Edinburgh, Glasgow and London Scottish Arrivals & Departures

First topic message reminder :

With a few players announcing their departures, and few named to replace them, I thought it'd be useful to have an in-out list.

Also a good place to post any rumours or rumours of rumours.

Let me know if I'm missing anyone?!


Edinburgh


In:

Nasi Manu - Highlanders - Flanker     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DsgMvrYr6I
Will Helu - Coventry Wasps - Wing    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luMTcwgcr5U
Nathan Fowles - Sale - SH              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFWzXXhzeQE
Michael Allen - Ulster - Wing/Centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHnLKIz0Ecw
Otulea Katoa - Southland - Wing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crq6ZJKaeg4

Duncan Hodge - SRU - Backs Coach

Out:

Tim Visser - Harlequins - Wing
Ollie Atkins - Exeter Chiefs - Lock
Michael Tait - the bar - Centre
Tom Heathcote - Worcester Warriors - FH
Grayson Hart - Glasgow Warriors - SH
Wicus Blaauw - ? - Prop
Brett Thompson - ? -
Nikki Walker - Hawick - Wing


Contract ending:

Hookers: Hilterbrand, Turner
Props: Dickinson, Nel
BR: Leonardi, Du Preez

FH: Bezuidenhout
Centre: Dominguez, Atiga
Wings: Farndale


Glasgow Warriors


In:

Grayson Hart - Edinburgh - SH                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ReJ_oz1Rk
Mike Blair - Newcastle Falcons - SH             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sWN-M8lQ2o
Keiran Low - London Irish - Lock/Flanker       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qszjBclzxds
Simone Favaro - Treviso - Flanker                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAcEaWGY8yk
Sam Johnson - Queensland Reds - Centre      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_O4sLMfdc
Greg Peterson - Leicester Tigers - Lock
Taqele Naiyaravoro - NSW Waratahs - Wing  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgSC643wJRI
Javan Sebastian - Scarlets Academy - Prop  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9N4q0zcwTo
Jason Hill - Heriot’s - No.8                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_UQoN8DM8
Hugh Blake - Edinburgh? - Flanker             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIIuR-HjFho
Sila Puafisi - Gloucester - Prop                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXLR_9CXkUs  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqAneyg0Fqw


Dan McFarland - Connacht - Forwards Coach

Out:

Niko Matawalu - Bath - SH
Sean Maitland - London Irish - Wing
John Welsh - Newcastle Falcons - Prop
Dougie Hall - the bar - Hooker
Al Kellock - the bar - Lock
DTH - Scarlets - Wing
Tom Ryder - Northampton - Lock
James Downey - Wasps - Centre
Murray McConnell - Nottingham - Centre
Tommy Spinks - Jersey - Flanker

Shade Munroe - ? - Forwards Coach

Contract ending:

Props: Murray, G.Hunter

SH: Price
FH: Hunter, Lyle
Wings: Hughes
Full Backs: Braid


London Scottish


In:

Drew Locke - Jersey - Centre                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KcGBGC7FKI
Neale Patrick - Plymouth - Lock              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsi07ANTE04
Russell Weir - Scotland 7's - SH              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agpcYh30H04
David Young - Newport Dragons - Prop    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxIq4nwimCM
Freddie Clarke - Bath - Flanker
Jason Harries - Wales 7's - Centre
Jimmy Litchfield - London Welsh - Prop    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCPZqsXqHo
James Chisholm - Harlequins - No.8         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl9v5JzpUn0  (scorer of both tries)
Craig Jackson - Hartbury - Full Back         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXMZE5Xl-k
Rory Bartle - Gloucester - Lock                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJF0rIYhms
Tyrone Moran - Leinster - Hooker             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he4Bq0Dkdfg
Will Carrick-Smith - Exeter - Lock
Joe Marchant - Harlequins - Centre          https://vine.co/v/O2FBmaU6dD2
Kieran Treadwell - Harlequins - Lock        
James Gibbons - Gloucester - Prop
Season long loan from Bath Rugby
Beno Obano - Bath - Prop                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwqWvAmmYfw  
Tom Woolstencroft - Bath - Hooker          https://vine.co/v/MTDzbLxOxTM

Peter Richards - LS - Promoted to Head Coach
Tim Payne - London Irish - Forwards Coach


Out:

Adam Preocanin - Ealing Trailfinders - Lock
Gregor Gillanders - Blackheath - Flanker
James Phillips - Bristol - No.8
Jamie Stevenson - Wasps - Scrum Half
Kieran Moffat- returned to New Zealand - Centre
Lovejoy Chawatama - Rosslyn Park - Prop
Mark Lilley - Rosslyn Park - Prop
Matt Hawke - Rosslyn Park - Centre
Mike Doneghan - AS Macon - Wing
Neil Best - Retired - Flanker
PJ Gidlow - Stade Rouennais - Centre
Ross Doneghan - Retired - Flanker
Stewart Maguire - East Grinstead - Prop
Tai Tuisamoa - returned to USA - Flanker

Mike Friday - USA 7's - Head Coach

Hopefully just after all the 6N money hits the SRU's bank account

Welly wrote: When is Johnny Gray's contract up?

Just asking.

Signed a 3 year deal in 2013.

He'll only be 23 when it is up! Will probably have 30+ caps by then.

Stuart McInally has signed a 1 year extension with Edinburgh.

It is a bit strange we've got several players only getting 1 year deals...

When was his contract due to expire? I'm guessing this year, but if he's gone from having two years left to three years left then great.

Was due to expire this year, so it is only until May 2016.

Then that's a strange one. Unless the SRU are getting a bit long term contract shy, with the number of injuries etc in the game these days.

Still McInally is a very good player so would have liked to have him tied down a bit longer than one year.

You need to get Johnny Grey signed on a long term contract post haste, the French and some of the English clubs will be circling him like vultures. He along with his brother are jewels in the crown for Scottish rugby, you need to keep him in Scotland for the good of not just Scottish rugby, but for Pro12 rugby as well.

EWT Spoons wrote:Then that's a strange one.  Unless the SRU are getting a bit long term contract shy, with the number of injuries etc in the game these days.

Still McInally is a very good player so would have liked to have him tied down a bit longer than one year.

It may well be his choice as he will want to be convinced that he will be getting sufficient game time at hooker. He is still seen as very much the second choice to Ford, who is still signed up for a few more years and under Solly, if you are not seen as first choice, them you don't play much. If he continues his current trajectory then he probably is deserving of at least equal billing next season and if he does not get it at Edinburgh, then he may have to look elsewhere. I am sure he is worth it.

LordDowlais wrote:You need to get Johnny Grey signed on a long term contract post haste, the French and some of the English clubs will be circling him like vultures. He along with his brother are jewels in the crown for Scottish rugby, you need to keep him in Scotland for the good of not just Scottish rugby, but for Pro12 rugby as well.

He's pretty much following the same career path Ritchie did. At the end of his first long term deal Ritchie moved to Sale, which ended up being a bit of a disaster, so hopefully Jonny has learned from his brother's mistakes!

Hopefully he will sign another deal in 2016 then when he's 25/26 he might want to look elsewhere. By then he will be 50 caps plus for Scotland and, if he carries on his current trajectory, may even have a Lions tour under his belt!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:You need to get Johnny Grey signed on a long term contract post haste, the French and some of the English clubs will be circling him like vultures. He along with his brother are jewels in the crown for Scottish rugby, you need to keep him in Scotland for the good of not just Scottish rugby, but for Pro12 rugby as well.

He's pretty much following the same career path Ritchie did.  At the end of his first long term deal Ritchie moved to Sale, which ended up being a bit of a disaster, so hopefully Jonny has learned from his brother's mistakes!

Hopefully he will sign another deal in 2016 then when he's 25/26 he might want to look elsewhere.  By then he will be 50 caps plus for Scotland and, if he carries on his current trajectory, may even have a Lions tour under his belt!

RG moved to soon, even he would probably admit that. JG will no doubt move on at some stage, but hopefully not for a while.

LordDowlais wrote:You need to get Johnny Grey signed on a long term contract post haste, the French and some of the English clubs will be circling him like vultures. He along with his brother are jewels in the crown for Scottish rugby, you need to keep him in Scotland for the good of not just Scottish rugby, but for Pro12 rugby as well.

Agree.

If you consider RDW's post that by the time he is 23 he could have 30 caps and potentially be Scotland captain by then (for what it's worth), I would be amazed if clubs aren't keeping an eye on him.

BigGee wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Then that's a strange one.  Unless the SRU are getting a bit long term contract shy, with the number of injuries etc in the game these days.

Still McInally is a very good player so would have liked to have him tied down a bit longer than one year.

It may well be his choice as he will want to be convinced that he will be getting sufficient game time at hooker. He is still seen as very much the second choice to Ford, who is still signed up for a few more years and under Solly, if you are not seen as first choice, them you don't play much. If he continues his current trajectory then he probably is deserving of at least equal billing next season and if he does not get it at Edinburgh, then he may have to look elsewhere. I am sure he is worth it.

Very true BigGee. I'd say as things stand he is probably at the same level now as ford or not far off, certainly in the loose he's better. Perhaps he's not got the strength of Ford yet, but he's bulked up and when he has played at hooker our scrum hasn't looked any worse.

EWT Spoons wrote:

BigGee wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Then that's a strange one.  Unless the SRU are getting a bit long term contract shy, with the number of injuries etc in the game these days.

Still McInally is a very good player so would have liked to have him tied down a bit longer than one year.

It may well be his choice as he will want to be convinced that he will be getting sufficient game time at hooker. He is still seen as very much the second choice to Ford, who is still signed up for a few more years and under Solly, if you are not seen as first choice, them you don't play much. If he continues his current trajectory then he probably is deserving of at least equal billing next season and if he does not get it at Edinburgh, then he may have to look elsewhere. I am sure he is worth it.

Very true BigGee. I'd say as things stand he is probably at the same level now as ford or not far off, certainly in the loose he's better.  Perhaps he's not got the strength of Ford yet, but he's bulked up and when he has played at hooker our scrum hasn't looked any worse.

Apparently he hasn't - in a recent interview he said he's kept the same physique from when he was playing in the back row, as the modern day hooker position basically acts as another backrow.

If he keeps practising his throwing the only place he might have an issue is in the scrum - at 6ft 2 / 6ft 3 he's very tall for a hooker. Ford's main strength is in his scrummaging.

I wouldn't be too surprised if Bristol had their eye on McInally, but perhaps he's unsure if they'll get into the premiership/stay up.

Don't suppose these 1 year contracts suggest Solomons might be moving on/retiring after next season?

He moaned about not being able to pick players...

RDW_Scotland wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:

BigGee wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Then that's a strange one.  Unless the SRU are getting a bit long term contract shy, with the number of injuries etc in the game these days.

Still McInally is a very good player so would have liked to have him tied down a bit longer than one year.

It may well be his choice as he will want to be convinced that he will be getting sufficient game time at hooker. He is still seen as very much the second choice to Ford, who is still signed up for a few more years and under Solly, if you are not seen as first choice, them you don't play much. If he continues his current trajectory then he probably is deserving of at least equal billing next season and if he does not get it at Edinburgh, then he may have to look elsewhere. I am sure he is worth it.

Very true BigGee. I'd say as things stand he is probably at the same level now as ford or not far off, certainly in the loose he's better.  Perhaps he's not got the strength of Ford yet, but he's bulked up and when he has played at hooker our scrum hasn't looked any worse.

Apparently he hasn't - in a recent interview he said he's kept the same physique from when he was playing in the back row, as the modern day hooker position basically acts as another backrow.

If he keeps practising his throwing the only place he might have an issue is in the scrum - at 6ft 2 / 6ft 3 he's very tall for a hooker. Ford's main strength is in his scrummaging.

That surprises me about him not bulking up, he certainly looks bigger, maybe I'm just expecting him to be bigger and my mind is playing tricks on me.

He's only a couple of inches taller than ford, so I'm not sure it's going to make a huge difference, and he seems to have done ok in the scrum when he's played at hooker recently. But you're right, McInally is tall and Ford is a monster who should do more in the loose given his size. I rate Ford, certainly for Edinburgh he's been generally very good.

Solly will sign up for a couple more years. He deserves it, I don't think anyone could deny that now. I am sure it is already signed up and will be announced after the cup. He really has done everything that could have been asked of him and has made Edinburgh into a team again!

BigGee wrote:Solly will sign up for a couple more years. He deserves it, I don't think anyone could deny that now. I am sure it is already signed up and will be announced after the cup. He really has done everything that could have been asked of him and has made Edinburgh into a team again!

I'm definitely not saying he should go and didn't imply that. What I'm trying to get at is that he's 64/65 at the moment. I'm merely suggesting that perhaps Solomons is only doing one more year and then wants to head back home, but wants a new incoming coach to be free to make decisions on who to keep/resign unlike he maybe did?

Aye he probably deserves it, that is if he wants it. He's 64 now, will be 65 in the summer so he might be thinking about hanging up his coaching boots.

I think he'll probably stay on for one more year with a view to perhaps Stevie taking over as head coach after.

I would have prefered to see Mike Blair back at Edinburgh then. He has a great analytical eye for the game and IMO would make an excellent coach in the future. I suppose having him at Glasgow learning from Toonie is good too.

Would it be realistic for Blair to learn under toonie and then move to take the head coach role at Edinburgh?

I mean the obvious course would be for Blair to replace Toonie when a bigger club comes in for him (or one with more money), as a player he moved around a lot, so I imagine he'll be the same as a coach, so can't see him being at Glasgow for many more years. Blair stepping into his shoes makes sense from a non emotional viewpoint, but as an Edinburgh fan, it would be really hard to see him as head coach of Glasgow.

But I can't imagine he'll start his coaching career at Glasgow and then move to Edinburgh to take over the head coaching role there.

I've always had Mike Blair down as a future Edinburgh coach.

Same, but his role at Glasgow makes me question that

Toonie is likely to be the next Scotland coach, the only real question is when. Personally I would like to see VC stay for a whole WC cycle and then hand over but that may or may not happen, as he will always be a coach in demand.

Toonie could well stay for that kind of time frame, as long as he stays motivated and the team is doing well. He has got a youngish family now and may like the stability of not moving for a while.

He is still relatively young in coaching terms though and will need a new challenge at some stage, be it at Scotland or with another club. Hopefully it will be both, but not for a few years yet!

Agreed on Toonie as the next Scotland man, and also agree that Vern should be given until the end of the next WC cycle.

I think Solomons has done a pretty decent job. Not everything to my tastes, the style of play has been ultra conservative (and needlessly so) at times, but, and this is the key, we all said that his priorities when he started had to be the pack and the defence, and both are lightyears ahead of the shambles he inherited. A good technical backs coach is needed now, plus some succession planning. I would give Sololmons two years (if he wants it) to complete the job.

That's a good point FES - succession planning.

Solomons' ground work will be all for naught if he quits this summer and we have to find a new coach who changes all his players, tries to bring in a new style of play that leads to another two seasons of disruption.

What would be idea is Solomons signs a two year deal, then after that Stevie Scott takes over head coach with Mike Blair becoming assistant coach when his contract with Glasgow expires. In his two years at Glasgow he will have hopefully learnt a lot from Toonie and built up his own coaching experience.

We do desperately need an attack / backs coach in the meantime though. if we could somehow find a way of matching our current forward dominance with Edinburgh's old style of play - running in lots of tries - we could be comfortable top 6 next season.

Remember that many of Glasgow's best signings in recent years, before Lineen was given the Shepard's crook by the SRU were rough diamonds in the making:
DTH,
both Evan's boys,
Henners Pyrgos
Tennesse Tammy Seymour
The mighty Coo,
Tom Ryder,
Ally Muldowney,
Batman Wilson
Bane (Embro discard)
and Big Al (Embro discard)
None of them were marquee signings (only DTH had Int. experience)

The question is does Tonnie have the same ability to pick players from relative obscurity and turn them into good pros/ international quality players? Perhaps SL is still doing his scouting as well as coaching the U20's?

it will also be interesting to see if Glasgow's  forwards flourish at the same rate under a new coach after the "amicable" ditching of Shade Munro? Only time will tell.

Glasgow have a pretty decent record with obscure signings, as pointed out above. I'm no fan of NSQ players where there are decent young SQ players needing a shot, but let's just see with these guys. They both cover positions where Glasgow certainly needed to add some depth, and there are no obvious solutions from the SQ pool that I can think of (I do think Glasgow should have made a play for Ollie Atkins at lock).

You're right about Atkins - he'd have suited Glasgow's style of play quite well. Good ball carrier but capable of an offload or two. Also seems to be a good leader.

Wouldn't be all that surprised if he features for Scotland/Edinburgh or Glasgow again.

Atkins is a very obvious choice to move to Glasgow - I think he's a decent player.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Atkins is a very obvious choice to move to Glasgow - I think he's a decent player.

I would imagine that if it had been offered to him, he would still have seen himself 4th or so in the pecking order and would have to feast off crumbs like he has at Edinburgh. He may get more of a shot at Exeter and probably a bigger contract.

Glasgow look like they have a couple of decent 2nd rows in the pipeline, currently playing in the U20's but both probably at least 2 years away from stepping up at this level. Hopefully this big yank will fill the gap.

Agree with BigGee but it does look funny to say he turned down being 4th choice at Glasgow to be further up the pecking order at a team in the AP who are heading for top tier European rugby (as are Glasgow obviously).
I think you have to trust Townsend on his choices

Apparently a scrum half called Justin Turner from Oz has been training with Glasgow and Edinburgh. Did anyone hear about this?

From what I could see he has had a nightmare career ending injury that he's just come back from. Nonetheless, he's played for the Force and has just been drafted back in by Michael Foley for this weekend's game.

He doesn't look too bad and has a Scottish gran to boot!

“There maybe an opening to play in Scotland in the future but right now I’m just looking forward to getting back with the force,”

Food for thought.

madmaccas wrote:Apparently a scrum half called Justin Turner from Oz has been training with Glasgow and Edinburgh. Did anyone hear about this?

From what I could see he has had a nightmare career ending injury that he's just come back from. Nonetheless, he's played for the Force and has just been drafted back in by Michael Foley for this weekend's game.

He doesn't look too bad and has a Scottish gran to boot!

“There maybe an opening to play in Scotland in the future but right now I’m just looking forward to getting back with the force,”

Food for thought.

Where did you see this?

Found it!

I bet he signs for Glasgow.

His highlights look good and he has got SR experience, and at 25 he's still young, but 4 serious knee injuries isn't exactly the biggest selling point...

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/27379238/turner-will-make-force-return-against-blues/

Western Force coach Michael Foley has pulled scrum-half Justin Turner out of Perth club ranks for Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland.

Foley's hand was forced after Ian Prior was banned for three weeks after being sent off for a dangerous tackle in Friday night’s 35-27 loss to the Chiefs.

Prior will miss just two Super Rugby games, against the Blues and Waratahs, as the Force have a bye in the third week and he would have been available for club rugby.

Former All Blacks No.9 Alby Mathewson has not recovered from the ankle injury that saw him miss the Chiefs game and Ryan Louwrens, who had an excellent debut when he came from the reserves bench for Prior in the 28th minute, will start.

Second-rower Adam Coleman, who damaged his right shoulder against the Chiefs, is doubtful for Saturday’s game but Foley is hopeful prop Ollie Hoskins will have recovered from an ankle injury.

Turner, a former Junior Wallaby, has had an injury-ravaged career, making only 11 Force appearances since his 2010 debut, needing three major operations and suffering a fourth serious injury all to his right knee.

He was in the Force wider training group last year and played for Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship.

He has recently returned from training stints with the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh clubs where he would be a valuable asset as he has a Scottish grandmother and would not be classed as an overseas player.

Louwrens, who has come through the Force academy, was also in the Force wider group but suffered a season ending knee injury in training last year.

Turner said he would be relishing another opportunity after several false starts.

“It’s another chance to get some exposure and to play at the highest level,” Turner said.

“There maybe an opening to play in Scotland in the future but right now I’m just looking forward to getting back with the force,”

Foley said Louwrens and Turner would slip seamlessly into Saturday’s squad.

“Justin is very fit, he’s always in good condition. It’s a good opportunity for him having been involved last year and it’s a good opportunity for Ryan as well,” Foley said.

“Ryan did a great job against the Chiefs.

“Lets face it, you don’t often get a debut under more difficult circumstances, away from home, against a team that’s in very good form and one of 14 men.

“He was thrown right in at the deep end and he did very well."

Louwrens did not miss any of his nine tackles.

“This is a guy that was in a key position. We needed people to make extra tackles. We had a guy out there that was ripping in for us,” Foley said.

Foley said his side needed to grab their opportunities against the Blues, the way they did against the Chiefs.

“We’re up against a Blues side that’s full of international players and getting one across the line is obviously what everybody is after. The challenge is to back it up," he said.

“We took opportunities on the weekend better than we had in the previous few games and that was a really good sign.

“We’ve got to take our time, make sure we understand how we are going to get momentum against them and repeat what we did against the Chiefs…take those opportunities that are on offer.

“If we keep 15 men on the field we should be able to defend a bit better as well.”

I'm not too sure. All these injuries make me a bit concerned.

We've already got for future/current SHs:

1 SHC, 2 Laidlaw, 3 Pyrgos, 4 Hart, 5 Kennedy ... 6 Price, 7 Horne

RDW_Scotland wrote:Found it!

I bet he signs for Glasgow.

His highlights look good and he has got SR experience, and at 25 he's still young, but 4 serious knee injuries isn't exactly the biggest selling point...

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/27379238/turner-will-make-force-return-against-blues/

Western Force coach Michael Foley has pulled scrum-half Justin Turner out of Perth club ranks for Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland.

Foley's hand was forced after Ian Prior was banned for three weeks after being sent off for a dangerous tackle in Friday night’s 35-27 loss to the Chiefs.

Prior will miss just two Super Rugby games, against the Blues and Waratahs, as the Force have a bye in the third week and he would have been available for club rugby.

Former All Blacks No.9 Alby Mathewson has not recovered from the ankle injury that saw him miss the Chiefs game and Ryan Louwrens, who had an excellent debut when he came from the reserves bench for Prior in the 28th minute, will start.

Second-rower Adam Coleman, who damaged his right shoulder against the Chiefs, is doubtful for Saturday’s game but Foley is hopeful prop Ollie Hoskins will have recovered from an ankle injury.

Turner, a former Junior Wallaby, has had an injury-ravaged career, making only 11 Force appearances since his 2010 debut, needing three major operations and suffering a fourth serious injury all to his right knee.

He was in the Force wider training group last year and played for Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship.

He has recently returned from training stints with the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh clubs where he would be a valuable asset as he has a Scottish grandmother and would not be classed as an overseas player.

Louwrens, who has come through the Force academy, was also in the Force wider group but suffered a season ending knee injury in training last year.

Turner said he would be relishing another opportunity after several false starts.

“It’s another chance to get some exposure and to play at the highest level,” Turner said.

“There maybe an opening to play in Scotland in the future but right now I’m just looking forward to getting back with the force,”

Foley said Louwrens and Turner would slip seamlessly into Saturday’s squad.

“Justin is very fit, he’s always in good condition. It’s a good opportunity for him having been involved last year and it’s a good opportunity for Ryan as well,” Foley said.

“Ryan did a great job against the Chiefs.

“Lets face it, you don’t often get a debut under more difficult circumstances, away from home, against a team that’s in very good form and one of 14 men.

“He was thrown right in at the deep end and he did very well."

Louwrens did not miss any of his nine tackles.

“This is a guy that was in a key position. We needed people to make extra tackles. We had a guy out there that was ripping in for us,” Foley said.

Foley said his side needed to grab their opportunities against the Blues, the way they did against the Chiefs.

“We’re up against a Blues side that’s full of international players and getting one across the line is obviously what everybody is after. The challenge is to back it up," he said.

“We took opportunities on the weekend better than we had in the previous few games and that was a really good sign.

“We’ve got to take our time, make sure we understand how we are going to get momentum against them and repeat what we did against the Chiefs…take those opportunities that are on offer.

“If we keep 15 men on the field we should be able to defend a bit better as well.”

Actually played against Justin Turner many years ago when he was a young whipper snapper just breaking through in the local club scene in Perth.
Was a very difficult player to play against, was pretty quick and strong and had a good pass on him.
Been very unlucky at the Force as they had very high hopes for him being their long term 9 and also to really challenge for the Australia 9 jersey. His knees just don't seem to be able to hold up to the physical demands of training and playing a bit like Ross Rennie.
By all accounts he has been playing very well for his club team in Perth this season and has stayed injury free for a little while now.
Definitely worth a gamble to take on him but would probably put in an injury clause into his contract.

Nematode wrote:I'm not too sure. All these injuries make me a bit concerned.

We've already got for future/current SHs:

1 SHC, 2 Laidlaw, 3 Pyrgos, 4 Hart, 5 Kennedy ... 6 Price, 7 Horne

We are well stocked at 9 from a Scotland PoV but from an Edinburgh point of view we will have next season:

Hidalgo-Clyne - International class, will be away with Scotland a lot

Kenndy - a bit meh, plus currently long termed injured (might not be back for the start of next season)

Fowles - a bit meh, let's see how he develops

Glashan - young pup, no pro experience


So behind Hidalgo-Clyne we are a bit lacking, and given he is likely to be away at the world cup we need to sign another 9.

Scott Steele might be worth a punt, but he's starting a lot for LI in the premiership unfortunately (for Edinburgh)

I think Steele is better off staying where he is - he is number 1 at an AP club and is progressing well.

Wouldn't say no to him at Edinburgh obviously! He signed for LI last season and not sure how long his deal is.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I think Steele is better off staying where he is - he is number 1 at an AP club and is progressing well.

Wouldn't say no to him at Edinburgh obviously! He signed for LI last season and not sure how long his deal is.

Agreed I would prefer to see Scott Steele staying where he is at the moment. Will be a good battle between him and McKibbin next season to see who will start at 9. Can se him and SHC going toe to toe for the Scotland jersey over the next few years!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Where did you see this?

Oops forgot to include the link!

On another note, we really need to tie Mitch Eadie to Scotland. He's playing incredibly for Bristol keeping Ryan Jones out of the team, has scored 10 tries this season and represented Scotland at U20. Obviously we're pretty well stocked in the back rows at Edinburgh and Glasgow, but surely an Scotland A game would be in order? Anyone know why we didn't have any this year?

madmaccas wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Where did you see this?

Oops forgot to include the link!

On another note, we really need to tie Mitch Eadie to Scotland. He's playing incredibly for Bristol keeping Ryan Jones out of the team, has scored 10 tries this season and represented Scotland at U20. Obviously we're pretty well stocked in the back rows at Edinburgh and Glasgow, but surely an Scotland A game would be in order? Anyone know why we didn't have any this year?

The money for the 'A' set up was used to send the 7's boys on an around the world pi$$ up.

madmaccas wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Where did you see this?

Oops forgot to include the link!

On another note, we really need to tie Mitch Eadie to Scotland. He's playing incredibly for Bristol keeping Ryan Jones out of the team, has scored 10 tries this season and represented Scotland at U20. Obviously we're pretty well stocked in the back rows at Edinburgh and Glasgow, but surely an Scotland A game would be in order? Anyone know why we didn't have any this year?

He does seem to be playing consistently well for them - hopefully they'll go up next season so he can be tested at Aviva level. With Strauss, Ashe and Denton around there's plenty good competition, but the more the merrier.

A little off topic, but I was thinking about if we sent a Scotland A team off to play a tier 2/3 nation this summer. Would give fringe players a good game, give us a few backup options for the WC, tie them in to Scotland and give us a look at guys playing abroad.

We could frame it as a 'possibles' team.

1: Jack Cosgrove (Worcester/Edinburgh)
2: James Hilterbrand (Edinburgh)
3: Mike Cusack (Glasgow)
4: Andy Cramond (Toulon)
5: Alex Toolis (Edinburgh/Glasgow)
6: Lachlan McCaffrey (Leicester)
7: John Hardie (Highlanders)
8: Mitch Eadie (Bristol)

9: Scott Steele (London Irish)
10: Lee Millar (London Scottish)
11: Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders)
12: Huw Jones (Stormers)
13: Chris Dean (Edinburgh)
14: Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh)
15: Steve McColl (Gloucester)

16: Jack Gilding (London Welsh)
17: Zander Ferguson (Glasgow Warriors)
18: Ross Doneghan (London Scottish)
19: Nick Campbell (Jersey)
20: Dave Sisi (Bath)
21: Jade Te Rure (Edinburgh)
22: Robbie Robinson (unattached)

madmaccas wrote:A little off topic, but I was thinking about if we sent a Scotland A team off to play a tier 2/3 nation this summer. Would give fringe players a good game, give us a few backup options for the WC, tie them in to Scotland and give us a look at guys playing abroad.

We could frame it as a 'possibles' team.


2: James Hilterbrand (Edinburgh)

You serious - you want to tie him to playing for Scotland!

That "possibles" team is more like Scotland "D"!

Not sure there is enough letters in the alphabet to name a Scottish team with Jack Gilding in it!

funnyExiledScot wrote:That "possibles" team is more like Scotland "D"!

Yeah absolutely, as I said it's not for players who have already been capped, it's for players who haven't represented Scotland before.

From an Edinburgh PoV there's some contracts that worryingly have yet to be extended still (as far as we know):

Props: Dickinson, Nel
BR: Du Preez

Edinburgh will certainly be much weaker if they went. I suspect Nel and Du Preez are likely to re-sign (especially Nel who is about to become SQ) but I have a nagging doubt that Dickinson is going to be snapped up by a big AP club. He is on top form just now and is one of the top loosheads in the home nations IMO.