Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread XV Men Chasing An Egg?!

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

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Both European Finals are at Murrayfield.

[tigertattie]

Great news on Cockerill. He'll get the forwards firing again and everyone knows that the forwards are the most important part of any rugby team! Surely Cockerill will be able to get CDP back up and going? - is CDP still with Edinburgh next season?

What of Hodge? Will he be kept on to look after the backs or will he be shipped off somewhere to get more experience?

It's all been a bit flat after the loss to France. Neither Edinburgh nor Glasgow played well this weekend and no one could even be bothered writing a match thread for ether game!

Cockerill at Edinburgh and Rennie at Glasgow though. Who'd have thought the SRU had the competence to pull those two signings off?

[BigGee]

A good appointment and judging by a few previous comments, the question would have to be why Edinburgh for such a coach, who could undoubtedly have taken his pick of several other jobs?

I would imagine he fancies the challenge of trying to build a team and a culture in somewhere where there is not one and yet there should be. As he said in his statement, Edinburgh is a rugby town and yet it has no team worth talking about. We have said it before, there is massive potential there, that no-one has ever managed to awaken.

Up to now, he has always coached in successful teams. Leicester always were and always will be, a poor season by their standards is not winning the league. Same with Toulon, where success has largely been bought, not developed.

I think he fancies that he can build something at Edinburgh and I hope that he is right.

[EWT Spoons]

I've just thought - is Dunky Weir the most Cockerill stand-off in the league today? It's like a match made in heaven.

You have just ruined this news for all Edinburgh fans....good work!

[BigGee]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

[EWT Spoons]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

Maybe all his gibberish has got them thoroughly confused and they just signed anything to get away from him

[cakeordeath]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

I have to agree, he said in an interview that his focus would be improving one team at a time, and that Glasgow was now in a good state and the attention would turn to Edinburgh. Cockerill is an excellent signing and I think the perfect person to sort out the malaise at the club

[IanBru]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

To be fair, if I was in a room with Scott Johnson, I'd sign away my kidneys if it would get him to stop talking.

"Oh you know mate, a nod's as good as a wink if your old lady's wearing a string bikini that covers some of the statistics but not the ones covered in chocolate and broken promises."
"Ok ok ok, just... I'll sign, ok? Jesus."

[Welly]

Reading the Edinburgh forums I'm surpised at the amount of people not sure on Cockers.

I mean you don't exactly have the prize spot in European rugby.

Cocker always had money at Tigers but if you look at a lot of our top players how many where big name signings.

Castro, Cole, Ayerza, 3 of the best props in the world during there prime all came to Tigers as youngsters or academy product.

Also had 5 academy products in the last lions tour.

He has learnt a lot at Tigers and even Toulon and I feel that without the pressure he will show people what he is really made off.

[BigGee]

Maybe we might start to see some immediate improvements on the pitch as well. Some of these players are now playing for their contracts and their careers. Don't imagine for a moment that he won't be watching or will be consulted about recruitment.

[funnyExiledScot]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

I have to agree, he said in an interview that his focus would be improving one team at a time, and that Glasgow was now in a good state and the attention would turn to Edinburgh. Cockerill is an excellent signing and I think the perfect person to sort out the malaise at the club

I read that as well, but it had me thinking that surely it's possible to improve two team simultaneously?? I know the men traditionally don't like to multi-task, but it is his job after all.

Still, I'm very pleased with this appointment and I think Glasgow will be in good hands next season as well. I really hope Cockerill is given a chance to build, and is able to bring in a few of his own appointments.

Any word on the destination of Duncan Hodge?

[EWT Spoons]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

I have to agree, he said in an interview that his focus would be improving one team at a time, and that Glasgow was now in a good state and the attention would turn to Edinburgh. Cockerill is an excellent signing and I think the perfect person to sort out the malaise at the club

I read that as well, but it had me thinking that surely it's possible to improve two team simultaneously?? I know the men traditionally don't like to multi-task, but it is his job after all.

Still, I'm very pleased with this appointment and I think Glasgow will be in good hands next season as well. I really hope Cockerill is given a chance to build, and is able to bring in a few of his own appointments.

Any word on the destination of Duncan Hodge?

Being kept on with the other coaches. Will move to his old role and focus on the backs

[BigGee]

He has learnt a lot at Tigers and even Toulon and I feel that without the pressure he will show people what he is really made off.

Completely agree with that. It is hard to imagine the levels of pressure that a coach faces at a club like Leicester and he managed to sustain that for a long long time.

Edinburgh in the short term, would be happy with a place in the top 6 and to make the champs cup. A goal which is quite achievable.

Cockerill will be able to spend time out on the training ground working with the players and improving them. There are a lot of good young players at Edinburgh, who are crying out for some decent direction and coaching. He will surely give them that.

[funnyExiledScot]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

I have to agree, he said in an interview that his focus would be improving one team at a time, and that Glasgow was now in a good state and the attention would turn to Edinburgh. Cockerill is an excellent signing and I think the perfect person to sort out the malaise at the club

I read that as well, but it had me thinking that surely it's possible to improve two team simultaneously?? I know the men traditionally don't like to multi-task, but it is his job after all.

Still, I'm very pleased with this appointment and I think Glasgow will be in good hands next season as well. I really hope Cockerill is given a chance to build, and is able to bring in a few of his own appointments.

Any word on the destination of Duncan Hodge?

Being kept on with the other coaches.  Will move to his old role and focus on the backs

That bothers me, although hopefully it's just a case of Cockerill being given time to assess what's already there before making the necessary changes. No-one connected with coaching the Edinburgh backline over the last half decade can claim to have done a good job!

[Welly]

Think they are in contract till end 2018 season and guessing SRU don't/won't have the money to pay them off and release them.

Gives Cockers a season to asses everyone though.

[EWT Spoons]

For all the criticism of Scott Johnson that goes on here and elsewhere, you would have to say that the two coaching posts lines up for our professional teams next year are out of the top drawer. He must take some credit for that. I don't imagine that either Rennie or Cockerill are characters that could simply be bluffed into signing.

I have to agree, he said in an interview that his focus would be improving one team at a time, and that Glasgow was now in a good state and the attention would turn to Edinburgh. Cockerill is an excellent signing and I think the perfect person to sort out the malaise at the club

I read that as well, but it had me thinking that surely it's possible to improve two team simultaneously?? I know the men traditionally don't like to multi-task, but it is his job after all.

Still, I'm very pleased with this appointment and I think Glasgow will be in good hands next season as well. I really hope Cockerill is given a chance to build, and is able to bring in a few of his own appointments.

Any word on the destination of Duncan Hodge?

Being kept on with the other coaches.  Will move to his old role and focus on the backs

That bothers me, although hopefully it's just a case of Cockerill being given time to assess what's already there before making the necessary changes. No-one connected with coaching the Edinburgh backline over the last half decade can claim to have done a good job!

I was just talking to someone else about this. We blame the WC on the like of SHC's form plummeting, but Hodge joined us just after the WC as a backs/attack coach.

None of our backs have improved since he came into the role, now I know he's learning etc, but he shouldn't be guaranteed a job if he's not up to it.

[Hazel Sapling]

Fantastic news after the terrible weekend. It will probably be next season before Edinburgh see a serious improvement as we are already late in the season. He might simplify the game plan a bit and get the forwards rumbling. The backs are more finesse than bulldozing so will be a different task for him compared to Leicester and Toulon (who are more brawn and skillful than pacy and butterfingery). Cockerill's signing may improve Edinburgh chances of keeping certain players as well. It is a statement of intent.

If Hodge is learning, why not send him to LS like they did Roddy Grant? Learn in the Championship, not in one of the top 2 Scottish clubs. They send coaches on the MacPhail scholarship right, any attacking coaches who went recently who should be given an opportunity?

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed. I suspect Cockerill's been asked to assess the coaches after a year and then keep who he wants. Hodge hasn't done a good job, and the backline looks more lost now than ever before. In the second half against Leinster there was almost no structure whatsoever after two phases and players who arrive with plenty promise just seem to get worse under our coaches (e.g. Tovey and Burleigh).

What is good about Cockerill is that he's got bags of passion and experience. He strikes me as a very honest coach as well, and I think players will very quickly know where they stand. We have plenty underperforming players who, with the right coaching and guidance, could give a huge amount more: McInally, Gilchrist, Du Preez, SH-C, Tovey, Burleigh and Allan most spring to mind. A really talented group who are producing nothing like what they are capable of.

[Welly]

Wonder if Bennett signed knowing this was in the works? Remember a Scottish journo saying this Cockers was likely joining about a week or so ago.

[RDW]

I wonder what this might mean about signings - coaches usually bring in a few of their favourite players if they are available.

Any ideas on who he realistically might bring?

[Welly]

Realistically not sure.

A lot of his favourites would be pretty die hard Tigers players as well.

Toby Flood maybe Cockers made him captain and he is leaving Toulouse by the sounds of it and England won't be on his radar. Newcastle lad so won't be afraid of the north.

Just trying to think of some more realistic ones maybe.

[EWT Spoons]

Fantastic news after the terrible weekend. It will probably be next season before Edinburgh see a serious improvement as we are already late in the season. He might simplify the game plan a bit and get the forwards rumbling. The backs are more finesse than bulldozing so will be a different task for him compared to Leicester and Toulon (who are more brawn and skillful than pacy and butterfingery). Cockerill's signing may improve Edinburgh chances of keeping certain players as well. It is a statement of intent.

If Hodge is learning, why not send him to LS like they did Roddy Grant? Learn in the Championship, not in one of the top 2 Scottish clubs. They send coaches on the MacPhail scholarship right, any attacking coaches who went recently who should be given an opportunity?

Sorry to be that guy, but he's not joining until next season, so I suspect you're right that next season will be the earliest we see an improvement based on him signing.

[IanBru]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

[RDW]

Tobey Flood would be a great signing - he's got a lot of experience and would give us a lot of control at 10/12

[funnyExiledScot]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

JP Pietersen wouldn't get a look in ahead of Tom Brown, and Chris Dean would eat Manu Tuilagi for breakfast.

Tom Croft won't go near Scottish rugby, in case Sean Lamont shames him for pace in the 1872 fixtures.

I can't think of many Tigers over the last 20 years who would get into this Edinburgh side. You can make a case for Martin Johnson possibly.....

[Welly]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

JP Pietersen wouldn't get a look in ahead of Tom Brown, and Chris Dean would eat Manu Tuilagi for breakfast.

Tom Croft won't go near Scottish rugby, in case Sean Lamont shames him for pace in the 1872 fixtures.

I can't think of many Tigers over the last 20 years who would get into this Edinburgh side. You can make a case for Martin Johnson possibly.....

That last comment so nearly triggered me.....

[InjuredYetAgain]

To quote Edmund (not Todd) Blackadder, "the phrase I am looking for rhymes with clucking bell". That is great news but, no doubt, the Ian Morrison's of this world will complain about lack of opportunity for Scottish coaches.
Of more immediate concern, I can see Cockerill suing the SRU for mis-selling. There is a quote on the BBC pages saying "I relish .... working with a clearly talented group of players". Does he think it was Edinburgh who removed the Tigers britches twice in Europe? I expect that when he gets to the first training session and sees Bryce at FB, he'll ask if Hogg has a cold and a note from his mum excusing him from training, comment about how Finn Russell looks much slimmer on TV than he does in real life etc

[funnyExiledScot]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

JP Pietersen wouldn't get a look in ahead of Tom Brown, and Chris Dean would eat Manu Tuilagi for breakfast.

Tom Croft won't go near Scottish rugby, in case Sean Lamont shames him for pace in the 1872 fixtures.

I can't think of many Tigers over the last 20 years who would get into this Edinburgh side. You can make a case for Martin Johnson possibly.....

That last comment so nearly triggered me.....

I suspect I could name at least 5 Leicester packs since 2000 that would comfortably destroy the current shambles at Edinburgh!!

This one would wreak havoc of hitherto unknown proportions.....

1.Ayerza 2.West 3.Castro 4.Johnson(c) 5.Kay 6.Moody 7.Back 8.Corry

I did always wonder how Andy Robinson kept it together at Edinburgh, having gone from coaching some of the best forwards the game has seen, to coaching the Edinburgh pack. He did a great job at Edinburgh in my opinion, and I have high hopes that Cockerill will do likewise. I'll certainly enjoy seeing him slowly lose it over the first few months as he realises the size of the challenge!!

[IanBru]

To quote Edmund (not Todd) Blackadder, "the phrase I am looking for rhymes with clucking bell". That is great news but, no doubt, the Ian Morrison's of this world will complain about lack of opportunity for Scottish coaches.
Of more immediate concern, I can see Cockerill suing the SRU for mis-selling. There is a quote on the BBC pages saying "I  relish .... working with a clearly talented group of players". Does he think it was Edinburgh who removed the Tigers britches twice in Europe? I expect that when he gets to the first training session and sees Bryce at FB, he'll ask if Hogg has a cold and a note from his mum excusing him from training, comment about how Finn Russell looks much slimmer on TV than he does in real life etc

I'm already blown away by some of the reactions on Twitter - one genius decrying the appointment because Cockerill isn't capable of showing sufficient 'humility' towards this group of players. Now, I'm really not wanting to be mean, and I wish Edinburgh well (mostly), but what in the name of all that is holy have Edinburgh players done to give their future coach reason to feel humble?

[funnyExiledScot]

To quote Edmund (not Todd) Blackadder, "the phrase I am looking for rhymes with clucking bell". That is great news but, no doubt, the Ian Morrison's of this world will complain about lack of opportunity for Scottish coaches.
Of more immediate concern, I can see Cockerill suing the SRU for mis-selling. There is a quote on the BBC pages saying "I  relish .... working with a clearly talented group of players". Does he think it was Edinburgh who removed the Tigers britches twice in Europe? I expect that when he gets to the first training session and sees Bryce at FB, he'll ask if Hogg has a cold and a note from his mum excusing him from training, comment about how Finn Russell looks much slimmer on TV than he does in real life etc

Whilst I am an eternally negative about Edinburgh rugby (3 years of season tickets will do that to a man), I do genuinely believe that we have a talented 23, if only the first choice players could arrange themselves to be fit at the same time.

This is the 23 Cockerill should be looking at when he arrives:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Bresler 5.Toolis 6.Manu 7.Hardie 8.Du Preez 9.SH-C 10.Tovey 11.Brown 12.Burleigh 13.Allan 14.Hoyland 15.Kinghorn

16.Sutherland 17.McInally 18.Berghan 19.Gilchrist 20.Watson 21.Kennedy 22.Weir 23.Dean

That is, actually, not a bad team. The front row has oodles of international experience and is a strong scrummaging unit, the second row is pretty powerful and handy. The back row is talented ball in hand and very physical. Both half backs have talent, the centres are creative and direct and there's some handy pace in the backs. The bench could use some work, but Sutherland, McInally, Gilchrist and Watson are good players, Watson in particular, and Kennedy is a good 9 to have on the bench if you need to add tempo later in the game.

The real trouble is the fitness and form of so many of those players.

[funnyExiledScot]

To quote Edmund (not Todd) Blackadder, "the phrase I am looking for rhymes with clucking bell". That is great news but, no doubt, the Ian Morrison's of this world will complain about lack of opportunity for Scottish coaches.
Of more immediate concern, I can see Cockerill suing the SRU for mis-selling. There is a quote on the BBC pages saying "I  relish .... working with a clearly talented group of players". Does he think it was Edinburgh who removed the Tigers britches twice in Europe? I expect that when he gets to the first training session and sees Bryce at FB, he'll ask if Hogg has a cold and a note from his mum excusing him from training, comment about how Finn Russell looks much slimmer on TV than he does in real life etc

I'm already blown away by some of the reactions on Twitter - one genius decrying the appointment because Cockerill isn't capable of showing sufficient 'humility' towards this group of players. Now, I'm really not wanting to be mean, and I wish Edinburgh well (mostly), but what in the name of all that is holy have Edinburgh players done to give their future coach reason to feel humble?

Edinburgh rugby fans and Donald Trump are two very solid reasons not to be on Twitter.

[Welly]

If you say where Edinurgh struggle depht wise could prob give you an idea of who Cockers might be looking at to hopefully bring in. I know a few players Cockers had been chasing for Tigers that might be of promise to Edinburgh (POTENTIALLY)


Another big thing is Cockers is close friends with Freddie Tuilagi ns Freddie has set us up with some great PI players that where not related to him. So could see a couple of them joining.

[RDW]

To quote Edmund (not Todd) Blackadder, "the phrase I am looking for rhymes with clucking bell". That is great news but, no doubt, the Ian Morrison's of this world will complain about lack of opportunity for Scottish coaches.
Of more immediate concern, I can see Cockerill suing the SRU for mis-selling. There is a quote on the BBC pages saying "I  relish .... working with a clearly talented group of players". Does he think it was Edinburgh who removed the Tigers britches twice in Europe? I expect that when he gets to the first training session and sees Bryce at FB, he'll ask if Hogg has a cold and a note from his mum excusing him from training, comment about how Finn Russell looks much slimmer on TV than he does in real life etc

I'm already blown away by some of the reactions on Twitter - one genius decrying the appointment because Cockerill isn't capable of showing sufficient 'humility' towards this group of players. Now, I'm really not wanting to be mean, and I wish Edinburgh well (mostly), but what in the name of all that is holy have Edinburgh players done to give their future coach reason to feel humble?

Edinburgh rugby fans and Donald Trump are two very solid reasons not to be on Twitter.

I remember saying on the Facebook page after the Munster game that Tovey had a bit of a nightmare - someone actually replied to me saying 'but he scored all our points!'

Quite.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Cockers is a great signing. If anyone can get some steel back into our pack it's him. I do worry about Hodge returning to his post as "backs coach".

He's about as much a backs coach as I am a monkey. I think the Edinburgh backline could be described either totally insipid or downright disfunctional.

However a pack containing:

1. Dickinson
2. McInally
3. Nel
4. Gilchrist
5. Toolis
6. CDP
7. Watson
8. Bradbury

all coached by Cockers could be seriously threatening.

[Welly]

Also if any of you see Cockers around he is a great person to talk to very open, Direct and honest when it comes to speaking face to face with the fans and very funny.

Pretty happy with this as I would rather get an Edinburgh shirt than a French teams shirt.

[formerly known as Sam]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

JP Pietersen wouldn't get a look in ahead of Tom Brown, and Chris Dean would eat Manu Tuilagi for breakfast.

Tom Croft won't go near Scottish rugby, in case Sean Lamont shames him for pace in the 1872 fixtures.

I can't think of many Tigers over the last 20 years who would get into this Edinburgh side. You can make a case for Martin Johnson possibly.....

Edinburgh couldn't afford Manu's hospital bills never mind his wages.

[funnyExiledScot]

Hmm... Manu Tuilagi, JP Petersen, Tom Croft and Jimbo's best friend Brendon "Sorry, who are you?" O'Connor would certainly fit in.

Oh, you said 'realistically'? I'm stumped.

JP Pietersen wouldn't get a look in ahead of Tom Brown, and Chris Dean would eat Manu Tuilagi for breakfast.

Tom Croft won't go near Scottish rugby, in case Sean Lamont shames him for pace in the 1872 fixtures.

I can't think of many Tigers over the last 20 years who would get into this Edinburgh side. You can make a case for Martin Johnson possibly.....

Edinburgh couldn't afford Manu's hospital bills never mind his wages.

Nah, due to Grant Gilchrist we get special "loyalty card" rates off the local private hospital.

If I ever need cheering up, I still watch that clip of Manu lamping Chris Ashton.....

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

I'm already blown away by some of the reactions on Twitter - one genius decrying the appointment because Cockerill isn't capable of showing sufficient 'humility' towards this group of players. Now, I'm really not wanting to be mean, and I wish Edinburgh well (mostly), but what in the name of all that is holy have Edinburgh players done to give their future coach reason to feel humble?

You're not wrong Bru, I've just made the mistake of reading some of the comments about the announcement on Facebook. As a club we truly are blessed with some of the biggest muppet supporters I've come across. For example this gem:

Would have preferred Hodge as he has certainly moved the game forward, even if results haven't been good. Not sure this is a positive step.

I mean what?! This is a superb announcement, and I'm sure Cockers had offers from many teams an awful lot better than we currently are! Now we just need a useful backs coach because, as anyone with at least one functioning eye connected to the smallest amount of brain can see, Hodge is floundering in the role.

Well done SRU, 2 great coaching appointments for our 2 teams. Lovely.

[jimbopip]

I recently saw Cockers on the tellybox talking about coaching at Toulon. He was slightly baffled by speaking to the squad in French while a translator simultaneously parlayed his words into English for the Exiles in the team.
Just wait till he tries the Queen's English on the Bryce brothers. Mind you the first open training session with the fans will also throw up a few linguistic niceties too.

[123456789]

Think Cockerill could go one of two ways; either he'll be the rocket Edinburgh players need. He'll turn them into a stronger, better team with a steely resolve.

Or it will transpire the Edinburgh players are all that has been levelled at them, it could be that the big, nasty, bald English man gets on the wrong side of them and is out after a season (or even less).

Personally I hope it's the former, it appears to me that the difference between Glasgow and Edinburgh is that Glasgow are much better at keeping the right players. That presumably is because they keep winning and they have an identity, if you were playing for Edinburgh it's a choice between moving to a mediocre team in England for more money and staying where you are for less. Edinburgh have lost over the last 5 years ish Visser, Scott, Laidlaw, Denton etc. of course not all of these players could have stayed but with the players they have now they would be on quality fly half from a very strong back line, up there with the best in Europe.

[funnyExiledScot]

My memory of Cockerill as a player will always be him standing up to Norm Hewitt during the Haka and refusing to back down. If can somehow inject a bit of that spine and belligerence into the Edinburgh squad, then it'll be no bad thing. Obviously the team needs much more than that, it needs high quality technical coaching, particularly the backs, but I do think he'll bring a certain presence to training session that will up the intensity.

[tigertattie]

Think Cockerill could go one of two ways; either he'll be the rocket Edinburgh players need. He'll turn them into a stronger, better team with a steely resolve.

Or it will transpire the Edinburgh players are all that has been levelled at them, it could be that the big, nasty, bald English man gets on the wrong side of them and is out after a season (or even less).

Personally I hope it's the former, it appears to me that the difference between Glasgow and Edinburgh is that Glasgow are much better at keeping the right players. That presumably is because they keep winning and they have an identity, if you were playing for Edinburgh it's a choice between moving to a mediocre team in England for more money and staying where you are for less. Edinburgh have lost over the last 5 years ish Visser, Scott, Laidlaw, Denton etc. of course not all of these players could have stayed but with the players they have now they would be on quality fly half from a very strong back line, up there with the best in Europe.

what the hell have you been smoking?

Things wrong with that statement:
1. Hoyland and Brown are at best average players
2. Burleigh is a decent club player but nothing more
3. Christine is pants
4. Kinghorn is very young. Solid and has potential, but thats it
5. Not one of our backline players are from Ayr

[nickj]

My memory of Cockerill as a player will always be him standing up to Norm Hewitt during the Haka and refusing to back down. If can somehow inject a bit of that spine and belligerence into the Edinburgh squad, then it'll be no bad thing. Obviously the team needs much more than that, it needs high quality technical coaching, particularly the backs, but I do think he'll bring a certain presence to training session that will up the intensity.

Agreed, my worry is 'high quality technical coaching, particularly with the backs' was what Mauger was brought in for, a move that ultimately cost Cockers the Leicester ticket. Hodge must have impressed someone...

[BigGee]

Glasgow have just officially announced that Favaro is going to be off at the end of the season (old news really) as well as Djustice Sears Duru, who had plenty of promise that was never really fulfilled. Going off to play for Canada in this international window has not done him any favours as this may have been his chance to play.

Bhatti has come along to fill in the gap and seems to have done pretty well. I can see him getting a contract for next year.

DSD seemed to have the physical tools but just never got picked, has only played 4 times and mainly off the bench. Maybe it is a fitness issue or just not technically good enough to play at pro level. I guess we will never know.

[IanBru]

Ahhhh, sh!te. Just confirmed that Simone Favaro and Djustice Sears-Deru are both to leave the Warriors at the end of the season.

I can't remember the last time a player became such a hit with a club's fans so quickly - Favaro is a huge loss.

I'll miss our Canadian loosehead because 'Djustice League of Canada' is literally the funniest thing I've ever written.

[RDW]

I thought Djustice looked a decent prospect, but you're right that it probably isn't worth the investment to make him a good Pro 12 player given he'll be away with Canada a lot.

Fuvaro will be missed by the fans but I think the Kiwi being brought in to replace him will leave the squad stronger over the course of the season.

[jimbopip]

Ahhhh, sh!te. Just confirmed that Simone Favaro and Djustice Sears-Deru are both to leave the Warriors at the end of the season.

I can't remember the last time a player became such a hit with a club's fans so quickly - Favaro is a huge loss.

I'll miss our Canadian loosehead because 'Djustice League of Canada' is literally the funniest thing I've ever written.

I'm sure one or two of your clients are thinking, wistfully, of their itemised bills and disagreeing with that statement.

[George Carlin]

Ahhhh, sh!te. Just confirmed that Simone Favaro and Djustice Sears-Deru are both to leave the Warriors at the end of the season.

I can't remember the last time a player became such a hit with a club's fans so quickly - Favaro is a huge loss.

I'll miss our Canadian loosehead because 'Djustice League of Canada' is literally the funniest thing I've ever written.

I'm sure one or two of your clients are thinking, wistfully, of their itemised bills and disagreeing with that statement.

Can I just point out that Amish Jim just used the quote function perfectly. 

I feel like such a proud parent.

[RDW]

I don't know quite what to think about Cockerill's appointment. On one hand he has had success and is probably the right kind of character we need to wake our players from their slumber, but on the other hand all he's known is the Leicester way and is used to a big club with a big budget, huge support and lots of good players.

To be fair given that we're currently aiming not to come below the Dragons there's not much lower we can get as a club, so the only way is up!

It is probably a good appointment but there is certainly risk involved, and he won't have come cheap.

[jimbopip]

Ahhhh, sh!te. Just confirmed that Simone Favaro and Djustice Sears-Deru are both to leave the Warriors at the end of the season.

I can't remember the last time a player became such a hit with a club's fans so quickly - Favaro is a huge loss.

I'll miss our Canadian loosehead because 'Djustice League of Canada' is literally the funniest thing I've ever written.

I'm sure one or two of your clients are thinking, wistfully, of their itemised bills and disagreeing with that statement.

Can I just point out that Amish Jim just used the quote function perfectly. 

I feel like such a proud parent.

[BigGee]

Cockerill's perspective on coming to Edinburgh. He sounds very positive about it. He is a very honest rugby man at heart and never tries to spin a bad situation. I was very impressed with the way he faced up to Leicester's bad defeats this season. Gave credit where it was due and looked at their own failings.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/02/20/richard-cockerill-leicester-sacking-hurt-do-better-job-edinburgh

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