Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread 17 - Almost Legal

[Hazel Sapling]

First topic message reminder :



Glasgow Warriors & Edinburgh

The Histories:

Guiness Pro 12
Edinburgh Rugby
Glasgow Warriors

Edinburgh Rugby Highlights 2016/2017
Glasgow Warriors Pro 12 Highlights 2016/2017  

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

Can't say I'm overly enthused by the conference system.

What about inviting other pro teams from Europe and create a second Pro12 division, possibly with relegation and promotion.

D1
4 Irish
4 Welsh
4 Scottish (yes, 2 more Scottish teams - ho ho ho)

D2
3 Italy
3 SA
3 Georgia
2 Romania
1 Spain (Bilbao is a rugby hotbed) or Germany

Have you slipped into whatever fantasy world Jimbo was gibbering on about earlier mesmeric?!

Damn straight.

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

The conference phase is "Stage 1". After the 12 games there's a bit of jiggery pokery and a "Stage 2" starts which is the top teams from each conference fighting it out for Champions Cup and play-off places. Or something to that effect. Bit like the Super Rugby format.

It'll be interesting to see the groups. I can imagine one of them is going to be a brutal group to win.

For example:
Glasgow, Leinster, Munster, Ospreys, Scarlets, Cheetahs and some pizza.
^^ Tough as old boots.

Edinburgh, Ulster, Connacht, Cardiff, Dragons, Kings and some pasta.
^^ Ulster/Cardiff/Lions and possibly even Edinburgh to compete. Dragons may improve from recent seasons, but i'll believe it when i see it.

I do not believe the Italian sides will improve. Conor O'Shea is going a solid job but he doesn't exactly have the tools to work with. Saying that, the Italian u20s looked sharp this year.

Cheetahs, not the Lions

[nickj]

Not sure if this chap has been mentioned before, but he could be a useful addition at Glasgow.

Attached to Ayr no less...

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/28764/young-gun-george-stokes-glasgow-flanker/

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/17/05/23/latest-intake-top-young-talent-confirmed

[George Carlin]

Not sure if this chap has been mentioned before, but he could be a useful addition at Glasgow.

Attached to Ayr no less...

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/28764/young-gun-george-stokes-glasgow-flanker/

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/17/05/23/latest-intake-top-young-talent-confirmed

Also noticed a great name in that second article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Yawayawa

A Scottish Fijian! I knew it! It was only a matter of time.

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

Not sure if this chap has been mentioned before, but he could be a useful addition at Glasgow.

Attached to Ayr no less...

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/28764/young-gun-george-stokes-glasgow-flanker/

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/17/05/23/latest-intake-top-young-talent-confirmed

Another young Scot who found himself at Toulon. I wonder how Andy Cramond is doing?

Sam Yawayawa looks like a fine prospect. We almost lost him too. He played for Scotland u16 & u18 before moving to Leicester Tigers and playing for England u18. He's attached to Glasgow from this summer, which makes him a Weegie from Fiji.

I added the positions to the new academy boys.

Academy Stage 3 Players & Positions  (Click to expand):

Some fine talent coming through!

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

Not sure if this chap has been mentioned before, but he could be a useful addition at Glasgow.

Attached to Ayr no less...

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/young-gun/28764/young-gun-george-stokes-glasgow-flanker/

http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/17/05/23/latest-intake-top-young-talent-confirmed

Also noticed a great name in that second article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Yawayawa

A Scottish Fijian! I knew it! It was only a matter of time.

He scored a fine try against.... us!
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/videos/10153608631724825/

[RDW]

Andy Cramond was at Pau last season - not sure if they kept him on.

[nickj]

Think he's on trial at Gloucs http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/lock-lashes-out-gloucester-dithering-183651

[tigertattie]

Is my interweb broken?
Is this a record for the longest silence on the exfoliator/soapdodger love in?

So, Danearis is squatting in an empty in Dragonstone. Which co-incidentally happens to be built on a mountain of Dragonglass.

Samwell and Gilly are still lurking in a library. Gilly has learned to read, probably through osmosis. They don't know that the Red Priestess has prophesised that it will take the blood of a King's child to guarantee victory in the war. (Stannis knew that and burnt his daughter at the stake, but he wasn't really a king so he lost anyway) Which is what they, co-incidentally, are child-minding.

Cersei has given up on her children and needs a man now that Jamie has renounced incest in favour of unrequited love with the only woman in the world who's a "better swordsman" than he.
Cersei, practical as ever, arranges a job interview with Euron Greyjoy, who arrives with his fleet. I think he will get the position; I'm sure I heard her say, "Hello sailor, you're on."  
Arya, poisoned half the Frey clan and felt pretty smug; then met Ed Sheeran and realised she had used all the poison.

SOMEONE POST SOMETHING ABOUT RUGBY OR I'LL CONTINUE WITH THIS.

Dude! Spoilers! there is a function you can use (but it's more complicated than the quote function)

I would however like to add - How hot is Sansa Stark these days? She's grown up!

[RDW]

Is my interweb broken?
Is this a record for the longest silence on the exfoliator/soapdodger love in?

So, Danearis is squatting in an empty in Dragonstone. Which co-incidentally happens to be built on a mountain of Dragonglass.

Samwell and Gilly are still lurking in a library. Gilly has learned to read, probably through osmosis. They don't know that the Red Priestess has prophesised that it will take the blood of a King's child to guarantee victory in the war. (Stannis knew that and burnt his daughter at the stake, but he wasn't really a king so he lost anyway) Which is what they, co-incidentally, are child-minding.

Cersei has given up on her children and needs a man now that Jamie has renounced incest in favour of unrequited love with the only woman in the world who's a "better swordsman" than he.
Cersei, practical as ever, arranges a job interview with Euron Greyjoy, who arrives with his fleet. I think he will get the position; I'm sure I heard her say, "Hello sailor, you're on."  
Arya, poisoned half the Frey clan and felt pretty smug; then met Ed Sheeran and realised she had used all the poison.

SOMEONE POST SOMETHING ABOUT RUGBY OR I'LL CONTINUE WITH THIS.

Dude! Spoilers! there is a function you can use (but it's more complicated than the quote function)

I would however like to add - How hot is Sansa Stark these days? She's grown up!

Not a Sansa fan - bit too grumpy and bland.

I though the episode was a little underwhelming - there were no OMG moments like in Season 6!

Euron was certainly doing his best Jack Sparrow impression!

[BigGee]

George Thornton, the LH prop who so impressed for the U20s this summer has just been snapped up by the Wasps Academy.

Very glad to see him moving towards a full Pro contract, even if it is a little bit of a shame that he did not get one in Scotland. He certainly looked like he deserved one.

Definitely one to keep an eye on though, not only is he a big lump at 120kg but has quite an engine as well, pretty much playing the whole 80 mins in every game of the JWC.

[BigGee]

https://twitter.com/thistlerugbypod/status/888068130551070721

Check out this picture of the three Fargerson brothers!

The youngest is just 15 and already looks bigger than the other two. That's a bit scary.

I hate to think what the food bill is like Chez Fargarson!

Mr and Mrs Fargerson have certainly done their bit for Scottish Rugby!

[RDW]

Of the 6 New law variations being trialed this one may put Ford out of a job...

3. Law 20.8 (b) Striking after the throw-in
Once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel, any front-row player may use either foot to try to win possession of the ball. One player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball.
Sanction: Free-kick
Rationale: To promote a fair contest for possession

[jimbopip]

Fagerson the youngest.... by the look of his feet he still has a lot of growing.

There is a line in Bladerunner ," The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long." I do worry that these boys might play too much, much too young.

[BigGee]

I don't think we will be seeing the youngest member of the Fagerson tribe playing for Glasgow for a few years yet, if he does decide that a professional rugby career is what he wishes to pursue. Should he do so though, he certainly looks like he will have the tools to do so.

It is probably less of a worry kids getting overplayed in the Scottish system than elsewhere to be honest. Our problem has always been under exposing our youngsters. That is what makes these Fagerson Lads so special as they were born with the genetics to be able to jump straight into the Pro game. Other countries have always been able to produce players like that, but rarely us.

Hopefully a few more will come along to join them!

[RDW]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

[BigGee]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

Excellent news. Mr & Mrs Fagerson deserve to be knighted for services to Scottish rugby!

[tigertattie]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

was he the one taking the picture?

[EWT Spoons]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

Excellent news. Mr & Mrs Fagerson deserve to be knighted for services to Scottish rugby!

Think they would be open to some kind of wife swap deal with Mr & Mrs Gray?

[RDW]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

was he the one taking the picture?

Nah that was their 6ft 5 mother!

[BigGee]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

Excellent news. Mr & Mrs Fagerson deserve to be knighted for services to Scottish rugby!

Think they would be open to some kind of wife swap deal with Mr & Mrs Gray?

Johnny Gray has a twin sister apparently. Imagine if she and one of the Fagerson lads was to hit it off, what kind of rugby player would be the by-product of that match?

[BigGee]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

was he the one taking the picture?

Nah that was their 6ft 5 mother!

She did not have a wide angle lens, so could not get all four of them in the same photo!

[jimbopip]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

Excellent news. Mr & Mrs Fagerson deserve to be knighted for services to Scottish rugby!

Think they would be open to some kind of wife swap deal with Mr & Mrs Gray?

Johnny Gray has a twin sister apparently. Imagine if she and one of the Fagerson lads was to hit it off, what kind of rugby player would be the by-product of that match?

Am I the only poster on here who thinks Jonny's twin sister must be Brienne of McTarth.

[RDW]

The Instagram post says there's a 4th brother too!

Excellent news. Mr & Mrs Fagerson deserve to be knighted for services to Scottish rugby!

Think they would be open to some kind of wife swap deal with Mr & Mrs Gray?

Johnny Gray has a twin sister apparently. Imagine if she and one of the Fagerson lads was to hit it off, what kind of rugby player would be the by-product of that match?

Am I the only poster on here who thinks Jonny's twin sister must be Brienne of McTarth.

Great shout!

[RDW]

Anyone got anything interesting to talk about?

Damn off season!

[mikey_dragon]

Anyone got anything interesting to talk about?

Damn off season!

Tattie's bitterness? I haven't seen him for a while, like ever since he goaded me over Wales' recent record versus Australia, which was in response to me predicting a Fiji win over Scotland. I haven't seen him since that match so I'm left wondering where he is .

[George Carlin]

I would like all posters to confirm what their long term personal ambitions are and to offer some thoughts on whether they are on their way to achieving these.

[nickj]

I'd prefer it if Glasgow signed a polynesian tighthead and an experienced, just less than world class FB?

[jimbopip]

Oh the joys of Smartphones and adolescent sons.

It seems that if your offspring has a Gmail account and you allow them to pay for games/updates on their X-Box live account then your credit card details are then stored on their Gmail account. This means that if they are out with their mates and looking at "dodgy" sites then those sites can access your credit card for payment. Oh the joys of parenthood.

Still, you'll all believe me when I say this happened "to a friend". Young Pipetto would never do such things. No. Never.

[RDW]

Oh the joys of Smartphones and adolescent sons.

It seems that if your offspring has a Gmail account and you allow them to pay for games/updates on their X-Box live account then your credit card details are then stored on their Gmail account. This means that if they are out with their mates and looking at "dodgy" sites then those sites can access your credit card for payment. Oh the joys of parenthood.

Still, you'll all believe me when I say this happened "to a friend". Young Pipetto would never do such things. No. Never.

I think you need to sit him down and give him a father-son chat about the wonders of incognito mode on Google Chrome and a certain website that ends in the word 'hub' (you can guess the first part).

Or so I've been told...

[jimbopip]

Sorry Admin Boy, you've lost me.

however, anyone have any idea when the Pro 12/14/dual magnificent 7 fixtures will be announced?

[RDW]

Well the last we heard from Celtic Rugby was an announcement that they were soon going to make an announcement! They haven't even formally confirmed that it is definitely going to happen just that talks have taken place.

It will happen but there is a lot for them to sort out.

[BigGee]

As the Italians are still trying to sort out what to do with Zebre, don't hold your breath!

[RDW]

Well apparently it has just been announced that Zebre are pulling out and are being replaced by someone else!

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Na, Zebre have been taken over by the Italian union and will remain in the Pro SomethingOrOther but under new management

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/smcmahon/looks-like-zebre-remain-pro12/

[nickj]

To be replaced with a new entity, owned by the FIR, called catchily 'Zebre Rugby Club Company'

[jimbopip]

I see Fraser Brown has had surgery on an ankle. One of his own, obviously.

Why is the phrase, "it's a transition season, actually" creeping into my mind more and more often these days?

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Sorry Admin Boy, you've lost me.

however, anyone have any idea when the Pro 12/14/dual magnificent 7 fixtures will be announced?

More importantly, what's the new comp's nickname going to be? An Irish mate of mine is holding out for ProN (to deal with changes in #teams), but another Irish mate is unhappy with that as his autocorrect switches the "o" and "r".

I've been mindful of the suggestion that the official name will be "Atlantic Rugby Championship" - but since 2 of the countries involved don't have an Atlantic coast I'm inclined to use a 4 letter acronym from "Faux Atlantic Rugby Championship". Or "Faux Atlantic Rugby Tophy".

Any other suggestions?

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Sorry Admin Boy, you've lost me.

however, anyone have any idea when the Pro 12/14/dual magnificent 7 fixtures will be announced?

More importantly, what's the new comp's nickname going to be? An Irish mate of mine is holding out for ProN (to deal with changes in #teams), but another Irish mate is unhappy with that as his autocorrect switches the "o" and "r".

I've been mindful of the suggestion that the official name will be "Atlantic Rugby Championship" - but since 2 of the countries involved don't have an Atlantic coast I'm inclined to use a 4 letter acronym from "Faux Atlantic Rugby Championship". Or "Faux Atlantic Rugby Tophy".

Any other suggestions?

[RDW]

I see Fraser Brown has had surgery on an ankle. One of his own, obviously.

Why is the phrase, "it's a transition season, actually" creeping into my mind more and more often these days?

It does look like a number of players are taking the opportunity - 2 years out from the world cup - to clear up ongoing niggles. Doesn't help Rennie's start as Glasgow coach certainly!

[BigGee]

It does look like it will be a slowish start for Glasgow in the league this year with a lot of players taking extended breaks and only one warm up game planned (so far).

I don't suppose we will be the only team to be a bit sluggish out of the blocks though and it will certainly give the youngsters a chance to really gain some exposure.

[George Carlin]

Sorry Admin Boy, you've lost me.

however, anyone have any idea when the Pro 12/14/dual magnificent 7 fixtures will be announced?

More importantly, what's the new comp's nickname going to be? An Irish mate of mine is holding out for ProN (to deal with changes in #teams), but another Irish mate is unhappy with that as his autocorrect switches the "o" and "r".

I've been mindful of the suggestion that the official name will be "Atlantic Rugby Championship" - but since 2 of the countries involved don't have an Atlantic coast I'm inclined to use a 4 letter acronym from "Faux Atlantic Rugby Championship". Or "Faux Atlantic Rugby Tophy".

Any other suggestions?

Championship  
Lolling
Under
Some
Terribly
Expensive
Revised
Forum
Utilising
Confused
Kinfolk

[Hazel Sapling]

It does look like it will be a slowish start for Glasgow in the league this year with a lot of players taking extended breaks and only one warm up game planned (so far).

I don't suppose we will be the only team to be a bit sluggish out of the blocks though and it will certainly give the youngsters a chance to really gain some exposure.

Who is definitely out? What sort of team will Rennie be able to put out? Was thinking:

Allan, Malcolm, Rae, Cummings, Brian, Harley, Smith, Vunisa/Ashe, Pyrgos, Hastings, Masaga, Johnson, Grigg, Sarto, Thomson

MacArthur, Bhatti, Nicol, Swinson, Wynne, Horne, Horne, L Jones

We are desperately short of depth in the front row and the back row is short of quality. Disappointing, but the average age in the front 5 might be the youngest in the NH top tier and there are plenty of players who could break through this year in a big way. Have high hopes for Wynne, Smith and Fagerson (Glasgow's answer to Edinburgh's Ritchie, Watson and Bradbury). Scotland just does not have the money/interest to keep top players for more than the early years.

[jimbopip]

Hazel, Allan and Rae may very well be with Scotland during the AI's. Mr Chinhook may not be, though the new laws do not specifically say which part of the body the hooker must use when "striking for the ball" I'm pretty certain his avant garde use of the chin will be frowned upon. If Fraser Brown is out for any length of time then young Malcolm might be called up too.

On a tangent; I've just had a phone call from Baz the Nippy scrum-half; it seems he so enjoyed Mixing with the rowdy element, especially Bru and the Hagia Sophia, at Twickers this year that he has booked us a hotel for the Murrayfield match! Already? It will fall on me to get the tickets. So, if any of you wonderful people are able to put a couple my way

p.s. I think this (next) year I'll allow FES to buy us a pre-match snifter.

[Hazel Sapling]

More of a problem on the tighthead side than the loosehead (Kebble and Bhatti vs Nicol). Glasgow are 2 props short. A young SQ prop like Murray McCallum would be useful as he can cover both sides. Cosgrove should have been offered a move west rather than moving off to Bristol. Would Moray Low be available cheap?

[jimbopip]

"Matangi Tonga Online" has carried this story,

Ikale Tahi prop Siosiua Halanukonuka has signed with Scottish Rugby Club, the Glasgow Warriors. Notable players in the current Glasgow Warriors team include former All Black winger Lelia Masaga.
 In the last two years, Halanukonuka has made 14 appearances for the Otago Highlanders, and has six caps representing Tonga. He has played professionally for RC Narbonne in France and the Tasman Makos in New Zealand.

I love the fact that "notable players... include" Layla Massager , bit I suppose your average Tongan wouldn't be too interested in Zander Fagerson or Richie V.

Apparently he's a tight head and dyes his hair blonde. He's 30 years old. Is that still young in prop years? Or is Glasgow his first step into retirement?

Nicknames? At the moment it's either Debbie Harry or A Boy Named Sue. But it's far too early to be stretching the grey cells.

[nickj]

Ace. I asked for a polynesian tighthead and look what we got. 14 Highlander caps and 6 for Tonga sounds a bit mweh, but he looks tough as old boots and that hair, well....

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

"Matangi Tonga Online"   has carried this story,

Ikale Tahi prop Siosiua Halanukonuka has signed with Scottish Rugby Club, the Glasgow Warriors. Notable players in the current Glasgow Warriors team include former All Black winger Lelia Masaga.
 In the last two years, Halanukonuka has made 14 appearances for the Otago Highlanders, and has six caps representing Tonga. He has played professionally for RC Narbonne in France and the Tasman Makos in New Zealand.

I love the fact that "notable players... include"  Layla Massager   , bit I suppose your average Tongan wouldn't be too interested in Zander Fagerson or Richie V.

Apparently he's a tight head and dyes his hair blonde.  He's 30 years old. Is that still young in prop years? Or is Glasgow his first step into retirement?

Nicknames? At the moment it's either Debbie Harry or A Boy Named Sue. But it's far too early to be stretching the grey cells.

Well as a prop he's presumably pretty slow, and he dyes his hair blonde so can you not save yourselves the bother of a nickname and just call him Sean Lamont?

[tigertattie]

Hazel, Allan and Rae may very well be with Scotland during the AI's. Mr  Chinhook may not be, though the new laws do not specifically say which part of the body the hooker must use when "striking for the ball" I'm pretty certain his avant garde use of the chin will be frowned upon. If Fraser Brown is out for any length of time then young Malcolm might be called up too.

On a tangent; I've just had a phone call from Baz the Nippy scrum-half; it seems he so enjoyed Mixing with the rowdy element, especially Bru and the Hagia Sophia, at Twickers this year that he has booked us a hotel for the Murrayfield match! Already? It will fall on me to get the tickets. So, if any of you wonderful people are able to put a couple my way

p.s. I think this (next) year I'll allow FES  to buy us a pre-match snifter.

don't forget though Mr Pip, anyone in the front row is allowed to "strike" for the ball. Tactically speaking, the loosehead prop would probably be the best man for this job.

We could potentially see the game being played with a loosehead prop/hooker type person at 1 then have two "tightheads" at 2 and 3 to hold the whole thing up?

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Hazel, Allan and Rae may very well be with Scotland during the AI's. Mr  Chinhook may not be, though the new laws do not specifically say which part of the body the hooker must use when "striking for the ball" I'm pretty certain his avant garde use of the chin will be frowned upon. If Fraser Brown is out for any length of time then young Malcolm might be called up too.

On a tangent; I've just had a phone call from Baz the Nippy scrum-half; it seems he so enjoyed Mixing with the rowdy element, especially Bru and the Hagia Sophia, at Twickers this year that he has booked us a hotel for the Murrayfield match! Already? It will fall on me to get the tickets. So, if any of you wonderful people are able to put a couple my way

p.s. I think this (next) year I'll allow FES  to buy us a pre-match snifter.

don't forget though Mr Pip, anyone in the front row is allowed to "strike" for the ball. Tactically speaking, the loosehead prop would probably be the best man for this job.

We could potentially see the game being played with a loosehead prop/hooker type person at 1 then have two "tightheads" at 2 and 3 to hold the whole thing up?

It's an interesting point that - the loosehead prop was banned from hooking the ball back in the 1930s so that the home unions (who set the rules in those days) could abolish NZ's 7-man 2-3-2 scrum (bio-mechanically a 2-3-2 can match a 3-2-3 shove) and thereby ban the Wing Forward (who functioned as fetcher and scrum-feeder in NZ at the time, giving an overlap in the backs vs sides playing an 8-man scrum). Wonder if some bright coach will try and bring it back ...

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