Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread XII - Twelve Monkeys

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

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
https://www.606v2.com/t61904-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-xi-the-undiscovered-country

Edinburgh

1872 Champions

Edinburgh's Fixtures & Results (click to show):

Glasgow

1872 Runners-up

Glasgow Warrior's Fixtures & Results (click to show):

Ladies and Gents, Girls and Boys, it's season finale!

Guinness PRO12 Play Offs
Fri 20 May 19:45 - Semi Final
Leinster Rugby 30 - 18   Ulster Rugby - RDS Arena 19,100

Sat 21 May 18:30 - Semi Final
Connacht Rugby  16 - 11   Glasgow Warriors - Galway Sportsground 7,800

Sat 28 May 17:30 - Grand Final
Leinster Rugby  10 - 20  Connacht Rugby  - BT Murrayfield - 34,550

Cinderella story or what?! Congrats to the Galway posse who were the form team of the season!

[RDW]

No word about increasing capacity - still isn't ideal to have to use temporary stands. But that is the only way if they are going to keep the running track!

Impressive that they are going to get the work done for the start of the season.

[NeilyBroon]

No word about increasing capacity - still isn't ideal to have to use temporary stands. But that is the only way if they are going to keep the running track!

Impressive that they are going to get the work done for the start of the season.

I suspect knowing the SRU they've got an extremely inflated price and by haggling have managed to be upsold the same pitch for twice the price - so let's hope that their quoted timescales will match the undoubtedly extortionate cost. After all the palaver with LS they'd better get this right, I think it'll be a key component of Glasgow's season to have a decent pitch, they'll need to train on it as much as possible before Sept.

[funnyExiledScot]

The article was too long for me to read. Will they be putting bars of soap in the loos?

[RDW]

One step at a time FES, one step at a time!

[George Carlin]

The article was too long for me to read. Will they be putting bars of soap in the loos?

Yes, it was quite a large number of words to say that they're stuffing a plastic pitch in there for our players to burn their knees on.

I absolutely bloody hate that athletics track and if it was up to me (an insufficient number of things in life are down to me, I feel) I would get rid of the whole stupid thing and move the seats right next to the action so that the players can smell the aggression, Buckie and fried chocolate eminating from the crowd.

Very pleased about the pitch though. Impossible to continue with it as it was. I wonder how much it would be to put a room on that stadium?

[funnyExiledScot]

The article was too long for me to read. Will they be putting bars of soap in the loos?

Yes, it was quite a large number of words to say that they're stuffing a plastic pitch in there for our players to burn their knees on.

I absolutely bloody hate that athletics track and if it was up to me (an insufficient number of things in life are down to me, I feel) I would get rid of the whole stupid thing and move the seats right next to the action so that the players can smell the aggression, Buckie and fried chocolate eminating from the crowd.

Very pleased about the pitch though. Impossible to continue with it as it was. I wonder how much it would be to put a room on that stadium?

A roof? Not sure Scotstoun is ready for rooms yet. Surely corporate hospitality runs against the ethos of the universally kind and friendly socialist progressives that inhabit the violent crime capital of Scotland.

Agreed on the athletics track. I think I hate them largely because I was never very good at athletics. My strength in sport was a wilingness and desire to hurt people, making rugby, football (to a lesser degree), cricket (bowling) and tennis (doubles only) far more suitable than running around in circles. They ruin rugby stadiums. It is critical for fans to be as close to the action as possible. You can't possibly insult opposition players effectively if they are struggling to hear you.

[RDW]

It sounds like they've had to bend over backwards to keep the support of the athletics club - it is perhaps a requirement of the council. You can't have an athletics club without an atheletics track! The athletic club has already had to compromise by moving the throwing disciplines outside the stadium.

I'm sure most people saw the statement the athletics club released several months ago.

[funnyExiledScot]

It sounds like they've had to bend over backwards to keep the support of the athletics club - it is perhaps a requirement of the council. You can't have an athletics club without an atheletics track! The athletic club has already had to compromise by moving the throwing disciplines outside the stadium.

I'm sure most people saw the statement the athletics club released several months ago.

Firstly, teaching Weegies how to throw things is an all round bad idea.

Secondly, I'd dispute the need for an athletics club to have an athletics track. There are numerous "fronts" in Glasgow: restaurants without cookers, laundrettes without washing machines - I don't see why an athletics club fronting as a rugby club is particularly bad in the grand scheme of things.

[RDW]

Reminds me of a Kevin Bridges joke about a Glaswegian sports shop - they've sold a lot of baseball bats but never sold a single baseball!

[funnyExiledScot]

[RDW]

A reminder that the Scotland Under 20s game is being shown live here at half 5

http://www.worldrugby.org/worldrugbytv/video

https://www.606v2.com/t63321-2016-world-rugby-u20-championship-tournament-thread

[R!skysports]

It sounds like they've had to bend over backwards to keep the support of the athletics club - it is perhaps a requirement of the council. You can't have an athletics club without an atheletics track! The athletic club has already had to compromise by moving the throwing disciplines outside the stadium.

I'm sure most people saw the statement the athletics club released several months ago.

Firstly, teaching Weegies how to throw things is an all round bad idea.

Secondly, I'd dispute the need for an athletics club to have an athletics track. There are numerous "fronts" in Glasgow: restaurants without cookers, laundrettes without washing machines - I don't see why an athletics club fronting as a rugby club is particularly bad in the grand scheme of things.

I suppose that might be true, but in Edinburgh they have rugby clubs, without actual rugby, so it could be worst

[RDW]

We just beat Australia!!!

[funnyExiledScot]

Jeez, this crop really is useful.

[George Carlin]

Highlights of the match are up:
http://www.worldrugby.org/video/167335

Well done kiddos. Boy, do I feel old watching Gavin Hasting's son on the pitch.

[RDW]

Without taking too much away from them we did play half the game against 14 men! But still you can only beat what's in front of you and we managed to find a way to get ahead then put a huge defensive shift in to hold them out. Australia weren't great but I think they probably would have been favourites to go on to win if they kept 15 men on the pitch.

Great try by the winger!

We really messed up closing out the game - got too excited whenever we turned them over and basically handed possession straight back with sliced kicks and poor decisions. But they're young and will learn from it.

We still look small as a team though and I suspect we'll struggle with the English physicality now that they've brought some big guns in. Our backs are skillful but all pretty small, and our back 5 is very lightweight too. Even with Fagerson there our scrum struggled - probably not helped by both locks being lanky beanpoles!

A fantastic start though and we should hopefully push on here to our best ever finish.

[George Carlin]

England are always a big bunch of boys but we'll take confidence from this and also from beating them in the 6N. Its technically a 'home' game for England, which is irritating, but there's nothing to be done about that.

[RDW]

There was a lot of focus on Adam Hastings (i.e. like Owen Farrell whenever he did anything the camera showed a shot of his dad in the stands) and I thought he did OK.

He's got an excellent kicking game and is solid in defence, but doesn't look like he's an attacking 10 really. He's not overly quick and didn't look comfortable taking the ball into the line. That may come with time though.

[Hazel Sapling]

Cummings is not that small nor is Davidson. With Crammond, Carmichael and Hunter-Hill all coming through the system it appears that Scotland may get some lock depth in the medium term. Did not see the game but this team has beaten an admittedly weakened England early this year and Italy. They should be aiming for top. Is it top 2 go to the quarter finals?

Also was Ritchie a good choice at 8? He is a lanky boy to be much of a ball carrier even at this level.

That team has Hastings, Kinghorn, Ritchie, Cummings and Fagerson who should all make it as top level pros. Which of the other players will make the step up RDW? Did Davidson, Hutchison, Galbraith, Robbins, and Craig look good enough?

[funnyExiledScot]

There was a lot of focus on Adam Hastings (i.e. like Owen Farrell whenever he did anything the camera showed a shot of his dad in the stands) and I thought he did OK.

He's got an excellent kicking game and is solid in defence, but doesn't look like he's an attacking 10 really.  He's not overly quick and didn't look comfortable taking the ball into the line. That may come with time though.

Sounds like he's ready to move to Edinburgh!

Haven't had the chance to watch the highlights yet but I will. The players should be proud of this win.

[NeilyBroon]

There was a lot of focus on Adam Hastings (i.e. like Owen Farrell whenever he did anything the camera showed a shot of his dad in the stands) and I thought he did OK.

He's got an excellent kicking game and is solid in defence, but doesn't look like he's an attacking 10 really.  He's not overly quick and didn't look comfortable taking the ball into the line. That may come with time though.

I think give him time, he's only 19 - also given our lack of kicking 10s recently, it'd be good to have one who can give a different tactic. He'll come good and already looks like he'll be significantly better than Weir. Just think of how much Jackson's game has come on, and that's in the latter part of his career!

[RDW]

I think give him time, he's only 19 - also given our lack of kicking 10s recently, it'd be good to have one who can give a different tactic.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying it is a bad things he's a kicking 10. He looks like a classic 10 that has been reared in the English system, and there is plenty room for that kind of player in the pro game. Let's see how he develops though - Harry Leonard and Gregor Hunter had a similar skillset at under 20s level but haven't really been able to push on from then.  Hastings does look like he will stand a better chance though.

Also was Ritchie a good choice at 8? He is a lanky boy to be much of a ball carrier even at this level.

As a team we generally struggled to get over the gainline but Ritchie was one of the few who did.  He looks a lot more comfortable than he did last year, no doubt helped by the considerable pro experience he has gained this season. He's not an 8 though - I think 6 will be his best position in a Tom Wood mould of a player. Cummings and Fagerson were our other prominent carriers.

That team has Hastings, Kinghorn, Ritchie, Cummings and Fagerson who should all make it as top level pros. Which of the other players will make the step up RDW? Did Davidson, Hutchison, Galbraith, Robbins, and Craig look good enough?

There were no real standouts really, and as a team we didn't actually play overly well! We just stuck in there and did enough to win and hold out at the end.  Our lineout fell apart a bit but that looked like a problem with the drill as much as anything.

Both wingers looked very sharp with masses of pace to burn, but that are small - we've seen plenty small Scottish wingers not manage to make it in the pro game though.

Kinghorn had a quiet game. When he broke through at Edinburgh he had some really good performances but was less influential as the season went on - perhaps understandable for someone who was at school last year.  He needs to make his presence felt more at under 20s level though since he's technically an 'experienced' pro now.

I like our centre partnership - neither had much chance to shine in attack but they did their defencive duties well with some crucial last ditch cover tackles. They aren't the biggest so may struggle to make an impact in the pro game, but they seem to have the basic attributes to stand a good chance.

Our back row as a unit aren't overly big but they threw themselves around the pitch and got stuck in well.  I really like Matt Smith - he has a blatant disregard for his wellbeing that goes well as a 7!

[Hazel Sapling]

Thanks RDW. Really want to see a few of these unheralded players make their way to Glasgow (Edinburgh can have some of the forwards only if Solomons swears they will get a few games) and push on.

Really hacked off that the main story on the BBC Rugby Union site is England's expected victory over Italy rather than Scotland beating Aus!

[funnyExiledScot]

Maj was speaking highly of Smith as well. I notice he's assigned to Glasgow Warrior - hopefully they'll be able to find some room for him with Blake, Fusaro, Holmes and Favaro on the books. Bordill has left right? Do we know where he's gone?

[funnyExiledScot]

Thanks RDW. Really want to see a few of these unheralded players make their way to Glasgow (Edinburgh can have some of the forwards only if Solomons swears they will get a few games) and push on.

Really hacked off that the main story on the BBC Rugby Union site is England's expected victory over Italy rather than Scotland beating Aus!

It's not a great article. England England England......oh, and the other "home nations" played as well, plus a couple of lines on New Zealand under the "home nations" section.

I think Mr Nathan Middleton should consider doing something else for a living.

[George Carlin]

Maj was speaking highly of Smith as well. I notice he's assigned to Glasgow Warrior - hopefully they'll be able to find some room for him with Blake, Fusaro, Holmes and Favaro on the books. Bordill has left right? Do we know where he's gone?

Classic drafting skills coming to the fore there.

Bordill has joined an Australian club but I cannot recall which.

I have heard good chatter about Galbraith too.

[Majestic83]

Maj was speaking highly of Smith as well. I notice he's assigned to Glasgow Warrior - hopefully they'll be able to find some room for him with Blake, Fusaro, Holmes and Favaro on the books. Bordill has left right? Do we know where he's gone?

Classic drafting skills coming to the fore there.

Bordill has joined an Australian club but I cannot recall which.

I have heard good chatter about Galbraith too.

Yeah Bordill is of to play in Australia, I think it is with Manly and then is going to be playing in the Australian championship possibly for North Harbour. Holmes is leaving Glasgow as well.
I believe Matt Smith is going to be with the Warriors 1st team next season. If he keeps on playing like he has done this season for the u20s I think he will get an opportunity with the 1st team pretty quick. He looks physically ready for senior rugby, roughly about 103kg and certainly looks powerful. Carries the ball well and know how operate at the breakdown.

The other forwards really put their hands up. Scrum time was mixed and dominance seemed to change hands from scrum to scrum, Scotland won 3 scrum penalties/free kicks in a row at one point. Thought Murray McCallum put in a good shift at loosehead. He's a big unit but is athletic with it too and carries very hard. Ally Miller did well when he came on early in the 1st half, carried hard and hot the rucks very hard making some good clear outs. Lineout seemed to go well, can't remember us losing any on our own ball?
Hugh Fraser at 9 looks sharp and has a good pass, game management towards the end of the match needs improving as he just kept booting the ball back to the Australians.
Tom Galbraith impressed both in attack and defence, came to the scots rescue a couple times in the first half with some great tackles. Mixed it up well playing the 2nd playmaker role and running straight to draw in the aussie back row.
Darcy Graham was excellent on the wing, looked a threat in attack, took his try very well and then made some important tackles too. Not a huge winger but with that pace and skill he doesn't need to be huge.

[RDW]

Maj - we definitely lost 2 or 3 of our lineouts at least. Their first try came from us messing up a lineout earlier in the play and I think it was the same for their 2nd half penalty.

As I said it just looked like the drill wasn't right.

[RDW]

ESPN has us down as losing 3 lineouts and 2 scrums.

[funnyExiledScot]

Maj was speaking highly of Smith as well. I notice he's assigned to Glasgow Warrior - hopefully they'll be able to find some room for him with Blake, Fusaro, Holmes and Favaro on the books. Bordill has left right? Do we know where he's gone?

Classic drafting skills coming to the fore there.

Bordill has joined an Australian club but I cannot recall which.

I have heard good chatter about Galbraith too.

I feel I have to "dumb down" when on 606v2.....

Anyway, it's my "commercial awareness" that really sets me apart from the rest

[Hazel Sapling]

Maybe Glasgow don't need to sign a squad wing with Graham and Robbins coming through. I guess the Fijian's 1 year deal may be to see if Fraser is ready to step up next year if they are actually thinking ahead.

I wonder if with Favaro and Fusaro both being at risk of injury (due to their style) and Blake finishing up his hunt for an Olympic spot, they may try to blood Smith in the 7's and bring Blake back.

[Majestic83]

Maj - we definitely lost 2 or 3 of our lineouts at least.  Their first try came from us messing up a lineout earlier in the play and I think it was the same for their 2nd half penalty.

As I said it just looked like the drill wasn't right.

I did miss the Australia try so didn't see the line out there.

Certainly 2nd half it seemed to go well especially in some real pressure lineouts on the Scottish line.

[EWT Spoons]

Maj - we definitely lost 2 or 3 of our lineouts at least. Their first try came from us messing up a lineout earlier in the play and I think it was the same for their 2nd half penalty.

As I said it just looked like the drill wasn't right.

Aye there was definitely one in the first half when we over threw the lineout and an Aussie player got hold of it at the back, thankfully he knocked it on though.

I only saw bits and pieces of the first half, but we looked reasonable, but as RDW said earlier I don't think any player really stood out (at least not in the bits I saw) but as a team we looked ok.

[funnyExiledScot]

Maj was speaking highly of Smith as well. I notice he's assigned to Glasgow Warrior - hopefully they'll be able to find some room for him with Blake, Fusaro, Holmes and Favaro on the books. Bordill has left right? Do we know where he's gone?

Classic drafting skills coming to the fore there.

Bordill has joined an Australian club but I cannot recall which.

I have heard good chatter about Galbraith too.

Tom Galbraith impressed both in attack and defence, came to the scots rescue a couple times in the first half with some great tackles. Mixed it up well playing the 2nd playmaker role and running straight to draw in the aussie back row.

Darcy Graham was excellent on the wing, looked a threat in attack, took his try very well and then made some important tackles too. Not a huge winger but with that pace and skill he doesn't need to be huge.

Well centre and wing are positions for which we struggle for depth, so these are welcome developments. I presume Galbraith will be snapped up by Edinburgh and we could certainly use a hard running centre to contrast with Burleigh.

Like any promising attacking player, Graham will want to go to Glasgow. According to the SRU website he was born in 1985 (making him 31) which I assume can't be right. He's also the nephew of Scott MacLeod. Who knew.

[RDW]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

[EWT Spoons]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

To be fair, back in 2012 we were still going through cost cutting activities and the focus from the SRU was really not on rugby, but more on balancing the books. So from that point of view the quality of the youngsters at that time really wasn't a priority. I'm more optimistic now with academies etc. Granted not all players will make it, but that's the same for most sports.

[Majestic83]

Coincidently when I was bored at work yesterday had a quick look at who some of the players from the past couple of years were playing for now. Quite a few have totally dropped out of rugby, some are playing in lower leagues in England. One I did find was Sam Thomson a big blindside/lock who had played for Hawks before but is now at Perpignan. The French article I read was saying that they have high hopes for him in the 1st XV next season and they see as a successor to Strokosh.

[funnyExiledScot]

Coincidently when I was bored at work yesterday had a quick look at who some of the players from the past couple of years were playing for now. Quite a few have totally dropped out of rugby, some are playing in lower leagues in England. One I did find was Sam Thomson a big blindside/lock who had played for Hawks before but is now at Perpignan. The French article I read was saying that they have high hopes for him in the 1st XV next season and they see as a successor to Strokosh.

I hope they meant that as a compliment.....

[RDW]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

To be fair, back in 2012 we were still going through cost cutting activities and the focus from the SRU was really not on rugby, but more on balancing the books.  So from that point of view the quality of the youngsters at that time really wasn't a priority.  I'm more optimistic now with academies etc.  Granted not all players will make it, but that's the same for most sports.

A good point.  What I was trying to say I suppose is that we're not likely to see many of these guys for another couple of years at least if at all, with a few no doubt farmed out to the 7s in the meantime.

[EWT Spoons]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

To be fair, back in 2012 we were still going through cost cutting activities and the focus from the SRU was really not on rugby, but more on balancing the books.  So from that point of view the quality of the youngsters at that time really wasn't a priority.  I'm more optimistic now with academies etc.  Granted not all players will make it, but that's the same for most sports.

A good point.  What I was trying to say I suppose is that we're not likely to see many of these guys for another couple of years at least if at all, with a few no doubt farmed out to the 7s in the meantime.

Totally agree with you on that, I was going to say that in my original message but doing this on my phone and apparently my sausage fingers and it's hypersensitivity are not a winning combo so just left it to being a very basic message.

[Hazel Sapling]

Maybe, it does look like Scotland are having a half dozen new players come through every year.

2015- Hastings, Cummings, Kinghorn have all started playing for their clubs. Should expect 3-4 more names to add to the list. Did Carmichael (the new Edinburgh lock) play u20's and, if so, would he be put in this year? The academy system should hopefully get this up to about 10-12 a year making it but with only 2 clubs there is a limit.

Shame there is not a developmental side playing in a lower league that could be coached by Sean Lineen to build towards having 2 bigger sides in Edinburgh and Glasgow...too late now I guess to keep harping

[George Carlin]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

To be fair, back in 2012 we were still going through cost cutting activities and the focus from the SRU was really not on rugby, but more on balancing the books.  So from that point of view the quality of the youngsters at that time really wasn't a priority.  I'm more optimistic now with academies etc.  Granted not all players will make it, but that's the same for most sports.

A good point.  What I was trying to say I suppose is that we're not likely to see many of these guys for another couple of years at least if at all, with a few no doubt farmed out to the 7s in the meantime.

Totally agree with you on that, I was going to say that in my original message but doing this on my phone and apparently my sausage fingers and it's hypersensitivity are not a winning combo so just left it to being a very basic message.

Hmm. Is your real name Donald J. Trump?

[RDW]

To be fair I think Hastings has only had 1 or 2 appearances for Bath, and Cummings only got gametime because it was a world cup year and Glasgow were missing half a squad! He's not played since the world cup I don't think. Kinghorn benefited from a huge Edinburgh injury list and Edinburgh randomly offloading Tonks.

It is a major flaw in the plan though - what's the point in bringing through 10 pro ready players a year if there's no where for them to go at Edinburgh or Glasgow!

[EWT Spoons]

The other thing worth remembering is that only a handful of these players are likely to see much gametime for Edinburgh or Glasgow next season, and it might be 2 or 3 years yet before a number of them get a chance.

I'm sure by then a lot of them will have fallen away by then though - you just to look at the under 20s team from 2 or 3 years ago and you'll not recognise many players!

Had a quick look over the past few years between 2012-2014 and it is interesting to see how many actually made it to pro rugby:

2014 - D'arcy Rae, Andy Cramond, Magnus Bradbury, Damian Hoyland, Chris Dean, Jamie Farndale, Zander Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie,

2013 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Jonny Gray, Adam Ashe, Scott Steele, Tommy Allan, Rory Hughes, Mark Bennett, Damian Hoyland, Ali Price, Jamie Farndale

2012 - George Turner, Alex Allan, Mitch Eadie, Finn Russell, Jamie Farndale, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tommy Allan


It is quite alarming to see how few of our players from 2012 made it! Those from the under 20s team from 2 years ago are only just breaking through now.

To be fair, back in 2012 we were still going through cost cutting activities and the focus from the SRU was really not on rugby, but more on balancing the books.  So from that point of view the quality of the youngsters at that time really wasn't a priority.  I'm more optimistic now with academies etc.  Granted not all players will make it, but that's the same for most sports.

A good point.  What I was trying to say I suppose is that we're not likely to see many of these guys for another couple of years at least if at all, with a few no doubt farmed out to the 7s in the meantime.

Totally agree with you on that, I was going to say that in my original message but doing this on my phone and apparently my sausage fingers and it's hypersensitivity are not a winning combo so just left it to being a very basic message.

Hmm. Is your real name Donald J. Trump?

Is he not famed for tiny fingers?

[EST]

I watched the game yesterday, and would urge some caution. We played well in patches, but Oz were down to 14 for much of the game and our set piece was very unreliable. Our game management and some of our handling, particularly at the end, was also terrible, where we routinely handed the ball back to Australia.

That being said, we were very gritty and did well to hang in there. This is certainly the best U20's team I can remember.

Matt Smith was fantastic, what he has over his competition at Glasgow for the 7 shirt, is physicality. He is very athletic and I would be surprised if he doesn't feature next season. I have also been impressed by Tom Galbraith, very unassuming, but is a solid defender and makes good decisions on the ball.

[BigGee]

What a great result for the U20s. I have not seen the match yet, but was following it off and on on twitter at work last night. I plan to sit down and digest it tonight.

My son is at university in manchester and we are going up to pick him up next week and have managed to work that around going to see the Scotland v italy match, which i am very hopefull about now.

It will be interesting to see the tactics against England on saturday with the 4 day turnaround. It is certainly going to be tough and you wonder if any of the team can be rested. Fagerson played the whole game apparently. The games come thick and fast in this tournament and the use of the squad will be pivitol from here on in. We definitely need to be in good shape to beat Italy next wednesday, which would guarentee us our best ever placing.

[RDW]

Scotstoun Stadium is set for a major upgrade this summer after Glasgow City Council approved plans that will see a synthetic playing surface installed and improvements to the existing athletics facilities.

The works will ensure that the stadium retains its position as a centre of excellence for rugby and athletics, while at the same time continuing to meet the needs of the wider sporting community.

The project will be funded by Glasgow City Council, Scottish Rugby/Glasgow Warriors and sportscotland and, subject to contracts being finalised, work will commence later this month with completion expected ahead of the 2016/17 rugby season.

Glasgow Warriors are the latest club in the UK to announce the switch to an artificial surface, following Saracens, Cardiff Blues, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors.

As well as a new synthetic playing surface, which will meet World Rugby guidelines, work will commence on improved athletics and rugby training facilities, a new event standard throws area and improvements to the outdoor running track.

While the pitch will be predominantly for use by the athletics and rugby communities, a programme for wider community use is being developed.

Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Glasgow Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys said: "A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes over the last few months, culminating in today's announcement and this is fantastic news for everyone who uses the stadium.

"From next season we'll have an excellent surface all year round, to play the exciting brand of rugby we enjoy.

"It will also provide us with exciting opportunities, which will help us grow the club and the game in the west of Scotland.

"We have visited a number of clubs who have similar surfaces, which they either play or train on and we believe an artificial surface is the best solution for Scotstoun Stadium.

"We'd like to thank Scottish Rugby, Glasgow City Council and sportscotland for funding this project."

[funnyExiledScot]

All makes sense. It rains all the time in Glasgow and the grass surface was becoming a liability.

[RDW]

Injury blows for the under 20s

Scotland under-20 wing Darcy Graham and centre Rory Hutchinson have been ruled out of the rest of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.



Graham sustained a concussion in his side’s win over their Australian counterparts on Tuesday (7 June).

Protocol states a player of his age cannot return to play within 23 days of a concussion incident occurring.

Hutchinson sustained an ankle injury which will see him take no further part in the tournament.

Reuben Norville and Lewis Berg, of Hartpury College and George Watson’s College respectively, will join the squad ahead of Saturday’s (11 June) game against England under-20 at Manchester City Academy Stadium.

Head Coach John Dalziel said:

“Both Darcy and Rory are a huge loss to the side, especially after their contributions in the opening game of the tournament. However, we have two excellent players coming in, who will want to make their mark.

“Darcy is a fantastic talent and is a great player and person to work with. He’s still eligible for the under-20 programme next year and has the potential to be a real star of the Scottish game. We’ll no doubt see more of him in the future.

“Rory is another star in the making, and is a big presence in the squad. This was his third World Championship, and he was on track to become Scotland’s most capped player at under-20 level later in the tournament, which is testament to his ability. He’s grown as a player and as a person in the three years I’ve worked with him, and has a big career ahead of him.

“We wish both players the very best with their recovery.”

[BigGee]

A shame for the lad, but his reputation has grown already following that try.

I doubt it will be the last injuries either, the game this saturday will be very physically tough as well.

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