Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread VIII

[RuggerRadge2611]

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
https://www.606v2.com/t57946-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vii



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

Sat 7 Mar: Benetton Treviso 8 - 29 Edinburgh

Sat 28 Mar: Scarlets 15 - 26 Edinburgh Rugby

Fri 24 Apr: Edinburgh Rugby 3 - 34 Munster 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

05/04/2015: London Irish 18-23 Edinburgh

17/04/2015: Edinburgh 45-16 Dragons

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

Fri 6 Mar: Glasgow Warriors 26 - 5 Zebre

Fri 27 Mar: Leinster Rugby 34 - 34 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 10 Apr: Glasgow Warriors 36 - 17 Cardiff Blues


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

Hopefully this thread will keep GC off my back for a wee while...

[jimbopip]

So, Ulster 23-Munster 23
Three teams on 70 points and Ulster on 69.

It will be the squeakiest of buttock clenching next week.
It does mean that if Ulster beat us we then have to go to Kingspan for the semi.

[RDW]

So could Glasgow beat Ulster and still end up with an away semi?

[BigGee]

Edinburgh's no show has let Connacht back into the race for the play off spot again, so it won't be a dead game for them against the Spreys. Never an easy trip to Galway at the best of times, they will still have to work for their home semi.

[GLove39]

Yep, it's ridiculously tight at the top.
Ospreys 70
Glasgow 70
Munster 70
Ulster 69

Connacht V Ospreys -
Glasgow V Ulster -
Munster V Dragons -

Quite likely that the Ospreys & Munster will pick up 5 points & clinch home semis.
Fair to say that leaving Swansea empty handed might come back to haunt us.

[BigGee]

It looks like we are going to have to go for the five pointer, we have got nothing to lose as we are in the semi's anyway. What are the rules if sides are tied on points?

[GLove39]

It looks like we are going to have to go for the five pointer, we have got nothing to lose as we are in the semi's anyway. What are the rules if sides are tied on points?

3.5. If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order:

number of matches won;
the difference between points for and points against;
the number of tries scored;
the most points scored;
the difference between tries for and tries against;
the fewest number of red cards received;
the fewest number of yellow cards received.


Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/statzone/competition_rules.php#wkBM0dbZQMlYlblz.99

[George Carlin]

Wow. Cannot believe my eyes - a non TBP draw between the paddies was the best possible result for us and near as dammit a 'get out of jail free' card. At least we're got a shot now, a really serious shot, at a home semi - my one big fear is that the problems we have are not the kind which will be sorted in a week.

Interesting to see the differentiators if teams finish level:

1. number of matches won - crucially, we have won one game more than Munster and Ulster.

2. the difference between points for and points against - we are monumentally duffed up the bum if it comes down to this - we have the worst points difference out of the big four (Os +184, Glasgow +158, Munster +191 and Ulster +174)

So we really need to pin our ears back next week - as our ginger colleague correctly writes - we literally have nothing to lose by going hell for leather for a 5 pointer.

[RDW]

If Glasgow did end up away, which team would they most likely beat?

[George Carlin]

If Glasgow did end up away, which team would they most likely beat?

Hard to say - I think that we are a basket case at the moment and I wouldn't be confident that we will beat any of the other 4 in a playoff.

The team that I most worried about is Munster (with POC back) in terms of the quality of their players but Ospreys have hit collective form at just the right time. So I guess to answer your question I would say 'Ulster' but I am still not all that confident we will beat them next week.

Mind you, if Tommy O'Donnell is broken and Iain Henderson is suspended following his red card tonight (surely the citing committee won't overrule Nigel Owens?), then it's looking less of a horrible mismatch in the backlines.

[RDW]

BREAKING NEWS

David Davies will step down as Edinburgh MDO at the end of May.

Given the public fallout about how he is running the place, I suspect that is very good news!

[BigGee]

BREAKING NEWS

David Davies will step down as Edinburgh MDO at the end of May.

Given the public fallout about how he is running the place, I suspect that is very good news!

He was fairly upfront about it in his resignation statement, which I guess is a good thing and it looks like he has done the honourable thing and fallen on the sword.

There has been a lot of that going on following the election. You almost fell sorry for some of them. Almost!

[RDW]

“I am proud to have led Edinburgh, however recent media speculation about my role has been unhelpful as I firmly believe the public interest should be in the team and not the off-field staff.

“Sports clubs should be in the news for the excellence of their play, not for off-field matters. Therefore I have decided to leave at the end of May and will support the club as it makes preparations for its new managing director.

Irrespective of that, if he'd lost support of the players and staff he had to go - nothing to do with media intrusion!

[George Carlin]

I am unfamiliar with Mr MacBumfertie, sorry, Davies.

What has he or hasn't he done so that I know how much to hate him?

[RDW]

Edinburgh Rugby’s players are in open revolt against their managing director, David Davies, after he sacked the long-serving team manager. Lynsey Dingwall was a popular and efficient member of the backroom staff at Edinburgh Rugby yet she was given an hour to clear her desk after working at the club for 14 years.

The players sent an email to the board and the council of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) which Scotland on Sunday has seen. In the missive, sent on 23 March, the players offer their full support to Dingwall.

“We feel the dismissal of Lynsey Dingwall was unfair and unjustified,” the e-mail reads. “Lynsey was part of Edinburgh Rugby for 14 years. Over that period she worked tirelessly with and for the players and was hugely respected within the organisation. Numerous past coaches and players have commented that she was the best team manager that they have ever worked with. We feel she has been the victim of a personal attack.”


The email goes on to state that the players’ views were not sought at the time the decision was made and furthermore that Davies had refused to meet his own players since showing Dingwall the door. In a damning attack on their own managing director, the players state: “We feel he doesn’t have Edinburgh’s best interests at heart and the players don’t trust him.”



Scotland on Sunday offered Davies the right of reply but an SRU spokesman declined on his behalf and instead offered this statement: “Edinburgh Rugby has been restructuring its back-office functions over recent months and as a result two members of staff have left the business. Edinburgh Rugby thanks them for their contribution to the team’s progress and wishes them well in the future. Everyone connected with Edinburgh Rugby is committed to developing a winning culture on, and off, the pitch and taking the club forward.”

According to one source, on the very same day that the players sent the email to the board and council, they were called into a meeting by SRU boss Mark Dodson, who laid down the law about who ran Scottish Rugby.

The players’ email also mentioned a previous missive from former club physio Dan Moore, who has since returned to his native New Zealand of his own volition. On his final day of work, Moore had also sent a scathing email to the board and council, branding Dingwall’s dismissal “a disgrace” and pointing out that since Davies, pictured, had adopted some of the roles previously filled by the manager there had been a comical waste of money. Davies had booked a bus for Murrayfield when the players had arranged to meet at the airport and on another occasion he booked umpteen bags into the aircraft hold when a man was already driving gear to the away game. In the final paragraph Moore comes to the same damning conclusion regarding Edinburgh’s managing director.

“There is a lack of trust in David Davies amongst staff and players, and people are afraid to speak up due to their job security,” he said.


A culture of fear pervades Murrayfield and until a good reason is given for the sacking of a popular and efficient member of the Edinburgh management team, the lack of trust will only continue.

[George Carlin]

Edinburgh Rugby’s players are in open revolt against their managing director, David Davies, after he sacked the long-serving team manager. Lynsey Dingwall was a popular and efficient member of the backroom staff at Edinburgh Rugby yet she was given an hour to clear her desk after working at the club for 14 years.

The players sent an email to the board and the council of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) which Scotland on Sunday has seen. In the missive, sent on 23 March, the players offer their full support to Dingwall.

“We feel the dismissal of Lynsey Dingwall was unfair and unjustified,” the e-mail reads. “Lynsey was part of Edinburgh Rugby for 14 years. Over that period she worked tirelessly with and for the players and was hugely respected within the organisation. Numerous past coaches and players have commented that she was the best team manager that they have ever worked with. We feel she has been the victim of a personal attack.”


The email goes on to state that the players’ views were not sought at the time the decision was made and furthermore that Davies had refused to meet his own players since showing Dingwall the door. In a damning attack on their own managing director, the players state: “We feel he doesn’t have Edinburgh’s best interests at heart and the players don’t trust him.”



Scotland on Sunday offered Davies the right of reply but an SRU spokesman declined on his behalf and instead offered this statement: “Edinburgh Rugby has been restructuring its back-office functions over recent months and as a result two members of staff have left the business. Edinburgh Rugby thanks them for their contribution to the team’s progress and wishes them well in the future. Everyone connected with Edinburgh Rugby is committed to developing a winning culture on, and off, the pitch and taking the club forward.”

According to one source, on the very same day that the players sent the email to the board and council, they were called into a meeting by SRU boss Mark Dodson, who laid down the law about who ran Scottish Rugby.

The players’ email also mentioned a previous missive from former club physio Dan Moore, who has since returned to his native New Zealand of his own volition. On his final day of work, Moore had also sent a scathing email to the board and council, branding Dingwall’s dismissal “a disgrace” and pointing out that since Davies, pictured, had adopted some of the roles previously filled by the manager there had been a comical waste of money. Davies had booked a bus for Murrayfield when the players had arranged to meet at the airport and on another occasion he booked umpteen bags into the aircraft hold when a man was already driving gear to the away game. In the final paragraph Moore comes to the same damning conclusion regarding Edinburgh’s managing director.

“There is a lack of trust in David Davies amongst staff and players, and people are afraid to speak up due to their job security,” he said.


A culture of fear pervades Murrayfield and until a good reason is given for the sacking of a popular and efficient member of the Edinburgh management team, the lack of trust will only continue.

Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out, David.

[RDW]

It was discussed on here at the time - keep up eh!

[SecretFly]

"According to one source, on the very same day that the players sent the email to the board and council, they were called into a meeting by SRU boss Mark Dodson, who laid down the law about who ran Scottish Rugby."

I assume this means that the players were euphemistically told to shut the f**k up?

If so, it seems SRU were buying Davies' Management techniques? So maybe Davies is just a cog in the grinding wheel of unwanted change?

[George Carlin]

It was discussed on here at the time - keep up eh!

Yes, but it had something to do with posh people in Edinburgh, so I wasn't really paying attention.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Well I have just managed to get out of my skinny jeans, docs and too tight cap sleeved Ramones T-shirt after the 7s where we all got mightily pished to celebrate the demise of Murph and his not so Magitones. We are nearly a fascist free zone now - although some balloons even voted UKIP ffs. Sad bit was as a part-Orcadian, via my paternal grandfather, that lying, fat oaf Carmichael was returned there.

7s was entertaining from pre-pished memory - Scotland not very good - Fiji bloody excellent and as usual we adopted Kenya as a Glasgow favourite. A fecking Popeye sitting behind me in the Party Stand managed to try to ruin me biker jacket by pouring beer all over it - at least I think /hope it was beer Great blast though - and got a piccie on my phone that I have just discovered of me standing between 2 cheerleaders. That needs to go on Facebook pronto. Thanks ladies !

Talkin of semis, the Warriors now need to go baws oot via the SUFTUM next week.

[jimbopip]

Cheerleaders, semi, baws oot and scathing political satire all on the one post glad to see you're keeping up standards.

The Luvvies' capitulation in the last couple of games has been cringeworthy. Look at the Warriors, that's how to deal with a Somme like injury list.

On Saturday we will win. Believe.

[RDW]

The Luvvies' capitulation in the last couple of games has been cringeworthy. Look at the Warriors, that's how to deal with a Somme like injury list. :

What, play badly and lose?

[George Carlin]

The Luvvies' capitulation in the last couple of games has been cringeworthy. Look at the Warriors, that's how to deal with a Somme like injury list. :

What, play badly and lose?

Not at all. What Jimbo meant was 'play a bewildering car-crash cocktail of out-of-position players who are barely aware of each other's surnames, play badly and lose'.

[jimbopip]

Well lads, yes we did lose but there was some semblance of fighting spirit and a complete absence of hair gel.
A win against the bad boys from the province and we'll be ready for the home semi while the Luvvies so love the diddy cup they're determined to be in it again next season.

[justified sinner]

Re Davies going from Edinburgh. There's a pretty damning piece in the Scottish Mail on Sunday by David Ferguson where he states that he'd informed the SRU of the intention to publish. That might have been the trigger and the press speculation referred the to by Davies in his 'resignation' statement.

[RDW]

Re Davies going from Edinburgh. There's a pretty damning piece in the Scottish Mail on Sunday by David Ferguson where he states that he'd informed the SRU of the intention to publish. That might have been the trigger and the press speculation referred the to by Davies in his 'resignation' statement.

Link/quote?

[justified sinner]

Came across it in a paper I picked up in the pub, I'll see if I can find a link.

Nope. Headline is 'mayhem and mutiny.' First paragraph;

The Scottish Rugby Union last night moved to quell a mutiny amongst ng Edinburgh players by announcing that managing director David Davies will depart at the end of the month.

Then lots of rehashing the stuff about the sacking of Lynsey and Lindsey. Also the shambolic travel arrangements since they left and apparently a complete FUBAR at the cup final where arrangements for partners were completely screwed up leading to players having to step in to make arrangements the day before. Also a pop at Dodson about lack of transparency in the hiring of Davies.

[BigGee]

Well Scotland sevens did themselves no harm at all and proved themselves very competitive getting to the plate final. Along the way they gave NZ quite a scare and with a bit more belief could have won that game as well.

They certainly don't deserve to have their place at the top table taken away from them, they are a team transformed this year.

[BigGee]

Hold your heads up Scotland sevens, what a great effort, never say die, you deserve better than some of the idiots running Scottish rugby!

[RDW]

Completely blown away by south Africa's physicality at the breakdown - men against boys! That was an awful conversion attempt too.

Still, great effort and a great season for the 7s.

[RDW]

in pro 12 news the Scarlets won but with no bp. 5 points ahead of Edinburgh.

[BigGee]

Completely blown away by south Africa's physicality at the breakdown - men against boys! That was an awful conversion attempt too.

Still, great effort and a great season for the 7s.

Probably a little bit strong, we did come back from 2 tries down and had a kick to draw the match. One of their tries was a forward pass as well!

SA were the better side, as you might imagine, but the comeback and the attitude was beyond reproach. Hoyland looks a prospect, not ready for full pro rugby this year but will be next and Weir and Lowe could progress as well, given the opportunity. Can we really do without the sevens as a means of developing players.

[RDW]

No doubting they were far physically superior though!

I'm gnash we've stuck with pace though - in the commonwealth games we went for power but were really lacking pace.

Lee Jones would have made a big difference too.

[RDW]

Over 1000 signatures!

https://www.change.org/p/scottish-rugby-union-save-our-sevens-squad

[George Carlin]

Came across it in a paper I picked up in the pub, I'll see if I can find a link.

Nope. Headline is 'mayhem and mutiny.' First paragraph;

The Scottish Rugby Union last night moved to quell a mutiny amongst ng Edinburgh players by announcing that managing director David Davies will depart at the end of the month.

Then lots of rehashing the stuff about the sacking of Lynsey and Lindsey. Also the shambolic travel arrangements since they left and apparently a complete FUBAR at the cup final where arrangements for partners were completely screwed up leading to players having to step in to make arrangements the day before. Also a pop at Dodson about lack of transparency in the hiring of Davies.

Did anyone find this piece online in the end?

[George Carlin]

https://www.606v2.com/t58909-glasgow-warriors-v-ulster-rugby-16-may

[MacKnocked-on]

Completely blown away by south Africa's physicality at the breakdown - men against boys! That was an awful conversion attempt too.

Still, great effort and a great season for the 7s.

Probably a little bit strong, we did come back from 2 tries down and had a kick to draw the match. One of their tries was a forward pass as well!

SA were the better side, as you might imagine, but the comeback and the attitude was beyond reproach. Hoyland looks a prospect, not ready for full pro rugby this year but will be next and Weir and Lowe could progress as well, given the opportunity. Can we really do without the sevens as a means of developing players.

Watched the match against NZ and Scotland could well have won that if they had shown some composure, especially James Johnstone who seemed to ignore his winger in space on a few occasions as the commentators pointed out. Some of the one on one tackling was very poor also so there's certainly room to improve as a squad but these players are getting a good development opportunity that probably wouldn't exist for them elsewhere. My concern is that some of these players won't get the opportunity to play 15s, would somebody like James Fleming have not been worthy of a chance in one of the pro teams given his pace?

[Majestic83]

Completely blown away by south Africa's physicality at the breakdown - men against boys! That was an awful conversion attempt too.

Still, great effort and a great season for the 7s.

Probably a little bit strong, we did come back from 2 tries down and had a kick to draw the match. One of their tries was a forward pass as well!

SA were the better side, as you might imagine, but the comeback and the attitude was beyond reproach. Hoyland looks a prospect, not ready for full pro rugby this year but will be next and Weir and Lowe could progress as well, given the opportunity. Can we really do without the sevens as a means of developing players.

Watched the match against NZ and Scotland could well have won that if they had shown some composure, especially James Johnstone who seemed to ignore his winger in space on a few occasions as the commentators pointed out. Some of the one on one tackling was very poor also so there's certainly room to improve as a squad but these players are getting a good development opportunity that probably wouldn't exist for them elsewhere. My concern is that some of these players won't get the opportunity to play 15s, would somebody like James Fleming have not been worthy of a chance in one of the pro teams given his pace?    

Fleming was on Edinburgh's books about 3 years ago, unfortunately never made the cut at xv's mainly due to his defence. Does seems to have improved his tackling now though so with his gas would be worth a punt.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well lads, yes we did lose but there was some semblance of fighting spirit and a complete absence of hair gel.
A win against the bad boys from the province and we'll be ready for the home semi while the Luvvies so love the diddy cup they're determined to be in it again next season.

Come on - Glasgow were well and truly horsed, and there was no "fighting spirit" other than one catch and drive. I've never seen the Glasgow defence so porous and passive, and worryingly that was despite starting Jonny Gray, Bob Harley and Josh Strauss, three players who transcended World Class many moons ago and upon whom Scotland's World Cup hopes (i.e. of not disgracing ourselves) depend.

The other take away from me is that we have fast come upon a fly half crisis in Scottish rugby. Russell is still in baby shoes and struggled badly at times in the 6 Nations (although still remains by far our best hope), Jackson is injured, Tonks and Horne still look like the belong elsewhere on the pitch and Heathcote and Weir have been beyond dreadful this season. When Weir shanked that straightforward penalty it was head in hands time. The fat bloke providing half time entertainment in a chicken costume (Al Kellock, is that you?) would have converted those points.

[RDW]

The problem with pretty much all the established 7s players is that they are all quite small and would maybe struggle in XVs. Looking at the stats pretty much all the backs are around the 5ft 10 and 13 stone mark, which is fairly tiny in the pro game. Given the lack of space in the modern XVs game, and the increasing rarity of linebreaks being made, they might just not be effective.

It pains me to say it because let's face it we'd rather see small fast players playing than big lumps smashing into each other, but that's just the way it is unfortunately!

Lee Jones is a prime example - world class 7s player but plain average in XVs.  His searing pass doesn't count for much if all he does all game is chase kicks and run into brick walls.

[funnyExiledScot]

It's no conincidence that Jones fared well for Edinburgh when our only objective was to score tries, regardless of how many we conceded. Jones and Visser loved all that fast and loose stuff. The moment Solomons came on board and made it illegal to pass the ball to the wingers, players like Visser and Jones are worse than useless.

It's no conincidence again that Jones has fared better at Glasgow than at Edinburgh, where he can run with some front foot ball. There were calls early on for Jones to move to 9, and in retrospect that may have been a good call for him.

[MacKnocked-on]

Completely blown away by south Africa's physicality at the breakdown - men against boys! That was an awful conversion attempt too.

Still, great effort and a great season for the 7s.

Probably a little bit strong, we did come back from 2 tries down and had a kick to draw the match. One of their tries was a forward pass as well!

SA were the better side, as you might imagine, but the comeback and the attitude was beyond reproach. Hoyland looks a prospect, not ready for full pro rugby this year but will be next and Weir and Lowe could progress as well, given the opportunity. Can we really do without the sevens as a means of developing players.

Watched the match against NZ and Scotland could well have won that if they had shown some composure, especially James Johnstone who seemed to ignore his winger in space on a few occasions as the commentators pointed out. Some of the one on one tackling was very poor also so there's certainly room to improve as a squad but these players are getting a good development opportunity that probably wouldn't exist for them elsewhere. My concern is that some of these players won't get the opportunity to play 15s, would somebody like James Fleming have not been worthy of a chance in one of the pro teams given his pace?    

Fleming was on Edinburgh's books about 3 years ago, unfortunately never made the cut at xv's mainly due to his defence. Does seems to have improved his tackling now though so with his gas would be worth a punt.

Never held Visser back

[cakeordeath]

I am torn with the Connacht vs Ospreys game. An O's win would help Edinburgh but hinder Glasgow and the reverse is also true.

[funnyExiledScot]

It has long been an obsession in Scottish rugby for young Scottish wingers to be good defenders. Countless wingers have been discarded over concerns around tackling, whereas a total lack of pace and inability to score tries doesn't seem to ever be much of an issue.

Hugely frustrating.

[MacKnocked-on]

It has long been an obsession in Scottish rugby for young Scottish wingers to be good defenders. Countless wingers have been discarded over concerns around tackling, whereas a total lack of pace and inability to score tries doesn't seem to ever be much of an issue.

Hugely frustrating.

Shane Williams was never a great defender but wouldn't we rather watch players like that than some of the slo-mo merchants we have had to endure watching over the years? The object of professional sport should be to entertain surely.

[funnyExiledScot]

Pretty sure Shane Williams would have been overlooked by Scotland, or sent to the 7s. We had Simon Danielli and Nikki Walker, and both were bigger.

[RDW]

David Ferguson has put the article on his website.

By DAVID FERGUSON

THE Scottish Rugby Union last night moved to quell a mutiny among Edinburgh players by announcing that managing director David Davies will depart at the end of the month.

Sportsmail had informed the SRU of its intention to publish this article and asked for a response to allegations that Davies had lost the trust and confidence of the players, coaches and backroom staff after sacking two popular members of staff and turning travel plans into a shambles.

Questions are now being asked about the competence of SRU chief executive Mark Dodson, who played a key role in bringing Davies to the club in April, 2013, and his decision to side with the MD against appeals from players and coaches to investigate concerns.

Sportsmail discovered through recent investigations that Davies had lost the trust, respect and confidence of people across the club and discontent was growing behind the gates of BT Murrayfield.

Head coach Alan Solomons has yet to confirm a new contract beyond this summer and it reached the point where Dodson’s handling of the impasse with Davies — who now has little contact with his squad and had no contact with the squad at Friday night’s defeat at Newport Gwent Dragons — came under scrutiny just months before the chief executive’s stated target of Scotland winning the next World Cup is put to the ultimate test.

One senior figure within Murrayfield told us: ‘The Edinburgh squad want nothing to do with Davies and the way Dodson has handled the whole situation has created real concern that he’s not up to the job either.

‘Players have lost respect for him as have members of the council and board who know the real story. Dodson needs to act quickly if he is to regain credibility.’

The stand-off began early in the year when Davies fired popular Edinburgh team-manager Lynsey Dingwall and gave her just one hour to clear her desk after 14 years with the club. Lindsay Geddes, the business manager, was also relieved of her duties after 12 years at Edinburgh.

The SRU supported Davies on the basis that this was a restructuring exercise, if strangely carried out midway through the season. However, Dingwall has been replaced by SRU performance unit operations manager Elliott Crosbie, temporarily, and a replacement is also being sought for Geddes.

Sportsmail understands Dingwall is convinced she was sacked as a result of flagging up a contentious issue with new travel arrangements brought in by Davies with a new sponsor. However, this was rubbished by the SRU and Dingwall was duly dismissed by Davies, but we made it clear to the SRU and Davies that we are continuing to investigate these claims.

Players have been critical of travel arrangements throughout the season. The SRU decided against chartering a plane to Bordeaux for their first European Challenge Cup match on account of cost and the players endured a 15-hour trip to the French city. Yet, travel costs remain high.

This week, plans for Glasgow and Edinburgh to fly to Wales together were scrapped by SRU director Dominic McKay and a Loganair charter hired for the capital side. Loganair could not fly the team back straight after the crucial Pro12 match with the Dragons, so they travelled to Bristol at 4.30am for an EasyJet flight home yesterday, adding a five-figure cost to Edinburgh’s trip.

The removal of Dingwall sparked a storm of protest within the club and led to a letter of complaint over the issue from departing physio Dan Moore, who was leaving to return to his native New Zealand for family reasons.

However, Moore’s concerns were rubbished by SRU executives as emanating from a disgruntled employee when, in fact, the Kiwi is a popular and widely respected physio both in Scotland and abroad.

The players — including senior internationals — responded by writing to the SRU board and council demanding a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dingwall’s sacking, stating they believed it to be ‘unfair and unjustified’.

Instead of an investigation, the players and coaches were called to a meeting by Dodson, attended by top SRU executives, including director of rugby Scott Johnson, and Dodson reminded them that he ran Scottish rugby. The players also met with Davies and rather than apologise made clear their lack of trust, respect and confidence in him.

Dodson hoped the matter might end there but with Davies taking over the responsibility for travel, the situation has only worsened to the point of being untenable.

Davies no longer travels with the team and has little interaction with players or coaching staff, but he came under fresh fire this week for the arrangements around the recent European Challenge Cup Final.

Having invited the wives and girlfriends to attend the match, he only confirmed the correct travel details on the evening before the game. By that time, many players frustrated at the wait made their own arrangements for partners’ travel and accommodation in London or scrapped the idea of them attending altogether.

The farce continued for those who did go, including two pregnant wives, with the late-changed flight being delayed, bus problems, arrival at the ground just in time for kick-off and Davies’ failure to produce the wristbands supplied by European Rugby Cup for partners — so barring them entry to guest and family areas. The promise of food afterwards proved groundless, leaving the women to order pizzas from their hotel rooms after 1am.

The wives and girlfriends had no contact with the squad after the match and, capping the misery of the loss to Gloucester, the information that they would be travelling home with the players proved incorrect, causing further disruption for the squad on their return.

The greatest concern was the pressure this created for players, who felt compelled to help with travel problems on the eve and day of the biggest match of their careers.

The affair has led to questions being asked behind the scenes over the

relationship between Dodson and Davies as the SRU chief continues to defend his managing director. Sportsmail understands Davies was brought into the frame by Dodson and McKay after the recruitment process had initially produced a shortlist of three.

After two interviews with McKay, director of commercial operations,

communications and public affairs, and Mark Laidlaw, director of management services, and no involvement from the SRU board or Edinburgh Rugby, Davies was announced as the new Edinburgh boss in April 2013, with former CEO Craig Docherty moved into a new role dealing with sponsor Macron.

The board was assured by McKay that Davies was a superior candidate but, after recent events, that appointment process has only fuelled distrust of Davies and Dodson in a year that Edinburgh face a huge challenge to secure a place in next season’s European Champions Cup — while Scotland are under pressure to bounce back from a poor Six Nations.

Both men appear to have acted swiftly in the face of mounting pressure to bring such concerns to an end.

Asked for comments from Sportsmail yesterday, Davies stated in an SRU statement released last night: “I am proud to have led Edinburgh, however, recent media speculation about my role has been unhelpful as I firmly believe the public interest should be in the team and not the off-field staff.

“Sports clubs should be in the news for the excellence of their play, not for off-field matters. Therefore, I have decided to leave at the end of May and will support the club as it makes preparations for its new managing director.”

- See more at: http://www.fergusonmedia.co.uk/?p=552#sthash.4DSLcksM.noey83y7.dpuf

[tigertattie]

It's all kicking off down in Westminster!

Apparently one of the new SNP MPs tried to buy a coffee using a Scottish £10 note!

It wasn't the Scottish tenner that was the issue, was just that the new MP thought he was going to get change!

[George Carlin]

David Ferguson has put the article on his website.

By DAVID FERGUSON

THE Scottish Rugby Union last night moved to quell a mutiny among Edinburgh players by announcing that managing director David Davies will depart at the end of the month.

Sportsmail had informed the SRU of its intention to publish this article and asked for a response to allegations that Davies had lost the trust and confidence of the players, coaches and backroom staff after sacking two popular members of staff and turning travel plans into a shambles.

Questions are now being asked about the competence of SRU chief executive Mark Dodson, who played a key role in bringing Davies to the club in April, 2013, and his decision to side with the MD against appeals from players and coaches to investigate concerns.

Sportsmail discovered through recent investigations that Davies had lost the trust, respect and confidence of people across the club and discontent was growing behind the gates of BT Murrayfield.

Head coach Alan Solomons has yet to confirm a new contract beyond this summer and it reached the point where Dodson’s handling of the impasse with Davies — who now has little contact with his squad and had no contact with the squad at Friday night’s defeat at Newport Gwent Dragons — came under scrutiny just months before the chief executive’s stated target of Scotland winning the next World Cup is put to the ultimate test.

One senior figure within Murrayfield told us: ‘The  Edinburgh squad want nothing to do with Davies and the way  Dodson has handled the whole situation has created real concern that he’s not up to the job either.

‘Players have lost respect for him as have members of the council and board who know the real story. Dodson needs to act quickly if he is to regain credibility.’

The stand-off began early in the year when Davies fired popular Edinburgh team-manager Lynsey Dingwall and gave her just one hour to clear her desk after  14 years with the club. Lindsay  Geddes, the business manager, was also relieved of her duties after 12 years at Edinburgh.

The SRU supported Davies on the basis that this was a  restructuring exercise, if strangely carried out midway through the season. However, Dingwall has been replaced by SRU performance unit operations manager Elliott Crosbie,   temporarily, and a replacement is also being sought for Geddes.

Sportsmail understands Dingwall is convinced she was sacked as a result of flagging up a contentious issue with new travel arrangements brought in by  Davies with a new sponsor. However, this was rubbished by the SRU and Dingwall was duly  dismissed by Davies, but we made it clear to the SRU and Davies that we are continuing to investigate these claims.

Players have been critical of travel arrangements throughout the season. The SRU decided against chartering a plane to  Bordeaux for their first European Challenge Cup match on account of cost and the players endured a 15-hour trip to the French city. Yet, travel costs remain high.

This week, plans for Glasgow and Edinburgh to fly to Wales together were scrapped by SRU director Dominic McKay and a Loganair charter hired for the capital side. Loganair could not fly the team back straight after the crucial Pro12 match with the Dragons,  so they travelled to Bristol at 4.30am for an EasyJet flight home  yesterday, adding a five-figure cost to Edinburgh’s trip.

The removal of Dingwall sparked a storm of protest within the club and led to a letter of  complaint over the issue from departing physio Dan Moore, who was leaving to return to his native New Zealand for family reasons.

However, Moore’s concerns were rubbished by SRU  executives as emanating from a disgruntled employee when, in fact, the Kiwi is a popular and widely respected physio both in  Scotland and abroad.

The players — including senior internationals — responded by writing to the SRU board and council demanding a full investigation into  the circumstances  surrounding Dingwall’s sacking, stating they believed it to be ‘unfair and unjustified’.

Instead of an investigation, the  players and coaches were called to a meeting by Dodson, attended by top SRU executives, including director of rugby Scott Johnson, and Dodson reminded them that he ran Scottish rugby. The players also met with Davies and rather than apologise made clear their lack of trust, respect and confidence in him.

Dodson hoped the matter might end there but with Davies taking over the responsibility for travel, the situation has only worsened to the point of being untenable.

Davies no longer travels with the team and has little interaction with players or coaching staff, but he came under fresh fire this week for the arrangements around the recent European Challenge Cup Final.

Having invited the wives and girlfriends to attend the match, he only confirmed the correct travel details on the evening before the game. By that time, many players  frustrated at  the wait made their own  arrangements for partners’ travel and accommodation in London or scrapped the idea of them attending altogether.

The farce continued for those who did go, including two  pregnant wives, with the late-changed flight being delayed, bus problems, arrival at the ground just in time for kick-off and  Davies’ failure to produce the wristbands supplied by European Rugby Cup for partners — so  barring them entry to guest and family areas. The promise of food afterwards proved groundless, leaving the women to order pizzas from their hotel rooms after 1am.

The wives and girlfriends had no contact with the squad after the match and, capping the  misery of the loss to Gloucester, the information that they would be travelling home with the  players proved incorrect,  causing further disruption for the squad on their return.

The greatest concern was the pressure this created for  players, who felt compelled to help with travel problems on the eve and day of the biggest match of their careers.

The affair has led to questions being asked behind the scenes over the

relationship between Dodson and Davies as the SRU chief continues to defend his managing director. Sportsmail understands Davies was brought into the frame by Dodson and McKay after the recruitment process had initially produced a shortlist of three.

After two interviews with McKay, director of commercial operations,

communications and public affairs, and Mark Laidlaw, director of management services, and no involvement from the SRU board or Edinburgh Rugby,  Davies was announced as the new Edinburgh boss in April 2013, with former CEO Craig Docherty moved into a new role dealing with sponsor Macron.

The board was assured by McKay that Davies was a superior candidate but, after recent events, that appointment process has only fuelled distrust of Davies and Dodson in a year that Edinburgh face a huge challenge to secure a place in next season’s European Champions Cup — while Scotland are under pressure to bounce back from a poor Six Nations.

Both men appear to have acted swiftly in the face of mounting pressure to bring such concerns to an end.

Asked for comments from Sportsmail yesterday, Davies stated in an SRU statement released last night: “I am proud to have led Edinburgh, however, recent media speculation about my role has been unhelpful as I firmly believe the public interest should be in the team and not the off-field staff.

“Sports clubs should be in the news for the excellence of their play, not for off-field matters. Therefore, I have decided to leave at the end of May and will support the club as it makes preparations for its new managing director.”

- See more at: http://www.fergusonmedia.co.uk/?p=552#sthash.4DSLcksM.noey83y7.dpuf

[funnyExiledScot]

Oh well, those who pine for the amateur era have had something to cling on to. Shambles doesn't do this justice.

[funnyExiledScot]

It's all kicking off down in Westminster!

Apparently one of the new SNP MPs tried to buy a coffee using a Scottish £10 note!

It wasn't the Scottish tenner that was the issue, was just that the new MP thought he was going to get change!

Nice. Haven't they fixed the broken Westminster system yet?

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