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

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

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Edinburgh & Glasgow Warriors

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A NOT SO BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME-WASTING   (CLICK TO SHOW/HIDE):

1872 Cup

Champions                Runner up
Edinburgh                  Glasgow Warriors
 

1872 CUP - PAST RESULTS   (CLICK TO SHOW/HIDE):

Guinness Pro12

Guinness Pro12 Website
Edinburgh Rugby (Pro12 Website)
Glasgow Warriors (Pro12 Website)
Guinness Pro12 2016/17 Overview (Ultimate Rugby)



Playlist of all of Edinburgh's Pro12 highlights here.
Playlist of all of Glasgow's Pro12 highlights here.

Europe

European Rugby Website

CHAMPIONS CUP
QUARTER FINAL
SARACENS v GLASGOW WARRIORS
Sun, Apr 2, 13:00, Allianz Park

CHALLENGE CUP
QUARTER FINAL
EDINBURGH v LA ROCHELLE
Fri, March 31, 19:00, Murrayfield Stadium

Both European Finals are at Murrayfield.

[RDW]

I suspect we won't see much of him during this spell and it'll be used to get him up to speed with professional rugby, no doubt being sent out with the 7s squad too.

I remember this guy actualy - you're right nickj in that he's very small but absolutely rapid! There's been plenty young Scotish wingers like that over the years that haven't made the step up though.

[funnyExiledScot]

Well his pace will be useful for getting back and making those cover tackles - his size not so much.

Do we still have Scholes, Northam and Helu on the books?? Ours seems to be the club where wingers go to die!

[RDW]

I think Helu's contract is up and can't see him staying on. I think Northam is on a 1 year deal too.

Scholes has another year but he'll surely be trying to get out of that - his career has nosedived at Edinburgh.

[tigertattie]

Mildly racist Uncle Dougie is going to be the backs coach?

GC is going to be named as the Club's Ambassador to the Welsh Regions?

Admin Boy is going to be doing the Edinburgh Tweets from next season?

That's one too many - you may start to see changes to your profile if you keep that up snony jim... (I've already changed something)

Wasn't me! It was FES's butler what did it!

So go put him on the Naughty step lol

[nickj]

Helu has been a huge disappointment, but on paper he has the potential to be a cracking winger at Pro12 level. Scholes also looked good on paper, but the reality has proven entirely different. Northam has obviously been tremendously ill, but was heralded as being lightening quick. Its a bloody shame all three have failed to deliver, I wonder whether we'll keep any of them...

[R!skysports]

Mildly racist Uncle Dougie is going to be the backs coach?

GC is going to be named as the Club's Ambassador to the Welsh Regions?

Admin Boy is going to be doing the Edinburgh Tweets from next season?

That's one too many - you may start to see changes to your profile if you keep that up snony jim... (I've already changed something)

Wasn't me! It was FES's butler what did it!

So go put him on the Naughty step lol

Location, location, location

[funnyExiledScot]

Helu has been a huge disappointment, but on paper he has the potential to be a cracking winger at Pro12 level. Scholes also looked good on paper, but the reality has proven entirely different. Northam has obviously been tremendously ill, but was heralded as being lightening quick. Its a bloody shame all three have failed to deliver, I wonder whether we'll keep any of them...

Helu always seemed to lack a yard of pace for my liking. Solid player but not particularly exciting, nor particularly hard working.

Scholes did look very good handy on paper, but it's really hard to judge him. He's hardly had any opportunities - in fact I don't think I've seen him play at all.

Northam has just been unlucky.

We should also remember that we signed Mike Penn, and deployed Jack Cuthbert on the wing.

I wonder if the brains in charge of Edinburgh regret shipping off Dougie Fife.

[BigGee]

Darcy Graham has got a bit of x factor no doubt, did you see his try for the U20s last summer that beat the Australians. Pace, change of direction, it really had the lot.

It remains to be seen whether he will be physically up to it but he is a bit of a stand out amongst this crop of youngsters, so must be worth a punt.

[nickj]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxex8NjIz4Y&feature=youtu.be&t=108

He's Scott Macleod's nephew so maybe he's got some growing to do?

[RDW]

That really was a glorious try!

[nickj]

I know, you could watch it on loop all morning.

In other news, the poshest prop in Glasgow has been given a two year deal.

Bhatti gets a pro deal too.

Maybe Reid going is a class thing?

[funnyExiledScot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxex8NjIz4Y&feature=youtu.be&t=108

He's Scott Macleod's nephew so maybe he's got some growing to do?

He doesn't actually look that small in the highlights - plenty of pace though and he does well to spot the space there.

[RDW]

his official stats

Height: 1.76m (5ft 7 ish)
Weight: 75kg (11.8st)

He is tiny! Professional conditioning could probably get him up to the 13st mark but there's not a lot they can do about his height.

[tigertattie]

his official stats

Height: 1.76m (5ft 7 ish)
Weight: 75kg (11.8st)

He is tiny!  Professional conditioning could probably get him up to the 13st mark but there's not a lot they can do about his height.

Rack him!

Shane Williams is 5ft 7 - just saying

[Hazel Sapling]

his official stats

Height: 1.76m (5ft 7 ish)
Weight: 75kg (11.8st)

He is tiny!  Professional conditioning could probably get him up to the 13st mark but there's not a lot they can do about his height.

Rack him!

Shane Williams is 5ft 7 - just saying

1.76m is 5'9. Don't want him weighing too much if it damages his pace. As a height comparison, David Smith is listed as 1.72m on Toulon's website (I know he plays for Castres now but that was the link on wiki) and weighs 91kg. He is devastating.

If he can tackle effectively, weight does not matter. Once saw Joel Hodgson play against Tonga (2012) and he managed to put down the blokes running down the 10 channel. Russell is tiny by rugby standards and holds his own.

[MacKnocked-on]

his official stats

Height: 1.76m (5ft 7 ish)
Weight: 75kg (11.8st)

He is tiny!  Professional conditioning could probably get him up to the 13st mark but there's not a lot they can do about his height.

Rack him!

Shane Williams is 5ft 7 - just saying

1.76m is 5'9. Don't want him weighing too much if it damages his pace. As a height comparison, David Smith is listed as 1.72m on Toulon's website (I know he plays for Castres now but that was the link on wiki) and weighs 91kg. He is devastating.  

If he can tackle effectively, weight does not matter. Once saw Joel Hodgson play against Tonga (2012) and he managed to put down the blokes running down the 10 channel. Russell is tiny by rugby standards and holds his own.

Some player stats seem a bit inaccurate, saw Duncan Taylor in Edinburgh Airport last night and he looked absolutely massive yet according to his stats he's (only) 6.3 and 14.5 stone, I'm sure he's both taller and heavier than listed.

[funnyExiledScot]

They key point here is the one made by Hazel. He's obviously a dangerous player ball in hand, and has great pace. Let's celebrate that and try to let him play to his strengths, rather than bulking him up into yet another military medium paceless wonder.

[RDW]

They key point here is the one made by Hazel. He's obviously a dangerous player ball in hand, and has great pace. Let's celebrate that and try to let him play to his strengths, rather than bulking him up into yet another military medium paceless wonder.

Absolutely I agree, but as I said we've had lots of promising fast, small wingers coming through and hardly any of them actually make it. Ben Robbins was the latest bright spark last year and he's not made the step up yet, being limited to some appearances in the 7s squad. He may still come through and is still very young but my point is that if these players are small (and I'd class D'arcy as being very small) then they will always be at a disadvantage - they will have to be something really special to make up for that.

[tigertattie]

The rugby selectors these days are getting more and more like woman and insisting that only the big ones will make the cut!

[RDW]

The SRU have released a survey asking fans opinions on the 1872 cup at Murrayfield

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/1872Cup2016

[CraigS1874]

Helu has been a huge disappointment, but on paper he has the potential to be a cracking winger at Pro12 level. Scholes also looked good on paper, but the reality has proven entirely different. Northam has obviously been tremendously ill, but was heralded as being lightening quick. Its a bloody shame all three have failed to deliver, I wonder whether we'll keep any of them...

Helu always seemed to lack a yard of pace for my liking. Solid player but not particularly exciting, nor particularly hard working.

Scholes did look very good handy on paper, but it's really hard to judge him. He's hardly had any opportunities - in fact I don't think I've seen him play at all.

Northam has just been unlucky.

We should also remember that we signed Mike Penn, and deployed Jack Cuthbert on the wing.

I wonder if the brains in charge of Edinburgh regret shipping off Dougie Fife.

That reminds me, not long ago we started with this backline against the dragons

15. Jack Cuthbert
14. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
13. Matt Scott
12. Andries Strauss
11. Tom Brown
10. Harry Leonard
9. Grayson Hart

Especially bad considering it was outside the international window so we really do need some luck with signings !

I see darcy graham as similair to hoyland, think he will be a bit raw just now but will grow into a good player. There have also been some rumours about harvey elms at Currie being looked at by the pro sides, a bit of a late bloomer but doing really well on the wing or full back the last few years for currie and got a few scotland club caps.

[George Carlin]

Indeed, we "deployed" Jack Cuthbert. 

In the same way that riot police 'deploy' teargas. 

Except I cried much more watching Jack Cuthbert try to turn around.

[tigertattie]

In response to Habanna racing a cheetah, didn't Cuthbert respond by having a race with an oil tanker and came a credible 2nd?

[EWT Spoons]

In response to Habanna racing a cheetah, didn't Cuthbert respond by having a race with an oil tanker and came a credible 2nd?

crudeble 2nd......Oil tanker, crude oil......I'll get my coat

[tigertattie]

In response to Habanna racing a cheetah, didn't Cuthbert respond by having a race with an oil tanker and came a credible 2nd?

crudeble 2nd......Oil tanker, crude oil......I'll get my coat

[RuggerRadge2611]

go home spoons you are embarrassing yourself.

[EWT Spoons]

Fair point Radge, can we just move past it and pretend it didn't happen?

Edinburgh team for Cardiff has been announced, both Byrce's are involved. On the basis of their performances so far, I can only assume this is some kind of practical joke at Edinburgh's expense. Scott Johnson's chat of only helping one team at a time seems to consist of sabotaging the other.

[RDW]

cting Head Coach Duncan Hodge has named three personnel changes to his Edinburgh Rugby side to face Cardiff Blues at Myreside, in round 16 of the Guinness PRO12 (Friday 24 February, kick-off 7.05pm) – live on BBC.

Rory Scholes

The forward pack remains from last week’s loss to Leinster, with all amendments being made in the back division.

Blair Kinghorn comes into start in the back-three where he will be joined by Rory Scholes, who is named on the wing.

Jason Tovey starts at stand-off with Duncan Weir on national team duty.

Hodge, said: “There’s no hiding from the disappointment of last week’s result, but we need to put the defeat behind us and bounce back in tomorrow’s clash against Cardiff.

“We didn’t make the most of the chances we created last week and that hurt us. It’s crucial that we learn from those mistakes and are more clinical this time around.

“We’re back at home and that’ll prove as a big boost for the side going into this encounter. We want to make amends for last week’s result in front of our supporters and give them something to cheer about.”

Damien Hoyland remains on the right wing and is joined by the incoming Kinghorn and Scholes in the back-three.

With the inclusion of Kinghorn, Glenn Bryce moves from full-back to start in midfield, where he will be joined by Chris Dean, who shifts from outside to inside centre.

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne continues at half-back alongside Tovey.

Murray McCallum and Jack Cosgrove will prop either side of captain Neil Cochrane, with Ben Toolis and Fraser McKenzie named in the second-row.

Magnus Bradbury and Jamie Ritchie occupy the flanks, with Cornell Du Preez set to don the number eight jersey.



Edinburgh Rugby team to play Cardiff Blues at the Myreside in the Guinness PRO12 tomorrow (Friday 24 February, kick-off 7.05pm) – live on BBC Scotland


15. Blair Kinghorn

14. Damien Hoyland
13. Glenn Bryce
12. Chris Dean
11. Rory Scholes

10. Jason Tovey
9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

1. Jack Cosgrove
2. Neil Cochrane CAPTAIN
3. Murray McCallum
4. Fraser McKenzie
5. Ben Toolis
6. Magnus Bradbury
7. Jamie Ritchie
8. Cornell Du Preez

Replacements

16. George Turner
17. Derrick Appiah
18. Kevin Bryce
19. Grant Gilchrist
20. Lewis Carmichael
21. Nathan Fowles
22. Junior Rasolea
23. Michael Allen

Players unavailable due to injury: Tom Brown (concussion), Phil Burleigh (hand), Alasdair Dickinson (foot), Viliami Fihaki (hand), Will Helu (hand), Nasi Manu (shoulder), Viliame Mata (knee), Stuart McInally (leg), WP Nel (neck), Alex Northam (Achilles), Rory Sutherland (groin), Kyle Whyte (knee)

[Hazel Sapling]

There has been plenty of news on Glasgow re-signings. Not much on Edinburgh. Who is going?

I would assume Will Helu, Appiah, Gilchrist, Northam and Manu are all gone. Hardie, Allen and Nel are presently probables to go I would think.

[funnyExiledScot]

That's a decent team (or rather the best we can put out) apart from the centre combination, which is rancid.

Why not play Allen at 13 rather than Bryce? 100% improvement right there.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Rancid accurately sums up my thoughts on that centre pairing!

[EWT Spoons]

to be fair to Dean he played ok against Ulster, with the caveat that the whole team was shi.....not very good.

That pass to Brown when he only had to hold onto the ball to score was near perfect as it was right into Brown's hands.

Bryce on the other hand has done nothing to justify starting, other than clearly someone in the SRU rates him

[RDW]

Yeah I'm not so fussed about Dean at 12 - he has played well having been given a run of games.

Bryce is utterly rotten though - he just doesn't look comfortable at pro level.

[MacKnocked-on]

Quite apart from Allen who looks decent, what's happened to Tofilau? Hasn't had a games now for months, he looked like he had some potential in the games early in the season. If Hodge keeps persisting with Bryce to little effect surely Tofilau deserves a chance to show what he can do?

[tigertattie]

Also, what in the name of Doris happened to the snow we were promised?

I wanna build a snowman!

[EWT Spoons]

Move to my neck of the woods, I'm up to my ears in snow....well top of my shoe at least

[bsando]

Interesting that Brandon Thomson is playing at 10 for Glasgow on weekend. Horne back in centre.

Scottish qualified, 21 years old vs Horne who is 27.. have we perhaps finally found a fly half who may one day be the backup to russell we desperately need?

[RDW]

Interesting that Brandon Thomson is playing at 10 for Glasgow on weekend. Horne back in centre.

Scottish qualified, 21 years old vs Horne who is 27.. have we perhaps finally found a fly half who may one day be the backup to russell we desperately need?

Woah there - this is first start at 10!!

[IanBru]

Very excited to see what Matt Smith can do at 7 - he was outstanding for the U20s last year. A cannonball of menace and aggression, and very good with ball in hand.

[RDW]

I'm not sure I fancy Glasgow's chances

Glasgow Warriors team to play the Ospreys in the Guinness PRO12 at the Liberty Stadium, Sunday 26 February, live on BBC ALBA (kick-off 1.05pm). You can also follow the action on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:
15. Peter Murchie (112)
14. Junior Bulumakau (7)
13. Nick Grigg (13)
12. Peter Horne (107) CAPTAIN
11. Rory Hughes (20)
10. Brandon Thomson (1)
9. Grayson Hart (31)

1. Jamie Bhatti (3)
2. Corey Flynn (12)
3. Sila Puafisi (36)
4. Brian Alainu’uese (9)
5. Scott Cummings (11)
6. Rob Harley (155)
7. Matt Smith (0)
8. Lewis Wynne (11)

Replacements

16. Pat MacArthur (149)
17. Alex Allan (42)
18. D'arcy Rae (18)
19. Tjiuee Uanivi (4)
20. Chris Fusaro (119)
21. Nemia Kenatale (1)
22. Richie Vernon (87)
23. Ratu Tagive (0)

[Hazel Sapling]

Bench looks reasonable enough.

Pyrgos has been poor so Hart is at least at par with that.
Fusaro being dropped may be a kick in the backside about his form.
The second row pairing is strong (Cummings was the guy I thought at the start of the season would have made the 6 Nations squad)
The bench front row will be an upgrade when they come on and may be able to bully the Ospreys back-ups

[EWT Spoons]

Denton is at 7 tomorrow for Bath. Not sure I'd class him as a 7.

Also Hastings is on the bench, hopefully he gets a wee run out.

[Hazel Sapling]

Denton is at 7 tomorrow for Bath.  Not sure I'd class him as a 7.

Also Hastings is on the bench, hopefully he gets a wee run out.

Does Bath plan on using its backs?

[funnyExiledScot]

Interesting that Brandon Thomson is playing at 10 for Glasgow on weekend. Horne back in centre.

Scottish qualified, 21 years old vs Horne who is 27.. have we perhaps finally found a fly half who may one day be the backup to russell we desperately need?

Are you ASBO in disguise?? He'd be proud of that sort of optimism!!

[BigGee]

Unfortunately I don't think that Thompson is SQ despite having a Scottish father. He has played for SA U20s more recently since they have been designated as SA second team. They changed as I think they were fed up losing all their standout players to other countries. If you read all the press releases about him there was nothing about him being SQ and it was him that made reference to his father.

He made a pretty good debut last weekend and we definitely need another 10/15 type player even if Hastings does arrive, so it will be interesting to see if he does stay on. At the moment he is only here till the end of the season.

I don't have any great expectations about Glasgow's chances against the Spreys and in truth I think our play off chances are gone. Just looking for a better performance and very keen to see how a few of the younsters get on, Matt Smith and Jamie Bhatti in particular.

This could be Junior's chance to stake a claim for a contract next season and maybe to the new winger Ratu. They may both get a few games over the next few weekends as the venerable Sean is struggling to string any run of games together now.

There is not really any pressure of expectation on Glasgow for this game and it will be interesting to see if that improves or makes their performances worse.

[RDW]

Unfortunately I don't think that Thompson is SQ despite having a Scottish father. He has played for SA U20s more recently since they have been designated as SA second team. They changed as I think they were fed up losing all their standout players to other countries. If you read all the press releases about him there was nothing about him being SQ and it was him that made reference to his father.

He made a pretty good debut last weekend and we definitely need another 10/15 type player even if Hastings does arrive, so it will be interesting to see if he does stay on. At the moment he is only here till the end of the season.

I don't have any great expectations about Glasgow's chances against the Spreys and in truth I think our play off chances are gone. Just looking for a better performance and very keen to see how a few of the younsters get on, Matt Smith and Jamie Bhatti in particular.

This could be Junior's chance to stake a claim for a contract next season and maybe to the new winger Ratu. They may both get a few games over the next few weekends as the venerable Sean is struggling to string any run of games together now.

There is not really any pressure of expectation on Glasgow for this game and it will be interesting to see if that improves or makes their performances worse.

Keep losing and you might find your Champions Cup spot in jeopardy too! Once the international players are back you should have enough to get that secured, but it might be close.

[BigGee]

Unfortunately I don't think that Thompson is SQ despite having a Scottish father. He has played for SA U20s more recently since they have been designated as SA second team. They changed as I think they were fed up losing all their standout players to other countries. If you read all the press releases about him there was nothing about him being SQ and it was him that made reference to his father.

He made a pretty good debut last weekend and we definitely need another 10/15 type player even if Hastings does arrive, so it will be interesting to see if he does stay on. At the moment he is only here till the end of the season.

I don't have any great expectations about Glasgow's chances against the Spreys and in truth I think our play off chances are gone. Just looking for a better performance and very keen to see how a few of the younsters get on, Matt Smith and Jamie Bhatti in particular.

This could be Junior's chance to stake a claim for a contract next season and maybe to the new winger Ratu. They may both get a few games over the next few weekends as the venerable Sean is struggling to string any run of games together now.

There is not really any pressure of expectation on Glasgow for this game and it will be interesting to see if that improves or makes their performances worse.

Keep losing and you might find your Champions Cup spot in jeopardy too! Once the international players are back you should have enough to get that secured, but it might be close.

I don't think so!

[MacKnocked-on]

Unfortunately I don't think that Thompson is SQ despite having a Scottish father. He has played for SA U20s more recently since they have been designated as SA second team. They changed as I think they were fed up losing all their standout players to other countries. If you read all the press releases about him there was nothing about him being SQ and it was him that made reference to his father.

He made a pretty good debut last weekend and we definitely need another 10/15 type player even if Hastings does arrive, so it will be interesting to see if he does stay on. At the moment he is only here till the end of the season.

I don't have any great expectations about Glasgow's chances against the Spreys and in truth I think our play off chances are gone. Just looking for a better performance and very keen to see how a few of the younsters get on, Matt Smith and Jamie Bhatti in particular.

This could be Junior's chance to stake a claim for a contract next season and maybe to the new winger Ratu. They may both get a few games over the next few weekends as the venerable Sean is struggling to string any run of games together now.

There is not really any pressure of expectation on Glasgow for this game and it will be interesting to see if that improves or makes their performances worse.

As did Alan Dell so I can't imagine having playing for them precludes Thompson from being SQ (unless Dell is the new Dave Hilton..)

[BigGee]

At the end of the day all we have to do is finish ahead of Edinburgh!

[RDW]

At the end of the day all we have to do is finish ahead of Edinburgh!

That is very true!

Is it even mathematically possible for us to overtake you? Especially after we no doubt lose to the Blues tonight?

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