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.

[tigertattie]

That line would score a try or six but they'd also leak a try or seven

[VinceWLB]

I hope Solomons watched the Scotland game and realised that Cross can actually scrummage and that Nel was unfairly given the nod over him.

[cakeordeath]

The warriors twitter feed said they are going to have some signing news tomorrow morning.

[tigertattie]

They've probably signed another NSQ player who isn't even tried and tested. Maybe they've signed hulk hogan as their new hooker

[George Carlin]

That line would score a try or six but they'd also leak a try or seven

Absolutely, but I'd still pay money to watch that.

[George Carlin]

The warriors twitter feed said they are going to have some signing news tomorrow morning.

They've probably signed up Lee Jones on a special 10 year deal.

[Captain_Sensible]

Glasgow signing news is a new deal for a Scottish internationalist already at the club.

[George Carlin]

Glasgow signing news is a new deal for a Scottish internationalist already at the club.

If it's the Rhubarb or Henners, then I'm not sure quite how I feel about that. Faintly nauseous, I think.

[RDW]

Lee Jones is a Scotland internationalist already at the club...

[Captain_Sensible]

I've no problem with Pyrgos staying. Decent back up, etc. I think Jackson needs to be moved on - the environment at Glasgow doesn't seem to be bringing out his best on a consistent basis (if such a thing is possible), and I'd like Weir to settle in as first choice with Russell as his deputy.

[Captain_Sensible]

Weir re-signs til 2016.

[cakeordeath]

Quite underwhelming

[George Carlin]

Although what it might (hopefully) mean is that Jackson is off, leaving Aaron Cruden, Duncar Weir and Finn Russell to contest for the 10 shirt. I would be happy with that.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

We be good to start brining in some new faces.

Euan Murray and the SH Stand Off are the two names being mentioned in the rumour mill at the moment. Although according to a link on the Glasgow fans forum we were reported as being interested in a TH from London Scottish.

As for Weir, it makes sense to sign one of him and Jackson. But to be honest, I have serious doubts that either are good enough 10s to take club or country to the much sought after "next level".

[RDW]

Good news on Weir, bit like Matt Scott there's no chance he was going to go anywhere else.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

We be good to start brining in some new faces.  

Euan Murray and the SH Stand Off are the two names being mentioned in the rumour mill at the moment.  Although according to a link on the Glasgow fans forum we were reported as being interested in a TH from London Scottish.

As for Weir, it makes sense to sign one of him and Jackson.  But to be honest, I have serious doubts that either are good enough 10s to take club or country to the much sought after "next level".

Tomas Francis - Exe are also talking to him

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

We be good to start brining in some new faces.  

Euan Murray and the SH Stand Off are the two names being mentioned in the rumour mill at the moment.  Although according to a link on the Glasgow fans forum we were reported as being interested in a TH from London Scottish.

As for Weir, it makes sense to sign one of him and Jackson.  But to be honest, I have serious doubts that either are good enough 10s to take club or country to the much sought after "next level".

Tomas Francis - Exe are also talking to him

Yeah, saw that on the report.

[MacKnocked-on]

We be good to start brining in some new faces.  

Euan Murray and the SH Stand Off are the two names being mentioned in the rumour mill at the moment.  Although according to a link on the Glasgow fans forum we were reported as being interested in a TH from London Scottish.

As for Weir, it makes sense to sign one of him and Jackson.  But to be honest, I have serious doubts that either are good enough 10s to take club or country to the much sought after "next level".

Tomas Francis - Exe are also talking to him

Is he SQ?

[VinceWLB]

Certainly not the best timing after what hapenned at the weekend but this is still quite underwhelming regardless.

[nickj]

Izak van der Westhuizen is heading back to South Africa to join the Eastern Province Kings. Bit of a shame, I was quite impressed by him.

[VinceWLB]

Izak van der Westhuizen is heading back to South Africa to join the Eastern Province Kings. Bit of a shame, I was quite impressed by him.

He was an improvement on Cox (but not by that much mind) but he certainly didn't have as big an impact as his former lock partner George Earle at the Scarlets.

[nickj]

You're right, but we're not left with that many other options at 4/5.

In a way I wonder why Hines wasn't brought in to add some serious steel alongside Gilchrist, while helping to coach / mentor the likes of the Toolis bros and McAlpine.

I'd imagine Perry Parker will be on his way soon, so that really only leaves Gilchrist, Atkins and Cox, backed up by the Toolis lads and McAlpine.

[George Carlin]

We be good to start brining in some new faces.  

Euan Murray and the SH Stand Off are the two names being mentioned in the rumour mill at the moment.  Although according to a link on the Glasgow fans forum we were reported as being interested in a TH from London Scottish.

As for Weir, it makes sense to sign one of him and Jackson.  But to be honest, I have serious doubts that either are good enough 10s to take club or country to the much sought after "next level".

Tomas Francis - Exe are also talking to him

Is he SQ?

Those crazy kids at Google say that he was born in England, so it would have to be through a relly.

More importantly though, he's 21 years old and 22 stones. Jaysus H almighty. That's a stone heavier than Cusack (albeit before the boy gets put through a professional conditioning programme). What do they feed them in Doncaster?

[VinceWLB]

You're right, but we're not left with that many other options at 4/5.

In a way I wonder why Hines wasn't brought in to add some serious steel alongside Gilchrist, while helping to coach / mentor the likes of the Toolis bros and McAlpine.

I'd imagine Perry Parker will be on his way soon, so that really only leaves Gilchrist, Atkins and Cox, backed up by the Toolis lads and McAlpine.

Looking at it i think VdW could be a loss, i would have offloaded Cox and Parker instead...

But Solomons's signings are quite good and he can bring in a good lock i think.

[MacKnocked-on]

You're right, but we're not left with that many other options at 4/5.

In a way I wonder why Hines wasn't brought in to add some serious steel alongside Gilchrist, while helping to coach / mentor the likes of the Toolis bros and McAlpine.

I'd imagine Perry Parker will be on his way soon, so that really only leaves Gilchrist, Atkins and Cox, backed up by the Toolis lads and McAlpine.

Looking at it i think VdW could be a loss, i would have offloaded Cox and Parker instead...

But Solomons's signings are quite good and he can bring in a good lock i think.

There are a few Scottish locks playing in England currently that Edinburgh could consider, if Solomons considers any of them good enough to improve the squad: McKenzie, Patrick, Tomes, Nimmo etc. Nick Campbell who left Glasgow last year looked to have promise in the few matches I saw him play.

[RDW]

VDV added a lot of physicality to the pack - shame to see him go.

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed on VDW, but he is replaceable. Atkins looks pretty decent, and we could always seek to tempt MacKenzie back.

[RDW]

Reading this morning that Geoff Cross, Rennie and De Luca are still waiting to be offered deals by Edinburgh.

I hope they don't all leave because that will be a big chunk of experience missing from the team, especially with Laidlaw going. Plus they are all Scottish internationalists who have been at the club all their careers - we don't want to lose the club's identity by losing these guys.

[Majestic83]

Reading this morning that Geoff Cross, Rennie and De Luca are still waiting to be offered deals by Edinburgh.

I hope they don't all leave because that will be a big chunk of experience missing from the team, especially with Laidlaw going. Plus they are all Scottish internationalists who have been at the club all their careers - we don't want to lose the club's identity by losing these guys.

Agreed would be a big mistake to let de Luca and cross go. Both very good players and also 2 players who have been at Edinburgh the longest. Could understand rennin leaving as the move to Bristol seems to have given him a fresh lease of life.

Also notice they are saying jon welsh could be leaving Glasgow. Surely a huge mistake by Townsend? Get a Welsh back to loose head and challenging ryan grant.

[George Carlin]

Gaah. Losing the man they call Angela would be a huge mistake.

None of our younger props like Reid or Hunter are close to his standard and the likes of Kalman shouldn't even be in the squad at all. Jerry Y has been very good too, but how long before he goes home? Would be moronic to lose Welsh - surely that wouldn't happen?

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Reading this morning that Geoff Cross, Rennie and De Luca are still waiting to be offered deals by Edinburgh.

I hope they don't all leave because that will be a big chunk of experience missing from the team, especially with Laidlaw going. Plus they are all Scottish internationalists who have been at the club all their careers - we don't want to lose the club's identity by losing these guys.

Agreed would be a big mistake to let de Luca and cross go. Both very good players and also 2 players who have been at Edinburgh the longest. Could understand rennin leaving as the move to Bristol seems to have given him a fresh lease of life.

Also notice they are saying jon welsh could be leaving Glasgow. Surely a huge mistake by Townsend? Get a Welsh back to loose head and challenging ryan grant.

Read that about Welsh, but he is under contract to 2015 as he signed a new two year deal last season.  Scotsman reports Jackson at this point has not been offered a new deal.

Wonder if these players are moved on, how much of it has to do with Cotter.  Has he indicated that they don't have a future as it stand in the Scotland side and he wants their squad places made available to others?  Possibly a few more, SQ imports?    

As long as those leaving all find decent clubs it does improve the player pool available too him.  Although it might at the same time hurt the pro teams.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Gaah. Losing the man they call Angela would be a huge mistake.

None of our younger props like Reid or Hunter are close to his standard and the likes of Kalman shouldn't even be in the squad at all. Jerry Y has been very good too, but how long before he goes home? Would be moronic to lose Welsh - surely that wouldn't happen?

Jerry is on a one year deal and I have to disagree, I don't think he has been very good to be honest. A decent enough prop for the Pro 12 but that is about it, mainly been used as a replacement this season.

I think Kalman is out of contract in the Summer so he might be one that moves on also.

[RDW]

Maybe there is a long term SRU strategy to ship out 2 of our top props to other teams so new players can come in and increase the player base at prop?

From a team point of view I really can't fathom why they would want to get rid of Cross and Angela.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Reading this morning that Geoff Cross, Rennie and De Luca are still waiting to be offered deals by Edinburgh.

I hope they don't all leave because that will be a big chunk of experience missing from the team, especially with Laidlaw going. Plus they are all Scottish internationalists who have been at the club all their careers - we don't want to lose the club's identity by losing these guys.

Agreed would be a big mistake to let de Luca and cross go. Both very good players and also 2 players who have been at Edinburgh the longest. Could understand rennin leaving as the move to Bristol seems to have given him a fresh lease of life.

Also notice they are saying jon welsh could be leaving Glasgow. Surely a huge mistake by Townsend? Get a Welsh back to loose head and challenging ryan grant.

Would love to see Rennie at Exeter - he would relish the high tempo game beloved of Rob Baxter. But you'd have to say that he'd be a gamble for any team given his injury history

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Maybe there is a long term SRU strategy top ship out 2 of our top props to other teams so new players can come in and increase the player base at prop?

From a team point of view I really can't fathom why they would want to get rid of Cross and Angela.

Obviosuly it depends on who they replace the Props with. But If its to increase the pool of props available, they would need to be replaced by SQ props.

[RDW]

Edinburgh have signed those two big Saffer props who are SQ, but they are still quite young and unproven. The under 20s world cup winning South African prop looks a good prospect though.

Cross might want to stick around if Solomons clearly doesn't rate him.

[RDW]

Sorry, one prop is a Kiwi - the huge tighthead. Alan Dell (Saffer) says he can play both sides but at under 18 stone he's probably more of a loosehead

[George Carlin]

Dorothy - I didn't suggest that Jerry was the lovechild of Carl Hayman and Olo Brown, but he's done a perfectly decent job for us.

Younger props like Gordon Reid, D'arcy Rae and Alex Allan plus newcomers like Tomas Francis (if he is in fact SQ) are all fine, but they need good SQ mentors. I am slightly worried about our front row for the future, especially on the tighthead side if Mr Cusack doesn't keep his body together to make it.

[George Carlin]

Edinburgh have signed those two big Saffer props who are SQ, but they are still quite young and unproven.  The under 20s world cup winning South African  prop looks a good prospect though.

Cross might want to stick around if Solomons clearly doesn't rate him

In the Wayne's World sense, is there a "not" missing?

[RDW]

Yes, yes there is!

[MacKnocked-on]

Not having a dig at the players involved but where does anyone think Jackson, De Luca, Welsh etc could realistically expect to play next season if they are to be leaving the Scottish teams? I read in the Scotsman that Jackson is looking for options in both France and England, be interesting to see what might happen. I think Welsh in particular would be a loss to the Scottish clubs but perhaps he needs to move to really fulfill his potential?

[RDW]

Yeah I do wonder which clubs would want these players. Rennie aside I can't see any of the others attracting clubs other than English and French teams lower in the leagues. You never know some of the Welsh teams might be interested in Cross and Angela.

Jackson to Gloucester so Laidlaw can stay at 9??

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Dorothy - I didn't suggest that Jerry was the lovechild of Carl Hayman and Olo Brown, but he's done a perfectly decent job for us.

Younger props like Gordon Reid, D'arcy Rae and Alex Allan plus newcomers like Tomas Francis (if he is in fact SQ) are all fine, but they need good SQ mentors. I am slightly worried about our front row for the future, especially on the tighthead side if Mr Cusack doesn't keep his body together to make it.

I am still hoping the Euan Murray story is true and that he is coming back to Glasgow, can't think of a better SQ prop to act as a mentor to the other guys, while still contributing on the park. Would also not mind Cross moving West!

I don't see Welsh moving so next season we are possiblty looking at, a couple of new props being added. With Ed, Moray and Jerry moving on.

[MacKnocked-on]

Yeah I do wonder which clubs would want these players.  Rennie aside I can't see any of the others attracting clubs other than English and French teams lower in the leagues. You never know some of the Welsh teams might be interested in Cross and Angela.

Jackson to Gloucester so Laidlaw can stay at 9??

Still hoping that Heathcote will leave Bath for regular game time so that makes two Scottish stand offs needing new clubs by the looks of it. Perhaps one of them might replace Godman at Newcastle?

[BigGee]

I think the reference to Welsh in the Scotsman article was a mistake (fancy that!). It is no longer in there and there is a reference to it in the Glasgow Supporters form where it says it was removed after early editions. He did sign a 2 year contract last year.

I would not be unhappy if the other three in the article, Jacko, Cross and de Luca all did move on. I think all three have been at their respective clubs for a good number of years and have plateaued. They are not going to get any better there and their careers are in danger of simply fading away. They have all potentially got plenty of good years left in them so take the chance to go elsewhere and re-invent themselves and maybe get back into international reckoning.

From the clubs point of view they need to move them on for the next generation to come through. Hoyland, Fyfe, Russell and the like all need game time as do the young props on Edinburgh's books. It is the reality about Scottish professional rugby, only having two teams, I'm afraid and we can't afford to be sentimental about it.

[RDW]

Off topic, but did anyone see Weir's unfortunate miss-spelling in one of his tweets yesterday?

"Delighted to have resigned for @GlasgowWarriors. Thanks for the messages! #WarriorNation"

Had to quickly say that he had re-signed, and had not in fact quit the club!

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Yeah I do wonder which clubs would want these players.  Rennie aside I can't see any of the others attracting clubs other than English and French teams lower in the leagues. You never know some of the Welsh teams might be interested in Cross and Angela.

Jackson to Gloucester so Laidlaw can stay at 9??

Can't see any of them going to any serious HC challangers that's for sure. Props by the nature of rotationa their position should be ok in finding decent gametime. But De Luca and in particular Jackson are going to struggle to get regular starting time at any decent level club.

Suppose the same argument could be made about Weir, further highlighting our Stand off issue. If he had not re-signed with Glasgow, based on his form over the past 2 years, where would he have gone (realistically) and walked into the starting job at 10?

[BigGee]

Yeah I do wonder which clubs would want these players.  Rennie aside I can't see any of the others attracting clubs other than English and French teams lower in the leagues. You never know some of the Welsh teams might be interested in Cross and Angela.

Jackson to Gloucester so Laidlaw can stay at 9??

I think Cross may well have put himself in the shop window after a very good performance on Saturday. There is always a market for a good tighthead.

Jackson and De Luca a bit harder to sell, but they are both international players and will interest someone, even if just seen as a squad player at first. It is up to them to push their cases after that.

[funnyExiledScot]

Edinburgh should definitely strive to keep Cross and NDL - both play an important role in our squad. Injury to Nel leaves us exposed, and NDL is still in our 1st XV in my opinion, albeit with a bit more competition coming through these days.

I'd hate to see Rennie go, he's absolutely top class, but equally I want to see him become the best player he can be for the sake of Scottish rugby, and if that means a move south to compete in the Aviva next season, then so be it. Roddy Grant is a fine player, Edinburgh through and through, and Hamish Watson has potential. Plus there's Leonardi and Coman who can cover at 7 if needed.

To be honest I'd be delighted if all three of Cross, Rennie and NDL re-signed.

[RDW]

To be honest I'd be delighted if all three of Cross, Rennie and NDL re-signed.

Absolutely.

The only Edinburgh player that I think everyone agrees needs to move on is Ford, but he seems to be the only one that is likely to stay at this stage!

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