Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread VI - Banter Boogaloo

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Prehistorical Patter:

https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
https://www.606v2.com/t53119-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii
https://www.606v2.com/t54519-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iv
https://www.606v2.com/t55409-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-v-the-fun-continues

A. Edinburgh


1. League Results

Fri 5 Sep: Munster Rugby 13 - 14 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 12 Sep: Edinburgh Rugby 13 - 14 Connacht Rugby

Sun 21 Sep: Ospreys 62 - 13 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 26 Sep: Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 20 Scarlets

Fri 3 Oct: Ulster Rugby 30 - 0 Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 11 Oct: Edinburgh Rugby 24 - 10 Newport Gwent Dragons

Fri 31 Oct: Leinster Rugby 33 - 8 Edinburgh Rugby

Sun 23 Nov: Edinburgh Rugby 28 - 13 Cardiff Blues

Sat 29 Nov: Zebre 18 - 10 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 19 Dec: Edinburgh Rugby 48 - 0 Benetton Treviso

Sat 27 Dec: Glasgow Warriors 16 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 2 Jan: Edinburgh Rugby - 20 - 8 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 9 Jan: Connacht Rugby 13 - 16 Edinburgh Rugby

2. European Results

17/10/14: Bordeaux-Begles 13 - 15 Edinburgh Rugby

24/10/14: Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 17 Lyon

7/12/14: Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 13 London Welsh

14/12/14: London Welsh 6 - 24 Edinburgh Rugby

17/01/2015: Lyon 21 - 19 Edinburgh Rugby

23/01/2015: Edinburgh Rugby 38 - 20 Bordeaux-Begles

B. Glasgow


1. League Results

Sat 6 Sep: Glasgow Warriors 22 - 20 Leinster Rugby

Sun 14 Sep: Cardiff Blues 12 - 33 Glasgow Warriors

Sat 20 Sep: Newport Gwent Dragons 13 - 33 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 26 Sep: Glasgow Warriors 39 - 21 Connacht Rugby

Sun 5 Oct: Benetton Treviso 23 - 40 Glasgow Warriors

Sat 11 Oct: Ulster Rugby 29 - 9 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 31 Oct: Glasgow Warriors 17 - 9 Benetton Treviso

Fri 21 Nov: Scarlets 19 - 9 Glasgow Warriors

Sun 30 Nov: Glasgow Warriors 19 - 15 Newport Gwent Dragons

Sat 20 Dec: Glasgow Warriors 21 - 18 Munster Rugby

Sat 27 Dec: Glasgow Warriors 16 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 2 Jan: Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 8 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 9 Jan: Glasgow Warriors 22 - 7 Scarlets

2. European Results

18/10/14: Glasgow Warriors 37 - 10 Bath Rugby

25/10/14: Montpellier 13 - 15 Glasgow Warriors

7/12/14: Toulouse 19 - 11 Glasgow Warriors

13/12/14: Glasgow Warriors 9 - 12 Toulouse

18/01/2015: Glasgow Warriors 21 - 10 Montpellier

25/01/2015: Bath Rugby 20 - 15 Glasgow Warriors

[BigGee]

Well I'm approaching 10 years since I left school this summer - I know most of you are older than me, but that is a frightening thought when you are still trying to cling onto your youth as much as possible, knowing that before you know it you'll be 30....

The world's smallest violin is playing for you.

FES is just being polite.

Let me extrapolate the message for you, RDW - feck off and get IDd in a pub, foetus boy.

Don't trip over your umbilical cord on the way out. 

When you're staring at the arse end of 40 (er, for instance) then we'll talk.

Or the other side of 50, which I have to say is no bad age to be! When you hit that milestone you just have to accept it and get on with it. As long as you maintain your health age really is just a number. I cycled 5000 miles last year and would wager that I am still a lot fitter than many of the Play Station welding generation of today.

[WhiskyBluff]

This is my first post so i am very excited to announce that i may be the winner of this strange age contest that has interwoven its way into a pretty excellent Scottish Rugby thread.

I am 21

Also never owned a playstation. Too busy playing rugby.

[BigGee]

Welcome, we do talk about rugby as well sometimes!

It is clearly a quiet week

[jimbopip]

Welcome Whiskybluff.
So on Saturday the opposition had a grey-haired gnarled prop whose face had more lines than a contour map of the Himalayas. After the game I asked him how old he was. Three feccin years younger than me! Even including the ref I was the oldest on the pitch.
Still, I wasn't the slowest.

[tigertattie]

No one mention glove!

[IanBru]

Hey WhiskyBluff, welcome aboard!

I feel young. I mean, I can still bend down without that 'Heeyyeurgh' noise, but I'm starting to find grey hairs.

Seriously, what the hell?

[RDW]

This is my first post so i am very excited to announce that i may be the winner of this strange age contest that has interwoven its way into a pretty excellent Scottish Rugby thread.

I am 21

Also never owned a playstation. Too busy playing rugby.

Welcome to the forum!

I'd say this thread is around 70% gibberish and 30% rugby, so get used to it!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Welcome aboard WhiskyBluff. A lot of fresh faced whippersnappers running about these days.

Think Big Vern will throw the book at Wilson then? He looked monumentally urined off in his 6n interview.

[WhiskyBluff]

Thank you all for the welcome. It is a quiet rugby week but the 6N is round the corner!!!

Where do you all find the rumors like the one about Kellock? I was pretty surprised by that one. Thought he was nailed on as a player/coach for the rest of his days at Glasgow.

Also worried by all this talk about the SRU cutting deficit and its impact on Glasgow's need for some top class signings. The highlights of the Bath  game were heartbreaking to watch.

As for Wilson and Grant i think Wilson deserves an international ban for a year or two and grant should be allowed back on probation though

[BigGee]

It is going to be a funny old year to try sign experienced players. Firstly most of them won't be available until after the world cup and the big names will be looking for a pension fund when they retire from international rugby. We are unfortunately never going to be able to compete with that and so probably better to go for an uncapped promising player, with the carrot of future international honours as an incentive.

With the players we have let go, we can no doubt offer attractive terms, but not silly money and I would tend to agree with that strategy anyway. We all want to see a sustainable game in Scotland.

[WhiskyBluff]

I think sustainable can be managed with maybe one large signing. I'm skeptical as to how long Lineen and co can keep coming up with Strauss's. some of the Edinburgh signings have been woeful to say the least.

[jimbopip]

Tickets for the Wales match have just arrived.
North Stand Block 16 EE.
Does anyone have an opinion? What's the view like? Will young Pipetto need an oxygen mask?

[highland_scot]

Welcome Whiskybluff.

Personally, I have reached the ripe old age of 24. Even 21 seems like a distant memory.

IanBru, I too have been finding grey hairs. Unfortunately they are in my fringe as well, so can't even be hidden! Need to decide what would be worse by, grey by 30 or bald by 30...

[George Carlin]

Tickets for the Wales match have just arrived.
North Stand Block 16 EE.
Does anyone have an opinion? What's the view like? Will young Pipetto need an oxygen mask?

16EE? That means you're sitting next to Uncle Dougie and Aunty Doris. I'll level with you, they can be bit flatulent.

Welcome, WhiskyBluff. Whatever the feck you do next, I thoroughly advise that you enjoy your 20s.

[tigertattie]

Tickets for the Wales match have just arrived.
North Stand Block 16 EE.
Does anyone have an opinion? What's the view like? Will young Pipetto need an oxygen mask?

yup. Yer halfway up the top right corner block

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby/details/event.aspx?itemref=3637

Boom

[EWT Spoons]

Welcome WhiskyBluff, always nice to see the Scottish ranks swell further.

Would Hardie be a decent signing for Glasgow.  He’s apparently on his way to Edinburgh, but we’re reasonably well stocked at 6 & 7 whereas Glasgow have only really got Fusaro as first choice 7

If you are looking at both teams then it would make a degree of sense for him to move to Glasgow, rather than Edinburgh.

In terms of both teams requirements:

Edinburgh – We need to probably off load more players than we need to bring in.  Looking at each position:

1. Dickinson/ Sheills/Sutherland
2. Ford/ Cochrane/ then either McInally or Turner
3. Nel/Andress/Dell
4. Bresler/Mckenzie/Atkins
5. Toolis/Gilchrist
6. Coman/Grant
7. Watson/Grant
8. Du Preez/Denton
9. SHC/Hart/Kennedy
10. Tonks/Heathcote
11. Visser/Brown
12. Scott(12) – Could swap 12 & 13
13. Burleigh - Could swap 12 & 13
14. Fife/ Will Helu / Hoyland
15. Cuthbert/Brown/Tonks

I think we probably need someone else in the centre, Dean might be able to make the step up, but I think he’s off with the 7s again for a while and really Strauss isn’t an option.  Maybe Beard I guess.

Glasgow:

1. Grant/Reid/Allan
2. MacArthur/Brown/Bryce
3. Murray/Cusack/Welsh
4. Gray/Kellock
5. Nakarawa/Swinson
6. Harley/Eddie
7. Fusaro/
8. Strauss/Ashe/Wilson
9. Pyrgos/McConnell
10. Russell/Weir
11. Seymour/Jones
12. Dunbar/Horne
13. Bennett/Vernon
14. DTH/Lamont
15. Hogg/Murchie

Unless a few of the youngsters step up, then I think Glasgow need to fill a few positions, namely another scrum half, flanker and potentially someone else on the wing.

I know I’ve missed players out, this was done as a fairly quick glance at the squads, so apologies if I’ve missed someone who you think will be in the mix.

[funnyExiledScot]

This is my first post so i am very excited to announce that i may be the winner of this strange age contest that has interwoven its way into a pretty excellent Scottish Rugby thread.

I am 21

Also never owned a playstation. Too busy playing rugby.

Welcome to the forum!

I'd say this thread is around 70% gibberish and 30% rugby, so get used to it!

Just like a Scott Johnson half time team talk....

[funnyExiledScot]

Tickets for the Wales match have just arrived.
North Stand Block 16 EE.
Does anyone have an opinion? What's the view like? Will young Pipetto need an oxygen mask?

I didn't know the lettering went that high! Those are definitely not "Stockbridge" seats......

[RDW]

If Hugh Blake is staying at Edinburgh we absolutely do not need Hardie as well.

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the SRU arranged to have 4 specialist opensides at Edinburgh and only 2 at Glasgow...

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed - Hardie should surely go to Glasgow. His injury record would make him more their sort of player.....

[George Carlin]

Agreed - Hardie should surely go to Glasgow. His injury record would make him more their sort of player.....

[funnyExiledScot]

Edinburgh - 1872 Cup Winners.

[tigertattie]

Edinburgh - 1872 Cup Winners.

I prefer the term "Champions"

[MacKnocked-on]

A lot of transfer activity currently occupying English and Welsh clubs, anybody know any rumours or inside info about when the Scottish clubs might get on with some player recruitment?

[funnyExiledScot]

A lot of transfer activity currently occupying English and Welsh clubs, anybody know any rumours or inside info about when the Scottish clubs might get on with some player recruitment?  

I'm not actually expecting much from Edinburgh. Will Helu is on board, and I suspect the mighty Hugh Blake will become a permanent signing. Other than that I'm expecting one in one out, bearing in mind that Ritchie, Bradbury, Hoyland, Farndale, Deans etc. will hopefully play a more prominent part replacing likely NSQ leavers such as Leonardi and Dominguez.

[RDW]

Only rumour I've heard is Glasgow signing a Treviso openside and some south sea islander / kiwi number 8 (can't remember the name).

Nothing from an Edinburgh point of view.  I'm sure we will be bringing players in, but I suspect we'll have to Google them and watch their highlight reels to work out who they are!

As FES said though it's time for the younng fellas to step up to the plate.

We definitely need more depth in the back row.  Bradbury is probably ready to step up next season (he'll be 20), but Ritchie will only be 19 - still a baby.

[MacKnocked-on]

Yes, Blake and Te Rure as well will probably become permanent but I think Glasgow especially have to be making moves in recruiting players asap, quite apart from team strengthening I think it's an important part of fan engagement and keeping a high club profile.

[funnyExiledScot]

We definitely need more depth in the back row.  Bradbury is probably ready to step up next season (he'll be 20), but Ritchie will only be 19 - still a baby.

Ritchie was in the hospitality suite for the Bordeaux game and it really struck me how young he was. He was standing next to Steve Turnbull and looked like a wee boy. Clearly marked by Edinburgh for a big future, and Solomons has given him some chances, particularly pre-season, but I'd concur that he's at least a year off having the muscle mass to be a real contender at 6. Still, great that he's in and around the squad and getting exposure international players in training.

[highland_scot]

We definitely need more depth in the back row.  Bradbury is probably ready to step up next season (he'll be 20), but Ritchie will only be 19 - still a baby.

I think that with Du Preez returning from injury, Blake presumably becoming long term, potentially Hardie signing (personally would prefer him to go to Glasgow if Embra have Grant, Watson and Blake), and Bradbury coming through, we aren't likely to see that much more movement in the back row. Particularly if Coman and Leonardi are staying put.

Although if Leonardi goes then I would love to see a tough as old boots, put the man on his orse 10m back from where he thought he was, Jason White style 6 coming in. Don't see many of those around though!

Edinburgh could really do with another decent centre though - a good 13. Scott and Burleigh seem to be playing well but I don't like Scott (12) playing out of position. Has he signed up beyond the summer?

[funnyExiledScot]

Don't think Scott has extended yet, I'm sure Edinburgh would be trumpeting that loud and clear if it had happened.

The problem at centre is that Solomons rates Strauss (only a 12), and with Burleigh on the books (also only a 12) it does suggest that Scott will be used mostly at 13 going forward. There's also Sam Beard (who I rate) at 13 plus the young Chris Deans coming through. Assuming none of the above leaves, and assuming Dominguez is on his way out, I don't think we'll see a signing in the centres. Can't think of many decent contenders either.

I've long suggested that Fife could move to 13, which would allow Hoyland a run at 14, but that hasn't been tried yet. Plus if Te Rure is going to get game time next season I can see Tonks being messed about further and tried at centre.

[RDW]

I really don't see why Ritchie was offered a main squad contract at 17 - did they really think that he'd go somewhere else if he was only offered an Academy contract??

Anyway, I'll post this again - apparently these are the out of contract players:

Hookers: McInally, Hilterbrand, Turner
Props: Dickinson, Blaauw, Nel, Berghan, Sutherland
Locks: Atkins A.Toolis
Back Row: Leonardi, Coman, Grant, Du Preez

Scrum Half: Hart, Kennedy
Fly Half: Heathcote, Tonks, Bezuidenhout
Centre: Dominguez
Wings: Visser, Farndale, Thompson

Just had a thought - does the signing of Blake and Hardie suggest they are letting Roddy Grant go? That would be a crying shame - he's the heart and soul of the club and, unlike Kellock, still at his peak.

[highland_scot]

The problem at centre is that Solomons rates Strauss (only a 12), and with Burleigh on the books (also only a 12) it does suggest that Scott will be used mostly at 13 going forward. There's also Sam Beard (who I rate) at 13 plus the young Chris Deans coming through.

That is true, think I'd been assuming (hoping!) Strauss was on a 1 year deal. I also think Sam Beard was showing signs of being pretty handy - a good squad player at least who I would be happy to keep. Not a journeyman in the Strauss mould!

I would like to see more of Chris Dean, he looked really good for Boroughmuir in the 7s last year, but hasn't been able to get a decent shot at the Edinburgh team yet.

And please, no to Tonks playing centre. Decent FB and 10 but that is enough! Although it would make him the ultimate bench option - SHC, him and Schlong (or Vernon...) would easily cover every position in the back division and the back row for Scotland...

[RDW]

Also worth noting that if all of those players leave the squad is crippled - so I suspect the majority will be offered new deals.

[funnyExiledScot]

There would be uproar if Roddy Grant were to be let go to allow the meteoric rise of Hugh Blake to continue. Grant has been MOTM in just about every game he's played this season, and as you say is the heart and soul of the club. He's our version of Al Kellock, except he actually puts in a shift.

We should retain Hart and Kennedy as well, as we will see less of SH-C I suspect due to Scotland duties.

[RDW]

There would be uproar if Roddy Grant were to be let go to allow the meteoric rise of Hugh Blake to continue. Grant has been MOTM in just about every game he's played this season, and as you say is the heart and soul of the club. He's our version of Al Kellock, except he actually puts in a shift.

Especially if Visser left, and there's no guarantee Scott will stay too (although I think he will).

[demosthenes]

Query - does anyone know if Townsends contract at Glasgow is up this year? If so, and there is uncertainty about him staying, would this be affecting Glasgow's signing policies?

[RDW]

There would be uproar if Roddy Grant were to be let go to allow the meteoric rise of Hugh Blake to continue. Grant has been MOTM in just about every game he's played this season, and as you say is the heart and soul of the club. He's our version of Al Kellock, except he actually puts in a shift.

Especially if Visser left, and there's no guarantee Scott will stay too (although I think he will).

Actually the more I think of this, the more worried I am that they might let Roddy go.  Thinking about it purely from the SRU point of view, pretty much the main aim of Edinburgh and Glasgow is to develop players to ultimately play for Scotland.  In more recent times they have started to become their own identities though, but that is the main aim.

Now, as good as Roddy is for Edinburgh, and despite how popular he is in the squad with players and fans, will he ever play for Scotland? Probably not. Does Cotter think that Hugh Blake and John Hardie have a future for Scotland? Apparently so.  Therefore what is the point in keeping Grant if he is taking the place of a player that could play for Scotland?

I have to say, I don't agree with this line of thinking in this instance, but I really am worried now that this is how things are going to pan out...

[Nematode]

I can't see GT leaving anytime soon.

The only signings Edinburgh need are potentially a second rower (Tom Ryder [cheap]) and more importantly a good physio.

For Glasgow, I think they should have a couple of items on their shopping list:
- Scrum-Half: Cubelli
- Back row: Hardie

Potentially a young Fijian winger/FB.

[RDW]

I can't see GT leaving anytime soon.

The only signings Edinburgh need are potentially a second rower (Tom Ryder [cheap]) and more importantly a good physio.

For Glasgow, I think they should have a couple of items on their shopping list:
- Scrum-Half: Cubelli
- Back row: Hardie

Potentially a young Fijian winger/FB.

2nd row is well down the list of priorities for Edinburgh!

[funnyExiledScot]

Second row is our strongest position! Gilchrist, Bresler, B Toolis, A Toolis, McKenzie and Atkins!!

[funnyExiledScot]

Actually the more I think of this, the more worried I am that they might let Roddy go.  Thinking about it purely from the SRU point of view, pretty much the main aim of Edinburgh and Glasgow is to develop players to ultimately play for Scotland.  In more recent times they have started to become their own identities though, but that is the main aim.

Now, as good as Roddy is for Edinburgh, and despite how popular he is in the squad with players and fans, will he ever play for Scotland? Probably not. Does Cotter think that Hugh Blake and John Hardie have a future for Scotland? Apparently so.  Therefore what is the point in keeping Grant if he is taking the place of a player that could play for Scotland?

I have to say, I don't agree with this line of thinking in this instance, but I really am worried now that this is how things are going to pan out...

I think it would be a mistake, but what gives me some comfort is that Grant would easily find another club. In fact, he could make a wonderfully orange combination with Rob Harley at Glasgow, with an off the scale work rate!

[Nematode]

I'm not too sure the second row is an area of strength.

Bresler's fitness is a concern as he frequently is penalised for not rolling away.

Gilchrist and Toolis are going to be on Scotland duty frequently.

Alex Toolis is still developing, and we've not seen much of Atkins this season.

But I'd rather keep Roddy Grant than sign a new second rower any day.

[RDW]

Given that we're unlikely to sign a 2nd row of greater quality than we already have, I really don't think it's a priority.

Currently we have 2 locks at Scotland level - Gilchrist and Toolis
1 NSQ lock who is a regular starter - Bresler
2 SQ squad players who can fit in easily - McKenzie and Atkins
1 SQ youngster - Toolis

I'll say it again, we don't need any more lock unless they are better quality than any of the players we currently have! 5 out of 6 SQ too.

Gilchrist and Toolis arne't both going to be in a Scotland squad at the same time so I doubt we'd be without them at the same time barring lots of injuries.

If the SRU are in the market for a lock, they simply must go to Glasgow - they are really needing a good lock.

[IanBru]

I'm not actually expecting much from Edinburgh. Will Helu is on board, and I suspect the mighty Hugh Blake will become a permanent signing.

I'm so sorry, but...



Happy Friday, folks.

[RDW]

I'm not actually expecting much from Edinburgh. Will Helu is on board, and I suspect the mighty Hugh Blake will become a permanent signing.

I'm so sorry, but...



Happy Friday, folks.

Stole my joke!

I've got to say, but 'Will Helu' is exactly how my 90-year-old Hebridean great uncle greets any attractive woman below the age of 30.

I can't stop thinking of it. It's killing me

[VinceWLB]

Anyone else think Roddy Grant would fit in well at Glasgow? imagine him lined up with Bob Harley there would probably be too much gingerness for almost anyone to cope! And thats not even with Andrew McMenemy reffing!

Grant is a rather small guy (well not if you look at his guns) but unlike Fusaro i have always had the feeling he actually ads some physicality.

Didn't know  Dickinson was out of contract, they better offer him a 3 years deal right now!

[RDW]

For some reason the only offered Dickinson and Heathcoat a 1 year deal - Dickinson's value has probably gone up significantly in the last few months!

According to the official stats Fusaro and Grant are the same height and Grant 3kg heavier. There is a marked difference in their physicality though!

Remember the days when Grant played 8 for us...

[VinceWLB]

Those were the days indeed and i don't think he did too badly to be fair! on the other hand i can't even imagine how playing Fusaro at 8 would work out!

[MacKnocked-on]

Given that we're unlikely to sign a 2nd row of greater quality than we already have, I really don't think it's a priority.

Currently we have 2 locks at Scotland level - Gilchrist and Toolis
1 NSQ lock who is a regular starter - Bresler
2 SQ squad players who can fit in easily - McKenzie and Atkins
1 SQ youngster - Toolis

I'll say it again, we don't need any more lock unless they are better quality than any of the players we currently have! 5 out of 6 SQ too.

Gilchrist and Toolis arne't both going to be in a Scotland squad at the same time so I doubt we'd be without them at the same time barring lots of injuries.

If the SRU are in the market for a lock, they simply must go to Glasgow - they are really needing a good lock.

Yes Glasgow certainly need an additional second row, preferably one who adds to the scrummaging I would say. Would either of Neale Patrick or Nick Campbell (ex Glasgow) be worth a shout? Either that or Ollie Atkins moving from Edinburgh.

[funnyExiledScot]

I always felt that Glasgow were premature in offloading Nick Campbell. Decent size and looked powerful.

Atkins could also do a job for Glasgow, I agree. Atkins and Kennedy to Glasgow in exchange for Alex Dunbar. Everyone's a winner.....

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