Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread VII

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Ye Olde Banter:

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
https://www.606v2.com/t56913p950-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vi-banter-boogaloo

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

Fri 13 Feb: Edinburgh Rugby 24 - 16 Ospreys

Fri 20 Feb: Edinburgh Rugby 17 - 20 Ulster Rugby

Sun 1 Mar: Cardiff Blues 21 - 15 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

Sun 15 Feb: Zebre 10 - 54 Glasgow Warriors

Sat 21 Feb: Glasgow Warriors 19 - 16 Ospreys

Sat 28 Feb: Munster Rugby 22 - 10 Glasgow Warriors

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]

If you Glasgow fans think you've had a tough week, spare a thought for us Edinburgh fans:


Zayn Malik has left One Direction.

Well that certainly puts things into perspective!

[funnyExiledScot]

If you Glasgow fans think you've had a tough week, spare a thought for us Edinburgh fans:


Zayn Malik has left One Direction.

Well that certainly puts things into perspective!

I hear Schizoid has removed them from his iWatch in protest.

[RDW]

Apparently Edinburgh have made moves to exploit a gap in the market..

https://twitter.com/edlifemagazine/status/580690451566608386?s=09

[EWT Spoons]

Du Preez is not human. No one should recover this quickly!

Cornell called into Euro squad

Cornell du Preez called into Edinburgh’s Euro squad

Edinburgh Rugby could be about to spring a major surprise by recalling flanker Cornell du Preez for the European Challenge Cup quarter-final with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, on April 5.

When the South African-born Scottish-project signing broke an ankle against Newport Gwent Dragons at BT Murrayfield last October it was feared his season could be over.

However, Du Preez who turned 24 last Monday and who has gathered a host of man-of-the-match awards from his 29 Edinburgh appearances, is one of two players re-registered today for European competition by head coach Alan Solomons.

The other newcomer is Sale Sharks loanee scrum-half Nathan Fowles who has come off the bench in the last two Guinness Pro 12 games after arriving at a time when Sean Kennedy is a long term casualty.

The first sign that Du Preez could be on course for a quicker-than-expected return came when he tweeted on February 27.

If progress is swift than it is even possible that, a month on, Du Preez could figure in the Edinburgh squad that travels to Scarlets on Saturday keen to improve prospects of a top-six finish which would earn re-instatement to the premier Champions Cup next season.

His absence came at time 
when Edinburgh’s back-row resources were so badly stretched at one stage that the progress in converting Stuart McInally from back row to hooker had to be interrupted so as to provide emergency cover.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s game at Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday is vital. The Capital team lie eighth, four points behind Connacht in sixth.

Scarlets are a point better off than Edinburgh and have already pledged to restore a string of Welsh caps likely to be in better fettle than Scots coming off the back of a confidence-sapping Six Nations campaign.

Ken Owens (captain), Scott Williams, Jake Ball, Liam Williams, Rob Evans, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Davies are all set to return to action against Edinburgh with coach Wayne Pivac remarking: “The boys are full of smiles after the weekend and those that got to take part in it (Wales’ rout of Italy) thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Hooker Emyr Phillips could also return for Scarlets this weekend after three months out with a shoulder problem tighthead prop Samson Lee is a long-term casualty to injury.

[justified sinner]

Atkins off to Exeter.

Shame that he's a good player and still young for a lock, but we've still got good second row options with Gilchrist, Toolis B, Mackenzie, Bresler and Toolis A .

[RDW]

Du Preez is not human. No one should recover this quickly!

Cornell called into Euro squad

[RDW]

Where is everyone seeing these things btw?

[justified sinner]

BBC reporting it.

[George Carlin]

Where is everyone seeing these things btw?

Apparently the Edinburgh Evening News and Reuters have never been seen in the same room.

[RDW]

On Atkins, he's a good lock and still young but you can understand why he's looking elsewhere given the strength in depth Edinburgh have there.

Still SQ though and the Cheifs is a good place to be.

[MacKnocked-on]

Atkins looked really useful last season when he was getting plenty of game time, having already played for Scotland A I would hope that he'll develop further at Exeter and be in the Scotland selectors thoughts rather than get forgotten about. In some ways he might have been a better choice for Glasgow than Keiran Low.

[funnyExiledScot]

I really rate Atkins, but with Toolisx2, Gilchrist, Bresler and MacKenzie on the books his departure makes sense. I'm surprised Glasgow didn't snap him up - he's a better player than Al Kellock.

Still, he's SQ and can keep Moray Low company down there.

[tigertattie]

I really rate Atkins, but with Toolisx2, Gilchrist, Bresler and MacKenzie on the books his departure makes sense. I'm surprised Glasgow didn't snap him up - he's a better player than Al Kellock.

Still, he's SQ and can keep Moray Low company down there.

Ooooo. Thats gonna get 21st out from under his rock!

[RDW]

To be fair, even the most die hard Glasgow fans would probably admit that Kellock is one of the worst locks from either squad!

No faulting his leadership of commitment to the cause though.

[George Carlin]

We really need ASBO back to remind us all that the are the finest purveyor of rugger known to humanity (and residents of Edinburgh).

[funnyExiledScot]

We really need ASBO back to remind us all that the are the finest purveyor of rugger known to humanity (and residents of Edinburgh).

To be fair to ASBO they have done pretty damn well down there, and form a great template for how to run a great squad with a limited budget. Great team spirit, fantastic work rate and wonderful cohesion to their play - built on a really solid defence.

Leicester could do far worse than replace Cockerill with Baxter to fix their current slump.

[jimbopip]

I fully agree with all of the above, Fes. However , you miss out the other important fact: a trip to Sandy Park is an enjoyable experience, the Cider Barn is great for after match cocktails, the Exeter fans are very friendly and hospitable and the local Otter Ale is very easy on the palate.

[Tattie Scones RRN]

I fully agree with all of the above, Fes. However , you miss out the other important fact: a trip to Sandy Park is an enjoyable experience, the Cider Barn is great for after match cocktails, the Exeter fans are very friendly and hospitable and the local  Otter Ale is very easy on the palate.  

Cider barn??? Never been there yet but I'm going to the Chiefs v Northampton game so I'll check it out.

Has anyone seen (apologies if already mentioned) the story in Rugby World about Dunbar going through this revolutionary surgery that could mean he'll be back playing by the end of the season?

http://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/scotland/could-alex-dunbar-be-back-in-scotlands-blue-sooner-than-we-expect-44059

Would be unbelievably tremendous if true.

[jimbopip]

Tattie, if you remember the bar we met, briefly, in behind one set of posts. Well, the Cider Barn is diagonally opposite that behind the other posts. There tend to be a couple of refreshment tents and the Cider Barn is tucked away at the back. It's Asbo's place to be after the game; (a) the Exeter players tend to go in there, (b) the local farmers will pay good money for the white line paint from Asbo's little machine. They use it for treating split hoof in their flocks. Devon men can't abide camel toe, apparently.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well if you bump into ASBO tell him to drag himself back onto these boards. I promise not to mention the democratic outcome of the referendum....much.

[VinceWLB]

Glasgow should have gone for Atkins who i rate pretty high as a 2nd row enforcer instead of going for lightweight Low.

Big loss for Edinburgh, very much an underused player. The same will be said when Leonardi leaves.

[funnyExiledScot]

Glasgow should have gone for Atkins who i rate pretty high as a 2nd row enforcer instead of going for lightweight Low.

Big loss for Edinburgh, very much an underused player. The same will be said when Leonardi leaves.

I agree with that. I see Low as a slow 6, rather than a lock.

Re: Leonardi I agree that we was a useful squad player, but with the new back row signing from NZ, plus Du Preez, Denton and Coman starting to turn up a bit more (and Ritchie and Bradbury coming through the ranks), his opportunities were always going to be limited. Still, decent physical option to have.

[BigGee]

Glasgow should have gone for Atkins who i rate pretty high as a 2nd row enforcer instead of going for lightweight Low.

Big loss for Edinburgh, very much an underused player. The same will be said when Leonardi leaves.

Glasgow have those promising young locks from the U20's on their books, I would imagine that they would fancy trying to develop them. Still not giving up all hope on RG as well, thought it seems more likely that he will stay in France.

Atkins going to Exeter is probably a good move for him and for Scottish rugby if it gets him more gametime, it will be good to see if he can push on in that league.

[RDW]

Nice to see Edinburgh rugby are on top of things - no mention of the Atkins departure yet even though the BBC and Exeter chiefs have confirmed it!

[BigGee]

Injury update from Glasgow.

Lamont out for the rest of the season, but no surgery, so probably back for the WC. De Klerk did his groin against Zebra and has had an op, so he looks out for the duration as well. Grant, no surgery but probably out for at least 4 weeks.

Dunbar has had his operation, but no mention of the revolutionary new technique, still talking about 6-9 months. Going to be very tight on the WC front.

Weir, Reid, Welsh and Maitland should all be back soon and the Rev when he passes his concussion protocols.

Its been a tough year for injuries!

Anyway, Big Mike is back fit, just in the nick of time. He really needs to step up now and repay the faith. Probably fair to say that he is playing for his contract and his career now.

[funnyExiledScot]

Nice to see Edinburgh rugby are on top of things - no mention of the Atkins departure yet even though the BBC and Exeter chiefs have confirmed it!

They are probably all working furiously to complete the signings of Aaron Smith, Julian Savea and Israel Folau. Watch this space.

[George Carlin]

Nice to see Edinburgh rugby are on top of things - no mention of the Atkins departure yet even though the BBC and Exeter chiefs have confirmed it!

They are probably all working furiously to complete the signings of Aaron Smith, Julian Savea and Israel Folau. Watch this space.

Look, you cannot expect St John McBumfertie to be on top of PR as well as deciding what sort of claret to have with his loin of venison for lunch. Dashed tiring working for one of those rugger establishments.

[Imperialbigdave]

I see Robbie Nairns off to the Harlequins academy. Remember the name. He may just be something special.

[funnyExiledScot]

What position does he play IBD? Tell us more.

[Majestic83]

Robbie nairn looks a very good prospect. Scored some cracking tries for currie this season.
He's a winger who is pretty big, 6ft 3 and about 100kg and very quick. Think he has only just turned 18 and is still at school.
Disappointed he hasn't gone to edinburgh or more preferably glasgow.
Despite him being very young still I think he is one who could step up to senior pro rugby pretty quickly similar to the way hogg stepped up.

[Imperialbigdave]

Robbie nairn looks a very good prospect. Scored some cracking tries for currie this season.
He's a winger who is pretty big, 6ft 3 and about 100kg and very quick. Think he has only just turned 18 and is still at school.
Disappointed he hasn't gone to edinburgh or more preferably glasgow.
Despite him being very young still I think he is one who could step up to senior pro rugby pretty quickly similar to the way hogg stepped up.

Hes certainly got the physical size. I remember a half time feature on ALBA during a pro12 game about the schools cup final, and they had two clips of him scoring cracking tries. He looked bigger than most of the forwards, but still seemed to have ridiculous pace.

[Majestic83]

He scored a cracker for currie in February I think that won try of the month. Think it was a near length of the pitch effort beating quite a few defenders.

[Imperialbigdave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJWeCuW3X7Y

watch at 0.30 and 2.30 for his tries

Edit: This was the final two years ago aswell. He looked even bigger last year.

[Imperialbigdave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNbW8hTY8bc

try at 15.00

[funnyExiledScot]

Sounds like an exciting talent. Given that both Glasgow and Edinburgh need firepower out wide it seems odd that he hasn't been snapped up.

[justified sinner]

The Scotsman's interesting this morning, for a change.

Morrison reporting Dan McFarland to join Glasgow as forwards coach and hypothesising that he will focus on scrum coaching which leaves Massimo pretty much out in the cold. Good.

Also Dickinson, Ford, Scott and Fife all out of the Edinburgh game v Scarlets. Bad.

[RDW]

When's the last time Matt Scott didn't pick up an injury after a game?

Our front row replacements have played well this year so no big loss.

Hopefully just precautionary given the run of games we've got.

[George Carlin]

Good news to see talent like Nairn.

I also don't think we've given our U20s enough credit on these boards. 3 wins and keeping England to fewer than 2 scores is really excellent given how much we usually suffer by comparison physically. Apart from Bradbury and Horne (plus Zander and D'Arcy) I don't know too much about the players.

Can anyone help me?

[RDW]

Jamie Ritchie was captain - just out of school but already played for Edinburgh.

Very highly thought of and a lot expected of him.

[funnyExiledScot]

Jamie Ritchie was captain - just out of school but already played for Edinburgh.

Very highly thought of and a lot expected of him.

He was at the Edinburgh vs Treviso game in the corp hospitatlity. Still looks about 12!

[funnyExiledScot]

The Scotsman's interesting this morning, for a change.

Morrison reporting Dan McFarland to join Glasgow as forwards coach and hypothesising that he will focus on scrum coaching which leaves Massimo pretty much out in the cold. Good.

Also Dickinson, Ford, Scott and Fife all out of the Edinburgh game v Scarlets. Bad.

Sutherland and McInally (or Cochrane) will be fine, as will Burleigh. Not sure what we'll do about the wing. Presume Visser will play on the left, and probably Tom Brown on the right. I'd like to see Hoyland given another chance personally.

[Tattie Scones RRN]

Was speaking to Graeme Beveridge at Murrayfield last week and he said that Bryan Redpath's son who played for Scotland age grade this year (forgive my memory of first name and age group - I was pretty fuelled) has decided not to go into rugby but instead wants to go to Exeter University. Apparently it's a massive waste of talent because the kid is seriously good.

[MacKnocked-on]

The Scotsman's interesting this morning, for a change.

Morrison reporting Dan McFarland to join Glasgow as forwards coach and hypothesising that he will focus on scrum coaching which leaves Massimo pretty much out in the cold. Good.

Also Dickinson, Ford, Scott and Fife all out of the Edinburgh game v Scarlets. Bad.

Sutherland and McInally (or Cochrane) will be fine, as will Burleigh. Not sure what we'll do about the wing. Presume Visser will play on the left, and probably Tom Brown on the right. I'd like to see Hoyland given another chance personally.

Is Hoyland not with the 7s in Hong Kong?

[RDW]

Jamie Ritchie was captain - just out of school but already played for Edinburgh.

Very highly thought of and a lot expected of him.

He was at the Edinburgh vs Treviso game in the corp hospitatlity. Still looks about 12!

Does that not apply to anyone under 25 for you?

[demosthenes]

Was speaking to Graeme Beveridge at Murrayfield last week and he said that Bryan Redpath's son who played for Scotland age grade this year (forgive my memory of first name and age group - I was pretty fuelled) has decided not to go into rugby but instead wants to go to Exeter University. Apparently it's a massive waste of talent because the kid is seriously good.

I would expect that this sort of drop-out of talent happens all of the time. Perhaps having seen at first hand the pressures and uncertainties of professional rugby he has decided its not for him? Or he doubts himself? Anyway, I would imagine that he wont stop playing altogether, and if he is good enough I am sure Exeter will want to keep tabs on him, as will the SRU. A couple of years at uni and he might change his mind, or try to combine studies and training. Not as if there isn't any precedent for it!

[funnyExiledScot]

The Scotsman's interesting this morning, for a change.

Morrison reporting Dan McFarland to join Glasgow as forwards coach and hypothesising that he will focus on scrum coaching which leaves Massimo pretty much out in the cold. Good.

Also Dickinson, Ford, Scott and Fife all out of the Edinburgh game v Scarlets. Bad.

Sutherland and McInally (or Cochrane) will be fine, as will Burleigh. Not sure what we'll do about the wing. Presume Visser will play on the left, and probably Tom Brown on the right. I'd like to see Hoyland given another chance personally.

Is Hoyland not with the 7s in Hong Kong?

Well if he is it's a waste of his time. He should be playing proper professional rugby now against the likes of Liam Williams. That's how he's going to develop into an international rugby player, not faffing about in the sunshine.

[funnyExiledScot]

Jamie Ritchie was captain - just out of school but already played for Edinburgh.

Very highly thought of and a lot expected of him.

He was at the Edinburgh vs Treviso game in the corp hospitatlity. Still looks about 12!

Does that not apply to anyone under 25 for you?

Ouch!!!

I'm only 34, still plenty life in this old dog, and more importantly there are still pro rugby and football players older than me. I have no idea why that matters, but it does.

[Majestic83]

Good news to see talent like Nairn.

I also don't think we've given our U20s enough credit on these boards. 3 wins and keeping England to fewer than 2 scores is really excellent given how much we usually suffer by comparison physically. Apart from Bradbury and Horne (plus Zander and D'Arcy) I don't know too much about the players.

Can anyone help me?

Been keeping a close eye on how the u20s have been doing and what players look like good prospects for the future. I have to say the majority look like they could all step up to pro senior rugby if given the chance.

The backs have had george Horne running the show at scrum half who seems a very good goal kicker as well.
Fly half has been Rory Hutchison who is at Northampton saints. Looks a good passer and has good acceleration. Good kicking from hand as well and didn't seem to troubled in defence.
Centres have been Patrick kelly and Archie Russell. Kelly plays in France for le parc. Think they are third division but he is getting a lot of game time. From the highlands but got a rugby scholarship for merchie. Looks quick and powerful with ball in hand, was also very good at getting the ball wide. Been very impressed by him.
Archie Russell is Finns little brother, playing at Stirling county. Looked quick and quite jinky and brought the outside backs into the game. Looks smaller than finn.
Outside backs have been ruari howarth at full back who is with edinburgh and gala. Looks a very good player, good under the high ball, good pace and was very good in defence as last man. Played a lot at fly half previously and had a good boot on him.
The wings chopped and changed a little, one was Alec Coombes who is at London scottish, good pace and looked powerful, scored a couple tries I think. The other wings used were both from currie, Harvey elms and ruari smith(I think)'both looked good players aswell, think elms was looked slightly better out the 2. Ben Robbins also played on the wing and is with edinburgh. Looked very quick and was very good in defence especially against ireland.

The pack has been very impressive. Fagerson dominated at tighthead and don't think it will be long till he is wearing the senior scotland Jersey. The others at front row all looked very solid and held up the scrum well and certainly drove most of the other scrubs back.
2nd rowers have been Lewis Carmichael from melrose and North berwick. Think he was possibly top try scorer. Looks a very good prospect, mobile and got through a ton of work. Not the biggest 2nd row ever but is starting to fill out now. Think he will get a pro contract as he was probably Scotland's top player. In the future though I think he could be a very good 6 if he keeps his pace. The other 2 locks used were scott Cummings and andrew Davidson both of glasgow and glasgow Hawks.both were very good, big guys who looked pretty physical. Good in the line outs and stole quite a few too.
Back row has been a good unit, Bradbury played well at 8 and carried lots of ball and tackled hard, definitely ready to step up to senior rugby.
Jamie Ritchie captained from openside. He's a real work horse, carried lots and was a real nuisance at the breakdown.
At blindside was neil Irvine-Hess who is at melrose. Big guy who played well. For his size could possibly used it to better effect. He looks like a player that could use a few sessions with Jason white or nathan Hines to get the best out of him.
Ally Miller also on edinburghs books played mainly from the bench and started at openside in the last game. Similar to Ritchie, got through a ton of work and looks a good prospect.

They have a tough group at the world cup but hopefully we could see scotlands best showing for a long time .

[funnyExiledScot]

Thanks for that Maj - really useful insights.

I'm particularly pleased to hear the progress from Howarth at fullback. It's a position where Edinburgh need to strengthen, particularly with Tonks having moved to 15. Howarth, being a former 10, sounds like he's got a good allround footballing skillset which is exactly what we want.

I'd heard about Ben Robbins previously, particularly his pace. I really do hope Solomons has a close look at these guys before signing anymore NSQ wingers.

[George Carlin]

Brilliant - thanks Maj. I would suggest that you are actually Scott Johnson in disguise, but you know too much about Scottish rugby for that accusation to really stick.

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