Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread 16 - Good Luck, We're All Counting On You

[IanBru]

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Edinburgh & Glasgow Warriors

A Not So Brief History of Time-Wasting:

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


"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."

[RDW]

I still have no idea what's going on here.

[jimbopip]

Gee....Gee..

Go sit on the naughty step and think about what you have done. No, there is room. Schiz is having the day off. No, it doesn't smell of Old Spice and Ralgex.

Really Gee, I usually enjoy your posts but WTF  Using real names.

Consider this a warning. I'll set Admin Boy on you unless you stop showing the rest of us up with this fetish for accuracy and common sense.

I will consider myself bollocked!

Ah, so Schiz isn't having the day off. Sorry.

[MacKnocked-on]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.

[bsando]

2017/2018 1st team lineup so far...

1.Kebble
2.Brown
3.Fagerson
4.Alainu’uese
5.Gray
6.Harley
7.Gibbins
8.Wilson
9.Price
10.Russell
11.Masaga
12.Dunbar
13.Jones
14.Seymour
15.Hogg

Looking good, looking good!

[funnyExiledScot]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.  

Beware the Mike Penn syndrome!

[funnyExiledScot]

2017/2018 1st team lineup so far...

1.Kebble
2.Brown
3.Fagerson
4.Alainu’uese
5.Gray
6.Harley
7.Gibbins
8.Wilson
9.Price
10.Russell
11.Masaga
12.Dunbar
13.Jones
14.Seymour
15.Hogg

Looking good, looking good!

I think you could use a meaty ball carrier in the back row - perhaps moving Wilson to 6. That side will do well in the Pro12, but when it comes to the monster packs at European level, my concern is that there's only really Jonny Gray in that pack who I would describe as a high calibre ball carrier. Glasgow need to find someone to replace Josh Strauss.

[EWT Spoons]

Roddy Grant coming back to Edinburgh as assistant forwards coach apparently.

Glad to have him back involved but does mean our coaching is very forward orientated.

[RDW]

Stevie Scott has been given the boot, with Roddy Grant becoming Cockerill's assistant forwards coach

Club centurion and former back-row talisman Roddy Grant is today confirmed as the final appointment to Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh coaching team ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Roddy Grant

Grant steps up from his position in the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy to the role of Assistant Forwards Coach, to work under the tutelage of Head Coach Cockerill, with Attack Coach Duncan Hodge and Defence Coach Calum MacRae already confirmed last week.

Forwards Coach Stevie Scott moves on from the club after a number of years’ service, with thanks for his contribution both as a player, with 99 caps for Edinburgh, and latterly as a coach. Scott played an important role in the club, particularly in developing young talent, and leaves with our best wishes for the future.

Richard Cockerill said: “Following encouraging discussions with all involved, we’re excited to confirm the coaching and management set-up for the season ahead.  

“Roddy, Duncan and Calum all have a great affinity with Edinburgh and our supporters, which will prove instrumental in developing a strong culture for the club going forward.”

Managing Director Jonny Petrie added: “Stevie has been a great servant to Edinburgh over his significant playing and coaching career. He leaves with our very best wishes and sincere thanks for all that he has done for this club.”

So looks like

Head coach/Forward - Cockerill
Assistant forwards - Grant
Attack - Hodge
Defence - McRae

No sign of a specialsit skills coach (Glasgow have Mike Blair). Hopefully the likes of Ben Cairns can be brought in on a part time basis at least - it is better than having no one.

Cockerill has his work cut out as he has a badly performing attack coach, a brand new forwards coach and a 7s specialist taking his first defence coach role...

[Welly]

The only Skills coach I remember Cockers having at his time with Tigers was Murphy and that was only because he was just going into coaching.

[MacKnocked-on]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.  

Beware the Mike Penn syndrome!

Be positive, I deliberately didn't mention that other one cap All Black that signed for a Scottish pro team...

[RDW]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.  

Beware the Mike Penn syndrome!

Be positive, I deliberately didn't mention that other one cap All Black that signed for a Scottish pro team...

Remember he signed for Edinburgh - this bloke will no doubt go on to be top try scorer in the Pro 12 and be inducted in the Glaswegian hall of fame.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.  

Beware the Mike Penn syndrome!

Be positive, I deliberately didn't mention that other one cap All Black that signed for a Scottish pro team...

Remember he signed for Edinburgh - this bloke will no doubt go on to be top try scorer in the Pro 12 and be inducted in the Glaswegian hall of fame.

Now now, lets not forget that Edinburgh have 4 Pro 12 top try scorer awards to our name against Glasgow's 1. Frankly its about time they found someone who can score a try or 2

[RDW]

Masaga has certainly got an excellent highlights compilations on YouTube, if he's still capable of anything like that then Glasgow have got some player there.  

Beware the Mike Penn syndrome!

Be positive, I deliberately didn't mention that other one cap All Black that signed for a Scottish pro team...

Remember he signed for Edinburgh - this bloke will no doubt go on to be top try scorer in the Pro 12 and be inducted in the Glaswegian hall of fame.

Now now, lets not forget that Edinburgh have Tim Visser has 4 Pro 12 top try scorer awards to our his name against Glasgow's 1. Frankly its about time they found someone who can score a try or 2

Fixed that!

[EWT Spoons]

Jamie Ritchie has been voted player of the season by the fans apparently.  I didn't see this being asked anywhere but that is an odd choice.

He was fairly poor at the start of the season, and has generally improved as the season has progressed, but in no way should he be player of the season.  Taking nothing away from him as he's shown some real promise this year, but how Watson wasn't chosen is a mystery.  I can only assume there were limited options and the more obvious candidates were omitted.

[RDW]

....or it confirms what we already knew - most Edinburgh fans know nothing about rugby!

[jimbopip]

....or it confirms what we already knew - most Edinburgh fans know nothing about rugby!

Fixed that for you.

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Now now, lets not forget that Edinburgh have Tim Visser has 4 Pro 12 top try scorer awards to our his name against Glasgow's 1. Frankly its about time they found someone who can score a try or 2

Fixed that!

Typical attitude from an outside back! Rugby is a team sport don't you know!

[RDW]

Now now, lets not forget that Edinburgh have Tim Visser has 4 Pro 12 top try scorer awards to our his name against Glasgow's 1. Frankly its about time they found someone who can score a try or 2

Fixed that!

Typical attitude from an outside back! Rugby is a team sport don't you know!

Not in that Edinburgh team - the tactics were basically 'give it to Tim'

[BigGee]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/12/saracens-jim-hamilton-i-didn-t-want-kids-to-see-me-on-pitch-whacking-people-european-champions-cup

Great interview with Big Jim as he prepares to finish off his time with Sarries at Murrayfield this Saturday.

A few years back you would never have imagined that he would morph into this old sage of rugby wisdom. What a character he has become, I will never forget the rabbitgate scandal that he unless on the Scotland camp before the last world cup!

[jimbopip]

2017/2018 1st team lineup so far...

1.Kebble
2.Brown
3.Fagerson
4.Alainu’uese
5.Gray
6.Harley
7.Gibbins
8.Wilson
9.Price
10.Russell
11.Masaga
12.Dunbar
13.Jones
14.Seymour
15.Hogg

Looking good, looking good!

True, but bear in mind:
(a) Execterr are realising MadMata and he is desperate to come back to a city where he is loved, and made to feel normal.
(b) Racing 92 are almost as broke as the Scottish Premier League and Leone also wants to be in a city where he is loved and the sausages are full of grease and flavour. A deal could be done. As regards his wages, on a loan basis. Not to airlift emergency supplies of square sausages into the 12th arrondisement.

[123456789]

In other news Robbie Fruean is joining Edinburgh from Bath, a hugely talented player with a complicated history with health and injuries. Nonetheless I'm starting to feel their signings are beginning to appear competent and therefore combined with decent coaches as a force they are appearing ominous.
It could be brilliant with Fruean and Bennett or it could be an expensive disaster, both are very able rugby players but they also both are exceptionally injury prone. Nonetheless with front row options including Dickinson, Ford, Dell, McInally, Sutherland and Nel, locks like Gilchrist, Toolis and Bresler (if he's still around, McKenzie isn't exactly a bad player either) and a back row including Ritchie, Hardie, Watson and Bradbury coupled with a backline filled with the likes of Hidalgo-Clyne, Hoyland, Fruean and Bennett who are all players who can make things happen as well as the likes of Tom Brown who won't let anyone down. You can't help but feel that Edinburgh are a kick up the erse from being a team pushing for a play-off place (although that's not a new place for Edinburgh), and in Cockerill they have an expert erse kicker. I think that in terms of winning tournaments and finishing any higher than the kind of 6th to 4th range they're short of a quality fly-half but if Glasgow can make the play-offs with Weir as first choice there's no reason Edinburgh can't.
I can't also help but feel that this would be good for Scottish rugby as a whole for three reasons, firstly most of the above names are Scottish. The more Scottish players playing professional rugby and playing well the better. Secondly Glasgow put massive emphasis on being the best team in Scotland, if Edinburgh are pushing for play-offs Glasgow will push themselves to finish higher and win the tournament. It may be inaccurate and also a tad unfair but I wouldn't be surprised is one of the reasons Glasgow have dropped off a bit in the last couple of years is the lack of the zeal that possessed them to win it the first time, of course the loss of depth has hit hard too. Thirdly, if we have two teams pressing high up the league regularly it opens up the possibility of a third team eventually. Of course the debate is far more complex than that but there can be little doubt that if Scotland gains a properly funded, well supported third professional team that can compete at a similar level to the Dragons or Connacht then it will be better for us long term. I think in many respects Glasgow's failure to reach the play-offs and yet qualify for the last eight of the Champions Cup evidences why we're not ready yet in terms of depth but having two successful teams would put us significantly closer.

In regard to the two Fijians, I'm not sure to what extent I'd want Matawalu back at Glasgow, if you look at his failure to perform in the Premiership over two seasons then it's hard to see him coping at Champions cup level. Signing Dave Rennie as a coach and players of the ability of Masaga, Huw Jones and Kebble was a real statement of intent from Glasgow and Champions cup must be the aim now and Matawalu will command high wages and if he struggles against English opposition then the Champions cup will be difficult for him. Furthermore the raison d'etre for the pro sides is to provide players for Scotland, Pyrgos and Price are high up in the Scotland pecking order and I'd like to see them playing week in week out (although rotation isn't necessarily a bad thing). Although with Laidlaw, Steele, Pyrgos, Price, Kennedy and Hidalgo-Clyne all playing first class rugby next season Scotland are not in a bad place scrum-half wise. Nakarawa is a different story though, I'd take him back in an instance.

One thing is for sure, the signings coming to Scotland this year seem different to many of the journeymen mercenary squad fillers of recent years and with two successful coaches coming North too it is exciting times for Scottish pro rugby. It is hard to see either taking a backward step in the near future.

[Nematode]

I'd instantly resign Nakarawa.

I'd also be tempted to sign Matawalu if he wasn't demanding too high wages.

He'd be a handy player to have covering wing and SH but also his unpredictability is something Glasgow have really missed, Nakarawa too.

I also wouldn't say he hasn't performed in the aviva. Bath are badly underperforming and I don't think Matawalu really fits Exeter's style of play.

[RDW]

Good summary numbers - worth remembering that Bennett is injured for most of next season.

I think Nakarawa would be good to bring back (although there are plenty locks) but I think Glasgow have moved on from Matawalu . He was truly awful for Bath and his limitations were quickly found out. I also don't think Glasgow under Rennie will need a mercurial and massively inconsistent 9 - especially given the quality they already have there.

[BigGee]

I would not say no to Niko coming back to Glasgow. For all his inconsistencies, he is a player that can make things happen and he would be a brilliant player to be coming off the bench in a tight game.

I would not pay to much attention to his time down south. Bath were terrible the year he spent with them, had no idea how to play him and he was also injured for most of the time. Exeter would have been a better fit for him with their style, Baxter presumably felt that, but the legal issue has put the knockers on that.

One thing Niko won't be now is expensive, he is damaged goods and teams won't be spending big money on him.

Glasgow need another SH, we only have three now, two of whom may be off playing internationals. Surely it can't of been a co-incicence that he was back up watching the game with the team last week?

[jimbopip]

Numbers, well done with that post. You have dragged us back to discussing rugby in a grown up manner. You make some really interesting points.

The MFL now have most of the ingredients to make a really good rugby team. How many times have we said that before?
I wouldn't be surprised if by the 6 Nations the majority of the Scottish pack are well-groomed and wearing silk undergarments. However, most of the backs look third choice in all honesty. I think if it was any other team I would expect a lot of progress in a short time, but the culture at the club is deep rooted and needs to be changed before any lasting improvements can be effected. "Luvvies ye are and Luvvies ye shall remain" is an insult I threw in an easterly direction some time ago and it's that aspect of the club which Cockers must change, not just the playing personnel.

As regards the Fijians; Mata's court case is the most important thing. If he is guilty of a serious sexual assault then I don't want him near Scotstoun. In my opinion the club did the right thing standing by Batman after the kebab shop fiasco; two groups of drunk rugby players meet at two in the morning and start a fight, not exactly earth-shattering. Not behaviour I condone, but hardly the most heinous of crimes. He was sanctioned/punished appropriately and since returning has been a model professional for Glasgow. As the legal types on here will quickly remind us, we don't know the full details of Mata's case. It could be fairly minor or it could be extremely nasty and harrowing for the victim. If it is towards the latter end of the scale then I would hope a custodial sentence will put an end to his return to Glasgow. If at all appropriate, and possible, I would love to see him at Scotstoun but more as a squad player covering 15/9/11&14.

One way or another we're looking at an interesting season.

[BigGee]

In other news The Sevens team just beat South Africa in the Paris sevens. They played really well to and won pretty comfortably.

Farndale showed some awesome pace to gas the SA wing, who is no slouch either. Surely he deserves another crack at 15s.

[RDW]

Farndale looks like he could be a top winger in 15s - given that Edinburgh aren't exactly overwhelmed with wing talent I don't see why not!

[MacKnocked-on]

Blake scored as well, given his involvement with the 7s surely the SRU must be planning to bring him back to one of the pro teams next season and actually giving him some games this time round?

[RDW]

Problem for Blake is there's plenty options at 7 for both teams, and Glasgow's opensides won't be away with Scotland either.

[MacKnocked-on]

Problem for Blake is there's plenty options at 7 for both teams, and Glasgow's opensides won't be away with Scotland either.

Is he big enough to play 6 possibly? He must be a similar size to John Barclay I would think.
Anyway, more importantly can we put this morning's 7s win against SA down to the 'Jack Cuthbert Effect' ?....

[tigertattie]

Ouch. Two Sarries fans just got on the bus and paid to go into town gir the game. Stuck a tenner in!

Gutted for em

[BigGee]

and our good run in the sevens go on. We just beat Canada as well, so that is us into the cup games for the final day. We should go through as the group winners if we can beat Japan as well.

Even Jack Cuthbert came on and played his part in that last game.

Strange times indeed.

[BigGee]

George Horne looks absolutely electric, scored two tries just through his pace.

On the first one he was over in the corner then touched the ball down on his toe and skipped round the Canadian defender to touch down under the post. Not only fast but a cheeky little f*#ker as well. The big Canadian defender looked like he wanted to launch him into the middle of next week!

[BigGee]

Scotland see off Japan in our third game and top the group, somewhat confounding recent form.

Our reward for that is to play Fiji in the quarter finals. Sometimes life is not that fair!

[RDW]

Scotland 12-0 up v Fiji in the QF - playing really well! Horne, Robertson and Farndale the standouts.

[RDW]

Scotland run riot winning 24-0 - huge performance!

It's amazing how we always peak at the end of the series.

[BigGee]

That was some performance.

George Horne tracked back 60m to make a try saving tackle, even when the game was already won. You can't say they have had it easy either, beating South Africa, Fiji and the winners of the last tournament, Canada.

If Edinburgh defend like the sevens squad have been in this tournament, Macrae will seem like a very inspired appointment. He has got them tackling like demons.

[RDW]

There's so much pace and skill in the squad and with Riddle, Farndale and Robertson plenty power too.

It is worth saying Fiji were crap too!

[BigGee]

A masterclass in ball retention for the whole of the second half means England now join the vanquished.

What a tournament we are having, playing so well!

[jimbopip]

I don't know about you fellas who are watching on Sky, but I was almost having cardiac arrest following the IRB blog.

Mon the Sevens.

[BigGee]

We picked a bad time for our line out to malfunction, just could not take our chances. Not taking anything away from SA though, who played very well.

Still it was a great tournament for us and plenty to look forward to next week in London.

[MacKnocked-on]

Sounds like George Horne had an excellent tournament and will be an asset to Glasgow next season. Any others look like they deserve some game time for Edinburgh or Glasgow next year?

[BigGee]

To be honest they all played well, even fans favourites like Glen Byrce and Jack Cuthbert did their bits.

Of the ones that might make the crossover into 15s, Horne obviously, who may well be the player of the tournament, Farndale and Blake are the obvious candidates. We probably knew that already though.

It will be a different looking team next year though, with stalwarts like Wight and Robinson retiring. We will be looking for some new faces to step up.

[MacKnocked-on]

Did anyone see Matty Russell's try for Warrington today on TV, fantastic finish.

[RDW]

Mark Robertson really is a world class 7s player - he is going to be a huge loss. Who knew he had that in him!

[Manky-Flanker]

Did anyone see Matty Russell's try for Warrington today on TV, fantastic finish.

Yeah he did well with little to no space. How many wingers in that position would have been bundled into touch?

Can't see him making a switch to union any time soon though

[MacKnocked-on]

Edinburgh have just tweeted; 'COMING UP | We’ll be announcing the signing of three of Scottish rugby’s most exciting talents throughout the course of the day...'
Sounds like some young players from the U20s or possibly London Scottish?

[George Carlin]

Edinburgh have just tweeted; 'COMING UP | We’ll be announcing the signing of three of Scottish rugby’s most exciting talents throughout the course of the day...'
Sounds like some young players from the U20s or possibly London Scottish?

I'm assuming that they finally found the money to get Radge in at loosehead.

[RDW]

Calum Hunter-Hill is the first one.

[nickj]

Hunter Hill, Fergusson, Lowe, Farndale, Galbraith. Wonder if they'll pinch someone like Kelly?

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