Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread XI - The Undiscovered Country

[IanBru]

First topic message reminder :

A Brief History of Time-Wasting


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/t56913-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vi-banter-boogaloo
https://www.606v2.com/t57946-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vii
https://www.606v2.com/t58659-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-viii
https://www.606v2.com/t59409-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ix
https://www.606v2.com/t60764-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-x-rated

Edinburgh

1872 Champions

Glasgow

1872 Runners-up

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's THE RUN IN!

[EWT Spoons]

My 'ghost' XV (For at least a season):

1 Alex Allan
2 George Turner
3 Simon Berghan
4 VD Westhuizen
5 Kieran Low
6 Tommy Spinks
7 Will Bordill
8 Jason Hill

9 Chris Leck
10 Jade Te Rure
11 Otulea Katoa
12 Andriess Strauss
13 Sam Beard
14 Nikki Walker
15 Chris Pennell

For this season?

Kieran Low is half and half as he got loaned out near the start of the season (not that he was playing beforehand). Tommy Spinks is at Jersey so swap him with Blake. Sam Beard has played 8 pro12 games this season and stayed on for longer than 55 minutes in each so not too bad. Think Helu has played less or Fraser Lyle for Glasgow. Nikki Walker was player-coach at Hawick during the 2014-2015 season so Junior B would be a better shout. Chris Penell is at Worcester, were you thinking McClennan or maybe Cuthbert?

Probably also worth noting that Chris Leck left the club 2 years ago, as did Westhuizen, and Walker left last year I think. Maybe a team from the last couple of seasons.

[Hazel Sapling]

Who is getting the other wing berth? and the other bench spots?

1. Dickenson
2. Stuart McInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Nakawara
6. Vernon
7. Hardie
8. Du Preez

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell

11.
12. Horne
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Watson
21.
22.

Surely Hoyland would be in? I think in another 3-4 years, he could be a cracking wee player.

I thought we were limited to 1 player each? Probably be between Hoyland, Hughes or Jones? The bench loosehead and hooker are interesting ones. Do you go Reid and Brown or Sutherland and Ford?

[EST]

Who is getting the other wing berth? and the other bench spots?

1. Dickenson
2. Stuart McInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Nakawara
6. Vernon
7. Hardie
8. Du Preez

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell

11. Hoyland
12. Horne
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Watson
21.
22.

Surely Hoyland would be in? I think in another 3-4 years, he could be a cracking wee player.

I thought we were limited to 1 player each? Probably be between Hoyland, Hughes or Jones? The bench loosehead and hooker are interesting ones. Do you go Reid and Brown or Sutherland and Ford?

I'll put Hoyland down, he has got the hard part sorted - scoring tries, but he could do with sorting out his defence. Still, a cracking player.

[Tattie Scones RRN]

I hadn't picked one yet

[jimbopip]

I would be tempted to "do an Alan Tait" and put Duncan Taylor on the wing. He's a decent finisher, if not in Turnstile Tim's class, and he can tackle.

[EST]

I hadn't picked one yet

Apologies Tattie - you take the fast small man Hoyland and i'll got the opposite end of the spectrum and have Fagerson on the bench.

[Guest]

Damn too slow to pick him in the first 15. He'll have to bench.

1. Dickenson
2. Stuart McInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Nakawara
6. Vernon
7. Hardie
8. Du Preez

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell

11. Hoyland
12. Horne
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Watson
21.
22.
23. Lamont - super sub covering wing, full back, centre and back row. Give him an inch, he'll take half an inch.

[IanBru]

I would be tempted to "do an Alan Tait" and put Duncan Taylor on the wing. He's a decent finisher, if not in Turnstile Tim's class, and he can tackle.

Agreed. At the moment, Taylor is so good I'd cut almost any outside back to get him on the pitch, especially if Dunbar and Bennett are fit and on form.

[funnyExiledScot]

At the moment Taylor goes in ahead of Bennett. Bennett needs to win back the jersey.

Visser is on fire at Quins, Bennett is still struggling with Glasgow. We pick on form. No exceptions.

[MacKnocked-on]

Interested to see that Patrick Kelly is one of the Macphail scholarship recipients this year and off to NZ this weekend for 15 weeks. I was of the impression that he played in France for Le Parc, he certainly was listed as doing so when he was in the Scotland U20s, but he is apparently playing for Glasgow Hawks. Will he be moving up to one of the pro teams on his return from NZ?

[RDW]

Interested to see that Patrick Kelly is one of the Macphail scholarship recipients this year and off to NZ this weekend for 15 weeks. I was of the impression that he played in France for Le Parc, he certainly was listed as doing so when he was in the Scotland U20s, but he is apparently playing for Glasgow Hawks. Will he be moving up to one of the pro teams on his return from NZ?  

In his interview he said he'd be looking to get some gametime with Glasgow next season.

The other is Ross McCan - formerly of my school and club!

Interesting to note that the SRU views outside backs as the area requiring most development - hence why those two were chosen.

[funnyExiledScot]

Seems he's played for Glasgow Hawks as recently as February 2016 so perhaps the Le Parc deal was last year? Not really clear from the Interweb.

He's born in Inverness though, which makes him automatically awesome. It's a bit like Ayr, but a much nicer place.

[EST]

I don't know all that much about Kelly, was he a standout last year? There must have been a lot of competition given the quality of this years U20's.

[Hazel Sapling]

2015: Callum Hunter-Hill, Ben Robbins, Ben Cairns (coach) and Duncan Hodge (coach)
2014: Adam Ashe, Ewan McQuillin, Don Caskie (coach) and Kenny Murray (coach)
2013: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Finn Russell, Shade Munro (coach) and Alex Duncan (coach)
2012: Jonny Gray, Gregor Hunter, Chris Paterson (coach) and Ben Fisher (coach)
2011: Grant Gilchrist, Harry Leonard, George Turner and Ian Monaghan (coach)
2010: Finlay Gillies
2009: Lewis Niven
2008: Roddy Grant
2007: Kevin Bryce
2006: Graham Hogg
2005: John Barclay

There are some pretty good players there, but what has happened to the ones who slipped through? Thinking Graham Hogg, Nivan, Gillies and Ewan McQuillin

[RDW]

I played against Graham Hogg (Stuart's big brother) a lot in youth rugby and he was a standout player then - I never liked trips down to Hawick or to play regional rugby against the borders as we'd always get humped, with him running in a number of tries.

I don't think he ever really got a chance with a Pro team but has played regularly for Hawick and played for the Scottish Club team.

He was very much in the Wayne Rooney mould physically - he looked a bit tubby but was very fast and athletic!

Lewis Niven is now playing for Edinburgh Accies, having played a few times for Edinburgh.

[George Carlin]

I hadn't picked one yet

Apologies Tattie - you take the fast small man Hoyland and i'll got the opposite end of the spectrum and have Fagerson on the bench.

I would force Radge out of retirement and put him in at 16.

[tigertattie]

So we're up to:

1. Dickenson
2. Stuart McInally
3. Nel
4. Gray
5. Nakawara
6. Vernon
7. Hardie
8. Du Preez

9. Pyrgos
10. Russell

11. Hoyland
12. Horne
13. Dunbar
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

16. Fagarson
17.
18.
19.
20. Watson
21.
22.
23. Lamont

I'd have put Radge in at 16 but he's not eligible as he's not on the Edinburgh or soap dodgers books!

[EWT Spoons]

I still can't believe we have Vernon at 6.

[tigertattie]

I still can't believe we have Vernon at 6.

well he's yet to be retracted!

Don't worry though! Once we have the full squad, everyone will be allowed to dissect people's picks!

[demosthenes]

Well, if its assuming that the picks are fit and firing, I think the bench 9 has to be between Mike Blair and Sammy H-C. If you are just assuming that they are fit, but on current form, Sammy wouldn't get near it!

Re the bench, are we going with a 5:3 split, or assuming that Peter Horne would cover 10. That would leave room for Strauss or Favaro as additional back row options.

[Hazel Sapling]

Price has to be the favourite for the 9 bench spot at the moment. Hart is arguable and SHC may get there by the end of the season.

My bench would be: Brown, Reid, Fagerson, Toolis, Strauss (who should start at 8 with Du Preez at 6)/Watson, Price, Horne, Brown

[EWT Spoons]

Robbie Fergusson has signed a deal to stay with London Scottish for 16/17 season

[Hazel Sapling]

Robbie Fergusson has signed a deal to stay with London Scottish for 16/17 season

Damn. I would have liked him playing a dozen or so times in the Pro 12. 3 good centres next season for LS in the Groves and Fergusson.

[RDW]

Some exciting young talent in the cobbled together Edinburgh squad for the Melrose 7s. The vice captain, not so much!

1. Chris Dean (c)
2. Andries Strauss (vc)
3. Will Helu
4. George Turner
5. Sasa Tofilau
6. Otulea Katoa
7. Sam Beard
8. Damien Hoyland
9. Tom Galbraith
10. Nathan Fowles
Coach: Roddy Grant
Manager: Stevie Scott

[jimbopip]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

[funnyExiledScot]

Some exciting young talent in the cobbled together Edinburgh squad for the Melrose 7s. The vice captain, not so much!

1. Chris Dean (c)
2. Andries Strauss (vc)
3. Will Helu
4. George Turner
5. Sasa Tofilau
6. Otulea Katoa
7. Sam Beard
8. Damien Hoyland
9. Tom Galbraith
10. Nathan Fowles
Coach: Roddy Grant
Manager: Stevie Scott

What's not to like about Strauss in the 7s? I mean all that open space and all that pace....

I geninuely couldn't think of a worse suited player for 7s.

Turner will be useful, as will Helu and Hoyland I suspect. In fact Hoyland could be quite something.

[funnyExiledScot]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every  full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

Schiz would never be able to spell "tasteful".

[tigertattie]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every  full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

Schiz would never be able to spell "tasteful".

At the end of the day, at least we have a castle!

and less bums on giros. Don't forget the bums on giros!!!

[jimbopip]

That's the spirit Tiger. If only your pack had half as much gumption the Library might begin to resemble Scotstoun on a play off evening.

[R!skysports]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every  full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

Schiz would never be able to spell "tasteful".

At the end of the day, at least we have a castle!

and less bums on giros. Don't forget the bums on giros!!!

So do we

http://www.davesbouncycastles.co.uk/

[tigertattie]

That's the spirit Tiger. If only your pack had half as much gumption the Library might begin to resemble Scotstoun on a play off evening.

Its not our pack that's the issue. Our pack is much better than yours! It's our backs, particularly our lack of a 10!

Ironically Edinburgh have bigger, stronger, more aggressive hard men and Glasgow have better hair gel wearing, ladies underwear sporting, nancy backs!

[George Carlin]

Strong rumours eminating from Llanelli that Johnny MacNicholl is joining from the Crusaders. SQ and playing well at the moment, to say nothing of him being ginger enough to satisfy the Peter Wrights of the world who believe all Scottish players should be called Hamish Teuchter McBumfertie.

Hope Vern takes a look at him.

[RDW]

https://www.606v2.com/t62804-leinster-vs-edinburgh-friday-15-april-2016#3326750

[RDW]

Well the Melrose 7s gave us a chance to see some of the Edinburgh fringe players in action, or indeed see them for the first time this season!


1. Chris Dean - looks to be a decent enough player but seems to lack the pace required to really make it as a top centre. He made a few breaks but just didn't have the gas to finish them off

2. Andries Strauss - thanks and see you later

3. Will Helu - for a man who last season scored 2 tries against Toulon for wasps, he's been a real disappointment. Even though he was up against amateurs he looked neither particularly strong or quick. Edinburgh really is a graveyard for decent wingers - "come to Edinburgh and lose all form and confidence!"

4. George Turner - I like Turner and think he's got promise, but as 4th choice hooker he's really going to struggle for gametime.

5. Sasa Tofilau - this man definitely caught the eye with a hugely physical performance. 21 year old Australian who came over to Scotland and has been playing for kirkaldy but also training with Edinburgh. I think he's a centre, but he's an absolute beast with good skills. A bit slow though - one to watch.

6. Otulea Katoa - a 7 times capped Tongan winger who has barely played this season. Looked pretty good in attack but is a pretty lazy player. Would do a job for us if picked but no better than our Scottish options

7. Sam Beard - we all know about him

8. Damien Hoyland - started the tournament brightly and looked like he was going to be a star, but faded as it went on. Great acceleration but lacking in flat out pace - often not backing himself on the outside. He was rounded on the outside by a Jed player with relative ease. The jury is still out with him, but he's worth persisting with.

9. Tom Galbraith - hardly featured

10. Nathan Fowles - the star of the tournament. Great pace, lightening pass and good drop goals too. Everything good about Edinburgh went through him. He's been inconsistent for the main team but worth persisting with.

[tigertattie]

10. Nathan Fowles - the star of the tournament. Great pace, lightening pass and good drop goals too. Everything good about Edinburgh went through him. He's been inconsistent for the main team but worth persisting with.

He's also an arrogant little man

Just saying

[RDW]

10. Nathan Fowles - the star of the tournament. Great pace, lightening pass and good drop goals too. Everything good about Edinburgh went through him. He's been inconsistent for the main team but worth persisting with.

He's also an arrogant little man

Just saying

You need a bit of that if you’re a 9 TBH, but hopefully he doesn't make a habit of it.

And to be fair, a young man goading a player as he was about to score shouldn’t consign him to a reputation of Mike Phillips level of douchery quite yet!

[cakeordeath]

Strong rumours eminating from Llanelli that Johnny MacNicholl is joining from the Crusaders. SQ and playing well at the moment, to say nothing of him being ginger enough to satisfy the Peter Wrights of the world who believe all Scottish players should be called Hamish Teuchter McBumfertie.

Hope Vern takes a look at him.

Won't he be a project player for the WRU?

[NeilyBroon]

Strong rumours eminating from Llanelli that Johnny MacNicholl is joining from the Crusaders. SQ and playing well at the moment, to say nothing of him being ginger enough to satisfy the Peter Wrights of the world who believe all Scottish players should be called Hamish Teuchter McBumfertie.

Hope Vern takes a look at him.

Won't he be a project player for the WRU?

If he is SQ I say we cap him a day before he becomes WQ, just for the lols.

Maitland is playing well again, if he can actually make a decent decision on what club to play for next we could finally have a half-decent backup FB.

[funnyExiledScot]

Sounds like this Sasa Tofilau bloke could be a useful option at 12. Can he be worse than Strauss?

MacNicholl certainly sounds worth a punt, although I'm tempted to suggest Glasgow rather than Edinburgh just so we don't ruin him. He shouldn't go to the Scarlets. I can't think of a good reason why not but he just shouldn't.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every  full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

Schiz would never be able to spell "tasteful".

Hah! But I can spell honesty - given your calling in life I doubt that you can.

[George Carlin]

10. Nathan Fowles - the star of the tournament. Great pace, lightening pass and good drop goals too. Everything good about Edinburgh went through him. He's been inconsistent for the main team but worth persisting with.

He's also an arrogant little man

Just saying

Yep. And being third best in your position for Edinburgh at rugby is a lot like being the second best spear maker in Luxembourg. Technically, it can be classified as an 'achievement'. However, that doesn't really mean that you should be proud of it.

[EWT Spoons]

10. Nathan Fowles - the star of the tournament. Great pace, lightening pass and good drop goals too. Everything good about Edinburgh went through him. He's been inconsistent for the main team but worth persisting with.

He's also an arrogant little man

Just saying

Yep. And being third best in your position for Edinburgh at rugby is a lot like being the second best spear maker in Luxembourg. Technically, it can be classified as an 'achievement'. However, that doesn't really mean that you should be proud of it.

Just being picky, but he's at least 2nd best.  Kennedy is woeful, and arguably Fowles is in better form than SHC at the moment

[des]

Just being picky, but he's at least 2nd best.  Kennedy is woeful, and arguably Fowles is in better form than SHC at the moment

That's not being picky, just being right.

Fowles has had 2 big brain farts this season but other than that he's been excellent and clearly our best SH.  

SHC has cost us at least 2 games with his shaky boot and that shocking attempt at a drop goal.

Kennedy has not been terrible lately which is good for him.[/quote]

[George Carlin]

https://www.606v2.com/t62822-scarlets-v-glasgow-warriors-16-april

PS - I am well aware that Fowles is fine but the Luxembourg joke does not work as well without some hypebole.

[funnyExiledScot]

Brotheltown is the ugliest city on God's earth, makes Basildon look refined and tasteful. The Luvvies are a mincing of wannabe knitwear models and Solomans drowns puppies in the Waters of Leith every  full moon.

Sorry chaps, but Schiz has been out of the country for a week now and I felt that things were getting strangely amicable on here.

Schiz would never be able to spell "tasteful".

Hah!   But I can spell honesty - given your calling in life I doubt that you can.    

I always try to leave a few spelling errors in the first draft, then I can charge for fixing them later on.

Anyway, back to preparing my tax return.....

[funnyExiledScot]

Just being picky, but he's at least 2nd best.  Kennedy is woeful, and arguably Fowles is in better form than SHC at the moment

That's not being picky, just being right.

Fowles has had 2 big brain farts this season but other than that he's been excellent and clearly our best SH.  

SHC has cost us at least 2 games with his shaky boot and that shocking attempt at a drop goal.

Kennedy has not been terrible lately which is good for him.

I would certainly like to see more of Fowles at 9 for Edinburgh, particularly now that Tovey can take on the goal kicking.

[RuggerRadge2611]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36026068

Zander Ferguson has apparently signed a 3 year deal with the soap dodgers. Although the lad in the photo looks more like Zander Fagerson....

[BigGee]

Just back from my travels and once again have to say what a lovely place Parma is and well worth a trip out to anyone who fancies it. You have to say as well that Zebre were no pushovers, at least for the first half, though they did fall badly to bits after that. If the Italian teams can learn to play for 80 mins, then they will become competitive in the league. I hope that it happens.

I have got to say as well, that if any of you get the chance to go and visit Siena, don't pass it up, it really is a truely fabulous place, even in April. What it is like when the Palio is on I can only imagine.

Anyway, i am feeling culturally overloaded just now so need to concentrate solely on rugby for at least the next week before we head off to see duaghter no.2 in Padua. I should have recovered sufficiently by then!

[funnyExiledScot]

Just back from my travels and once again have to say what a lovely place Parma is and well worth a trip out to anyone who fancies it. You have to say as well that Zebre were no pushovers, at least for the first half, though they did fall badly to bits after that. If the Italian teams can learn to play for 80 mins, then they will become competitive in the league. I hope that it happens.

I have got to say as well, that if any of you get the chance to go and visit Siena, don't pass it up, it really is a truely fabulous place, even in April. What it is like when the Palio is on I can only imagine.

Anyway, i am feeling culturally overloaded just now so need to concentrate solely on rugby for at least the next week before we head off to see duaghter no.2 in Padua. I should have recovered sufficiently by then!

I'd recommend a trip to Glasgow just to readdress the balance.

Sounds a lovely trip. Sadly our holidays are limited to Orkney and Derbyshire this year, but when the fES-lets are old enough to survive on their own I'm taking a proper trip out the Italy - I've only been to Rome, Venice and Milan on citybreaks thus far.

[RDW]

Just back from my travels and once again have to say what a lovely place Parma is and well worth a trip out to anyone who fancies it. You have to say as well that Zebre were no pushovers, at least for the first half, though they did fall badly to bits after that. If the Italian teams can learn to play for 80 mins, then they will become competitive in the league. I hope that it happens.

I have got to say as well, that if any of you get the chance to go and visit Siena, don't pass it up, it really is a truely fabulous place, even in April. What it is like when the Palio is on I can only imagine.

Anyway, i am feeling culturally overloaded just now so need to concentrate solely on rugby for at least the next week before we head off to see duaghter no.2 in Padua. I should have recovered sufficiently by then!

I'd recommend a trip to Glasgow just to readdress the balance.

Sounds a lovely trip. Sadly our holidays are limited to Orkney and Derbyshire this year, but when the fES-lets are old enough to survive on their own I'm taking a proper trip out the Italy - I've only been to Rome, Venice and Milan on citybreaks thus far.

You should be expecting a benefit concert from Africa soon!

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