Leinster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, 27 March

jimbopip wrote:For me the outstanding thing was the way Glasgow refused to lose. The real leaders stepped up and wanted the ball and took it right into the Ladyboys. Bluto, Jonny, DTH, Messiah and Hornee were all outstanding. Richie Vee had a barnstorming evening till he went off, didn't contribute too much afterwards TBH.
How anyone can argue that Clare Baldwin brings more guts to a game than Bluto is beyond me.
Glasgow are now playing for a home semi (again) and must be in with a realistic chance of being champions. Happy days indeed.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

jimbopip wrote:For me the outstanding thing was the way Glasgow refused to lose. The real leaders stepped up and wanted the ball and took it right into the Ladyboys. Bluto, Jonny, DTH, Messiah and Hornee were all outstanding. Richie Vee had a barnstorming evening till he went off, didn't contribute too much afterwards TBH.
How anyone can argue that Clare Baldwin brings more guts to a game than Bluto is beyond me.
Glasgow are now playing for a home semi (again) and must be in with a realistic chance of being champions. Happy days indeed.

Worth watching Clare Baldwin in action against the Scarlets. Like Ashe and Wilson only good.

I think Scotland will use both Denton and Strauss at the World Cup. Harley just wasn't good enough in the 6 Nations.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

jimbopip wrote:For me the outstanding thing was the way Glasgow refused to lose. The real leaders stepped up and wanted the ball and took it right into the Ladyboys. Bluto, Jonny, DTH, Messiah and Hornee were all outstanding. Richie Vee had a barnstorming evening till he went off, didn't contribute too much afterwards TBH.
How anyone can argue that Clare Baldwin brings more guts to a game than Bluto is beyond me.
Glasgow are now playing for a home semi (again) and must be in with a realistic chance of being champions. Happy days indeed.

Worth watching Clare Baldwin in action against the Scarlets. Like Ashe and Wilson only good.

I think Scotland will use both Denton and Strauss at the World Cup. Harley just wasn't good enough in the 6 Nations.

George Carlin wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

jimbopip wrote:For me the outstanding thing was the way Glasgow refused to lose. The real leaders stepped up and wanted the ball and took it right into the Ladyboys. Bluto, Jonny, DTH, Messiah and Hornee were all outstanding. Richie Vee had a barnstorming evening till he went off, didn't contribute too much afterwards TBH.
How anyone can argue that Clare Baldwin brings more guts to a game than Bluto is beyond me.
Glasgow are now playing for a home semi (again) and must be in with a realistic chance of being champions. Happy days indeed.

Worth watching Clare Baldwin in action against the Scarlets. Like Ashe and Wilson only good.

I think Scotland will use both Denton and Strauss at the World Cup. Harley just wasn't good enough in the 6 Nations.

Er. You posted on the other thread that you hadn't actually watched the match yet.

Are you just 'projecting' that Denton played comparably to Strauss and better than Ashe?
On balance, I'll give you that he probably played better than Wilson.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well perhaps more remarkable is the fact that between posting yesterday that I hadn't seen the game and posting today that I had, I watched the game.

PM me if further explanation is required.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well perhaps more remarkable is the fact that between posting yesterday that I hadn't seen the game and posting today that I had, I watched the game.

PM me if further explanation is required.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well perhaps more remarkable is the fact that between posting yesterday that I hadn't seen the game and posting today that I had, I watched the game.

PM me if further explanation is required.....

The Herald - Alan Lorimer wrote:

Onus on Scottish Rugby to stop gold spoon from devouring schools scene

At the conclusion of another schools rugby season it was George Watson's College who took the honours after winning the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under-18 Cup for a third successive year and then going on to achieve an unprecedented hat-trick of titles in the top sevens tournaments this spring.

Watson's are one of a small group of schools along with Strathallan, Merchiston, Edinburgh Academy and Stewart's-Melville College - and, to an extent, St Aloysius College - who have effectively become elite rugby academies within Scotland and who, as a result, are enjoying spectacular success.

One look at what is far from a top-secret Watson's website reveals that their first XV players train during lunch breaks and after school following carefully planned skills development and strength and conditioning programmes - a tougher regime than for some senior players.

The common factor is the creation of a director of rugby post, currently occupied by Ally Donaldson at Watson's, Andy Henderson at Strathallan, Rob Moffat at Merchiston, Mark Appleson at Edinburgh Academy and Mark McKenzie at St Aloysius College to name but four. Some would argue, too, that the ability to offer scholarships, gives certain independents an unfair advantage.

Next season Watson's, Stewart's-Melville, Strathallan, Dollar, Edinburgh Academy and Merchiston will play in what is being dubbed a 'conference', the idea being that regular intense competition between elite schools will raise standards. Conferences to cater for all levels are also being created to ensure appropriate levels of competition and to avoid dangerous and discouraging mismatches.

That seems all very well but for many this might be seen as the silver spoon turning to gold. The advantaged getting even more. What, it may be asked, is being done for the 95.4 per cent of youngsters who attend state schools?

To their credit Scottish Rugby are addressing the problem by trying to increase their Schools of Rugby programme but even the most enthusiastic proponent of this scheme would admit that it will be a battle against a steep gradient.

Establishing rugby (or indeed any sport) in state schools depends on having a dedicated member of staff, and a head teacher, who will buy into rugby. Does he or she see sport as something that is good for the well-being of the school and a contributor to better exam results? Or is it just an expensive nuisance that uses up time and resources?

Almost on a daily basis there are research findings informing us about frightening obesity and low fitness levels in young adults and moreover there are studies which repeatedly correlate participation in sport with academic attainment. Yet the obvious conclusion is seldom made and, worse, rarely implemented.

Ultimately, given the massive work overload most teachers experience these days, and the consequent near-impossibility of Saturday morning sport, rugby will only be part of school life if there is a serious intent to make it happen. And that means the Scottish Government taking more than a passing interest in school sport and making sure active sport is encouraged.

bsando wrote:"I was watching Super Rugby at the weekend and the commentators said that the rumour was that Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs Fijian Winger) has signed a 2 year deal with SRU, but they didnt know whether it was Glasgow or Edinburgh that he was going to.

Any news on this?"

Daffy B (scotsman comments section)

I met a guy who works for the SRU and G Warriors pre Scotland vs Wales and he told me that Glasgow had two signings on the cards, one was an italian and the other from the waratahs. So it would seem that Glasgow may have signed naiyaravoro.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

bsando wrote:"I was watching Super Rugby at the weekend and the commentators said that the rumour was that Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs Fijian Winger) has signed a 2 year deal with SRU, but they didnt know whether it was Glasgow or Edinburgh that he was going to.

Any news on this?"

Daffy B (scotsman comments section)

I met a guy who works for the SRU and G Warriors pre Scotland vs Wales and he told me that Glasgow had two signings on the cards, one was an italian and the other from the waratahs. So it would seem that Glasgow may have signed naiyaravoro.

Both clubs are losing wingers, but Glasgow certainly need them more so that would perhaps be his best place.  He looks a cracking prospect though so would prefer him at Edinburgh!

cp10 wrote:

The Herald - Alan Lorimer wrote:

Onus on Scottish Rugby to stop gold spoon from devouring schools scene

At the conclusion of another schools rugby season it was George Watson's College who took the honours after winning the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under-18 Cup for a third successive year and then going on to achieve an unprecedented hat-trick of titles in the top sevens tournaments this spring.

Watson's are one of a small group of schools along with Strathallan, Merchiston, Edinburgh Academy and Stewart's-Melville College - and, to an extent, St Aloysius College - who have effectively become elite rugby academies within Scotland and who, as a result, are enjoying spectacular success.

One look at what is far from a top-secret Watson's website reveals that their first XV players train during lunch breaks and after school following carefully planned skills development and strength and conditioning programmes - a tougher regime than for some senior players.

The common factor is the creation of a director of rugby post, currently occupied by Ally Donaldson at Watson's, Andy Henderson at Strathallan, Rob Moffat at Merchiston, Mark Appleson at Edinburgh Academy and Mark McKenzie at St Aloysius College to name but four. Some would argue, too, that the ability to offer scholarships, gives certain independents an unfair advantage.

Next season Watson's, Stewart's-Melville, Strathallan, Dollar, Edinburgh Academy and Merchiston will play in what is being dubbed a 'conference', the idea being that regular intense competition between elite schools will raise standards. Conferences to cater for all levels are also being created to ensure appropriate levels of competition and to avoid dangerous and discouraging mismatches.

That seems all very well but for many this might be seen as the silver spoon turning to gold. The advantaged getting even more. What, it may be asked, is being done for the 95.4 per cent of youngsters who attend state schools?

To their credit Scottish Rugby are addressing the problem by trying to increase their Schools of Rugby programme but even the most enthusiastic proponent of this scheme would admit that it will be a battle against a steep gradient.

Establishing rugby (or indeed any sport) in state schools depends on having a dedicated member of staff, and a head teacher, who will buy into rugby. Does he or she see sport as something that is good for the well-being of the school and a contributor to better exam results? Or is it just an expensive nuisance that uses up time and resources?

Almost on a daily basis there are research findings informing us about frightening obesity and low fitness levels in young adults and moreover there are studies which repeatedly correlate participation in sport with academic attainment. Yet the obvious conclusion is seldom made and, worse, rarely implemented.

Ultimately, given the massive work overload most teachers experience these days, and the consequent near-impossibility of Saturday morning sport, rugby will only be part of school life if there is a serious intent to make it happen. And that means the Scottish Government taking more than a passing interest in school sport and making sure active sport is encouraged.

Question to everyone - is this a good or bad thing?

I can see the positives and the negatives. Having an elite competition can be good. Hot housing the talent in a competitive league. But then it's not supporting the rest.

Border schools lose players after 4th/5th year for guys that go off and do apprentices so will never compete at U18 Cup level.

MacKnocked-on wrote:

I think a possible solution to the State school rugby development problem might be to emulate the example of Bell Baxter High School in Cupar who traditionally have close links to Howe of Fife RFC. Bell Baxter are one of the very few schools teams (outside the borders) who can compete with the private schools in the various cup competitions. Howe of Fife are now only two or three divisions below the premiership in Scotland so are reaping the benefit of working closely with Bell Baxter. There seems a lot of sense to me in aligning state schools to local rugby clubs, both the school and the club benefit and many more players are kept in the game after leaving school.