, but perhaps the lure of international rugby could be an expedient. He's apparently 26 now and must know that barring a directly Exocet strike on the Wallaby training camp, he's not going to be featuring in Wallaby gold in the near future.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

More than strong rumours that Glasgow are signing a new Ten. Apparently from the SH but Scot qualified.

One of either Weir or Jackson is being moved on, most probably the latter.

[RDW]

Hmm interesting.

Has Dan Carter been offered to Edinburgh and they turned it down because they had Piers Francis?

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