Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread III

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Historical Banter:

https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
 
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
 
Sat 15 Feb 17:00
Connacht Rugby 11 - 7 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sat 22 Feb 14:30
Scarlets 25 - 21 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 28 Feb 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby 31 - 25 Ospreys
 
Fri 21 Mar 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 3 - 9 Ulster Rugby
 
Sat 29 Mar 19:00
Benetton Treviso 20 - 16 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Thu 3 Apr 18:30
Newport Gwent Dragons 19 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 11 Apr 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 22 - 29 Cardiff Blues
 
Sat 19 Apr 15:30
Zebre 26 - 13 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sat 26 Apr 19:05
Glasgow Warriors 37 - 34 Edinburgh Rugby
 
3. 2013/2014 Season - Final Games
 
Sat 3 May 17:00
Edinburgh Rugby v Munster Rugby
Meggetland
BBCALBA/TG4
 
Sat 10 May 18:30
Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
Royal Dublin Society
 
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
 
Sun 9 Feb 14:00
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 6 Connacht Rugby
 
Sat 15 Feb 18:30
Cardiff Blues 20 - 27 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sun 23 Feb 14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons 24 - 23 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 1 Mar 20:30
Leinster Rugby 28 - 25 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 22 Mar 18:30
Glasgow Warriors 14 - 6 Scarlets
 
Fri 28 Mar 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 11 - 9 Ospreys
 
Fri 4 Apr 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 29 - 10 Benetton Treviso
 
Sat 12 Apr 18:30
Munster Rugby 5 - 22 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 18 Apr 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 27 - 9 Ulster Rugby
 
Sat 26 Apr 19:05
Glasgow Warriors 37 - 34 Edinburgh Rugby
 
3. 2013/2014 Season - Final Games
 
Fri 2 May 20:00
Benetton Treviso v Glasgow Warriors
Stadio Monigo
Mediast/ALBA
 
Sat 10 May 18:30
Glasgow Warriors v Zebre
Scotstoun Stadium
 
[16/17/18 May
PO Semi Final
[tbc] v [tbc]
Venue TBA]
 
[Sat 31 May
PO Final
[tbc] v [tbc]
Venue TBA]
 
***
 
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.

[RDW]

Will Glasgow need another 10 then, or will Weir, Russell and Horne be enough?

Edinburgh definitely have first dibs on a quality 10!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Will Glasgow need another 10 then, or will Weir, Russell and Horne be enough?

Edinburgh definitely have first dibs on a quality 10!

No, you have Tonks - he is the new

Glasgow now have first dibs on all players

[Notch]

The Weegies confirm the departures of Scott Wight, Ed Kalman and Finlay Gillies

Based on what I've seen this season Embra should give him a look.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

The Weegies confirm the departures of Scott Wight, Ed Kalman and Finlay Gillies

Based on what I've seen this season Embra should give him a look.

Hopefully he will get a 7s deal. I don't think he is good enough to be pro level 10 and at his age, can't see it ever happening.

Glasgow might sign a FH as cover but he will either be a young guy or on NSQ journeyman type who can cover a few backline positions.

Shame that Ed Kalman had to retire a very good clubman and who was playing the best rugby of his pro life before the injuries. Can see us signing another experienced TH, especially with Cusacks ongoing issues.

[MacKnocked-on]

I'd absolutely love it if Matty Russell switched codes - oodles of talent that kid has.

Agree, really top player in the RL World Cup, his game reminds me of Matawalu's in many respects; really fast, good feet and an excellent support runner and he is of course SQ. Don't think that his League deal at Warrington will be massively lucrative so no reason for the SRU to not seriously consider offering him a deal.

[RDW]

Rugbydump have just tweeted that the SRU have sold the naming rights of Murrayfield to BT sport for £20 million.

Have absolutely no idea if this is true, but given that everyone will just call it Murrayfield anyway I'd happily take £20 million for it to be called 'BT Sport Murrayfield stadium' or whatever!

[EWT Spoons]

Scotsman have the same chat

BT Sport Murrayfield

[EWT Spoons]

Here it is without having to click on the link

SCOTTISH rugby chiefs are set to sell the naming rights to Murrayfield stadium to telecommunications firm BT in a £20 million deal, it has been revealed.


The agreement would see the SRU’s debt of £11 million wiped out, while providing a boost for Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors by allowing them funding to strengthen their squads in time for next season.

BT will also have their name on the Scotland jersey in the long term, with the BT Sport Stadium, the BT Sport Murrayfield Stadium and BT Murrayfield Stadium just three of the names under consideration.

SRU boss Mark Dodson, and commercial operations chief Dominic McKay have been working behind the scenes to strike the deal, following BT’s foray into the sporting world with their TV channels.

The SRU also revealed last year that BT Sport would be shirt sponsor for both Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of a four-year bumper sponsorship deal.

Both clubs displayed the logo on their shirts during the Heineken Cup and the RaboDirect PRO12 competitions.

As part of the deal to rename Murrayfield, BT are also expected to try and encourage the stadium to be used for other events, including music concerts, with One Direction set to perform in the summer.

Celtic will also use the stadium for their Champions League qualifier in July, due to Celtic Park’s use for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

[George Carlin]

I have absolutely no problems with this.
If it wipes out the famous SRU Debt, then it's easy money that I'm surprised has taken this long to be cashed in.

Could have been a lot worse. Tampax Murrayfield, anyone?

[RDW]

Looks legit then.

I think it is brilliant news if true - like it or not this is the commercial world we live in now, and £20 million is an enormous sum that could achieve a lot:

- Wipe out the debt
- Invest in youth rugby
- Get Edinburgh a new stadium
- Invest in a 3rd pro team eventually
- Sign Dan Carter for Edinburgh

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I have absolutely no problems with this.
If it wipes out the famous SRU Debt, then it's easy money that I'm surprised has taken this long to be cashed in.

Could have been a lot worse. Tampax Murrayfield, anyone?

Surely that's only when Edinbokke are playing?

[EWT Spoons]

I’ve no problem with this whatsoever and I agree with what others have said that this seems to make total sense.  The debt has always been used as an excuse for not doing things in Scottish rugby, hopefully now we can move on and start to invest in youth rugby.

£9m in the black is certainly a far nicer place to be than £11m in the red.

They get a lot of criticism, but the SRU have done well here and I hope they continue to make the right decisions about how they are going to spend the money for the good of the game.

Actually I was just thinking, McKie was brought in to help reduce the debt, but so far Dodson has got a new pitch, part funded by Celtic apparently, which can be used far more than the previous surface, and if this happens, wiped out the debt and made a profit of £9m, as well as getting a significant shirt sponsorship deal for Glasgow and Edinburgh.  Which leads me to ask, what was the point in McKie?!  I mean sure BT weren’t chucking round the cash back in his time, but surely some other gullible…I mean canny investor, could have been persuaded.

[nickj]

I think this almost vindicates the decision to bring Dodson in. Beyond winning the RWC, he's done what he said he'd do. He was always positioned as the commercial guy, who could bring in investment. He has done that. I didn't agree with his decision to 'promote' Johnson, but in terms of the finances, he's done what he said he'd do. He gets a whole lot of stick, but this news should be applauded by everyone in Scottish rugby. Having said that I do wonder whether we could have got a bit more? Arsenal's deal for the Emirates was around £150 million for 5 years. I'm not saying we match Arsenal's pull and international status but... How long is our deal?

[George Carlin]

I have absolutely no problems with this.
If it wipes out the famous SRU Debt, then it's easy money that I'm surprised has taken this long to be cashed in.

Could have been a lot worse. Tampax Murrayfield, anyone?

Surely that's only when Edinbokke are playing?

Edinburgh are thoroughly absorbant.

[funnyExiledScot]

I have absolutely no problems with this.
If it wipes out the famous SRU Debt, then it's easy money that I'm surprised has taken this long to be cashed in.

Could have been a lot worse. Tampax Murrayfield, anyone?

Surely that's only when Edinbokke are playing?

Edinburgh are thoroughly absorbant.

Really? Our defence certainly isn't. If you fashioned a "ladies product" based on the Edinburgh defence it would be pretty unsightly.

If the press reports are true, then this looks like a sensible deal to me.

[George Carlin]

I think this almost vindicates the decision to bring Dodson in. Beyond winning the RWC, he's done what he said he'd do. He was always positioned as the commercial guy, who could bring in investment. He has done that. I didn't agree with his decision to 'promote' Johnson, but in terms of the finances, he's done what he said he'd do. He gets a whole lot of stick, but this news should be applauded by everyone in Scottish rugby. Having said that I do wonder whether we could have got a bit more? Arsenal's deal for the Emirates was around £150 million for 5 years. I'm not saying we match Arsenal's pull and international status but... How long is our deal?

Fair point. Hootsmon doesn't say how long the deal is for but I would think that it might be 4 years to match the shirts deal. Tempting though it is, I don't think we can compare to what one of the best teams in the world's most popular sport in the world's most lucrative league got paid for their stadium.

I am just delighted that a team whose international form has been so stinky in recent years is getting paid anything. I agree with the view that Dodson should be applauded. The Macron deal was worth a lot of money and this is a good job.

[Manky-Flanker]

How long before someone asks Dodson about the fabled 3rd team, citing this new injection of cash from the Murrayfield renaming.

[tigertattie]

Can we get a couple of grand from this deal to buy some socks to ram into the mouths of all the plums who want a 3rd pro team?

We now have £9m to invest. Hopefully the SRU invest wisely in such things as youth rugby, rugby for the youth and grassroots rugby.

[nickj]

The Edinburgh Evening news is claiming that a lot more Edinburgh players will be soon out the door.  That would be quite worrying if true given how short we are in some positions, and I'm not sure how accurate it is anyway given that most players left in the squad are still in contract.

In terms of signings, they reiterated the Bresler signing and also said another back row is on his way.

Most interestingly though they said a Scots qualified wing/fullback is being scouted - wonder who that could be?

Please please please let it not be some ITM/Currie Cup journeyman winger.

I can't find this article RDW, would you mind popping a link over?

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

It's certainly very good news. Getting the debt wiped out is great and the savings alone from servicing the debt should be make a big difference.

With £9m left, I would expect to see the Pro teams squads helped out a bit, but with around £1m a year extra and lots other areas of need besides the Pro Teams. I see the funding has help to strengthen the squads, rather than revolutionise them.

As for a 3rd Pro team, this money is nowhere near close to the amount needed to get one up and running. But it could help bring forward the planning of establishing one.

Lets hope they don't squander this cash and I hope lots of it is used in player Development.

I think McKie deserves some credit for this deal. During his reign he knocked back sponsorship offers as he believed they were way below market value and cheapened the Brand. Had he followed the "some deal is better than no deal" approach so many were saying, while having a go at him. I wonder if we would have ended up with such a deal with BT.

[madmaccas]

I think McKie deserves some credit for this deal.  During his reign he knocked back sponsorship offers as he believed they were way below market value and cheapened the Brand.   Had he followed the "some deal is better than no deal" approach so many were saying, while having a go at him.  I wonder if we would have ended up with such a deal with BT.

McKie certainly deserves something for what he did to our sport, just not sure it's credit. Kick in the knackers?

[tigertattie]

or a dinner date with Scott Johnson?

[reallybored]

McKie isn't popular but the pro-teams wouldn't be in the financial position they are today without him.

He was hired to steady the ship, plug the holes and get us back on the right course. He did that.

[RDW]

The Edinburgh Evening news is claiming that a lot more Edinburgh players will be soon out the door.  That would be quite worrying if true given how short we are in some positions, and I'm not sure how accurate it is anyway given that most players left in the squad are still in contract.

In terms of signings, they reiterated the Bresler signing and also said another back row is on his way.

Most interestingly though they said a Scots qualified wing/fullback is being scouted - wonder who that could be?

Please please please let it not be some ITM/Currie Cup journeyman winger.

I can't find this article RDW, would you mind popping a link over?

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/parker-penned-in-for-titans-as-edinburgh-release-nine-1-3408864

[madmaccas]

McKie isn't popular but the pro-teams wouldn't be in the financial position they are today without him.

He was hired to steady the ship, plug the holes and get us back on the right course.  He did that.

This is true. I do think he went too far though and cut off too much healthy flesh in his efforts to reduce costs.

He also turned down approaches from AAM to start a pro team in Aberdeen and from all reports wouldn't even answer the phone to London Scottish.

[Guest]

            

As an ex-economist all I can say is     debt is a cruel drain on any administration and being in it, structurally, has always made me a worried fan. As people say, with it being used cleverly - pumped into the long-term structure of Scottish rugby and not short-term gains like too many marquee NSQ signings (or for that matter too expensive marquee SQ signings) - and bearing in mind BT will presumably want to see good results come from this - this is very positive news.

In fact, for me this is better news than Maitland signing, Russell becoming good and Scott Johnson getting a haircut (hypothetical that one) combined.

Question is, can they maintain a tight ship? It's easy to be frugal when you have no money but when you have an influx it's very easy to stop being so selective in what you are spending and why. Everyone - without exception - has fallen foul before.

[tigertattie]

McKie isn't popular but the pro-teams wouldn't be in the financial position they are today without him.

He was hired to steady the ship, plug the holes and get us back on the right course.  He did that.

This is true. I do think he went too far though and cut off too much healthy flesh in his efforts to reduce costs.

He also turned down approaches from AAM to start a pro team in Aberdeen and from all reports wouldn't even answer the phone to London Scottish.

AAM were not going to fund the start up of an Aberdeen Pro team, they were willing to sponsor them.  The difference between starting a new team and sponsoring one is about £15m

[George Carlin]

I'm assuming that having saved all that dosh, Dodson isn't going to spend it all on wine gums and prostitutes.

[RDW]

Or a pay rise for SJ.

Or Dan Parks to come back as tackling and attack coach.

Or even more fireworks at Scotland games.

[Guest]

Or a pay rise for SJ.

Or Dan Parks to come back as tackling and attack coach.

Or even more fireworks at Scotland games.

Doing the converse is actually the second quickest way to save money I'm sure.

[RDW]

Yeah but why would people come to Murrayfield if it wasn't for fireworks off the pitch?

We certainly aren't getting fireworks on it!   

I'll get my coat.   

[tigertattie]

[tigertattie]

Now that we've managed to get "that" thread locked down, we can get back to the proper banter thread again  

[RDW]

The 7s squad for the Commonwealth games will be announced soon.  Probably fair to say we're going to see Vernon, Wight, Eddie, De Luca, Bennet and Jones in there.

I've got tickets for the final session so hopefully a decent squad will stand us a chance of another semi final! Just a shame all the decent rugby teams are in the bloody Commonwealth...!  

[RDW]

7s squad

[TJ]

I like the look of that squad. NO shortage of pace and a fair bit of muscle too with Shlong for some experience

[George Carlin]

7s squad

I couldn't read this remotely, so here's the squad the old fasioned way:

Richie Vernon, James Eddie (both Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone (Scotland 7s), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Riddell, Colin Shaw (both Scotland 7s), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor, Scott Wight (both Scotland 7s), Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont and Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors).

Unavailable for selection: Jack Cuthbert (knee) (Edinburgh Rugby), Russell Weir (knee), John Houston (neck), Michael Fedo (knee) (all Scotland 7s)

[George Carlin]

I'm not sure I'm happy letting either Bennett or Seymour run around with 7s when we've got IRB ranking points to win.
But then again,

Incidentally, WTF is Suspiciously Old Scott doing there instead of Nick De Luca, who was excellent in the last round of the World Sevens?

[funnyExiledScot]

It's a good squad. Lamont and Vernon will be handy, as will be Seymour, plus Gregor, Jones and Bennett are class acts at 7s.

Odd for my money that Bennett isn't with the XVs on tour, particularly with Matt Scott out, and so you'd assume Dunbar might be used at 12. The main centres in the squad are Horne, Dunbar and Taylor, and you'd think Bennett could make a decent case for starting in the 13 jersey.

[RDW]

So a team of

Lamont
Eddie
Vernon

Gregor
Wight
Bennett
Jones

With Seymour and Grant coming off the bench - pretty good!

Although Roddy Grant is a bit slow for 7s...

[Guest]

Are the Scotland boys in training already? Isn't there a matter of a little final to settle next week first?

[RDW]

So a team of

Lamont
Eddie
Vernon

Gregor
Wight
Bennett
Jones

With Seymour and Grant coming off the bench - pretty good!

Although Roddy Grant is a bit slow for 7s...

Actually I'd put Jones at scrummy, shift Gregor to stand off and put Seymour on the wing. That would be a frighteningly fast back line!

[George Carlin]

7s squad

This picture raises a number of pertinent queries:
1a. Is Budgie really posing next to a series of stuffed animals?
1b. If yes, how does having one's arse apparently eaten by a bear relate to sevens rugby? Or any rugby, in fact?
2. Is this Gordon McKie's house?
3. What has the SRU marketing team been smoking?
4. Are they aware that we aren't sponsored by Canterbury any more?
5. Why is the stag kissing the fish?

[RDW]

7s squad

This picture raises a number of pertinent queries:
1a. Is Budgie really posing next to a series of stuffed animals?
1b. If yes, how does having one's arse apparently eaten by a bear relate to sevens rugby? Or any rugby, in fact?
2. Is this Gordon McKie's house?
3. What has the SRU marketing team been smoking?
4. Are they aware that we aren't sponsored by Canterbury any more?
5. Why is the stag kissing the fish?

  

I'm pretty sure that was shot ages ago at the Kelvingrove or something like that.

[RDW]

Reckon it is just a coincidence that the new 7s top looks awfully Rangers-esque?



https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/469082042433810432/photo/1

[George Carlin]

Glasgow's own awards ceremony last night. Did anyone from these boards attend?

Player of the Season for 2013/14 - Rob Harley
Coaches Award - James Eddie
Try of the Season - Tommy Seymour, 3rd try against Benetton Treviso
Test Player of the Season - Alex Dunbar
Most Improved Player of the Season - Gordon Reid
Players' Player of the Season - Jonny Gray
Young Player of the Season - Finn Russell
Most Potty Mouthed Fan - 21st Century Schizoid Man

Well done to all of the above.

[RDW]

Glasgow's own awards ceremony last night. Did anyone from these boards attend?

Player of the Season for 2013/14 - Rob Harley
Coaches Award - James Eddie
Try of the Season - Tommy Seymour, 3rd try against Benetton Treviso
Test Player of the Season - Alex Dunbar
Most Improved Player of the Season - Gordon Reid
Players' Player of the Season - Jonny Gray
Young Player of the Season - Finn Russell
Most Potty Mouthed Fan - 21st Century Schizoid Man

Well done to all of the above.

I hear it was a landslide vote!   

In other news Edinburgh are apparently announcing a 'good piece of business' today...no more info.

[tigertattie]

In other news Edinburgh are apparently announcing a 'good piece of business' today...no more info.

Dont get too carried away! I'll be that they have re-signed the contract for the outside catering to continue charging you £5 for a tasteless burger and £4 for a watery cup of "tea"

[RDW]

Or that the match day tickets have gone up to £25/30 on the day, due to the overwhelmingly good season we had.

[RDW]

It's a new signing...

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