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

[George Carlin]

I don't know, 6ft and 14st (assuming he puts on a stone without losing too much pace) is probably ok.

That's bigger than Leigh Halfpenny and the exact same size as Mike Brown.

It's also 3 times heavier than Lee Jones, a quarter the weight of Ben Atiga and at least ten times more likely to tackle someone than Tim Visser.

Sounds perfect.

[funnyExiledScot]

I don't know, 6ft and 14st (assuming he puts on a stone without losing too much pace) is probably ok.

That's bigger than Leigh Halfpenny and the exact same size as Mike Brown.

It's also 3 times heavier than Lee Jones, a quarter the weight of Ben Atiga and at least ten times more likely to tackle someone than Tim Visser.

Sounds perfect.

I suppose this all goes to prove that the more pertinent question is:

Is he any good?

[RDW]

Hugh Blake and Damien Hoyland starting for Edinburgh, Alex glashen on the bench.

I'll do a match thread in an hour or so if no one else does (which I expect you won't!)

[EWT Spoons]

Hugh Blake and Damien Hoyland starting for Edinburgh, Alex glashen on the bench.

I'll do a match thread in an hour or so if no one else does (which I expect you won't!)

I did one a few days ago...

[BigGee]

I have to say watching the U20's just beat the Welsh is one of the mst heartening games I have ever watched for Scotland. In the first half the Welsh seemed to be running through us at will, tackles were being missed and we just seemed light years behind them physically.

I don't know what was said in the changing room at half time but they came out in the second half and believed that they could compete with them and boy did they. They gave nothing away and had the belief in the end to close it out!

Doing well at sevens, winning U20's. what the hell is going on! Is the master plan suddenly coming to fruition!

[funnyExiledScot]

It's clearly all down to Scott Johnson. I always said he was a good egg....

[BigGee]

It's clearly all down to Scott Johnson. I always said he was a good egg....

Well something seems to be going on!

[BigGee]

Steve Diamond was in the press stating that Sale are looking to sign 3 quality players for next season, including a back three player. Could that be Visser?

I have to say I would be a bit more relaxed about losing him now than before, they seemed to be managing quite well without him last night.

[TJ]

So Edinburgh heading for 6th place? Whoda thunk it?

[RDW]

Long way to go yet!

[IanBru]

So Edinburgh heading for 6th place?  Whoda thunk it?

Woohoo!!

[BigGee]

If you want to have a look at Naiyavavaro, the potential new recruit for Edinburgh, he is starting for the Warratahs on the match now showing on Sky!

[RDW]

Won't have a chance to watch biggee so let us know how he gets on!

[BigGee]

He is certainly a big boy, reminds me a bit of that other big Fijian winger, who had all the disciplinary problems. Loops along, does not look like he is going very fast, but he is!

[BigGee]

Hard to make any judgement on the basis of that performance, he did not really stand out good or bad. The Tah's were pretty poor all round and seemed unable to hang onto the ball at all. Unsurprisingly they use him quite a bit coming on as the battering ram on the inside ball but he never really got the ball in any space.

To be starting in that Warratahs line up though must say something, that is almost as good as the Australia back line, very impressive, even if they played rubbish today!

[BigGee]

Well somewhat lost in the aftermath of the international this afternoon, our Welsh cousins have done both Glasgow and Edinburgh a favour, Dragons and Scarlets beating Leinster (in Dublin!) and Connacht respectively.

If Glasgow beat the Spreys next weekend, then they may have a little daylight at the top. The battle for the last qualifying spot is now wide open as well, with Edinburgh definitely the team in form. Despite the internationals being a little disappointing, if predictable, we definitely have everything to play for in the league and the Edinburgh fans in particular would not have been saying that a few weeks ago!

[George Carlin]

Saw that Gee - delighted with that. 2 points clear of Munster, 4 ahead of Ulster and Spreys.

Two absolutely season defining games coming up - Ospreys at home on 21 February and then Munster away the following week. We have no real reason to fear either of those, but we still need to get the win, which is a damn sight easier said than done.

It was clearly men against boys tonight, but I am delighted that Bordill and Braid got a run out in particular.

[RDW]

Well what a rollercoaster of emotions this weekend has been - the likes of which I've not had for a long time!

It all started so well on Friday - the under 20's snatching a surprise win, Edinburgh putting in a dominant display and getting a well deserved win over a poor Osprey's side. Excitement, pride, enjoyment - so far so good!

Then I wake up on Saturday morning to a phone call saying my parents' house had been burgled while they were away for the weekend and the car nicked (as well as some sentimental, yet low value items) - for those of you fortunate enough to have never been the first person on the scene of a break in, well it isn't a pretty sight. Luckily the car has been found in one piece, and the police say it is a known group of teenagers from Pilton causing all the carnage - if only I could get my hands on the little bastards...anger, rage, worry.

So then comes Sunday's match - for some reason I sensed a greater feeling of optimism and expectation in the Murrayfield air. Flower of Scotland was belted out louder than I have heard for a long time, and Hogg's try absolutely lifted the atmosphere. What excitement and adrenaline cursing through a hopeful Scottish crowd absolutely yearning for a win. That's all we wanted - to finally get a win.

Things then turned for the worse.

Russell sent to the sin bin - exasperation, frustration, desperation. Comes on referee!!!! We all shout, then we look the the replay and see that it was probably fair - there wasn't much else he could have done after committing, and it was clumsy, but a yellow was probably fair.

Then they score. Baws.

We fail to take our chance at the end of the second half, and despite generally being the better team are 6 points down at half time. Wales will be delighted, Scotland frustrated.

However at this point all momentum had been lost, and it took until the last 15 minutes for Scotland - and the stadium - to come alive again. We shouted and screamed as they battered on the line, threw our arms up in the arm in frustration as time and again Wales infringed without a card. We willed the team to score with everything we could but in the back of our minds knew that we had been here many times before as Scotland fans, and knew what the end result would be - we don't score. Another few chances, some more frustration at the ref, but ultimately it was all for nought. Here we go again.

3 minutes to go, another butchered chance - 'pub?' is mooted. Yes please.

Another early exit from the stadium, the 'what if's' being banded about yet again, the immense frustration and disappointment and almost embarrassment at having let ourselves be suckered into thinking we can win, but yet again coming up short.

The phrase 'why do we keep putting ourselves through this year after year' comes out again, and we walk in silence pondering why.

And yet I know deep down that I will come back, and I will put myself through it again, and when/if that day comes that we do get the big win, that we do have something to be proud about, well...

What a day that will be.

[BigGee]

I still think we will get something out of this season, even one win against one of the big boys will be progress. It is so nearly there now. As we said before we started. We may have improved, but other than Italy, no one has gotten any worse and some have actually improved from last year.

Losses like that do hurt, but at least there is plenty to work on. It is a bit like watching Andy Murray, but he did get there in the end!

Anyway, there were at least other good results over the weekend to stop us stringing ourselves up!

[funnyExiledScot]

Well what a rollercoaster of emotions this weekend has been - the likes of which I've not had for a long time!

Just wait until you check your bank balance on your honeymoon....

[George Carlin]

https://www.606v2.com/t57731-glasgow-warriors-v-ospreys-21-february

[BigGee]

Going to be a Glasgow signing of some sort today. Hopefully DTH!

[George Carlin]

Jaysus on a bike - Tom Heathcote has apparently signed for Worcester:
http://www.espnscrum.com/scotland/rugby/story/256585.html

[RDW]

Oh ffs that's bad news.

Really don't understand why Solomons doesn't want to keep him, especially if he signs Te Rure instead.

And if Worcester don't get promoted he might end up as another Alex grove, out in the wilderness.

[BigGee]

He is taking a big chance, probably 50/50 as to whether Bristol or Worcester go up. Mind you he probably did not have a lot od say in it. The one year contract was always a bit of a worry and Solly just does not seem to have taken to him. I had a feeling that was going to happen.

Edinburgh need a bit more than Tonks and Te Rure at 10 next year, they have not even signed the kid yet, though I expect they will.

[BigGee]

Always hard to know how these things pan out. Maybe he signed for them a while back and it is only being released now, which might explain why he has been a little frozen out. It was a bit odd that he only got a one year initial contract though and even then very late in the day.

We will probably never know that but he will be a good signing for Worcester and it could benefit Scotland if they do come up, Bristol do have this habit of choking and Worcester seem to be the form team in the championship right now.

[BigGee]

Adam Ashe signs up for 2 more years. Well that definitely is good news and lifts the gloom a bit. Though personally I am in not to bad a place as I just got my new bike this morning!

Another piece of the jigsaw put in place for the Warriors.

[funnyExiledScot]

Is Carl Bezuidenhout not also on the books as an option?

Still, losing Heathcote is a blow. Tonks is still very much on trial at 10, Te Rure looks exciting ball in hand but rather flimsy in the game management stakes and Bezzy has been solid but nothing more.

[RDW]

Is Carl Bezuidenhout not also on the books as an option?

He is, but he's not a young Scottish 10 who actually looks pretty competent.

[funnyExiledScot]

This is where Maj reassures us that there's some bloke from Ayr coming through the ranks who plays a bit like Dan Carter and is looking for a lifestyle upgrade by moving to Edinburgh.

[funnyExiledScot]

Adam Ashe signs up for 2 more years. Well that definitely is good news and lifts the gloom a bit. Though personally I am in not to bad a place as I just got my new bike this morning!

Another piece of the jigsaw put in place for the Warriors.

Ashe coming through is timely given the issues with Ryan Wilson. I realise I was a bit down on Ashe before, but he's an awful lot more effective than Johnnie Beattie these days!!

[BigGee]

Adam Ashe signs up for 2 more years. Well that definitely is good news and lifts the gloom a bit. Though personally I am in not to bad a place as I just got my new bike this morning!

Another piece of the jigsaw put in place for the Warriors.

Ashe coming through is timely given the issues with Ryan Wilson. I realise I was a bit down on Ashe before, but he's an awful lot more effective than Johnnie Beattie these days!!

Yes Beattie's best days look as if they are behind him, wheras Adam Ashe is already putting in some performances and should only improve.

I am afraid we all need to stop being nostalgic about the days of the killer bees. They were a great trio for Scotland and Glasgow but we have moved on. I would not be so bothered if none of them play for Scotland again, even though I retain a soft spot for Kelly Brown, but Harley is a better player these days and is the future.

[funnyExiledScot]

I do rate Harley very highly, but I've been a bit underwhelmed by his first two games of the 6 Nations. I hope it's just him getting up to speed after injury but he's lacked a bit of his usual bite. Brown should clearly be ahead of Strokosch though.

Beattie is done, as soon as Denton/Ashe/Strauss are available then he's out of the squad. A shame given how good he used to be, but we have to face facts.

Barclay wouldn't be ahead of Cowan for me, and I'd be very happy seeing Watson in Scotland colour. Still, I'd have Barclay ahead of Blake and most importantly we need to get Barclay away from the Scarlets, as his efforts are not helping Edinburgh reach 6th place! Call him up, Scotland doesn't even have to use him....

[Nematode]

Don't know what to say about Heathcote.

He is a reliable goal kicker who showed his tactical nous against the Ospreys. Te Rure may be a good prospect, but I fear he's another Piers Francis in terms of goal kicking. Also is he not heading back around summertime?

I'm just hoping Solomons isn't planning to move SHC to fly-half

[Nematode]

Hang on, how long was Lee Millar's contract at Scottish? Could he be coming to Edinburgh?

[Nematode]

Just seen that Goode is moving to Irish which will certainly give Jackson a lot more game time at Wasps when he's fit.

[MacKnocked-on]

Don't know what to say about Heathcote.

He is a reliable goal kicker who showed his tactical nous against the Ospreys. Te Rure may be a good prospect, but I fear he's another Piers Francis in terms of goal kicking. Also is he not heading back around summertime?

I'm just hoping Solomons isn't planning to move SHC to fly-half

Hopefully just one of those nights, even Russell had a couple of dodgy goal kicking games earlier in the season. Despite some people's quick aversion to him (Kilted Kiwi?), I think Te Rure does look to have the makings of a very exciting player and given time to develop could be a real asset for Edinburgh and Scotland. However, Heathcote should have had a better run of games for Edinburgh, he's a good 10 and I hope that Worcester get promoted and he establishes himself as a Scotland option.

[VinceWLB]

Jeez just seen the Heathcote news, this is terrible news and i must say Solomons does make some ludicrous choices, what are the odds Te Rure starts against Ulster?

[RDW]

Well if Tonks is starting for Scotland against Italy, chances are quite high!

The last thing we need against a very strong Ulster team is Te Rure at 10...

[MacKnocked-on]

STV News reporting that, in theory, Russell could get banned for up to 8 (yes 8) weeks. Most likely he will be banned for a couple of weeks I expect which means he'll obviously miss the Italy game. As Tonks and Horne are the only two 10s in the squad currently I could actually see Heathcote now being called up by Cotter and in fact either starting or benching for Scotland.
This means that Edinburgh may well play Te Rure against Ulster, the alternative is Burleigh with Strauss at 12. If Te Rure's goal kicking is still erratic then Cuthbert is an alternative kicker if need be.

[BigGee]

Well if Tonks is starting for Scotland against Italy, chances are quite high!

The last thing we need against a very strong Ulster team is Te Rure at 10...

Heathcote not gone yet. Hopefully he should still start, unless he gets called up as well.

In all honesty we should be able to beat Italy whoever is playing FH!

[BigGee]

STV News reporting that, in theory, Russell could get banned for up to 8 (yes 8) weeks. Most likely he will be banned for a couple of weeks I expect which means he'll obviously miss the Italy game. As Tonks and Horne are the only two 10s in the squad currently I could actually see Heathcote now being called up by Cotter and in fact either starting or benching for Scotland.
This means that Edinburgh may well play Te Rure against Ulster, the alternative is Burleigh with Strauss at 12. If Te Rure's goal kicking is still erratic then Cuthbert is an alternative kicker if need be.

Scott could come back to Edinburgh for this one as well, he really looks like he still needs the game time!

[RDW]

Well if Tonks is starting for Scotland against Italy, chances are quite high!

The last thing we need against a very strong Ulster team is Te Rure at 10...

Heathcote not gone yet. Hopefully he should still start, unless he gets called up as well.

In all honesty we should be able to beat Italy whoever is playing FH!

I know, but I just think Solomons will stick with Te Rure!

[MacKnocked-on]

STV News reporting that, in theory, Russell could get banned for up to 8 (yes 8) weeks. Most likely he will be banned for a couple of weeks I expect which means he'll obviously miss the Italy game. As Tonks and Horne are the only two 10s in the squad currently I could actually see Heathcote now being called up by Cotter and in fact either starting or benching for Scotland.
This means that Edinburgh may well play Te Rure against Ulster, the alternative is Burleigh with Strauss at 12. If Te Rure's goal kicking is still erratic then Cuthbert is an alternative kicker if need be.

Scott could come back to Edinburgh for this one as well, he really looks like he still needs the game time!

That's a good point, he did look rusty to say the least. That could mean Scott at 12 and Burleigh at 10. Going by your theory that anyone could play at 10 against Italy and we should still win, then Cotter might consider Te Rure as the nearest replacement to Russell in playing style...

[George Carlin]

Question is - if Russell might be banned, will Pappy be allowed to play Tonks? I would doubt it.

[RDW]

We can discuss it here!

https://www.606v2.com/t57747-edinburgh-v-ulster#2930225

[WhiskyBluff]

As someone who's played against Ashe back in the day i really hope he is fit and back in scotland jersey soon. beattie has been the weakest player on the park. Very happy he is to stay at scotstoun long may that continue.

He does need to grow a huge beard though. im convinced that that's half the reason strauss carries so well

[funnyExiledScot]

As someone who's played against Ashe back in the day i really hope he is fit and back in scotland jersey soon. beattie has been the weakest player on the park. Very happy he is to stay at scotstoun long may that continue.

He does need to grow a huge beard though. im convinced that that's half the reason strauss carries so well

Agree. All the best ball carriers are either Pacific Islanders, sporting massive beards or coated in tramp stamps. If all three boxes are ticked then you're talking world class.

I've been a tad harsh on Ashe in the past. Having seen Beattie's performances in the last couple of games, I'm keen for him to return!

[EWT Spoons]

As someone who's played against Ashe back in the day i really hope he is fit and back in scotland jersey soon. beattie has been the weakest player on the park. Very happy he is to stay at scotstoun long may that continue.

He does need to grow a huge beard though. im convinced that that's half the reason strauss carries so well

Agree. All the best ball carriers are either Pacific Islanders, sporting massive beards or coated in tramp stamps. If all three boxes are ticked then you're talking world class.

I've been a tad harsh on Ashe in the past. Having seen Beattie's performances in the last couple of games, I'm keen for him to return!

Hamilton?!?

[funnyExiledScot]

He only ticks two of the three boxes. That means he's a total lunatic, yellow card magnet and painfully slow around the park. You need either one or all three, them the rules.

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