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.

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed on Maitland, he hasn't settled particularly well. There's no doubting he's a class player, but he looks short of confidence. Needs to pick himself up and just back himself. If he doesn't then Seymour will take his position.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'd like to see what McInally can do this year and hopefully he can claim the 2nd hooker slot.  Cochrane, Hilterbrand (who is also SQ) and Turner fighting it out for places when Ford is away.

5 SQ hookers on the books - not bad!

I bet we sign another fecker though...

Agreed. He's a very clever player and put in some storming performances that year we went on the HC run. I think it was the LI game he really stood out in. He has that knack of being in the right place at the right time and is a clever ball carrier. At his size number 8 was always going to be a challenge at international level, but if he can suss the technical aspects (a big if), then he could be a very useful hooker and would really boost us in open play.

[George Carlin]

Remind me - isn't McInally stuck looking at the Clifton Suspension bridge with Ross Rennie at the moment? Or has he returned to Edinburgh?

[Majestic83]

Agreed on Maitland, he hasn't settled particularly well. There's no doubting he's a class player, but he looks short of confidence. Needs to pick himself up and just back himself. If he doesn't then Seymour will take his position.

I wouldn't say Maitland hasn't settled well at Glasgow and Scotland, I just think it is a different style of game from what he played at the Crusaders and Canterbury. There they had play makers through out the team who would get the ball to Maitland and Guildford to finish off wheras at Scotland especially he has done a lot of the hard yards and created a few tries for others.
Think his try rate for Glasgow hasn't been too bad this season,its just the national team where they really need to try put him into space more. I do agree though he does need to back himself a bit more and really pin his head down as a few times he has tried to be a team player and look for others to put in space when I have felt he could have gone and scored himself.

I think possibly it would have been good for Maitland to play in the 7s team at the commonwealth games where it could have given him a boost being able to stretch his legs and really use his gas in the extra space.

[George Carlin]

Agreed on Maitland, he hasn't settled particularly well. There's no doubting he's a class player, but he looks short of confidence. Needs to pick himself up and just back himself. If he doesn't then Seymour will take his position.

I wouldn't say Maitland hasn't settled well at Glasgow and Scotland, I just think it is a different style of game from what he played at the Crusaders and Canterbury. There they had play makers through out the team who would get the ball to Maitland and Guildford to finish off wheras at Scotland especially he has done a lot of the hard yards and created a few tries for others.
Think his try rate for Glasgow hasn't been too bad this season,its just the national team where they really need to try put him into space more. I do agree though he does need to back himself a bit more and really pin his head down as a few times he has tried to be a team player and look for others to put in space when I have felt he could have gone and scored himself.

I think possibly it would have been good for Maitland to play in the 7s team at the commonwealth games where it could have given him a boost being able to stretch his legs and really use his gas in the extra space.

They're not available, but if we had stats to show the number of 'assists' per player (passes leading to tries being scored), I would think that Maitland would be one of the best at the club. I would like to see him score more too, but if he helps the team score, I really don't care. Maitland did score more for the Crusaders, but that was on the back of line breaks from the likes of Carter, Crotty, Freuen and Guildford.
 
Not that I'm suggesting Scott Wight and Graham Morrison are in any way inferior to those players.

[Majestic83]

Agreed on Maitland, he hasn't settled particularly well. There's no doubting he's a class player, but he looks short of confidence. Needs to pick himself up and just back himself. If he doesn't then Seymour will take his position.

I wouldn't say Maitland hasn't settled well at Glasgow and Scotland, I just think it is a different style of game from what he played at the Crusaders and Canterbury. There they had play makers through out the team who would get the ball to Maitland and Guildford to finish off wheras at Scotland especially he has done a lot of the hard yards and created a few tries for others.
Think his try rate for Glasgow hasn't been too bad this season,its just the national team where they really need to try put him into space more. I do agree though he does need to back himself a bit more and really pin his head down as a few times he has tried to be a team player and look for others to put in space when I have felt he could have gone and scored himself.

I think possibly it would have been good for Maitland to play in the 7s team at the commonwealth games where it could have given him a boost being able to stretch his legs and really use his gas in the extra space.

They're not available, but if we had stats to show the number of 'assists' per player (passes leading to tries being scored), I would think that Maitland would be one of the best at the club. I would like to see him score more too, but if he helps the team score, I really don't care. Maitland did score more for the Crusaders, but that was on the back of line breaks from the likes of Carter, Crotty, Freuen and Guildford.
 
Not that I'm suggesting Scott Wight and Graham Morrison are in any way inferior to those players.

I think next season Maitland will get on the score sheet more at Glasgow.The type of players that will be in the team who like to get the ball wide with the likes of Russell and Bennett starting more have the skills to do that and put the likes of Maitland Hogg and Seymour in for scores.

[RDW]

Remind me - isn't McInally stuck looking at the Clifton Suspension bridge with Ross Rennie at the moment? Or has he returned to Edinburgh?

Nah he's back in the 'burgh

We'd be farcical even by SRU standards if they got him to change positions and then punt him off somewhere else.

He's had a season to get his conditioning as required and work on his technique, so now is the time to see if he's cut out for it.

[Majestic83]

Remind me - isn't McInally stuck looking at the Clifton Suspension bridge with Ross Rennie at the moment? Or has he returned to Edinburgh?

Nah he's back in the 'burgh

We'd be farcical even by SRU standards if they got him to change positions and then punt him off somewhere else.

He's had a season to get his conditioning as required and work on his technique, so now is the time to see if he's cut out for it.

Will be interesting to see how McInally goes at hooker for Edinburgh and how much game time he actually gets or if he will spend a lot of the season in the premiership with Currie again!
3 of Edinburgh's 5 hookers are now converted back rowers so will be well equipped for emergency back row cover during games.

Still don't think it was the best move for McInally though, think he would have been better off fighting for a back row spot and working more on the openside position!

[RDW]

Maitland has been disappointing at Scotland level. He's been a very good winger for us, but we really were hoping for more.

1 try in 11 tests really is poor, especially when Visser is 7 for 14. I know Maitland probably brings more to the team than Visser but as FES has said - where we're lacking is try scorers, and Maitland just isn't doing it just now.

[Nematode]

I disagree totally on the comments about Maitland. He's one of the few backs on the NH tour that has actually made net gains with ball in hand. Also his defence is pretty solid. The problem lies not in Maitland, but in our pack and centres not breaking down opposition defences and creating chances (ala Leinster) that would suit Maitland.

We never see running moves like Leinster play, bringing Maitland or Visser in against the grain on the short-ball.

Seriously though, given tries mostly come from turnovers and set pieces how can you really criticise Maitland, given we haven't been playing a specialist 7 AND our lineouts have been woeful? Not to mention an iffy scrum.

[RDW]

I disagree totally on the comments about Maitland. He's one of the few backs on the NH tour that has actually made net gains with ball in hand. Also his defence is pretty solid. The problem lies not in Maitland, but in our pack and centres not breaking down opposition defences and creating chances (ala Leinster) that would suit Maitland.

We never see running moves like Leinster play, bringing Maitland or Visser in against the grain on the short-ball.

Seriously though, given tries mostly come from turnovers and set pieces how can you really criticise Maitland, given we haven't been playing a specialist 7 AND our lineouts have been woeful? Not to mention an iffy scrum.

You could argue that Visser has exactly the same problems as Maitland has had and yet he has scored 6 more tries...   

Anyway I'm don't want to turn this into a Visser V Maitland debate - both are excellent wingers. Visser brings the finishing, Maitland the all-round play - I just think Maitland needs to start scoring more tries, just like Visser needs to stop being a jessie in defence!

[funnyExiledScot]

Still don't think it was the best move for McInally though, think he would have been better off fighting for a back row spot and working more on the openside position!

I concur, and I wonder whether he'd have made the move if he'd have known that Solomons and Scott Johnson would have a complete disregard for specialist opensides. He probably fits the Solomons openside role quite nicely in terms of his size and build, and if Scotland believe that Kelly Brown is an openside, then why not McInally.

Still, we are where we are, and now we've gone down this route we ought to give it a chance. A bit like Tonks at 10 next season. If we're going to try it then try it properly. The worst outcome for all involved is messing a player about for a couple of years between positions.

[funnyExiledScot]

I disagree totally on the comments about Maitland. He's one of the few backs on the NH tour that has actually made net gains with ball in hand. Also his defence is pretty solid. The problem lies not in Maitland, but in our pack and centres not breaking down opposition defences and creating chances (ala Leinster) that would suit Maitland.

We never see running moves like Leinster play, bringing Maitland or Visser in against the grain on the short-ball.

Seriously though, given tries mostly come from turnovers and set pieces how can you really criticise Maitland, given we haven't been playing a specialist 7 AND our lineouts have been woeful? Not to mention an iffy scrum.

You could argue that Visser has exactly the same problems as Maitland has had and yet he has scored 6 more tries...   

Anyway I'm don't want to turn this into a Visser V Maitland debate - both are excellent wingers.  Visser brings the finishing, Maitland the all-round play - I just think Maitland needs to start scoring more tries, just like Visser needs to stop being a jessie in defence!

No excuses please - both Visser and Seymour (and Alex Dunbar) have come into the Scotland side at the same time and scored more tries. Maitland has had some good opportunities as well, particularly the chance where he could have finished on his own and threw the ball to Sean "wading through treacle" Lamont.

He's a great player, no question, none at all. But others are finding a way to score at the moment that seems to be eluding Maitland. I judge hookers on their throwing, props on their scrummaging, fly halves on their distribution and decision making and wingers on their finishing. We seem to be the pioneers of the "non-scoring" winger. I seem to remember Kenny Logan playing on the wing for close to a decade before he scored in the 5/6 Nations!

[RDW]

Who would have thought it - when Maitland signed he had a great reputation as a finisher but his all-round game needed work. Now he's in Scotland he scores bugger all tries but his all-round game is going well!

[funnyExiledScot]

Perhaps his allround game just looks good in comparison......although his pass straight to touch against Canada was straight from the Graeme Morrison distribution skills handbook!!

[RDW]

Some try scoring stats at Club level


Glasgow

DTH - 32 in 74 games - 1 every 2.3
Niko - 18 in 47 games - 1 every 2.6
Seymour - 16 in 51 games - 1 every 3.2
Maitland - 8 in 30 games - 1 every 3.75
Hogg - 12 in 52 games - 1 every 4.3


Edinburgh
Visser - 60 in 104 games - 1 every 1.7 games   
Fife - 10 in 42 games - 1 every 4.2 games
Scott - 9 in 51 games - 1 every 5.6 games
Tonks - 5 in 41 games - 1 every 8.2 games

First thoughts are how ridiculous Tim Visser is - got to remember that he was scoring those tries during some awful seasons for Edinburgh!

Second thoughts are perhaps it is no surprise that Glasgow struggled to score tries this season (the reason they lost out on a home final IMO) given that DTH was injured for so long and Niko wasn't nearly as effective this season as he was last season.

[funnyExiledScot]

To be honest that's pretty much what I thought the stats would be, although I had thought Fife's stats would be better (they really should be).

Seymour has improved a lot in the last 12 months, and scored some great individual tries last season. I'm pleased he's getting a chance this evening.

Glasgow missed DTH last season, and also Matawalu's impact from 9 was less. The season before he had more chances to tap and go, whereas he was used more as a winger this year.

Visser's record is remarkable. He's such a selfish player and is so direct. He's a great example of how it is possible to score in a bad team. Sniff out the chances and treat every half chance as if it might be your last. That he's powerful and extremely quick is also pretty handy!

[Nematode]

For the Crusaders Maitland scored 23 tries in 54 apps. He can undoubtedly finish.

When you have glaciers for forwards and centres who, when it comes to creativity, would struggle to draw a stickman, how can you expect Maitland to be scoring constantly?

Take a frequent combo, Gray Snr and Hamilton. Gray Snr is now never seen in open space or properly clearing out rucks, resorting to flopping on them like on one of these exercise balls. Hamilton likewise, just slower. And they have been poor in the lineout. This ripples, meaning the workload for our back row gets increased and means we can't have Beattie, Denton or say Low this weekend out wide. With the work rate of Gilchrist, Gray Jnr and Harley, hopefully Cowan will get more turnovers and we can get Low in space. Why does this relate to Maitland? Well having your 8 out wide sucks in more defenders and gives him more space. Notice how Visser infrequently scores out wide, coming inside to take short balls from Laidlaw...

In the centres, Lamont just goes forward and Taylor similarly is reasonably ineffective. We miss Scott (recall SA&Italy games) and someone like Bennett or Fife.

Really though, the spotlight should be on the all important lineout figures and turnovers...

[funnyExiledScot]

.....and yet Visser scored bucket loads of tries with Francis at 10 and Atiga at 12.

You are of course right to say that Scotland are not a free scoring side and the skill level of some our players is woefully lacking. You don't get many simple run ins in a Scotland jersey. However, Visser and Seymour are scoring at better rates and are arguably inferior players. Clearly all players go through a bit of a drought, and I just think his confidence is a little low at the moment. He just needs to go for it and be a bit more selfish.

[jimbopip]

Slightly off message, lads...
If ay of you are travelling down for the London Scottish -Warriors game and you fancy a "social " game in the morning let me know. I'm trying to put together a 606 XV.

[RDW]

Glasgow fans - are you concerned by what effect this extended tour will have on your start to the season? Glasgow have a lot of players in SA just now and, given they will probably get the usual number of weeks holiday, it means they will be joining pre-season a week later and therefore probably not playing rugby until a week later than normal.

It is important players too:

Hogg, Maitland, Horne, Seymour, Weir, Pyrgos, Reid, McArthur, Welsh. Murray, Gray, Swinson, Harley, Fusaro, Ashe, Holmes

That's 17 players!

[madmaccas]

Yep Maitland hasn't looked right since the Lions tour. He does everything he can for whichever team he's playing for, but that's half of the problem - he's supposed to be a selfish finisher first.

A great try scoring winger backs himself, Maitland has stopped doing that and always looks for the pass inside. I watched him play for the Crusaders many times and he was the total opposite, a free running player who backed himself on the outside every time. Perhaps, as one of the better professionals playing in Scotland, he's felt the pressure to be more of a playmaker (without the security of talented All Blacks around you) and less of finisher. Maybe Johnson asked him to do that, which is understandable given the lack of basic skills and experience of some players.

Either way with Horne/Bennett for Glasgow and Scott/NDL for Scotland etc at Centre he should be told by Townsent/Cotter to concentrate on one thing, scoring tries. If he doesn't start doing that then let's convert him to 13 and have a wing combo of Visser/Seymour with their better strike rate.

[Nematode]

Not really. It's just an extra game, one more week. If anything it's good for Glasgow, getting younger players energised and enthusiastic. Also the close wins vs NH & Arg might show they have to work even harder.

Best thing though might be some time for GT to clear his head and think about new tactics for next season.

Should point out the Scottish team has been having a mini-holiday according to their twitter, going to Niagara falls, a safari place and some meals out in Texas so I don't think it's been too full on.

[Nematode]

What does concern me, however, is Peter Horne. I just worry that he still hasn't recovered from that injury vs SA as he hasn't impressed for me.

[RDW]

I do actually think it is an annoyance for Glasgow - not a major one, but not ideal all the same. The extra week to the season will either mean they get one week's less pre-season or they wait a further week before playing their first game.  

It is common knowledge that the only chance players get to make serious gains in terms of strength, speed and fitness are during pre-season, so it it would be to the detriment of the player if they have one less week to do this.  This might not be too big a deal for the older guys, but the likes of  Weir, Hogg  Horne and particularly Jonny Gray could do with a decent summer of conditioning, especially with the WC on the horizon.

Luckily Finn Russell ended the tour early, and it is clear he definitely needs conditioning!

So in that regard I'm quite grateful from an Edinburgh point of view that our 3 most important players - Matt Scott, Dave Denton and Tim Visser - are going to have a proper pre-season and be good to go from early next season.  I'm sure they will have rather gone on the whole tour, but every cloud and all that.

Grant Gilchrist has had a long season and could have done without the extra week, but I think the experience of him being made captain will be a massive boost for him, and it will hopefully push him up to another level that we all hope he can achieve.

Finally - it's worth remembering that Glasgow had a slow start last season and paid for it in the HK. This won't be helped by their players being introduced back into the team later than hoped for.

[Majestic83]

The EDPs for this season have been announced for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow look as if they have the better and more established players. A few I have never heard of announced by Edinburgh.
Most surprising one for me is Tommy Spinks going to Glasgow. Thought he would have stayed with London Scottish as he is getting a good amount of game time there.

Here is the list and article here.

Some 15 new recruits – seven to Edinburgh Rugby and eight to Glasgow Warriors – have been named today by Scottish Rugby as elite development players for the forthcoming season.

The newcomers include Scotland under-20 captain Tommy Spinks, who recently led the national age-grade side to tenth in the IRB Junior World Championships in New Zealand who returns north from London Scottish; and three of the George Watson’s College Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under-18 Cup winning side, captain Ally Miller and his team-mates Jake Kerr and Ben Robbins.

The net has been cast wide with No 8 turned prop Callum Sheldon from Kirby Lonsdale in Cumbria featuring as does Glenn Bryce, the brother of recently capped Glasgow Warriors and Scotland hooker, Kevin Bryce, a former Scotland under-20 cap who has played for both Jersey and Doncaster.

Two further players are likely to be announced in the near future and both will be aligned to Edinburgh Rugby.

Stephen Gemmell, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Performance Development, said: “Elite Development Players, aligned to our pro-clubs, work very hard to progress from aspiring professional players to, in some cases, the real deal.

You just need to look at Matt Scott and Dougie Fife at Edinburgh Rugby or Jonny Gray and Adam Ashe at Glasgow Warriors as examples of what players who really commit to the programme can go on to achieve.

“This coming year, once again under the tutelage of Bryan Easson at Edinburgh and Iain Monaghan at Glasgow, and working very much in tandem with the coaches in the BT Premiership, all of Scottish rugby will look for these talented youngsters to make the step up.”

Elite Development Players aligned to Edinburgh Rugby for the 2014-15 season:

•Props: Rory Sutherland* (Gala), Callum Sheldon* (Queen Elizabeth School/Newcastle Falcons) and Ewan McQuillin (Gala)
•Hooker: Jake Kerr* (George Watson’s College/Watsonians)
•Back-row forwards: Ally Miller* (George Watson’s College/Watsonians) and Magnus Bradbury (Boroughmuir)
•Scrum-halves: Alex Glashan (Edinburgh Accies) and Hugh Fraser*(Merchiston Castle School)
•Centre: Chris Auld (Gala)
•Wing: Ben Robbins* (George Watson’s College)
•Full-back: Ruaridh Howarth*(Galashiels Academy/Gala)
Elite Development Players aligned to Glasgow Warriors for the 2014-15 season:

•Props: D’arcy Rae (Ayr), Zander Fagerson* (Glasgow Hawks) and Cameron Fenton* (Strathallan School/Howe of Fife)
•Hookers: Fergus Scott and James Malcolm* (both Ayr)
•Locks: Andy Redmayne (Glasgow Hawks), Scott Cummings* and Andrew Davidson* (both Kelvinside Academy/Glasgow Hawks)
•Back-row: Tommy Spinks* (London Scottish) and Matt Smith* (Stirling County)
•Scrum-half: Ali Price (Stirling County)
•Stand-off: Gavin Lowe (Glasgow Hawks)
•Centres: Jack Steele and Neil Herron (both Glasgow Hawks)
•Full-back: Glenn Bryce* (Doncaster)
*Denotes new player for season 2014-15

[RDW]

I don't get overly excited about the EDPs as

A - most of them never make the step up

B - if they do we probably won't hear about them for another couple of seasons.

Although worth remembering that Matt Scott and Grant Gilchrist were still EDPs when we had the HK run.

I remember posting at the start of that season something along the lines of 'who is this Matt Scott guy? We're screwed if we're going to go into the season relying on some random youngster!'   

[Majestic83]

Out of the EDPs the ones that I would say have a chance to challenge for the match day squads this season are at
Edinburgh
Ewan McQuillin
Magnus Bradbury
Chris Auld

At Glasgow think there are a few more who are better equipped to challenge for a bit of game time.
Think they could be
Fergus Scott(brother of matt scott)
Andy Redmayne who looked pretty good in Glasgow's pre season games last year.
Tommy Spinks who should challenge Fusaro and Holmes. Got a decent amount of game time at LS last seaon and knowing what
he is like won't just settle to be part of training and will be determined to try and push on.
Ali Price who looked promising last season until he got his knee injury. No clear stand out option at 9 with cusiter going.
Jack Steele could be in for some game time come the autumn tests. Quite a big guy but got a good passing game and also a huge boot
on him which is handy for a number 12.

[funnyExiledScot]

"Magnus Bradbury" sounds like the right sort of chap.....

[R!skysports]

I haven't commented for a while, so thought I had better write something.

[RDW]

I haven't commented for a while, so thought I had better write something.

That's the most intelligent, witty, thought provoking and well received comment you've ever made!   

[funnyExiledScot]

The EDPs for this season have been announced for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow look as if they have the better and more established players. A few I have never heard of announced by Edinburgh.

Now there's a surprise!

Whilst I'd like to blame a pro-Glasgow conspiracy headed by Sean Lineen, I do have to remind myself that Edinburgh were offered Maitland and said "no".

Edinburgh wouldn't have any use for Tommy Spinks. He plays openside flanker but weighs less than 20 stone. Doesn't fit out profile.

[RDW]

The players that have caught my eye at Edinburgh are Ally Millar (8) and Ben Robbins (winger).

Robbins is GB under 17s 400m champion, so he's obviously got plenty gas! God knows what he's like as a rugby player but he'll be rapid.

[funnyExiledScot]

The players that have caught my eye at Edinburgh are Ally Millar (8) and Ben Robbins (winger).

Robbins is GB under 17s 400m champion, so he's obviously got plenty gas! God knows what he's like as a rugby player but he'll be rapid.

Well, gas notwithstanding, if his tackling and kicking ain't up to scratch he'll never make it as a winger in Scotland; tries or no tries.

Sounds like a 7's slot may be a good starting point for this guy. Get him running in some space whilst honing his one-on-one tackling and rucking skills.

[Majestic83]

Edinburgh announcing a new signing tomorrow morning according to twitter.

My guess would be a 2nd row.

[RDW]

The jungle drums on the internet are saying bresler, but I bet its a 17 year old Belgian who once watched rugby on YouTube.

[GLove39]

BREAKING: Edinburgh Rugby to announce and introduce a new signing at the BT Murrayfield Stadium tomorrow...

Ohhhh, who could it be? Please say we've found our own version of Matawalu / Nakawara

[Majestic83]

It's anton bresler, thought Edinburgh had announced this a while back?
According to evening news and a few South African sites it will be announced tomorrow.

[RDW]

If he's fit I'm pretty happy with the bresler signing - he sounds a big tough son of a gun with plenty super rugby experience at the highest level

[justified sinner]

Yeah it's Bresler, full contracts for both Toolis also plus I've heard one more.

[Majestic83]

Who's the one more?

[RDW]

We'll definitely need another experienced lock given the toolis brothers are so raw.

What you heard JS?

[Nematode]

The players that have caught my eye at Edinburgh are Ally Millar (8) and Ben Robbins (winger).

Robbins is GB under 17s 400m champion, so he's obviously got plenty gas! God knows what he's like as a rugby player but he'll be rapid.

Well, gas notwithstanding, if his tackling and kicking ain't up to scratch he'll never make it as a winger in Scotland; tries or no tries.

Sounds like a 7's slot may be a good starting point for this guy. Get him running in some space whilst honing his one-on-one tackling and rucking skills.

Loving the optimism!    

[Nematode]

It'll be Bresler, would explain the late Twitter post and not much build up. Any clue "He's played in SA" would give it away.

[RDW]

Someone on Facebook is giving hints it is a Scottish 2nd row whose played for the club before, with a very Scottish name -

Fraser McKenzie??

If both him and bresler sign that'll be fantastic!   

[justified sinner]

Scot Newlands has a very Scottish name and would be a good addition. Just guessing at that from your clue RDW.

[Nematode]

Wouldn't be overly surprised in all honestly if it was McKenzie - he wants to play for Scotland and believed moving south harmed his Scotland chances. Given Hamilton might be past it by RWC '15/banned/poor form, he could be in with an outside shot if there was an injury or played well for Edinburgh.

Although, ER would love the chance to milk a Scottish signing - the fact there has been no official word the signing is Scottish (and a short build up) - for me suggests it's Bresler.

[RDW]

Newlands doesn't fit the Solomons mould - not big enough.

So you don't actually know who the other person is then JS?

[justified sinner]

Sorry no on this occasion, I only get dribbles rather than full on leaks these days.

[RDW]

Sorry no on this occasion, I only get dribbles rather than full on leaks these days.

Im sure Asbo has some pants that can help you with that....

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