Pro 12: Edinburgh Rugby vs Cardiff Blues 7th May

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 10:34 am

Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Saturday 7th May 2016, KO 15:00
BT Murrayfield
TV: BBC 2 Wales

After back-to-back wins against reigning champions Glasgow back in January, Edinburgh lifted themselves up to third in the Guinness PRO12.

They have stumbled in recent weeks however and now find themselves down in eighth ahead of this weekend's match with Cardiff Blues.

With just 38 tries all season, Edinburgh's struggles to cross the whitewash has cost them at times but McInally is not giving up hope.

"It is quite exciting to know what we have to go out and play," he said of the final game this Saturday.

"Top six is still mathematically possible and while that is there, there is everything to play for.

"We know we need a five pointer. The fact that we do still have a chance gives us all the motivation we need.

"We are improving. You have to, every team in this league is improving. If you look at our points, tries scored, tries conceded, points difference and league points from the last three years we are getting better every year.

"The frustrating thing for us now is that we have found a system that has helped us improve enough to hold our position - but what do we need to do to climb the table? That is going to be the conversation over the summer."

Edinburgh could still make the Champions Cup but would need a maximum point win and even then would depend upon other results going their way.

The Scotsmen have lost their last two Guinness PRO12 matches in Ireland, to Leinster and Munster, but have lost just once at Murrayfield in any tournament since November.

Cardiff Blues' four-game winning run meanwhile was ended with their Judgement Day defeat to Ospreys.

The Blues only defeat in their last six fixtures with Edinburgh was 13-28 in this equivalent fixture at Murrayfield in round eight last season.

And scrum-half Lloyd Williams insists they are determined to finish on a winning note despite not being in with a chance of making the top six themselves.

"We want to end our season on a high against Edinburgh," he said.

"We are waiting on results from other games but if we win our last game and do the best we can, hopefully we can climb the league and potentially finish above the Ospreys.

"We have to use this to push us on for next year. We have shown we can do better.

"It's been a season I have enjoyed. For various reasons we have been a bit inconsistent over the last four years but there's consistency now and there's no surprise that we're now getting better as a team."

At Murrayfield, 3pm.

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson, Keith Allan (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Iain Goodall (SRU)
TMO: Charles Samson

Live on BBC Wales

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 10:36 am

The chat in at the top was from McInally.

Edinburgh have nothing to play for other than pride and finishing in the top 8. I mean I know it's possible we could get into the top 6, but it needs a lot of other factors going out way, plus a BP win over Cardiff. Can't see it happening.

by **RDW** Fri 06 May 2016, 10:37 am

It is going to be interesting to see what Edinburgh look like when they are actually trying to score tries...

Probably something like Pro 12: Edinburgh Rugby vs Cardiff Blues 7th May 730521

Pro 12: Edinburgh Rugby vs Cardiff Blues 7th May 730521

by jimbopip Fri 06 May 2016, 10:42 am

A fine effort Mr Spoons. If Solomans put as much effort into his team selection, "What? The players want to know who's playing this afternoon! Tell them same as last week.", then a top six finish might have been within reach. sadly, you Luvvies will all be doing your Jay Gatsby imperonations tomorrow,

"He had come so far to stand by this blue lawn and his dream seemed so close he could hardly fail to grasp it. But it eluded him then and it eludes us now...."

On the bright side Fes won't have to go to any extra effort to dress up as a 1920's Manhattan socialite. Very Happy

p.s. I was quoting from memory so don't shoot me if it's inaccurate.

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 12:26 pm

Edinburgh team's up.

Fife
Hoyland
Scott
Strauss
Brown
Tovey
Kennedy

Sutherland
Ford (C)
Nel
Bresler
B. Toolis
Manu
Watson
Du Preez

Bench
McInally, Dell, Andress, A. Toolis, Bradbury, SHC, Dean, Helu.

Nice to see Manu back, shame it's for the last game of the season.
Disappointed Strauss is still in the side considering we either need to score tries or it's a meaningless game. Either we need to go for it, or it's a write off and a chance to play anyone other than strauss. Solly seems to have landed somewhere in the middle.

Ford doesn't work as a captain, it's been tried numerous times and generally he's not up to it.

To be fair other than Manu being back (I'd have been tempted to leave him out, and let him start from fresh next year) it's all a bit meh. Much like most of Sollys team selections, at least next year there is no Strauss or Andress to pick, wonder who will take their place as staples in the team.

by **RDW** Fri 06 May 2016, 12:30 pm

All changes injury enforced (unsurprisingly).

Sutherland and Watson will bring plenty go forward and enthusiasm to the team, just a shame we have a roadblock at 12!

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 12:40 pm

Other than Hardie it would seem, he's not listed as injured, he's just been left out it would seem.

Edinburgh rugby site wrote:As Edinburgh Rugby mount a final round assault against Cardiff tomorrow (BT Murrayfield, kick-off 3pm) for a top-six finish in this year’s Guinness PRO12 there are four changes to the starting XV following last week’s tough encounter against Munster in Cork.

In one change to the backs, Dougie Fife moves up from the bench to start at fullback in place of teenager Blair Kinghorn who sustained a knock in last Friday’s defeat.

Damien Hoyland and Tom Brown – now fully recovered from the stomach bug that necessitated his substitution last time out – retain their places on the wings with Matt Scott and Andries Strauss continuing their centre partnership. The latter will be running out for his 50th Edinburgh Rugby cap since joining the club in 2013.

Stand-off Jason Tovey, who scored 16 of the club’s 19 points last time out, and scrum half Sean Kennedy maintain their half-back pairing.

The pack sees three changes, kicking off with Rory Sutherland moving up from the bench to replace the injured Alasdair Dickinson in the front row, where Ross Ford and WP Nel retain the number 2 and 3 jerseys.

The lock combination of Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis is retained while Nasi Manu returns from injury at blindside and Hamish Watson comes in at openside. Cornell Du Preez retains his place at no 8.

It’s as you were on the bench, with the exception of Allan Dell and Will Helu moving into contention, to replace the starting Fife and Sutherland.

Reflecting on his time with the club, 50th cap Strauss says: “It’s been a huge honour and privilege to play for Edinburgh Rugby over the last couple of years and to play my 50th game in what would be my last is extremely special and certainly something I'll remember for a long time.

“I'm grateful for every second I was allowed on the field and will cherish the memories I made with the team.

“This weekend is a vital game for us and one that could determine the success of our entire season.

“Cardiff have been playing some good rugby lately and they have improved as the season progressed. It will take a massive team effort from us to get the right result on the weekend.

“They are a very good attacking side and will test our resolve and willingness to work hard for each other, therefore it’s absolutely crucial that we stick to our systems.”

Edinburgh currently sit in seventh place in the Guinness PRO12, one point above Cardiff and one point below Munster.

Edinburgh (53 pts 11 wins) and Ospreys (54 points and 11 wins) can both equal the total Munster have at present (58) should Munster not pick up any points in their final game.

Edinburgh require a maximum points win (58 points and 12 wins) this afternoon, regardless of any ensuing possible permutations regarding points’ difference, to see whether we could end the season in the top six.

The match will be shown live on BBC 2 Wales. All today’s Guinness PRO12 matches kick off at 3pm.

Players not considered due to injury: Michael Allen (shoulder),Phil Burleigh (leg),Mike Coman (calf), Jack Cuthbert (knee), Alasdair Dickinson (back), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Blair Kinghorn (head), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Jade Te Rure (knee).

Edinburgh Rugby team v Cardiff Blues, BT Murrayfield, Saturday 7 May, k/o 3pm

15 FIFE Dougie
14 HOYLAND Damien
13 SCOTT Matt
12 STRAUSS Andries
11 BROWN Tom
10 TOVEY Jason
9 KENNEDY Sean

1 SUTHERLAND Rory
2 FORD Ross (captain)
3 NEL WP
4 BRESLER Anton
5 TOOLIS Ben
6 MANU Nasi
7 WATSON Hamish
8 DU PREEZ Cornell

Substitutes
16 MCINALLY Stuart
17 DELL Allan
18 ANDRESS John
19 TOOLIS Alex
20 BRADBURY Magnus
21 HIDALGO-CLYNE Sam
22 DEAN Chris
23 HELU Will

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 12:44 pm

What is incredibly disappointing is that Strauss is going to get 50 caps. He's not a standout at anything*, we have a very good international in Scott (who should be playing 12) and yet Strauss has managed to accumulate 50 caps!

I know Scott has been injured for long spells, but even still 50 caps!!!!

Also the soap dodgers team and the Edinburgh team popped up side by side on my fb feed....i could cry.

*Other than getting in the way and generally breaking down any attack we attempt

by Kingshu Fri 06 May 2016, 12:54 pm

I missed it but how come Jason Tovey has ended up on Loan at Edinburgh?

Do Dragons not need him?

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Fri 06 May 2016, 1:12 pm

Andries Strauss wrote:“It’s been a huge honour and privilege to play for Edinburgh Rugby over the last couple of years and to play my 50th game in what would be my last is extremely special and certainly something I'll remember for a long time.

“I'm grateful for every second I was allowed on the field and will cherish the memories I made with the team."

It would seem that even he can't believe it! Laugh

by jimbopip Fri 06 May 2016, 1:44 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:What is incredibly disappointing is that Strauss is going to get 50 caps. He's not a standout at anything*, we have a very good international in Scott (who should be playing 12) and yet Strauss has managed to accumulate 50 caps!

I know Scott has been injured for long spells, but even still 50 caps!!!!

Also the soap dodgers team and the Edinburgh team popped up side by side on my fb feed....i could cry.

*Other than getting in the way and generally breaking down any attack we attempt

How do you think we feel when we see the Luvvies' chorus line alongside our Warriors? There is a Health and Safety notice in every Glasgow matchday programme warning us not to read team announcements while drinking hot liquids as tea/coffee ejected via the nasal passages can burn.

by EWT Spoons Fri 06 May 2016, 1:50 pm

jimbopip wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:What is incredibly disappointing is that Strauss is going to get 50 caps. He's not a standout at anything*, we have a very good international in Scott (who should be playing 12) and yet Strauss has managed to accumulate 50 caps!

I know Scott has been injured for long spells, but even still 50 caps!!!!

Also the soap dodgers team and the Edinburgh team popped up side by side on my fb feed....i could cry.

*Other than getting in the way and generally breaking down any attack we attempt

How do you think we feel when we see the Luvvies' chorus line alongside our Warriors? There is a Health and Safety notice in every Glasgow matchday programme warning us not to read team announcements while drinking hot liquids as tea/coffee ejected via the nasal passages can burn.

I'm sure last season's Pro12 title and shot at this year's, will help sooth any nasal burns.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 06 May 2016, 2:52 pm

Kingshu wrote:I missed it but how come Jason Tovey has ended up on Loan at Edinburgh?

Do Dragons not need him?

Apparently not. He isn't getting a new contract next season and so they let him go early. There's always going to be sacrifices made, when you're trying to keep your sons in pro rugby though.

by R!skysports Fri 06 May 2016, 3:39 pm

jimbopip wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:What is incredibly disappointing is that Strauss is going to get 50 caps. He's not a standout at anything*, we have a very good international in Scott (who should be playing 12) and yet Strauss has managed to accumulate 50 caps!

I know Scott has been injured for long spells, but even still 50 caps!!!!

Also the soap dodgers team and the Edinburgh team popped up side by side on my fb feed....i could cry.

*Other than getting in the way and generally breaking down any attack we attempt

How do you think we feel when we see the Luvvies' chorus line alongside our Warriors? There is a Health and Safety notice in every Glasgow matchday programme warning us not to read team announcements while drinking hot liquids as tea/coffee ejected via the nasal passages can burn.

Since when has anyone at the Glasgow games every drank that?

More likely the danger is getting the beers suds suck up the nose

by Cardiff Dave Fri 06 May 2016, 10:48 pm

Last game of the season v Edinburgh gives me the heebie jeebies.

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 8:33 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:Last game of the season v Edinburgh gives me the heebie jeebies.

What's your team like?

You're playing for a chance of 7th place, which would be a real boost for the Blues.

by Nematode Sat 07 May 2016, 10:48 am

Why is Solomons playing Fife, predominantly a winger, at full back whilst playing Tom Brown, really a full back, on the wing?

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 2:48 pm

McInally has replaced Ford and beard is now on the bench instead of Dean.

Probably strengthens our squad, particularly McInally!

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:09 pm

Why haven't we played like this all season??

Some huge carries from the pack

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:12 pm

Still not competing enough players to the rucks - two turnovers now

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:20 pm

Some positive play for Edinburgh - try well deserved

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 3:24 pm

Shocking defence from the Blues, they look lazy

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:26 pm

Nasi manu making a big impact!

by cakeordeath Sat 07 May 2016, 3:27 pm

Jesus Frak Finn. 2 missed kicks and a missed touch from a penalty

by cakeordeath Sat 07 May 2016, 3:28 pm

Whoops wrong thread

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:30 pm

That was never forward from Kennedy!

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:32 pm

Lacey says leave it, Nel leaves it, Lacey still gives penalty...

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 3:34 pm

Great finish by Lee-Lo, definitely looks like our biggest threat today.

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 3:39 pm

F*cks sake, Matthew Rees is awful

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:39 pm

Blues set piece costing them

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 3:43 pm

F-ing shocking

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:44 pm

This must be the first time all season we've scored 3 tries in the first half!

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 3:46 pm

What on earth are the Blues trying to do in defence? Awful positioning all over the field has cost 2 or 3 tries

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:48 pm

Good half from Edinburgh in the end - Sutherland, McInally and Manu putting huge shifts in.

Solomons take note!

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 4:17 pm

Great tackle Tom Brown

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 4:23 pm

Edinburgh could do with getting some ball - we haven't got the 4th try yet!

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 4:28 pm

We'd almost be better off quickly giving them a try so we can get out our half!

All Blues thus half - we need another try

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 07 May 2016, 4:34 pm

We've gone through a magical transformation, from playing no rugby in the first half and only starting to play when the game is already lost, we've now decided to play only in the first half and not bother actually trying to win the match. Superb.

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 4:39 pm

What has happened to Edinburgh?!

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 07 May 2016, 4:52 pm

What a limp wristed end to the season. Can't say I have much optimism that we'll be any better next year. Our gameplan is dire! There was a period at the start of the second half where we kept hold of the ball but went progressively backwards

by **RDW** Sat 07 May 2016, 4:53 pm

Only Edinburgh could score 3 tries in the first half and nothing in the 2nd.

Pathetic!

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 07 May 2016, 4:53 pm

9th place. What a season.

by VinceWLB Sat 07 May 2016, 4:54 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:What has happened to Edinburgh?!

Solomons and his lack of rotation happened and once again Edinburgh falling back towards the end of the season.

by wales606 Sat 07 May 2016, 4:56 pm

Blues finish the season winning 7 of the last 8.

by VinceWLB Sat 07 May 2016, 4:58 pm

wales606 wrote:Blues finish the season winning 7 of the last 8.

Well done on that, just a shame about last week i think you would have taken them down at the Arms Park.

by EWT Spoons Sat 07 May 2016, 5:27 pm

Well that was a change. Normally we don't do much in the game until it's beyond us then we have a wee resurgence. Decided to flip it round this week.

9th place finish, pretty poor season considering we only finished above the two italian teams and a team who were just owned by one of the italian teams.

Solomans has to be under pressure, no way he can get away with these finishes. He had a full pre season (two & a half) so no issues there, he's had time to mould the team, no issues there, and yet we are either the same or worse. Time to move on.

by **RDW** Sun 08 May 2016, 9:52 am

Our worst league position in years and knocked out of the challenge cup in the group stages. 1872 cup winners but that was also the last time we actually put in a decent 80 minute performance.

At half time I was thinking what I was going to say, assuming we'd push on to get the 4th try and play some attacking rugby. It was something along the lines of 'why haven't we played like that all season?'

Instead our 2nd half was absolutely abysmal - did we even get in their half?

Not good enough Solomons - this is your doing, no more excuses.

by EST Sun 08 May 2016, 10:06 am

It is difficult to know what to do, given that the SRU have already given Solomans another year. On one hand, Edinburgh have not stood still during his reign, they have improved on their league points total every year and he did inherit a total shambles. Unfortunately, the whole league has progressed at the same rate.

My personal view is that this should have been his last year, although I can see why the SRU have opted for consistency. He has established a powerful pack, brought through some good young Scottish players and there is obviously strong morale amongst the team. That being said, he is fundamentally flawed in terms of his rotation policy (or lack thereof) and his game plan can be described as archaic, at best.

Edinburgh are at a crossroads, with further investment in the team this summer, I think a fresh approach would have yielded better results that sticking with old Pappy.

by VinceWLB Sun 08 May 2016, 10:31 am

The bottom 3 teams and top 4 teams are worse compared to previous seasons, giving team like Edinburgh more wins at the end. The table doesn't lie Edinburgh are 9th best in the league and were 8th best the last 2 seasons under Solomons. That's how far you will get under him, well 7th if lucky. Keeping him hindering Edinburgh rugby would show a real lack of intent on the SRU part. Take into account Solomons age and you have an easy answer to what should be done. Is Sean Lineen up to the task?

by funnyExiledScot Sun 08 May 2016, 1:24 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Our worst league position in years and knocked out of the challenge cup in the group stages. 1872 cup winners but that was also the last time we actually put in a decent 80 minute performance.

At half time I was thinking what I was going to say, assuming we'd push on to get the 4th try and play some attacking rugby. It was something along the lines of 'why haven't we played like that all season?'

Instead our 2nd half was absolutely abysmal - did we even get in their half?

Not good enough Solomons - this is your doing, no more excuses.

Agreed. Have had enough of Solomons. He's done some good things but this is a results business and they don't stack up in his favour. His team selections are poor as well. I wonder if Tom Coventry fancies a new challenge after LI? Good pedigree prior to this season.

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