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]

Absolutely

[TJ]

IMO the scots teams need good experienced players but not ones who are going to be involved in internationals unless scottish. We should be using young scots players where we can and decent quality non scots where we can't.

[tigertattie]

think its going to be a blend of older overseas players and young Scottish ones!

We're not in the position to attract top quality players at the moment so we will need to get who we can and then bolster the squad with youngsters!

Its good for the development of the young guys though! Just look at the Weegies! They, as the Welsh pundits like to tell us, don't have any "star players" but the team has developed as a squad!

Two years ago not another club would really be looking at the likes of:
Harley
Gray Jnr
Fusaro
Russell
Reid
Welsh
Bennett
Hogg
Horne
Dunbar

All they boys have grown together over the last two years with the likes of Shlong and the ruck inspector helping them along the way. Even look at Seymour, Ulster didnt keep him on, he came to Glasgow, he played games, he developed and now he is a Scotland cap!

This is what Edinburgh need to look at. Bringing together a group of young potential players and moulding them. go back 3 or 4 years and no one would have thought Glasgow would be the team they are at the moment!

[reallybored]

Some of the Edinburgh's recent signings have been positive in that regard with Heathcote, Ritchie, Hoyland, Farndale, Deans, Sutherland and Tait.

Then you've got Gilchrist, Denton, Kennedy, Scott, Fife, Brown and Tonks (McInally) all in the squad already, forming a good core of young Scottish guys who've had a couple seasons experience.

Plus Berghan and Dell are both young SQ props (and both are massive units).

What about Alex Grove as an option for 13? Still only 26, maybe not the greatest attacking centre but rock solid in defence and Worcester have been relegated.

Or Duncan Taylor from Sarries? Chance to get more game-time and force himself into RWC squad.

[George Carlin]

Duncan Taylor and Maxwell SG Evans would be the only two quality, unaccounted for, SQ shouts for a backline slot as far as I can see.

[RDW]

I'd happily take both, but if SG is playing Top 14 finals with Castres why would he come to Edinburgh!

Taylor could be persuaded though with the carrot being better chance of Scotland selection. He used to live near my girlfriend when they were kids so he's got Edinburgh ties too.

Also Grove recently signed a 2 year deal with Worcester.

[RDW]

Well Edinburgh descended into pre-pubescent chaos last night when 50,000 (well, 40,000 plus the 10,000 dads that had to take them) One Direction fans ascended on Murrayfield's hallow turf.

I hate to see that kind of 'musical' act at our National stadium, but it will have brought in a shed-load of cash for the SRU!

Our new sponsor will be happy too that the BT Murrayfield stadium got so much exposure.

[MacKnocked-on]

Well Edinburgh descended into pre-pubescent chaos last night when 50,000 (well, 40,000 plus the 10,000 dads that had to take them) One Direction fans ascended on Murrayfield's hallow turf.

I hate to see that kind of 'musical' act at our National stadium, but it will have brought in a shed-load of cash for the SRU!

Our new sponsor will be happy too that the BT Murrayfield stadium got so much exposure.

Lots of cash for the SRU I hope, and apparently the trams to Murrayfield coped perfectly with the huge crowd.

[George Carlin]

Well Edinburgh descended into pre-pubescent chaos last night when 50,000 (well, 40,000 plus the 10,000 dads that had to take them) One Direction fans ascended on Murrayfield's hallow turf.

I hate to see that kind of 'musical' act at our National stadium, but it will have brought in a shed-load of cash for the SRU!

Our new sponsor will be happy too that the BT Murrayfield stadium got so much exposure.

Lots of cash for the SRU I hope, and apparently the trams to Murrayfield coped perfectly with the huge crowd.

Perhaps because FES and Maj didn't park their kevlar plated Range Rovers in the tram lane this time.

[tigertattie]

Suffering fro ASBO repetition disorder there George!

[R!skysports]

Suffering fro ASBO repetition disorder there George!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I think GC may be suffering from palilalia, lads Be nice to him

[tigertattie]

do we need to be nice to you too?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Good lord, no

[George Carlin]

I think GC may be suffering from palilalia, lads   Be nice to him

[madmaccas]

So Ross Rennie will be playing in the English Championship next season, has to be international career over. Big gamble that hasn't paid off. What a waste

[alive555]

He needs to negotiate a release. there is no guarantee they will be promoted next season either.

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

He needs to negotiate a release. there is no guarantee they will be promoted next season either.

Going by what Bristol are saying, he (along with all their current signings and most of their new ones) doesn't have one in his contract which is odd that he wouldn't have insisited on one being included. Maybe he is not that fussed about playing for Scotland and is happy with the £s he is getting from Bristol, Premiership or no Premiership.

Glasgow to try and take him on loan?

[alive555]

He needs to negotiate a release. there is no guarantee they will be promoted next season either.

Going by what Bristol are saying, he (along with all their current signings and most of their new ones) doesn't have one in his contract which is odd that he wouldn't have insisited on one being included.  Maybe he is not that fussed about playing for Scotland and is happy with the £s he is getting from Bristol, Premiership or no Premiership.

Glasgow to try and take him on loan?

edinburgh would be more likely seeing as they know him and they need a flanker more than the weegies ? actually happens in football quite a lot whereby someone is signed and loaned back.

bascially its a sale and leaseback   

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

He needs to negotiate a release. there is no guarantee they will be promoted next season either.

Going by what Bristol are saying, he (along with all their current signings and most of their new ones) doesn't have one in his contract which is odd that he wouldn't have insisited on one being included.  Maybe he is not that fussed about playing for Scotland and is happy with the £s he is getting from Bristol, Premiership or no Premiership.

Glasgow to try and take him on loan?

edinburgh would be more likely seeing as they know him and they need a flanker more than the weegies ? actually happens in football quite a lot whereby someone is signed and loaned back.

bascially its a sale and leaseback   

Yes, but Edinburgh had him and let him go, why would they want him back, or why would he want to go there?

If he was to go on six month loan, bring him to Glasgow, allow him to compete for a place in team and the European competition.

[alive555]

He needs to negotiate a release. there is no guarantee they will be promoted next season either.

Going by what Bristol are saying, he (along with all their current signings and most of their new ones) doesn't have one in his contract which is odd that he wouldn't have insisited on one being included.  Maybe he is not that fussed about playing for Scotland and is happy with the £s he is getting from Bristol, Premiership or no Premiership.

Glasgow to try and take him on loan?

edinburgh would be more likely seeing as they know him and they need a flanker more than the weegies ? actually happens in football quite a lot whereby someone is signed and loaned back.

bascially its a sale and leaseback   

Yes, but Edinburgh had him and let him go, why would they want him back, or why would he want to go there?

If he was to go on six month loan, bring him to Glasgow, allow him to compete for a place in the European squad.

Purely because Glasgow have two great teams already and Edinburgh a 1/2 at most. Agree glasgow would work 100pc

[tigertattie]

What do you call an Edinburgh player who is likely to play for Scotland in the next 6ns?

A future glasgow signing!

[IanBru]

What do you call a Glasgow player who is unlikely to play for Scotland in the next 6ns?

Retired.

[justified sinner]

What's happening to the Edinburgh STs? I thought we were supposed to get an email today, but all quiet. I know that Solomons is in SA coaching the RW team for the weekend, but has the media guy gone with him?

[justified sinner]

Must be psychic, just received this

"To renew your membership!   We are also pleased to confirm that we will be playing at BT Murrayfield and our season ticket memberships prices for 2014/15 have been frozen from 2013/14.

This excellent value membership gets you fifteen top class matches: including a home pre-season friendly against top-flight English Premiership opposition to be played in the Borders, eleven highly competitive PRO12 league games and a further three exciting European Cup clashes.

We have also introduced a number of NEW choices for our members :
NEW Direct Debits- Take away the pain, release your wallet from the strain! You are now able to spread the cost of your season ticket over four equal monthly payments (only available by calling ticket office - 0131 346 5180)
NEW Young Person (born on or after 1 August 1992)
NEW Discounted Family Season tickets available! 
With all the thrills and spills of the season ahead to look forward to we are relishing the start of the season and would love to have you along for the ride!

Reserved season ticket members only: If you wish to renew your reserved seat and would like to keep your current seat, you have until Tuesday 1 July to do so. Simply call our ticket office to confirm: 0131 346 5180

To renew your season ticket simply click here   (please note this will not be live until 2pm FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2014)

Please read on for a letter from head coach Alan Solomons....
Dear Season ticket holder

Season ticket holders are the backbone of the Edinburgh Rugby support and as a season long supporter, you play an invaluable role in driving the club forward, as we represent Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders, Tayside and Fife in elite rugby competition.

Our vision is to build a sustainable club through the medium of our academy, and to grow an inspirational and winning rugby culture for current and future Scottish rugby players. Crucially, recruitment over the previous and close season, and the promotion of EDPs into the senior squad, means we have enough young Scots coming through to field close to a full Scottish U23 squad.

This is the future of Edinburgh Rugby and bodes very well for the future of this club, particularly when viewed in the context of our new-look leadership, which adds Grant Gilchrist, Matt Scott and David Denton to the likes of Alasdair Dickinson, Mike Coman, Ross Ford and Andries Strauss.

We believe this approach will help build an increasingly successful team in the RaboDirect PRO12 and European Cup competitions, and thus grow the intense and competitive environment for the nation's best, home-grown talent to develop and prosper. I believe that the players make the team, but the fans complete the club.

The supporters of Edinburgh Rugby made a fantastic contribution to our efforts on the field last season. Your continued support is central to the progress of this club - Hopefully you'll be with us next season as we continue to deliver on our shared vision for rugby in the east of Scotland.

Alan Solomons, Edinburgh Rugby head coach

[RDW]

Direct debit payment is tempting...

[justified sinner]

And home games at the BT Murrayfield. Go for it RDW, I'll be getting mine. No Murrayfield was the deal breaker for me, now that's secure I'm in.

[RDW]

The potential of Thursday night games in the challenge cup will put me off - might wait to see if it becomes a reality

[jimbopip]

It's early Sunday morning and I am a little bit bleary eyed due to a combination of watching Scotland live until silly o'clock and having a small sweet stout to celebrate the news....
Bigson is the rugby club's Most Improved Player of 2014.
             

[IanBru]

Outstanding Jim!

[jimbopip]

Thank you MrBru. By the way, I know it was very late, but when Champagne Max came on for Taylor I was amazed by how much he looks like ASBO ( a much younger ASBO mind).

[alexgmacdonald]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27756108

Hogg pledges future to Glasgow Warriors


Great news as a Glasgow fan   

[RDW]

“Unless you are aware of something I am not, then I will definitely be at Glasgow next season. Listen, all I can do is play my own game and that’s what I tried to do on Saturday night. There is no point in looking back, as long as I give my best for the team and do whatever I can, then I’ll be happy with that.”

"There is no point looking back" - an admission that he was looking to leave?

Either way, excellent news for all parties involved!

[George Carlin]

Hmm, maybe an admission he behaved like a bit of a plonker by courting other clubs and he is a bit contrite about it.

On other Glasgow news, well done to Jerry and Niko who were part of a Fiji team who beat Italy at the weekend. That's a big result for them. Big Naka did not feature for some reason?

[RDW]

Jeezo Italy really are having a bad time of it just now - down to 14th in the world rankings and losing to teams like Fiji fairly regularly now

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Happy that Hogg is staying for next season. Although will always be disappointed with the way he acted over the closing months of the season. He could have been the difference in the final, but had made himself unselectable.

Still we move on and he has lot to still give. It's only a few months before he can officially start talking to other teams about a move, so we have that to look forward to.

[BigGee]

Well he is young and has been a little foolish, but we have all been there and he does not deserve to be crucified for it. Lets hope things settle down now and he has learnt from the experience, who knows he may re-discover himself there next season and decide he wants to stay on.

If he does move on though that is fair enough as well, but he would be better going without burning any bridges and with everyones blessing at the end of a contract. That, like it or not, is always going to be the reality of Scottish professional rugby, some of our better players will be tempted off by more money than we can match. It just opens up the door to the next bright young thing to take their place!

[RDW]

Off topic, but should we be concerned by the lack of signing announcements at Edinburgh and Glasgow?

I thought they'd wait for nearer the season ticket selling time to announce the big signings, but we're past that now and still not much news...

[demosthenes]

Off topic, but should we be concerned by the lack of signing announcements at Edinburgh and Glasgow?

I thought they'd wait for nearer the season ticket selling time to announce the big signings, but we're past that now and still not much news...

Well, I don't think that Glasgow really need any big-name signings to encourage season ticket uptake. Edinburgh, on the other hand...?

[Manky-Flanker]

Think Glasgow will be in the market for some props. However, the lack of news might point to confidence in Cusack being back and raring to go next season. Glass half full and all that.

[funnyExiledScot]

What do you call a Glasgow player who is unlikely to play for Scotland in the next 6ns?

Retired The Messiah.

[funnyExiledScot]

I saw enough of Tonks in the 8 games he played at 10 to think he is the genuine long term future at 10 for Edinburgh.  Yes it may not turn out that way, and it is very early days, but he played very well, including some big games (including a big win in the HK down in Gloucester).

Toonie has shown though that you can rotate your players regularly and still get a lot out of them, so him and Heathcoat give us 2 good options.

With regards to Fife, I'm really not sure.  I actually think he's a better winger, as he doesn't quite have the power or rugby brain to play 13 well IMO, but I know FES will disagree.  It's also hard to tell how he'll do there as he hasn't played there much at all for Edinburgh.

However, given that our only other option is to play Matt Scott (12) at 13, I would be more than happy seeing Fife getting a run at 13!

Happy to oblige.

I think your last point is key. We're talking about Fife in the context of the Edinburgh squad. We have several young SQ quality wingers coming through, and a real gap in the centres. Matt Scott is an exciting talent at 12, and with NDL leaving we don't have a specialist 13. Strauss is a combative 12, but under no circumstances a 13 - he is unbearably slow. Fife is quick, elusive and does the basics really well. His first appearance for Edinburgh was in fact a try scoring debut at 13. I'm not bothered about his lack of power, more interested to know whether his distribution skills are up to it. That is the big unknown for my money.

I totally agree about Tonks being tested at 10, and the arrival of Heathcote changes nothing for my money. They should be the two frontline options for us next season at 10, and we should rotate in very much the same way as Toonie does at Glasgow. The real key is keeping Matt Scott at 12, as his allround ability in that role will assist both Tonks and Heathcote at 10, and give Edinburgh good attacking options in the midfield. Strauss is fine for back-up, and Solomons is keen to stress that he provides strong leadership within the squad (well he has to bring something to the party).

Now we need to sort the second row, which is looking horribly underpowered. That must be the priority. An openside flanker would be ideal as well, although we do have Grant and Watson in the squad, both specialists in that role, plus Solomons likes Du Preez at 7. I don't think we'll see a signing at 7 personally.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

With Kellock under the surgeon's knife and Ryder unlikely to be available for the start of the season, Glasgow will have just young Jonny, Swinson and Naka available as recognised locks - will we see them in the transfer market? Guess Ginger Bob or Jedi could fill in at a push?

[Majestic83]

I saw enough of Tonks in the 8 games he played at 10 to think he is the genuine long term future at 10 for Edinburgh.  Yes it may not turn out that way, and it is very early days, but he played very well, including some big games (including a big win in the HK down in Gloucester).

Toonie has shown though that you can rotate your players regularly and still get a lot out of them, so him and Heathcoat give us 2 good options.

With regards to Fife, I'm really not sure.  I actually think he's a better winger, as he doesn't quite have the power or rugby brain to play 13 well IMO, but I know FES will disagree.  It's also hard to tell how he'll do there as he hasn't played there much at all for Edinburgh.

However, given that our only other option is to play Matt Scott (12) at 13, I would be more than happy seeing Fife getting a run at 13!

Happy to oblige.

I think your last point is key. We're talking about Fife in the context of the Edinburgh squad. We have several young SQ quality wingers coming through, and a real gap in the centres. Matt Scott is an exciting talent at 12, and with NDL leaving we don't have a specialist 13. Strauss is a combative 12, but under no circumstances a 13 - he is unbearably slow. Fife is quick, elusive and does the basics really well. His first appearance for Edinburgh was in fact a try scoring debut at 13. I'm not bothered about his lack of power, more interested to know whether his distribution skills are up to it. That is the big unknown for my money.I totally agree about Tonks being tested at 10, and the arrival of Heathcote changes nothing for my money. They should be the two frontline options for us next season at 10, and we should rotate in very much the same way as Toonie does at Glasgow. The real key is keeping Matt Scott at 12, as his allround ability in that role will assist both Tonks and Heathcote at 10, and give Edinburgh good attacking options in the midfield. Strauss is fine for back-up, and Solomons is keen to stress that he provides strong leadership within the squad (well he has to bring something to the party).

Now we need to sort the second row, which is looking horribly underpowered. That must be the priority. An openside flanker would be ideal as well, although we do have Grant and Watson in the squad, both specialists in that role, plus Solomons likes Du Preez at 7. I don't think we'll see a signing at 7 personally.

Would prefer to see Fife kept on the wing as think he will make a far better winger than a 13, his speed and running angles would make him a dangerous runner at 13 but not sure his distribution skills are quite up to it.

[funnyExiledScot]

With Kellock under the surgeon's knife and Ryder unlikely to be available for the start of the season, Glasgow will have just young Jonny, Swinson and Naka available as recognised locks - will we see them in the transfer market?  Guess Ginger Bob or Jedi could fill in at a push?

To be fair Ryder and Kellock are your 4th and 5th choice locks in my book, so I'd hardly think that's cause for a new signing. Maybe a loan for cover might make sense, or bring through a youngster for a short spell. Harley could certain cover if needed, but he's cover so well at 6 these days I'd be loathe to mess him about.

What surgery is Kellock having? Are they attaching some cohones so that he can actually brave the odd ruck?

[RDW]

Again Edinburgh should have first dibs on a decent lock given we currently have Gilchrist and Atkins as our only frontline locks, and the Toolis brothers are only academy players.

Even if we sign this Bresler chap I'd still like another 2nd row.

[funnyExiledScot]

Would prefer to see Fife kept on the wing as think he will make a far better winger than a 13, his speed and running angles would make him a dangerous runner at 13 but not sure his distribution skills are quite up to it.

I do take the point - it's hard to know whether his handling and kicking skills will stand up to scrutiny at 13, but I come back to my previous point - who else is there? Atiga couldn't pass and/or kick a rugby ball, Strauss is like a slow version of Phil De Glanville in the centres - average to the core - and we shipped on NDL because he was Scottish. I'd love to sign Alex Grove but he's committed to Worcester. Max Evans' ability to get isolated at 13 was and is unprecedented (although again I'd sign him in a flash), and we could sign Duncan Taylor (if Sarries would part with him), but it would be odd to reject Fife at 13 because his distribution skills are an unknown quantity in that position, and then sign an alternative player in the role who makes Graeme Morrison look like Matt Giteau.

I'm sure Solomons will be able to unearth a dirty pebble (rather than a rough diamond) from South Africa somewhere. I'm sure there are plenty more military medium options like Strauss out there from which to choke off the possibility of developing Scottish talent, but I keep coming back to Dougie Fife. He's a good tackler, bags of pace and an elusive runner. Although he's not the biggest he never seems to be driven back, and seems to always make yards. I'd give him a crack at it. It will be fairly obvious after 2-3 games whether he has the raw materials or not.

Still, we all know what's coming. Strauss at 12 - splitting defences with his epic leadership - and Scott at 13 (the most talented 12 Scotland have had since John Leslie being used out of position).

[RDW]

Let's not forget we gave Dominguez (see Strauss/ Atiga/ De Glanville) a 2 year contract extension in December and he didn't play again for the rest of the season...

[funnyExiledScot]

Oh yes, Dominguez. Not really sure what he's for to be honest. I can barely remember what he looks like, let alone what he's like as a rugby player. Hard to imagine in what way he meets the (what should be) strict criteria for an NSQ signing, or in what way he adds more than King, Houston or NDL.

Great that he's earned a longer contract than Heathcote.

[BigGee]

Maybe Heaththcote did not want a longer contract. In another scenario he could easily spend a year up here and then go back to Bristol next year if they finally make it up!

A one year contract does seem odd, maybe both sides wanted to feel each other out before making a permanent committment! I hope it does work out for him, both for Edinburgh and potentially for Scotland, he most definitely is a good player.

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