Edinburgh vs Agen 15th January, BT Murrayfield

Edinburgh vs Agen

Tournament: European Rugby Challenge Cup
Date: Friday 15th January 2016
Venue: BT Murrayfield
Kick-off: 7:30pm
TV: TBC
Match Officials: TBC

Previous Match: Agen 6 - 27 Edinburgh

Form:

Edinburgh last 6

08/01/2016 Guinness PRO12

28 - 13 v Treviso (h)

02/01/2016 Guinness PRO12

14 - 11 v Glasgow (a)

27/12/2015 Guinness PRO12

23 - 11 v Glasgow (h)

18/12/2015 Euro Challenge Cup Pool 5

18 - 15 v London Irish (h)

12/12/2015 Euro Challenge Cup Pool 5

6 - 38 v London Irish (a)

04/12/2015 Guinness PRO12

7 - 14 v Ulster (a)

Agen last 6

02/01/2016 Top 14

16 - 33 v Clermont (h)

27/12/2015 Top 14

20 - 45 v Montpellier (a)

18/12/2015 Euro Challenge Cup Pool 5

45 - 48 v Grenoble (a)

10/12/2015 Euro Challenge Cup Pool 5

20 - 40 v Grenoble (h)

05/12/2015 Top 14

23 - 53 v Toulon (a)

28/11/2015 Top 14

18 - 23 v Castres (h)

Standings:

[th]POS[/th][th]Team[/th][th]P[/th][th]PD[/th][th]PTS[/th]

1	Grenoble	4	+12	14
2	London Irish	4	+60	12
3	Edinburgh	4	+10	12
4	Agen	4	-82	2

Can I just say that the above is why I don't do match threads very often. It looked beautiful until I actually posted it......

....as for the game itself:

Well Agen are pretty terrible at rugby so logic would dictate that Solomons could risk a few rotations for this game however if I had a penny for each time I suggested he rotate and he didn't I'd be a wealthy man.

This is the team I would go for:

1.Dell 2.McInally 3.Andress 4.Bresler 5.B Toolis 6.Ritchie 7.Watson 8.Bradbury 9.Hidalgo-Clyne 10.Tonks 11.Hoyland 12.Scott 13.Allan 14.Fife 15.Kinghorn

16.Sutherland 17.Cochrane 18.Berghan 19.A Toolis 20.Hardie 21.Kennedy 22.Strauss 23.Cuthbert

funnyExiledScot wrote:....as for the game itself:

Well Agen are pretty terrible at rugby so logic would dictate that Solomons could risk a few rotations for this game however if I had a penny for each time I suggested he rotate and he didn't I'd be a wealthy man.

This is the team I would go for:

1.Dell 2.McInally 3.Andress 4.Bresler 5.B Toolis 6.Ritchie 7.Watson 8.Bradbury 9.Hidalgo-Clyne 10.Tonks 11.Hoyland 12.Scott 13.Allan 14.Fife 15.Kinghorn

16.Sutherland 17.Cochrane 18.Berghan 19.A Toolis 20.Hardie 21.Kennedy 22.Strauss 23.Cuthbert

I like that line-up but expect something more like:

1.Sutherland2.McInally 3.Andress 4.Bresler 5.A Toolis 6.Coman 7.Watson 8.Bradbury 9.Hidalgo-Clyne 10.Tonks 11.Hoyland 12.Strauss 13.Allan 14.Fife 15.Cuthbert

16.Dell 17.Cochrane 18.Nel 19.B Toolis 20.Ritchie 21.Kennedy 22.Kinghorn 23. Scott

I am assuming they are all healthy based on Treviso's injury listing.

Feel that if they are going to give youngsters a go that Solomons will want his leadership committee (Coman and Strauss) to help (hinder).

Even I gave some thought to using Strauss for this assignment, particularly given I won't be able to watch it. It just seems daft not to play Matt Scott given the fact that he's fit and playing well, which happens so rarely.

Really want to see Kinghorn given a start for this one. He's looked really dangerous coming off the bench.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Really want to see Kinghorn given a start for this one. He's looked really dangerous coming off the bench.

I think he tweaked his hammy last week, probably not going to make it, they are unlikely to risk him if he is iffy.

BigGee wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Really want to see Kinghorn given a start for this one. He's looked really dangerous coming off the bench.

I think he tweaked his hammy last week, probably not going to make it, they are unlikely to risk him if he is iffy.

That is bad news. I did wonder why he came off for treatment during the game (having come off the bench and played so well).

Still, Cuthbert is playing ok right now so not the end of the world. Do we know if Tom Brown will be able to play?

Is Kinghorn fit? With him coming off injured last weekend, I'd probably be tempted to leave him out of this one to be safe. No point risking him aggravating an injury.

Also isn't Watson still injured? Actually, I think Ben Toolis is injured as well, so again wouldn't risk him until he's 100%

I thought Ben Toolis was pretty close to coming back for the Treviso game so I've assumed he'll make this one. I also thought that Alex Toolis and Anton Bresler were slightly off the pace against Treviso. Alex Toolis in particular has had a big workload this season. If Ben Toolis wants to be in contention for the 6 Nations he probably needs some gametime. Still, if he isn't ready then his brother will have to play again.

Same with Watson. I had thought he'd be back by now but I could be wrong. I really want Hardie to have a week off as he's starting to look pretty jaded on the field. He's losing that physical intensity we saw in the World Cup and at the start of the season, and Scotland will sorely need that in the 6 Nations. If we don't rest him now, when will he ever get a break? We could, if needed, use Coman and Richie on the flanks, albeit not ideal.

EWT Spoons wrote:Is Kinghorn fit?  With him coming off injured last weekend, I'd probably be tempted to leave him out of this one to be safe.  No point risking him aggravating an injury.

Also isn't Watson still injured?  Actually, I think Ben Toolis is injured as well, so again wouldn't risk him until he's 100%

I see that Kinghorn is listed as unavailable for the U-20 training camp this week - not through injury but due to pro-team commitments.  This may indicate that he is certainly in the mix for the 23.

I see the U20 training squad was announced this afternoon. Kinghorn, Ritchie and Fargerson all held back as they are needed at Pro clubs.

That does not mean that they won't get slotted in later, especially for the U20 WC over the summer, but it does show where it is felt their career trajectories lie. Fargerson in particular must be on the verge of a full squad call up.

We will also get to see Adam Hastings in a Scotland shirt at long last.

BigGee wrote:I see the U20 training squad was announced this afternoon. Kinghorn, Ritchie and Fargerson all held back as they are needed at Pro clubs.

That does not mean that they won't get slotted in later, especially for the U20 WC over the summer, but it does show where it is felt their career trajectories lie. Fargerson in particular must be on the verge of a full squad call up.

We will also get to see Adam Hastings in a Scotland shirt at long last.

If you include these 3 players you actually have a very strong squad, my guess at a team would be:

1. Murray McCallum
2. Jake Kerr
3. Zander Fargerson
4. Andrew Davidson
5. Scott Cummings
6. Callum Hunter Hill
7. Jamie Ritchie
8. Andy Miller
9. Hugh Fraser
10. Adam Hastings
11. Robbie Nairn
12. Rory Hutchinson
13. Tom Galbraith
14. Ben Robbins
15. Blair Kinghorne

Plenty of players who played last year with 5 players in the backs contracted to pro clubs and plenty of bulk in the forwards but they will struggle without 3 experienced players in important positions.

Anyway back to Edinburgh, should be relatively straight forward as I cant see agen taking this game seriously. Anyone know what has happened to Sam Beard? Seems to be our missing man.

What is this monstrosity of a thread??

As for the game, we desperately need to rotate players for this, but we've said that before!

I suspect it all depends on Dickinson, Watson, Toolis and Manu's fitness.

RDW_Scotland wrote:What is this monstrosity of a thread??

Apologies. My PA is off sick.

Also, if we want to qualify we could also do with a BP.

Not that I have any confidence in that ever happening!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:What is this monstrosity of a thread??

Apologies. My PA is off sick.

to both of these comments!

Amazing thread. My eyes are still bleeding.

Edinburgh are not rubbish at rugby. Agen are rubbish at rugby. Edinburgh will win.

There is no charge for that in-depth analysis.

The Scotsman is claiming this morning that Watson is due to start this week and a number of front line players will be rested.

Personally I'd love to see a back row of

6 Ritchie
7 Watson
8 Bradbury

But I'll be utterly flabbergasted if he picks that!

Also, McInally injured his neck during a weights session and ultimately led to him being out for 4 months. It is brilliant to have him back though, especially in the 6N period.

I wonder if we'll see him in the back row?

I see McInally as a more lithe, Scottish Du Preeze.

I also think he'll be in the 6N squad if he shows any sort of form over the next 2 games. Which I think he will.

RDW_Scotland wrote:The Scotsman is claiming this morning that Watson is due to start this week and a number of front line players will be rested.

Personally I'd love to see a back row of

6 Ritchie
7 Watson
8 Bradbury

But I'll be utterly flabbergasted if he picks that!

That would be some back row, but also very inexperienced. Would be delighted to see them get a run out.

Also I cut it out your quote, but great to see Rambo back, hopefully he gets a run in this game and puts his name in the hat for the 6 nations.

I suspect he'll be in the 6N squad but I'd be surprised if he was picked over Brown on the bench.

Which many be no bad thing - he could do with picking up a run of games.  Something he's not had for a very long time.

The back row I listed is certainly the future Edinburgh backrow in the making!

See i think he has a good shout of getting a bench spot ahead of Brown, especially as he'll be playing alongside Dickinson, Sutherland (who is looking better and better) and WP '80 mins' Nel. It offers good club continuity in the front row.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I suspect he'll be in the 6N squad but I'd be surprised if he was picked over Brown on the bench.

Which many be no bad thing - he could do with picking up a run of games.  Something he's not had for a very long time.

The back row I listed is certainly the future Edinburgh backrow in the making!

Du Preez is 24 and Hardie is 27. Althought not inconceivable that either or both will be poached by wealthier outfits - Du Preez for Sarries obviously and no doubt Hardie to Bath - it is worth noting that the first choice back row of Manu (27), Hardie (27) and Du Preez (24) are hardly close to drawing pensions. Even Coman is only 28, which is unbelievable given his leadership prowess.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I suspect he'll be in the 6N squad but I'd be surprised if he was picked over Brown on the bench.

Which many be no bad thing - he could do with picking up a run of games.  Something he's not had for a very long time.

The back row I listed is certainly the future Edinburgh backrow in the making!

Du Preez is 24 and Hardie is 27. Althought not inconceivable that either or both will be poached by wealthier outfits - Du Preez for Sarries obviously and no doubt Hardie to Bath - it is worth noting that the first choice back row of Manu (27), Hardie (27) and Du Preez (24) are hardly close to drawing pensions. Even Coman is only 28, which is unbelievable given his leadership prowess.

Good leadership is natural and knows no ageism.

Good news for Edinburgh as Hidalgo-Clyne commits to Edinburgh until 2018.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good news for Edinburgh as Hidalgo-Clyne commits to Edinburgh until 2018.

Apparently what swung it was the promise of free mani-pedis and as many exfoliant seaweed wraps as he wanted.

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good news for Edinburgh as Hidalgo-Clyne commits to Edinburgh until 2018.

Apparently what swung it was the promise of free mani-pedis and as many exfoliant seaweed wraps as he wanted.

As much as the metrosexual lovvie tag is generally wholely inaccurate for the majority of the Edinburgh squad, it certainly isn't for him!

Eh?

Surely you mean "is"?

He's the most dapper dude in the pro12.

I said it certainly isn't inaccurate for him!

An RDW Double Negative.

Most recently heard in "I'm not saying that bridge isn't not safe".

I thought double negatives were the backbone of the legal profession?

RDW_Scotland wrote:I thought double negatives were the backbone of the legal profession?

I cannot fail to confirm that.

Holy crap - Solomons as mass rotated! And check out that backrow!

There are eleven changes to the team to face Agen tomorrow (Friday 15 January, kick-off 7.30pm) at BT Murrayfield, from the side which beat Treviso last Friday in the Guinness PRO12, as a number of Scotland players are rested.

Retaining his place at fullback is Jack Cuthbert while Damien Hoyland moves to right wing with Will Helu, returning from injury, on the left. Mike Allen remains at outside centre where he’s partnered by Andries Strauss who moves up from the bench. In the half backs, Greig Tonks stays at stand-off while Sean Kennedy moves up from the bench to partner him at scrum half.

The front row sees Rory Sutherland retained at loosehead, with McInally and John Andress both moving up from the bench to start at hooker and tighthead.

In the second row, starting for the first time together for Edinburgh – and the first set of twins to start a competitive match for a Scottish club in the professional era – Ben Toolis returns from injury to take the no 5 jersey while Alex moves to 4.

It’s all change in the back row, too, as Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury move up from the bench to blindside and no 8 respectively with Hamish Watson returning from injury at openside.

Edinburgh Rugby take on Agen in the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Friday evening (15 January) at BT Murrayfield, with kick-off 7.30pm. Tickets available to purchase now.

Players not considered due to injury: Tom Brown (shoulder), Alasdair Dickinson (calf), Ross Ford (rib), Grant Gilchrist (groin), Nasi Manu (neck), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Phil Burleigh (neck), Jade Te Rure (knee).


15 Jack Cuthbert

14 Damien Hoyland

13 Michael Allen

12 Andries Strauss

11 Will Helu

10 Greig Tonks

9 Sean Kennedy



1 Rory Sutherland

2 Stuart McInally (captain)

3 John Andress

4 Alex Toolis

5 Ben Toolis

6 Jamie Ritchie

7 Hamish Watson

8 Magnus Bradbury



Substitutes

16 Neil Cochrane

17 Allan Dell

18 Simon Berghan

19 Anton Bresler

20 Mike Coman

21 Nathan Fowles

22 Chris Dean

23 Dougie Fife

Is it strange that I am more excited about the prospect of that team playing against Agen than I was of our team last week playing against Treviso?

I can't believe he's gone with the back row you listed. Great news.

I really hope we up the tempo for this - that is an incredibly athletic back 5, albeit lacking the grunt of the one that played last week.

And I don't mean spin the ball from touchline to touchline, just play with more pace across the park generally.

Can't see that happening with Strauss at 12.

The back row that we all wanted.

And the bloody game isn't on television.

EWT Spoons wrote:Can't see that happening with Strauss at 12.

That's what miss passes were invented for!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:Can't see that happening with Strauss at 12.

That's what miss passes were invented for!

Good point

Anyone going to the game?

I'm currently negotiating my attendance, but with an ill wife and daughter it's a difficult sell.

EWT Spoons wrote:I'm currently negotiating my attendance, but with an ill wife and daughter it's a difficult sell.

They can surely look after each other - no point you getting sick too!

You'd think wouldn't you, but apparently that's not how it works.

Just seen McInally has signed on for another couple of years and is captaining the side against Agen (realise the captaining thing was mentioned already), good news.

I think the bookies have got this one very wrong.

1/66 for an Edinburgh win and 14/1 for Agen. Handicap is 29 points.

I don't think we'll loose but this is similar to the team that got humped down in Reading. There is very little experience on the field if things start going wrong. I am actually quite glad Strauss is playing.

des wrote:I am actually quite glad Strauss is playing.

You take that back immediately sir!

So....
an unpredicted, surprising selection
an exciting, young back row
a dynamic, fast paced game plan
you're on a winning run
you get to play your home matches at home

Have I slipped into a coma a la Maribu Stork Nightmares? Or has Schiz been tampering with my NightNurse again?

I think we’ll win, and probably quite comfortably in the end, bit I agree that’s a fairly optimistic handicap! Hopefully Agen don’t give a crap for this game and we can put in a dominant performance – they have only kept 3 players from their last game (although to be fair we’ve only kept 4!).

If ever there has been a game to test youngsters then this is it – we are playing a team that (hopefully) aren’t overly keen to play in a freezing could empty Murrayfield in a game that doesn’t matter at all to them.  In addition although it would be nice to win and progress in Europe, a win certainly isn’t the be all and end all and could even hinder us in the Pro 12.

I was keen for us to progress in the Challenge Cup last season but now that we are in the mix for a top 6 spot I’d probably rather we concentrate all our efforts on that.