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.

[George Carlin]

Shame - I always really rated Houston - I thought that he was good.

Happy that Wight is continuing to play rugby for a living, but similarly happy that he is nowhere near the Glasgow team now. He didn't ever really let anyone down but in comparison to other members of the Glasgow team he was stunningly average and stood out like a banana in a bunch of grapes. With Russell, Weir and Robbie Robinson* competing for the shirt, there really is no need for him.

* In my head.

[funnyExiledScot]

Given how Glasgow have improved in the last few years it sends the right message to be setting a minimum standard of player for the squad, and Scott Wight fell short. If you ask yourself whether Leinster or Ulster would sign him, you'd clearly be saying no. That's where Glasgow now need to be thinking.

[Majestic83]

On the topic of Al Dickinson, it would appear from Twitter that his girlfriend/wife is a body builder!

So if you like women that can beat you in an arm wrestle and are head to toe orange from fake tan, give her a follow!

When I used to go to David Lloyds near the gyle after work Al and his girlfriend used to be in there most nights training. She was certainly very easy on the eye and caused quite a few guys to nearly fall off the running machines from being too distracted!!

[madmaccas]

London Scottish have signed for props including former Warrior and Leinster player Ben Prescott and Newcastle Falcons prop James Hallam.

http://www.londonscottish.com/news/4271.php

[funnyExiledScot]

Sounds like LS are planning well for next season. I must plan a few business trips to London to coincide with LS home fixtures - always enjoyed going down to Richmond to watch.

[madmaccas]

Sounds like LS are planning well for next season. I must plan a few business trips to London to coincide with LS home fixtures - always enjoyed going down to Richmond to watch.

Give us a shout if you do, it's a good social club.

Yeah it looks to be a pretty good mix of your guys like Jamie Stevenson, Lee Millar and speedsters Miles Mantella and Matt Williams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Gf1c5yJXI) - with the older boys like Neil Best, Mark Bright and now Ben Prescott.

Every season they seem to be getting better and better, having beaten every side bar Bristol this season (including newly promoted London Welsh) they were unlucky to finish just outside the play off spots in 5th.

Good to see that Glasgow will be heading down, Buckland said that he and Townsend are developing a good relationship - so may see some fringe players sent there for game time and vice versa in cases of injuries.

[funnyExiledScot]

Will do madmaccas. We had a great 606 gathering for the LS annual dinner a few years back, organised by ASBO. Sat next to Finlay Calder's boy - good bloke.

Well given that Glasgow are in sore need of some props, perhaps the relationship between Toonie and Buckland could be extremely beneficial given these new signings.

With the signing of Mike Cusack Glasgow proved that Championship players can adapt well to the Rabo. Sure, he needed a bit of conditioning work, but the Championship is a hard league with some pretty mean veteran forwards on the circuit.

Lee Millar is certainly going to be one to keep a continued eye on. Any SQ player who can simultaneously run fairly quickly and pass a ball with a certain degree of accuracy isn't far from an international call-up!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Will do madmaccas. We had a great 606 gathering for the LS annual dinner a few years back, organised by ASBO. Sat next to FinlayJim Calder's boy - good bloke.

Well given that Glasgow are in sore need of some props, perhaps the relationship between Toonie and Buckland could be extremely beneficial given these new signings.

With the signing of Mike Cusack Glasgow proved that Championship players can adapt well to the Rabo. Sure, he needed a bit of conditioning work, but the Championship is a hard league with some pretty mean veteran forwards on the circuit.

Lee Millar is certainly going to be one to keep a continued eye on. Any SQ player who can simultaneously run fairly quickly and pass a ball with a certain degree of accuracy isn't far from an international call-up!

Fixed that for you - no charge on this occasion cos yer pool boy is a hottie and I feel sorry for ye

[funnyExiledScot]

Ooops - easy mistake.....I was pretty hammered by the end of the evening I seem to recall.....

Kind of you not to charge. I'm saving up in the event of the economic apocalypse occuring north of the border in September.

Oh, and you and Schizoid really should be nicer to poor JK Rowling....

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Ooops - easy mistake.....I was pretty hammered by the end of the evening I seem to recall.....

Kind of you not to charge. I'm saving up in the event of the economic apocalypse occuring north of the border in September.

Oh, and you and Schizoid really should be nicer to poor JK Rowling....

Ha, ha, oh yeah, those vile cyber-nats!! Think this reply said it all to me: http://nationalcollective.com/2014/06/11/an-open-letter-to-j-k-rowling/ - a message of hope triumphing over fear

[funnyExiledScot]

The response talks about the huge risks of independence and how foolish it would be not to appreciate these. You ought to forward that to the separatist campaign....

[RDW]

 

[RDW]

Well as it's Friday, here are some of the brilliant tweets from Vern Cotter himself on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/vern_cotter

Not one straight lineout so far. #BRAvCRO

When the front row heard pie rations had stopped there were mixed emotions…

Gordy:Dismayed
Geoff: Cross
&
Moray: Low

#ImHereAllWeekFolks

When I gave Kelly the No7 jersey it raised a few eyebrows.

I say “a few”, really it’s just one massive one.

After team announcement I found young Bennett outside, a 1,000-yard stare in his eyes & a look on his face that said “I’ll show you”.

Good.

World Cup!!?
Thought that was next year?
Flamin’ jessies.

Told guys MOMENTUM =QUICK BALL
and QUICK BALL =MOMENTUM, which is a catch 22.

Hoggy, miffed, said he's the one who normally catches in 22.

Breakfast time in camp

Kelly: porridge
Girth: porridge
Johnnie: porridge
Maitland: muesli
Lawson: lorne sausage and a tin of Irn-Bru

Greeg's ready for bed.
Wee man's adamant he's brushed his teeth.
Will pop head in to make sure he's settled soon.

The boys let Hoggy sit at the back of the bus as reward for his try tonight.
He's ecstatic but tired.
Fell asleep reading the Beano.

VC

Retweet if you think I'm doing a good job so far @Scotlandteam

Do it.

Do it now.

Scott Newlands

too early to say but you've definitely made my twitter feed a bit more exciting

VC

You’re still not getting a cap.

[Majestic83]

Well as it's Friday, here are some of the brilliant tweets from Vern Cotter himself on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/vern_cotter

Not one straight lineout so far. #BRAvCRO

When the front row heard pie rations had stopped there were mixed emotions…

Gordy:Dismayed
Geoff: Cross
&
Moray: Low

#ImHereAllWeekFolks

When I gave Kelly the No7 jersey it raised a few eyebrows.

I say “a few”, really it’s just one massive one.

After team announcement I found young Bennett outside, a 1,000-yard stare in his eyes & a look on his face that said “I’ll show you”.

Good.

World Cup!!?
Thought that was next year?
Flamin’ jessies.

Told guys MOMENTUM =QUICK BALL
and QUICK BALL =MOMENTUM, which is a catch 22.

Hoggy, miffed, said he's the one who normally catches in 22.

Breakfast time in camp

Kelly: porridge
Girth: porridge
Johnnie: porridge
Maitland: muesli
Lawson: lorne sausage and a tin of Irn-Bru

Greeg's ready for bed.
Wee man's adamant he's brushed his teeth.
Will pop head in to make sure he's settled soon.

The boys let Hoggy sit at the back of the bus as reward for his try tonight.
He's ecstatic but tired.
Fell asleep reading the Beano.

VC

Retweet if you think I'm doing a good job so far @Scotlandteam

Do it.

Do it now.

Scott Newlands

too early to say but you've definitely made my twitter feed a bit more exciting

VC

You’re still not getting a cap.

My favourite out of those ones is the reply to Scott Newlands. Fair play to Newlands he had a laugh about it later on on his twitter!

[RDW]

Lawson: lorne sausage and a tin of Irn-Bru

Was my personal favourite!

Fair play to the guy running it - he's very good!

[George Carlin]

Hogg "fell asleep reading the Beano".
Very good.

[R!skysports]

Very funny parody site

Is it actually FES and his now sacked butler writing it

[George Carlin]

Not strictly a Glasgow/Edinburgh story but I did notice this on the Beeb:

Scottish teams withdrawn from British & Irish Cup

Scottish Rugby has announced that the top four Premiership clubs from last season will not compete in the upcoming British and Irish Cup.

Ayr, Heriot's, Gala and Melrose had qualified for the 2014-15 tournament.

But changes to the cup would require teams to play six of their fixtures before Christmas and Scottish Rugby believes this would "compromise the integrity" of the Premiership, its "flagship club competition".

"Discussions over the competition structure have been difficult and protracted, and we have done everything in our power to try to influence a solution that would meet the needs of all participants," said Scottish Rugby director of rugby operations Colin Thomson.

"Regrettably, this has not been achieved and the B&I Cup pool dates have been set for two blocks of three fixtures either side of the autumn international window.

"Given this, we simply could not support six B&I cup games in the first half of the season as this would have a significant impact on the integrity of our own Premiership competition.

"Scottish Rugby will continue to work with its clubs to find suitable cross-border opportunities."

Ayr president Billy McHarg added: "It's disappointing this decision has been reached. But, as far as Ayr are concerned, we just need to get on with it.

"The B&I Cup was an important tournament for building the quality of teams and raising playing standards at Ayr, particularly reaching the quarter-finals against Bristol three years ago and notable wins against Ulster and Jersey this season."

That's a real shame, actually. Typically at least half of our teams were wildly uncompetitive but for the others it really did provide a good taster of what awaited them at the game's higher levels.

Do we really think that this is just about scheduling or is there more happening behind the scenes?

[RDW]

Sounds like we were bullied out of it.

The other nations wanted an earlier final, and the only way to do that would be to reduce the teams or play more games earlier in the season.

Credit to the SRU for standing strong, but it is probably a sad reality that they knew they couldn't reorganize the season to accommodate this cup as that would require buy in from the clubs, and they can't agree on anything!

It's a real shame - this cup was the start of the link between amateur and pro.

[justified sinner]

Looks like this has been screwed by the clubs refusing to move, again. Can't help help feeling it's a missed opportunity though. It would have been good to enter Edinburgh and Glasgow A much as the Irish do. At least that would have given some fringe players more game time. That may not have fitted into the bigger picture though, number of clubs, etc.

[jimbopip]

Ola lads, so if any of you are heading down to that London for the Warriors London Scotch match let me know. I may be hatching a cunning plan.

[BigGee]

Looks like this has been screwed by the clubs refusing to move, again. Can't help help feeling it's a missed opportunity though. It would have been good to enter Edinburgh and Glasgow A much as the Irish do. At least that would have given some fringe players more game time. That may not have fitted into the bigger picture though, number of clubs, etc.

If we are ever going to get back into this competition then surely it must be as Glasgow and Edinburgh reserve teams as the Irish do. Good club players could be drafted in to make up the numbers and expose them to some higher level rugby, it also deals with the issues of some of the fringe pros getting some meaningful game time.. With this new format the English championship teams will be taking it more seriously and it would only result in bigger miss matches with our clubs. I think we have to accept that it is a professional/semi professional competition now.

I can see why they did not want to take 6 weeks out before Christmas, it really would kill the league and a decent league structure has got to be a part of the future for Scottish rugby!

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Looks like this has been screwed by the clubs refusing to move, again. Can't help help feeling it's a missed opportunity though. It would have been good to enter Edinburgh and Glasgow A much as the Irish do. At least that would have given some fringe players more game time. That may not have fitted into the bigger picture though, number of clubs, etc.

If we are ever going to get back into this competition then surely it must be as Glasgow and Edinburgh reserve teams as the Irish do. Good club players could be drafted in to make up the numbers and expose them to some higher level rugby, it also deals with the issues of some of the fringe pros getting some meaningful game time.. With this new format the English championship teams will be taking it more seriously and it would only result in bigger miss matches with our clubs. I think we have to accept that it is a professional/semi professional competition now.

I can see why they did not want to take 6 weeks out before Christmas, it really would kill the league and a decent league structure has got to be a part of the future for Scottish rugby!

Issue with A teams is still the timing. In and around the AIs is when both teams resources are stretched, so most guys who would play in the A team would be on Rabo duty.

I agree though it should be the pro teams who compete in this. Have the best club players from ALL the clubs step up and play.

[George Carlin]

I think that we all need some cheering up, so here's Niko and Big Naka helping tear Tonga a new one on the weekend:



 

[George Carlin]

And in other news, Ben Atiga has finally found an environment in which he is able to meaningfully compete:
https://twitter.com/Edinburgh10s/status/476438431019843584/photo/1

[RDW]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27885720

Grant Shiells to Bath - missed opportunity form Edinburgh or Glasgow.

[George Carlin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27885720

Grant Shiells to Bath - missed opportunity form Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Big, big missed opportunity and I just posted as such on the 'transfers' thread.

Bath have got themselves a gem there, and I suspect don't even know it.

[BigGee]

Glasgow have Grant, Reid and Jerry as LH's with Allen coming up on the rails. They need a TH to make up their prop numbers for next season, so not surprised he did not go there.

Edinburgh have Dickinson, Blauw and Dell, though not necessarily in that order at LH as well. so again probably not their priority for a signing.

A move to Bath is probably best for him. He seemed to have fallen a little out of favour with Richards this year and a change will do him good. He will undoubtedly get some game time down there and if he plays well will challenge for the shirt. He may not have got so many opportunities at either Scottish side at the moment.

[RDW]

I'd rather shiells than blaauw!

[BigGee]

I'd rather shiells than blaauw!

Would not disagree with that, but unfortunately he is here for another year like it or not. So much of these things are about timing!

[funnyExiledScot]

It's a big miss for Edinburgh. Glasgow have good cover at loosehead, but Edinburgh don't. Dickinson is injury prone, Blaauw is just fat and I know little about Dell.

Still, it's at tighthead where both squads struggle most. Nel, despite Solomons' view, cannot play 80 minutes of every game, early indications of Berghan are not positive and I'm not hugely excited about Andress. There's Ewan McQuillan (tighthead), but checking his stats he appears to be 6ft and only 16st - about 3st light for a professional tighthead. He needs to fill out a bit.

It's worse at Glasgow. Cusack is broken and that leaves just Jon Welsh does it not?

It's a shame Edinburgh could not accommodate Shiells. I think he would be our first choice loosehead before Christmas, whereas I don't think he'll easily oust Paul James at Bath.

[George Carlin]

It's a big miss for Edinburgh. Glasgow have good cover at loosehead, but Edinburgh don't. Dickinson is injury prone, Blaauw is just fat and I know little about Dell.

Still, it's at tighthead where both squads struggle most. Nel, despite Solomons' view, cannot play 80 minutes of every game, early indications of Berghan are not positive and I'm not hugely excited about Andress. There's Ewan McQuillan (tighthead), but checking his stats he appears to be 6ft and only 16st - about 3st light for a professional tighthead. He needs to fill out a bit.

It's worse at Glasgow. Cusack is broken and that leaves just Jon Welsh does it not?

It's a shame Edinburgh could not accommodate Shiells. I think he would be our first choice loosehead before Christmas, whereas I don't think he'll easily oust Paul James at Bath.

That's right, of course, but James is 32 now and his body is going to need rested throughout the reason and, frankly, it gives Grant a much better mentor than he ever had with the Falcons.
 
I really am delighted for Shiells - he needs to play for a higher profile team now and he has found it. Bath should be pushing for a top 5 finish next year. Exciting time to join that particular club. Besides, comparing the Toon to Barth is a little like comparing Kathy Burke to Keira Knightly.

[BigGee]

McQuillan only 16 st. That seem a little hard to believe as he certainly looks fairly solid lad. Maybe that was when he first arrived at Edinburgh and the stats have not been updated. He has had over a year of conditioning now and surely must have put on a bit of bulk since then.

It will be interesting to find out how he has got on in NZ this summer. The trip down under certainly did not seem to do Johnny Gray or Finn Russell any harm!

[funnyExiledScot]

I agree that it could work out to be a great move for him. Wilson and Webber are both international class, as is Paul James. If Shiells can get regular gametime playing around that calibre of player, in a pack with Attwood, Garvey and Louw then he is in a great place to develop as a player, as he recognises in his own statement.

I'm just sad that such a promising Scot isn't playing in Scotland, but from an international perspective we could end up with a better player in the national side.

[funnyExiledScot]

McQuillan only 16 st. That seem a little hard to believe as he certainly looks fairly solid lad. Maybe that was when he first arrived at Edinburgh and the stats have not been updated. He has had over a year of conditioning now and surely must have put on a bit of bulk since then.

It will be interesting to find out how he has got on in NZ this summer. The trip down under certainly did not seem to do Johnny Gray or Finn Russell any harm!

That has to be right. 16st is nothing for a professional prop forward and I sure some professional conditioning will have him tipping the scales a bit higher. As you say, hopefully the NZ trip will have taught him a few things.

[funnyExiledScot]

Actually thinking about it we should have sent him to Australia. They wrote the book on lightweight and underpowered props conning referees into giving them penalties!

[RDW]

Beard and Bezzy have been given full contracts by Edinburgh

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/06/18/beard-and-bezuidenhout-extend-capital-terms

2016 for Beard and 2015 for Bezzy.

Don't all rush at once to sign up for season tickets now...

[madmaccas]

Beard and Bezzy have been given full contracts by Edinburgh

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/06/18/beard-and-bezuidenhout-extend-capital-terms

2016 for Beard and 2015 for Bezzy.

Don't all rush at once to sign up for season tickets now...

Bezuidenhout's OK but never seen anything of interest from Beard - and he's had enough starts.

Still I can't imagine Solomons is inundated with calls from player agents. Without top tier Euro rugby, a hodgepodge squad and bad couple of years behind them it'd be career suicide for anyone who isn't SQ.

[madmaccas]

Ian Nimmo has been released by London Welsh. Could be a good squad man to have with lots of games played for NGD, Leicester, LI and LW.

[RDW]

It doesn't bode well if he's been released by LW though!

[funnyExiledScot]

Beard and Bezzy have been given full contracts by Edinburgh

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/06/18/beard-and-bezuidenhout-extend-capital-terms

2016 for Beard and 2015 for Bezzy.

Don't all rush at once to sign up for season tickets now...

I actually rate Beard but as an outside centre and not a winger. With NDL moving on I think Beard has a shot at getting a few games next season, and I'd certainly opt for Scott/Beard ahead of Strauss/Scott.

Bezzy is a solid squad player and his ability to cover both 10 and 15 is pretty handy (although I think he's better at 10). We got the 10 we wanted in Tom Heathcote, and I guess much now depends on what we do with Greg Tonks next season. I want to see more of him at 10, and think he ought to focus on that role, but we do need a third option at 10, and Bezzy can do that. Similarly at 15, Cuthbert would be the obvious choice to start for us with Tom Brown in second place. Again we need a third option, and I guess Bezzy can provide cover in that regard. First choice wingers would then be Visser and Fife, with Farndale and Hoyland covering respectively.

Provided Solomons sticks with that, and doesn't shoe horn players out of position (like Cuthbert, H-C or Beard on the wing), I think we should do ok.

9.Hart/Kennedy/H-C
10.Heathcote/Tonks/Bezzy
11.Visser/Farndale
12.Scott/Strauss (Dominguez/Dean/Auld)
13.Beard/McLennan (Dominguez/Dean/Auld)
14.Fife/Hoyland
15.Cuthbert/Brown/Bezzy

I'd like Solomons to pick a squad structure, like the one above, and stick with it. There are a few squad players still to fit in (i.e. which centre slot and whether they are good enough), but I want to see consistency of selection, and for players to be allowed to learn the system from the same position. I'm not trying to discourage versatility completely, but until combinations are given a proper chance I don't think we'll ever be able to fully maximise the potential within the squad.

[RDW]

Agreed that they are both solid squad players, and Beard has definitely been a lot better at 13 than the wing. I actually think Bezzy is best at fullback, but he can definitely do a job as 3rd choice 10.

Would absolutely prefer to see Beard at 13 and Scott at 12 than Strauss at 12.

Still think we need a good 13 though - not just a 'decent' squad player.


Scrum half and back 3 are very much positions of strength for Edinburgh now, probably followed by stand off (who would have thought it?). Not overly convinced by our centre options, and that revolves around finding a decent 13 to play outside Scott.

This is all relatively speaking of course - other than scrum half Glasgow have better squad options pretty much everywhere in the backline.

[funnyExiledScot]

I guess the unknown quantity to me is McLennan, and whether he will present as a quality outside centre. I appreciate that he's a utility back, but 13 is certainly where we are weakest currently.

I also don't know much about Chris Dean. He's young but appears to be highly rated. Could he perhaps have the same sort of impact at Edinburgh as Stuart Hogg did at Glasgow at a similar age? He's played a bit of sevens so I assume he's got some gas.

The other option, which I keep banging the drum for, is Fife moving to 13. Possibly an experiment for later in the season, but if Hoyland/Farndale get the chance to make a big impact, then it could be a way of getting out best players on the pitch at the same time.

[RDW]

McLennan has basically just played high level amateur rugby in NZ, so I have very low expectations of him and will treat him as if he has just come from Prem 1.

At 5ft 9 he's also a bit of a midget for centre.

[Majestic83]

Ian Nimmo has been released by London Welsh. Could be a good squad man to have with lots of games played for NGD, Leicester, LI and LW.

he's a big unit and is fairly decent around the park but he has had attitude problems in the past with team mates so possibly not the best for team morale.

the 2nd row edinburgh should take from the championship is neale patrick who is at the pirates. 6ft 8 around 19 stones and very athletic. Only 24 or 25.
From dunfermline and was involved with edinburgh before heading south for uni.

[Majestic83]

I guess the unknown quantity to me is McLennan, and whether he will present as a quality outside centre. I appreciate that he's a utility back, but 13 is certainly where we are weakest currently.

I also don't know much about Chris Dean. He's young but appears to be highly rated. Could he perhaps have the same sort of impact at Edinburgh as Stuart Hogg did at Glasgow at a similar age? He's played a bit of sevens so I assume he's got some gas.

The other option, which I keep banging the drum for, is Fife moving to 13. Possibly an experiment for later in the season, but if Hoyland/Farndale get the chance to make a big impact, then it could be a way of getting out best players on the pitch at the same time.

Chris Dean is a good player, decent size for a centre having been a back row originally. Not sure if he is quite ready to start for Edinburgh at 13 but isn't far away. Good turn of speed and defence
is pretty solid from what i have seen.

[Nematode]

Can anyone remember who the rumoured kiwi 10 (before the Dell, Mclenan... signings) was that was to sign for Edinburgh - I think he was ginger. He'd be a really good move.

TBH I think Bezendhuit at least is a good-ish move. There is no 10 that is screaming out to be signed and is SQ (apart from possibly the above-mentioned) but we need a 10 as back up for Tonks & Heathcote.

[Majestic83]

Can anyone remember who the rumoured kiwi 10 (before the Dell, Mclenan... signings) was that was to sign for Edinburgh - I think he was ginger. He'd be a really good move.

TBH I think Bezendhuit at least is a good-ish move. There is no 10 that is screaming out to be signed and is SQ (apart from possibly the above-mentioned) but we need a 10 as back up for Tonks & Heathcote.

You thinking of Robbie Robinson from the Chiefs?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I guess the unknown quantity to me is McLennan, and whether he will present as a quality outside centre. I appreciate that he's a utility back, but 13 is certainly where we are weakest currently.

I also don't know much about Chris Dean. He's young but appears to be highly rated. Could he perhaps have the same sort of impact at Edinburgh as Stuart Hogg did at Glasgow at a similar age? He's played a bit of sevens so I assume he's got some gas.

The other option, which I keep banging the drum for, is Fife moving to 13. Possibly an experiment for later in the season, but if Hoyland/Farndale get the chance to make a big impact, then it could be a way of getting out best players on the pitch at the same time.

Chris Dean is a good player, decent size for a centre having been a back row originally. Not sure if he is quite ready to start for Edinburgh at 13 but isn't far away. Good turn of speed and defence
is pretty solid from what i have seen.

  
What ho, do my eyes deceive me?! Is this fES getting over-excited about a youngster still in his playing nappies? Outrageous!!

[RDW]

Can anyone remember who the rumoured kiwi 10 (before the Dell, Mclenan... signings) was that was to sign for Edinburgh - I think he was ginger. He'd be a really good move.

TBH I think Bezendhuit at least is a good-ish move. There is no 10 that is screaming out to be signed and is SQ (apart from possibly the above-mentioned) but we need a 10 as back up for Tonks & Heathcote.

You thinking of Robbie Robinson from the Chiefs?

He was mentioned but there was definitely another bloke, I know it doesn't help much but I'm sure he had more of an unusual name...

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